The Eating-NOT Eating Problem

Denise Hazime

I downloaded this to my new Kindle this morning and have been pouring over it while I made a new system disc and new data backup disc for my computer.

This appeals to me because of the limit on ingredients and inferred simplicity of the recipes, particularly since I’m just trying to get started.

So far, I’ve started a notebook of generalities about the Mediterranean eating plan. It may very well be that I just collect recipes here and there and end up with a new lifestyle using their suggestions for healthy eating, but not-so-much their actual recipes.

My main concentrations are on

• including LOTS more veggies,
• some fruit – but mainly as a ‘dessert’ or substitute for sweet things,
• a LOT less meat, (little red meat. Chicken and turkey are okay)
• more fish, (twice a week)
• more whole grains,
• more nuts and seeds.
• beans
• less dairy (twice a week, rather than every day)

I’m a bit worried about the fruit. I love it, but it contains a lot of sugar – something we’re trying to avoid. We’ll see how our numbers do.

Of COURSE they want us to drink more water and exercise.

Squirrel Cam – dailymail.co.uk

I Really Like These

Wild Woods Girl

Christopher Clark – photo credit – ChristopherClarkArt-flickr.com

zgarageart-etsy.com

Thursday Love

beautymothernature.tumblr.com

Arti Chauhan Metal Prints 2

Arti Chauhan Metal Prints – fineartamerica.com

Thursday Thoughts

123RF.com

Yesterday I called my friend, Linda, to sing “Happy Birthday” to her on the phone. (We celebrated her birthday formally last Friday at Lunch Bunch, the last Friday before her birthday) but I wanted her to know I was thinking of her on her special day. She probably looked much like this as I sang – but she laughed – which was what I wanted her to do. She is such a special lady and I love her.

There is nothing on our ‘have-to’ list today. HOORAAY! I cherish each and every one of these ‘quiet days,’ soaking up the calm. I don’t know if that is actually possible – but I’m trying, since I NEED the extra on the more challenging days around here.

I will make a new system disc and new data backup disc today, now that we got Password Safe working again. I think that all is good now, as far as I know, so I want to make copies of both the operating system as it is now, plus new copy of my data, as backup in case anything bad happens. Since technology and I are usually at odds, I try to be careful to be able to restore things, if needed.

I need to do mundane stuff, like making a new wipe off calendar in the kitchen, do bookkeeping on the computer for June, filing, etc. (Be still, my heart.) :0)

I AM thinking about getting started with the Christmas presents I’m making for my friends. If I can make headway on everything else, maybe I’ll treat myself to some time up in my art room.

I hope that you have something exciting and fun to do today.

Talking to Myself

from my friend, Cathy.

The only thing better than reading a book is reading more than one at once, as I was doing yesterday.

I finished this one and will start another of her “CIA series” today.

And then, since I got my new Kindle reader yesterday, I read the introduction to this new cookbook and will start browsing through the recipes today. I really hope this has nice, basic, easy recipes.

Yesterday I looked at one recipe on the net that sounded like it might be good. I stopped reading when I counted FIVE ingredients my husband wouldn’t touch with a ten-foot-pole…

I MAY have to just concentrate on adding more veggies and fruit, serving less red meat, eating more fish, rather than trying to follow any particular recipes, but I’m HOPING to get a bit more help than that.

Kindle Fire

Unsplash

I’m a happy camper right now. My new Kindle Fire arrived, I got it registered and set up, AND it already had the Mediterranean Recipe book I had ordered, but never got to look at on my old Kindle reader. Woo HOOOO!

