Well Sunday turned out to be another nice day with temps not as warm as Friday but still short sleeve weather. We got ready after our quiet times and breakfast(leftover buckwheat cake with homemade apple butter for me) for worship at Element Church in Tampa. We rode with Dan(we carpool) as Carol was under the weather and saw lots of new faces at the service. Bobby had a good message and the music was very inspiring.
After the service we headed down to Gibsonton where our friends Jerry and Becky Hoffman opened a new project. Last year he purchased several acres and started a hydroponic farm where this year he has U-pick strawberries. It's really unique how he has set this up where you no longer have to bend over to gather the berries. You wash your hands with a foam sanitizer before taking a small pair of scissors to cut the berry off of the vine that is hanging from a Styrofoam pot that has 20-30 places for the berry plants to set in on a pole . The pot turns around on the pole so you can get to the berry plants an at the bottom the pole is set in a large planter that has fresh veggies growing. The food and water are going to each pole that gradually filters down to the bottom plants. There were thousands of berry plants and just loaded with fruit in all stages. Lots of ready to be picked and just beautiful fruit. This enterprise is a winner and it is so much closer than Plant City which is the capital for berries.
We gathered 2 large bags of berries in no time and it was a real experience with this set up. The berries were large and beautiful; afterwards we headed back to Seminole. We ate some leftovers for lunch then Nancy began to clean and cap the berries. I headed in to get ready for the playoff games and wow for a change they were exciting. The 49'Niners came from down 17 points to beat the Falcons in a close game and the Ravens beat the Patriots in the late game. That game was an upset as Brady usually brings back that team in the closing moments. So the super bowl is between 'Frisco and Baltimore in February. East coast versus the west coast; should be an exciting and hopefully good game.
Well that's about it for this Sunday as we are for casted for cooler temps this week but nothing like the northeast, LATER
Monday, January 21, 2013
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Sunday Morning
Well winter only lasted a day it seems as yesterday it warmed up into the low 70's so off with the heat and open the windows and doors. I played outside in shorts and a t-shirt all day. We received some great photos of our mountain cabin covered in snow with a brilliant blue sky in the back ground taken by our neighbor, Jodi. Wow we would have liked to have been there for the snow but also some great Spades we play during the summer when we are there with her and husband Gerald.
The morning started with a sleep in until 8 AM, was that ever nice. After our quiet times and morning routines Nancy made some buckwheat cakes with a banana in the batter along with a couple cackleberries. Sure do miss those homegrown ones with the rich orange yokes. It was close to 10 by the time I did the clean up. I headed out to check on the gardens and to hand water them. I picked a nice mess of green beans as well as cut 4 heads of broccoli. The lettuce is producing enough so I'm able to supply the neighbors as well as have a fresh salad each day. I just love the way lettuce grows in Florida for some reason it's very difficult to grow in my summer garden in the mountains. I have lots of green tomato's but none ripening which almost makes me believe nematodes have set in on the roots. They are very bad when it comes to tomato roots. The egg plants have several blooms which is a good sign they will be setting fruit and the Swiss chard is ready for cutting next week, Yumm!!.
We took a long walk through the hood and then came back for a lite lunch while waiting on Ava and Sam to arrive. Amy and Tyler took in the Titanic exhibit and then went out to eat. Amy called it a date night and Ava asked "does that mean where you kiss". Well we got a laugh out of that but asking that at 5 years of age. We played outside until it was supper time. Nancy headed over to pick up GG who ate with us and also made a bunch of peanut butter cookies. Well I broke down and ate a handful for dessert after our Zuppa soup and salad. The kiddos had a grand time and plum wore us out. Where do they get all that energy??
Amy and Tyler came back around 8 and visited for an hour then headed out taking GG home for us on their way. It was shower time and then I flipped for awhile. I'm reading a book titled BLOOD ON THE RISERS by an Army Ranger who spent 31 months in Viet Nam. Good male reading!!!
Well today is worship day at Element Church in Tampa(of course every day is worship day) with our son and a group of great young folks, looking forward to seeing all of them as we were under the weather last week, LATER
The morning started with a sleep in until 8 AM, was that ever nice. After our quiet times and morning routines Nancy made some buckwheat cakes with a banana in the batter along with a couple cackleberries. Sure do miss those homegrown ones with the rich orange yokes. It was close to 10 by the time I did the clean up. I headed out to check on the gardens and to hand water them. I picked a nice mess of green beans as well as cut 4 heads of broccoli. The lettuce is producing enough so I'm able to supply the neighbors as well as have a fresh salad each day. I just love the way lettuce grows in Florida for some reason it's very difficult to grow in my summer garden in the mountains. I have lots of green tomato's but none ripening which almost makes me believe nematodes have set in on the roots. They are very bad when it comes to tomato roots. The egg plants have several blooms which is a good sign they will be setting fruit and the Swiss chard is ready for cutting next week, Yumm!!.
