Good Morning Everyfriend and a special Good Morning to those who are up and attem already.  We woke up a bit late this morning so are still waiting for the boinger for breakfast. 

My first tomato off the vine is sitting on my kitchen counter.  Frankie and I are going to share it for lunch.  We're just going to cut it up and put a little salt and pepper on it and savor the taste!  I can hardly wait!

I think I'll make a quick trip to my favorite Amish Roadside Stand sometime today.  I bet he has beans and I can get a head start on that job.  Maybe I can pick up a couple of potatoes for baking, too.  And he always surprises me with something I don't expect.

It's kind of nice to have my car back.  I know I'm never going to make long trips again but I like the short ones.  Our temps are only supposed to reach the low to mid 80s today and that's just fine with me!

Guess I better get this day started!  I wish you all a lovely day!  Make it your own in every way!  And don't forget to share it with all your friends in the Soda Shoppe!

Amy, I remember those days when the doors were never locked and keys left in Mom's car that stayed on the street, "in case anyone needed to use it". Dad's car was in the garage because he needed it for work and picked up the whole car load that worked for him. Times were good and people were honest.

A wonderful 65° with high in the low 80s. I would prefer low 70s but that will come later. Just when we think we can't stand the heat here comes a break that let's us know, better days ahead!

I get my new phone & internet this morning so am excited and a little uneasy, I do hate changes. Think positive, Shirley.... Tom has eaten & here's Tiger waiting for hers. Callie hasn't come in yet so better get moving. My order from Amazon is "Out for Delivery" so almost like Christmas in Kansas!  Have a great day, Every Friend!

Oh, Jane, my mouth is watering...I will go to the Farmer's Market on Sat in hopes of one stand selling real home grown tomatoes! I've had a couple bacon & tomato sandwiches lately but "on the vine" tomatoes not the same as grown in the ground ones! I did try something new to me, instead of frying strips of bacon I bought the thick sliced Wright's & cut off slivers of the whole package on the end, fries up fast & even and when sprinkled over the tomatoes you get the flavor without pulling a whole strip off with the first bite. I'm pleased with myself. For a couple years I was buying the bacon bites pre cooked that way & decided to make my own & it works!

Cloudy and, I'm thankful to say, a little cooler this morning.  We are just waiting on the storm and hoping it won't amount to much. They are predicting it to regenerate to a Cat. 1 hurricane and it is coming closer to where I live.  3 to 6 inches of rain, flooding, and high winds during the night tonight.  It will be what it will be but my fingers and toes are crossed.

Laundry day today.....life goes on.

Take care.

Good morning everyone, I know I was a no show yesterday but had early company. I was all set to sit here when my phone rang, my grandson asking if I was busy, never when he calls of course. He was comig over with his son, my now 5 year  old greatgrand.. Had to rush and get dressed. Did manage to have 1 cup of coffee. Of course it was a day I slept late and just taking my time like I do most mornings. His wife  was off for a "girls day" and he took advantage of it. H had made some zucchini bread and brought me a whole loaf of it. Yummy. He likes to cook and even bakes pies and makes the piecrust, too, even a lattice top, something I never could do. My little one was shy at first, at his home he is never shy. I did get some good hugs from him though. Before long he was his usual chatterbox.

CALLIE  I think we who can only have Cox all have problems with them at times. I know f I could I would get a different carrier.

JENNY  the only pickles I buy are Vlassic and they have a crunch, not soggy at all. Hope the ones Yvette and I made are crisp.

SHIRLEY  like you I like Grit and the Me channels, watch few others but mostly local ones.

AMY  you a day or even a few hours of doing nothing? Have to see it to believe it.

JANE  seems to me for years driving home from work was always into the sun. Of course in winter it was almost dark driving home so it was into headlights.

AMY I have 2 frozen cooked chickens in the freezer, just have to finish eating some other things first.

JANE  I hope you thought of all us tomato lovers when you took that first bite from the tomato. Still no local ones here yet.

LLOYD  sun is shining here and the sky is blue so it will be another hot day with the AC running.

AMY  I remember as a youngster waking in the morning to see some family members there sleeping so many in a bed or on the floor. Never found a locked door in those days.  These days we keep doors locked all the time even when we are home.

