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Monday, July 17, 2017

Random Thoughts


  1. Patience is paying off and finally the blackberries are beginning to ripen!  Not enough for a pie but maybe some muffins!
  2. You know that Angie's List commercial with the dog that shreds the feather pillow all over the living room?  I had a similar experience one evening this week.  I walked into the boys' room to find it plastered with shreds of batting!  The Spencer was flopped on their bed watching a DVD acting like everything was totally normal with tufts of batting in his hair.... One young man calmly laying in a room of chaos.  I asked what happened but of course he didn't answer.  He had a spare comforter spread out on the bed and I found their usual one turned completely inside out on the floor...minus the batting! Then Spencer started giggling.  I said, "Did you do this?  Yuck!" and he answered, "Yuck!" and laughed and laughed.  I guess he found a little rip in it and started pulling the batting out little by little and eventually got the whole thing turned inside out. It must have taken hours! It was hilarious! I wish I'd taken a picture.
  3. Remember Pepper, my latest little rescue cat?  He's still doing great!  His eye infection is completely gone and although he definitely has some sight issues, he isn't bumping into things any longer.  He trots along beside me when I walk around the house, sleeps on the couch and runs to the kitchen if he hears the refrigerator open.  I still haven't taken him to the vet yet but he's coming along just fine.  He's put on some weight, too.  He's a sweetheart and all the other cats have accepted him just fine with affectionate head bumps and friendly sniffs.  
  4. The lady that knocked on our door 2 years ago asking if I might be interested in taking in a sick cat came back this week to see Star. It was a sweet reunion for both of them, I think.  Star just purred up a storm as she was held and the lady almost cried for joy at seeing how healthy she is now.  It really seemed like Star remembered her and why wouldn't she....she saved her life, literally.  So fun to show her how Star is thriving now.  She really was at death's door when she came here.
  5. We just got our first grill.  Yep, that's right...we have never had an outdoor grill!  For 25 years we had a JennAir stove/oven that had 2 burners and a grill side that vented out under the house.  It was just like a grill but in the kitchen.  When we had to get a new oven last year we discovered that those were no longer made and had to sadly get a conventional oven.  I thought I could made do with a grill pan but it just wasn't the same.  The good thing about the outdoor grill is that The Mister feels like he should be the king of it so we've made the adjustment of teaching him how to cook.  His prior resume is sticking a frozen pizza in the oven and even that isn't done right 75% of the time. haha.  He's still overcooking or undercooking things but they are tasting better with each try.
So what's been happening with you?
I have been terrible about visiting and posting,
haven't I?  I have a few things happily taking
up my time lately.  Hope your summer is going well!



31 comments:

  1. Those blackberries look succulent.
    I am laughing at Spencer with the evidence right in his hair. Oh my!
    How sweet the lady came. She must have done a double take and you must be so proud.
    Glad to hear Pepper is better. You are a home of healing.
    Men and their BBQs! It seems to be their domain. Maybe this means you'll get some nights off. Yay! You deserve it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That Spencer! It was the funniest thing! The way he finally laughed at it
      was the best. So cute.

      Delete
  2. That's so sweet about the cat!

    And the blackberries look divine...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, I'm glad she stopped by to see her after a couple of years.
      And I loved that Star acted like she knew her. Aw.

      Delete
  3. Haha, so funny that Spencer was trying to act so casual before busting out laughing. Love it!

    Cool reunion with Star and her rescuer. Great that the woman could see how well she's doing.

    Is it hard to give up some of the cooking to The Mister. Does he take your cooking advice well? Will be nice to have him do the grilling once he gets the hang of it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He's getting better at taking cooking advice. hahaha...we've had a few arguments about how things
      should be done. lol... after a few times his way didn't turn out, he's beginning to listen. :)

      Delete
  4. Can you post before and after photos of Star? I would love to see her transformation side by side. She was blessed that you came into her life two years ago.

    Laurie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sure, I can do that. But the best way to tell is to pick her up. She literally
      weighed 2-3 pounds...just fur over bone. She's probably 9-10 pounds now!

      Delete
  5. The blackberries look plump and delicious !
    It's a good thing you have a sense of humor, and roll with the flow, otherwise there would be three young men in trouble :)
    Yes, sweet Star, knew exactly where to land her tired feet, I'd say your address is written on every street corner ....lol
    I have the same JennAir downdraft grill/range, thirty years old, and still going strong. I wish they still made the model.
    ~Jo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, let's pray your Jennair never dies! We searched the earth for something similar.
      I can't believe nobody makes anything like that anymore. It was wonderful!