We took a long walk through the hood and then came back for a lite lunch while waiting on Ava and Sam to arrive. Amy and Tyler took in the Titanic exhibit and then went out to eat. Amy called it a date night and Ava asked "does that mean where you kiss". Well we got a laugh out of that but asking that at 5 years of age. We played outside until it was supper time. Nancy headed over to pick up GG who ate with us and also made a bunch of peanut butter cookies. Well I broke down and ate a handful for dessert after our Zuppa soup and salad. The kiddos had a grand time and plum wore us out. Where do they get all that energy??
Amy and Tyler came back around 8 and visited for an hour then headed out taking GG home for us on their way. It was shower time and then I flipped for awhile. I'm reading a book titled BLOOD ON THE RISERS by an Army Ranger who spent 31 months in Viet Nam. Good male reading!!!
Well today is worship day at Element Church in Tampa(of course every day is worship day) with our son and a group of great young folks, looking forward to seeing all of them as we were under the weather last week, LATER
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Saturday Morning
Friday started out cold and windy and stayed that way until mid afternoon when the temps finally reached 60 degrees. That's nothing when you compare to the mountain weather with Florida. Some places there had over a foot of snow that started falling on Thursday evening and lasted most of the night and to make it worse the power was out for many in our area for several hours. That is their first really good snow fall in a couple of years, oh well!!!
I did my usual routine but just a little later then bundled up and rode the bike out to the rec to see if any brave souls where trying pickle ball on the outside court. I noticed the rain had washed away all of the chalk lines that defined the 2 courts that were set up outside on the basketball courts. Seems we will have to redo them on Monday if we want to play.The rec its self is closed for MLK Day but since we have portable nets some of us will play outside if the weather is good. I headed for the library and picked up a book for Nancy.
Nancy took off for her Friday morning Bible study at SFBC so I hunkered down in the computer room and read. The sun was very stingy today and we only got a glimpse of it just before dark. The wind started to lay down as well and it didn't feel near as cold as it had earlier. Amy, Ava and Sam came for lunch and I fixed a big pot of dried noodle soup. That hit the spot with the cold temps and then Nancy decided to make a pot of Zuppa soup for supper, Yeow was that ever good as well. We are watching them(the kiddos) this afternoon and evening and they both love Zuppa soup so we will eat that as well as a fresh garden salad for supper tonight.
Well after the cleanup we tuned into Fox News and then I headed to the showers in time to catch Gold Rush at 9, but I watched an episode of Duck Dynasty where grandpa Phil watched his 4 granddaughters along with Si's help; what a trip that was; also Willie buys a winery and decides to make wine. That was one of the most hilarious shows I've seen, what a great show, Later
I did my usual routine but just a little later then bundled up and rode the bike out to the rec to see if any brave souls where trying pickle ball on the outside court. I noticed the rain had washed away all of the chalk lines that defined the 2 courts that were set up outside on the basketball courts. Seems we will have to redo them on Monday if we want to play.The rec its self is closed for MLK Day but since we have portable nets some of us will play outside if the weather is good. I headed for the library and picked up a book for Nancy.
Nancy took off for her Friday morning Bible study at SFBC so I hunkered down in the computer room and read. The sun was very stingy today and we only got a glimpse of it just before dark. The wind started to lay down as well and it didn't feel near as cold as it had earlier. Amy, Ava and Sam came for lunch and I fixed a big pot of dried noodle soup. That hit the spot with the cold temps and then Nancy decided to make a pot of Zuppa soup for supper, Yeow was that ever good as well. We are watching them(the kiddos) this afternoon and evening and they both love Zuppa soup so we will eat that as well as a fresh garden salad for supper tonight.
Well after the cleanup we tuned into Fox News and then I headed to the showers in time to catch Gold Rush at 9, but I watched an episode of Duck Dynasty where grandpa Phil watched his 4 granddaughters along with Si's help; what a trip that was; also Willie buys a winery and decides to make wine. That was one of the most hilarious shows I've seen, what a great show, Later
Friday, January 18, 2013
Friday Morning
Well it's down right nippy this morning with temp's down into the low 40's and a wind of 18-20 mph out of the north, Brr!!!
