Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Archive for November, 2012

Love Birds (Part 2)

I posted about my daughter’s love birds not too long ago.  Although they can get pretty loud with their chirping, (they do not like to be ignored!).. they are cute and each has a personality of its own!  They are very entertaining… it’s fun to watch their “family life” unfold during feeding time, bathing, sleeping, cuddling…

Recently, they had another batch of “babies”… (their 3rd!)

Here are the pretty little love birds.  My daughter tries to handle them often so they get used to being held and learn to fly to them when they need to go back into their cage.

 

 

They are so very soft and warm!  Very fun to hold.
They kind of freak out when you first take them out of the nesting box, but soon are at home in your warm hands.

 

Here is the biggest one (it hatched a few days before the other two) with its Daddy.
It’s amazing to see the parents actually push him out so he will learn to fly.  I could hardly believe my eyes.  When I say push, I mean PUSH.  The poor bird flapped and nearly had a heart attack before it recovered enough to get itself upright again.  Poor baby.  It’s tough growing up, isn’t it?

 

These babies have grown very quickly and just in the past 2 weeks have learned how to fly, feed themselves, and are now ready for new homes.  Thankfully, my daughter was able to find someone who will give them a good home. 🙂

 

Here are the parents.  They certainly are love birds… there are already 3 new eggs in the nest!
I know.
Soon there will be three new babies.
And so on, and so on.

Enjoy your pets (if you have any).
If not… enjoy the quiet 🙂
Daisy

 

Read Full Post »

Black Beans

I’ve often been asked how I make Black Beans.  So…

 

I thought I’d share the recipe since I made some today.

It’s easy & quick and Very Delicious!!
(Just had to add the caps there 🙂

 

BLACK BEANS

In a heavy saucepan, on medium heat setting, heat 2-3 Tablespoons of olive oil.
Add 6 Tablespoons of Sofrito and cook, stirring frequently for 2-3 minutes.
Add 1/2 cup of tomato sauce,
one large bay leaf, and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
Add a tiny pinch of sugar and
1 Tablespoon of Balsamic Vinegar (or whatever vinegar you have on hand).
Add 2 cans (15 oz each) of plain (unseasoned) Black Beans undrained.
Stir.
Bring to a boil.  Cover.  Turn heat to low/med.
Simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring once or twice.
(Don’t walk away… you don’t want them getting too hot and sticking to the pan.)

Serve over white rice or as a side dish.  Serves 3-4.
If you’d like to prepare enough for 6-8 servings, use the large cans and increase the sofrito to 2/3 cup, tomato sauce to 1 small can, and balsamic vinegar to 2 Tablespoons.  Enjoy!

 

 

If you have more time, you could cook the dry beans for 2 hours instead of using canned beans (or cook in your Crock Pot on high for 6 hrs or until softened).
I used to cook it in a pressure cooker for 25 min.  This is only for dry beans, not canned beans!  We don’t want you to end up with Black Bean paste!

 

Happy Cooking!

Daisy

Read Full Post »

Red Barn

I’ve always liked red barns.  I’m not sure what it is about them. (I guess I just like barns in general, but red ones stand out for me).

Driving through some back roads, we came upon this lovely dwelling…
I wonder if it’s being used.  Maybe our house-hunting is over!

It sounds crazy but I think I’d enjoy living in a barn.  We once lived in a studio apartment with two small children (while in grad school)… the barn would’ve been roomy compared to that!

 

 

As we drove along, the side of the pretty barn came into view.  A lovely quilt pattern was painted on it!  This made the value go up even more.

I know what you’re thinking… there would be some remodeling to be done inside..
but it would fun…don’t you think?

Just fun thinkin about it…

Have a great week!

Daisy

 

 

 

 

Read Full Post »

Blue Ridge Mountains, NC

In everything give thanks
1 Thes 5:18

Have a terrific week!

Daisy

Read Full Post »

Walking the Dog

We visited our son & daughter-in-law for Thanksgiving.  They just got a dog recently and we volunteered to walk him early in the morning.  The weather was beautiful and I was so glad I took my camera with me…

 

It was so quiet and peaceful.  I love this time of the morning…(once I’m up).

 

 

Lloyd is a beautiful, well-behaved doggie.  We immediately took to each other.  He is a sweetie! 🙂  He enjoyed the walk immensely.  He tried chasing the squirrels but we kinda discouraged him.  Kinda.

 

 

 

I tried to keep up with my husband and Lloyd, but I kept getting off the trail…
(I had to take pictures!!).

There were a few other people out for their morning jog/walk/run… One of them stared at me for a while… I guess it’s not everyday you see someone taking photos
on an exercise trail.  I just want to say, for the record, that I did exercise…
I had to run between photos in order to catch up with my husband & Lloyd.

