Saturday, June 28, 2014

Who's Afraid of a Little Thunder??

Thunder!
The month of June has been filled with lightning, thunder and rain!
Guess who is afraid of thunder???
Miss Muffy!

Muffy had a recent visit to the spa -- she loves her new Scottish look!

It started last year around the 4th of July -
actually -- before the 4th -- too many loud booms!
Ever since, she has had her own little 
doggie Valium prescription to deal with fireworks
and thunder!

Looking a little shaggy before her grooming appt!

The past week I was up at least 3 times in the middle 
of the night (1 AM, 2:30 AM and 4:40 AM)
due to more thunderstorms!
It's like having a baby in the house!
She and I move to the basement and turn on
the TV for a little background noise
while I try to catch a few more zzzzz's!
I don't know how many episodes
of House Hunters she's watched on HGTV . . . 
but a LOT!

Hoping for fewer storms and a quiet
4th of July -- but in our neighborhood --
quiet on the 4th just doesn't happen!
Better get the doggie Valium prescription refilled!



Monday, June 23, 2014

Hello Summer - Hello Monday!

Well . . . Hello Summer!

Actually, we have had such hot temps since early May,
so it has felt like summer for quite some time!
But, after that long, cold winter, who cares!
Bring on the warm temps!
(Hate to wish it away, but my frizzy hair and I could do without
the extreme humidity!)  
I scared a few people the other 
morning after my early morning run! 
Ha!
 Not kidding!

Anywho, here's to summer and some of our favorite things!



So happy to see my lovely hydrangea decide to bloom this year!

The bee balm is also blooming!
I always think of it as a precursor to the 4th of July
as it reminds me of a firework!


With that name, I figured it was a flower to either keep
away or lure bees!
Not so!


You can actually make tea from the leaves 
which is a balm for sore throats and headaches!
Bonus -- the oil in the leaves can be used to treat
insect bites and congestion!
AND 
it has a lovely big red bloom!
Who knew all these interesting facts??
Dr. Google, that's who!
And now, you do too!

Summer is time for the pool
and chips for Miss M -- that chip-loving girl!



Big bro, Connor (Cboo) also was able to join us one afternoon
at the pool.

Welcome Summer -- we are so happy to 
have you back!

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Fun With the Littles!

Maddy and I had the chance to spend
an evening with the little kiddos a couple
weeks ago while Philip and Catherine 
went to a new parishioner/welcome church dinner!


We had lovely weather and spent most
of the evening 
on their wonderful deck!


Honestly, if I could, I would make a copy of that deck 
and put it on our house!


It's so relaxing!

The kids had so much fun on the old 
Little Tykes playset. 
Maddy used that Little Tykes playset
when she was just a little girl.
It's a perfect size for Janie & Walt!
We also passed along a Little Tykes
convertible the boys had when they were little guys!
Yes, my name is jboo and I am a hoarder!
GAH!
At least once in a while, that hoarding 
tendency comes in handy!

We are so so happy to have them close by now.


Adorable Mr. Harry was a happy little observer 
from his post in the pack n play.

Lots of fun times ahead, I'm sure!

Friday, June 13, 2014

Toes and Surgery!

Oh yes, she danced and danced and danced some more, 
and then . . . 
her toes gave out!

Well actually, they had been bothering Miss M for quite some time.
But we decided to wait until after dance recital
to have her ingrown toenails (yes, plural) attended to by the foot doc!
Twice before, her left big toe had a nasty ingrown nail that was
doctored on at the pediatrician's office.


Even after going through that twice (last December and this past March)
 and working very hard to
keep the nail from becoming ingrown again,
there was no stopping it.
 She just has really small and curved nail beds. 
And then, more bad news,
 the right big toe decided to go sour too!

She was exhausted after that ordeal!

So, both toes had a surgical procedure with a really big and 
complicated name -- that I have already put out of my mind!!
What it basically means is that they removed the toenails
 along both sides
and put in these torturous-looking long q-tips with deadly 
medicine to kill the nail bed along both sides.
They left a part of the toenail down the middle so
there will be a nail to polish!
We all know all important polished toes are, right!?!

Oh dear -- what a procedure!
BIG shot to deaden the toes and those were the worst according to Maddy.


Soaking continues daily and we think the healing has begun.
Cross your fingers.
No one deserves to have such a nasty procedure
on their toes, especially not my sweet Maddy!
Brave girl!

Thursday, June 12, 2014

She Could Have Danced All Night!

Last weekend was dance recital weekend!
Oh my word -- what a production!!


Dance recital weekend is big as in B I G! 
There were extra practices, professional (??) photos,
bun workshops (should have attended!)
dress rehearsal, costumes and then two, yes two, performances!


Maddy was in Acrodance -- a combination of acrobatics/gymnastics
with a little dance thrown in for good measure.
This was the first year Acrodance was in the recital and
as it didn't seem like they really had a performance figured out for the young
Acrodancers.
Even so, Maddy and the other dancers did a fabulous job especially with the
 rather large number of dancers on the stage -- 
luckily, no one got hit during a cartwheel or back walkover! 
So proud of Miss M and the hard work she put in!
Bonus, I even figured out how to manage a pretty good "low bun!!"


