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Tuesday, July 8, 2014

This and That










  1. I'm trying my hand at drying hydrangeas.
  2. I filled the bird bath and captured a cat hug.
  3. The view walking along the side of the house.  Still loving it!
  4. Nugget has been enjoying lettuces from the garden!
  5. I've begun picking tomatoes!  Yesterday as part of Sunday Brunch, we had them broiled with basil, garlic, olive oil and mozzarella cheese on them.  Addicting!
  6. Handsome Slate ~ just for you, Lynne! 
  7. It seems Spencer hoards the empty tape dispensers from taping all those beloved print-outs of trains he does.  He let me throw them away, much to my surprise!
  8. Loving this flavor ~ raspberry dark chocolate chunk.
  9. I bought some refrigerator mounted magnetic knife holders for the kitchen.  So much easier than digging through a drawer!  I sharpened them all and gave them a polish today.  Much better!

60 comments:

  1. You've been busy, haven't you? I hope your hydrangeas turn out. They are such a gorgeous flower. The garden path in your yard looks. lovely, especially with your new statue. The knife magnets are a genius idea, aren't they? So practical and efficient. Keep us updated on your flower drying.

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    1. I can't believe I've lived here 25 years and didn't have that knife holder! I love it!
      I looked on Pinterest for the flower drying...lots of involved ways, but someone said they just hung them upside down..that's it. And of course, that's the one I chose. ha.

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  2. I love when you do these posts, all except the knives, oh my, I do not like knives, lol, I think its because since my eyesight went down the drain I cannot cut anything, I had too many mishaps , now the sight of them gives me the willies, lol, I know I am a weirdo!

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    1. you are cracking me up! I bet you could still use them if you'd hold them the professional way and curl your fingers under as you hold what you're cutting.

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  3. Wow - those knives are impressive... and scary! :-) Beautiful pics as always - love kitty cat hugs. And how great to have lettuce and tomatoes straight from your own garden. Fresh, fresh, fresh. Wish I could find that flavour of ice cream here - yummo!

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    1. haha...you and Laurie! What's with you Canadians and chef knives? I love them...use them daily.

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    2. I love them too - but seeing them all lined up like that... makes me think of cloak-and-dagger movies where someone breaks in and then... Okay, Now I am scaring myself! Laughing. In fact, they look so nice mounted and shiny. I have an odd assortment of knives collected over the years and was thinking of buying a professional set. And these ones all look very smart.

      Slate's tail straight up is making me laugh! And yes, I have dried numerous types of flowers and I have always just hung them upside down and left them. Works every time.

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    3. I couldn't believe how dull my knives were! So much better now!

      Good to know about the flowers....they seem to be doing ok so far!

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  4. I love the picture of the Garden Girl. Gadzooks! It looks like she is damn near naked from that angle. Saucy bitch!

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    1. When a cat's tail is straight up it means "I'm annoyed, get away from me"

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    2. Careful! Her gargoyle will bite you!

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    3. Slate was outside alone, chasing fire flies!

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  5. Love the photos!! Garden Girl is my favorite ... I love her.

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    1. I love her, too! ;) Ooh...pretty new avatar, Woonie! :)

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  6. ha. nice hug in passing...mmm....tomatoes off the vine....

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    1. Tomatoes...the best part about summer!

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    2. "Elmsthorpe" tomatoes. We have a unique variety of tomato grown a few miles away from me, They are grown in acres of greenhouses that are heated and lit up all the year round. So we have fresh tomatoes available even in the winter. In fact I shall be buying some tomorrow.

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    3. We can buy them year round, but they are kind of tasteless and pink. ha.

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  7. Fun tour today. There is a Mexican market near us that has beautiful produce.. 3 pounds of tomatoes for 99 cents. Almost as good as having a garden. Also they sell fresh meat ~ beef, chicken, and fish. One block away. The butcher speaks English, and has a really cute personality. I will be visiting there often.

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    1. That sounds like a wonderful place to do some shopping! How fun!

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  8. Slate came at just the right time to cheer me up this afternoon Betsy. Had a small collision this morning that was my fault, so I have to pay for both repairs. Don't want my insurance company to know about the incident, plus I carry a substantial deductible. Could have been a lot worse. Just the bumpers involved and not sheet metal. The photo of the 2 buddies is also so darned sweet. Wish I could have a critter or two to hug, but I have a chronic illness that prevents that. Lynne in NC

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    1. I'm so sorry about your accident! How frustrating! I'm glad Slate could cheer you up a little. He'd curl in your lap if he was there! xo

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  9. Wow, your guys really do get through a lot of tape don't they. Love the pictures of the cats, especially the hug! xx

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    1. Things look like they've been laminated when Spencer is done with them! ha.

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  10. Hahs Betsy you have more knifes than me!
    I have only 4 or 5 are good.
    But yours look so good there!
    I love Slate he is an amazing boy:)
    And Nuget, he loves lettuces like my girls:))

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    1. Every time I see a knife on sale at a very good price, I pick it up. I don't like to cook and want a knife and they are all dirty! ha.

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    2. Is true! I have to buy someones always are useful lol

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  11. Reading about your day, all I can do is smile! : )
    It's filled with beauty, drama, food, fur and something new.
    What a pleasant day.

    How's Rocky? Has he been around?

