Someone is Busy in the Kitchen....

and it is not me. Daughter was telling me about what she had been making, so told her to send me pictures of her accomplishments, so I would have something to post about. My creativity is still on vacation without me - has been for some time now.

Pickled okra and yellow squash - yum! She said she used fresh dill and garlic along with the pickling spices.

How about a slice of homemade rosemary (that she grew), garlic and cheese bread.

Now this creation - not sure about. Fire cider vinegar.

Suppose to be good for colds, flu, etc., and since everyone in her house has a Summer, head cold right now, guess she figured she did not have anything to lose.  She said even Kitty was sneezing, but I doubt she will convince him to try her natural remedy.

Think I will pass on the "fire", but slice me a couple pieces of that bread, along with some thin slices of a sharp cheddar or a good garden veggie cheese, a nice serving of the pickled squash and okra, and a glass of wine - Yum!

Click on picture to enlarge.

Linking up with:  "Mosaic Monday"
                             "Share Your Cup Thursday"

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Looks like this week will be a good time to get caught up on inside chores.

  

Dab of This and That

Glenda

Dab of This and That Ramble

The Good....

It is the little things:   A beautiful bouquet of roses from someone's garden,

delivered in a pint size canning jar.....

along with lemon and cherry friendship bread.

Wrapped in saran wrap and in plastic bag does not make for a clear picture.

 A beautiful new crocheted throw...

which I will just admire now, and enjoy its warmth next Winter.

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And The Bad.

Warning - Not a good ending:  Daughter sent me this pic of 4 baby birds in a nest in a crepe myrtle in her yard.  I ask if she could try for a clearer picture.

A day or two later, she said her heard a loud commotion of birds squawking and said it sounded like a fight was going on, and their kitty was having a fit at the window trying to see what was happening. She said she had  seen some kind of hawk around a lot, so it was more than likely the culprit.

 Later that morning she went out and saw the damage. 2 of the babies gone, one in nest appeared to be dead, and the other was out in the yard with the Mother circling over it.  Little red headed cupid was NOT happy about the situation and kept telling the Mother to come get her baby.

Later, she, along with my grandson and redheaded cupid went to check the situation out, and see if anything could be done.  However, the Mother bird wanted no part of them being around and started dive bombing them, so they had to run for cover. Last they saw, the baby was hopping off and appeared to be trying to fly, even tho it seemed to young. Later there was no sign of either the Mother or the baby bird. Can only hope Mom got it to safety.

*******

Hard to believe it is August already, and most schools in this area start back this upcoming week. 

Another Dab of This and That Ramble
Glenda 

Not much going on in the courtyard on a hot Summer day....

The usual annuals are there, but did make a mistake this year.  For years have planted wax begonias in the wall planters as they  seem to tolerate the heat best.  This year planted impatiens and they are struggling.

These two characters have continued to do their damage.  I think that "tree rat" (squirrel) would look healthier if it would stick to a diet of nuts, acorns and other normal squirrel food, and stop munching on my petunias, and wax begonias.  "Chubs"  the chipmunk has fattened up on something. It digs in the pots uprooting plants, but does not appear to be eating any - so far.

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Recent visitors to daughter's flower bed: The frog hangs around if not in the flower bed, then in a potted plant.

One ugly frog!

 One very large moth. Think the wing span gets 5 to 6 ins. or larger.

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Not something I would pick to do on a hot Summer day, but she baked 12 loaves (different flavors) of friendship bread to stock the freezer.  To me it is more of a cake instead of a bread.

Chocolate Chip

 None of it will be stored in her vintage bread box, as it is being used for magazines...

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  So, what is going on around your abode on a hot Summer day ?

Just another Dab of This and That ramble...

Glenda

ETA:  Not sure what is going on, but my email account is being flooded with spam, etc.. At first it was going into the spam folder, and now some has spilled into regular mail. Emails that appear to be coming from someone that it is not.
If anyone receives an email that appears to be from me asking for money or any other kind of  help, and/or has an attached link  - DO NOT open as it did not come from me! Please let me know if that happens.
 

Another Summer Sunset....

Sharing pics  daughter took while they were waiting for the fireworks to begin...

Linking up with:   "Mosaic Monday"
                              "Outdoor Wednesday"

Dab  of This and That

Glenda

Working With the Bling....

As stated in a previous post, I created the center piece/pendant a couple of years ago, by simply attaching a vintage (?) rhinestone pin to a filigree stamping.  It was a toss up between using the premade piece with the white faux pearls (bought at one of the craft stores - don't remember which one) , or scale it down some with something I put together.

Ended up creating the embellishment myself using clear glass beads, gray, faux pearls, and rhinestone rondelles.
The hardest part of this blingy project?  Trying to photograph it to show how it really sparkles.    The end result...

Click on picture to enlarge.

Linking up with: "Metamorphosis Monday"

                            "Make It Pretty Monday"
                            "Amaze Me Monday"  
                            "Inspire Me Tuesday"
                            "Tweak It Tuesday" 
                            "Wow Us Wednesday" 
                            "Share Your Cup Thursday"

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Hope everyone  enjoyed their holiday weekend.  On July 4th, late afternoon it was only - repeat only 82 deg. outside and 42% humidity.  Wow - unheard of in this part of the country for  July 4th! Beautiful weather!

