Yea I know that's a spring morning in the mountains but here in the deep south that's down right cool especially with about a 10-12 mph wind. It did warm up into the low 60's which made it pleasant in the sunshine but you needed something on your arms in the shade. After my quiet time and cereal for breakfast I jumped on the 10 speed and pedaled to the Rec.
There were 13 players today so we had constant play for a good 2 hours. I even managed a wet shirt. Afterward I stopped off at the library and picked up a couple of books. After lunch I read most of the day as Nancy was cooking and Amy and Ava went to Tampa to have lunch with Tyler then stopped off at g/grandma's before picking me up at 4 PM.
Nancy's supper at church was delicious and we fed more than 50 people. Hopefully tonight won't be as cool. My plants all fared well with no cold damage. Missing our family and our cold mountain buddies. LATER.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Tuesday is a Bit Nippy to Start
Well the cool dry air is back and its such a delight. Last week when the hot muggy air from the south enveloped us I thought there is no way I want to see this for the next 6 months. Any how that has passed and now we are looking at record breaking cool temp's for the rest of the week. Any how the temps surrounding our N.C. cabin is down right cold with snow in the forecast.
This morning after my quiet time and cereal for breakfast I climbed on the bike and headed for the Rec. There were 3 regulars and a new guy, Mike and we played 2 straight hours of hard pickle ball. Wow what a work out and a wet shirt. Hopefully we will have a good turnout tomorrow.
Amy and Ava came for lunch and we played outside in the warm sunshine until it was near time for Ava's nap. Amy and Ava came back for dinner(Tyler is instructing with ESL at church) and Nancy fried up an eggplant. Ymmm!! If you have never tried that appetizer your missing a real treat. I have a white eggplant growing and it's starting to set blooms. Any how, take the eggplant and with a potato peeler, peel it. Then slice across the body to a thickness of about an 1/8 inch, dip the slices in egg and cracker meal and place in a skillet with some Smart Balance oil. Make sure the oil is hot and then fry on both sides. Remove after its a golden brown onto a paper plate with paper towels(to absorb the excess oil) and sprinkle with a little ground red pepper, salt and pepper and some fresh oregano(can use dried) and then eat. Wow is that a great treat. Nancy then made a pasta(penne) dish(meatless) with fresh asparagus, fresh mushrooms sauteed in a fresh garlic butter sauce with fresh basil and oregano. Sprinkle a little parmesan cheese on top and eat.There is no better dish and even Ava loved it.
Amy and Ava came for lunch and we played outside in the warm sunshine until it was near time for Ava's nap. Amy and Ava came back for dinner(Tyler is instructing with ESL at church) and Nancy fried up an eggplant. Ymmm!! If you have never tried that appetizer your missing a real treat. I have a white eggplant growing and it's starting to set blooms. Any how, take the eggplant and with a potato peeler, peel it. Then slice across the body to a thickness of about an 1/8 inch, dip the slices in egg and cracker meal and place in a skillet with some Smart Balance oil. Make sure the oil is hot and then fry on both sides. Remove after its a golden brown onto a paper plate with paper towels(to absorb the excess oil) and sprinkle with a little ground red pepper, salt and pepper and some fresh oregano(can use dried) and then eat. Wow is that a great treat. Nancy then made a pasta(penne) dish(meatless) with fresh asparagus, fresh mushrooms sauteed in a fresh garlic butter sauce with fresh basil and oregano. Sprinkle a little parmesan cheese on top and eat.There is no better dish and even Ava loved it.
Tomorrow is dinner at church where Nancy once again will get to play chef. Her dinner will be Salisbury steak, rice and gravy with green beans and a roll with a fresh salad and homemade egg custard and lemon merange pie for dessert plus a drink. Wow can you believe all of that for 5 bucks. Of course I will wash dishes and help with the set up and break down. That takes me back to my basic training days when I had to pull K.P.(kitchen police) in the Air Force.
