Happy birthday America! We are experiencing hot, hazy, humid weather, but I just think back to frigid days of a few months ago and keep my complaints to myself.  A lot of our Canada Day fireworks were cancelled this year because of the smoke/fire hazards.

[I do believe this will be my go to  oatmeal cookie recipe,the orange zest and coconut  made it. The recipes that say easy are very trying at times.

Don, good to see you. Stay in where it is cool, they say the temps will reach 103 during this week.



 /color]

I'm heading for the haystack!  Today was  a busy day and a good day!

AMY, I like the idea of coconut and orange zest in oatmeal cookies.  Do we have the recipe?

Good night Everyfriend!  I wish you all a peaceful night's sleep and a happy tomorrow.  And may God bless us, every one!

As the smoke clears, and quiet returns, it is time to call it a day.

It has been a Fantastic 4th of July, my neighbors shot off some fireworks so I could watch from my window (I explained my love for fireworks) and brought me the most wonderful dessert that the Mom made, my daughter is asking for the recipe. And now we are having the rain everything needs so badly. I am up & down every 2-3 hours so don't miss out on a lot. My world is as perfect as it can be and I wish for all of you the same joy to the end of your days. God Bless, love y'all. Thanks for understanding about no phone calls.  Tisie/Shirley

Shirley, I sent you a PM!

Good Morning Everyfriend!  I had a good day yesterday, too!  Right now I'm having my breakfast and awaiting the arrival of mydaytime companion, Cooper.  He'll be here around 6:45!

Today will be a quieter one.  I do have an ear appt. at 1:30 but it's just a checkup and won't take long!

I wish you all a good day!  Make it your own in every way!

Good morning...

Another hot day in the making. Not going to complain as we did have a long winter!

Taking Kyle to pick up more pine this morning then home to work about. I did start another quilt after tryin to find the right mix in fabric. I think that is the hardest part in getting a quilt ready.

Jane and Shirley,happy to read you both enjoyed your July 4th. Jane I will post the recipe for you. All it is ,is my oatmeal cookie recipe that needed
 something?? I used the zest from one orange, 2 cups of coconut in exchange for 2 cups of the 6 cups of oatmeal.Will post it in Whats for Dinner for you.

Patricia, how was your picnic?

Phyllis, how are you?

Lloyd, did you have a good July 4th?


Better get going..

Enjoy your day and stay safe.

Posted a photo in Photos Old and New of what was watching us this morning..wonder how many times we were being watched?

Jane, oatmeal cookie recipe is posted..

I'm still plugging along, Amy. Yesterday was quiet.  Too hot to go anywhere.  I made a good dinner for us.  Remembered the kidney bean salad from my mother and made a bowl of that alongside of some bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwiches and sliced fresh peaches from Papa Spuds. And icebox pickles and chips to go with. It was good. We had a few fireworks by the neighbors and watched  the children wave sparklers.  It was all over by the time the fireflies came out. Very enjoyable day.

So nice to hear from all here.

Good late afternoon, it's 2:40 here and I returned home just recently. My 11 am doctor's appointment was cancelled due to the doctor no longer practicing at the clinic. They said that they repeatedly called and left voice messages last month but for "some odd" happenstance, my phone showed no calls from their number, so that was a wasted trip.

My new one will be July 20th. This was supposed to have been not only my annual checkup but to talk about and schedule my floater and cataract surgery. If it wasn't for covid closing so many ophthalmologists' clinics, I'd go elsewhere.

Another hour was fruitlessly going to five separate mall anchor stores to look for my missing eyeglasses. They are all situated on both sides of the highway bus stop where I discovered them missing. I was surprised to see that each store had a number of black, prescription, eyewear in their lost and found, just not mine.

I did manage to pick up a two-piece set of smaller fry pans I've had on my list forever and a new Hoover, pet vacuum.  After two stick vacuums lasting less than two years each, I found an XL size bagless one that says it's made for pet owners so we shall see. I also returned some sandals and picked up a few listed items that I forgot on Tuesday.  So, it was a busy morning spent doing errands.

Amy, my picnic was enjoyable, lots of good food and good company. I was surprised to hear about so many having had cataract surgery and good experiences from that. We had buffalo burgers, moose hotdogs, hot coffee, iced tea, different types of sodas and many, many dishes, macaroni salads, potato salads, and green salads. And a good number of desserts.

Mine seemed to be a hit even if I thought I had lettuce, but it turned out to be a small green cabbage that I went and chopped anyway. I believe it was the small hunks of gouda I added rather than the other veggies that made it a hit with the guys. The various macaroni and potato salads disappeared fast as did the various baked beans.

There were about twenty to thirty people coming and going, with seniors, kids, grandkids, and family friends so lots of good conversation, good food, and good times.