I look forward to looking through the recipes after lunch. :0)

Arti Chauhan Metal Prints

Arti Chauhan Metal Prints – fineartamerica.com

Admission

I LOVE really feminine, wispy floral scarves. I don’t have any, and probably wouldn’t have a reason or place to wear them, but it doesn’t stop me from drooling over them when I find them. Here are some wonderful examples –

etsy.com

faerie scarf-pinterest.de

flickr.com

Ic.pandahall.com

ok.ru

Marian Okeefe

Zara Merrick Textile Birds 2

Textile Birds by Zara Merrick

Water Sample

RMBEL

Our water department brought the bottle in a gallon bag with instructions yesterday afternoon. I read the instructions, filled out the form, except for the time the sample was collected, and put everything upstairs by my sink for collection last night.

The biggest problem is that water is not supposed to be used for a period of 6 to 8 hours before the sample is taken. Since my husband and I are like ships passing in the night to pee over and over during the night, we reminded each other that we needed to remember NOT TO FLUSH until AFTER the sample was collected.

I didn’t sleep well. I couldn’t get comfortable, kept waking up and checking the clock, or getting up to pee and remembering NOT TO FLUSH, etc.

The sample has been taken and is on the front porch ready to be picked up whenever the water department people get here. What should be a simple thing is sometimes more complicated than it needs to be.

UPDATE: Just as I was finishing this, our driveway alarm started going off. It was the water department guys coming to pick up the sample. Mission accomplished.

Love-Hate Relationship

Shutterstock – The Players’ Aid

My Love/Hate relationship is with my computer. Yesterday afternoon was one of the times I hate it.

My Password Safe program is crucial to my work on the computer. Yesterday I couldn’t get it to open. My husband, of course, immediately asked ‘what I had done to it.’ This set us up for an interesting afternoon. To make a long afternoon shorter, we deleted the program and all associated stuff from my computer, re-installed the program, made a new data disc, made a new shortcut for the main computer screen, etc.

This morning I needed to pay bills. Our bank website said my password was wrong. I tried to change it, but the password safe program wouldn’t allow that. I finally got around that problem, got on the website, paid our bills, and then asked my husband for help once again.

He determined that I was designated an ‘administrator’ on my computer, but that password safe was set up for ‘read-only.’ I finally got THAT changed and was able then to update the new password and go on my way.

This type of problem always comes when I least expect it, gets me totally rattled, shatters my confidence, needing time to absorb (and make notes on) what we’ve changed and how it works now.

Conundrum

9gag.com

Suffice to say I would fail miserably. I can’t even pass a small piece of bubble wrap without picking it up immediately and starting to pop the bubbles. I have to go in another room because it drives my husband crazy. If I were a really awful person, I would now know what I could do when my husband makes me angry…. :0)

Beautiful Lighted Bottles

Amy Adams

domosedy.com

etsy.com

etsy.com

etsy.com

etsy.com

etsy.com

Vanessa Busby

CIA Series

irmArahn

I started a 3-book series by Linda Howard that I received yesterday, all based in some way on the CIA. Linda Howard is a new artist to me, recommended by my good friend, Marsha, and I’m delighted so far. The series of three books is Kill and Tell, All the Queen’s Men, and Kiss Me While I Sleep.

I find her style very readable. I started Kill and Tell last night and was immediately drawn into the story.

If you haven’t read her work, you might enjoy it.

Good Morning

Jeremy Paul Wildlife Artist – “Mirror2”

Good morning! I’m up and mostly functional, though I’m feeling a bit blurry this morning.

Our doors are open again, taking advantage of another day of low humidity and ONLY hot temperatures by mid afternoon, rather than the breath-sucking, slap-you-in-the-face heat advisory and excessive heat warning weather we have been ‘enjoying’ lately. This is due to continue until Friday, when we have several days of rainy, humid weather again and rising temperatures. Good things can’t last forever. I’ll take it and grin while I can.

Our first ripe tomato of the season!

Our first ripe tomato of the season last night was cut up with great ceremony and enjoyed with our dinner. It was a pretty tomato with no blemishes or bad spots, and was delicious! :0)

We will leave for errands in about 45 minutes, but we have no big plans for the day. The most ‘exciting’ thing is that the water department folks will leave the sample bottle on the porch sometime today. I have a note beside my computer about it so I don’t forget. I get the sample tomorrow morning and they pick the bottle back up sometime tomorrow.

iStock

I plan to spend some time outside today, doing something constructive in the yard, if possible.

