Never Enough Time

Today

2013-05-16T10:11:00.002-05:00

The sun is shining here and it looks to be a nice day. We got the news that Tim is back in ICU. He's not tolerating the dialysis very well. His BP went alarmingly low during the night...so he's back in his old room/

I was going to do a few things outside, but I think I will just sit on the porch and take it easy today. Some things I'm thankful for this morning...

Prayers from my online friends

Beautiful weather

Humming birds are back

A simple day ahead

There are so many more things...but my mind is in a muddle.
Balisha

An Update

2013-05-13T08:52:00.002-05:00

This is so hard to write about, but I am going to put this in my blog...because I want to remember my feelings about so many things..later in my life.My Mother's day started with phone calls and lots of love and gifts. We planned to go to visit Tim later in the morning. I was hoping for a change for the better for him. We got to the hospital after almost 2 hrs. drive and went to his room. He was able to speak better and said that he knew it was Mother's Day. We were able to talk and share memories of Mother's Days past...when he and his brother and sister were little. The one Mother's Day memory that I love is when the three of them brought me breakfast in bed. I am not such a fan of grape jelly, but the kids always liked it. They did the breakfast all on their own .....a big glass of grape juice and two pieces of toast full of grape jelly. The smiles on their faces as they came in with the tray could melt a mother's heart. They were so proud of their tray of food. I think that LuAnn was the one who did most of the work....Tim kept trying to eat my food and little John was just in kindergarten. I reminded Tim of this event and we had a laugh over it.

We were there....his wife Renee, and grandson, Anthony, and Joe and me. The kidney specialist came in first and said that his kidneys still weren't functioning and they would remove the catheter. After he left the internist, who is Tim's main doctor, came in and started to talk. He called it a family meeting. Then he gave us the bad news. He looked at Tim and told him that he was going to be moved to another facility for palliative care. He said that Tim has only a little time left. He won't live longer than 6 months. I can hardly finish this right now...they will have a meeting this morning to talk about his care and what facility he will go to. He will h ave what the doctor called supportive care. After he left and we shed tears, I felt like someone had kicked me in the stomach...I just couldn't swallow. Tim had a couple of tears in his eyes and wouldn't look at any of us...just up at the ceiling. I got myself together and told Tim that our family would make this the best 6 months that we can.I don't know what we can do to accomplish that, but whatever we need to do..we will.

It was so hard to leave...knowing that he was there with his thoughts. He wanted us to go...said that he wanted the catheter removed and that he was tired. Sleep didn't come easy last night and this morning all I can think of is him.

I wondered in the early morning hours...whether to write this post or not...but after all the encouraging prayers and comments about him getting better...I just felt that I needed to share this. I make my blog into books each year and this is the way that I can keep my thoughts about him to read again and again.Please continue your prayers....it is so important right now.All that can save him is a miracle.

Balisha

Happy Mother's Day

2013-05-11T18:20:00.002-05:00

Have a wonderful day tomorrow...We'll be at the hospital with Tim.
Hugs, Balisha

The Apple Pie Contest ...Two Posts Today

2013-05-10T11:12:00.001-05:00

This is a repeat from some years ago. It is one of the sweetest memories of my Mom. She was always there to cheer me on in everything I did. She was a loving Grandma and the best Mom a girl could wish for. She's gone now, by many years...but I still miss her and think of her always, but especially when the apples ripen and pie is on the menu. This is my tribute to Mom...who really won that day.