Well will close for now and will enclose a couple pics of my garden and its progression as well as a couple pics of Ava eating some warm homemade chocolate chip cookies that Grandma made. Later, missing all our family and mountain friends.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Sunday on Monday
The front that came through on Saturday with a little rain and breezy conditions also dropped the temperature. YEA!! It's sure nice to once again turned the a/c off and actually close windows because of the coolness in the air. The musical at church was good considering every thing was can(dvd) music. Sure miss those days where everything was live.
A group of us met at Carmelitas Restaurant for lunch. It use to be one would have to wait to get a seat there but with the economy as it is;the place was nearly empty. They are a bit pricey for beans and rice(Mexican cuisine) but we all had a good time and Ava entertained us with her eating habits. We got back to watch the Bucs come from behind again to beat the Vikings. GO BUCS!!! At 6 PM we went to our first house church for Element at our neighbor and good friends house, The Perry's. There were 6 of us but with many prospects identified. So this will an every other week occurrence and a weekly meeting at the Gathering in Tampa. Hopefully we will be able to reach our neighborhoods by doing some service projects; thus creating relationships and maybe help to change some lives for Christ. WOW!!! What a thought to think you maybe your responsible for helping to change a life. AWESOME!!!
This morning was cold by some standards but we call it a N.C. Carolina Morning. At 7 AM it was 54 degrees with bright skies. I rode my bike to the REC. after my quiet time and a breakfast bar for breakfast. No squirell damage overnight.There were 12 players today. Of course some of us got in a good 1/2 hour play play before the majority arrived , but the play was hard and a wet shirt was evident for a few of us die hards. This game is addicting!!!
Amy and Ava came for lunch and we had the left over Zuppa with bread. It was wonderful. I actually believe I could eat that soup a couple time a week, its that good. The girls took off for Target and I climbed aboard the bike and found a barber to lower my ears. This barber takes 10 minutes and does a lousy job compared to Kermit my N.C. barber who takes at least 30-45 minutes; Nancy loves his work(me).
I'm reading a very interesting non-fiction book called "The Man who Killed Shakespeare" by Ken Hodgson. Shakespeare is a mining town back in the depression days in New Mexico. Its a very good read.
The air is cool in the shade.I picked a few mustard green leaves to be added to the salad for dinner. Nancy is making meat loaf, yellow squash casserole and salad. I must watch my weight so there will be no starches tonight.
Our son Bobby, wife Jill and daughter Annsley will be celebrating 5 years together of marital bliss on the 22nd. Wow does time fly!!! Will close for now and I know I need to take some photos. Love to all; missing family and friends. LATER!!
A group of us met at Carmelitas Restaurant for lunch. It use to be one would have to wait to get a seat there but with the economy as it is;the place was nearly empty. They are a bit pricey for beans and rice(Mexican cuisine) but we all had a good time and Ava entertained us with her eating habits. We got back to watch the Bucs come from behind again to beat the Vikings. GO BUCS!!! At 6 PM we went to our first house church for Element at our neighbor and good friends house, The Perry's. There were 6 of us but with many prospects identified. So this will an every other week occurrence and a weekly meeting at the Gathering in Tampa. Hopefully we will be able to reach our neighborhoods by doing some service projects; thus creating relationships and maybe help to change some lives for Christ. WOW!!! What a thought to think you maybe your responsible for helping to change a life. AWESOME!!!
This morning was cold by some standards but we call it a N.C. Carolina Morning. At 7 AM it was 54 degrees with bright skies. I rode my bike to the REC. after my quiet time and a breakfast bar for breakfast. No squirell damage overnight.There were 12 players today. Of course some of us got in a good 1/2 hour play play before the majority arrived , but the play was hard and a wet shirt was evident for a few of us die hards. This game is addicting!!!
