Upside Down Cats

As I mentioned in a previous post I've recently been spending some time outside, even though It's June in Illinois. Normally by this time of the year it is already too hot and humid for me to choose to leave the confines of Home Sweet Air-Conditioned Home unless absolutely necessary.

We have been privileged, however, to be the recipients of several gorgeously temperate days lately, so I have spent a few relaxing late afternoons sitting in the back yard.

On this particular day I was struck by the reflection of our Welcome sign on our house. Maybe it was the combination of the lucky vantage point of my lawn chair that day and the sentiment, welcoming balmy days in the yard - twice, even.

Whatever the reason, I felt compelled to capture the image for posterity - a reminder of a quietly lovely sight.

So, Welcome - and Welcome again - to a little corner of my yard on a late Spring day.

I have been an uncharacteristically conscientious homeowner this week.

I am a fairly fastidious housekeeper inside the pleasantly climate-controlled walls of our house. It's funny, then, how it can look like the Amazon jungle in my back yard and it usually doesn't bother me one bit. Once Summer parks it's humid unpleasantness on us, I don't go in my yard if I can avoid it. The thought of just sitting in that muggy rainforest of a yard is enough to make me, nauseous let alone exerting myself with physical labor. Frankly, we are doing good by our standards if the lawn gets mowed on a fairly regular basis during the hottest months.

This year, however, we've been blessed by the weather gods with several pleasant days when I've actually enjoyed spending time sitting - and yes, even sprucing up - out in the yard.

Being outside has forced me to actually experience the leafy walls enveloping our yard... The horror movie they will undoubtedly make about our yard will surely be titled, Attack of the Honeysuckles! I couldn't stand the look of it! I dragged out the hedge clippers and the branch cutters - wishing I had a machete as well - and set about cutting and clipping the beastly bushes down to size!

The downside of this project is nothing surprising...

I expected the sore muscles and joints from the repetitive motion, bending and stretching.

I expected the multitude of scratches and gouges from immersing myself in the branches.

I expected to get leaves and sticks in my hair and clothing.

I expected to be inundated with insects... Perhaps you are aware of my revulsion for insects?

The upside seemed straightforward as well...

I expected to see my yard again.

I expected to like the improvement as I regained control over the foliage.

I expected to burn a few extra calories.

I expected that was all that was to be expected.

But I didn't expect to find this...

Continue reading "Serendipity In My Own Back Yard" »

Sunny Spot...

Here comes the sun...finally!!!

Here's Abbey and Cooper worshiping the Sun King!

And while we're on the subject, (what subject was that, exactly?) let us take a moment to enjoy a very cool musical interlude...

Continue reading "Happiness Is A Warm..." »

Let me say right off the bat...I am not Spring's biggest fan.

It is violent and tempestuous. Then warm and fair. Then wet and soggy.

Make up your mind already, Dude!

I guess I just can't tolerate that degree of inconsistency, even in my seasons...

Continue reading "Spring Fever - Gina Style" »

We are hunkered down against the cold today... I'm so glad I was able to get my grocery shopping done yesterday when it was a balmy 30 degrees! Currently we are at our expected high temperature for the day which is 6 degrees! It is difficult to keep a house warm when you are battling such cold temperatures outside, so I've been trying to keep my mind on warmer things...like cooking. As always, I have planned our meals in advance for the upcoming week. Here's some of what will be keeping our stomachs warm this week...

 

Breaded Salmon Filets, Homemade Fettuccini Tossed w/ Butter & Garlic & Sauteed Spinach

Grilled Beef Sandwiches w/ Cheddar Horseradish Sauce on German Dark Wheat Bread, French Fries & Assorted Vegetable Platter w/ Ranch Dip

Homemade Deep Dish Cheese Pizza & Mixed Greens Salad

Homemade New England Clam Chowder & Bacon, Lettuce & Tomato Sandwiches on Whole Wheat Bread

"Big Salad" of Mixed Greens & Assorted Vegetables, Crabmeat, Shredded Cheese & Bacon & Bread Basket

 

I'm looking forward to generating a lot of heat in the kitchen this week...every bit of heat I can make helps!

I took the day off yesterday.

Sure, it was Sunday, but I had things I felt obliged to do...grocery shopping, laundry folding and putting away, pan scrubbing, bill paying, blogging...you know, the essentials to life as we know it... These are also chores I find it difficult to do during the week when my days are busy and my hours run late.

And sure, it was freaking freezing here in Midwest Paradise...The high temperature here was 14 degrees. That's not really inspiring weather to leave the house!

Continue reading "Oh Great...Now I Have Guilt!" »

As Scott was leaving to brave the elements - I mean, drive to his office - this morning, he remarked that the snowstorm we were having was, "Kind of pretty..." I agreed, so I snapped some pictures out our windows to share...

For those of you unfamiliar with the particular beauty of Winter, this is our world...and welcome to it!

Continue reading "Our Winter Wonderland" »

It's time to begin another week, and so it's time to plan our meals for the week ahead. Here's some of what I'll be creating in my kitchen this week...

 

Beef Stew & Homemade Bread

Ratatouille over Pasta

Beef & Cheddar Sandwiches, French Fries & Mixed Greens Salad

Lemon Chicken with Broccoli over Rice

Pumpkin Soup with Ham & Rondele Cheese on Crackers

Challah French Toast, Bacon, Orange Sections sprinkled with coconut and sliced almonds

 

Cooking is helping me keep away Winter's chill which has completely enveloped us. It always seems warmer when there's something cooking!

 

Today marks fourteen days into NaBloPoMo, where I am writing about things for which I am thankful every day throughout November. Today is also the perfect autumn day...59 degrees as I write this and brilliantly sunny. Not too shabby for the middle of November! It is so gorgeous out there! I am thankful for heavenly days like today, too! The only thing that would make it more perfect is if I were free at some point today to hop on my bike and take a ride...

Alas, I will be busy with the daycare children until after dark. Granted, it will be dark as early as 4:30, but still, I feel as if I am missing out on a beautiful experience.

Regardless, I am thankful for my bike.

Continue reading "Pedal Pusher" »

Welcome to my daily post for NaBloPoMo! Day nine, and I'm doing just fine writing throughout the month of November about things for which I am thankful.

Tonight will be the first time since our weather turned cool that I want to dress nicely, (not in sweats) so it's time to lay eyes on my sweaters which I haven't seen since April. I love sweaters...I would wear a sweater every day if weather would allow. Not being a fashionista, I am content with my collection of classic style sweaters that suit my figure. Opening my sweater chest is like visiting old friends...

Continue reading "Sweater Girl" »