Balisha

This morning I was reading the newspaper online... and saw a recipe for "hand held apple pies." It brought back a memory of my Mom. She was the queen of apple pies. Her pie crust was envied by many women in our family. A fine, flaky crust. She had been making pies since she was a girl. My Grandma sold pies to help keep a roof over their heads during the depression. She had six children and little support from her husband. Grandma would bake pies and my Aunt and Mom would take them in their wagon to the neighbors to buy. She had many regular customers. Grandma made lunches for the teachers at a nearby school. The teachers would come to Grandma's house and eat their homemade lunch for a small fee. They did so many things involving food to earn money. Well, I can imagine little girls in aprons, around Grandma's table learning how to make pies. Mom brought that talent to her marriage. Apple pie became my Dad's favorite dessert. He always had it for his birthday. After enjoying many of these pies myself...I was excited, when there was an apple pie contest, sponsored by a bank in a nearby town. Without my Mom's permission, I entered her name. I called her later and told her what I had done. I knew that she would be shy about doing this...so I took the bull by the horns and went ahead and entered her name. Well, that began a quest for my Mom and Dad. They searched out the best apples from the groceries and farm stands. What apple would she use? A Macintosh was her favorite...should she mix them with Cortlands? As she went through the produce department I can picture her today...whistling her little tune and feeling the apples and giving them a sniff. She was in a frenzy and I imagine she lost sleep over it. I called her and said, "Mom, just make the pie like you usually do...they are delicious just the way they are." Poor Dad....he made many trips to the store to get the freshest apples and even a new can of Crisco. It had to be perfect. Dad called me, "Your Mother is in such a dither over this. She is sweating even." I was really sorry that I had put her through this stress. The day came to bake the pie...There was no eating in that kitchen that day. They had to eat out, because she needed to concentrate on her pie baking. She baked one pie...not perfect. Then she baked another.Dad enjoyed eating the first one. I got the phone call that it was ready and it would be taken to the bank for the judging the next day. She called, after she dropped the pie off, "They really should have judged it today...it's better fresh, right after it's cooled," she said. She had told me early on, that she wouldn't go alone to the contest. "You got me into this...you will go with me." I went to pick her up in the morning and we entered the building. Her eyes, big as dollars, told me how nervous she was. Why had I gotten her into this?We walked around the long table filled with pies. All of a sudden...Mom's demeanor changed. She became the authority on apple pies. "That one's too brown, that crust doesn't have a fine crumb, that pie crust sunk in, that one is full of air and so on." There her pie sat....just a beautiful pie, a little juice leaking through the simple pattern of cutouts on top, a fork crimped edge...just the right shade of brown...it sat, unadorned in a simple pyrex pie plate. We both thought her's was the winner. We sat down and listened to the man from the bank...he said that the winner would have to appear on the radio show the next morning. I felt Mom sink deeper in her chair. She would never do that. Now, she didn't want to win. She said, "Oh, I hope I don't win...there are other's better than mine." I laughed and said, "Mom, I'll go with you...don't worry." The judges sat down and started to sample the pies. They hesitated when they tried her pie...she was nervous... I said, "How can they possibly judge after sampling all those pies?" The judges kept going between hers and one that was decorated with leaf cutouts on the edge. They finally made their decision...the fancy one was the winner. I saw Mom's face brighten...she said, "I'm glad that young girl won...I'll have to listen to her on the radio." All the entrants got a cookbook and an apron. She proudly showed them to Dad, when we met him for lunch. It was something that we never forgot. Everytime she would make an apple pie after that...she and I would look at each other and grin. She was the winner that day...she didn't have to appear on the radio show.
Balisha

An Update and a Busy Time of Year

2013-05-10T10:01:00.002-05:00

We didn't visit Tim yesterday, so I was surprised when I talked to ICU nurse...that they were moving him to the regular floor. Such great news...after being in ICU for 12 days. Renee was given brochures about rehab for him to help with speech and ambulatory skills. We will go this weekend and hopefully he will be much improved. Thanks again for all your prayers...he's a long way from being over this...so prayers are still needed.

Grandson Tyler who is graduating this year.

Grandson Collin who is celebrating his 16th birthday

Grandson Brandon who is graduating this year.

It's such a busy time of year with weddings, graduations, and birthdays. We have a birthday and two graduations to celebrate. Three grandsons...where did the time go? It seems only yesterday these three were little guys. I always tell people to enjoy them while they are young...that before you know it they will be grown. I think that I have really enjoyed these grand kids.They have brought me so much joy. We have had such fun times....teasing, jokes, watching their different styles of hair dos, new styles of clothes, their interests,even the surprises when their baby voices changed into these very grown up men's voices. I've played board games with these young men, tried to learn these new fangled Wi games (while they laughed at me), gardened with them, cooked with them, read to them, played endless croquet games, and tossed a ball with them....but most of all I've watched them grow into young men that I am so proud of. So. here's to a busy few weeks ahead. Joe and I will have to rest up to get ready for all the fun.

Balisha

This is way far away from the topic...I need your help...I placed an order from Etsy quite a while ago. I haven't received the order. I have emailed the seller countless times...and also contacted Etsy about this problem. My account was charged, when the order was placed...so I thought it would be right here. Has anyone had a similar problem with Etsy?

An Update and the Birds in My Yard

2013-05-09T09:22:00.001-05:00

An update....Tim (still in ICU) was up in a chair yesterday and the speech therapist gave him some exercises to do after giving him some swallow tests.He needs this to be able to eat and drink and talk of course. He asked for his cell phone and a root beer :) Renee was given brochures for rehab hospitals for his ambulatory and speech problems. I guess that these are the first important things that need to be taken care of before they tackle anything else. Thank you for your comments and continuing prayers. I know that they are working.