 

 

I think Lloyd enjoyed the scenery, too…don’t you?

 

 

When we got back, Lloyd was tired out.
By the way, my husband asked if we could call the dog, “Nacho”…  We tried but he wouldn’t respond to that name.  I guess he’s stuck with Lloyd.  🙂

 

 

After just a few minutes, Lloyd was asleep.
What a life!

 

 


I’ll leave you with this lovely morning picture.

Hope you’re having wonderful weather as well…  Go walk your dog.  If you don’t have one, borrow the neighbors’.

Happy walking,
Daisy

Read Full Post »

This week, in honor of Thanksgiving, each day I’d like to “feature” different things I’m thankful for.  I’d like to start with my family, of course…

 

I am so grateful for my parents.  The older I get, the more I appreciate them and their wisdom!  Here they are with my brother, many years ago.  My Mom passed away 25 years ago but I’m still learning from the things she tried to teach me.  And my Dad… well, he’s pretty terrific.  He is one of the kindest people I’ve ever known.  He’s been a fantastic Dad and though we don’t live close, I call him everyday and catch up on how he’s doing and what he’s up to.  I tell him everyday how much I love him!

 

 

I’m thankful for my wonderful husband.  I think he gets more handsome the longer we’re married.  He’s sweet, kind, thoughtful, loving… all the things a woman dreams of in a husband.  I am so very blessed to have him!  Through all our 28 yrs of marriage, in exciting & wonderful times as well as in times of grief and loss, he has always been my closest friend and confidant.  I love being his wife!

 

 

My daughter… I call her my sunshine.  She is a joy and a delight and I am so thankful for her.  I am very proud of her.  She is beautiful not only on the outside, but especially on the inside.  She is very smart, she forgives easily, she loves deeply, and laughs often!  She is thoughtful & kind.  She is a gifted teacher in High School, and seeks to make a difference in those young people’s lives.  More than just mother/daughter,  we are best friends.  We have so much fun together!

Three years ago she graduated from college and 2 wks later was married…

 

 

We welcomed our new son into the family.  They recently moved about 8 hrs away… we miss them so much!  Good thing we have skype, texting, cell phones, facebook…

 

 

My son… he is my treasure.  He is a gifted musician and speaker.  He plays several different instruments, sings beautifully, and writes music.  He is sensitive, kind, thoughtful.  I am so proud of him.  He has a terrific sense of humor and is always making us laugh!  He cares a great deal about people and goes out of his way to make them feel special.  From the moment I first saw & held him, I have been thanking God for him!

This year he graduated from college and a week later was married…

 

 

Now we welcomed a new daughter into our family! They are enjoying married life and not having to go to school!

 

 

 

This year at my son’s and daughter-in-law’s graduation.

 

 

Recently we were all able to get together…

We sure do have a good time when we’re all together!!  Lots of fun, laughter, and TLC!

Yes, I am most thankful for my family.  I realize everyday anew, that I am truly blessed beyond measure!!

What are you most thankful for?

Enjoy this week!
Daisy

 

Read Full Post »

Up in the air…

I’ve posted this photo before (taken at Clearwater Beach, FL)…

 

I haven’t posted in one month exactly… and I’ve missed it!  The past month has been a little hectic.  Some of you are probably saying to yourselves, “and it’s not even Thanksgiving yet!”

But our busy-ness had nothing to do with the holidays.  It was simply demands of life.  I’m getting too philosophical now…

Our moving has been postponed until early next year, for which I am so relieved.  In the past we’ve had to pack and move during the holidays and I really didn’t want to do that again.

Now I can work on making some Christmas gifts instead of filling the trunk again with more empty boxes for packing.

The reason I entitled this post, “Up in the air…”, is because that’s how I have been feeling lately.  For instance…
When your children are married, and they live far, the holidays are not as easy as before.  Who’s going where, when, and for how long?  Can we all get together at one time or do we have to break it down so we can visit everyone?

Also, moving has so many questions that need to be decided… Where shall we move to? What neighborhood? House or condo? Buy or rent? Old house or new? Big or small? Fixer- upper or nice and clean? My husband and I finally came to seriously consider selling most everything we own and just living in a small (very small) drivable RV.  It certainly sounds like a simple life.  (We are still considering it!)

So… I don’t know for sure where we’ll be for Thanksgiving, where or when exactly we are moving, whether we are buying or renting… I seriously think God has a sense of humor and just when we begin to think we’re too old for this… here we go again.  Maybe it keeps us young??

In any case, it’s good to be back and I’ve missed you!
May you all have a terrific weekend!!

Daisy

 

Read Full Post »