Amy, just for information, what do you put on your "tomato sandwiches"?  If I'm just going with the tomato, I use some mayo.  I make a BLT without lettuce, as I can't chew it well. 

I'm not Amy, but I find a slice or two of American Cheese goes well with a tomato sandwich. If available I might toss in some bacon.

I'm not AMY either but my BLT doesn't have lettuce either since I can't chew it since the surgery on my cheek.  And instead of the bacon, I sometimes put in a slice or two of lunch meat.  In this area it's Lebanon Bologna.  That's been my favorite lunch meat most of my life.  And a slice of cheese goes well.


AMY, I'm all set up to do the cookies in the morning.  I have everything measured but I'm about a quarter cup short of brown sugar so I'm filling in with white sugar.  I thought that would work ok since the recipe already has white sugar in it.  My mouth is watering already!

PATRICIA, your gathering sounds like it was fun!  Nice to have so many friends all together in one place.  Sorry you didn't find your glasses!

BUBBLE, your flowers are gorgeous!  They must draw your attention away from the computer a lot during your day!  You don't just have a green thumb!  Your whole hand and half your arm must be green, too!

I'm headng for the haystack since tomorrow is an early one.  Cooper will be arriving about 6:45 ready for his breakfast and his first walk of the day.  I wish you all a peaceful night's sleep and a happy tomorrow.  God bless.

Hmmm...tomato sandwiches are best on thick brown bread with seeds, green homemade crunchy relish, and a nice slice of sweet white onion!

Good morning...

Another day to stay inside, not because of smoke but the heat.Thankfully we have not been bothered by the smoke lately. I was talking with David and he said we stay inside all winter waiting on summer, then stay inside because of the heat.

Van goes in this morning for a new starter!! I do hope that is the problem ,if not we have narrowed the causes of it not always starting.

Tome, I like my tomato sandwich madewith a tomato fresh picked,still warm from the sun on toasted whole wheat with mayo not miracle whip, bacon or a nice slice of smoked ham with iceburg lettuce.Pepper and garlic sprinkled on top. Try a peanutbutter and tomato sandwich,they are also good.

Jane, you should be fine, sometimes I do not put all the sugar in as they are a sweet cookie (to me)

Patricia, your sandwich sounds good, I also like green hommade relish, not a fan of store bought! That was a good gathering of friends, lots of food also. Nice to catch up up what others have been doing and just enjoy the day.

Better get going..

Enjoy your day and stay safe.

Good Morning Everyfriend!  Morning has arrived and so has Cooper!  He's had his breakfast and is waiting for his walk.  That's next on the agenda.  And when we get back from the walk, the cookies get under way! 

Later today is the hearing appt that I can't seem to pin down to the right day.  But I checked the calendar this time and it says today at 1:30 and so did my driver!

I hope you all have a great day...better than yesterday but not as good as tomorrow!

Jane, it is easy to make your own brown sugar.  Just add a spoon full of molasses to white sugar and mix it together.  You can make it  as light  or as dark as you like and only as much as you need. AND, it won't sit in the  pantry and  clump. 

I  use an immersion blender and make my own mayo for tomato sandwiches.  A regular  blender  would work just as well.  And,  you can season it to your  preference.

Take care.

OKAY, PHYLLIS, I think I heard that about the brown sugar before but I've never done it.  This time I made a note of it!

AMY, there was one thing you neglected to tell me about the cookies.... The recipe makes about a thousand cookies!  If I ever get rid of all these cookies and make them again, it will be a half recipe! 

Also, there are about a hundred cookies in the Soda Shoppe.  Please have some with your coffee today!  Incidentally, I've already eaten 10 and a half.  Cooper had the other half!

Back from getting a starter installed, took longer than anticipated  but it is in and I do hope that ends my problems.

Jane,   I always double or triple a cookie recipe. There is a cookie monster in this house along with 2 or 3 if you count me helpers. Can't have a glass of milk, cup of tea with a cookie or 4.    Glad you enjoyed them. I take the zest from the orange and then give the rest of the orange to Kyle to eat.

Our 4th of July celebration was very enjoyable as well.  The weather cooperated for the most part however we were run out of the pool area twice due to lightning.  Son Mark with our youngest grands did not stay as long as planned as 4 year old Jonah had some allergy and his poor little eyes swelled up very quickly and looked awful. He has been around the dogs...played on grass, etc. forever so not sure what caused this. Dave's dogs are both "doodles" so super hypoallergenic🤷  The little kiddos of Dave's friend and the grands were have a great time playing together.  Nana was a HAPPY lady.

All of your picnics sounded very nice.  The food at your get together, PATRICIA, sounded wonderful.

