Hello, friends!  

Oh my goodness, it has been dreadfully hot these past few days.  I don't know how people work out in this kind of heat.  I don't know how I used to do it, either!  I surely couldn't do it now!  No matter the temperatures, life does continue on, doesn't it.  I thought I would share a few pictures from my morning walk around our little place.

For me, there is nothing more comforting - or grounding - than a clothesline.  Yes, it is hard work, to hang the laundry, but during those moments, I think of all the blessings around me.  I get to hear the birds sing their sweet songs, listen as the squirrels chatter and scurry about, and reminisce of times past.  For a few moments, I am whisked away to the place and time free of worry and anxiety over the world we live in today.

And I am always content after making bread.  Knowing I can provide and share this with my husband, children, grandchildren, and perhaps a neighbor or two, brings me joy.  It also brings me a bit of peace to know I can do something about our grocery costs...even if it's just something as simple as making bread. 

Grace & Peace,

Pam

 

Transitioning...

For the past 11+ years, I've been babysitter for my two precious grandblessings.  They have been at my house for a lot of those 11 years...a lot.  Today, they both went back to school.  The granddaughter has been homeschooled for the past couple of years so she has been here even when little brother was in public school.  This year, she decided she wanted to go back to public school so now I have a very quiet...very clean...very...weird...home.  I'm not sure I'm going to be ok with that.  Isn't it funny how we can be dead tired after the grands go home but the minute they do, we miss them and want them to come back?  It is very strange for me...not having kids around.  I mean, after my daughter left home, there was only about a year and a half that there was only my Mister and I.  Then came the granddaughter!  So, I am trying my best to transition to being an "empty nester" all over again.  I don't know...I may have to find a little part time job or something.  Being disabled, I can't do much but I know I sure can't just sit here and wait to die!  UGH!

So, anyhow, guess what time it is.  Here...I'll give you a hint.

Yep!  It's time to start working on the quilts I give the Grands, every year for Christmas.  Isn't this the sweetest fabric?  

And this is the fabric I chose to go with it.  My granddaughter will be over the moon!  I will also make pillow cases to go with the quilt.  I love this fabric so much!  If I have any left over, Granny may just get a new apron as well!

I haven't found the fabric for my grandson's quilt but I will do that soon.  Of course, super heros is always an option but I really want something different.  I guess I will just have to go to the fabric stores and look around.  Oh, poor me!  LoL

Y'all!  Yesterday morning, I was standing at the window, drinking the 3rd...or 9th...cup of coffee when something caught my eye.  I rubbed my eyes, did a double take, and thought, "oh, bother!".  Crawling up the screen was a four foot snake.  Nope, I'm not kidding.  I'm sure he was trying to get to the hummingbird feeder but I also thought about him getting into the attic through those dang vents.  So, I pulled on my muck boots, grabbed that old jagged edged shovel, and commenced to making him un-climb that window screen.  Got him on the ground and did what had to be done.  Now before y'all start giving me crap about "it was probably a good snake" and "they eat mice", as far as I am concerned, it was a cobra and was dealt with accordingly.  I don't care what you think of me nor do I intend to let ANY snake live...EVER!  

I had been having trouble getting our only chicken to go in her house every evening and I just bet that old snake was the reason.  In fact, I let her get a good peck or two in before I disposed of the carcass...just to make her feel better!  I know...you think I'm nuts.  That's ok because I pretty much am.

Anyhow...moving right along.

I have been busy cleaning up around the place.  I've had to remove several rose bushes, pruned some small trees, and that mess in the above picture was also removed.  It all looks so much better but there is still quite a bit to be done.  Of course, our weather is supposed to be hot and humid again, very soon, so I will probably wait until the fall to tackle the rest.  108* is a little warm for this old gal and I'm sure not going to be working outside with it that hot!  Nope!

Oh!  Mentioning "old gals", I turned 58 last week.  I am still at a loss for how that has actually happened because I am pretty sure I just turned 30 last year!  Never the less, here I am.  I bought myself a birthday present!  I always do.

Meet, "Martha"!  With the rising cost of food, these days, I thought I would help by buying in season and dehydrating vegetables, fruits, and maybe some meats, to use, later in the year, when those things aren't available or cost so much more because it is not in season.  I don't know how to do this but I will figure it out because I get so frustrated, and angry, every time I go to the grocery store.  I stay in a funk for a couple of days!  Also, I will begin making my applesauce and canning soups and other things, again, so that we waste nothing.  The cost of living is getting ridiculous!  Have you noticed the difference in the past year?  What are you doing to cut costs?  Leave a comment to share you ideas.

Well...that's that!  Thank you so much for dropping by!  I hope you'll visit again soon!

Grace & Peace,

Pam

Zucchini bread

 

I thought I would share my favorite Zucchini Bread recipe with y'all.  This is the basic recipe but the possibilities are endless.  Most of the time I use regular loaf pans but this time I made muffins because...well, my grandbabies are muffin folks! 

Either way, it is yummy, especially in the morning, with a huge cup of coffee.

Ingredients

1 Cup chopped nuts

3 Eggs

1 Cup oil

2 Cups of sugar

2 Cups peeled and grated zucchini 

3 tsp Vanilla extract

1 tsp Baking powder

3 Cups of flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp Baking soda

3 tsp Cinnamon

Directions

In a bowl, beat eggs until foamy, add oil, sugar, zucchini, and vanilla extract.  Mix lightly but well.  Add flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon and baking powder.  Mix well.  Stir in nuts (and any other goodies like raisins, cranberries, chocolate chips, etc.).  Divide batter into two 9 X 5 greased loaf pans.  Bake at 325* for one hour or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.  

Raisins, cranberries, chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, toffee, or other goodies, may be added.

 I hope you enjoy and if you do make it, please let me know what you think!

Grace & Peace,

Pam