PHYLLIS  we can use that rain but the wind can stay out to sea.


Have a good day and stay safe.

You are right, Gloria, evem when home the doors are locked! How sad is that???  I'm on AT&T now, so fast & all but one thing taken care of, need to download their app or something & son is coming back to take care of that. I am relieved but still have to call Cox to pick up their modem or router. Thank goodness Andy was here as many unexpected problems that he helped solve. Take a deep breath, Shirley....

Now to get many things done, turn off lights all over the basement & lock gates out back (had to get to power lines beyond my fence)... eat lunch??? guess it's gonna be another "Lupper" day. 'Scuse moi.... little crazy around here but I am SO happy to end this Cox nightmare!!!!!        

Phyliss, hope that awful tropical storm does not get to where you are.  Do you all evacuate when these come?  Take care.  Will be thinking of you.

Time to hit the hay!  It's been a busy day today and tomorrow will be even busier.  I got the rest of the green beans I needed from my favorite farm stand so tomorrow is "can the beans day".   I've always done green beans in a pressure canner because they took so long to do in waterbath but I ran across a process for doing them in waterbath that only takes 30 minutes and it's supposed to be as good as doing them in pressure.  So I'm trying it tomorrow.

I hope the hurricane doesn't do any damage to any of you and the you only get the rain you need and not too much and none of the wind that usually goes with it.

I'm heading for Dreamland and I wish you all a peaceful night's sleep filled with happy dreams.  I also wish you a happy, healthy tomorrow.  And may God bless us, every one!

well I am slow again tonight,but here I am checking in to check out for today' we went down to a Amish friends and bought some produce. then to the Amish store. Nancy bought some canning Lids but you can not buy flats and rings separate any more the are made in one pace ring and flat together. is 67º and clear here now High was  77º today. shot and to bed for me good night and sweet dreams.

Lloyd

good morning everyone.from here it looks Like i was last to sign out and am first here this AM. I wish you all a good day. will check in again later.

Lloyd

Good morning everyone, supposed to have some rain this morning and again this afternoon. We shall see how right the weather guessers are  this time.  Yesterday every forecast had this storm coming up the coast had us to the left of it and then next one you hear we will be to the right of it. heck it could come right over us, who knows where mother nature has a mind for it to go.

SHIRLEY  good for you getting rid of Cox. Sure wish I could. All the building in the state have Cox and cannot change.Even have to have our phones from them except for cell phones.

JANE  I onle canned green beans once and that was in the water bath for 3 hours. T o me la ter I could not eat  them, they seemed so over cooked. Good luck with that 30 minute water bath.

LLOYD  can st ill buy canning lids here without the rings. Have not  changed  that  here yet or maybe they had tem in stock and getting rid of them? 

Have a good day and stay safe.

Good morning everyone, supposed to have some rain this morning and again this afternoon. We shall see how right the weather guessers are  this time.  Yesterday every forecast had this storm coming up the coast had us to the left of it and then next one you hear we will be to the right of it. heck it could come right over us, who knows where mother nature has a mind for it to go.

SHIRLEY  good for you getting rid of Cox. Sure wish I could. All the building in the state have Cox and cannot change.Even have to have our phones from them except for cell phones.

JANE  I onle canned green beans once and that was in the water bath for 3 hours. T o me la ter I could not eat  them, they seemed so over cooked. Good luck with that 30 minute water bath.

LLOYD  can st ill buy canning lids here without the rings. Have not  changed  that  here yet or maybe they had tem in stock and getting rid of them? 

Have a good day and stay safe.

Good morning everyone...

Gentle rain falling here and it would be nice if it kept up all day. Today will take Kyle to the foot clinic then home to do some cleaning. May do a pot of pickles, will see how time goes.

Jane, I have to giggle at the pumpkins, not only are they taking over the garden but they are also saying hello to the neighbour too! Up and over the fence ,they are ramblers  Have fun canning today.

Shirley, nice when  you have a service you can rely on..seems most just want to take your money without helping when you have a problem.

Gloria, what a fun time you had with your grands....nice of him to bring you the zucchini bread , but I do think the best
 are the hugs!

Phyllis, prayers heading your way that the hurricane peters out and all you get is a little wind and rain.

