TGIF!!

While this week did go by fairly quick, no matter what, Friday's just never get here soon enough! I didn't have to stop for anything on my way home so I got there just a little after 4pm. Wally and Daryl had worked on the outdoor kitchen and made some really good progress. It should only be another week before we're ready to cookout - woo hoo!!! Of course, y'all are invited to come over :)

Wally showed me where the remaining pieces will be stationed and it looks like it will work out very well for moving around in the area. We'll be able to use gas, charcoal or the smoker in addition to my 4 burner stovetop. C'mon over and check it out!

The wind was blowing like crazy while we were outside; my hair was everywhere and I got stuff in my contacts so I couldn't stay out long. It was even blowing so hard that we could hear it whistling over the top of Wally's beer bottle LOL.  I know - he doesn't like bottles at the cabin... but they were the only ones on sale so that's what I bought. It's not like beer lasts very long here anyway, right?

We went inside and watched Archie and Sanford and Son. Those shows crack me up as much now as they used to when we were little. We do watch newer shows too and they are funny but they just aren't the same. Some of the ones we catch that are older are Becker, M.A.S.H., Everybody Loves Raymond, Home Improvement, etc. Wally likes watching SPEED channel too - I usually find something else to do while that's on. Sorry, but I just can't get into it any more than he can get into Food Network. To me it sounds like they're speaking Spanish.

I totally forgot to take out something for dinner and I saw a bunch of empty bowls in the sink so I knew Wally had cleaned out all the leftovers. We talked about going down to the diner to eat. I haven't eaten there since I moved here so the thought was kind of appealing. But then I decided to make tuna fish sandwiches instead. That's another thing I haven't had in a long time. I seem to get on a roll where I eat it 2 or 3 times a week and then I'm done with it for a month - you too? They (whoever they are?) say that when you crave something to eat it's because your body is lacking in some nutrient. Well, mine was lacking in tuna LOL and apparently so was Wally's.

I made two cans of tuna with all the goodies; green peppers, celery, hard-boiled eggs, mayo, pepper and some of my dilly pickle relish (from Mule Day). I know you're wondering where the onions are and well, quite frankly, I ran out of them. ARRRGGGHHHH how can I live without onions in the house??? Relax, fortunately for me the dilly relish had onions in it hee hee hee. But I will be stopping at Publix on my way home tonight...

Wally had two sandwiches on toast and I had one on toast and one little fold-back with the heal of the bread. Obviously, bread is on my list as well.  What pigs, huh? I justify it by saying that at least tuna is healthy... I'm sure there are others out there who do the same. It's not like eating a half gallon of low-fat frozen yogurt and justifying it by saying it's healthy... totally different.

We did get to see a turkey out in the yard. She was out wandering around and eating whatever she could find. Must have been plenty of it because she stayed even when we went up to bed. I might add that it was still daylight so there was no reason for her to leave.. lol

Don't forget the Kentucky Derby is on this weekend. I believe the radio guy said the pre-race stuff starts at 3 and the actual race at 5:30. I don't know if he was talking Eastern or Central time so check your local listings so you don't miss it. They are expecting more rain than what we're supposed to get but from what I understand they will run it unless there's lightning.

I'm hoping to get my tomatoes before the rains come on Saturday but I'll stay away from that subject because you, like me, are probably tired of hearing it. Promises, promises, promises. I will say though that I bought some "Sunsweet Ones" last time I was at the store. Yes, the commercial finally got to me. It's true, however, that they are sweet and very juicy. I figure one or two a day should keep everything on track if you know what I mean. LOL

So it's the weekend and I'm ready for it. I have more boxes to unpack (can you believe it?) and more laundry to do. I can't hang clothes on the line because of the darn rain but I can get them all washed, dried and put away while the unpacking is going on. Where the heck is Rebecca when I need her? LOL she got so good at doing laundry I almost couldn't tell her folded towels from my own. Seriously - have her fold some for you sometime and you'll see what I mean. She won't appreciate it but you'll see what I mean.

I'm off to Publix after work and then home to see what's in store for me. Maybe a ride on the 4 wheelers, maybe a ride in the black truck if it's fixed. Maybe just hang out on the front porch of the cabin with a cooler full of beer and nothing but ourselves and nature to keep us amused. We're pretty amusing after a cooler full of beer... LOL  Not that you didn't already know that :)

So I'll leave you with a smile as this day goes by...

"No matter what you have done to this moment, you get 24 brand new hours to spend every single day." - Brian Tracy

Britney, Britney, Britney... How could I have done you this way?

It's confirmed I've lost my mind. On Tuesday's blog I listed those of you who say you're coming to visit. In what can only be described as a brain fart, I spelled Britney's name as Britany. Of course I know better, goodness I have known this child for how long???? At least 11 or 12 years...

So please accept "Aunt Darcie's" apology... LOL 

In a quick update, when asked if you would like me to keep writing "books" in the blog or if I should taper off some, the majority of you said to keep writing. The score was 3 to 1. Sorry Debbie, you'll just have to read them when you can or skip them altogether. It's all up to you. Now that you're boyfriend-less, maybe you'll have more time to spend on my blog...LOL  and school work - crack those books woman!

It was really nice outside when I got home from work yesterday. Wally had gone to Pee Wee's and was on his way home. The dogs met me at the car and followed me to the house. I put some chicken tenders in a bowl of water so they could thaw out and changed into my usual garb; jeans and a tank top.

With my hair up in a hair-tie and my sunglasses on, I grabbed a beer, a lawn chair and my Southern Living magazine and sat out on the front porch looking at the view and slowly turning the pages. There was a turkey in the driveway but he never made it down to the house. I could hear him gobbling off in the woods though. It really echos up there on the hill. You sometimes feel like you're surrounded by the turkeys when they all get going but in reality there are only 3 toms - that's how loud they are.

About 10 pages into the magazine Wally got home. He showed me the work they had completed on the kitchen - it's really coming along and I can't wait to get out there and have a cookout!! He did build in the 4-burner stovetop lower than the rest so I have a space of my own - thank you honey!

We took our walk out to the newer garage-type space. He put up a metal structure where he can keep tools and do light mechanical work. This way he can keep a set of tools up at the cabin and not have to go down to the barn everytime he needs something - gathering materials takes more time than using them for the purpose they were intended. The space is big enough to park the motorhome in with plenty of room leftover. I'm pretty sure he only knows how to build "BIG." If you've been here - you know what I mean.

We got on the 4-wheeler and went all the way down the front yard where Wally had spotted a new flowering tree. I don't have any idea what it is but I'll be searching the internet on my lunch to see if I can identify it. It's growing in the rocks - literally, there is no grass anywhere near it and it's about 3 feet tall. We can see bunches of them all down the side of that holler. We're going to try transplanting them along the driveway if we can get to enough of them. They smell like a jasmine but they don't look like one. I'll figure it out though, rest assured.

We took the 4-wheelers down to the "condo" so I could check out the rosebush. It has about 20 buds on it but none are open yet. They are very tightly bound but you can see that the flowers are white with what looks to be a red or pink trim on the outer petals. I can't wait!!! You so know I will have pictures of these flowers as soon as they bloom!

