Tuesday, June 30, 2015

BACKYARD ADVENTURES & 2 GREAT SUMMER RECIPES

 
You know how I love to start out a post with a pretty picture.  Last night in the dark hours and during a fit of insomnia, I was fiddling with my phone and made a few Waterlogue pictures.  Yeah that dreadful light and stimulation only adds to the sleeplessness but I find it to be a great time to catch up on the local and national news, the weather forecast, FB and IG.  Love technology, especially when it doesn't aggravate The Husband and his beauty sleep.  So here we have my fave pot (or galvanized pail).  It gets prettier everyday.
 
 
 
Not so pleasant---I did a number on my arm, wrist and hand.  Doesn't it seem like yesterday that I was all wrapped up from that carpal tunnel surgery I had?  Well believe me, this was 100 times worse as far as pain as that ordeal was.  In a nutshell (or a moment of sheer stupidity), I stood on a  oak chair on a shiny oak floor to turn on a ceiling fan and the whole chair went out from under me.   I tried to break the fall with my left hand.  Nothing broke, which sometimes I think might mean less pain.  I went to a small emergency clinic and had X-rays, etc.  I was in tears and The Husband whisked me over pronto.  Then he had to make a run home when he realized he had his slippers on.  Egad...he'll kill me if he knows I wrote this.  So I'm doing well after a few days of lollygagging around.  Abby was home for a few days---in fact this happened with me trying to turn on the ceiling fan in her room/guest room to make it more comfy for her.  Well, she sort of did a few things for me to make it up.  She picked up her discarded clothes from the bathroom everyday and made me scrambled eggs this morning.  I guess we're good. 
 
 
 
 
Remember the pretty caterpillars that ate New York...er, my dill plant? I think they have moved on.  And it's so cool, I have a half dozen butterflies flying around my patio as if they are playing tag.  I did find two milkweed plants in my yard so that explains why I have them.  This is so cool!  The new bird sightings...so exciting.  I had a problem with the house sparrows and I finally got a feeder and filled it with black oil sunflower seeds which they don't like.  Now I'm hoping to see up close some of the other pretty birds flitting around my garden. 
 
 
 
 
 
Another Waterlogue picture.  I was walking away from the back of my yard and thought you might like to see a view from around the corner of the patio.  Everything is so lush with all of the rain.  If I just had the chance to enjoy it!  We have some great weather predicted for the next few days.  Love it!
 
 
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I don't know if it was the rain, lack of sun or the new varieties of flowers I bought this spring but I had to pick up a few cell packs at Home Depot today and fill in some pots.  They look great now.  Then I created this little corner on my patio with a little chair and a tiny I-don't-know-what-to-call-it.  This area had been all white stone dating years back.  It would have taken forever to remove it so I went over it with mulch.  I'd like to paint and distress the chair and little whatever that is to give them an old and worn appeal.  Any suggestions?
 
 


The Husband loves chicken Marsala and I saw the bottle the other night and realized I hadn't made it in awhile.  The traditional calls for mushrooms and I happened to be fresh out so I substituted black beans.  It was a hit and we both loved it.  I'm not going to give you a recipe.  It's simply sautéed chicken cutlets in Marsala wine and butter, a pinch of garlic and then I added about 1/2 cup of black beans.  Simple and delicious.  Let me know by email if you need more info.




The Husband has been really, really helpful with my hand injury.  It's my left hand and of course, I'm left handed.  I'm typing with seven fingers right now.  He loves his grill and so it's simply up to me to make a side dish while he cooks the main dish.  We rarely eat potatoes or pasta or rice...I don't do many carbs.  If I do it's healthy grains.   We were getting tired of the various salads I had been making  so I searched the fridge tonight for something different.  Here you have it.  Sliced plum tomatoes and  leeks on a bed of arugula topped with blue cheese and grated mozzarella.  I then drizzled a tiny bit of Italian vinaigrette over and a good grind of black pepper.  Very good.  The Husband isn't crazy about onions but he liked the mild flavor of the leeks.  It's pretty when you arrange it and would make a nice dish to serve when having company.  But don't wait for that!