It was so much fun to see the little girls doing their ballet and tap -
so adorable!  
Some little cuties totally forgot what to do
and stood and played with their tutus!  
So sweet!

Happy to report there were no "Dance Moms" in 
Maddy's group!  
And now a break from dance for the summer
except for some short fun camps!





Monday, June 9, 2014

We Heart Pool Time!

It's SUMMER!

One of my and Maddy's favorite things to do . . . 
go to the pool!
Generally, we try to do some household jobs in the mornings and 
then have the afternoons free!


This summer is so very different!
Have never gone to the pool
during the day on weekdays!
It's nice, verrrrry nice!


So, during the first full week of summer
vacation, we were at the pool
almost every afternoon!

Water temp -- freezing for a while
and then due to the extra hot temps,
it warmed right up!


We're starting this week off a bit
chilly, but pretty sure that more pool time
will be in order soon!

So, grab your towel and join us!
Don't forget the sunscreen!

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

A Change Will Do You (I mean Me) Good!

Hello Friends -- Happy June!
How can it be June already?
Flowers from my sister!

I have a big change to announce . . . 
I'm no longer working at a full-time job!
Yippee Skippee!
After working since I was 15 years old  --
no, not at the same job silly -- 
I decided it was time for me to take a break!


My coworkers may have thought I needed a break after
 I wore "Where's Waldo" glasses at work last Halloween!

I am not saying that I've retired as I'm sure you know
I am NOT old enough to retire!
So, let's call it focusing on other things!
Like my most adorable family!

Yummy chocolates from Jodee on my last day!
As you might guess, Maddy is beyond thrilled!
We plan to ride bicycles, go to the zoo, spend time with Philip and Catherine and the little kids,
learn something new,
clean the house, declutter, go to the pool,
and basically do whatever we feel like doing!

Mr. Tennis said that I could perhaps re-acquaint myself with the iron and ironing board! 
And figure out how the oven works!  
Too funny!  
Ha!  He cracks me up!!  
Me and Jodee -- we may have had a reputation of talking too much sometimes!

It was really a tough decision as I'd worked at the same law firm for almost 32 years!
I was nearly a blubbering fool on my last day,
but managed to contain myself by forcing my co-workers to get in 
"selfies + 1" photos with me!


Sorry I can't post them all, but may try to sneak one or two in as time goes by!


Office manager and me -- our offices were next door and we often chatted about our grandkids!

Loved the people I worked with and miss them already!

One of the lawyers I've worked with for 30+ years!

Another of the lawyers I worked with -- sorry for my psycho look - blaming it on the Iphone!
Maddy is a little concerned about how I will fill my time
when summer is over and it's back to school for her!
She thinks I'd make a good Lunch Lady! :)
Bring on the summer fun!

Monday, June 2, 2014

Quiche Anyone?

Do you like quiche?
I love it!
My Mom and I would always choose quiche if it
was on the menu!
Whenever I make it, I think of her and wish she
was here to enjoy it with me.

I modified this Paula Deen recipe and I believe that
even Paula (yes, we are on a first-name basis) would agree
that mine is now better than hers!  And mine is less fattening too.  

(Photo courtesy of world wide web, but  mine looks exactly like this)
So, I thought you might like it too.
I call it Southwestern Spinach & Ham Quiche.
Paula calls hers something else totally boring.

Here's my recipe!
3 large eggs + 3/4 cup of Egg Beaters-Southwestern Style;
3/4 cup of half and half + 3/4 cup of skim milk;
Salt and pepper (a dash of each);
1 to 1-1/2 cups of chopped baby spinach (I use fresh, but frozen probably
works too);
A generous amount of honey ham or cooked bacon (whatever you prefer) crumbled;
1 cup of shredded Swiss cheese;
1 deep-dish (my preference) pie crust;
(You can make your own pie crust, but the frozen ones are delish, so seriously,
why would you?)
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Chop up the spinach and crumble the ham or bacon.  Set aside.
Use a hand-mixer to mix the eggs, Egg-Beaters, salt, pepper, milk and half and half in a bowl.
Mix well - make it fluffy!
Layer the spinach, ham and Swiss cheese in the bottom of the pie crust, then
pour the egg mixture on top.  If it doesn't seem full enough, beat another egg or add
a little more Egg-beaters.
Bake for 40-45 minutes until set.
Best to let it cool for 5 - 10 minutes before serving.
(The Southwestern Egg-Beaters give it a little kick!)
Even Maddy likes it!

If you have any leftovers (doubtful), refrigerate and
have later or the next day.
Mr. Tennis says it's yummy cold, but you can also zap it in the microwave.
Serve with a salad (not at breakfast please),
 toast or blueberry muffins!
It's really good with a little Mimosa
 (what isn't good with Mimosa?)

Photo courtesy of the world wide web
Enjoy the quiche --  hope you love it!
And, you're welcome!  :)