Today is gloomy here...a little rainy. It's the way that Mother Nature takes care of us older ones....she gives us nice days and we work our bodies so hard in our gardens, and then the day of rain comes, so we can come inside and rest. The lawns are so lush right now. They came to mow yesterday and had to mow the huge backyard two times. You might never know that we had a drought last year. Just a few patches of bare ground are showing...and they will soon fill in.
I always take down the bird feeder from the front in the summer, but this year we will leave it there. It hangs inches away from the window in our computer room Joe and I both have computers and both keep an eye on the feeder for new birds. Very interesting Sparrows, Scarlet Tanagers, Cardinals, Finches of many kinds (gold and red), and Wrens have been our visitors this morning. The Juncos are gone and the Wrens are back. I put the Oriole feeder up yesterday...I hear their beautiful sound in the woods...though they haven't come to the feeder yet as I can tell. The Blackbirds are present with their funny songs(?) They will be around until their nesting is done. Doves are here...not sure if they have a nest in our tree we call Blue and then there is our chipmunk buddy...it seems he is on the feeder when ever it is empty of birds. So cute...with chubby cheeks full of sunflower seeds. Scrambling to get his cheeks filled to the brim before getting chased away by some bird. I checked my website that shows bird migration and the Hummingbirds have been seen in many of our neighboring towns..so up the feeders went to welcome them back.
You know, I could do this bird watching and tending all day and never get bored. I have to make myself do my housework and now I find that there is a new spring in my step.... to get that done...so I can go outside again;
Balisha

Morning Memories by Balisha

2013-05-08T09:33:00.004-05:00

Morning Memories by Balisha

I woke up early morning...all in my comfy bed..

Memories were drifting through my drowsy head.

A little bundle all in blue was in my arms so sweet..

A baby boy to care for and love beyond belief.

He was so small with eyes of blue...just perfect I would say..

We took him home and cared for him..he soon began to play.

The years went by so fast indeed... it was time for school to start..

Kindergarten came so fast....I knew that he'd be smart.

He cried when left....it broke my heart to leave him there that day..

The teacher said, "He'll be alright once he begins to play."

The years were filled with creatures...snakes, lizards and a rat..

We had so many pets those days.. a dog and then a cat..

It was time for graduation and then the Air Force took our boy..

I wished that he could stay at home...he was my pride and joy.

Children grow in many ways and they start to grow away..

It's what they are supposed to do...a Mom just has no say.

So, years went by, so fast it seems... a job and marriage too..

We get together on holidays and birthdays... quite a few,

I lie in bed this morning and think about the past..

He's sick right now....I'm hoping that he will heal fast.

So Jesus if you're listening...I have a small request...

I'm handing you my bundle... I know that you know best.

How to make him healthy..we all could use some rest.

We need him in our family...he's always been such fun..

This battle that he's fighting is one that will be won.

So, in my bed I'm thinking.. of memories of the past...

The future looks much brighter... and Tim will be well at last.

Balisha

Some Visitors and an Update

2013-05-07T09:38:00.001-05:00

This little visitor has been here since the weekend. He always hops up on the suet feeder...seems to have some trouble getting up there once in a while. He's quite comfortable with me going next to the window...isn't skittish at all. I love his little song...I think this is a tanager...maybe a Scarlet Tanager. Does anyone know for sure?

We have also had some Rose Breasted Grosbeaks visiting. They didn't want to pose for a picture, however.

I have heard the Baltimore Orioles in the woods...so I had better get their grape jelly ready.

This is the reason I love spring...the sighting of new birds in our yard and the return of old friends.

Now an update on Tim...Yesterday he had a spoonful of baby food...applesauce, and Renee put gatorade in his cup with the sponge stick. They shaved him and the speech pathologist started working with him. Still many problems but taking baby steps toward recovery.Today his cousin, who he hasn't seen in a long time, will visit him. Tim said that he wants to go to Wisconsin and just relax at his sister's house on the lake.He barely speaks...but he has such a whisper of a voice right now...so hard to understand him and frustrating for him I'm sure.

Balisha

Update for Monday

2013-05-06T09:30:00.001-05:00

We went to see him yesterday and I was sad to see how very weak and helpless he is. He was getting dialysis, when we went in. Joe was able to sit and talk to the person who was administering the treatment which took 3 1/2 hrs. We are now more familiar with how dialysis works.We have so many questions.

This is really hard...as a Mom, I want to just make the hurt go away. I'm trusting in my faith right now that ...God will take care. He has so many praying for him...our Church said prayers for him this weekend and Father will have a private Mass for him this morning.