We took some carrots over to the horses, well, I should say over to Rebel. Smokey wouldn't come to us so he didn't get any. Then we went through that gate, through the pasture and down into, what I call, the deep woods of the property. Wally had bulldozed it at one time and we could see where the horses preferred to travel but a lot of it was very overgrown. It's beautiful mind you with the creek running along side of us and the trees making a canopy over top and wild flowers growing everywhere but it is rough terrain for a beginner 4 wheeler like myself. I did okay but don't ask me to find my way alone. I'll learn it soon enough. Indeed last night was truly an adventure for me.

As it turns out, we ended up at the bottom of the front yard, right where we started out. How about that? I knew Wally knew where he was going but I had no idea that's where I would be when we came out of those woods. Pretty darn cool I must say :)

We had chicken tenders, seasoned with some seasoning salt and black pepper then just pan fried in a little tiny bit of Olive Oil. Crunchy on the outside, juicy-moist on the inside. Sissy and J - sorry you weren't here for them, it was one of my better batches :) Love you though :)  We also had some "Glory" brand seasoned, mixed greens and some pinto beans. Yummy, yummy for the tummy and very filling too. While I was cooking we watched a new PBS series called "America." I usually enjoy those types of documentaries (I know - nerdy- who cares?) but this one might turn out to be a flop. It just couldn't hold our interest. We moved on to Sienfeld and then Criminal Minds which we made half way through before heading upstairs to bed.

It was a nice night weather-wise, we had the little heater on (by my side of the bed of course) but somewhere in the middle of the night Wally turned it off. We really didn't need it because the room was just right for sleeping. Cool enough for covers but not so cold you need a heater - loved it!

I know this post is lengthy but I have to tell you about the ride in to work. I was still in Hickman County and coming up over one of many hills. On the side of the road, heads down and grazing were 6 deer. Their fur was really thick since they still have their winter coats. They barely took time to look up at me and then went right back to eating. They were so pretty and so much bigger than the deer in FL. I wish I had one in the freezer but that'll have to wait until hunting season. Sorry but that's a fact folks. Continuing on my way, it must have been wild animal day because just as I came into Brentwood there was a bunch of turkeys all pecking away at the ground right there by the traffic light at the Brentwood High School. Tell me where else in the world you would see something like that in this day and age?

That gives you an idea of where my head is, daydreaming and counting the hours until I'm back on the road headed towards home. I'll leave you with a note to say I do miss you all but this is really, really good for me.

"The voyage of discovery is not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes." - Marcel Proust

Hump Day or Bingo Night at the Oriole's - whichever way you prefer to look at it!

Well we made it to the half way mark and all is well. At least up here it is. Today I added a posting showing some of the health benefits of consuming chicken broth. All broth is good for us if it's cooked properly and consumed regularly. I focused on chicken broth because it actually helps reduce inflamation and those annoying, achy joint pains we sometimes suffer from. I may only be speaking for Neccy and myself and if that's so, lucky you. However, for the rest of us, please read the information. Our grandmothers were right!

Yesterday I complained about gas prices being so high and with good reason. I found though that they were outweighed by the beef prices at the local Food Lion. I went in with the intent to get a Mother's Day card for you know who and a birthday card for Kaylee Boo. That being said, I came out less than 20 minutes later having spent $83.00. Whatever, some of you go to Kohls or the mall or wherever and spend just as much in the same amount of time so I don't want to hear it. I happen to despise shopping unless it's grocery shopping. And I admit, the occasional Dollar Tree extravaganza but who's concern is that really? But I digress... the ground chuck was on sale for $1.97 per pound. The gas was $2.83. You do the math. I had to get it it was on sale!! Four pounds of meat and I was outa there... LOL

If you must know, the cards were more expensive than the beef or the gas... so where's the savings? Well in this case it's not about the money, it's about the thought.

I picked up some okra, speckled butter beans and field peas (they didn't have frozen black eyed peas, what's up with that?) for a recipe that Joe Brack gave me. I'll elaborate later. I picked up some beer because it was on sale, hello, $13.99 for an 18 pack. So you can see where the $83.00 went and how quickly.

For the ride home I was almost completely by myself on the road. There was one guy in front of me and one it back. That's it. For the whole 45 minute trip. I don't know where everyone went but they were either gone before I got on the road or lost somewhere behind me. It was so peaceful coming over those hills and around those curves it's easy to get lost in the scenery. The irises are blooming all along the roadside and around the mailboxes. People here just seem to know where to put them to make them look their best. I saw some purple ones, white ones, yellow ones and even some that appear to be multi-colored between yellow, red and a brownish sort of hue. Very, very pretty and apparently very, very abundant. Thank you Francis for the tips on getting ahold of some for myself!

Once home we took our usual stroll around the yard. The outdoor kitchen is really coming along and soon I'll be able to send pictures. We took a couple pics of the outhouse which I'll be posting as soon as they are sent to my phone. It's pretty cool looking if I do say so myself. I brought in the clothes off the line and checked out the new arrangement in the laundry room. The washer and dryer are back on the floor where they were originally intended - sweet!! Wally says they look like they belong to midgets. I guess because they were so tall when they were on the blocks now they look miniature LOL. I'm glad to have them there though, saves me from having to climb up the steps of the stool to get to the clothes. We gave the dog his aspirin, discussed planting the stolen daffodils around the flagpole and then headed into the house.

 I made a healthy version of what we aways called "grease and beans." I think Dougy gave it that name? In any case, it's ground beef (good thing it was on sale ha ha) browned with peppers and onions. Then you add a can of dark red kidney beans, juice and all. Heat it up and serve it over rice. Well, as I said, mine is a somewhat healthier version - no offense Mom - in fact, I think you would like it too.

Before browning the meat, I cooked some pearled barley in a cup and a half of beef broth. You can use water but it doesn't taste as good. When that was almost done, I browned the meat with the onions and peppers and added the kidney beans and juice. To that I added about half a can of whole tomatoes that I chopped up myself. I don't like the ones that are already chopped because they chop them too small. I also added a couple spoonfuls of the Recaitro I told you about yesterday and a generous sprinkling of black pepper.

I mixed in the cooked barley and viola! Dinner was served. We ate while we watched Sanford & Son and then we just chilled out; Wally in his recliner and me in my rocker... LOL  Okay, enough relaxing, I got up and cleaned the kitchen, took out my contacts and changed into my shorts and tank top. Off we went to bed where Wally promptly fell asleep and I watched Criminal Minds. Party Animals aren't we? I'm pretty sure it was around 9:00 when I fell asleep. That never happened in FL. I should have been a farmer; up before sunrise and down before dark...

So the recipe Joe Brack gave me goes like this: Get either a ham bone or a ham steak or both. If you use a ham steak cut it into pieces. Start it boiling in water to cover. I always add a packet or two of ham bouillon depending on how much water you add.Once that gets boiling, add a bag of frozen speckled butter beans, a bag of frozen black eyed peas (or field peas if that's all you can find) and a bag of frozen okra. I find that they sell the okra in twice the size of the peas so sometimes you only need half a bag of the okra. If you like a lot of okra, add the whole bag. I then add a can of whole tomatoes (chopped by me) and a chopped onion. Let this cook awhile and then check your seasonings. You may need to add salt and pepper if you don't have ham bouillon. It takes about 30 minutes or so for the beans and peas to get done. If you use a ham bone, you may want to take it out, let it cool and then pick the meat off and add it back to the stew.