And speaking of company...we have that 4th of July BBQ and the guest list is now up to 26.  I imagine not everyone is going to come but that's where we are at.  We are simply going to have hamburgers, hotdogs and potato salad, and then I have family members bringing other side dishes, appetizers and desserts.  I think we are going to have a lot of fun and I hope the weather cooperates (and the mosquitoes leave us alone).  Do you have plans?  I'll take some pics to share and be back soon.  Hopefully able to use all ten fingers! :)

Jane x



47 comments:

Unknown said...

So sorry about your hand. I'm really bad about climbing on chairs too, and I certainly know better! Hope it heals quickly. Your dishes look delicious! No plans except the fireworks at the State Park near the lake home. We came down today, just to get away. Our property backs up to the park, so we can see it from the comfort of our porch. Have a safe and happy holiday, and enjoy your company!

Debbie said...

So sorry to hear about your hand. It's good that you didn't break it! That would have really made it a tough time for your party. Sounds like it will be fun and its good to hear they are predicting a nice stretch of good weather for us. We will be spending our first fourth on the chain of lakes which is a huge difference from the sweet little lake we used to visit in Michigan. The chain is supposed to be a crazy place on the holidays. I guess I'll find out this weekend. Enjoy your fourth and you're right,the mosquitoes are horrible this season. Probably due to all the rain!

Helen said...

Good grief Ms. Blondie! Whatever in the world are we going to do with you? Chairs, slippery floors, you perched on the chair ~ a recipe for disaster.

I love the photo enhancement .. Guessing I can't do that on my old flip top phone?

Take care, enjoy the 4th, don't overdo!

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

Oh Jane, do be careful. I'm glad that you didn't break your hand or arm/ Although, some times sprains are more painful than breaks.
Love how you did the pictures - they look great.
The food looks really good - will have to try the chicken. Sounds like you are going to have a house full of guests for 4th of July. Hope that your weather is good for you. I love a BBQ with hamburgers and hot dogs. They are so good when you grill them.
Your flowers look so good, mine not so good due to the drought. I am afraid that I will be loosing quite a few rose bushes, which breaks my heart. Oh well it is what it is and there is nothing I can do about not having rain - mmmmmmm maybe a rain dance would do the trick. LOL
Have a terrific 4th and be careful.
Hugs,
Mary

Stacey said...

I'm so glad my husband doesn't read blogs! He's always fussing at me about climbing up on things and your accident would add fuel to the fire. I sure hope your wrist/hand is better soon. I'm sure that really hurts!

Your chicken marsala a la black beans looks delicious.

Let them all take care of you and enjoy your 4th. :)

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow / Sacred Eclectic said...

Oh I hope that hand heals asap but it's nice that they are pitching in so much to help! Enjoy your 4th picnic and let everyone else do the work! :)

Mary said...

Dearest Jane, so sorry to read of your accident - thank goodness it didn't mean broken bones, but I know your pain must be just as bad. Hope you heal soon - and stay off those chairs!!! Have been reading back through your recent posts which I missed whilst busy in England - you and the family look lovely with the new baby who is adorable, and have certainly been kept hopping with all that's been going on. Hope your 4th celebration goes well this coming weekend.

I came back with another of those nasty international bugs but hope to feel better soon as I've so much to do around the house and garden. We had a fabulous visit to my home town and Jasmin loved meeting up with relatives again - she was little when last there.

Bob and I send you and Alan best wishes - and when I see Bob going down the driveway to the mailbox to pick up the paper in his slippers, which he does daily, I'll think of Alan, ha ha!

Love and hugs dear friend - Mary

Something Nice and Pretty said...

