Busy Sunday!

I am still working on my backyard and it seems like a neverending project to get it the way I want it. I do realize that could take years until everything matures that I have planted thusfar. I used to have a fish pond at my old house in Maryland and I decided to get a small patio one so it wouldn't be too much to keep up with. We put 8 little goldfish in there today and the kids love it. Those little goldfish aka "feeder fish" very likely would have been dinner for some large ugly mean fish tonight. I saved them from doom and now they are happy little fish playing under the flow of the fountain. Those so called "feeder goldfish" grew from about a half inch to six inches or more in the pond I had before!


Here are some other pictures from around my garden. The fairy statue and dragonfly stepping stone I bought in Austin last weekend and the garden plaque I bought on clearance at Walmart a few weeks ago. And last but not least the little apricot poodle is my furbaby "Teddy" who has claimed ownership of the wicker chair next to the fan. When I am sitting down he is my constant companion sharing whatever chair I might be sitting in.

Summer's Bounty

The best thing about summer is the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables. It has been quite the rainy summer in Texas but the basil in my yard has not complained. It is large and green and beautiful. The dragonflies even love it! I am always searching for new recipes in which to use my fresh basil and this one doesn't disappoint.




Spinach Caprese Salad

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup baby spinach leaves
• 1 large tomato, sliced 3/4 inch thick
• 1 ball of fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

DIRECTIONS

1. Spread the spinach out on a serving plate. Place the slices of tomato on the bed of spinach. Top each slice of tomato with a slice of fresh mozzarella. Sprinkle the basil over the salad and drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Busy Busy Weekend!

What a crazy busy weekend! It's Tuesday and I am still trying to adjust thinking Friday must be near because I'm so tired! I always hear everyone say how nice Austin is so I just had to check it out for myself! We drove up Saturday morning and I have to say the critics are correct! Austin with its rolling hills is just beautiful! It reminded me so much of California the way the houses are built in the hills. With this view I could absolutely live here! It's just amazing this is actually in the great state of Texas! I felt like I had left the state just for a moment. Congress street is pretty neat too. It has all kinds of little shops and eateries. Austin is very eclectic, artsy and bohemian all rolled into one. Before I left the city I stopped by a Zen Garden and could have stayed there forever. How peaceful to hear the quiet of the babbling fountains and the sounds of the giant wind chimes. I definitely will be back!



On Sunday we took the kids to the Ringling Brothers Circus. They had a great time! For some reason I don't think it was as spectacular as the circus I saw in the 70's. Maybe it is just my recollection as a kid that made it seem larger. I guess the world is a larger and more spectacular place when you are small. The kids got to meet this Asian elephant, she is the matriarch of the elephants at a ripe old age of 39. Hmmmmm we were both children of the 60's!

Shhh....You Might Wake The Fairies

Look! All of these lovely fairies were created by English artist Mary Cicely Barker in the early 1900's. A few years back my sister gave me this cup as a gift and I fell in love! The fairy on the cup is called the "Rose Fairy" and she fits me perfectly with my love for roses. It sits in my china cabinet for fear of breaking it as Royal Worcester has discontinued the Flower Fairy line. Why on earth they would discontinue something so pretty is beyond me!



This book came out a couple of years ago that I just have to have! It is called Fairyopolis. Look how beautiful the cover is! It chronicles Mary Cicely Barker's encounters with fairies through the years. So, if you believe in fairies just remember this...


The best times of the day to see a fairy are at twilight, midnight, just before sunrise, and midday. And the best time of the year to see a fairy is on Midsummer's eve, as this is the most magical time for all fairies! Flower Fairies love music and dancing, and hold many balls and parties throughout the year, but on this special night they throw the most wonderful party of all, and every fairy in Fairyopolis is invited! Fairies don't like to be discovered, and are very good at disappearing quickly (with the help of their magical fairy dust), so you must be very careful and very patient if you are to see one.



Garden fairies come at dawn, bless the flowers then they're gone.
~Author Unknown

Perfection Defined...

Of all the perfection in the world roses are the most perfect.









"A profusion of pink roses bending ragged in the rain speaks to me of all gentleness and its enduring." ~ William Carlos Williams

Happy Birthday!

This blog is dedicated to a special day today.

Happy Birthday Annmarie! Thirty some years ago our mothers' must have crossed paths to have given us both such a unique and beautiful name. Fate brought us together many years later and you have become a sister to me. I appreciate your genuineness and I feel like you keep me grounded. I hope we will celebrate many birthdays together with each of them being as special as you are.

Love, Me :)

Glorious Gladiolus

When in Europe, live as the Europeans do...or something like that. Europeans have a love affair with fresh flowers and always seem to have them everywhere in their homes. I being the plant and flower fanatic that I am; have decided to live like a European in America! LOL! I picked up this bouquet of fresh Gladiolus at the grocery store the other day and with all the rain we have been having in Texas lately it brings a little sunshine into the house. I am kind of liking this whole fresh flower concept and for $3.99 a bunch who can resist!

Happy Independence Day!

Thank God I was born in the best country in the world! Happy Birthday America!

I heart NY

I love New York wine and my favorite is Niagara from upstate. The Niagara area is near and dear to my heart because that is where my grandparents spent their honeymoon 80 years ago. Many of my grandfather's family is from the NY/PA region and Chaddsford Winery in PA ships wine all the way to BFE! Niagara grapes are allowed to over ripen and produce a very sweet wine. It is very similar to a German Auslese Riesling which is another favorite of mine. So after a long work week there is nothing better than to kick back with a glass of wine accompanied with fruit and cheese.



Cheese & Fruit Kabobs
Serve with a sweet blush wine such as Riesling, Niagara or Cayuga. Any of the following fruits and cheese can be combined for a delicious appetizer or a meal in itself.

Apples, cantaloupe, apricots, cherries, melon, pears, oranges, tangerines, strawberries , grapes, pineapples, honeydew
Cheddar, swiss, gouda, monterey jack, provolone, colby, muenster

Long Week...

No post! It feels like Friday but I could only wish! Finally after weeks with no Michaels coupon I finally found one in our Sunday newspaper. So after wandering the store for what seemed like hours I ended up with the book Knitters Lib. Now I guess the title is a bit misguiding because I think the book is mostly geared toward crocheting but that is okay because I really need to brush up on my crochet skills.