This is a keeper for me and I thank Joe Brack for the recipe. I know I changed it up a bit but it's still good. Ask Dizzy Debbie. I made some for her and Jamie and she wouldn't let him have any of it!! LOL that's my girl :)

It was 43 degrees this morning and it's supposed to warm up to 69 by midday. Pretty nice weather now that the rain has moved on. Maybe my garden area will get tilled in the next day or so. I'm glad I didn't put out the tomatoes - 43 might have been just a little too cold for them. I'm shooting for this weekend just like I was shooting for all the rest but I have seriously high hopes this time... of course I'll keep you posted.

"Happiness comes when your work and words are of benefit to yourself and others." - Buddha 

I hope your Wednesday brings happiness to you and those around you even if only by reading what I wrote for you. 

  

Rainy Tuesday y'all...

I don't know what the gas prices are in the rest of the world but coming home last night I filled up at the BP for $2.69 per gallon. This morning at the same station, it was $2.88.  What happened overnight to cause a hike like that?

Well, as days go by I'm finding that the news is holding less importance to me that it used to. I catch the weather and the local stuff and that's about all. And I'm good with that... I used to spend my whole drive time listening to talk radio, WDBO 580 am. Now, I still listen to am radio but it's WSM out of Nashville and it's a combination of old and new country music - mostly old. For example, this morning I listened to "Rhinestone Cowboy" and "Down in the Valley." I remember coming home from church, riding in the old Rambler, with Mom singing "Down in the Valley" to us. I don't remember her signing the verse about the guy being in jail! What an eye opener that was. Here I thought it was such a calming, pleasant old timey song and then the jail part came in. More proof of a sheltered childhood. One I wouldn't change for anything in the world.  :)

Wally got the back wall and the tin roof on the outhouse yesterday. Today, providing Jim shows up, they're hanging the door and digging the ditch to lay the plumbing and electrical stuff. So, yes, Debbie you will have real plumbing and lights in your solitary confinement... ha ha ha.

Wally is also taking the washer and dryer of the blocks (he has them up 2 blocks high so it doesn't hurt his back to bend over to get stuff out) so I can reach them without having to stand on a stool. Ahhhhh, that'll be so nice :) As it is I have to get on the 1st step to load the washer and I have to get on the second step to reach down into it to unload it. Not a pretty sight if you ask me.  I've said it before, it's the little things in life.

We didn't do anything yesterday. We were going to get hinges for the outhouse door but decided to stay home instead. We watched Archie - he was having a fit because Lionel took his niece dancing. Oh that was a funny episode for sure. The one following it was when Edith thought she was a Kleptomaniac (a Klepper as she called it) another funny one! I made dinner. It was one of my own concoctions with no name. I browned some hamburger meat and then added onions and green peppers and a sprinkling of Anise. After the vegetables got soft I added can of cream of mushroom soup and a couple spoonfuls of Recaito (a cilantro base in the spanish section of the store). I let that cook and then added some black pepper and chopped cilantro. I served it over whole wheat egg noodles and it was a done deal. Easy, fast, tasty and filling.

Wally had already polished off the leftover roast beef and the leftover shrimp creole. I guess it was breakfast and lunch for him. LOL

I had put some beef barley soup in the freezer a week or so ago so I took that out to thaw for lunch today. The soup and my salad and I'm all set! I'll make some for you when you come up.

Here is the list of people who have said they're coming (they haven't said when...):
Rebecca, Jarrett, Kain and Ashley (my favorite working child)
Neccy & Jack
Dizzy Debbie
Beverly
Ernie & William (possibly Britney too...)
Mom
Kelly and Kaylee
Marcia, Ricky and Michelle Johnson
Sydna and Dan

Well - the calendar is open so get your dates in quick - it's first come, first served around here people!

We went to bed early last night, seems everyone was over-tired yesterday. Was that just because it was Monday or because we had too much fun over the weekend? hmmmm I think the latter may be true. I slept really well, which is unusual for me. No sleeping medicine or arthritis pills, just good old sleepiness. The rain on the tin roof helped I'm sure. It was still raining this morning but I slept so soundly last night I was up and at 'em around 4:30 this morning. I probably drive Wally crazy with my early hours but he never complains. Unless you consider snorning a complaint... hee hee!

Debbie says my posts are too long and she doesn't have time to read them so if everyone else is in agreement, I'll cut them short. Consider this a poll and the majority wins.

I'll leave you with this "Happiness is like jam. You can't spread even a little bit without getting some on yourself." - Anonymous.

Monday, Monday, Monday

Well, what a weekend it was. NO, I didn't get to plant my tomatoes because it rained all day Saturday and the menonite store is closed on Sunday. I did, however, get to unpack a whole bunch of boxes. I found two so far that belong to Rebecca and Jarrett - had I been there to help, these wouldn't have made the trip because now they just have to go back. Some things didn't have to be unpacked, they just had to go in the trailer for storage so they were easy.

The cookbooks are out on the bookshelf along with the Dick and Jane series Neccy bought me. The "Gone With the Wind" novel has assumed its place on the top shelf with my dried hydrangea flowers in their vase. Looks like it did in FL with the exception of the bottles. The bottles went to the AmVets. My little (Partylight) rabbits adorn the middle shelf with a picture of Dougy, I think it's from 9th grade and a baby picture of Rachel Daugherty. Rebecca's senior picture is up there too.

I finally found my little white lamp with the rose painted on it. It's going upstairs on the nightstand beside my bed so guests will have a light to assist in crossing over the bridge. Deb, no more feeling your way on hands and knees! LOL, don't feel bad, you're not the only one. We've seen people cross it on hands and knees in the daytime when they weren't even drinking.

My scarred kitchen table has a table cloth on it, the one that's a patchwork design - very "Springy" looking. My bright yellow sunflower candle holders (one has a lady bug on it, the other has a dragonfly on it) are on the table and as soon as I find the darn box with all the candles it it, I'll fill them and light them. LOL my luck it'll be the last box I get to.

I unpacked my juicer and my meat grinder so I'll be busy with those before too long. The juicer might not be as worked as it was in FL since I don't have a ruby red grapefruit tree hanging over the back fence anymore. I'll find something to juice though - rest assured.

Beverly bought us an electric skillet so I got that out this weeked. We had bacon and eggs cooked in that skillet and I'll tell you what, the clean-up was the simplest I've had in a long time. Next item for the electric skillet will be pork chops. Kelly made some for her son's birthday dinner one night and they cooked up so easily and were just as crunchy as if they were done in a cast iron skillet. Thank you again Bev, I'll be sure to cook something in it for you when you come to visit.

My back started bothering me with all that unpacking and trailer loading so I took one of Wally's arthritis pills, diclofinac I believe it's called, anyway it made me feel better. It also makes me loopy if I'm not going to sleep after taking it. I guess I was wandering aimlessly for a while there and couldn't really focus on what I was doing (I know - lightweight - whatever). I took a break and watched the weather, which had some pretty bad elements but all in all we did just fine. I took some pictures but they haven't come to my phone yet so I can't post them. We didn't see the horses or the turkeys, even the crows failed to make an appearance. I guess they all knew the weather was going to be bad at some point.