      Delete
  6. Our red raspberries are about to really thrive. We've been getting a few here and there to munch on, but now they are beginning to produce. I'm dreaming of raspberry jam, Bakewell tarts, muffins, pies...the possibilities are endless!

    I laughed out loud at Spencer's antics...especially when you wrote that he said "Yuck" back at you and then laughed and laughed. :) Love it!

    Dear sweet Star...I'm certain it warmed that lady's heart to see her doing so well. Nurse Betsy is known all over the area!

    Sorry about your JennAir. :( Give The Mister a few more weeks and he'll be grilling like a pro. We are currently in the reverse order here at our house. I'm learning the routine. :) A meat thermometer has become my best friend! hahaha

    Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Red raspberries sound so good. Maybe I should plant a bush or two of those next.
      They sound delicious and are so pricey at the grocery!

      Delete
  7. I like your new header!
    The blackberries look good.
    Oh Spencer! Glad you have a good sense of humor - what a mess. You should have gotten a picture. :)
    Hooray for a grill!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I always take a picture of everything! I can't believe I didn't think of it.
      I guess I was so stunned and it took me a while to figure out what exactly
      happened. haha.

      Delete
  8. We don't have a barbecue. Neither of us want to cook outside and I will only eat outside at the top of a mountain where there aren't any insects. The chef does most of the cooking here but I deal with anything involving pasta. The Chef is convinced he can't cook pasta - and therefore he makes a thorough mess of it every time. I don't know what it is. Boiling water is a lot simpler than frying the perfect steak which he does really well.
    I have a hospital appointment next Sunday for my all important tests so I guess we'll see what's what.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can't stand to eat outside if it's buggy either! Yuck!

      I'll be thinking about you on Sunday. Keep me posted. Hoping for the best possible news!

      Delete
    2. Thank you. Such an itchy night last night I had to slather myself with cream at 4 am! Itchiness is one of my symptoms. The great thing about the top of mountains is you don't get wasps. We sometimes go to the hotel des glaciers at Arolla which is high up in the alps opposite the flat. I can't make a link on my iPad so google for photos. It is SO pretty. And there I eat my lunch out of doors.

      Delete
  9. Hi Betsy - oh gosh ... so pleased you had lots of giggles out of it - an endearing thought as I sit here. Great to read Pepper is doing well, that Star had a visit and was greeted with love ... blackberries to forward think to a pie - they'll be out in full force soon. Good for the Mister ... so pleased he's learning and helping out - cheers Hilary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, all is well....extra comforters, healing kitties, blackberries. :)

      Delete
  10. Well I had to laugh at Spencer's antics. I could easily see that happening at my son's house. In fact, Baylor did explore a bag of flour he found sitting on the counter. And I look forward to seeing your Instagram grill food posts. I look at your photos and my mouth waters. Y'all eat GOOD!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We're learning on the grill little by little. haha.

      I bet the flour scene was amusing! You just have to laugh to survive! :)

      Delete
  11. haha he sounds like he had fun
    As he threw them around by the ton
    Glad the new addition is doing grand
    And a great reunion was had in your land
    Geez, I suspected you had one
    25 years without sure is a long run

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Will you eat chicken on the grill?
      Maybe with a sprig of dill?

      Delete
  12. Love the look of that Betsy drink| Did you happen to see whether there is an Ed drink . . . haha.
    Lots of blackberries here . . . and I love 'em . . . yum!!!
    Strange about the batting . . . great of you to keep your cool. I imagine my late wife would have gone bananas . . bless her.
    Glad pepper (note correct spelling . . lol) is getting better. Perhaps he goy peppet in his eye . . lol
    Great Star remembered the lady and perhaps she realises she was instrumental in her recovery and hope of any future at all. Glad the lady loved her improvement.
    Fun to have your own grill . . . we call the barbecues. I tend to almost cremate anything I do . . . lol
    As for me I have loads of projects on the go so I had better clone myself . . . . want one? . . . lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There is a coke with anybody's name. You can order them online....at least here you can.
      Do that have that campaign in England? Do you have Coke? hahaha...just kidding.

      Delete
    2. Yes we have coke . . . so has the entire universe I imagine . . lol. I wasn't aware of the scheme but I have lived a rather sheltered life . . haha. But I bet mine would taste nicer than your's . . haha

      Delete
  13. A grill outside is a manyly thing! You will enjoy The Mister's participation....eventually!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Love blackberries ! ANd love Star so much, is really sweet!
    Here : snowed ! yes many years we dindt have snow, was amazing and now is really cold . The dogs loved the snow!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lucky you with the snow! It just isn't a proper winter without snow!

      Did you post pictures? I need to come take a look!

      Delete

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