4th of July in Florida

God Bless America

4th of July on the Beach in Florida


God Bless our Troops who gave and continue to guard our freedom to celebrate the 4th of July. Evening brings sunset and soon the crowds return for TWO FULL hours of the most spectacular fireworks that were almost as good as the national fireworks on the Mall in Washington DC....minus the thousands of spectators.




Naturally, my camera couldn't catch them~ but I tried.









Have you guessed am just returning from a great week in Florida where we enjoyed being with people we care about as well as enjoyed some of the most fabulous food I have ever put in my mouth...probably put on 10 pounds...enjoyed each and every bite....and evenings together sharing drinks and stories.

The beaches come an go with how beautiful they are, and we hit a good week. Swimming ...well we just bob around...but have to say the water clear with wonderful rolling waves, made just right for those of us who are past the thrill of being tossed around by crashing waves. We lingered until our fingers and feet signaled.


We shopped, ate seafood and found a kitty who posed.















We enjoyed ripe watermelons. OH~ how good they are.
We put together a puzzle of a design by Frank Lloyd Wright~It was neat to gather around the table. We guessed it being like a 'sewing circle' of by-gone days. Was a warm feeling of belonging.

Was most relaxing week. I hated it to come to an end. Wonderful time was had by all. Wish all of you could have been there too.

Now, back home to work on some ideas that came to mine. Nothing like walking alone on the beach to dream up lots of projects.
June

HOW TO GET RID OF CROWS

Don't feed them.
June

Recipe ~ King Ranch Chicken Casserole

One of those wonderful 'dishes' to take to a potluck dinner ~

King Ranch Chicken

1 chicken, boiled

1 pkg tortilla chips, or noodles

1/2 c onion, chopped

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 can Rotel tomatoes w/ peppers

1/2 c green pepper, chopped

12 tortillas

1 pkg grated Monterey Jack cheese

1 c chicken broth

boil chicken, remove meat from skin and bones. Saute onions and
green pepper. Mix with soups, tomatoes (drained), cubed chicken, and chicken broth.
Line bottom of Pyrex casserole with six tortillas.
Add 1/2 of mixture; spread over tortillas.
Sprinkle grated cheese over mixture.
Then make another layer of six tortillas, chicken mix, and cheese.
Perheat oven to 300 F.
Cover with foil and bake at 250-300 F 1 hour until cheese is bubbly.

Princess Lauren

Lauren McKinsey, 2 weeks old.

The newest Princess of our family~




Princess Lauren

Warrenton Airpark

Warrenton, Virginia~ one of my favortie places to hang out.

Warrenton Airpark is a little piece of heaven, located in the beautiful rolling hills of Northern Virginia.

This is a Private Airport operated by Warrenton Airpark, LLC, Tom Richards, Owner .

Aircraft using Warrenton Airpark vary from Hot Air Balloons, to General Aviation to include Power Parachutes, Ultralight Aircraft, and Experimental Aircraft.

When you visit the Airpark, you realize the old saying is true,

the only difference between boys and men is the size and cost of their toys.

A photo of the only house on the Airfield grounds.

The Airpark is dedicated to the joy of flying and sharing experiences with other pilots.

There are three runways.

To the right is a long grass runway.

Below is one of the pilots who is the designer and builder of yet another hanger for the expanding sport of flying. Tom Richards is assisted by Retired Air Force Colonel and pilot, Ford Daab. They are having their style of fun.

Plane parked at another private residence adjoining the airfield.

Each hanger has interesting and unusual planes. Some are being built. Love going down there.

The guys and girls who fly out of here come from all walks of life. They seem to be living their dreams by taking to the air.

Future pilots given a check ride in a vehicle grounded for non-compliance of the FARs - no wings.

We love to pack a picnic and go down to visit my brother, Tom.

There is usually a cool wind blowing and some interesting objects flying around.

June

Saving the Nite-Nite

When Madison was a baby, she called her little pink and white blanket her 'nite-nite'. She had been swaddled in this blanket since she was born. All of her life, everywhere Miss Madison went, the 'huggie blanket' was with her.

When she was a baby and here, I wrapped her in this blanket and off to the swing on the patio we would go. With her all cuddled to me for more warmth, we would swing. Soon the squeaking of the swing and my rendition of "Rock a Bye Baby" plus the birds chirping, took her into a deep sleep. My heart was so full, as she was so, so sweet. It was a bonding that will last a lifetime.

Another memory I have of her and her 'hugging blanket,' I was rocking her in my rocking chair and she was, of course, wrapped in her magical blanket. She was so sweet. Her little blond head rested sleeping in my arms. I remember taking her beautiful little hand in mine and was awestruck by how much I loved that child.

This was shortly after 9/11. Suddenly
the saddest feeling of sincere grief came over me. I thought of all the men and women my age, who lost their grown children in the 9/11 tragedy...they were victims not recognized. I felt so sad for them. They not only lost their grown children, but their unborn grandchildren as well. They were cheated. I grieved for them as they lost these moments of experiencing the awesome feeling of loving a grandchild.
Now Miss Madison is 7 years old, and her 'nite-nite' is called her "Huggie Blanket."

She was with us for an overnight, and this morning, she held her threadbare blanket up and she asked if I could save her 'huggie blanket'.

Without a doubt, we put perhaps 10001 stitches to save her nite-nite. They both will soon be eight years old.
She is such a pleasure.
June

A Day for the Birds

About a month ago, a couple of black birds made their home nearby and have raised a few babies. These black birds turned out to be good old-fashion, corn eating crows.

These crows have become urbanized and are feeding at my birdfeeders.
Actually, they are eating me out of bird seed. My last resort was to find and borrow a BB gun.
"I have one, come and get it," my son-in-law said.

When I picked it up last night, I told him I knew how to pump and shoot it. He supplied a box of BB's as well. This morning, bright and early, I went outside in my PJ's to start the day...I loaded and pumped the gun.... finally found the safety ....and after some time, realized I still had to cock it...
Well, when I cocked it. the sound was LOUD and the crows flew but interestingly enough, the other birds hung around.

Well...the crows came back before I could turn around...so now to test the BB gun. I didn't know if it would actually shoot. Carefully pulled the trigger without really aiming ...just sort of away from the house kind of shot...it fired.

Well, unfortunately that first shot, went into the fish pond. IF I HAVE put a hole in that brand new pond liner, I am a dead duck.
WORSE would be if I shot one of the fish. If one becomes a floater with a little hole the size of a BB...I am a dead duck as well.

Spent the day learning I can't aim a BB gun.
June