I put a pot roast in the slow cooker with carrots, onions and celery. I was out of French Onion soup mix so I sprinkled the roast with some steak seasoning and it came out really flavorful. We both thought it tasted good but the meat was dry. I'm not sure why since I've done it this way a bazillion times and it's never happened before. Oh well - better luck next time. The vegetables were delicious! Of course I saved the juice for another time...

I got to hear a whippoorwill for the first time ever. He/she was just singing his/her heart out for the longest time Friday evening going from tree to tree. No matter where I stood on the porch, I could hear the song. If you haven't ever heard one, it really does sound like they are calling their name. They simply couldn't be called anything else! Wally just laughs at me and says how cute I am standing out there on the front porch with my beer, listening to the whippoorwill sing and watching the trees blowing in the wind. He tries to see things from my perspective but like he said, he was raised here so it's nothing new to him. It's all new to me :)

I have 2 bags to drop off at the Thrift Store or the Goodwill, whichever is open on my way home. I have to still get the rest of the Christmas stuff in the trailer. I did 4 loads of laundry - none of which could go on the line because of the stupid rain and Wally worked on the black truck. He finally got it to the cabin and parked it along with my car under the deck. We were supposed to get hail but it never showed up.

We had to leave the truck at the gate Friday night. When I got home the gate was closed which meant Wally wasn't home. I didn't know if the horses were out so I closed it behind me. Well, he came up from the holler and had to turn the truck off to open the gate and then it wouldn't start again.

Sunday, he tricked me awake. I had taken another arthritis pill the night before so my back wouldn't hurt when I went to bed. I had a few beers before I took it so when we did go to bed I was sleeping like a baby in no time... and sawing logs according to Wally. Well, he knows how I like to watch those shows that tell you how food gets from the farm to your plate so when he woke up, he put on the History channel and they were showing a documentary on Eggland's Best Eggs and Orange Juice. He's just laying there waiting for me to hear it in my sleep because he knows it'll wake me up. Sure enough, I guess he turned up the volume or something because I woke up and heard it and couldn't go back to sleep. Now, here he is looking at me knowing that I won't be able to go back to sleep and fessed up he did it on purpose. He was hungry and knew a food show would get me up and cooking.... huh! I had to laugh - it was funny afterall. Normally he wouldn't watch something like that but a hungry man will go to great lengths apparently.

The weather was so nice Sunday (after all that rain on Saturday) that we decided to head out on the motorcycle. I hung a load of clothes on the line (got my fix!) and he washed off the bike. We set out some shrimp to thaw for dinner (thank you Sandy and Don!) and we were off and riding. Unfortunately, as with all Harley's, we had a problem right out of the gate. The kickstand wasn't staying up. How annoying. We go back to the cabin and Wally fixes it, of course (that man can fix just about anything), and in about 30 minutes we headed back out again.

We stopped at a couple of auto parts places so he could get a starter for the black truck, then we stopped at Food Lion to get beer and tomato paste. We went by this one bar called Cody's and had a couple beers there then headed to Pee Wee's to watch the rest of the race. GO KEVIN HARVICK!!! I know Ricky was excited, I'm pretty sure I could hear him yelling all the way up here. LOL. Pee Wee's was actually crowded! I guess everyone in the race pool wanted to see who won - just like being at the club :)  It was fun but since it was Sunday, we wanted to get home at a decent time as one of us has to go to work.

I made shrimp creole for dinner last night and instead of serving it over rice (since Wally can't have rice - diabetic) I served it over spaghetti squash. Oh My Goodness was it ever good this way. We absolutely loved it and can't wait to have it again. It was very simple to make and very, very tasty - just a little bite in it from the cayenne pepper and hot sauce but you could make it hotter or not as you prefer. This one goes in the recipe book I'm putting together. It's really just my favorites so I have a quick reference.

This morning I didn't want to get out of bed. It was sprinkling rain on the tin roof of the cabin and the owl was hooting off in the woods somewhere. I got up a little before 5 am and got ready for work. I have a salad for lunch again - the red lettuce, by the way, tastes the same as the iceburg. I couldn't tell the difference.

I forgot to take meat out of the freezer so we'll likely have leftovers. Sweaty chicken was Friday night's dinner so I'm thinking that'll be the easiest. I know it sounds bad but it tastes really good. It's a spanish dish my girlfriends in the Orlando office shared with me. You sweat the chicken thighs or legs or both until it's done in a comination of water, beer and seasonings. Once it's done, you take it off the bone (I do anyway, they don't) and put it back in the broth with orange, red and green peppers. You add some onion, garlic and some jalapenos (if you like) and let it stew. If you have sofrito, you can eliminate the onion and garlic because it's already in there.

The girls at work serve it over rice but we just ate it out of a bowl. It was really good. I can't find my skimmer which drives me crazy because I just bought it from Pampered Chef and brought it up with me at Christmastime. I'll keep searching for it because I won't be able to not. LOL.

It was cloudy and 58 degrees when I left this morning. They say it's going to be like this tomorrow too and then clear up for Wednesday and Thursday. It doesn't matter to me - springtime is pretty no matter where I am. Come see me and you'll see why...

I'm planting daffodil bulbs by the flag pole at the point where the driveway splits off. You'll see them next year if you're here in time and I do so hope you will be. 

"He who cultivates the earth are its most valued citizens" - Thomas Jefferson

Ahhh, relax the weekend is almost upon us...

And what a beautiful Friday morning it is here in middle Tennessee. It is currently 55 degrees with a high projected to be near 80 degrees. We are supposed to have rain tonight and severe thunderstorms tomorrow.

So guess what I'll be doing??????? That's right, unpacking those darn boxes!!!  We've decided to take all the Christmas boxes (probably 75% of the whole) down to the trailer behind the barn. It's only used for storage so it will be the perfect place for all that stuff. My plan was to re-pack it all but I checked it out the other day and I guess I did a pretty good job of packing it last time it was all out because it looks really good. Especially for having just made a 750 mile trip. I know some of you think I'm OCD about stuff like that, I disagree (Rebecca, Mom, Neccy).However, if that is the case, it paid off in the end...

Last night was so perfect. I did have to stop at Publix for a few things (spent $119.00 on those few things...WTH?) so I didn't get home until about 5:15. Gerry, the Spike Seasoning now has a red label instead of blue. The drive was really cool because it was kind of cloudy. The clouds look like old-time shawls trying to wrap themselves around the shoulders of the mountains. Such a pretty sight to see.

Driving on Oak Springs Rd. is always an adventure. The road is curvy and barely big enough for two vehicles to pass. Mostly all cars will move over or at least slow down so both can pass. Not always though, so you do have to be on the lookout. Yesterday, I didn't pass a single car. I must still be mystified by this because it never fails to amaze me when it happens. I think it's probably 4 or 5 miles from the main road and not one single car came by. Just imagine it if you can. If you've been here, you're already nodding your head in agreement.