Balisha

An Update

2013-05-05T07:51:00.001-05:00

I haven't heard anything this morning yet, but yesterday they started to wean him off the respirator and it worked, after being on it for a week to the day...so he is breathing on his own with assistance of oxygen. There is talk about a possible transplant...if they find he's a good candidate. So, this is the first step in the right direction.

Thank you so much for all your lovely comments, prayers, and for just being there for us. People have said that we bloggers don't really know each other...all I know is that you blogging friends have helped me so much. When I can't sleep at night...I come here and read your prayerful comments and somehow it calms me. I am so grateful for all of you and also for you who never leave a comment.

Hugs Balisha

Tim and Anthony

2013-05-04T10:34:00.002-05:00

.Here is a picture of Tim and his buddy Anthony (a grandson who Tim and Renee are raising) This was taken at Tim's sister's house in Wisconsin. He and Anthony love all kinds of unusual things that boys love...fishing, canoeing,hiking, snakes( their snake Monty Python), their dog Coco and other critters... Tim has never lost that boyish behavior that really appeals to younger kids. He is always teasing and joking. Tim has shown Anthony how to use the snow blower, chain saw, lawn mower and they like to tinker with mechanical things. Tim has helped Anthony with his schoolwork so much.Anthony is so lucky to have Tim...a guy who really enjoys doing the things that most boys love...

I just feel so helpless this morning...I guess all we can do is trust that the Lord will take care.

Balisha

Nurse's Hands

2013-05-03T08:31:00.001-05:00

I found this today at a blog I visit often. http://barbarathehealthynut.blogspot.com/ It's National Nurse's Week starting May 6th. She posted this today and I thought of all those precious hands taking care of my son today. Just my way to say my thanks for their gentle care.

Balisha

Nurses’ Hands

Blessed be these hands that have touched life.

Blessed be these hands that have felt pain.

Blessed be these hands that have embraced with compassion.

Blessed be these hands that have been clinched with anger or withdrawn in fear.

Blessed be these hands that have drawn blood and administered medicine.

Blessed be these hands that have cleaned beds and disposed of wastes.

Blessed be these hands that have anointed the sick and offered blessings.

Blessed be these hands that grow stiff with age.

Blessed be these hands that have comforted the dying and held the dead.

Blessed be these hands, we hold the future in these hands.

Blessed be our hands for they are the work of Your hands, O Holy One.

I Haven't Been Honest With You...A Prayer Request

2013-05-01T13:13:00.002-05:00

I haven't been completely honest with you. I said that I was taking time off to work in the yard. I really didn't feel like opening up a family problem on the computer for all the world to see. But this morning, after a restless night I decided that my blog can be therapy in a way.....a way to get things off a person's mind. So, making a complete change...this is what has been going on.

My oldest son, Tim, is gravely ill. He is on life support in ICU . All of his organs have shut down and he is on a respirator and dialysis and several other life saving things are being done.He has several things wrong with him including sepsis.... and this blood infection is the reason for his organs shutting down. We don't know where he got the infection....only that it is a difficult one to treat. They think that they have the right antibiotic. If the antibiotic doesn't kill the infection...his liver and kidneys will never recover.

This is so hard to write about. I feel like I'm talking about someone else. I don't know if I will continue blogging right now, or not. Maybe it will give me something to take my mind off things for a bit. So, this is why I changed my mind. When I look at the little map with all the people who read this everyday...I realize that there are probably so many people who don't comment...more than I even could comprehend. This is a wonderful place to make a prayer request.If hundreds or thousands of us pray....he may recover. I really believe in the power of prayer....

I have a little prayer to help you, if you aren't normally a person who prays. It goes like this: Heavenly Father, watch with us over Tim, and grant that he may be restored to that perfect health which is yours alone to give; through Jesus Christ our Lord..Amen

I know that I made the right decision about posting this and that you wonderful readers will help our family

Thank you all.....from, Balisha and Joe...and Tim's wife and his brother and sister and so many other family members..

2013-04-29T10:57:00.000-05:00

Gonna take a couple of days off....I have things to do in the yard. When I come back, by the end of the week...I'll have pictures to show of my yard.
What will you be doing...while I'm gone? I hope something fun.
Balisha

It's John's Birthday Today!

2013-04-26T09:28:00.001-05:00

My youngest son is having a birthday today..

Here he is dishing up the ice cream for someone else's birthday. It seems that he is always there with an ice cream scoop in his hand for occasions like this. I can't imagine the number of scoops he's scooped. We will get together tomorrow at a restaurant in Huntley to celebrate several birthdays....but today is his special day.

