13 Anniversary at Bethany Beach!

We went to spend the weekend with Mike's sister Kathy and her husband Billy.  It was a beautiful day at the beach!  We went to Indian River Inlet.

 On the way to the beach!

New bridge over the inlet!

 Mike and Billy in the ocean!

 Beach Bums!

 Watching the boats!

Mike and Me!

It's amazing!

If God wants something to grow....it will grow.   These little flowers just popped up in the strangest places!  Yet, I pamper some of my plants and they just don't make it,  we can't force growth!   Sometimes we just have to let things, people, situations be....give them to God .....and they will grow and change in His time!

It is finished!

I've been working on an acrylic painting of Roscoe, our dog who passed away two years ago. I started sketching him from a favorite photo awhile ago. It's a nice little memory of one of our favorite little friends.

Roscoe the big dog doggie!

Squash and Peaches

 We went to pick out some fresh peaches at farm in Dublin, MD.  I tried this new recipe which I recommend!

Cheescake-Stuffed Peaches  

Idea from Better Homes and Gardens August 2011 Mag. ( I made some changes to this recipe.)

 6 peaches, halved and pitted
1/4 cup butter, melted  (I only used 1/8 cup)
3 Tbsp.  Cinnamon-sugar*  ( I didn't use all of this)
1/2 of an 8oz pkg cream cheese softened
1/4 cup sugar ( I used 2 Tablespoons which is about 1/8 cup)
1 egg yolk
1 1/2  tsp. vanilla


1. Preheat oven to 350.  You will need a baking pan.
Trim a very thin slice from round side of each peach half so that they sit flat in the pan.
Dribble some melted butter on each peach half then sprinkle cinnamon-sugar mixture on the edges.
set aside.
2. In a medium mixing bowl beat cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla until smooth.  Spoon cream cheese mixture into peach centers. 
3. Bake, uncovered, about 30 minutes or until lightly browned and softened.  Serve warm or at room temperature.  

 I also love this recipe from Country Living Mag. April 2010 -Trisha Yearwood's Sister's recipe for Squash Casserole. I changed a few things in this recipe which are noted below.

Butter for greasing dish
2 pounds yellow summer squash trimmed and sliced 1/4 inch thick.  I used 2  large squash.
1/2 small sweet onion diced
1 tsp salt
1 large egg
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup grated Cheddar cheese
1/4 cup grated parmisian cheese
1/4 tsp ground pepper
1/2 cup crushed butter crackers (8) such as Ritz


1. Preheat oven to350. Butter a 2 quart casserole dish.
2. Place squash and onion in a medium saucepan with medium heat. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt.  Cover and cook until tender.  
3. Drain and cool.  Make sure you drain most of the water out of squash.  I smooshed it around in the strainer to get the water out!
4. Put squash, egg, mayonnaise, cheddar and 1/2 teaspoon salt into and pepper into a bowl.  Use an electric mixer to blend together.  It should be a little chunky.
5. Pour squash mixture into prepared dish, top with cracker crumbs and then shredded parmisian, and bake for 30 minutes.  

Summer Path Completed

I love little paths that lead you along an interesting trail.   I had a stepping stone path in my yard that just stopped because I ran out of stones.  Mike called it, "The path to nowhere."  My parents visited last week and helped me finish the path.  Here are some flowers that you see along the way!  Thanks Mom and Dad!

The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. (NIV)

Proverbs 4:18

Trash Can Composter

I have a big compost pile.  It is in the back corner of the yard but the hose doesn't reach it.  Therefore, it takes a very long time to break down.  So I decided to get my Dad's help ( he was visiting from Florida) to help me make a trash can compost.  He drilled some air holes in the sides of the trash can.  We read this article about a similar project.   http://organicgardening.about.com/od/compost/a/cancomposter.htm

We decided to drill smaller holes so we did not have to add the screening.  So far it is working well!  It is very easy to turn and can be placed wherever I want it.  I keep a large jar next to the sink in the kitchen.  I keep all my extra veggie scraps, egg shells and coffee grinds in it!   I add green matter to the soil daily.  This consits of  scraps, veggies, dead flowers and grass clippings.  I also add shredded (brown matter).  Cardboard, dry leaves, paper, coffee filters and grinds etc.  I need a ratio of 4:1  browns to greens.     Hopefully I will have some good compost soon!   I will let you know in about 4 weeks!

     God formed Man out of dirt from the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life. The Man came alive - a living soul!    Genesis 2:7.

Pallet becomes garden planter and organizer!

We had an old plastic pallet lying around the yard.  I wanted to get rid of it until I discovered its possibilities! I tied it against the fence and put little pots in the slots.  I hung some garden tools and spray bottles near by.  It has become a little garden station for plants waiting to find new homes.  :)

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.          Col. 3:17

They Flew the Coop!

My baby robins grew sooo quickly and now they are out in the big wide world.  We did spot two of them on the garden shed the other day, mom was feeding them.  The last bird was a little hesitant to hop out of the nest.  He decided to hop out when we came a little too close.  I understand that feeling.  I would probably be the last to hop out too.  I like it in my nest! Home Sweet Home!
Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?  Mat. 6:26      

Three Little Birds

Found at Beemp3.com

I checked the nest today!  1,2,3 little robins have hatched!  One egg to go!  

Here is a little song just for those three!  :)

Adama

 I received a letter from Adama my sponsor child in Senegal.  He has such a big beautiful smile.  Excited that he and his family  are doing well!  It is amazing,  the kind of things that he appreciates:  used clothing, r ice, a sheep and oninons....  I'm so thankful for his perspective!  I don't need anything !

We're Expecting.....baby robins!

Momma Robin built her nest under the carport in one of my flowerpots. 

Today one of the eggs hatched!  Miracles happen everyday!  These beautify eggs are miracles and then the birth of the tiny bird is so amazing.  Gods ways are higher than mine!  I have read that robins usually only lay one egg per day.  Then she sits on the eggs for about 15 days.  They take another 15 days to leave the nest. The mom feeds the babies bugs and worms.  Adult robins also like berries.  

Garden Update

     Thankful for things that grow!  So the garden is growing since my last post!  I have had some pests nibbling on the green broccoli and squash.  I read that if you spray your plants with garlic/onion water....it will keep them away.  So I tired this organic alternative to chemicals tonight.  Time will tell if it works.  I have seen little tiny grasshoppers around the garden, I think they might be the bad guys.  I had to replant several squash plants outside the garden fence because they take up so much room.  It is amazing how fast everything is growing.  Just a little watering every other day seems to do the trick.

 

Today's Harvest!

Lettuces, first cherry tomato, sugar snap peas (must be hiding under the lettuce) blueberries, strawberry and raspberries.  The strawberries are slowing down now, only a few every other day.  

The blueberry bushes have never been so full!  Could it be due to the mild winter or that I added some homemade compost around the plants last fall?  Not sure.   I have been picking a handful each day and the cat birds and other creatures have enjoyed their share.  Plenty to go around this year!

# 604 So Thankful for my husband, he will sit for hours in the hot sun to fix something that is important to me! (the pool pump!)

I've been writing down my gifts since July 2011 in a journal.  Now have begun to post some on my Many Blessings Blog!

We celebrated Mike's birthday (49) and Mother's day on May 12th.  Made my first ice cream cake.  We had a beautiful day!