I got home and we brought the few (ha!) grocery bags in and put away most of them. We went outside to check out the work on the outdoor kitchen. Nothing gets done in a day around here because it's so hard to find good help. Wally's friend Daryl came and did the block work for the grill and it's almost done. He had to leave at 11:30 to get to his other job, which is bartender at Pee Wee's. You'll meet Daryl when you come visit. Wally is going to put stone up on the blocks once it's done but for now it's good old block. Of course it's built a little too high for me to be able to cook on it but we do have a 4 burner gas stovetop too. I'll have to make sure this gets built in a little lower than the grill or I'll be on my tippy toes the whole time I'm cooking. hmmmm maybe he's building it so high so I won't be able to cook??? Nah, I don't think so :)

I can reach the very front of the grill but anything towards the back is pretty much on its own LOL. 

After our stroll around the yard we went back in and watched Archie, he was trying to bribe his tax man and it so wasn't working for him. It made for a funny show though as always.We watched Sienfeld after that, which always cracks me up, and it was one I had never seen...This came as a complete surprise because I was such a faithful watcher. I just couldn't believe it. Again, it's the little things in life. I put away the rest of the groceries and changed into some shorts and a tank top - my usual cooking attire  (ha ha Neccy).

"Hey Granpa, what's for supper?" 
Well, since you asked... we did have the lemon pepper chicken. It was cooked in the Wolfgang Puck pan with just a coating of Olive Oil (see one of the health benefits below) on a moderate temperature. Once it starts to brown on one side, I turn it over and get the other side going. I'm always tempted to just peel that crunchy brown stuff off and eat it right away (Dizzy Debbie) but I make myself wait until it's done. Not an easy goal to put on oneself...

I used canned corn because the corn on the cobb just didn't look quite right yet. Although they label it as "Florida Sweet Corn" I have my doubts. It doesn't say "Zellwood Sweet Corn" so it can't be trusted. Anyway, I drained the cans of corn, put them in the pot with some "I can't believe it's not butter-light" and some fresh cracked black pepper. Right before it's done, sprinkle in some chopped up cilantro and you have yourself a yummy little pot of corn!

We had green beans seasoned with the Spike Seasoning and our meal was complete. That chicken was so juicy on the inside and so, so crunchy on the outside I wanted to make a pig of myself but I didn't. I had just the one piece and I quit. But rest assured I didn't want to!

We got the kitchen cleaned up, gave the dog his baby aspirin and I made my lunch for today. By now you know what that is except I did go out on a limb and change it up a bit. I used half iceburg lettuce and half red leaf lettuce. I don't know how it's going to taste but I'll let you know after lunch.

On a sad note, I read the label on the jar of pickled beets. I can't buy that brand any longer. It's loaded with high fructose corn syrup. I don't care what the corn industry says about it not being bad for you - it most certainly is. If you are interested, I'll send you a link where you can read all about the bad things it does to your body. It's almost as bad as trans-fatty acids, which I hope all of you have eliminated from your diet. Okay, I'll get off my soapbox for now.

The stars were all brightly shining last night when we went to bed. They light up the area so well you don't need an outside light. As some of you know, there are no neighbors around (except one way off in the distance to the right) so you don't see their outside lights either. With a sky like that it's hard to go to bed. But alas, tiredness won out so off we went. We watched Iron Chef (I love it!) and it was a tie!!! I think I've seen maybe 3 ties in all the years I've watched it. Of course it's not Wally's favorite show but he puts up with it because I love it so much. I don't ask for much to watch on tv and don't have too many favorites so he indulges me with that one and Criminal Minds. Otherwise, I really don't care what's on.

My grandma's chair is upstairs in the bedroom with the floor lamp that Mucher gave me standing beside it. It's one of the prettiest places in the cabin and I can't wait to actually get a minute when I can sit down and read a book in that space. It's calling my name!! On the horizon I'm sure the couch is to follow :) Ernie, I hope your mom saved the cushion pattern? LOL

"Happiness is like a butterfly. The more you chase it, the more it eludes you. But if you turn your attention to the other things, it comes and sits softly on your shoulder." - Anonymous

Let your Friday be happy...

Friday eve...

Yesterday I got to work a little bit earlier than usual so I left earlier than usual. Well, I ended up in the middle of three school zones. They aren't really long as far as distance goes but the speed is only 15 mph. It's not easy to do 15 mph when you're going downhill!! That takes some getting used to or I'll be needing breaks before too long. LOL  The rest of the ride was as pretty as always including the fact that I've noticed there are blue and purple irises blooming now instead of the daffodils. I don't know if they are planted in bunches or if they just become bunches over the years but there are anywhere from 10-20 flowers in almost every bunch I see. Very, very pretty on the eyes!

I know irises are bulbs so I'll be on the lookout for them on our next trip to Lowe's. Better yet, maybe one of the women at Pee Wee's will have some to share :)  that would work for me! We didn't make it to Pee Wee's last night. Wally had worked on the outdoor kitchen for the better part of the day and was pretty tired.

While cleaning out some old logs he found one that had termites in it. He rolled it over into a burn pile and the fire was still going when I got home. We couldn't hardly leave a fire in the yard and go out drinking when we live in a log cabin and are surrounded by woods. Not a smart idea...

Staying home was better anyway. I got out the cast iron skillet and cooked hamburgers with pepper jack cheese melted on top and we had the ranch potato salad to go with them. Now that we have learned about "resistant starch," I can make potato salad for Wally even though he is diabetic. The weather was nice (although a little cool for the likes of me but I have my trusty gray jacket) so we took the 4 wheeler up to the mailbox after dinner. We hung around the fire for about an hour and then he watered it down to put it out until next time.

We watched "All in the Family" and "Everybody Loves Raymond" and then I actually unpacked some boxes!! FINALLY. It's pretty funny opening these boxes because most of them were packed by someone else so I never know what's going to be in them. They aren't labeled except for the boxes I got from Tammy Jo and those are labeled according to what she had in them. It might say kitchen on it but that doesn't mean there will be kitchen stuff in it... LOL

So one of last night's boxes consisted of two sleeping bags and camp pillows, and a canvas suitcase type bag with clothes of unknown origin. The clothes looked like they might be too small for Gerry so I know they didn't belong to ANY of us (ha ha!) and I have no idea who they did belong to. They went in the Goodwill bag and I used the canvas bag to pack the sleeping bags in - we'll use them down at Hidden Valley this summer. Y'all are invited to join us.

The other two boxes were actually packed and labeled by me. One was all my old tax paperwork and my pictures that aren't in albums (they are in packages and in order by the date in which they were taken, of course). The other box was one (of many) with my candle holders. This was pretty exciting to find as I've been planning in my head where my candle holders would go but I couldn't get my hands on any of them. Wally put the bookshelf in the dinning room for me so I'll get the cookbooks done tonight and join them with some of the candle holders. All will be as it should for that part of the room, in my mind anyway, and goodness knows no one wants to go there...

Wally said it rained last night but I didn't hear it. I guess I was sleeping soundly for a change. I saw this morning that my windshield wasn't quite as green as it has been for a week or so now... and there were some raindrops still coming down but very few. The elusive owl was hooting away and I thought I'd see the rabbits but they must have been avoiding me because they were nowhere to be seen either. I think they're on to me now.