You sound like your doing better Jane, the 4th here will be great during the day but rain at night, we have had nothing but rain here such a disappointing summer as far as pontoons go! We have only been on it three times! Oh well, shouldn't complain it could be a lot worse:)

Rondell♥

Vicki @ lifeinmyemptynest said...

I need to get on a ladder and scrub the gutter above my front porch - after seeing your hand maybe that's not a good idea - so sorry for you! Enjoy your company on the 4th - we are going to a friend's cottage and I can't wait!

Melanie said...

I am so sorry to hear about your hand! I'm glad you didn't break it, but on the other hand (no pun intended!)if you tore any ligaments or tendons, that's actually more painful than a break. Hopefully it's just sprained and will heal quickly! I can't tell you how many times I've stood on a chair in my kitchen (on shiny hardwood floors) to dust the ceiling fan blades, to change lightbulbs and to get something out of a taller cabinet. Umm...maybe I'd better get a step stool with rubber feet, huh?

Both your chicken and tomato salad look delicious.

You now have 28 guests for your Fourth of July BBQ, ha ha. ;-)

Kathleen Grace said...

We will be spending the day with one of the daughters for July 4th, I am so looking forward to it! Poor you! I hope the injury is healing well and you will soon be able to get back to gardening and enjoying summer! That salad looks delicious, I may have to give it a try tonight :)

Row homes and Cobblestones said...

Jane,
Yikes to your hand injury! Strains, pulls are very painful, especially when that little jolt of nerve pains runs up the wrist.
I tweaked my lower back painting the checkerboard effect on our basement steps ... We make a pair!!!
I really like your Waterlogue techniques. I say print them out on textured watercolor paper and hang those pretty pictures.
Love, love, love Chicken Marsala with baby Bella's, Yum. Now you have me craving it!!!
Enjoy your family picnic on the 4th and please put on a turkey burger for me ;-)
xoxo,
Vera

Linda said...

Hi Jane...
Oh dear about your hand...I do remember your surgery...hope you heal quickly!!
Oh dear about the insomnia...that sucks!
Your chicken and salad looks awesome...i never understand why some gals dont cook..?
I am sure your 4th will be fabulous...enjoy!
Cheers!
Linda :o)

Traci said...

I hope your hand starts feeling better! The 4th is always low key for us. We're going to a neighbors. Hopefully, the every single afternoon monsoons will hold off. Have a great weekend!

Vel Criste said...

So sorry about your hand dear, hope it heals soon despite the pain!!!! I keep forgetting about waterlogue, I should use it more often,yours are pretty! Looks like you'd be pretty busy on the 4th, take it easy especially with your arm/hand, it gets quickly insured with an initial insult it just suffered recently, so be careful!

Susie said...

Blondie, Ouch honey...can't believe you have your hand bandaged again. Bless your heart. You are doing fabulous in your gardens. I like the waterlogue photos. Do keep the milkweed plant...that is all monarchs can lay their eggs on. Wishing you and your family and friends a blessed 4th, xoxo,Susie

Lisa @ Texas Decor said...

So sorry about your poor hand! Hope you're up to par soon! Love your waterlogue pics. It's one of my favorite apps. We don't have too many plans this weekend...fireworks, grilling, etc. (the usual) Have a safe and fun fourth!

20 North Ora said...

So sorry about your fall!! You're lucky you didn't break something. Love your watercolor photos.

Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!

Judy

Leslie Harris said...

Oh Jane that sounds so scary. Thank goodness it wasn't broken but I know how painful that can still be. Darn those wobbly chairs, but if it makes you feel less alone I was riding my bike on Father's Day with the family and somehow in my own clutsy way I crashed and fell. I mean, who falls on a easy bike trail?
Me. hahaha My leg still hasn't healed but it's mostly scraped up.
Wishing you a great 4th with your friends and family. Those recipes look yummy.
xo
Leslie

podso said...

Jane so sorry about your fall and hope that wrist is well again soon. I was with a friend just the other day and she was up on a chair in a similar situation and we talked about how at our age we should think of other options. :-) But do we? LOL..

