Autumn Cleanup

It's that time of year again. Leaves, leaves and more leaves, pine needles and tree bark drifting down from above. I love being outside in the garden but my body doesn't like the idea of yard work at all, any more. I try to, at the very least, keep the front patio and driveway fairly clean.

 

It is a beautiful sunny day and the temperatures are in the low 70's. This past week we had the first storm of the season and another storm is on it's way in a few days.

 

I've been busy trying to get some housework done along with some outdoor work. Sadly, I have not been able to prepare the garden for the winter months like I have in the past. Life goes on. Hopefully, next spring I will be able to catch up. 

For My Birthday

Recently, (during the past  month) I celebrated a Birthday which was very nice. And, there was one surprise that "put me over the moon". Let me tell you more. For the past couple years I have been cyber friends with a wonderful women in Czech Republic. This friendship started when she responded with an email to my blog. She does not speak English, however, she can read and write English which allows her to communicate with me.

She is very talented in many ways. The above needlework doily which she sent to me for my Birthday is just one example. I have admired her work ever since I first saw it in photos. Take a look at this link - Needlework - and you too will be impressed!

I was in such a hurry to take a photo with my fresh cut roses that I didn't take time to iron this little beauty. You can see the folds from the shape of the large envelop that it was mailed in. Trust me, it is pressed and enjoyed every day on the dining table.

I marvel at how the world communicates with each other these days. Lately, it seems as though the technology is moving so rapidly and I feel a little unsettled that I am not feeling like I understand the latest social media advances. Even though I am not interested in personally using some of the electronic "toys" I like understanding how to use them.

I remember when ATM (at the bank) became available. I wasn't about to get left behind and become "an old lady" who doesn't know how to be current with today's world and the common everyday activities. Silly - huh?

Movie Night - Crock Pot Night

Something simple was on the menu Thursday night. This is one of my standby crock pot recipes that is so delicious and always so easy. Originally, I got my recipe from Better Homes and Gardens cookbook in the 70's. Since then I have seen it in many variations. It is that kind of a recipe. You can change it up in so many different ways. And, this time, that is what I did.

First off, I used Turkey Polska Kielbasa Sausage (Hillshire Farms) instead of Polish Sausage. I don't use much turkey but I am trying to keep the calorie count down. Especially, since we eat out a lot! And, you know most restaurant food is NOT low calorie.  

Even though the recipe does not call for browning the sausage, I thought it might give a little more flavor if it is browned. And, as long as I was at it, I thought why not toss the onion into the pan. The recipe also includes cream of celery soup, canned sauerkraut and brown sugar. In addition, I added some caraway seed, and celery  (just because I had it in the refrigerator) which I would have added to the browning pan along with the onion, if I had thought of it at the beginning.

Remember, this is a crock pot recipe and you can get away with almost anything when it comes to technique!

 

When I was combining all the ingredients in the crock pot, I thought why not add some apple. So, I tossed in some sliced apple, mixed it some more and turned the temperature to high and put the lid on the crock pot. And, it was only 1:30 PM. Later, shredded Monterey Jack cheese was added just prior to serving. 

 And, while dinner was cooking, to the movie we went.

 

ARGO chronicles the life-or-death covert operation to rescue six Americans during the Iran Hostage Crisis in 1979 and 1980. It was an interesting movie that held a person's attention. Ben Affleck's performance was impressive.

Dinner was very good! And, the use of turkey worked out great. MSM (My Special Man) enjoyed it and does not have any problems with reduced calorie ingredients. Luckily, he is a person who can eat anything and everything he wants and not gain weight or alter any of his normal laboratory tests ordered routinely by his doctor. I am so envious - really - I am!

*Did you notice, my friend has regained his moniker - - -  MSM! We are so happy and plan on keeping it that way!

Beautiful Shadowbrook Restaurant

Stopping in to say hello. It just seems that I have been busier than usual. Perhaps, it is more accurate to say I have been having a lot of fun going places, resting up and going some more. As some of you know, it takes a lot of time to prepare blogs but I think it is nice to chronicle my life events. And, I really enjoy the responses from wonderful people, each and every one of you, who take the time to check in to see what I have to say.

Well, this is the last entry of our recent Capitola vacation. With a little help from google I can show you the beauty of this romantic and fabulous restaurant.

Shadowbrook Restaurant is located beside Soquel Creek in Capitola-by-the-Sea, Shadowbrook Restaurant is best reached by the quaint cable car, or the meandering garden path. Since 1947 Shadowbrook has provided world-class service, fine food, wines and liqueurs in an atmosphere of Old-World charm and grace.

 

 

This is the little cable car that holds about six people and transports you from the entrance/parking level down to the restaurant or you can walk through the gardens on a lovely designed walkway.

 

 

And, when you exit the cable car or arrive from the walkway, this is what you see. The dining rooms are very nice with white table cloths and decor. The menu, wine list, food, wait staff and environment is top rate. It can be compared to a fine San Francisco restaurant. Our table was next to the table location you can see in the photo above the steps on the left side of the photo. It was great!

 

The next day we drove down to Soquel and Aptos.

 

 

This was a great place to have breakfast. It certainly is a popular spot. Very informal, quite small and fun. People are waiting outside waiting to get in. And, when you get in you sign the clipboard and return outside if the limited seating inside is occupied. Then you wait for your name to be called. 

 

The food was very good and the service was quick. We left fortified for a day of sight seeing and driving home.

This is a flower shop in Soquel that I remember seeing for years whenever I have been in the area. It is on a corner on the main street that runs through the little town. Aren't the murals "special"?

 

 

The flowers were gorgeous!

Further along, we came upon a community garden in the next little community.

 There is a nice play area for children to enjoy while their "adults" are busy. 

 

And, then we had the 3 hour drive home. It was a Fabulous Mini Vacation.

 

 

I wanted to get this blog written so I can write about the most recent mini vacation to San Francisco that we returned from last week.

 

Yes, I am being spoiled! - Perhaps,for the first time in my life. And, I can't begin to tell you how grateful I am to have a wonderful man in my life. We have finally come to a stage where we have resolved the issues that plagued us in the past. Our communication with one another has evolved during the past two and a half years to a wonderful level of comfort. We value what we have and will continue to take good care of each other. We have both grown in areas that we would never experienced if we hadn't met - and we have worked to merge the diversities of our past, specifically that I have lived a single life for most of the past 40 years, and he was married for 57 years prior to his wife's passing.  And, that's a lot to process. Just, think about it!

 

Thank you for visiting. I will be trying to blog more and share a few projects I have been working on instead of taking care of my garden - that needs a lot of work before the winter weather arrives.