All Over The Place

Yes, this post is going to be all over the place.  Hellooooo, how is everyone?  Gearing up for the end of the school year, and the long hot summer.  We had no winter to speak of, and our Spring  has had more triple digit days that I can count.  My garden is beginning to produce some goodies.  Last night I picked a large bowl of spinach.

I made a great big salad with it.  Strawberries, mushrooms, bacon, avocado.  I made a  lemon poppy seed dressing.  About 1/4 cup mayo, 2-3 T red wine vinegar, 2 T sugar or to taste, sea salt, pepper, and the juice of half of a fresh lemon.  2-3 T poppy seeds.  Whisk thoroughly, chill.  Pour over just before serving.

Mmmmmm, mmm, mmmm. SO good!!  The only other thing I would have added is hard boiled egg.  But I had used them earlier in the day.  I boiled a dozen eggs for egg salad sandwiches for lunch.  Only I put a twist on them.  I diced up the cooked eggs.  And instead of adding the usual amount of mayo, I added one large ripe avocado.  And about 1 Tablespoon or so of mayo.  Lots of cracked sea salt, cracked pepper.  And a handful of fresh cilantro.  Using a fork, mash the avocado up in the bowl, right along with the diced eggs, til somewhat smooth, and distributed.  Add mayo, seasoning, and cilantro.  Serve on choice of bread.  The thing that made this sandwich EGG-stra special...(sorry., couldn't resist ) was laying a few pieces of fresh from the garden arugula on top.  This adds that peppery crunch, and then with the creamy taste of the avocado....just perfect!!  Greg asked me what do I call this?  I said, I don't know, how about Green Egg Sandwich?

Deeelish!!!  For a little extry, you could put a couple slices of cooked bacon on top too.

Saturday I went to the library.  I love their used book store.  I found these fantastic gardening books.  They are loaded with great info.  Written a long time ago, but the information is still relevant.  Excellent find!

I did a lot of sewing over the weekend.  Just small projects.  Lots of badge sewing for my granddaughter.  She just bridged up to Brownies.

 I found a set of 4 unfinished placemats at the thrift recently.  I bought all 4 for one dollar.  I put a quick binding on them, and made them into some arm pads for the swing in the grove.

This swing was really ready for the trash several years ago.  I had it in the back yard, and when it wore out,we put it by the sport court for a couple of years.  Last summer, I gave it new life by rewebbing the seats with an old sheet.  I covered the top with a vintage sheet in a fun red and blue print.  I put some red cushions on it, and moved it into the grove underneath the canopy of the huge avocado tree, next to the chicken coop.  I sit out there every chance I get.  A blogging friend sent me the red pillows with crochet flowers on them.  And now I have new arm pads for it too.

Such a peaceful spot to sit and ponder.

And watch the antics of my hens.

Yesterday afternoon when I was out there, someone decided to climb the tree.

I was sitting there minding my own business, and suddenly he starts tossing down giant avocados, yellling, "CATCH!"

This is about it on the avocados for now.  The trees are all loaded up again, but it will be a few months until they are ready for picking.  The oranges however, just keep on coming!

They are extra huge, extra sweet, and extra delicious this year.  I swear it is because of the chickens!!
Oh, I also made this table cloth out of a piece of fabric I had.  It is so pretty, that I wish I had more of it to make napkins.  Darn.

Here it is on my little table in the kitchen.

Now I am working on another little Spring throw with this pretty bird fabric.  I have already made one, but had tucked away the rest of this fabric, and now I am ready to use it up.  I made Gennifer a new bag holder for her upstairs laundry room too, in a pretty yellow floral.  No pic. Oops.  And fixed a top for Gen, and a romper for Claire.  It was a good day of sewing.

Saturday night, we met up with my brother and sister in love, and saw a fabulous movie.  It is out in limited release.  If you are a foodie, or like to cook, you will love it.  Even if you don't cook, you will love it.  It is called Chef.  With Jon Favreau and Sofia Vergara, and Dustin Hoffman.  REALLY, a great movie!  We all loved it!!  Afterwards we walked around a bit downtown, and there was a Bruxie.  They are famous for chicken and waffles.  I had the signature sandwich, chicken and waffle, and Greg had pastrami in waffle sandwich.  Both delicious!  David and Glenda ordered the Creme Brulee Waffle, and it was divine!!!!!!!

I hope we get one near us soon!!!  Drew's girlfriend brought over a Nutella and Banana waffle from Bruxie the other night, and I had a bite.  YUMMO!!
It has been mighty hot here lately.  One day it was 108.  Several were triple digit!  We went to swim in Gennifer's new pool one afternoon.  The kids all wanted to play with Uncle Drew.

This morning I painted the big swing out in the front yard.  It was long over due, and it took an entire gallon of stain.  I didn't take a before.  But you can see in this photo from a few weeks ago, how badly it needed it.

That is the only picture I could find.  But it was like that all over the seat and everywhere.  Table included!

Now I need to make a new cushion.  And figure out a way to keep the birds from perching and pooping on the back of the swing.  I used to have some heavy duty clean plastic stapled to the back so it could at least be easily wiped off.  Guess I may have to do that again.  Much better.  That was bugging me for months!  I was waiting for a cooler day to do it.  While I was out there painting, I noticed that both the male and female Bluebird were both leaving the nest box at the same time, so I walked over to the tree to see if I could hear chirping.  Sure enough.....chirping!!!  They hatched!!!  I took a chair and stood up there and pointed the camera for a pic as quickly as I could, as both mom and dad Bluebird were divebombing my head.  This is pitiful, but in the right hand corner of picture, you can see their downy fuzz, and little beaks.

Five itty bitty babies!!!
That's it for today.  My all over the place post.  Life is ZOOMING past lately.  May is a big birthday month in our family.  Both of our girls are this week.  Going to Big Bear on weekend to celebrate girls birthdays.
Mom is doing well.  She completed her first two weeks of chemo.  This is her off week.  No meds.  Two weeks on, one week off, for six months.  She is now beginning to experience some of those nasty side affects that she was told she may, or may not have.  The bottoms of her feet hurt.  Like a bad sunburn.  Her mouth has a couple of little sores.  Her skin is extremely dry, and so is her hair.  She is hanging in there though.  Please keep her in your prayers as she continues with this treatment.  I will go with her to the Dr. on Thursday.
Thanks for visiting today.  I see I have a few new followers!  Hello!!!  I will get out to see you soon.  I am doing a bit better with catching up with all of you.  Love seeing all of your Spring happenings!!
Tootle Loo
XO  Kris