A Very Hot Weekend

We had a very hot weekend in which to do some yard work, but we got it done.  The new mulch that we finally got and put down looks so nice and I even planted a couple of new perennials that I bought last week.  The new flower bed looks pretty good for a hot July.

The annuals are still doing well and my new favorite combination of Lantana and purple Angelonia is so pretty.  I'm watering every day and I know that by the time August rolls around the flowers will begin to fade and I will, too, from dragging the watering hose to the flower beds and pots.  But, I'm enjoying the flowers while they last. 

I haven't talked about Stormy in a while.  She is still busy keeping an eye on everything and everyone in the house.  Here she's perched on the Hoosier cabinet in the kitchen watching Sissy who is on the island.  They love to be in the kitchen trying to talk me into giving them a few treats.

I had just gotten home from a grocery shopping trip and had set down a couple boxes of pasta before snapping the above photo.  One of those boxes was the tri-colored rotini that I use to make our new favorite pasta dish.

This dish was a big hit at the 4th of July party with everyone.  I even had a couple of the men ask their wives to get the recipe.  It's a Wallyworld Copycat recipe and I made it again this weekend.  It's quick and easy. 

Broccoli Cheddar Pasta Salad

1 medium head of broccoli, chopped into small florets

1 medium red onion, diced fine

2 cups mayonnaise

1/2 cup sugar

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (I used 1 1/2 TB)

2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

 1 box tri-colored rotini pasta

Cook pasta in salted water according to directions on box.  

Drain and rinse with cold water to cool before adding other ingredients.  

I also sprinkle in a little olive oil after rinsing

to keep pasta from sticking. 

 

Wash the broccoli well and chop into small florets.  Dice

the onion fine and then mix the onions and broccoli into

the pasta.  Add the cheddar cheese to the mixture, mixing

well. 

In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sugar and

cider vinegar, stirring well.  Pour over the pasta and

mix well.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.

I will be heading to the Big Town later this morning for another shot in my eye for the macular degeneration which is developing in my left eye.  It will be my fourth shot. 

It's not a pleasant procedure, but it's bearable and I'll be going alone this trip.  Since they dilate my eyes to examine them thoroughly each time, it makes driving a bit more difficult especially in bright sunshine.  So I'll be hanging around town waiting for my vision to improve before driving the 30 something miles home. 

If it appears that I'm neglecting my blog friends, it's not because I'm not interested.  It's because there is always something that seems to keep me away from the computer.  Summertime is a busy time and I'm sure it is for you, too.  Do you find it hard to keep up with blogging lately?  And if you have a good tip for being able to do it all without cutting back on blogging, let us all know!

Happy Monday to you!

xo Cheryl   

A Snowy Drive, Faux Plants and Jeans

We're already a week into February.  I have barely started on all the purging that I planned to do this winter and spring will be here before I know it, so I need to get busy!  But, cabin fever has set in.

When the weather is not bad and I'm feeling good, I like to get out of the house and go somewhere.  Sunday, we decided to head down the interstate and meet our son for dinner.

The weather was only calling for a few flurries so we thought we would be okay.  A few miles down the interstate, the snow picked up and we saw the first car off the highway.  The roads were getting worse and we saw 2 more vehicles off the road with one upside down.  If folks would just slow down, this might not happen.  We were only going 50 mph or at times even slower depending on the amount of snow.  The visibility was the worst part, especially when the big trucks whizzed by us.

Our son called and said he had seen 5 vehicles off the highway and we should turn around at the next exit and go back home.  We decided that since we were close to our meeting place that we would just keep going as the weather was supposed to clear off that afternoon.  Brett had already gone through the city where the highways were the most snow covered.

We soon ran out of the worst of the snow and the highway was much better before we got to our destination.  After we visited with our son over our food and got on the road to head back, the sun was shining and the highway was mostly clear all the way back home.  It turned out to be an enjoyable day after all.

After tasting the delicious ribs that BG had ordered when we were in KC, I had to have a plate of my own.  Wow, I had no idea I would get this many!  And they were yummy.  I choose broccoli and a salad for my 2 sides.  The men picked combo platters for their meal.  We all had food left over to take home.   

I went to the Big Town the other day and stopped in at Marshall's.  Faux plants were seen everywhere in the housewares dept.  I have gotten a couple of them in the past.  One is very like the 3rd one from the left on the top row and I have it on a lamp table.  I love a bit of greenery in my house.  

Faux plants are nice to have when you have kitties in the house as they won't get sick chewing on them!  I have to keep most of my real plants up high so they can't get to them.  What do you think of faux plants?  

After stopping in at Marshall's, I headed to Kohl's to look for some new jeans.  I wear them a lot unless the weather is warm and then I usually wear capris.  At home, I wear comfy clothes such as sweat pants/shirts or t-shirts.

I have seen the jeans with holes in them many times, but it's still a shock when you see them hanging on the racks and look at the prices.  Gads.  I can remember when no one would be seen wearing these!

I saw some jeans that looked "normal" but upon closer inspection, they had tiny threadbare spots in them.  Nope, not for me!  I finally found a couple of pair that were nice.  What do you think of this current trend of holes in jeans?  Yay or Nay?

This sunset was snapped outside my front door yesterday.  It was a chilly day but the weatherman was wrong again and we didn't get the snow that was predicted.

Not sure what I'll get into today.  That procrastinating little elf sitting on my shoulder is whispering in my ear and telling me that I should get out of the house since the temps are supposed to reach into the 40's.  We shall see.  

Happy Thursday to you!
Cheryl