Rainy Days

I like rainy days.

"Tell me how many beads there are
In a silver chain of evening rain,
Unraveled from the tumbling main...."
~Thomas Lovel Beddoes~

"Let the rain kiss you.  Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops.  Let the rain sing you a lullaby."

~Langston Hughes~

"Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain."

"There will be a rain dance on Friday, weather permitting."

~George Carlin~

And who can ever forget Gene Kelly's rain dance?
(Don't forget to click on the movie once or twice to bring it to full screen on your computer.)

"I'm singing in the rain, just singing in the rain.  What a glorious feeling, I'm happy again.  I'm laughing at clouds so dark up above.  The sun's in my heart and I'm ready for love.  Let the stormy clouds chase everyone from the place.  Come on with the rain, I've a smile on my face.  I walk down the lane with a happy refrain, just singin' and singin' in the rain."

A bit of a ramble....

The past weekend has been a busy one for us.  On Saturday I went to see one of the televised operas I go to at our local movie theater.  Just two of us this time as it was not on our list of original picks for the season, but as one of my friends really wanted to see it and others in our group could not make it, she and I headed out and spent a very pleasant afternoon listening to Verdi's Ernani.

At the same time Gregg joined our son and daughter-in-law and had lunch at one of son's favorite restaurants that is sadly after many years finally closing its doors.  The Tortilla Factory in Herndon has been open since 1975 and we've been going to it for years, not as much as our son who lives closer than we do.   You can read about it here.

Gregg and Brad love their salsa and say it's the best they have ever tasted anywhere, and the owner promised that if any customer left their e-mail address, he would see that they finally got that recipe.

The following night they came over and we watched the Oscars.  Brad arrived first and Lisa turned up a while later.  She has a role in a theater group, a musical and she was coming straight from the theater.  We saw her perform a couple of weeks ago and it was great seeing her up on the stage singing.  She has a beautiful voice.

In the photo above Gregg and Brad are talking about history.  Gregg is reading a book on WWI.  He and Brad often get into some great discussions, and Gregg drew a map on a piece of kitchen roll while explaining events, which Brad took with him when he left.

We started off with dinner and then turned the TV on and watched the interviews on the red carpet, for me enjoying the fashion show, watching all the presentations and enjoying Billy Crystal as host.  He really is the best!  Gregg and I haven't watched the Oscars in years but we had a fun time spending the evening with Lisa and Brad.  I hadn't seen many of the films so couldn't really be a good judge of what I thought was the best movie, best actor, actress, etc. but it was fun chatting about them and generally having a great time.  They left well after midnight and Gregg and I realized that we're not party people any more as we were both ready to go up the apples and pears (that's Cockney slang for stairs just in case you weren't sure what the heck I was talking about.)  No, my family and I were not born within the sound Bow Bells, but I grew up knowing a lot of the vernacular which was often used in my family, and it slips out occasionally even to this day.

A couple of days ago our niece got in touch with me and said they would be in town over the weekend and could they pop by on Saturday for an hour.  Lovely!  They are now a family of three and we have a nine month old great niece called Elle whom we all adore, and said yet again what great parents our niece and nephew are, a great team and that sweet little babe is so loved it does the heart good.  Elle is crawling now and I was glad the carpet had been vacuumed before they came over, though I hadn't had much of a chance to do much else!   Still they are good about taking us as they find us and we had a lovely visit.  The photo above is Elle in her Valentine's Day outfit.  Danielle has been real good about letting me put photos of her on my blog.  Thanks again Danielle and it was great to see you, Chris and Elle, thanks for stopping by.  Looking forward to seeing you again soon and I am sure we'll be running after Elle as it won't be long before she's walking from what we could see.

I also had a lovely chat with my brother-in-law.  We were talking via Skype and it was a bit difficult hearing as we found out later that our modem has been playing up and voices were cutting in and out.  Only realized this recently but it must have been going on for a very long time as we've noticed how slowwwwwww everything had become and the company told us today that our modem had restarted over 240 times over the last month!!!  We had no clue!  But it was great talking to brother-in-law and next time we will have a much clearer conversation because.....

yesterday after chatting to our cable company, we found out that our modem was on the blink.  Gregg stopped on his way home and picked up a new one, except that at first he couldn't get it to work with our wi-fi box.  Gregg spoke to three people and one computerized voice, only to be passed on to the final actual, honest-to-goodness live person who obviously knew what he was talking about because he was able to guide Gregg through one more process and, eureka!  Gregg has the patience of a saint and we were very grateful that the last person was able to solve our problem.  I can't imagine how many people that chap has to talk to during the day.   He also must have the patience of a saint.   Yay for him!   And, I can now watch the videos that people send me  as it's been nigh on impossible to watch them lately.  I unfortunately, who used to have the patience of a saint, can no longer claim that fine attribute.  I'm working on that.