I did try the chicken and mushroom's in the IP and it did turn out yummy...I made a few changes of thing I had and didn't have and would do it again. I did thicken the gravy a bit more than what they did, personal preference. Was very tasty!

https://www.dinneratthezoo.com/instant-pot-chicken-with-mushrooms/

Better get ready for the day.

Enjoy your day everyone and stay safe..

Just a quick check in this morning.  Everything is set up for the bean canning and as soon as the boinger goes and Mickie is fed and I'm fed, the beans will be off and "canning". 

We had rain most of the night and it's supposed to continue all day.  I wonder if the the tail end of the storm?  It's ok with me because it's gentle and soaking.  I can almost hear the grass slurping it up!

AMY, nice of you to share the pumpkins with your neighbors.  I hope they appreciate it!  Amazing how the vines took off!  I sure hope you have pumpkins to show for it!

I better get on my horse and get moving.  I think it be almost time for breakfast.  Enjoy your day, Everyfriend.  Make it your own in every way!  And don't forget to share it with your friends in the Soda Shoppe!

Bright and sunny this morning.  It is always beautiful after a hurricane.  We had a lot of rain, some strong wind, and flooding.  One tornado that I have heard of and one confirmed death.  We are ok here but a little waterlogged.  I woke up about 2 a.m. and the rain was hitting the windows hard and the trees were blowing around quite a bit but I decided I couldn't do anything about it so went back to sleep.  Some leaves and debris down in the yard but not too bad.  The saving grace is that it moved through fast.  We were lucky.  The Outer Banks got hit harder than we did but that is what usually happens.

I think it will miss you, Gloria, and go further inland ... up through New York.  I hope so.

I made Lentil Soup in the IP yesterday afternoon.  Just took a quick notion around 3 o'clock that I would like some soup.  Just dumped it all in the pot, turned it on and walked away.  It was all ready in about 30 min. and stayed on Warm until dinner time.  It was so easy and so good.  Just as good as if it had simmered all day long.  I love the Instant Pot!

Take care, All.

Thank you Michael for getting us up and running again.  We really appreciate all you do for us.
Thank you..

Just stopped in to see if we were back on and here we are!  The beans are all canned and sitting on the dining room table accepting the admiration of anyone who passes by. (so far. only me) but they're happy with that.  I'm VERY appreciative now and even more so when I eat them.

I'm so glad the storm didn't do anyone any real damage.  My grass is happy for the rain.  It rained here most of the day but not stormy!

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

well checking in to bid you all good night and sweet dreams. we had a stopped up kitchen sink drain. sure gave me a fit,grand son got home and helped me get blew out and running again.Hope to see you all tomorrow and in good health and spirits.

Lloyd

Yes, thank you so much, Michael for getting our homeplace back up!  I was really having a fit when I couldn't get in.  I thought, "it's bad enough being this isolated, now S&F is down" and I'm without my virtual friends.  Hugs to You.

Day is done and so am I. My tongue is hanging out. Won't go into the long list of "to dos" and almost as long a list of "didn't dos". Was surprised that Walmart was out of the rubber gaskets you put in the end of hoses and also out of bagworm killer... So off to Ace Hardware tomorrow.
*******
Guess what?  Phone rang & I didn't close down the computer (it went to sleep). I woke up too early to get up with a cat laying on my arm scratching. She was ready to start her day so I let her out. Had the screen door open to nice, cool air so came to the kitchen to see if I wanted to start my day. Fitbit wouldn't talk to be yesterday to let me know how much sleep I had the night before so came to the computer to see if I needed to catch more zzzzzzzzzzzs or get dressed. That's when I discovered I left things undone last night.

Fitbit says I got 4 hours & 56 min sleep last night. Think I will go back to bed & if I don't go right to sleep, get up & attem. Wishing all a Wonderful Wednesday! Checked weather & we head back into the upper 90s starting this week end. Yuck!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good morning everyone...

We had a rain during the night and everything is  smelling fresh this morning. I threw a cob of corn out and can hear the crows discussing who is going to eat it. Baby crow is sure making a fuss about it..I think ma and pa are holding back so the young can pick at it.Just went and peeked and two babies are there with the parents.

