Gifts

I'm just not good with gift ideas.  I never have been.  Two weeks ago, it was my parents 48th anniversary, no gift yet....This weekend is my mom's birthday - I'm stumped.  Next weekend is my girlfriend Cheryl's 50th, and then my dad's 71st and so on and so on. 

In the last month, I have been to four graduation parties and this weekend, I have two more and next weekend, one more.  For graduation parties, I just give money.  The kids can use it for college/books, etc.

But the birthday gifts and anniversary gifts, etc., I am just not creative.

If anyone has any suggestions, call me or e-mail me or comment here......

Thank you!!!!

Collard Greens

I received Collard Greens in my CSA last week and this week.  I par cooked last weeks batch and froze it.  Last night, I decided to look up a recipe and use it all......my kids did their share of asking what the heck I was doing as they had never seen me cook this before (and in all honestly, I had no idea how it would come out). 

Ingredients:
Bacon grease (yep, I saved it from this mornings bacon)
Bacon pieces (real stuff)
Canola Oil
One large onion
Garlic - I don't know how much
1 tsp. sugar,
1 tsp. salt (maybe  a little more)
pepper.
Italian seasoning (I had to throw it in).

So, I fried up the onion and garlic (the smell made my kids come upstairs) in the bacon fat and canola
added the collards (some was par cooked and some was fresh) and the bacon. Cooked it on low to medium low for a while (at least 1/2 hour).  It started to brown a little and I knew it was just about ready.  Added the sugar and seasonings and told everyone to at least just taste it......

I had one small bowl.  It was great!  My boys raved about it!!!  They and Hope's friend ate the whole pan.  Hope wouldn't touch it (but I expected nothing less). 

Who knew I could make Collard greens!!!  Thank you again Stone Garden Farms.

I wish I took a picture!

Caught up!

Well, I caught up on all my jobs - that is the good news.....But I just don't seem to have any other time.  This week, I was focused on life...

Monday - Work, then Teach Zumba, then work at the church
Tuesday - Work, Lunch hour took my dad to chemo, after work weeded garden (which had not been done in two weeks), visited my dad, worked on new zumba songs.
Wednesday - Work - Lunch hour went to Eye doctor for new glasses for my daughter, meeting after work for the Library Board, then 8th grade graduation party for my niece.
Thursday - Lunch hour was Hope's annual dr. appt., after work, teach zumba, then go pick blackberries at my mother-in-law's - I hit the mother lode there!!!!
Friday - Lunch hour take daughter to DMV for driving permit, after work pick up CSA, order cake at BJ's for Sunday's 16th b-day party for my daughter, attend wake for my Uncle who passed this week.  Attend gathering for my Uncle at my parents house later tonight. 
Saturday - teach zumba, funeral, repast, clean the house......I am so behind on the house.......
Sunday - run a race?  Church, Party for my daughter.........

I know most of you do the same thing, day in and day out....but I was reading the Cold Antler Farm blog and it made me stop and realize that I really need to STOP!  and maybe go catch fire flies or something.....

But you know what - I still have an awesome life...and I'm blessed in so many ways....So thank you, God, for this busy week!!!!!!

Catch up

I'm trying to play catch up...It is not easy and I'm exhausted.

But I am almost done - at 10:00 pm tonight, I will be done with all the jobs that I put off to go on my vacation.  And since the vacation was awesome, it should be no big deal, Right???  Right???   Anyone???

How come no one answered?  :)

Anyway.... we have had Beautiful weather here in the northeast.  Hot, sunny and I love it! 

Have a great day, all.

CSA - #2 and #3

I was not here last week, so this week, I was able to double up on my CSA....Here is what I got:

Full share:


2 bunches kale

2 bunches collards

2 bunches beet greens

1 bunch Chioggia beets(?)

2 bunches dandelion greens

1 head of lettuce

1 lb leaf lettuce mix

1/2 lb asian mix

2 bunches radishes

1 bunch scallions

1 basil and parsley plant
 
1 oregano and thyme plant
 
How Awesome is That......thank you Stone Garden Farms!

We are back...

We got in at 2:00 am this morning and we are back to work already.  I'm exhausted but we had an absolutely fantastic vacation.  Once my daughter uploads some pics for me, I'll post them.

Naples has not suffered at all from any oil.  It is just not there (yet?).  I  am not sure if it will reach that area.  The water was beautiful, the dolphins were out everywhere we went, sea turtles and a school(?) of stingrays were there too.  All was well in that area of Florida. 

And we are off......

Ciao tutti, ci vediamo quando ritorniamo da Napoli (Goodbye everyone, We will see you when we return from Naples  (Naples Florida, that is...)

And I'll have lots of pictures of my friend, Harry......I can't wait.......See you in a week!

Graduation Pictures....

I got them from my sister-in-law....Thank you, Vicki.....

CSA

The CSA has started for this year.  Today was my first box.  I only got 1/2 share this time.  So, I will be getting a little less, but still it is quite bountiful.

1 Parsley Plant - to plant in the yard when I get home tonight
1 Basil Plant (same)
1 box of Strawberries (courtesy of Jones Farm)
2 large heads of lettuce
2 bunches of radishes
1 bunch of turnips
1 Bok choi
1 bunch of scallions

I love my CSA...

This week

I have beautiful pictures of my son's graduation party......and I can not figure out how to upload them here!!  My son was going to help me, but he has been too busy. I'll try for this weekend.

I taught Zumba four times this week (and you wonder why I don't blog too often) :)

Family dinner Wednesday night was huge - maybe too huge.  Just too much, sometimes.  I think there were 32 people.

I went to Mass tonight - It was a Healing Mass - we call it the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.  The very ill or sick or old come to church and are given a mass and blessing and so much more.  It was just beautiful.  I should have pictures of this too soon.  I felt the Holy Spirit.  I have only felt God like that once before.  It was powerful.  Beyond powerful.  It made me cry.  My dad and about 15 others were anointed.  I wish I had the words to sum it all up, but words can't descibe it.