I can't tell you how hard it is for me to leave the cabin when it's sprinkling rain and all I hear is the owl, the crickets, frogs and birds and all I see is the warm glow of the light in the kitchen while I'm backing out to a view of the mountains across the front yard. The only way to do it is to keep telling myself that in a few short hours I'll be back. Those of you who have been here, just close your eyes and picture it again. Those of you who haven't, you'll have to see it to believe it - seriously, it's beautiful (have I said that before?).

And now, as Mom used to say "hey grandpa, what's for supper?" Sure she took it from Hee Haw but hey, it works!

I took out chicken for dinner tonight. I'm not sure how I'm going to cook it but my favorite is usually grilled with lemon pepper. If it rains, I'll just get out the old Wolfgang Puck pan again and cook inside. It's good either way. I believe it was Ernie who turned me on to lemon pepper; over at her house they even put it on their tomatoes! Don't knock it until you try it, I tried it and it's pretty darn good.

I'm making whole wheat pasta salad and some sweet corn to go with the chicken. We tried the cilantro butter last time and it was very yummy on the corn so maybe we'll go with that again this time. Gosh, it's not even lunch time and I'm ready for dinner.  Are you?  LOL

I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of anyone who likes chicken and dumplings. Wally can't eat them and I don't know how to make a small batch but I'd really like to have some. If there are any takers out there, let me know when you think you'll be here so I'll know how long I'm going to have to wait.  :)

"But what is happiness except the simple harmony between a man and the life he leads?" Lord Byron

I'll just leave you with that for today - enjoy your Friday Eve!

It's Hump Day Y'all - Woo Hoo!!

Wednesdays let you know you're almost there. Take a deep breath because Friday is just a couple days away! I have a list a mile long and topping it off today will be finding a place to get my oil changed. Where is Ricky Kline when I need him? My car has green pollen covering it from bumper to bumper. So, again I ask, where is Ricky Kline when I need him? LOL He could make a fortune opening a car wash here. In FL there's a high school car wash on every corner. I have yet to see one here. Of course the only high school I pass is Brentwood High and it's pretty hoity toity - the kids probably have a live in car detailer!

Yesterday I had to get fuel. At the Shell station it was $2.69 per gallon. The other gas stations are all at $2.75 so I have to consider the savings. There is no drive-through car wash at this gas station but there is a drive-through with bbq so you can grab dinner while you're fueling up the auto :)

When I was coming down the driveway, Wally was coming from the cabin on the 4 wheeler. He was headed down the holler to check on the horses but found them out behind the cabin so he decided to come meet me instead. We went to the cabin and walked around checking things out.

The outhouse has a floor and 3 walls. The 4th wall and the roof are supposed to be completed today. The outdoor kitchen has the concrete poured for the work area which consists of a grill, a 4 burner (stainless steel) stovetop, a smoker and a sink. There's counter space and storage too. Jim and Daryl are both supposed to show up to help today so we're keeping our fingers crossed.

Wally tried to start the tractor but the tractor wasn't having anything to do with it. He said he'll work on getting it fixed so I can learn how to drive it. Don't get all excited, it's not an International Harvester or a Farmall but it is a cool Massey Ferguson. I remember when Dad wore his faded out MF ball cap. I'm pretty sure it was a favorite even though MF didn't stand for what you're thinking... it stood for Massey Ferguson LOL

Wally said he would teach me how to drive the tractor but that I would have to learn the theme song to "Green Acres." Ha ha - I told him I would drive the tractor and he could sing the song. We all know he has the better singing voice and he already knows the words... :) Learning to drive the tractor is on my list of things to do!

The garden area has to be cleaned up as we have decided to expand it somewhat. With Jim and Daryl there today, maybe the cedar boards and the Budweiser tarp will be moved to their final destination. Don't ask me where that is, only Wally knows.

The dogs followed us all around as we walked and you would have thought I was carrying a bag of bones for them the way they carried on. Wesson gets along better than Smith. Smith has to take breaks and lay down as his hips are getting really bad. We're going to start him on baby aspirin and see if that helps at all. I feel bad for the old guy.

We went inside and All in the Family was on so I got dinner started. A few comments have been made that my writing makes you hungry and I would stop telling you what we have for dinner but it's part of my day and the posting wouldn't be complete without it. So if you really aren't interested, you can just skip this paragraph - how bout that? lol  As I stand at the counter looking down the driveway I see the turkeys crossing over to the doghouse. They go over there and clean up whatever the dogs miss. The sun is shining brightly and the trees are multiple shades of greeen - it's one of the prettiest sights you can see here.

I get out my Wolfgang Puck pan that Neccy got me (and Aunt Karen?) and coat the bottom with some olive oil. We're having pork chops with gravy, green peas and spanish style brown rice. The rice was a tester. It's one of those Uncle Ben's things that heats up in 90 seconds in the microwave. I probably won't buy it again. It was just alright. We both covered it with gravy so it would be better lol.

Cooking the pork chops made for lots of brown bits (we call them "the gold") in the bottom of the pan so the gravy came out perfectly. Too bad we didn't have any biscuits to sop it up with but they are just not on our healthy eating plan. That's not to say we don't splurge every now and then, okay? The chops weren't breaded by the way... just seasoned and quickly pan fried. I like to buy the thin ones. They cook quicker and stay moist. They don't always come out right but these turned out really good. Green peas you just can't go wrong with. They are one of my favorite vegetables and come to find out they make you feel good just like dark chocolate. I say give peas a chance!!  LOL

We gave the dogs the bones and I made lunch for today, pretty much a repeat of yesterday with the salad but I brought some red grapes, a left over pork chop and the left over peas (mmmmmmm) to finish it off.

This morning I counted the churches that I pass on my way to work just to give you an idea of what I see on the ride. There are 21 total. They are mostly small town, little white structures with huge parking lots. I'm telling you the parking lots look like they could hold the whole town at once - pretty cute stuff. Some are brick buildings and all have big white steeples so you really can't miss them no matter the direction you're headed.

I'm looking for a place to get my hair colored. One salon is advertising for stylists to apply so I think I'll pass on that one although it is nice to see someone hiring. Another one is at a lady's house. It's called "My Favorite Hair Salon." I guess it would be since she's at home for it...There are a few more to choose from and I could always do it myself but that's risky. The hair coloring box doesn't have a recipe, rather it has instructions and I'm really not so good with darn instructions! Wally said he would help but only if I didn't expect it to look good LOL... this is my dilema.

Tonight is the big night at Pee Wee's bar so we'll be headed over there after work. Wednesday is when they pull for the race pool so it's more crowded than usual. I would say probably 10-15 people show up over the course of about 3-4 hours. I can't get in the pool because you have to join at the beginning of the year and agree to be in it every week that there's a race. I wouldn't have a problem with that, I just didn't get here in time to get in on it. But we'll get to hear some funny stories and find out about whatever is going on this weekend. We'll have a couple beers and probably be home before dark.

That's our plan for the night - what's yours? Whatever your plans are, don't forget to stop and smell the flowers!