Happy Birthday, John...Love you, Mom

Lunch With a Friend

2013-04-25T17:44:00.002-05:00

Lunch with a friend....my kind of day. It was a spur of the moment plan...we would both drive to a nearby town and have lunch at the tea room. We hadn't done this in so long...good to be together again. Why we don't do this more often is beyond me. The tea room is in a quaint old building...very Victorian setting with a menu to die for. Today there was entertainment...a harpist played throughout the meal.I didn't realize that they had hired a harpist to entertain on Thursdays.....a special treat for us. Getting to the menu...we both settled on the Petite Luncheon. A croissant with either chicken, ham or tuna salad or ham and cheese. A little side of fresh veggies, a cup of their famous soup with wild rice, and today a small hot fudge sundae. Just enough for ladies...but today several men were there too. We enjoyed a couple cups of decaf and our conversation. We talked about our families, our hobbies, the recent rains, shared several funny stories about our lives, and just plain old hen talk.We were the last to leave...as they were starting to get ready to close.We don't exchange holiday gifts anymore but we each came with a little something for the other.She gave me a coffee mug with a bluebird on it and some chocolates. I gave her a package of Key Lime pie makings. Key lime is one of our favorite things to eat.

After lunch, we crossed the street to the gift shop. Everything looked so springy. Pretty purses and scarves mixed in with tea cups, perfumes, speciality kitchen foods, candles, figurines of all kinds, baby items etc. She found just the right gift for one of her sisters who loves sunflowers. We entered the garden room (I like to call it that) and heard birds singing. A CD of north American birds was played.

It was time to leave...we are the same age...so we are usually ready at the same time. Nice to have a friend like that. We went to our cars, which were parked next to each other and exchanged hugs. We vowed that we wouldn't let time pass by again. Impromptu lunches are so much fun....no planning just let things happen naturally. We both enjoyed this.Do you have a friend like that? Is there someone who you need to get together with? Give them a call and get together...you won't be disappointed.

Balisha

Wednesday Happenings

2013-04-24T12:11:00.003-05:00

Oh, it felt so good to be out and about this morning. I had a few things to pick up at K Mart, so I went to step out the door and looked to my right. My little garden by the drive is waking up. The daffodils have already bloomed, but several other things are starting out,The strawberry jar is really coming around. I need to put a big plant on top. In past years I have put geraniums there...I need something that doesn't need a lot of moisture yet brings color to this spot.

My terra cotta planter is getting really filled in. I love the contrast of color and texture in this planter. I think that terra cotta looks so good in little flower gardens. I checked the big mum on the corner of this garden...not much going on. Last year I had to cut it down, because it was so unsightly with all the dead leaves. Hope it recovers....it is a huge plant and my focal point for fall.

I went to the store and heard the sweetest comment from a little boy to his very busy dad. The conversation went like this...."Daddy, can we stop and look at all the flowers?" No comment from the dad, but he was trying to hurry the youngster. "Daddy, can we stop...please....Mommy always does." The father ignores this comment and starts to walk to the car. I looked at the little one...he was almost in tears as he said, "Wait for me Dad...will you hold my hand." The dad briskly took a hold of his little hand and almost dragged him to the car. I felt so badly for that little guy....I stopped to wonder how many times have we hurried our children without paying attention to their wants? I hope that I didn't do this....

That put a damper on my shopping for a while, but going into the store and seeing so many friendly faces cheered me up pretty quickly. After buying what I went for....I was lured to the appliance department and saw an ice tea maker sitting there. I love iced tea and before I knew it....it was in my cart.

Ahhhhhh.....summer days on the front porch with my book or needlework and a tall frosty glass of iced tea....my idea of summer pleasures.

Balisha

Earth Day and Potato Chip Scarf Pattern

2013-04-22T17:32:00.001-05:00

Happy Earth Day everyone....let's strive to take better care of our planet. Speaking of that...A McDonald's restaurant recently opened in our town. Ever since...the road to our neighborhood has been littered with paper cups, bags, napkins etc.You can just see how long it takes to eat a hamburger and fries, by the pattern of paper trail along the road. No litter for a couple of miles...then all of a sudden lots of litter. People just toss the bags out their car window on their way home to our neighborhood.The river near town is receding and along the bank of the river, by the bridge...you can see paper litter from McDonald's where the water has gone down. This never happened before this fast food restaurant opened. It looks like our neighbors might be some of the culprits. They live in these upscale houses and toss their litter on the road. Couldn't people just keep it in their cars for another mile or so? If we all do our part to keep our neighborhoods tidy...what a wonderful clean world this would be.