Amy and Ava came for lunch and we had the left over Zuppa with bread. It was wonderful. I actually believe I could eat that soup a couple time a week, its that good. The girls took off for Target and I climbed aboard the bike and found a barber to lower my ears. This barber takes 10 minutes and does a lousy job compared to Kermit my N.C. barber who takes at least 30-45 minutes; Nancy loves his work(me).
I'm reading a very interesting non-fiction book called "The Man who Killed Shakespeare" by Ken Hodgson. Shakespeare is a mining town back in the depression days in New Mexico. Its a very good read.
The air is cool in the shade.I picked a few mustard green leaves to be added to the salad for dinner. Nancy is making meat loaf, yellow squash casserole and salad. I must watch my weight so there will be no starches tonight.
Our son Bobby, wife Jill and daughter Annsley will be celebrating 5 years together of marital bliss on the 22nd. Wow does time fly!!! Will close for now and I know I need to take some photos. Love to all; missing family and friends. LATER!!
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Saturday Began as Another Hot and Muggy Day
Summer is back as I wondered outside this morning after nearly 2 weeks of beautiful fall like weather. Fortunately there were rainclouds on the horizon and wow did it ever rain for about a 1/2 hour. After our quiet time Nancy mixed up a batch of buckwheat pancakes and were they ever yummy. With a couple of over easy eggs on top of them with a scoop of homemade blackberry jam on the side I had a feast.
After the rain I checked the garden for squirrel damage and found no major holes. I then pulled the suckers off the tomato plants that have begun setting green fruit. I hoed a little and then fed all the plants I'm growing in black plastic pots. This something I'm trying different so as to keep the nematodes(root knot) from sucking the life from the plants. My radishes will be ready to eat in a week as well as the collards and mustard greens.
I spent a couple hours on the computer as I now have a Facebook page; transferring some pics, writing and reading whats been written on my wall. A friend of ours says, Facebook is addicting and I can see why, yet it is a way to find and keep up with acquaintances. After a lite lunch I watched a little football, read and just laid around as it was very hot and muggy. It sure is lonely around here in the afternoon without Amy and Ava.
We had to be at the church for rehearsal for a musical at 5 PM. Nancy made a cheesecake with a raspberry topping. Jerry and Stacy made pulled barbecue pork sandwiches and several others made homemade dishes. We finally got out about 7 PM after cleaning up the kitchen.It was a fun time for all and Ava was once again the center of attention as she smiled and waved to all. Tomorrow will be a church day in Seminole. We began to notice the air is starting to become drier and the temps have dropped as the sun began setting. Missing all our family and especially Annsley as its been over a week since we've seen her. LATER!
After the rain I checked the garden for squirrel damage and found no major holes. I then pulled the suckers off the tomato plants that have begun setting green fruit. I hoed a little and then fed all the plants I'm growing in black plastic pots. This something I'm trying different so as to keep the nematodes(root knot) from sucking the life from the plants. My radishes will be ready to eat in a week as well as the collards and mustard greens.
I spent a couple hours on the computer as I now have a Facebook page; transferring some pics, writing and reading whats been written on my wall. A friend of ours says, Facebook is addicting and I can see why, yet it is a way to find and keep up with acquaintances. After a lite lunch I watched a little football, read and just laid around as it was very hot and muggy. It sure is lonely around here in the afternoon without Amy and Ava.
We had to be at the church for rehearsal for a musical at 5 PM. Nancy made a cheesecake with a raspberry topping. Jerry and Stacy made pulled barbecue pork sandwiches and several others made homemade dishes. We finally got out about 7 PM after cleaning up the kitchen.It was a fun time for all and Ava was once again the center of attention as she smiled and waved to all. Tomorrow will be a church day in Seminole. We began to notice the air is starting to become drier and the temps have dropped as the sun began setting. Missing all our family and especially Annsley as its been over a week since we've seen her. LATER!