I'm sure you're all sitting on the edge of your seats wondering if I made the potato salad or the cole slaw to go with our bratwursts last night. Well, drum roll please... NEITHER! I totally lazied-up and instead sliced a cucumber and heated up some black-eyed peas LOL. It was still a good dinner. I toasted the whole wheat buns in the oven for a few minutes (mine for a few minutes longer than Wally's so they would be brown) and then piled on the sauted onions and peppers. Wally had the "Hot Dog in a Jar" on his and I had both the "Hot Dog in a Jar" and the Dill Pickle and Onion Relish. Those were some pretty yummy brats I must say. As you may know any type of sausage product tends to not sit well in my system. I want you to know that I had no issue with this dinner last night. Strange isn't it?

No boxes got unpacked but the dirty laundry from Angel City got finished and Wally changed the headlight bulb on my car. I'm not sure Ford could have built a smaller spot for that bulb to have to go. Wally's hands are so big that he could barely get to where the bulb had to go. I offered to do it but he wouldn't let me. You can ask Dizzy Debbie about those hands and her birthday spanking of years ago... I'll just leave it at that LOL.

We had a nice night. We watched the recorded race while we had dinner. I cleaned up the kitchen and made my lunch for today and then we hit the hay. I watched Criminal Minds for a couple hours before finally falling asleep. There must have been something going on down in the holler or out in the woods because the dogs were howling up a storm. They were so funny sounding I had to laugh. They didn't go after anything so it must not have been a big deal to them but we sure got a kick out of it. It's the simple things in life, right?

This morning I was running early (imagine that!) since I had already made my lunch the night before. If only I could get in that habit every night...sigh. I watched the rabbits running hither and yon to avoid me hitting them and rolled down the window so I could hear the owl hooting off in the woods somewhere ahead of me. One of these days I hope to actually see this owl but for now it remains elusive, pretty much like everything else in the woods.

The turkeys on the other hand, they aren't a bit shy. Every evening they come across the front yard right about dusk. There are two Toms and about 4 hens. Those Toms are hiliarious and also beautiful. They fan their tail feathers and go to gobbling like you wouldn't believe. I'm sure the idea is to attract the hens but it seems to me like no one told the hens. They just meander away off into the woods where the horses get fed. They know there's going to be sweet feed droppings back there for them to clean up. While I was at work yesterday the hens came all the way up to the back porch...I'm hoping they'll do it again this weekend so we can get a picture of them. Too bad they aren't worried about what I want...LOL

So lunch today was a big salad. It was a pretty simple salad for as good as it turned out to be. I only had regular iceburg lettuce so into the bowl it went, then some chopped cucumber and some pickled beets. I brought along a hard-boiled egg to chop up but put it in a bag so it wouldn't get all mushy. I used regular old Italian dressing because my Spike seasoning is almost gone. If I use the rest of it, I'll forget to look for it at the store. I checked the Food Lion but they didn't have it. I'll be going back by Publix before the week is out so I'll try to remember to grab some there instead. If any of you have tried it, you must have forgotten to tell me about it because I didn't see any comments on it?????

I'm really going to get a camera, maybe even this weekend but no promises there. I want to take pictures of my ride to work so you can all see the beauty that surrounds me as opposed to that awful 4- lane highway called University Blvd. I thought going to the dump was a pretty ride but my ride to work kicks butt! I'll show you when you come visit.

Until tomorrow, I hope your days are passing with health and happiness!

The Angel City bike rally was fun but it's good to be back home. We got to the rally where we joined up with Paul and Missy Goodman and Johnny & Lisa from Ormond Beach. There were a bunch of other people there and we had a nice little cove off the beaten path where we camped out. Missy & Paul reserved one of the beds in their camper for us and we were happy to have it. The rally is a huge event but much like any others; saloons, leather shops, T-shirts, campers, tents, motorhomes, and zillions of motorcycles of all shapes and sizes. We got home last night exhausted, dusty, hungry and tired. Four days in the GA clay and you're going to be dusty - hello! We spent some time with the dogs and then I made spaghetti for dinner with a salad and garlic bread. After dinner we showered and went to bed. I think Ax Men was on the History channel when I fell asleep - Wally had already zonked out a few minutes before me.

This morning was so nice with a slight little nip in the air and no traffic to deal with. I watched the sun come up from behind the mountain just as I was pulling into the parking lot. Wisteria is in bloom all over the place. Unlike Louisiana, here it completely dies back in the winter. When it comes back in the springtime it is truly a sight to behold! I haven't been able to get close enough to one to catch the scent of it but I know it's amazing and I plan to have one growing at home for next spring. I hope you'll be able to make the trip and see exactly what I'm talking about.

This week is going to be spent getting those darn boxes out of the spare bedroom. We can't hardly have company with the space taken up by boxes! My bookshelf is going in the newly named dining room (for those of you who have been here this space was formerly known as "the bar.") and all my cookbooks will be unpacked and on the shelf. Even though I have lots of cookbooks, I typically end up going back to the Better Homes and Gardens for most everything. There's a hamburger soup recipe in it that Dougy absolutely loved. I made a pot of it, ate a bowl and put the rest up for later. Dougy was living with me at the time and he found it and ate all! I guess it was pretty good, lol.

I know you're wondering when I'm ever going to get the tomatoes in the ground and I swear it's going to be this weekend!!!! Here it's best not to plant them until after April 15th, or so I hear. There's always a chance of another frost. I'm not sure what frost is but apparently tomatoes don't like it. Ha Ha. I'm still planning to have my little competition if my crop yeilds enough tomatoes to do some canning. I'll let everyone know when to post their guesses. Whoever guesses closest to the actual number of jars canned, wins a jar!

I have Alyssum and Marigold seeds (thank you Terry!), and more daffodil bulbs to plant. By the time I get all that done along with the tomatoes, I should be pretty well tired out. I am still going to get some herbs going in the kitchen windowsill but there's plenty of time for them.

Kathy, my Lily of the Nile is still bloomless? How are yours?

The Dogwoods are blooming off in the woods behind the cabin and all down the driveway. You wouldn't even know they were there if they didn't have those stark white blooms in the springtime. They just look like all the other trees until they put on their show! The wild roses over by the horse gate are just starting to get full and green. I don't know when they start blooming but you'll know as soon as I do. We have tiger lilies and orange daylilies that are full and green as well but still no flower spikes on them. When they do bloom, the daylilies get about 4 feet tall. Of course I'll post pictures! We have two azalea bushes, one in the front yard and one in the back. The one in the front didn't look like it stood a chance but the two little branches it did have, put out 4 big, bright pink blooms - just beautiful!! I told Wally I want to get the taller version (4-5 feet) of those azaleas to plant up by the green gate so you'll see them when you come down the driveway.

I have to send out a "thank you" to Beverly for recording Brittany singing on my voicemail. While it's not the same as hearing her in person, it was nice to have a little sound from the Oriole's. A little bird told me Ernie and Amber were out getting their drink on... hmmm was the little bird right? lol 

Tonight I'm off to the auto parts store, there's one in Fairview thankfully which is on my way home. One of my headlight bulbs is out. On these curvy roads headlights are kind of critical. Not that anyone drives in their own lane any way but still... So far I'm driving in my lane but I'm sure I'll conform to the norm around here before too long. For the most part you rarely pass another car so it's not that big of a deal. The problem is, when you do pass one, there's rarely time to move over and not much space to do so. It doesn't seem to bother anyone though.