Into finishing off the pickles this morning after taking Kyle to the lumber store. We still can't get the boards he needs but he does need other supplies. 

Shirley, I started to hum day is done, gone the sun. We are finding a lot of items are out of stock and one if you can find it ,grab it is Lysol wipes. We are also headed back to warmer weather, not impressed with that . Right now it is 57° and I have the doors and windows open.

Phyllis, care to share the recipe on the lentil soup. I also love my IP...makes life a lot easier and cooking in summer less hot in here!

Better scoot..

Enjoy your day everyone.. stay safe.

Good morning, Amy, and to all who follow.

Just checking in as I have not been here for a couple days.  Yesterday was a kind of lazy day.  Fortunately, our area did not get much of the hurricane.  It mostly came up the coast and Ocean City and the area around there got a lot of damage.  Some roofs blown off and big trees down.  There were a lot of tornado warnings all morning long.  We got some hard rain for just a little while, and the wind was not that bad.  I think most of it went inland and up through New York into Canada.

I am thinking about making a lemon meringue pie today.  Just hungry for something different.  Will just use lemon pudding mix...... not from scratch. But, it will be good.

I am just trying to forget about all the virus mess for a little bit. It is really starting to get to me.  And, I am afraid it will be around for a long time.

Have a good day and stay well !!!

Joy

Good Morning Everyfriend!  It's a nice cool day following the rain and I'm loving it!  The doors and windows are open and the cool air is coming in.  Last night, I slept with the windows open and it was great!

Today, I'm making a batch of fudge.  I made this fudge once before and it make a slue of it!  I had so much that I was offering it to everyone who came by.  Christy was up from Maryland and she turned it down for herself but noted that she knew where to get rid of it if I wanted her to help me out.  She works in a company tat used to be Dunbar and was a cash collection agency  It's since been bought out by Brinks.  Besides the cleaning company, she's the only woman in the office of 6 people.  Plus there are numerous drivers and warehouse people who are all men.  She took all my leftover Christmas candy and they loved it  Then she took all the extra fudge and they made short work of it.  They keep asking her when she's going to visit her Mom again because the candy boxes are empty.  So I've acquired a new job and some long distance "friends". 

I better get my day going.  I have a new recipe I want to make for supper so the fudge is a morning activity.  I hope you all have a great day.  Make it your own in every way!  And don't forget to share it on the Soda Shoppe!

For Amy: The Very Best Lentil Soup

This smells wonderful while it is cooking.  The secret to this great soup is the wine vinegar.  Don't forget to add it!

6 servings

1 16 oz. package, about 2 1/2 cups, dry lentils (do not need to be soaked)
6-8 cups water
1/2 pound diced, light kielbasa
3/4 cup sliced celery
1/3 cup sliced carrots
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, optional
2 teaspoons salt
3/4 teaspoon  oregano leaves
1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon pepper
1 chopped medium onion
1 clove minced garlic
2 cups, or 1-16 oz. can, undrained, cut-up tomatoes
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar

For Instant Pot: Soften chopped vegs. and kielbasa in 1 T. oil in IP. Add lentils and rest of ingredients, except wine vinegar. Select Soup Button and I set for 20 min.  Do a slow release until pressure is reduced.  Open pot and add water, if needed, to adjust to desired thickness of soup.  Add wine vinegar and simmer on Saute for 15-30 minutes to blend flavors.  I serve with crusty bread and some good cheese. 

My apologies to those of you who don't care to have recipes posted here.  It just makes it easier for those who do want them and if you aren't interested just skip on by, please.

I didn't know that S&F was down yesterday.  My Internet was out all day!  I spent a LOT of time reading.  Glad we are all back together again.

Foggy, humid, with thunderstorms predicted here.  The weather is back to summertime normal.

Glad the storm missed you, Joy.  Hope it missed Gloria, too. 

Take care, All.

Lids are a popping on the counter on 16 pints of pickles. I am glad that the weather is a lot cooler for this type of work.

Phyllis, thank you for the recipe. I will pick up the wine vinegar next time I am in town and make this.  We love soup, anytime of the year.

Joy, happy to "see" you.

