Hiking

What can beat the great outdoors and the awesome sense of accomplishment that comes from hiking up a mountain trail?

Halloween

Cute and not too scary, even in the dark.  Halloween was scary here, due to high winds and flash floods.  The town sensibly asked that all events and trick or treating be rescheduled for Saturday.

The Simple Life

This post brought to you by bols board games. All opinions are 100% mine.




This makes me nostalgic for a simpler life, although perhaps not quite this simple.  I still want plumbing, electricity and windows, not to mention my internet connection!  Nonetheless, I like the idea of a smaller home and fewer possessions.

Who Needs A Swimsuit?

The weather is still warm here, but soon swimming season will be over.  Don't waste time putting on a suit.  Get in that water.  Now!

Border Collie

I had mixed feelings, when my daughter wanted a dog.  We already had two cats and that seemed like an adequate pet family.   My daughter felt differently and started researching different breeds.    It wasn’t long before she had narrowed her options and began checking classified ads, looking for border collie puppies for sale.  They weren’t inexpensive and   I figured that would be the end of it. 

Splash!

A bit messy, but a whole lot of fun.

Sunday Drives

Do you remember Sunday afternoon drives?  Before the world got hectic and gas prices soared, it was a staple of life for many families.

Sunset

A picture paints a thousand words, but even the most talented artist can't compete with Mother Nature.

Bahamas

I’ve never heard anyone complain about a visit to the Bahamas and it is easy to see why.  If I sat down on this beach, I’d probably stay there forever.

Greener Pastures

This post brought to you by apartments.com. All opinions are 100% mine.

I've heard that some people live in the same home for their entire lives, but I don't know anyone who has done that.    The census bureau estimates that Americans move an average of fourteen time throughout their lives.  Last summer's move took my personal total to nineteen and we'll be facing a twentieth, when my daughter completes her schooling here.  We're beginning to feel like moving pros, so here are a few tips on finding a new residence.

1. Get Excited
   This is easy, if you've made the decision to move on to greener pastures.  Even if the change has been precipitated by your spouse's relocation, a change in finances or other circumstances beyond your control, look at the positive aspects.  Research your new location.  Are there historical landmarks?   Extensive dining and entertainment choices?  Gorgeous scenery?  Finding out what makes your new location special, will help you get excited about the change.  Even in-town moves offer an opportunity to find your dream space and every move provides a chance to review your possessions and declutter your life.  That's certainly reason to get excited!
   

A Shopping Friend

To be perfectly honest, I don’t love shopping.   Sometimes, it can’t be avoided.  I need new clothes, a gift for a friend, or a pair of shoes for my granddaughter.  She’s even outgrowing the weeds lately, so that happens a lot.    As an occasional shopper, I rarely know where to find the best buys.  I miss sales and end up paying a lot for quality merchandise or, even worse, paying less and getting inferior quality.

When I lived in the north, I used to count on my friend, Debbie, to help me find good deals.  She did a lot of shopping and always knew where to get the best buys.  Frequently, she had coupons to save us even more.   Since moving south, I’ve been on my own. Recently, however, I’ve found a new shopping friend,Shopaholic Mommy.

On The Green

I love the look of a golf course, although I’ve never played the game. 

A Helping Paw

Who doesn’t need a little help with the yard work? 

Colorful Design

Things are looking quite bland outside my window these days and the cold weather has barely begun. By spring, I'm sure I'll be more than ready for the reappearance of Mother Nature's colorful palette.

Indian Creek

There’s nothing like the beauty of a tranquil creek.  What's that stuff in the lower left corner?  Read on.

Cool

Hot weather getting to you?  Here's a bit of winter to help you keep cool.

Rosemary

Pretty, fragrant and tasty.  Rosemary has it all.

True Love

When a boyfriend brought me a bouquet of wildflowers, my mother was ready to set a wedding date.  She claimed that anyone could order flowers, but handpicked bouquets were a sign of true love.

Clipix Brings Organization Online

My daughter is the chief cook at our house, but everyone contributes to meal ideas.  Whenever I see an interesting recipe online, I try to copy the link and email it to her.  Sometimes that works and sometimes it doesn't.  I may be too rushed to take the time.    Even when I do,  there's no guarantee that the mouthwatering entrée  or yummy dessert will appear on our table.  As the collection of recipe emails has grown, it has become increasingly difficult to locate the right one.  We agreed that we need a way to organize the collection.

Pumpkin Season

My pumpkin memories range from jack-o-lanterns to pies. Pumpkin soup is near the top of the list for things to eat. My daughter makes two very different kinds. One is mixed with garlic, onions, thyme and chicken stock. The other is flavored with pumpkin pie spices and a finely diced apple to add a bit of sweetness. Both are very hearty soups and make a great dinner on a cold night.