We're having bratwursts on the grill for dinner so I can use my new "Hot Dog in a Jar" mustard sauce from the Mule Day festivities. I'll either make potato salad or cole slaw, I just haven't decided yet. It'll probably be cole slaw because I don't want the cabbage to go bad. Of course if I was feeling really ambitious (which I'm not) I could make both. It goes without saying, you're invited for dinner!

Sydna, don't forget you as much as promised to bring me some Zellwood Sweet Corn. I know it comes in around the end of May so don't try and get out of it. 

Well, that's all for today folks. I hope you had a nice weekend and a decent Monday. As Monday's go, this one wasn't so bad at all.

Wednesday... last post for this week.

Hey everyone,
This morning was a treat. I usually get up, get ready for work, make my lunch and head out the door. Sometimes Wally comes downstairs before I go and sometimes he waves to me from the deck upstairs. Believe it or not, sometimes he stays in bed sleeping. Today, he got up with me at 4:30am. He worked pretty hard yesterday getting the concrete poured and the walls up on the outhouse (Dizzy's room, excuse me) so he fell asleep early. It was nice having him up with me. Hugs and kisses goodbye just don't suck at all even after all these years :)

As I drove down the driveway, 3 rabbits crossed the path of my headlights. They always hop in a scattered sort of pattern like they think I'm going to run them over. While I would eat the little rascals, I wouldn't try to hit one. I did find a market that sells rabbit though so I'll be perfecting those recipes before too long. Of course you're invited to come try them out!

I found a new way to work this morning and I love it. It's a winding two lane road with very little traffic. It's hard to compare the traffic here. To say that there were about 14 vehicles on the road with me this morning would be a high estimate. Mom laughs because I can call her while I'm driving and experience absolutely no road rage whatsoever. Let me clarify though, I can call her while I'm driving home which is 4:30pm Florida time. I think she would have some rage if I called her on my way in which is 7:00am Florida time. LOL

Talk about a pleasant drive! It used to be I had to hang up just so I could manuever through the 4 lanes of University Blvd. Those days are over -whew!

With the sun barely peaking out over the tops of the mountains there's a reddish hue that tells me it's going to be another beautiful day here. I'm looking forward to being at work, looking out my window and seeing that sunrise right before my eyes. I guess I'm destined to get a digital camera.

Ernie, would you mind letting me know which kind is best for someone with minimal experience like me? LOL

We watched "All in the Family" while eating dinner last night. Publix fried chicken and cold beer. Like I said, Wally worked hard and wasn't really hungry for a big dinner so Publix helped us out. It was good sitting there in our chairs with the doors and windows open, allowing the springtime breezes to flow through the cabin. You'll get a kick out of the arrangement. Picture this - he's in his recliner and I'm in my wooden rocker with a chair between us to serve as a table. I don't know if I mentioned that I'm not completely unpacked yet so the chair is the table for now :)

Archie Bunker was hilarious as always. We catch the show on TVLand most nights and it never fails to make us laugh. If you remember Archie tended to make up words and then to add more humor, he explained what they meant. He was typically pretty close to the real words but off on the definitions! My friend Kris use to do the same thing and for a long time I called her Archie Bunker. I remember playing Trivia Persuit at her dad's house one time and somehow she began calling the game "Tippea Patoot." there could have been some drinking involved but either way, it's forever called that now. I think she may have asked for condoms in the drive through while meaning to ask for condiments... she'll have to confirm that though. Kris is on FB so I'm sure you can see her there.

Today I brought a big salad for lunch. I made my own dressing. It's mayo (Hellman's only please) seasoned with "Spike" seasoning. If you haven't ever tried this seasoning, please do. It's really tasty and salt free. I know, I know, nothing could be good if it's salt free but trust me this one is. I mix it together with the mayo and pour it on the salad. Makes my mouth water just thinking about lunch. You can always salt it once you taste it to see if you still need it (Mom and Neccy). Let me know what you think...

As I said this will be my last blog for the week. We're going to Unadilla, GA for the Angel City bike rally. It's Paul Goodman's birthday otherwise, we wouldn't be leaving the farm. I know we'll have fun, but I'd rather be here. You can Google it to see what it's all about. Enjoy your days off from my ramblings and you'll hear from me again on Monday. Oh, by the way, that sunrise happened while I was typing so I did take a few minutes to watch it. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SWEET SON, JARRETT. I hope you avoid those 13 spankings... xoxox

What's been going on

Saturday Wally and I went to a fish fry held at a little bar here called Pee Wee's Bar. When I say little, I do mean little. It has maybe 10 barstools, 3 tables, 2 pool tables and one bathroom. That's right, no "his" and "hers." This place is much like the Oriole's in that everyone knows everyone, although it's not a private organization.

So the fish fry was a huge hit. The fish was cooked perfectly and we had plenty of side dishes; potato salad, white beans, hush puppies, cole slaw, sausage stuffed jalapeno peppers (mine lol) and banana pudding. We were so full after eating that we were home before dark! Woo Hoo big partiers, huh?

Sunday we went to Columbia, TN for Mule Day. Believe it or not this is a huge celebration and the biggest of its kind in the whole nation. You can google it to see all the festivities but suffice it to say it was very cool. We checked out the mules, I didn't realize they grew so big! We checked out the arts and crafts but didn't find anything we couldn't live without. We checked out the homemade stuff too and found we couldn't live without a jar of "Hot Dog in a Jar" which is a mustard based sauce but with a tang to it and a dill pickle and onion relish that kicks butt!!! It was so good, we bought two jars of it. I wish you could try it but it won't last long so you better hurry :)

Dinner Sunday was chicken on the grill (seasoned with Leggs bbq rub) and carrots with a butter and honey glaze (just like what we had for Easter) yummy for my tummy!!

Monday was back to work for me which is no longer an hour in traffic. It's beautiful trees in bloom, Dogwoods, Red Buds and Verbena. It's a two lane road with small towns all along the way. It's "Welcome to our town, we hope you enjoy your stay" signs posted when you come into town and "Please come back and see us again" when you leave.

My drive is about an hour but I'm learning new ways that take less time. It really doesn't seem like an hour because I'm so busy enjoying the scenery. If you've ever been to middle TN, you know exactly what I mean.

After I got home, we took the back roads to Dickson so Wally could get some materials for building the outdoor kitchen and the outhouse, which he refers to as Dizzy Debbie's room (ha ha). Well, once you see it you will think someone could live in it. It's pretty big for a darn outhouse I must say.

Dinner last night was pinto beans cooked with our Easter ham bone, a pan fried ham steak, cornbread and a big salad topped with the pickle & onion relish. Very tasty - wish you were here to enjoy it!

Hello to all who are interested in reading my blog. A big "THANK YOU" goes out to Ernie for showing me the way to this website. The blog was super-simple to create as you must have already figured since I was able to do it myself! Rather than try to email everyone and remember which pictures have to be sent in which format, I figured this would be an easy way for anyone who wants to to see what I'm up to. Enjoy and please feel free to comment.