This afternoon I finally watched The King's Speech on a DVD, which I treated myself to quite a while ago but only just got around to it.  I came across a very interesting article here.  It was a very good movie, one of my favorites, though have just added this note, there was foul language used which I could have done without.  I suppose we all need to let fly occasionally but as Valerie mentioned in her comments, couldn't imagine the King dropping loads of 'f' bombs and other curse words in such rapid succession.  As Valerie said, "artistic licence" perhaps?    I don't know how factual or true to the way things were, but I ended up having a lot of empathy for King George VI.  It must have been  a nightmare to be thrust onto the throne by the abdication of his brother.  I read that the Queen Mother had asked David Seidler, the screen writer, to postpone the work until after she had passed away.   Also, nine weeks before filming began, Lionel Logue's notebooks were discovered and quotations from them were incorporated into the script.   Colin Firth, one of my favorite actors, did a first class job as King George and Geoffrey Rush as the Australian speech therapist Lionel Logue, excelled and Helena Bonham Carter was marvelous as Queen Elizabeth.

I saw the first Goldfinch on the thistle feeder this afternoon since last summer.  I enjoyed watching him for a while and hope he'll bring his friends by tomorrow.   His feathers were a little tussled and it looked like he was developing his yellow coat.  The photo isn't that sharp but hopefully he will come back earlier in the day when there is lots of sunshine.

Gregg surprised me by arriving home early.  He spent a lot of time on the phone, firstly with the cable company and then on two conference calls with colleagues.   And now I have an Internet that actually works properly.  It's been a good day!

Hugging - one a day highly recommended, more would be good!

The Hug

No moving parts, no batteries.

No monthly payments and no fees.

Inflation proof, non-taxable.

In fact, it's quite relaxable.

It can't be stolen, won't pollute,

One size fits all, do not dilute.

It uses little energy,

But yields results enormously.

Relieves your tension and your stress,

Invigorates your happiness.

Combats depression, makes you beam,

And elevates your self esteem!

Your circulation it corrects,

Without unpleasant side effects.

It is, I think, the perfect drug,

May I prescribe, my friend....

The Hug!

(and, of course, fully returnable)

~Author Unknown~

A hug a day, highly recommended.

(All these photos made it into my e-mail today, a forward sent from a friend.)

TODAY'S FLOWERS

A little reminder that spring for us here in the northern hemisphere is not too far away.  As I sometimes do when I feel the need, these beautiful spring flowers brought a little sunshine into our home.  I stopped by the flower shop last Saturday and these pretties told me I needed to put them in my shopping basket.  I obeyed!

Beautiful Spring is coming,

Ah, yes, will soon be here,

For the clear bright sun is shining

All human hearts to cheer.

One of the brightest gems of nature

Is the orb that o'er us shines,

And o'er the wide creation,

It'll shine to the end of time.

(a few lines from a poem by Julia A. Moore.  You can read the rest of the poem here.

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Today's Flowers was created by our good friend Luiz Santilli.
You can find beautiful flowers from around the world if you click here.

Camera Critters #203 - The Peanut Saga continues.....

Husband wants to know where his peanuts are?   I thought he understood!

Gregg says maybe if he grew whiskers and a fuzzy tail?   Hmmmm.......nahhhhh!

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Thank you Misty for hosting Camera Critters.

To see other fun critters please click here.

More collections

Today I thought I would share some of the prints and paintings that we have collected over the years. The last one I added was in 2011, and you can read about it in my post here.  These pieces usually have something sentimental about them, and it was our thing to buy a scene in the town or city we had lived in for a while.  We moved frequently in our navy days and there was always a print we would take with us, a little memento of a special place that meant a lot to us.

The painting above is one that gives me a connection to my Dad.  It was a gift to him on his retirement (his second career after the police force) at a solicitor's office.  We moved down to Devon when Dad retired from the Staffordshire Police Force.  We had been going to Devon twice a year for the previous eight years, and Mom and Dad always talked about moving there permanently when the time was right.  After six months of living in Devon he learned that an acquaintance of his from the old days - a solicitor (known as a lawyer to those of us in the States) - had moved down to Devon and set up a practice in Torquay.  He knew my Dad lived nearby and asked if he would go to work for him.  Dad said yes.  Years later his friend had long retired and moved to Spain, and a few years after that had passed on.  Dad in the meantime had gotten used to the people who took over and continued working until his early 70s.  He enjoyed his work but he knew when it was time to move on, so he retired for the second time and this was one of the gifts he was given from his colleagues.  It is a scene painted by a local artist in Torbay - I'm almost positive but not 100 percent sure that it is Goodrington.   This came to me when Dad passed on 18 years ago and it is my most treasured possession.