Nancy's Notes said...

Oh Jane, you poor sweetie! I can picture that happening and it has to have been awful! Thank goodness you did not break anything! You must still be sore from that fall.
Sounds like a big and happy 4th of July celebration!
Nancy

Nancy's Notes said...

It had to have been awful! I'm so bad about not reading my post before I hit send!

Lulu said...

The good news is that you didn't hurt yourself worse when you took a tumble! Catching up with you after being away the last month is such a pleasure. There is never anything lacking in your chatty posts that are so full of your life and all its happenings. Enjoy the weekend which I'm sure will be filled with family fun.

Junkchiccottage said...

Sorry about your arm Jane. I bet that hurts. Hope you start to feel better. Glad nothing broke. Your water colors of your pics are so pretty. Have a great 4th.
Kris

Doreen@househoneys said...

Jane, Jane, Jane...what am I going to do with you?? Would you PLEASE be careful?! Don't make me come over there. Well, actually, on second thought, maybe I should. I'm kinda hungry. Your dishes sound like they're right up my alley. I hear ya' about the carbs. It's amazing what a difference it makes just by cutting out 'white' food.

Sounds like you have your hands full this weekend (no pun intended). We don't have too many plans. A small town pot luck and a parade on Saturday and a small get together at a friends on the lake Sunday. And best of all, I have a Thai massage Monday!!!

Now I want to know...was your hubby wearing bunny slippers?

Kim said...

Oh no, Jane! That is awful. I am so sorry, but I am glad it's not worse. I hope you are feeling 100% very soon and you can enjoy the long weekend! Love those watercolors. I haven't tried that yet, but now I really want to!

Fox and Finch Antiques said...

Hi Jane, I took a mis-step off the back step in May and got 14 stitches in the palm of my hand and a 1700.00 emergency room bill so I can really relate to that rather unsettling feeling one gets after being hurt as you are going about your daily work. It made me feel a bit uneasy, like danger could be lurking out the back door or, in your case, in your daughter's bedroom. One minute, fine, the next minute...not so fine. Well, I'm glad to know your daughter is home and that your husband is taking extra care for you. It is WONDERFUL to have a caring husband. Hey, I'm not so sure I like that watercolor app. I studied for years to paint watercolors and it is better than I am!
Ginene

Kit said...

Oh so sorry about your hand! Now that is something I would do...LOL I hope you are feeling better by your 4th. We will still be on the Oregon Coast and are going to a 5k race and BBQ. Have a great time! Kit

Sarah said...

Jane, cringing to read about your accident. We all do such things without thinking about how dangerous it is. Glad it wasn't worse, but that doesn't make the pain any less. Good thing you have someone pampering you! '-)
Love the Waterlouge fun. Reminds me I need to so some myself again. Last year I used a lot of my flag photos to "water color", but this year I simply posted the photos. Short on time!
Get that hand back to normal soon, and have a grand 4th of July.

Art and Sand said...

Take care of your hand. I am still recovering from carpal tunnel surgery and it seems like I fall on my hand or bump it all the time.

Have a great 4th!

SImple and Serene Living said...

So sorry about your hand, Jane. It always seems to be something, doesn't it. Hope you have a wonderful 4th. xo Laura

thistlewoodfarm said...

Hope your hand starts feeling better soon! You have so many beautiful pieces! Love it all!

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Oh your poor wrist! I hope the pain has lessened and that you will heal quickly.
Have lots of fun on the 4th!

sweetbriardreams said...

Jane, you must look after yourself! You were lucky you didn't break it and I am so glad you haven't lost too much movement. I love the waterlogue photos and the food looks absolutely delicious! Take care... I mean it lovely lady!! xx

Barb said...

Hi dear Janie,

Hope your hand is better soon. I am recovering from a bad fall.....total stupidity on my part. God was certainly watching after me.