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    1. Rocky never came back! What is he thinking? ha.

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    2. I think he is the type that flies solo.
      The big, quite type who moves from place to place.
      Sure was a hunk!

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    3. Yeah, he was handsome. I wanted to look at that sweet face every day! Freckles, too. (you'd think I had enough! ha.)

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  12. Happy you have FINALLY picked some ripe tomatoes! I'm currently drowning in them!! Putting a lot away in the freezer for cooking in soups, etc. Had some fried green tomatoes tonight. Nice! But I still like the plain old slicing best, adding a little pepper and salt. Delicious!

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    1. Yes, finally! haha. Delicious! Actually, it's really early to have ripe tomatoes here. September is our month to pick tomatoes if you grew them from seed.

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  13. Your flowers are so pretty! I really like that statue.
    I think you should think about buying stock in tape. :)

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    1. I wonder how many rolls of tape I've bought in the last 20 years! ha.

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  14. I enjoyed reading your friends' comments as much as looking at the photos. Funny how everyone comments on something slightly different.
    I have to admit, those knives look scary to me too. Reminds me of the barn full of sharp things in the movie "Twister"...
    Love your boys. I missed my visit with Tim today. Rachel went without me. I wonder how it went?

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    1. I think the scary knives have the most votes! haha. Funny, I've never thought of them as scary...just useful...and now convenient. lol...
      Sorry you missed your visit! I want to know how it went, too!

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  15. Oooh- great pictures! Lots of good things going on at your house! :)

    Your garden is looking good! And those tomatoes! Yum! I never got around to planting any veggies this year- too many other things on the to do list.
    That icecream looks DELICIOUS! What brand? Not that I need any! (but I WANT some!!)
    Love seeing the kitties- can't get over how sweet they are with each other! And how great for Spencer to part with his empty tape dispensers!
    Harry- get well soon!

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    1. The brand is Kroger's Private Selection. Lots of yummy flavors and really good ice cream. yum. We eat WAY too much of it. ha.

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  16. All sorts of interesting things going on there today.
    Those hydrangeas should be fine.
    I photograhed our (my) bush today and where I applied iron filings a few years ago, part of the bush has blue flowers - the rest is pink.
    Loved the view of the garden
    Those cats are so friendly. :)

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    1. Someone told me coffee grounds makes them blue, so I've been putting them on the roots. :)

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    2. That sounds very interesting - must try it!

      Iron filings are very slow - must try INSTANT coffee . . . . . lol

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    3. silly...I'm not sure it works that way! haha. But iron might be more effective. Funny....coffee adds acidity. So does iron do that, too? Or does it just add...iron. Maybe a vitamin tablet would work. Or spinach. haha.

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  17. Like Slate's tail straight up in the hair
    Orlin does that at our lair
    I'd hate to ever be a robber in your house
    You'd grab those knives and chop them up like a mouse haha

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    1. Got that right!
      I could really cause a fright! ha.

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  18. Aren't Hydrangeas gorgeous. I'd love to see them dried. Your cat photos are so wonderful and I love the hug. How darn cute is that. Deb

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    1. They really are! I have a few plants that have never bloomed, so this one is extra fun!

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  19. Smoke and Domino almost look like they're dancing together! Love the new pic of T&L in the sidebar - very sweet.

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    1. Yes, a little cat dance! haha. T & L spent a few vacation days in Nashville. Can't wait for Wednesday night so we can hear all about it!

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  20. I can't believe you're harvesting lettuce AND tomatoes and the same time! In my area the lettuce bolts when it gets hot enough for the 'maters.

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    1. I know! It is unusual. I cheated and bought huge tomato plants in May that already had blooms on them. September is really our month to be harvesting a lot of tomatoes. The lettuce will be gone by then, I think. Although it's in partial shade ...I hope that helps.

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  21. I'm still babying my hydrangea after it nearly died in the drought. I haven't had a single flower in nearly four years :(
    I love your little garden walk way- too cute! Spencer is very intent on his collection..that's a lot of tape!

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    1. Ah, that's so sad! They really take a LOT of water! We've had tons of rain but mine still wilts quickly and then springs back when I water it. I never imagined I'd have to water it in addition to the rain!

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  22. Hi Betsy - hope the hydrangeas work .. I had some for a few years and need to get out and dry some more once Autumn comes with the deep colours ... better check how I should do it! Great photos .. I hope you've got shares (or stock) in OfficeWorks?!! That's great you could throw the empty containers out ... love the cats, the thought of your tomatoes would go well with my cheese ...

    Such is life - I shall content myself with a glass of water before venturing to town! Cheers Hilary

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    1. Sounds like a plan....my tomatoes, your cheese...we just need bread and wine for a little party! ha.

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  23. #7's a really cool shot, in an artsy sorta way! :)

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    1. Well, Spencer would have to take the credit for that!

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  24. I always like your this-and-thats. It's exactly like life happens to us. But of course the cat hug is my absolute favourite! So peaceful and friendly is this bunch of animals! Must be due to the atmoshere in your home...

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  25. The hydrangeas will be gorgeous. I attended an open house once where the Christmas tree was decorated with dried hydrangeas.
    I wish you would link to Lorraine's Precious Pets linkup so others can see your pets. The link is on my current post.

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  26. "It seems Spencer hoards the empty tape dispensers . . . "
    Smiling!

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