I've Done The Taste Testing

October is here.

That means the heat and humidity is coming to an end.

And, Pumpkin everything has taken over.

I walk early each morning 
and noticed one of my favorite neighbors had decorated for fall. 
I call it "subtle elegance"!

Sometimes, even here near the Gulf of Mexico where green is king in Autumn, 
 Mother Nature does her own Autumn decorating.

Pumpkins at home.

The acorn candle is new this year.

I've been drinking Teavana Chai Tea

 from my Autumn mug by Susan Branch.

  Dreaming of cooler days.

I can always depend on Trader Joe's for yummy pumpkin everythings!

Petite Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Petite shortbread cookies with Pumpkin Spice or Yogurt icing.

I'm happy to report that I've done the taste testing for you

and the cookies are yummy.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Amaze Me Monday 

Mosaic Monday

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Share Your Cup Thursday

Home Sweet Home

Willy Nilly Friday

You Are Never Too Old to Blow Bubbles

I've been a little grumpy.


First, Trader Joe's discontinued their Wasabi Mayo.
I love TJs Wasabi Mayo.
Apparently, I may have been the only one who did.
But if that is the case, why did they carry it for the last four years?
Thankfully, I have an unopened jar in the pantry.

The weather hasn't helped.

UGHUST has arrived in all her hot and humid glory.

In addition to sunscreen, one needs something to keep themselves cool.

Fruit bars help.

The creamy coconut is delicious.

Hurricane Harvey doesn't help.

Since it is too hot to be outside,

I took the opportunity to finish a shawl.

This was a Marley Bird KAL.

The pattern called for chunky Red Heart yarn.

I don't "do" chunky ... I'm too short.

I look swamped by "chunky"!

I made the shawl in Red Heart Soft and repeated a couple of sections.

Perfect! 

Dreaming about cooler weather!

It was hard to be grumpy when the kitties Kit Nip Box arrived.

They always enjoy new toys -- at least for a couple of days!

My Texas Market Box arrived at about the same time.

I really enjoy this box.

Each box includes the best small-batch,

artisan goods from farmers' markets and local Texas businesses.

The Texas Market folks make monetary donations to the Houston Food Bank.

Double win!

There is a theme for each month and this one was Gulf Coast Summer.

Garlicky Greengo Sauce, Gulf Coast Fish Fry, Sea Salt Soap Bar,

Island Seasoned Sea Salt and Organic Watermelon Lime Tea.

Nothing can chase the grumps away faster than a new mug and tea!

The Watermelon Lime Organic Green Tea came in the box.

I'm going to try it next -- iced. 

The mug is from Susan Branch.

The Blue Bird is one of her new designs.

Do you have the grumps?

Remember...

You are never too old to blow bubbles!

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Little Things Thursday

Share Your Cup Thursday 

Home Sweet Home

Amaze Me Monday

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Lazy!

I'm still celebrating my May birthday!

One of my sisters-by-choice sent me this tea set.

I really like the mesh strainer.

Handy!

The decoration is different on the front and back of the tea pot and cups.

I like the green leaves.

I used to bake a lot ... by scratch.

Not any more.

I've gotten very lazy!

I was cleaning out the pantry and found a package of Sticky Fingers 

Carrot Spice Scones.

Easy!

Just toss the mix into a bowl, add water, mix, bake.

Done.

They look good and are tasty!

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Amaze Me Monday

Home Sweet Home

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Share Your Cup Thursday

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Thinking of Granny

Every now and then I get an email that makes me laugh out loud.
In fact, I almost didn't open the one with the subject:
Getting Enough Fiber?

I opened it and it was about fiber, but not the digestible kind.

It was about yarn.

I need more yarn like I need a hole in the head! 

*

Early morning over the Texas Medical Center

I walk early every morning before it gets too hot and humid.
I try to walk for 45 minutes.
My favorite day to walk is Sunday.
It is so quiet.
No cars on the street so there is no background motor noise.
It's just me, the birds, an occasional sprinkler raining on a lawn.
Last Sunday I listened to the doves cooing, 
the blue jays and the mockingbirds trying to out mock each other.
I even heard one of the local screech owls.
No cats or dogs or people.
And then, there they were -- crossing the street.
A family of seven opossums!
Led by Mom (I assume) they went two by two.


Definitely something I don't see every day.
Just one of those reminders 
that it is the little things that can make a day extra special.


Did you know a group of opossums is called a passel?
I came straight home and looked it up.
Male opossums are called jacks and females are called jills.
The young are joeys -- just like their Australian cousins.

*

I love cherry anything!
Mighty Leaf makes a wonderful cherry lemon green tea.
It tastes especially fine in my hand-thrown kitty mug with the moon and stars.
The tea bags are handcrafted silken pouches.
Delicious hot and great iced for this hot weather.

Mighty Leaf began in 1996 as Tea & Company, 
a boutique tea house in San Francisco.
They support artisan communities and 
sustainable farming practices around the globe.

Every time I see a zinnia I think of my Granny.
She always had zinnias in her garden.
All shapes and sizes.

This year, I have zinnias in my garden.
I had an empty space, had the seeds 
and decided to throw them in the space and see what happens.
Wow!
I think every seed came up.
Marvelous mix of all types of zinnia and the color.
Double wow!

I thought I'd share some of them with you.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Five On Friday

Willy Nilly Friday

Mosaic Monday

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

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There Is No Doubt That Summer Is Here

It is hot.

And it is humid.

Feels like temps (in the shade) well over 100.
There is no doubt that summer is here

and I'm already tired of it!

*

I'm still celebrating my May birthday.

This time with the Mother of my god-children 

and one of my sisters-by-choice.

We went to one of our favorite spots:

Morningside Thai.

I had garlic eggplant and she had basil-eggplant.
We were both smiling and "yumming".

*

Not only did we have a lovely lunch,
I received a lovely gift, too ...
tea pot and matching mug
by Emma Bridgewater.

I love Emma Bridgewater.
The pattern is called Wallflower and is described as a
Cheerful, purple and green floral pattern that was inspired by
Emma and Matthew's love of a flower bed that overflows with wallflowers every May 
... perfect for an "Emma lover" with a May birthday!

*

I also received a surprise in the post.
When the box arrived I wondered what I had ordered that I'd forgotten!?
No, it was a surprise from a dear friend who knows I have a thing for owls.

Aren't they great?!
I'm lucky -- good friends and more great mugs for tea drinking!

I made an early morning run to Trader Joe's
(before it got too hot for man or beast).

In addition to food, I came home with flowers ...
peonies and tulips.

So pretty!

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Willy Nilly Friday

Five on Friday

Mosaic Monday

Amaze Me Monday

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