PATRICIA, what a waste of time for you going to a schedule doctors appointment only to find out your doctor doesn't practice any longer🤷 I love when they tell you the have left numerous messages for you and you have NOTHING😡😡 I am still reeling from the fact that my neck surgeons office told me on the phone I was scheduled for surgery on the 5th of July and I never heard another word from them🤷 Sorry you have lost your glasses😩

AMY, your cookies are delicious and I really enjoyed them with my cup of coffee this morning ❣️ Thank you🥰 Sorry the van had to go in the shop for a new starter‼️ Sometimes you feel like car repairs can nickel and dime you to death....but it isn't Nicole and dimes these days, is it?

PHYLLIS, your and David's 4th of July meal sure sounded good to me.  Our fireworks were all canceled due to the weather but many individuals did more than we needed to hear anyway.  We watched the Fourth Festivities on the TV.  NOT as enjoyable as past ones as we do not know ANY of the performers these days and do not care for their music😩

HEY RADIOMAN....good to see your post‼️

Yesterday we went to the Denver Botanical Gardens.  It was very enjoyable however quite cool so we needed a jacket.  Our favorite thing to see were the water lilys......they were ALL blooming and were gorgeous ‼️

It appears our weekly concert is going to be rained out again tonight....think we are going to try a Wednesday night jazz one next week🤷�♀️

I must run....the dryer is "singing" to me.

Have a wonderful day EVERYFRIEND ‼️

Well, it's been another busy day!  Cookie baking in the morning, then a ear dr. appt. then some cleaning and cooking and walking in the afternoon. 

The ear dr. cleaned out the inside of my hearing aids and I can hear much better!

JENNY, it sounds like you had a nice holiday even if you didn't like the music!  It's so much fun to be around the little ones, isn't it.

I have to get some sleep now.  A friend is picking me up at 7:30 tomorrow to go pick black and red raspberries.  The black ones are my favorites!  I wish you all a peaceful night's sleep and a happy tomorrow.  God bless us, every one!

Good morning..

Another warm one, good day to stay inside. Will go get more lumber then home to work

Jane, your cookies are good!! Wonder if we also put craisins in them??
Have fun picking berries.

Jenny, I do hope this solves the problem of not starting sometimes.  I need  a  reliable vehicle . This new music is not music to me, just a lot of screaming and noise.

Time is moving faster than I am..

Enjoy your day and stay safe.

Hello AMY and anyone else who decides to show face by writing in here!  I didn't sleep too well last night and I was up at 5 a.m. But I was ready to go when Shirley and her daughter and granddaughter showed up.  We were all finished at the same time.  They picked for three (two families) and I picked for one!  Well, if you looked at all the berries I brought home, you'd think I was picking for 5...maybe 6.  But they are so good!  And this place has a saying for the pickers "one for the bucket, two for your mouth!"  So I had a nice breakfast add on! 

Right now they are sitting in a bowl of sugar, lemon juice and water for two hours.  Then I'm making and canning black raspberry syrup for the first time in my life.  It sounded good and I thought of about 10 ways to use the syrup.  Wish me luck!

When I got home, I took the Cooper-snoop for a walk, loved him up, washed the berries, had lunch, read the paper and then took a nap!  I feel better and I'm ready to go!

AMY, I hope your vehicle keeps moving now that something else got fixed!  I think I might be glad I don't have a vehicle to worry about any more!

Enjoy the rest of your day.  I'll probably check in before I go to bed!

Syrup is out of the canner and cooling!  I have 8 half-pint jars and I've heard 7 pops.  I'm hoping the last one popped when I was out of the kitchen putting things away.  Not coming in here again tonight.  I'm tired and heading for the haystack early!  Sleep well!

Been a busy day here as well but not as busy as  today Jane!!  I like the  one for the bucket,two for the mouth rule.    Should the last jar not seal, just think how good it would be on vanilla ice cream1
 
I do hope the new starter solves the problem with the vehicle. Playing Russian roulette every time I start the vehicle is hard on the nerves!

Saying goodnight...

Good Morning, AMY and anyone else who shows!  I slept like the dead last night!  I think I was really worn out.  But I'm ready for today!  The raspberry syrup is all sealed, labeled and ready to spend some time on the shelf.

I wish you all a good day today!  I can't ask for better than yesterday because it was the BEST for a while!  Enjoy whatever comes your way!

Good morning..

Much nicer weather here now, humidity has gone, for now. Interesting  to hear the changing of the wake up calls. Used to be crow making a racket but now a robin has taken over the duty ,then along comes the crow of the rooster in the mornings now. I don't mind listening to them but wish they would whisper at times.

Enjoy your day and stay safe.