Through The Tulips Words of 'Wiz'dom

August 6, 2016

New Month- New Adventures

Filed under: Food,Gratitude,Home,Life — gardener @ 10:36 am

It is hard to believe that August is here and Marcel and I recently celebrated our 12 1/2 year anniversary.  I know, that is an odd anniversary to celebrate, but it’s traditional here-   I guess half way through to your 25th is worth celebrating.  Personally, I believe every day is worth celebrating, and I do celebrate every breath- even if some days I’m more focused on it than others.

IMG_7342One thing I did do this week was whip up some biscuits for Marcel.   Occasionally, I really crave a good buttermilk biscuit and Marcel is always game to eat them, as he loves them.    I had some good bacon, so I pre-measured everything the night before, had my butter grated and in the freezer, my dry ingredients measured and in the fridge.   The following morning I snuck out of bed and got everything mixed up and going before his feet ever hit the floor.   He isn’t one to like to ‘wait’ for breakfast, so I was glad  I could get it going before-hand.    He opted for no egg, and gobbled up two biscuits with ham.    I, on the other hand, made a meal out of what you see in the photo.  Add a cup of coffee (or two) and a huge bottle of water, and I was set.

Sometimes you just have to abandon the Greek yogurt and fruit for something a little more indulgent.   This was one of those days.

As this first week of August comes to an end, we are gearing up for a little travel.   A ‘break’ to get away from it all & I’m looking forward to seeing what adventures those few days bring.

This is going to be an amazing year.

 

 

July 10, 2016

Summer Lovin’

Filed under: Food,Gratitude,Home — gardener @ 12:12 pm

Aren’t y’all just LOVING the fruits and vegetables available for summer?    I always think each season brings my favorite fruits and vegetables, but truth is-  I believe it’s summer.    I have probably easily eaten 20 pounds of strawberries this summer, and just when I was feeling somewhat saddened that their season was almost gone for the  year-   here come the cherries, peaches, watermelon and nectarines.   I have been enjoying berries and also a few cherries, but this time tomorrow they should be taking center stage in my birthday cake.      I’m not going to spill the beans fully, but I do hear that chocolate and cherries are part of the fun.

I am going to ‘try’ (key word there) to only taste this cake, as I’ve been baking too many luscious goodies for this celebration month, and I know I’m going to be needing to kick up the exercise a HUGE notch.  Thank goodness Marcel and I are going to be starting Whole 30 soon, because I can tell my body is in need of a cleansing and I need to cut the sugar.

That will definitely be part of the gift to myself towards the end of this upcoming week-  cutting out the sugar.  I’ve had more than my share lately, and it is time to find a balance without it.

Our home projects are also about to get kicked up a notch or three-  plus I hear some traveling is in the hat to happen sometime in August-  maybe even September.

I’m sure I’ll be filling y’all in on all that as it all unfolds.  In the meantime-   the bath awaits.

 

June 30, 2016

Color on Grey Days

Filed under: Food for Thought,Gratitude,Inspiration,Life — gardener @ 12:29 pm

Today was one of those days where when I woke up I could hear the rain falling. IMG_5992 It wasn’t stormy, but a constant and steady flow of rain.   Some moments were harder than others, but it never really stopped.    It’s one of those days where you really would prefer to spend it in bed curled up with Netflix or a good book, both of which I happened to have on hand, but at the same time- I decided to get up and do something on my never ending ‘to do’ list.

My big project this week is to get my work supply room completely organized, but today didn’t seem like that kind of day either, so even though I had decided I wasn’t getting out today-  I changed my mind (as us women tend to do) and ran a few errands that needed to be done.   (That actually worked out well, because a package I was waiting on is going to be delivered tomorrow.)  Yay for good timing!

While we were out, we popped in to the local garden center so I could pick up a few things.   I saw this Cosmos in the store and even though I could hear the rain pouring on the metal roof of the garden center, the color made me smile.

It reminds me of life-   how even when we have days that seems dark and dreary- that if we open our eyes and look around, there is always something that can bring a smile to our face.

 

 

June 29, 2016

The Last of the 40’s

Filed under: Food for Thought,Gratitude,Life,Women — gardener @ 6:42 am

It’s hard to believe that in a few days my birthday month begins. One month long celebration of the month I was born. Also, this year will mark the last one in my 40’s. Nine years that have taught me so much, given me so many gifts, wonderful friendships & also hasn’t been without it’s heartache. I’ve lost people who I’ve loved dearly and deeply- been betrayed by people I would have never guessed would have done so, but through it all, I’m grateful for the opportunity to have known them, and also for the lessons that each experience has taught me.

This final year before I enter into the 5th decade of my life- I am going to honor myself in ways that I’ve learned over the past decades and enter my 50th with open eyes and a grateful heart. Life is good and I’m planning on making this last year of my 40’s amazing. Join me on the journey if you will. I’m always grateful for fellow travelers.