I hope your Tuesday is healthy and happy.

Forked?

Deb’s Heartstrings-Pinterest

Cindy Kratochvil-Weichel – Keep Your Fingers Crossed

Janet Carr-Welding Art Projects

More Drool-Worthy Gourd Art

Grace Swanson

Judy Richie – redcloudoriginals.com

masterofhort.com

Phyllis Sickles-Gourdvisions.com

scontent-b-cdg.xx.fbcdn.net

welburngourdfarm.com

Garden Update

QuoteMaster.org

The zucchini are growing, but very slowly. I’ve never grown these before, so I’m not sure what to expect. The red onions seem fine. All else is gone, with the exception of my two tomato planters on the other side of the house.

The elephant ears are doing well, in spite of our having to water them manually.

The FIRST ripe tomato of the season!!!!!

The tomato plants were looking dry, so we ran the watering system for the back manually to make sure all was working as it is supposed to.

Stealth

sent by a friend

Book Recommendation

sent to me by a friend

I’m thoroughly enjoying reading another John Grisham book. It’s called, “Sooley” and it’s totally different than any book by Grisham I’ve ever read. It’s about a South Sudanese boy who is trying to better himself and help his family by playing basketball.

I’m not a huge basketball fan, but you don’t need to be to thoroughly enjoy this book. You’ll find yourself pulling for Sooley, tearing up at what is happening with his family and his reaction to it, thoroughly immersed in this sensitive, beautiful book.

I don’t know how it will end, but I consider this one of Grisham’s best books.

Another Monday

buzzfeed.com

The company who supplies our water is sending a man with a sample bottle and instructions today for us to take a sample of our water first thing tomorrow and put it out on the porch for them to pick up. They do this from time to time and then send us the results. It makes me feel good that the quality of the water is being checked from time to time and that they would let us know if there were any problem. This the the Milltown-Washburn Water Authority. We also have well water. It tastes good, but I’m glad we don’t have to rely on it for household use, as it was tested and found to be ‘highly aggressive’ (read acidic) and would eventually eat through the pipes in the house and our own PERSONAL pipes…. something I don’t like to think about.

We have our front and back doors open. It’s a GLORIOUS day today. A cold front came through overnight. I don’t know if we got rain or not, but the temperature was a delicious 69 this morning. It’s 76 right now, a bit overcast and feels WONDERFUL. The high is supposed to be 86 today and the humidity is in the comfortable range for the first time in a month or so. AHHHHHHHHHH!

I’m planning to check my garden today, plus my tomato plants.

Enjoy your day!

Love on a Sunday Afternoon

twitter.com

Death of a Kindle

My husband and I bought Kindles very soon after we realized they existed. He is on his third one, using it daily for most everything he reads, downloading scores of books. I have used mine sporadically, much preferring real books for my reading.

I have downloaded trial books, though, when the price is right, just to see if I like the authors. Then, if I want to read more, I order real books. Another reason I like my Kindle is for cookbooks. I’ve FINALLY learned that the majority of cookbooks I buy are a waste of money for me. I like a couple of recipes in the book, but that’s all, so it just takes up space. I finally give them to the library to sell at their fundraisers. I get most of my recipes from friends, now, or on the net.

I downloaded one recently that looked like a really good introduction to easy beginning Mediterranean recipes. I wanted to wait until I found one I really liked to actually buy another cookbook.

I tried to look at it today at lunch time. I couldn’t get anything to happen when I tried to open the Kindle. I finally asked the ‘guru,’ my husband, if he could get it to work. He first assumed I had forgotten to charge it. I gritted my teeth and showed him calmly (without biting him in the leg) that it showed a 99% charge at the top of the Kindle screen. He then played with it, finally pronouncing it ‘dead as a doornail.’ I guess I can’t complain, since it has lasted SEVERAL years, but I really didn’t want to spend the money right now.