Balisha

I thought I would put the pattern here for the very simple Potato Chip Scarf that I showed yesterday. Depending on the yarn...these can look very dressy or plain. One of the variegated yarns works up so pretty. I've done a purple, and a blue one...in the yarns that are self striping. As you can see it involves lots of turns. You have to develop your own rhythm for knitting this scarf.

Potato Chip Scarf

You need 200 yds. of a worsted weight yarn.

size 9,10, or 11 needles

Cast on 20 stitches

Row 1.knit 8, turn, knit back to beginning.

Row 2.knit 6, turn, knit back to beginning

Row 3. Knit 4, turn, knit back to beginning

Knit across all 20 st.

Repeat these rows until desired length is reached. End off.

My Crafty Ways

2013-04-21T10:39:00.002-05:00

I couldn't get Joe to model my newest project...so I had to search for another model. My Vermont Teddy Bear, who usually sits on a shelf in the bedroom, had nothing to say about it.He sat so still for this picture. His mate in the bedroom was very jealous...I'll have to use him the next time. I have been making these scarves called potato chip scarves. Reason for the name...they are so much fun....you can't make just one. It's a knitting pattern with lots of twists and turns, but easy once you catch on. I can do one of these and still watch TV, I had an abundance of this off white yarn and thought I'd make a white one. The other ones were much more colorful. This one will go nicely with all my winter coats.Maybe I should learn to knit mittens :) Right now I'm knitting a bright blue, loosely woven, scarf. I make lots of scarves and you might think I have quite a collection to wear, but I give them away as fast as I make them. I think the whole family has a scarf or two...maybe mittens is a good idea...

Candle mats are another thing that keep me busy. I made the bunny one a while back and now just finished the floral one. They are made of felt and very easy to do. I love working with felt...it doesn't ravel and can be appliqued easily.The pieces don't even have to be held in place with basting...just a simple pin will hold them while I stitch around them. My eyes aren't as sharp as they once were, so you have to forgive the sometimes uneven stitches. Since my eyes don't work as well....they look just fine to me :)...not a perfectionist anymore. I'm starting on a fall candle mat...with leaves of fall colors going round.I sit and do these while we watch TV in the evening. They are fun to do also.

Speaking of felt lending itself nicely to applique...I made a really big wall hanging years ago for Christmas. I don't have it anymore, but now that I think about it...it was probably one of the first crafty things I did...back in the early 60's. It was a huge partridge in the pear tree. When I finished it, we hung it in the dining room. I did a couple of framed pictures next. I was so inspired by Grandma Moses in those days....loved her style of painting. Since I hadn't started painting...I created with felt. The pictures were country scenes...with little barns, houses, fences, trees and cute little lambs. One of my son's friends made fun of the sheep. He couldn't figure out what they were. Little did I know then that in just a few years, I would be painting those same scenes in oils. I still enjoy looking at Grandma Moses' paintings. She was my first inspiration in the art world. I'll do a post about her soon.

Balisha

Favorite Things Saturday

2013-04-20T08:05:00.000-05:00

If you think you've read this before....you are right. It's not exactly the same post as before, but close.I wasn't really prepared for A Favorite Thing Saturday...and just went through my pictures and wrote this...after all it is one of my favorite things...worth another read. An oops from me this morning.

My favorite thing for today's post is the Grotto at St. Mary's Catholic Church in our town. It was built by my husband a couple of years ago.He sat in our breakfast nook...planning this on a piece of paper. Working later with an architect...this is what he came up with This is the front view.

Here it is from behind. The grasses and plants have really established themselves since the beginning. I helped with the planting and things came together so easily. Most things worked out as we planned.

There are seasonal plantings here...so something is blooming pretty much all through the spring and summer.From tulips in the spring to roses in the summer...and ending with the grasses and mums in the fall.

Joe built this in memory of his first wife and the pavers in front are stamped with both of our deceased family members. The other pavers are there for members of our Church to remember their family members too.It's a popular spot for meditation and prayer...first communion pictures as well as wedding pictures. A wonderful addition to our Church and the surrounding area.
I'm joining with Claudia today for Favorite Things Saturday...please stop and read or join in with one of your favorites. http://mockingbirdhillcottage.com/

I've written about this before and I have a blog dedicated to it. It is one of my favorite things...so I decided to write about it on Favorite Things Saturday...http://sacredheartmemorialgrotto.blogspot.com/
Balisha

Our New Lakefront Property

2013-04-19T16:11:00.001-05:00

Thought I would show you what I talked about in my previous posts...The back of our property is wooded with a railroad track in the middle. The track is owned and well maintained by Commonwealth Edison and is used maybe twice a year to move things back and forth to the Byron Nuclear Plant. Beyond that track is more woods and then the highway. Just on the other side of the highway is a huge corn field. and then the Rock River. Normally, we can't see much of the river from out house. Remember that our lot is almost an acre with the house being the first thing on the lot and then the huge lawn beyond that... in the back. Where you see water in this picture is actually a corn field. The Rock has flooded all the way to the highway on all sides. That is why I teased that we now have lake front property.

