If We Would Enjoy Ourselves

From the Farmer's Almanac

"If we would enjoy ourselves, we must take the world as it is; 
mix it up and a thousand spots of sunshine, a cloud here and there,
 a bright sky, a storm today, calm tomorrow, the chill-piercing winds of autumn, and the bland, reviving air of summer.
–The 1854 Old Farmer's Almanac"

I love the Old Farmer's Almanac, their daily emails and words of wisdom.



The Sun is Shining.
Our brief glimpse of Autumn has ended.
Heat and humidity are back.



Musashi's Garden has been busy.
This little Painted Lady made a visit.
After remodeling the garden a couple of years ago,
one of the best things I did was put in lantanas.
It takes awhile, but the butterflies and bees find the lovely blooms.

I love peaches.
Peach season comes to an early end here.
I rarely buy peaches this late in the summer.
The grocery peaches are hard and have no taste.
But, I was craving a peach smoothie.
So, I bought California peaches from Trader Joes.
I've been patient, letting them ripen slowly.
This morning I had smoothie number one!
Looking forward to smoothie number two!

The hat is a must now that summer is back.

The new Michael's ad had Caron Cakes on sale.
They were calling my name.
I love the fall colors and there is a nice shawl pattern on the label.
It will be my next project.
Getting into the fall spirit!



Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Willy Nilly Friday

Amaze Me Monday

Make It Pretty Monday

Home Sweet Home

Mosaic Monday

         

Bobbing For Apples

The week after Harvey's visit,

the Houston Zoo decided to "proceed as scheduled"

with their annual Asante member dinner.

Believe me,

we all needed the break.

A lovely break it was.

Do you remember bobbing for apples?

I do!

It was one of the fun things that happened in the fall.
Well, elephants enjoy bobbing for apples, too!

Miriam is getting ready to toss apples into the pool for
Baylor and Duncan.

And, BOB they did! 

I'm not sure who had the most fun,
the elephants or the folks watching!

It was a lovely evening,
 a wonderful dinner,
fun time with the Asian elephants
and with friends.
A wonderful break from all Harvey wrought.

Back to the real world.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Mosaic Monday

Fair On September First

Fair on September first,
Fair for the month.
~Proverb

September 1, 2017

I certainly hope that is true.

As most of you know,
Hurricane Harvey hit the Texas Gulf Coast causing massive damage.
The rains from Harvey inundated Houston -- my home.

I'm pleased to report that I am fine.
I remained high and dry.

Yikes!

Kids really should not be in the flood water.
Nasty stuff. 
Kids will be kids, I guess.
Stir crazy, too.

Things are getting back to the new normal in my area.
People are going to work.
Grocery stores and restaurants are opening.
Schools will be opening in two weeks.

Friends invited me out to lunch and grocery shopping yesterday.
What a treat!

I'm so very lucky.
So many have lost everything.

If you wish to donate, I recommend donating locally.
The Houston Food Bank is excellent.
Friends For Life is helping pets.
There is link at the top of their page for donations for Hurricane Harvey.

Meanwhile, back at home, Mina keeps me smiling. 
She loves her tunnel!

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Amaze Me Monday

Mosaic Monday

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

Potpourri

Some of my favorite things from the week:

- Fresh onion bagels

- New addition to the neighborhood

- Sunflowers in my favorite hand-thrown jug

- Pretty pink kalanchoe in the atrium

- Toad singing by the pond

It really is all about the Little Things.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Little Things Thursday

Five On Friday

Willy Nilly Friday

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