Thursday was a rather wet and cloudy day. After the usual morning routine I headed out on the bike to the rec for some pickle ball around 7:45 and around 9:30 it started to sprinkle. There were 4 of us and then 2 more came so we had a good group and got in some really good play before skies opened up. My shirt was completely soaked as it was still warm and humid. There were a couple slack periods of rain so I high tailed home and managed to not add too much wetness to the shirt.
Nancy was meeting up with Amy at GG's for lunch then they were going to help clean out GG's cupboards as she is having her kitchen remodeled the first week in February. I stayed home, read and ate some left overs for lunch. I'm still managing to reduce the spare tire by holding my portions down as well as limiting my processed foods intake like breads, crackers, chips etc. Nancy called around 2 PM, after that job she and GG went appliance shopping once again and got back here to the house around 4 PM. I picked lettuces and then made a big toss salad that would go along with our marinated grilled chicken breast and parsley taters' for supper.
On a sad note my aunt Nancy in Virginia passed away after a long illness. She was in her 80's and now all of the sisters have died in the family leaving 3 brothers. One of our dear friends in the mountains who is in her early 40's with 2 children was diagnosed with toxicity of the bone marrow and there is nothing they can do for her so she was sent home to die. Pray for Sherry Maxwell. Her former husband was the football coach at Allegheny High School for a few years.
We also learned where the area in the mountain received a tremendous snow along with rain, ice and winds. Much of the area was without electricity last evening as we spoke to our "mountain mom" on her car phone. The weather there has been spring like for a week or so and now what a change as did our weather from the a/c on to now the possibility of heat. The sun is shining brightly so the cold won't last all day. It's supposed to get up to the 60's today which is tolerable.
Nancy spoke with our mountain neighbor Jodi who is planning a trip to their cabin today and over the week end. Hopefully they can get in the road and up the hill and they have some juice in the wires. Gerald has a couple wood stoves so they will have heat. We hope they can take a few snow photos for us and if so we will share them on FB. Well that's about it for a Thursday, LATER
Thursday was a rather wet and cloudy day. After the usual morning routine I headed out on the bike to the rec for some pickle ball around 7:45 and around 9:30 it started to sprinkle. There were 4 of us and then 2 more came so we had a good group and got in some really good play before skies opened up. My shirt was completely soaked as it was still warm and humid. There were a couple slack periods of rain so I high tailed home and managed to not add too much wetness to the shirt.
Nancy was meeting up with Amy at GG's for lunch then they were going to help clean out GG's cupboards as she is having her kitchen remodeled the first week in February. I stayed home, read and ate some left overs for lunch. I'm still managing to reduce the spare tire by holding my portions down as well as limiting my processed foods intake like breads, crackers, chips etc. Nancy called around 2 PM, after that job she and GG went appliance shopping once again and got back here to the house around 4 PM. I picked lettuces and then made a big toss salad that would go along with our marinated grilled chicken breast and parsley taters' for supper.
On a sad note my aunt Nancy in Virginia passed away after a long illness. She was in her 80's and now all of the sisters have died in the family leaving 3 brothers. One of our dear friends in the mountains who is in her early 40's with 2 children was diagnosed with toxicity of the bone marrow and there is nothing they can do for her so she was sent home to die. Pray for Sherry Maxwell. Her former husband was the football coach at Allegheny High School for a few years.
We also learned where the area in the mountain received a tremendous snow along with rain, ice and winds. Much of the area was without electricity last evening as we spoke to our "mountain mom" on her car phone. The weather there has been spring like for a week or so and now what a change as did our weather from the a/c on to now the possibility of heat. The sun is shining brightly so the cold won't last all day. It's supposed to get up to the 60's today which is tolerable.
Nancy spoke with our mountain neighbor Jodi who is planning a trip to their cabin today and over the week end. Hopefully they can get in the road and up the hill and they have some juice in the wires. Gerald has a couple wood stoves so they will have heat. We hope they can take a few snow photos for us and if so we will share them on FB. Well that's about it for a Thursday, LATER
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Thursday Morning
Wednesday once again had summertime written all over it with temps into the low 80's. The humidity wasn't there so we opened the windows and turned the a/c off. The morning started out much the usual with the roosters crowing for a wake up sometime while it was still dark. It's funny now that the sun rise seems to be a little later and sunset later as well. I suppose DST is soon on the way now that the days are getting longer.