Dab of This and That

Glenda

A Summer Evening Sunset...

Photos of a Summer evening sunset contributed by daughter.

Click on pics to enlarge.

Linking up with "Mosaic Monday"
                          "Outdoor Wednesday"

Dab of This and That

Glenda

Estate Sale Fix and a Ramble.....

Had been a while since went to an estate sale, and since the heat and humidity is settling in for the Summer, I thought I better stock up on a few bits of bling to work with.
When weather  is extremely hot/humid or cold (especially with frozen stuff), that is usually when I make jewelry.
So checked the sales, and one had pics of lots of bling. Fell out of bed   
Got up early on a Saturday morning, fluffed and puffed a bit (never know when will run into some you know). Did not take time to make coffee - will get some on the run.
Arrived well before published opening time - yeah right! The place was already packed and many already leaving with their purchases. Went inside and immediately to the tables with jewelry - well dang!
This is what was in the ad !

Click on pic to enlarge.

The pile of purple and green in the middle pic appeared to be leftover from a Mardi Gras party , but looked liked there was some possibilities in the boxes, and on the tray in the bottom pic.
Unfortunately for me, apparently someone had inside connections prior to the sale date. Like I said, I arrived well before the open time, and very little was left - most of which was damaged beyond usable, or cheap/plastic from a big box store, etc.

Went thru what little was left and did find a few pieces that had promise.

Have not checked for marks yet, and the dark amber, glass  prism is very heavy, so don't know yet how well it will work in a piece of jewelry. The clear prism is heavy, but usable. The rest consists of a couple of buttons, a couple of clip on earrings, screw on earring (no mates), small pin.  The rest I don't know what they were originally as backs are missing.  Middle piece, bottom row is the only one missing a rhinestone, but pretty sure I can work around that.
There was also a couple of wood doll houses,  lots of miniature furniture, and mini furniture kits for sale.  However, I  already have a lot to work with. - not to mention I have not worked on my dolls houses and minis in a long time.
The estate sale itself, unfortunately was another example of a hoarder, and very ill kept home.
 I checked out the kitchen for any vintage glassware for daughter.  If there had been any, it was already sold.  I can not imagine a meal being prepared in the kitchen.
Heard numerous comments on the situation. One lady said "every time I come in a house like this, I want to go home and clean".  I laughed and said I was glad I was not the only that feels that way.

Did I get a bargain on the bits and pieces of vintage bling? No biggie, but it has gotten harder to find reasonable priced pieces at estate sales.  I seriously think those selling on ebay, etsy and repurposing have their connections/friends with the companies holding the sales. Have seen a big difference the last couple of years.

All just part of the hunt!!

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Linking up with:  "Share Your Cup Thursday"

Stopped at a yard sale not far from the estate sale. Gorgeous - Repeat Gorgeous home ! Did not appear to have anything in the sale I was interested in,  but wish I had thought to bring camera along to take pics of the house and surrounding  neighborhood. But then may have been chased off by a security company.  I decided to explore a bit and drove around the area. I knew the area was known for its beautiful homes, but it had been while since I had been in the neighborhood.
Well...Driving around the area got me lost!!!  Saw a lady walking and asked her how to get back to a certain street, and turned out it was the next corner just ahead.
Would have kept going and found my way out on my own, but noticed my gas was getting "low, very low"

Quick stop at McD's for a sausage/egg biscuit and coffee. One bite - biscuit dry and coffee not made the way ordered.

Had thought to take grocery list along,  so stopped and took care of that chore. Check out at the grocery store will definitely send your bank account into shock.
Oh - rewrapped and put Mc biscuit in purse and took inside so would not spoil in hot car. Knew those huge purses came in handy for something!

Got home, cold/frozen stuff where it needs to go (including the sausage, egg biscuit), enjoyed lunch, cooled down - Then light bulb came on!!!        Dab of This and That - You did not fill up the gas tank, the mail is still in your purse that you should have taken to post office, not to mention you forgot to get the car washed.  Back out - bought gas, mail to post office - car  washed (?). NO --- Dang thing out of order again.

Oh! The next day, heated up  the sausage, egg, and slathered some butter and cherry preserves on the biscuit after zapping it in the microwave for 7 or 8 secs.. Made for a tasty, quick brunch.
Don't you love it when I add all those unnecessary Dabs of information ?!? What can I say - It is hot and humid outside, blogger's reading list has gone bonkers, so hard to find out who posted recently, and I am not in the mood to tackle anything on the "L" right now.

Another Dab of This and That Ramble...

Glenda

ETA: Thank You Blogger!!!! Typed this ramble of a post yesterday, and when logged in to my account  this morning the "reader's list" had been repair. Doing the "Happy Dance"!

Car wash repaired, so finally got car washed today. One problem - the grounds crew just came thru with their turbo blowers and left a coat of dust on everything. Sigh!!!!!