The little shrubs belong to our neighbor...the big evergreen tree is ours.

The fence belongs to our other neighbor....where Audra lives

In the spring, the back trees leaf out and it is really pretty back there. I have maintained our portion of these woods for several years...I've had to cut down these last couple of years, because "ole rocking chair's got me" :). I have planted many little flowering trees and wild flowers. There are statues, bird houses and feeders, and a bench for us to sit on to enjoy the wildlife that comes here. It's a long walk from the house, so nowadays I don't walk back too many times a day.I wish that I had taken pictures when I moved here. It was full of barbed wire, fence posts, and some garbage. I went to work and cleared the trash out and made it what it is today.Soon, wildflowers will be back and birds will nest, the lake will be gone and the farmer will plant....and I will be happy.

Balisha

Humor for a Tense Day

2013-04-19T12:42:00.002-05:00

A little humor for this very tense day in our country.

Joe was looking out the window at our hose...coming out from the sump pump. He has it timed to the second...and watches it often. A bit of worry is on his mind... I can see. While watching that he called me, "Balisha, there's a robin out there watching the hose like I am...only he's watching the water soak the ground making it easy for him to catch a worm." I guess that there are creatures on our earth who are happy today. Lots of rain makes for good worm hunting.

We've had so much rain....about 6 inches. A lot of rain for one day. We can see the river rising across the way (it will crest on Sat)....the huge cornfield is completely flooded. Joe drives twice a day to see the flooding. There are homes sitting right in the water. The lights are on in the houses....so I suppose people are in them. We are having a reprieve today...but snow is flying. What a crazy weather pattern. When will spring come? I guess you have to put everything in perspective....how can we complain with what is going on in Boston? We've been glued to the TV...watching things unfold in Boston today. I'm praying that there are no more fatalities.What a terrible thing has happened.Thinking of you bloggers in Boston today. Be safe.
Balisha

Thursday Thoughts and a Bit about Books

2013-04-18T12:03:00.002-05:00

Busy Thursday....We had over 5 1/2 inches of rain yesterday and .....Please Mother Nature....we don't need anymore...The drought is over, I'm sure. There is standing water everywhere around us....the river will crest on Sat. Probable 4 -5 ft over flood stage.We are pretty far from the river, but we can see it's overflow in the cornfield just across the highway. We laugh....we have river front property now. I sure am glad that we don't live on the river right now.
I heard the strangest thing late yesterday....while the sky was churning, lightning flashing, thunder booming and rain falling like never before...two robins were sitting in our pine tree...just singing away. Later, when it was dark, I heard cardinals and robins singing joyfully. Aren't they suppose to take cover? Do they have no fear? I always feel sorry for little birds in storms, but I guess they can fend for themselves.
While Joe was out checking out the neighborhood, I got busy and made the first pasta salad of the year. We are having (what else) pork chops and Joe will have a baked potato. I'm having pasta salad. It's one of those boxed salads, but not using the dressing packet that comes with. I made a pesto salad dressing and added onion, cherry tomatoes, black olives and some black beans. It tastes wonderful.
I cleaned my little vacuum, Roomba, and started him on his way...cleaning the carpet. That is the best invention. Our house has never been vacuumed so much. It does a good job on the baseboards and under the beds. When it's finished it parks itself...charging up for the next time.
I am just in the last few chapters of my book, The Dipper. It has turned out to be a very good read...as they say. Now that I have all the characters in mind...I enjoy it a little more. Marcia Willett is the author. I have read a couple other books of hers....one is A Week in Winter....I really enjoyed that one. Speaking of that book title, Maeve Binchy, the author who recently passed away, wrote one with the same name... just before she died.I ordered it a while back and it's sitting there, next to my chair, waiting for me to start it. I'll miss Maeve's books...she was one of my favorite authors.It's sad when we lose one of our favorites... My tastes in reading have changed since I'm older. I used to read a racy book once in a while...back when I was younger, but now I find that I look for more substance in what I read. Novels are so many times about women my age....living in cottages, near woods, comfy furnishings, fire places, gardens ....lots of descriptive writing is just my cup of tea.
Well, this got long, but before I close for the day..I wanted to mention that I just heard our President speak at the service in Boston. I was moved to tears...he has a way of comforting a nation with just words. I do hope this madness ends and that they find the cowards who did this terrible thing. How can a person be so evil?
Balisha