After my quiet time and a breakfast of fruit I pedalled out to the rec for a couple hours of pickle ball. We had a small crowd just 4 players for the first hour but that was perfect, eventually they staggered in throughout out the morning until we had 2 courts going with a couple waiting. Seems Wednesday is gal day as they soon out numbered by 6 to 2. Most of the gals are good players and put up a good fight on the court. I soon had a soaking shirt as the sun really brings out the sweat. Its been different outside but I'm really starting to get use to it and enjoy the ambiance.
Well Nancy went to the doctor's for her sore throat as its taking a long time to heal and was diagnosed as having a viral infection. Not much they can do for that although the doc did give her a 'script for an antibiotic; but Nancy thought what's the use if its viral. She did some shopping on the way home and I worked in the garden and then read most of the rest of the day.
We had deer burritos again now that I have lots of fresh herbs and lettuce and wow are they ever delicious. After the cleanup we headed for the couch and Fox News before tuning into American Idol at 8. I hit the showers and then flipped channels in the bedroom during the Idol show. I eventually cut the tube off and read however I did see the last contestant and she was a winner both in voice and family, LATER
After my quiet time and a breakfast of fruit I pedalled out to the rec for a couple hours of pickle ball. We had a small crowd just 4 players for the first hour but that was perfect, eventually they staggered in throughout out the morning until we had 2 courts going with a couple waiting. Seems Wednesday is gal day as they soon out numbered by 6 to 2. Most of the gals are good players and put up a good fight on the court. I soon had a soaking shirt as the sun really brings out the sweat. Its been different outside but I'm really starting to get use to it and enjoy the ambiance.
Well Nancy went to the doctor's for her sore throat as its taking a long time to heal and was diagnosed as having a viral infection. Not much they can do for that although the doc did give her a 'script for an antibiotic; but Nancy thought what's the use if its viral. She did some shopping on the way home and I worked in the garden and then read most of the rest of the day.
We had deer burritos again now that I have lots of fresh herbs and lettuce and wow are they ever delicious. After the cleanup we headed for the couch and Fox News before tuning into American Idol at 8. I hit the showers and then flipped channels in the bedroom during the Idol show. I eventually cut the tube off and read however I did see the last contestant and she was a winner both in voice and family, LATER
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Wednesday Morning
Tuesday once again was another beautiful summer like day; while we still have the a/c on it's not all that humid. The day was unremarkable except for a trip to the grocery store. Nancy did have to go and have her yearly chest x-ray.
The morning was started around 6 AM with the dueling roosters, some mornings its 4:30 others its close to 7. I guess it just depends on what wakes them up, then they want to wake everyone around up, oh well!!! After our wake up and a cup of hot green tea I did my regiment of vitamins, my quiet time then a fresh pink seedless grapefruit for breakfast before pedalling out to the rec for a couple hours of pickle ball. There were 7 guys and when I arrived it made for both courts with continuous never sit down play for an hour or more before another player came. My shirt was dripping sweat as well as was the others. We are playing outside and the sun is a bit of a problem for some. I have already noticed a white line where my sock ends on my lower leg.
This outside play is so much different that I'm starting to enjoy it especially when the wind comes up a little. The spins really do take effect and throws some of the really big hitters off; but it fun and great exercise. I headed for the weight room scales and I was amazed I have dropped a few pounds off this spare tire. The only down size to the hard courts is the ache in the knees at night time; several players have mentioned the same thing to me so its not my imagination.
Amy and Sam came for lunch and then played outside afterwards. I had an appointment with my financial guy and it looks as if last year was a decent one. Now if we can stay away from the market drop like in '08 we will be better off for our retirement. I came back and blew boric acid in the attic as we are starting to see some very small ants in the house from time to time. They seem to like to get on the roof from the oak trees and then come in through the attic and when Nancy sees an ant it like the world is ending, oh well. I then mixed up a batch of Malathion in the sprayer and did all the window seals and around the foundation of the house as well as a couple small ant hills in the back.
Well, we had fried Swaii fish fillets for supper along with a sweet potato and lima beans(butter), yeow was that ever a tasty meal. We did fresh salad for lunch so we skipped on that for supper. After the clean up we watched our regular Fox News shows then I headed for the showers. Nancy still is fighting the sore throat so maybe she will go see a doctor today, LATER
The morning was started around 6 AM with the dueling roosters, some mornings its 4:30 others its close to 7. I guess it just depends on what wakes them up, then they want to wake everyone around up, oh well!!! After our wake up and a cup of hot green tea I did my regiment of vitamins, my quiet time then a fresh pink seedless grapefruit for breakfast before pedalling out to the rec for a couple hours of pickle ball. There were 7 guys and when I arrived it made for both courts with continuous never sit down play for an hour or more before another player came. My shirt was dripping sweat as well as was the others. We are playing outside and the sun is a bit of a problem for some. I have already noticed a white line where my sock ends on my lower leg.