Friday, November 14, 2008
Another Warm and Muggy Day
Friday started out warm and the feel of rain in the air.After my quiet time and a lite breakfast I pedaled to the Rec.for 2 good hours of pickle ball and badminton. Yeow what a work out and a wet shirt. I managed a few crunches and a little upper body workout with weights but I was really whupped by the time I pedaled home after a brief stop at the library for a couple of books.
Amy and Ava came by and they brought fresh bakery bread and lunch meat for lunch. Ava and I played outside for an hour or so after lunch before it got too sticky from the humidity. The girls then watched a video while I napped and read until was time for Ava to head home for her nap.
Nancy invited her folks for dinner as she made a pot of zuppa dis conta(fresh potato soup with kale and Italian sausage) YUMMM. The Olive Garden makes this soup and its almost as good as Nancy's. They brought a dozen stone crab claws and we ate those with melted butter first. Yeow are they delicious. After dinner we played a couple games of cards and Nancy's was the big winner.
Well will close for now as tomorrow will be another big pot luck dinner at church with pork barbecue as the choir will be having a family dinner before rehearsal. Missing all our mountain friends and family, LATER.
Amy and Ava came by and they brought fresh bakery bread and lunch meat for lunch. Ava and I played outside for an hour or so after lunch before it got too sticky from the humidity. The girls then watched a video while I napped and read until was time for Ava to head home for her nap.
Nancy invited her folks for dinner as she made a pot of zuppa dis conta(fresh potato soup with kale and Italian sausage) YUMMM. The Olive Garden makes this soup and its almost as good as Nancy's. They brought a dozen stone crab claws and we ate those with melted butter first. Yeow are they delicious. After dinner we played a couple games of cards and Nancy's was the big winner.
Well will close for now as tomorrow will be another big pot luck dinner at church with pork barbecue as the choir will be having a family dinner before rehearsal. Missing all our mountain friends and family, LATER.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Wednesday on Thursday
The morning air was a little warmer than had been the past week with a gentle breeze. After my quiet time, a lite breakfast of cereal and fruit and a check for squirrel damage I headed to the REC.on the 10-speed. I met up with 9 of our pickle ball players and we had a lively 2 hours of continuous play which resulted in a wet shirt. WOW our group of players are getting soooo much better with the play fast and furious.
I stopped at the library on the way home and picked up a couple of true crime(non-fiction) books and finished one called ERASED yesterday afternoon. I'm a speed reader and sometimes I do 2 books a day if I'm not interrupted with "honey-do" chores. After a lite lunch I gave our kitchen table(oak) a third coat of polyurethane then settled down outside in the back yard to read for about 4 1/2 hours. The air appeared to be getting warmer as the wind began to shift from a eastern to a southern flow, however I was under the big oak tree so I stayed cooled.
Amy and Ava picked me up at 4 PM and we headed to the church to help Nancy with getting the church dinner out by 5 PM. We served about 60 + people and had the place cleaned up by 6:30. When we came out of the fellowship hall the humidity hit us hard as the temp had risen to 82 and had stayed that way even as the sun had gone down. Needless to say the a/c went back on for the first time in about 2 weeks and its still on, probably until this week end went another cold front will head our way. I knew the cool dry temps were to good to last until next spring but oh well it was great for awhile.
This morning(Thursday) was pretty much the same, except for the hot and muggy temps. After our quiet time and a lite breakfast I headed to the Rec. on the bike and once again enjoyed 2+ good hours of pickle ball. Nancy walked to the Rec. and did her 30 minutes on the treadmill then walked home. Yea, I'm proud of her for walking and adding to her workout time as well.
Amy and Ava came for lunch then off they went to pick up G/Grandma Libby to go shopping. I will get a little garden work in as soon as the sun shifts over onto west garden and the east side is shaded. My son Bobby wrote me the funniest e-mail or at least I cried laughing went he noted I didn't know how to copy and paste but now have a face book page. I'm not sure how I got that face book account but lots of people want to be my friend so what the heck I love it. Missing my family and mountain friends, LATER.