These next three paintings I bought in the town of Worcester.   By this time I had been living in the States and when Gregg put out to sea for six months, I often went back home to visit my parents and also my sister and her husband.  They lived about a couple of hundred miles north from my Mum and Dad, in the county of Worcestershire.   I remember passing the old Tudor house (above) many times on our walks around the city, and not too far away I saw this painting in a shop window.  My sister and I ventured inside and not only did I buy this one, but also the two below.  The owner of the shop was also the artist.

Above, the town of Pershore in the distance.  My sister and brother-in-law lived in a tiny village not far away.  I walked many times alongside the River Avon and watched the barges and other small craft go back and forth.  Gregg and I had done this when we first drove up north to introduce him to my sister and her husband, as did my family and I for many years before that.  It was a favorite walk of ours.

The third and last painting (above) I bought from the same shop in Worcester.   I had always had a soft spot for white geese and when I saw this I fell in love with it.  The artist called it "The Three Graces", a title which I've occasionally borrowed for a blog post when I have shared a photograph I thought was appropriate.    I had quite a time carrying them on the airplane when I eventually went back home but I didn't want to put them in the cargo hold.  I managed!

The village scene above is unknown to me.  I found it years later when I drove by a shop - and did a quick u-turn - called The English Cottage in Manassas.  When I stepped inside it was like being home again, and it reminded me of my village in Devon, the church looked very similar.  Little did I know years later when I practically fell into a job working in a small British gift shop and tea room, that the owner of that place had also once been the owner of The English Cottage.   It is no longer in existence and closed some time ago but I still have my print to remember it by.

Now, the picture above isn't actually a print but a photograph I took when Gregg and I visited family in North Dakota.  I turned it into  a 'painting' with the special effects on my Paint Shop Pro.  This was one of the old programs and I loved how it turned out.  When I lost it in a computer crash I bought a new PSP, but, I have as not yet been able to create the same effect.  Still working on that!

Above you can see the old Spanish Mission, the Mission Basilica San Diego de Acala.  It was one of a pair that I bought from the same artist just before we left San Diego for Virginia.  The other was the Hotel Del Coronado.  I would have shown it here but I couldn't get a decent shot of it and there was no way I was taking it off the wall today.  It would have taken forever.   Funny thing is that it wasn't until years later that I actually got to see the mission, when I tagged along on one of Gregg's business trips in September 2010 and we both got to see it for the first time.  I posted those photos here.

Here is another, Mission San Carlos Borromeo del rio Carmelo, also known as the Carmel Mission.  Back in the early 80s, Gregg went to the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey.  Again, when we knew we were leaving, I visited the gift shop inside the school and bought this off the artist.  Carmel is the next town over and we visited often, especially loving walking along the beach.  Here again, never saw the actual mission but you've got to save something for the next time right?  A good excuse to go back.

The one of the steps is again an actual photograph that I turned into another painting, in a different style to the other.  I never have been able to recreate the technique since I lost that first program.  You can find those steps at the Norfolk Botanical Garden, Norfolk, Virginia.

I couldn't fit the frame in no matter how often I tried so this one comes without the frame.  More geese, of the Canada Goose variety.  I used to frequent a small shop in Occoquan and actually sold Christmas ornaments I had made to the owner.  One day when I was dropping off a box of ornaments, she was sitting with the gentleman who was the artist of this Canada Geese and they were drinking a cup of coffee.  I was asked to join them and I chatted to the man about his art.  He had several that I had greatly admired, this one in particular.  After he left I mentioned that I loved this particular print and the lady and I negotiated a deal, a box of ornaments for the print.  I thought it was a very good deal.

The last print I have absolutely no memory of where I bought it.  All I remember is seeing it, loving it and wanting to buy it for our guest room, which we were still decorating not having been in our new home for very long.  I have always been captivated by the Amish way of life and this scene was so inviting and look, there are those white geese in the picture.  I left the shop with it under my arm.

This little piece of folkart is also in our guest room.  In those days I sold my ornaments mostly at craft shows, and I often bought items from fellow crafters.  This Amish Scene came from a lady who had a table across from mine.  We enjoyed chatting during the down times and at the end of the day we bought each others wares.

The Dream

I had a dream the other night (2-19-12 actually).  I don't very often remember them but last night Gregg and I found ourselves back in Arizona, except he didn't know it.  We have been there a few times before, the last about three years ago.

