Cadbury "Eyebrows"

It is a gray morning in Michigan and I needed a smile. Hope you get a chuckle from this video.

First Day of School, Feels Like Fall

It is the first day of school here in Michigan. For many, that means a new beginning. I found this quote that is challenging and exciting at the same time.

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs, ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who are alive.” – Howard Thurman

I found this fun booth at the Northville Farmers Market. The owners grow gourds. They dry and finish them in very artistic ways. They vary in size from huge to tiny and the diverse shapes allow for very interesting groupings. Vist Gourdology on line here.

This is my gourd collection.

The (Permanent) Close of the Michigan State Fair

The oldest state fair in the country closes today forever.

Lack of funds is the reason. I have some fond memories of seeing livestock lovingly cared for by young 4-H'ers, carousel rides and eating all kinds of food on a stick.

State Fair, 1974, photo courtesy Archives of Michigan

19921128-Ministry.jpg
from KarlGustav

Ferris Wheel
from Diana B Photography

Looking at the calendar, summer is over as of tomorrow. I see appointments and committee meetings and deadlines. I think I'll just sit around today and enjoy the "last day of summer". Enjoy your holiday.

Berry Bling

Hubby arrived home early from work the other day and the weather was too gorgeous to sit around at home. We went raspberry picking.

The berries were abundant and just falling into our pails.

The fields of berry bushes were humming with bees feeding on pollen and nectar.

all photos by me

It took about 1/2 hour to pick these berries.

Last night I made a chocolate, raspberry tart for dessert and added berries to my oatmeal this morning. I froze several bags of berries for winter use by freezing berries on a cookie sheet and then transferring the individually frozen berries to a freezer bag.

Now what will I do with the other two boxes of berries?

Bountiful Basil

Lots of basil means pesto.

Pesto is such an easy thing to make and having it in the freezer in winter makes summer seem not so distant a memory.

These are the ingredients: 2 cups firmly-packed basil leaves, 3 cloves garlic, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts, 1/2 cup oil, 2/3 cup Parmesan cheese

Process garlic with salt, add basil, pine nuts, oil and cheese

Pesto will look like this

You can freeze in ice cube trays, pop out and then store in freezer bags. Great portion size for adding when cooking.

all photos by me

This is a homemade pizza with pesto, onion, red pepper and feta cheese.

My friend, Pam, served salmon, grilled with pesto on Saturday at her lake house. Yum!

Try it on chicken and on pasta salad. Toss a pesto "cube" into soups.

Ping Pong Ball Tricks

Just For Fun!

If you find you have time on your hands and you'd like to learn a new skill, watch carefully.

Have some fun today.

Trickey with Balls - The funniest videos are a click away

Renoir on the Delaware

This past July I spent some time in New Jersey visiting family. One Sunday evening we had a relaxing dinner in Lambertville, NJ along the Delaware river and then took a stroll across the bridge to New Hope, PA. Walking back on the bridge, I took a photo of an outdoor dining venue.

photo by me and enhanced to look "old"

This scene reminded me of a Renoir painting, Luncheon of the Boating Party. While not nearly as romantic or idyllic as the Renoir rendering, the riverbank setting seemed of another era.

This is a photo of the Renoir's, Luncheon of the Boating Party, painted 1800-1801. The backdrop of the luncheon was along the Seine.

This painting is a centerpiece of The Philips Collection in Washington, DC. You can read more about the painting and The Phillips Collection by clicking here.