Cooking With Lucinda

2013-04-15T09:52:00.001-05:00

Growning up in a big Italian family on her father’s side, it was hard for Lucinda Scala Quinn not to be psyched about food. Her mother, Rose, always cooked simple, fresh food for our family. Lucinda’s love of cooking started at those family meals and blossomed into a career as a chef, cooking teacher, caterer, author and food writer. Scala Quinn is currently the Executive Director of Food and Entertaining at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, host of a weekly food radio show EatDrink and former co-host of Every Day Food. Scala Quinn has written three books, Lucinda’s Rustic Italian Kitchen, Lucinda’s Authentic Jamaican Kitchen and MAD Hungry: Feeding Men & Boys, out in 2010, that all feature the food I cook and love: recipes big on flavor and low on fuss. Scala Quinn will star in a new television show, MAD Hungry with Lucinda Scala Quinn, which explores Scala Quinn’s continuing journey as a mom on a mission to bring back the family meal and do it in an accessible, affordable and easy way. She admits that we all lead busy lives nowadays but our meals with our loved ones shouldn’t suffer.
This taken from her bio on the internet.

I have watched Lucinda for years. She's such a down to earth cook....telling about her family as she cooks her fabulous meals. Her "Mad Hungry" shows were my favorite. Once in a while one of her sons would join her in the kitchen....learning as they assisted their Mom. Always such courteous..loving boys.Lucinda's recipes were meant to bring the family to the table together.

This brings me to my second post for this morning. My daughter, who lives in DC, called me and told me that she had signed up for a cooking class with Lucinda. She knew that I was a big fan and wanted to share her news. She said that as soon as the tickets were being sold...she knew that she wanted to be part of the class. My girl is a vegetarian...it didn't matter that she was going to have to cook chicken...she wanted to be a student in Lucinda's class. I thought of her all night at the time the class would be going on...what were they doing, was she learning, was Lucinda as nice as she appears on TV, would one of her sons be there? She sent me this picture that night after the class. I was delighted to see that they had talked. LuAnn said that Lucinda and her son Calder were exactly like they are on TV. Very down to earth and lovely people. The chicken that they prepared was given to her cooking partner, but the rest...a fried rice and a watercress recipe were enjoyed by both students. I'm so glad that she got to cook with Lucinda...for her memories and for my sharing long distance.
Balisha

My Love of God's Little Creatures

2013-04-15T08:57:00.000-05:00

This little fellow is out of hibernation and running around checking his old haunts out. I've always loved little creatures like this one. It all started when I was a girl living in a new development that had once been wild fields. Summer would find me carrying a jar or box with something alive in it. You never knew what I would have. I would wake up in the morning and eat a hurried breakfast and dash out to see what I could find. Our window wells always had salamanders in them. I would catch them...easily.... and put them in an aquarium with a little water. I could spend the day just fixing up a habitat for those salamanders. After a couple of days, I would let them go.Grass hoppers were interesting to me....I wondered about them spitting "tobacco juice" Ant farms were often home made. I'd fill a container with sand and then catch the ants...My ants didn't have to worry about what they were going to eat. I would take honey out of Mom's kitchen and pour it down the tunnels. Poor ants...I wonder how many survived my special care :) We kids had all the fields to explore. We would build forts and put up tents. We'd run to the edge of the field and watch the patients at the farm colony at Elgin Mental Health Hospital. We would be hiding...so they couldn't see us. The boys built a fort in a field next to our house and wouldn't let us girls in. They would get down in the big hole and pull the wooden roof over the top. We girls would be watching and as soon as the top went on...we made a beeline to the fort and jumped and stamped our feet on this big wooden board......driving the boys crazy. One summer I was lucky enough to catch a chipmunk. Not knowing the danger, I gently held him and kept him in a box. I carried him around and showed everyone a peek at him inside...probably a shivering little creature. I let him go soon after I caught him. My parents didn't really like animals. We would have a dog and before you knew it the dog would be gone to the farm. I said to them, "When I have a home of my own...my kids will be able to have any pet they want."......and this happened. My kids had all kinds of pets from a parrot, rabbit, lizards, mice, rats, parakeets, cats who had kittens, and dogs.Our pets were well taken care of and lived to old age. A few of them went back to the pet shop like the parrot and mice. It seems funny to me that me, being a girl, was so interested in these animals.Some of my friends were squeamish around these creatures. I just had a love for animals that lasts today. I have a hard time killing a mouse :)

Balisha