Can You Help?

Filed under: In the Neighborhood,Life — gardener @ 3:43 am

Several days ago, Marcel came home and asked me if I could help him search for something online for a colleague of his. I said sure, and knowing that his colleague moonlights as a musician, I suspected that it had something to do with music, and I was right. He asked me if I could help him find euphonium at MF’s since he wasn’t sure where to begin the search. I did help him, printed out all the information, and he took it to his computer-less friend the following day. The colleague was grateful and so was Marcel. Now I’m expecting him to come home any day now with a request to place an order for his colleague, to which i’ll definitely oblige him.

June 21, 2016

Celebrations

Filed under: Holidays,Life,Travel — gardener @ 11:43 am

One week ago today we headed home after a great vacation spent with family and friends. It wasn’t our usual vacation, instead we were there for two weddings- one of which I planned and ‘made happen’ in a week and a half time- along with help from mom- and the other I did a little help and directed it, making sure that everything went according to the vision of the gorgeous bride.

Since then, I’ve had a couple people ask me if I would consider adding wedding planner/ director to my ‘job title’ and right now the response is no. I loved doing it for the people I love, but it’s clearly a labor of love. To be paid to do it- I’m not sure if there is enough money. I love planning and making things come together, but it’s something that takes a lot of time, research and thought. Maybe I’ll change my mind once I’m past the jet lag, but right now- nah.

In the meantime- I did come back to a lot of work- I’ve been prepping all week and now I’ll be getting everything ready for delivery on Friday and Saturday. I’m looking forward to seeing it all come together and hopefully will bring a smile to a lot of faces and happiness to everyone’s taste buds.

Keeping Cool

Filed under: Life,Travel — gardener @ 11:05 am

We just returned from vacation in the Deep South where the heat and humidity were creeping up past warm to ‘hot’ and the air conditioning has been on for a while. My friend in Ohio had to call Colombus AC repairs when her air went out two days ago. I felt so bad for her knowing that she was having to endure the almost 90 degree temps until someone got out there to get the air back on. Luckily for her it was a quick fix and it wasn’t long before they came out for the repair, so she didn’t have to be without the cool air for long.

It’s funny how temperature can vary so much depending on where you are geographically. I remember many years ago, I flew into LAX airport and the pilot announced that the temperature was 93 degrees. It was my first trip out to California, but I remember thinking to myself, “Ugh, I thought it was cooler out here than in the Deep South.” Imagine my surprise when I walked out of the airport on to the breezeway to catch the hotel shuttle and it felt like I was standing in an air conditioned breezeway. I was surprised, very surprised. The difference? No humidity. The hotel and the friends we stayed with from San Diego to Hollister didn’t have air conditioner, but they didn’t need it out there. The evening temperatures were cool. Same during the day. Even though the temperatures did spike, it was never unbearable like in Ohio, the Deep South, or other humid parts of the United States.

Keeping cool and hydrated are two very important things during the summer months. In fact, I’d put them on the ‘key to survival’ list. Marcel is always one to talk about how he doesn’t ‘need’ air conditioning, but after spending time back home for our recent vacation- he has grown to love it and understand just how necessary it is. Keep cool y’all. I know I am.

Home Again

Filed under: Holidays,Home,Travel — gardener @ 10:54 am

We are back home and recovering from jet lag. It was an amazing vacation filled with a lot of love and celebration. I didn’t have a lot of ‘rest’ time, plus came home to jump back into the swing of things, but the great thing is- I’ve blocked next week for some ‘me’ time to do exactly what “I” want to do. I am looking forward to having that break to re-acclimate myself to daily life, plus to also work on a list of things that need to be accomplished ‘in house’, along with creating a new work out plan and the list goes on.

SO much to look forward to- plus July is my birthday month, so that means celebrating all month long! Who wants to come celebrate with me?

May 8, 2016

Technology and Finding Answers

Filed under: Techy — gardener @ 4:17 pm

One of my favorite things about the Internet is being able to check out sites and places by reading reviews like the ones at Cozy Winters Reviews. Before I order ANY product, travel to any place, I always check to see what others have had to share about their own experiences, and make decisions based on that. It has saved me from buying some products I may have been sorry I purchased, plus it’s also been the deciding factors for me making purchases. Technology- I love it!

April 24, 2016

Wheels Up – Almost

Filed under: Travel — gardener @ 8:34 am

After an extremely busy month, my work is finally finished and I can start thinking about vacation. It won’t be long now until we are ‘wheels up’ to Atlanta and spending time with many of the people we love dearly.

It will be wonderful to wake up in my own ‘old’ bed, have coffee on the back porch with a view of the field. All things that I cherish and don’t take for granted.

Now that work is done, I can start packing and doing the little things around here that have been neglected as I’ve been so busy working and playing. The perfect balance!

Life is good- I am so grateful for the life I have and the amazing people who are a part of my life.

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