This outside play is so much different that I'm starting to enjoy it especially when the wind comes up a little. The spins really do take effect and throws some of the really big hitters off; but it fun and great exercise. I headed for the weight room scales and I was amazed I have dropped a few pounds off this spare tire. The only down size to the hard courts is the ache in the knees at night time; several players have mentioned the same thing to me so its not my imagination.
Amy and Sam came for lunch and then played outside afterwards. I had an appointment with my financial guy and it looks as if last year was a decent one. Now if we can stay away from the market drop like in '08 we will be better off for our retirement. I came back and blew boric acid in the attic as we are starting to see some very small ants in the house from time to time. They seem to like to get on the roof from the oak trees and then come in through the attic and when Nancy sees an ant it like the world is ending, oh well. I then mixed up a batch of Malathion in the sprayer and did all the window seals and around the foundation of the house as well as a couple small ant hills in the back.
Well, we had fried Swaii fish fillets for supper along with a sweet potato and lima beans(butter), yeow was that ever a tasty meal. We did fresh salad for lunch so we skipped on that for supper. After the clean up we watched our regular Fox News shows then I headed for the showers. Nancy still is fighting the sore throat so maybe she will go see a doctor today, LATER
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Tuesday Morning
Well once again it was hot and humid enough we had to turn the a/c on last evening; but during the day it was a spring like day. We sat outside in the back yard under the shade tree for a couple hours reading and watching Sam play.
The morning started out with the rooster wake up some where around 5:30 but we managed to tune them out until 7. I did my usual quiet time then had a lite breakfast of fruit and got ready to pedal out to the rec for a couple hours of pickle ball. There were already 11 players when I got there and there were 2 courts set up outside. A couple new guys were there for the first time and one of them plays PB in Pennsylvania. He was very good and now they will join us for awhile. Outside PB is very different from inside PB and the type of ball is even different. It's a little slower but many of the shots are drop shots, dink and dunk play as the elements cause many of the hard shots and lobs to sail out of play. I had a totally wet shirt in no time. It was really nice being out in the fresh air but it did start to warm as the sun rose higher.
After PB I stopped off at the library before heading home. I spent the next hour or so working in the garden; watering, weeding and harvesting greens for a garden salad. Amy was bringing GG and we were having a fresh salad for lunch. I cheated and ate leftover cube steak Amy brought with her from Friday night. Wow was it still delicious. After lunch I read until it was time for Amy and them to leave then I did a few chores.
Nancy still has a sore throat but her voice is back and she doesn't feel bad over all. She did get a hood walk in to get some exercise. I grilled a couple pork chops for supper and we ate up some taters that were sprouting along with some fresh parsley from the garden. I planted the sprouts and hopefully will get a few hills of red taters. I finally got my garden salad for supper and was it ever delicious. After the clean up we vegetated and watched the news on Fox and by 10 PM we were really for bed, LATER
The morning started out with the rooster wake up some where around 5:30 but we managed to tune them out until 7. I did my usual quiet time then had a lite breakfast of fruit and got ready to pedal out to the rec for a couple hours of pickle ball. There were already 11 players when I got there and there were 2 courts set up outside. A couple new guys were there for the first time and one of them plays PB in Pennsylvania. He was very good and now they will join us for awhile. Outside PB is very different from inside PB and the type of ball is even different. It's a little slower but many of the shots are drop shots, dink and dunk play as the elements cause many of the hard shots and lobs to sail out of play. I had a totally wet shirt in no time. It was really nice being out in the fresh air but it did start to warm as the sun rose higher.
After PB I stopped off at the library before heading home. I spent the next hour or so working in the garden; watering, weeding and harvesting greens for a garden salad. Amy was bringing GG and we were having a fresh salad for lunch. I cheated and ate leftover cube steak Amy brought with her from Friday night. Wow was it still delicious. After lunch I read until it was time for Amy and them to leave then I did a few chores.
Nancy still has a sore throat but her voice is back and she doesn't feel bad over all. She did get a hood walk in to get some exercise. I grilled a couple pork chops for supper and we ate up some taters that were sprouting along with some fresh parsley from the garden. I planted the sprouts and hopefully will get a few hills of red taters. I finally got my garden salad for supper and was it ever delicious. After the clean up we vegetated and watched the news on Fox and by 10 PM we were really for bed, LATER
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