I have now ordered another one and will have to ask someone on Amazon if I can transfer the couple of downloads I have remaining from the old, dead Kindle to the new one when it arrives.

I will intensify my search for a good, basic Mediterranean cookbook that I actually want to HAVE so I can get it and not have to depend on the vagaries of electronic devices…

Stunning Vessels

Carol Alleman-Bronze Artist – scottsdalefineart.com

gourd-Cindy Reilly

vessel – etsy.com

Grace Swanson – Gourds by Grace

Hellen Martin – paintingsbyhellen.com

Zara Merrick Textile Birds

Zara Merrick Textile Birds

A Day of Food, So Far

I.arnold50-flickr.com

I JUST finished getting the ingredients for beef stew in the crock pot for dinner tonight, and eggs hard-boiled. I cleaned the fridge out a bit, too, and am now running the dishwasher, having filled it up already this morning. In a few minutes it’ll be time to fix LUNCH. Too much time around food!

I plan to be lazy much of the rest of the day, unless it actually rains and cools off. I finished a Lee Child book yesterday, Past Tense. It was the usual very well-written Reacher series book. Lee is writing with his son, Andrew, now. I’m not sure what that will do to the quality and flavor of the books.

Today I’ll start enjoying a Grisham book my husband passed to me recently.

Hope you’re staying safe and cool.

Slept Like a Baby

Ana Maria Navarro Leitao

I absolutely LOVE this photo. I’ve kept it in my pictures on my computer, enjoying looking at it for days and days now, and wanted to share it. I’ve never really been sure where the expression, ‘sleeping like a baby’ actually CAME from, since in MY experience, it was always a very short-term RELIEF when our babies slept and we could rest, too, but –

Since it means that you slept really well, I’ll happily tell you that that was the case with ME last night. I awoke feeling rested before the alarm was due to go off, something that always puts me in a good mood.

We’re supposed to have a cold front and thunderstorms today! (We’re right below and to the right of Fort Smith on the map.) I say this happily because the heat indices have been pretty hard on us, and we’re ready for some relief – kind of like when babies finally get to sleep – you’re SO happy with whatever you can get. :0)

Jessica Gavin

I’m going to make beef stew in the crock pot for our dinner tonight – much heavier on the veggies than I used to make. My husband really liked the last batch I made, so it’s nice that we can meet our veggie needs with a dish we really like – plus I’ll make enough we have some good leftovers to heat up another night or two.

I feel empowered this morning! I solved a problem with my computer for which I used to have to go to my husband for help! I have two monitors. (I move things all around from screen to screen when I’m working.) This morning my left-hand monitor was dark and wouldn’t turn on. It’s the MAIN monitor, so all the controls for the computer are on that one. The right-hand monitor only turns on when the LEFT one is on. So I concentrated on not panicking.

I tried rebooting the computer. It came on, but I still had the same problem. I got under my table and checked the connections in the back of the computer box. All good. I checked the connections on the front of the box. All good. I carefully checked the connections on the monitors. Right one good. Left one LOOKED good, but one connection was a bit loose. The monitor finally winked on! Then the right one came on. Windows had added upgrades and rebooted my computer – the reason all wasn’t as I left it, but I FOUND the reason the monitor wasn’t working. All is restored now and I DID IT. :0) I’ll try not to be insufferable. :0)

123RF-Anton Dotsenko

Have a wonderful Sunday!

More Paul Militaru Photography

“Orange Yellow Rose”

“White Lily Flowers”

“Simply…An Orange Rose”

“Maya…Again”

“Purple Flowers”

Paul Military Photography

Greatest Accomplishment

A. A. Milne – Winnie the Pooh

More Art by Mindy Hawkins

Mindy Hawkins