"Silence and solitude, the soul's best friends" - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow -

Thursday, March 6, 2025

Few pics of beach, food and flowers

A Saturday in February we took a ride to Colonial Beach because the weather was nice and a walk on the beach was even better.

The water was so still.  Looked like glass.

Here in the town with a right at the stop sign and we're there.






This past Friday I had lunch with my sister at Three Crosses Distilling Company near where she lives.

Delicious lunch

I love Reuban sandwiches but not in mood for a lot of bread so we both ordered Reuban in a bowl on mashed potatoes.  So good!

Here is the order off of the menu we had

So much food.  The corned beef was plentiful rolled like it was.  Melted cheese on top.  We had our thousand island dressing on the side. 


Flowers on our table



After that some shopping.  I purchased this adorable bar of soap along with some faux flowers



I have been in the mood for more soup lately, so I made this week tuna sandwich and roasted red pepper soup.  I didn't remove the skins after roasting I pureed with them on for extra flavor.  I roasted onions and a garlic clove along with them and then again, I pureed everything together. Addition of heavy cream made it taste even better with some butter. 

Fresh cauliflower steamed with a little onion and vegetable broth.  Chicken broth is good too.  I made it thicker this time.  If I had celery, I would have steamed that too and added to blender to cream everything together. Heavy cream addition after blending made it so good. 
I added some sharp cheese and bacon


Another bowl for husband
Make it as thick or as thin as you like it. 

 A puzzle my daughter in law Miranda gave me for Christmas
I must say this one was challenging
A round wooden puzzle and each piece was different. Some were even bird shapes and animal shapes.
I finished and now to figure out how to frame it or display it. 



Love this arrangement of flowers placed in Candelabra at the gift shop where I purchased the Bunny soap

Flowers I rec'd for anniversary on February 5th
have dried so pretty in the vase. 

The buds went from this

to this
and this

Sometimes I just place the buds in a basket or bowl and sprinkle some rose oil on them to scent

Bye for now

Friday, February 14, 2025

Happy St. Valentines Day


I went out earlier and got Steve his favorite donuts from Dunkin Donuts.  He likes lemon filled the best.   I got him a variety.
 
Candies for the girls along with a stuffed adopt a pet animal.
Adalyn's Panda
Genevieve's Cock a poo
Some small chocolates

Last night Genevieve made valentines for her class.  She loves stuffing the cards with candy treats. 



Husband went out and is getting me flowers I know.  I will show those later.

Tuesday, February 11, 2025

More sleet and snow today.

 Calling for at least 6 inches.  I am glad to get some more.  I like a good snow.

FEBRUARY 11 - MARCH 27

TUE2/11

36° /31°
99%
Colder with snow mixing with sleet, accumulating 3-6 inches; rapidly deteriorating road conditions; expect slow and slippery travel

RealFeel®35°

RealFeel Shade™35°

Max UV Index1 Low

WindE 4 mph

Last Wednesdays roses I took a picture of today, still so pretty and fresh looking.   Husband got them for me for our anniversary.



He also surprised me with a necklace that was handcrafted by fine artisan in Gordonsville Va. 
Raindrops in Virginia 

A firefly necklace also handcrafted I want to share that I received last Christmas. Unique.   I love this piece because

it glows in the dark
Not the best pic, but I took this in the dark and you can see how the center glows in the late evening or in low lights

I was sent a sample of their scents they make there also. I may order this one. 



I made from scratch chocolate chip muffins.  Just winging the mix.  couple cups flour I mixed in confectioners' sugar instead of granulated to mix.  I like how it gently sweetens it. Oil, half n half mixed with teaspoon vinegar. baking powder, baking soda, I use what I need according to how many cups of flour I use.   Couple eggs.  I ran out of vanilla, so I used butter extract. Semi sweet chips.  I place in fridge for an hour or so then I cut maybe 4 by 4 sheets of parchment paper slit on each corner about inch and a half and put into muffin tin.  I ran out of cake liners, and I find this works even better.  Into 350 oven for about 18 min. for me.  I watch as I just want the bottoms very light brown, and they were. I like my baked goods just baked lightly.  I think refrigerating batter made it better to rise higher. Makes them more like a muffin and not a cup cake. 


I generously dusted although it looks like I did a lot more than that with confectioners sugar on top while hot.  It melts some and the rest fall off on my clothes and face when I eat them anyway. Yum!


On the porch it's chilly as we have jalousie windows, but the mini split makes it just right for sitting and checking out a few magazines.   

This little heater creates a warm and fuzzy mood 

My husband's motto hangs over top
I love snow and glad to be getting some.

Last but not least a few thrift store finds.  
a dollar a piece.  

I am always buying vintage silver

Well back to this



bye   ⛄❆🏂