In my dream while walking around one of the national parks we spotted a mountain lion and marveled at its beauty, not being afraid at all at the close proximity.  I felt very safe.  In the next moment we found ourselves in the visitors' center and while looking around, the same mountain lion walked in.  This time we hid behind the nearest door, which happened to be the ladies room.  There were other people inside already and as I peaked out, the mountain lion left.  I went up to the desk and asked a lady behind it, "Does this happen often?"  and as she opened her mouth to reply, I woke up before I got the answer.

It didn't take me long to figure out why I had dreamed of Arizona.  I enjoy going to Marie's blog - A Colorful World.   Marie used to live in Virginia but moved to Arizona not so long ago.  I was showing Gregg one of her posts which we both enjoyed, and we talked about driving through the state, hence I found myself back in Arizona last night.  We always knew we would be taking a trip back one day, but not in one of my dreams.  The other surprise for me was that I actually remembered it.

Celebrating Our Differences

"I believe that we are here for each other, not against each other.  Everything comes from an understanding that you are a gift in my life - whoever you are, whatever our differences."

~John Denver~

TODAY'S FLOWERS # 181

 Gregg gave me these lovely flowers on Valentine's Day last Tuesday.

Today's Flowers was created by our good friend Luiz Santilli.
You can find beautiful flowers from around the world if you click here.

Camera Critters

I ran out of animal photos so I found a couple of old ones and have reposted them.  I took shots of this beauty on vacation a couple of years ago when we visited the local zoo.  I felt so fortunate to get them.  He was  moving pretty fast.

Thank you Misty for hosting Camera Critters.

To see other fun critters please click here.

Crockpot Spaghetti Bolognese Sauce

I am always looking for healthier ways to cook and when I found this at Gina's skinnytaste.com blog, I decided to give it a try.  It works out to 146 calories per 1/2 cup serving.  If you click on the name it will take you to their recipe.

The other good news for me is that this is a crockpot meal, and lately I have been using my crockpot more than I ever did.  Makes cooking so much easier because as I've said before, you can start preparing early in the day and by the time the meal is cooked, you can relax, sit back and enjoy your meal.  There is a little preparation beforehand and you have to chop up all the vegetables but there are short-cuts.  You can use your food processor if you have one.  I do all the veggie chopping with my handy sharp knife but the key words are "early in the day" when energy levels are pretty good.  I could use a processor but frankly I find the process of preparation relaxing.

Crockpot Spaghetti Bolognese Sauce

4 ounces of Pancetta, chopped (or center cut bacon)

1 teaspoon butter (or olive oil)

1 large white onion, minced

2 celery stalks (about 3/4 cup), minced

2 carrots (about 3/4 cup), minced

2 lbs. 95% lean ground beef

1/4 cup white wine

2 - 28 ounce - cans crushed tomatoes

3 bay leaves

Salt and pepper

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

1/2 cup  half and half cream

In a large saute pan, saute pancetta on low heat until the fat melts, about 4-5 minutes.

Add butter (or olive oil), onions, celery, carrots and cook on medium-low heat until soft, about five minutes.

Increase heat to medium-high and add meat, season with salt and pepper, and saute until browned.  Drain the fat, then add the wine, and pour yourself a glass should the sun be over the yard arm.  Maybe this is one of the reason all good chefs I've listened to, when using wine for cooking, don't buy one of the cheap cooking wines!  Cook until liquid reduces down, about 3-4 minutes.

Add this mixture to the crockpot, along with the tomatoes, bay leaves, salt and pepper.  Cover and set on low and go do other things for the next six hours.  After six hours, serve up your dinner.

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Another good result, very yummy and a keeper.

Whenever I am cooking spaghetti, I always use Angel Hair Pasta.  Gregg's Mom once served it to us years ago and we discovered a new taste sensation thanks to her.  We now enjoy this much more than the regular  - and thicker - spaghetti.  Of course, it depends on your own personal taste.  My mother-in-law made the best spaghetti and meatballs too.  As I get older I remember more and more the good memories surrounding the food that our mothers cooked for us.

We had this meal two nights in a row.  The first night I served it with a mixed green salad.  I had some shredded Gruyere cheese left over from another recipe which I wanted to use up, and so I sprinkled a couple of slices of bread with the cheese and melted it under the grill.   The second night I had been out all day and it was nice just to be able to heat up the leftovers for another delicious meal.  Both Gregg and I said it tasted even better.   I still had leftovers and froze the rest for future meals.  

Hazel's Hammies and Ginger Tom

Technically these pets belong to Hazel's daughter and when I went over yesterday and I asked if I could take some pictures.  Hazel said no problem.   

The Hammies have the upstairs, the Kitty has the downstairs.

This pretty ginger tom reminds me of the one I had as a young girl, and he was just as affectionate.   There is another in residence but I only saw him for a second.  He was a little shy.

Thanks for lunch Hazel and thanks for letting me take these photos.