Better get my mess cleaned up.......can't blame anyone but me

A good Wednesday HELLO to EVERYFRIEND 🦋

I tried to get in a couple of times to post yesterday, but found the site was down.

AMY, I am imagining the sound of those lids a popping from way back when my mama would do canning.  Sad to say this, but I have never canned anything on my own.  😩. I sure hope the lumber yard has some wood for Kyle to buy today.  Finding disinfectant wipes is nearly impossible around here!

Yesterday Michele had her MRI, so we are holding good positive thoughts and saying prayers that her report will Clear🙏🙏🙏 A couple of friends had a small gathering of families to celebrate her NOT having to go to chemo today🥰🥰.

Yesterday we took a drive to pick up a free Colorado State Park Pass for the month of August that is given to veterans.  One of our large reservoirs is close to where we were so we drove in and enjoyed the views. 

I need a haircut again and as usual I keep putting it off, but when I go I feel so much better!  Hope to do that today.

PHYLLIS, I have copied your recipe and hope to try it soon.  Thank you for sharing. 

Joy, good to see your post.  We have been watching the coverage of the storm. Happy you did not have too much damage, but so sad for those that did.

JANE, I have not made fudge in so many years.  I can not eat it and Bob doesn't really want to, so not much need to make it.  I know you will enjoy yours and many others too, as you always share.

SHIRLEY, I hope you can take it a bit easier today! 

Enjoy the rest of your day.

Jenny

good afternoon everyone. as usual I fell asleep on the couch watching a movie.
Nancy went to the doctor to get a calase removed from her foot, lot of pain for her to walk on it. Hope they do a good job this time. they never done a good job last time. did not fix it. see you all later.

Lloyd

Busy day today and I'm tired and ready to hit the sack!  I wish you all a peaceful night's sleep and a happy, healthy tomorrow. And may God bless us, every one!

well I do not see much activate in S & F today I was last post at 02:54:36 pm today. hope all is well with you all. some bad luck here today, Nancy was driving the car back in the garage and the lucky dog ran in front of the car on the blind side of the car. and Nancy ran over her and killed her. we both are hurting But of course she is hurting worse. we have had her 12 years and she was at least 2 years old when she came here,she was dumped at our Mail box. she would follow Nancy to the house and then go back to Mail box for over a week until Nancy got soft hearted and fed her, she was our dog from that day on. she was a black Lab,loved the water jump in water and take a swim even in the sanitarian lagoon. well I bid you all good night and sweet dreams.

Lloyd

I'm running late but wanted to send Nancy a sympathy note, Lloyd. I'm sure she is sad tonight, give her an extra hug for me. Bad enough when our fur friends just die but so much worse when we feel a little responsible. Like I still feel for letting old LaurenKat out of the RV when we were camping in Colorado. It shouldn't have happened but it did. She was 18 years old and that is old for a feral cat, but I still feel bad that she was so scared when she died. Hugs to you both.

Sweet dreams to all and hope tomorrow is a beautiful day in your world!  Shirley

Good morning everyone finally back online. We haed some strong wind gusts and some rain. I think the roof sprung a link because the ceiling in front of the door has a streak in it the  was not there on Tuesday. We did not lose power but Cox went out. I was on Skype with my daughter when it went out, got it back late yesterday. No PC and no TV or phone either. I sure was a bit bored. Glad I have the Kindal, at least I had something to read. Along the coast they had a lot of trees down but it didn't get here that bad. Since I had no Cox I did not know the site was down till I checked email last night. Will be great to chat with my daughter ths afternoon.

AMY  hugs from youngsters are always the best.

JANE  hope your green beans came out good. Today is the day we open the small jelly jar of pickles we made last Friday. Hope they are good.

SHIRLEY hope you start getting more sleep. If I got as little as you do I would sleep the day away.

JOY  like you I am tired of staying in this apartment. Would love to sit down stairs with others like we used to instead of staying in here.

PHYLLIS  glad you did not get damage. My DIL has an IP and used it once and did not like it. Like you my internet went out Tuesday afternoon and did notcome back till late yesterday.

LLOYD  I woke  too early so just might grab a hap on the couch soon. So sorry about Lucky. I can imagine how Nancy feels and you, too.

Have a good day and stay safe.