Hope your Fourth is filled with sunshine and blessings.

xo
Barb

susan said...

Oh, Jane it looks like you did a good job on your hand. So glad everyone is helping out. Don't knock yourself out with your 4th of July party either. Let everyone pitch in while you sit back and enjoy a cold glass of wine!

Helen Philipps said...

So sorry you hurt your hand, Jane, I hope it gets better very soon. Love the pretty waterlogue garden images, and your little chair and stool(?) you could paint them in chalk paint and distress them a bit if you wanted them to look older, though they look really nice now!
Hope you have a wonderful July 4 th!
Helen xox

Theresa said...

OOPS, sorry you fell! That SO sounds like something I would do, both standing on the chair and falling! That chicken and salad sounds DELICIOUS! I have been having a salad with most every meal and need to try some new varieties! Have a blessed day dear friend, HUGS!

Bluebird49 said...

Such a pretty post, Jane--the pretty "watercolors", and yummy food. Everything except for the arm all bandaged up! Glad Abby and Mr.Blondie helped out some. I've a mental picture of him in his slippers now!
I've been away from the computer so much, I missed this post until just now. My eyes and throat seem some better now.
Our Independence Day will be very quiet and "Independent", as far as I know. Since hubby doesn't grill, I don't know what we'll have. Maybe a tomato sandwich...a salad?? :) I do think I'll take the weekend off from bagging up and throwing away stuff/junk, though. My back has staged a protest, and it seems the more I throw, the more it grows. Plus, I need a break from the ever depressing dust and cat hair I get covered in. Ugh--I need help, and I don't think it will ever end.

It's so nice that you have plenty of family around you to celebrate holidays. Have a wonderful 4th of July weekend, friend!! <3
xxx Trudy

Stan and Jody Gabara said...

Hope your hand is feeling better, rest if you can! I love the waterlogue technique, so pretty of your garden. It sounds like your July 4th will be a memorable one!! Have a great holiday with your friends and family!!
Hugs,
Jody

Decor To Adore said...

Oh sweet Blondie I do hope you make a swift recovery.
Have a spectacular, safe and Happy Fourth of July weekend!

Lynne said...

Oh Jane! I am sorry to read about your injury! Falls at our age take their toll, don't they? God bless The Husband for his quick reaction in his slippers! Your care was his first and only concern!

I am here because it's July 4th.
Here to send hugs to all of the beautiful B's. Just thinking about you and how pretty your newly renovated lake house will be for America's 240th birthday!

Thank you for visiting 34. I always love your words!

Happy 239!
~Lynne
w/L


Elaine said...

Happy 4th! Sorry about your hand. Hope you are feeling better.

Rain is threatening our fireworks. Hope you have nice weather for your BBQ!

An Oasis in the Desert said...

So sorry to hear of your fall. Hope it heals quickly. I always forget about waterlogue until I see one of yours. You certainly do know how to create a beautiful yard and cook up some delicious yumminess, too!

Hope you had a wonderful 4th!

Michele M./ Finch Rest said...

Ah Jane, I'm so sorry to learn of your boo boos. I am sitting here with an ugly boot with stress fractured foot - we need to get together don't we!?

Big hugs and fast healing for you, dear!

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

Wow, what a bummer, falling after the chair moved out from under you. Be careful!
I know they always tell us, don't stand on chairs, use a step stool. Love the waterlogue photos. Such a nice effect. Your chicken look so good along with the salad. Sometimes simple is good. We did have an outdoor dinner party down by the pool. We had planned this in advance of Sasha's decline. Thanks for your comforting words and visit. xo

Life at Still Woods said...

You know Blondie, I hear that some people do not have ceiling fans in their home...gasp! Only in the south do we know about standing on chairs to turn on ceiling fans! I stood on a bed once to do the same thing..not smart with your head so close to the fan. Hope you are healing nicely and on the mend. Love the waterlogue photos!
Blessings from Lynda at Still Woods Farmhouse