I stopped at the library on the way home and picked up a couple of true crime(non-fiction) books and finished one called ERASED yesterday afternoon. I'm a speed reader and sometimes I do 2 books a day if I'm not interrupted with "honey-do" chores. After a lite lunch I gave our kitchen table(oak) a third coat of polyurethane then settled down outside in the back yard to read for about 4 1/2 hours. The air appeared to be getting warmer as the wind began to shift from a eastern to a southern flow, however I was under the big oak tree so I stayed cooled.
Amy and Ava picked me up at 4 PM and we headed to the church to help Nancy with getting the church dinner out by 5 PM. We served about 60 + people and had the place cleaned up by 6:30. When we came out of the fellowship hall the humidity hit us hard as the temp had risen to 82 and had stayed that way even as the sun had gone down. Needless to say the a/c went back on for the first time in about 2 weeks and its still on, probably until this week end went another cold front will head our way. I knew the cool dry temps were to good to last until next spring but oh well it was great for awhile.
This morning(Thursday) was pretty much the same, except for the hot and muggy temps. After our quiet time and a lite breakfast I headed to the Rec. on the bike and once again enjoyed 2+ good hours of pickle ball. Nancy walked to the Rec. and did her 30 minutes on the treadmill then walked home. Yea, I'm proud of her for walking and adding to her workout time as well.
Amy and Ava came for lunch then off they went to pick up G/Grandma Libby to go shopping. I will get a little garden work in as soon as the sun shifts over onto west garden and the east side is shaded. My son Bobby wrote me the funniest e-mail or at least I cried laughing went he noted I didn't know how to copy and paste but now have a face book page. I'm not sure how I got that face book account but lots of people want to be my friend so what the heck I love it. Missing my family and mountain friends, LATER.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Another Beautiful Florida Day and a Thanks to all our Veterans.
The morning came early as I stayed up late to watch the end of an exciting Monday Night Football game. Kudos's to Curt Warner of the Cardinals for bringing the team back to win after trailing most of the night. Warner is a great guy and a Christ follower. I read his autobiography a few years ago after leading the Rams to a Super Bowl in St.Louis.
After my quiet time and a lite breakfast I checked on the squirrel damage in yard and garden. Those pesky critters are having a fine time digging up my new seedlings and holes in the grass. Why they dig in my garden when the oak tree they climb in is loaded with acorns. Oh well!!!
I didn't get to the Rec. today as it was closed in honor of Veterans Day. I too want to say thank you too all the men and women I served alongside of in the Air Force. I was 20 years old when I headed to Vietnam. I was part of an air crew that flew into 'Nam weekly. We brought troops and material in country and the wounded on Medi Evacs as well as the dead back to the States. I have over 5000 hours in the air as an air crew member on the C-141 A Starlifter jet aircraft. I served from 1966 to 1973. I loss several friends as they served their country proud during that war. Hopefully those who serve now will be respected and honored and not left hung out to dry by the politicians who cut and ran in Vietnam.
Amy and Ava came for lunch after Nancy and I got back from Sam's.We were there before 10 AM to shop for the Wednesday night fellowship meal which Nancy cooks weekly. This week its BBQ chicken, baked potato's, baked beans and garlic bread with a fresh salad and ice cream pie for dessert. All that for $5. What a deal!!! We delivered the food to the church and I scrubbed 30 pounds of spuds and Nancy made fresh tea and lemonade. Tomorrow she cooks all day for about 60+ people, then I will join her at 4 PM to get ready to serve at 5PM then clean up and wash dishes.
Phoenix came over for a visit with Ava and I took both of them on a long wagon ride. They are so cute together but are starting to get into that mode where they both want what the other has in their hands. Its cute to see how they trick each other into giving up what is in the others hands.
Well we once again picked up a flame broiled rotisserie chicken at Sam's for dinner along with fried spuds and green beans. YUMMM!!! Well will close for now missing our mountains friends. LATER.
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