Carol, I like my asparagus steamed (it isn't really steaming this way) in a small amount of water and with the heat turned down, I let it cook for about five minutes.  I put it on a plate and put a small amount of butter on it and eat it right away.  It's tender and tasty that way.  I think Tom does it as you suggested but it isn't tasty.  Tom gets the small asparagus which shouldn't make a difference, but it doesn't have a good consistency or taste.  Actually, Tom does well with his cooking.

At 1 pm you wrote thanking me for posting the letter from Scott then later you said you could not find it.  Did your computer lose it?  Would you like me to copy what I have and send it to you?  There was only one.

Mary Ann

Peter, thanks for the clip about the Marlow area. We lived in a house named Highfields, on the Court end. The owner had divided the house into 3 houses, keeping one end for themselves. He divided that end into 5 flats, we had the attic flat. I think I posted a photo of it at one time. We were told it was the house where "the ex king met Wallis Simpson secretly". When we lived there the grounds were gorgeous & the houses near by were as large & beautiful as Highfields. The owner sold off the carriage house & a couple other buildings that were turned into very nice homes, I visited with one English lady that had a son a few months older than the little girl that we had in '56. (I went to England as a new bride in '54).

The house was on the road to Henley, which was 7 miles away. I looked for it on Google Earth but not sure I found the actual house, many many small houses built all over the grounds now. Some years ago a photographer that Pat Scott knew from Christian Photographers visited the area & allowed me to copy photos he took, but sadly, my skills of copying failed and I ended up with no photos at all to show my daughter that was born when we lived in that place. She was born at the base hospital in South Ruislip. One neat thing was that there was a tunnel dug behind the house that led to a church in High Wycombe where they held the "Black Masses"... the tunnel had been bombed during WWII so was sealed off, but the entrance was just behind the tower part of Highfields. That whole place is rented out, advertised online. The photos show many changes to the entrance in the back & at one time my husband located online, the various apartments/flats available for rent. I always thought we would go back someday to visit, but it did not happen.

Gloria, glad I could help you with the weight gain! Today I baked brownies with a lot of pecans & walnuts. Had a piece with ice cream while ago & gave up an inch around the middle, I'm sure. Shame, shame............    

Larry, thinking of you & hope you'll feel like talking one of these days. I went to pick up the RV today, got it's new roof on but they got the wrong part for the skylight over the shower so will have to drive back over next week & they said they could fix it while I wait. I think it showed nearly 60 miles round trip when I pulled back into the driveway & nearly ALL of the driving through the orange barrels & work zones. I'm sure you are rolling your eyes if you are reading this... some day I will slow down & maybe grow up, maybe. Hope Pat is feeling better, so good that Scott is near enough to lend a hand. We all feel like he is "our son" as well.  Hugs to all of you & thanks to Scott for keeping us posted.

It is getting dark, must give the cats their midnight snack so I can go have another dish of brownie & ice cream. Would love to share. 

Oh, Amy so sad you are starving that pup!    Any idea when he will quit growing?  I think it used to be said about 2.... You may have to add onto your house at this rate! 

Jane, I made a Walmart run today & came out with just a few dollars left of a $100 bill. Had to get chlorine tabs & bought some new floor mats for the RV... wasn't thinking & they really don't fit too good. They are made for a Ford truck & while this is built on a Ford chassis, that "shroud" around all the working parts between the front seats makes using regular mats impossible, or almost. Not sure they can be trimmed to fit, they are pretty thick. The ones I've been using are light weight & "scruff up" when I move my feet. The Rialta had custom made rubber mats but these are "custom made" carpet & I do get into rocky & muddy places sometimes & rather have some that could come out to be cleaned.

Nearly dark, better do what I'm gonna do. Sweet dreams to all. I am not getting enough sleep and now Fitbit won't even talk to me!  It will tell me my sleep if I sync to my cell phone but not on the computer or my wrist... it is pouting.

I always think I've had a pretty productive day until SHIRLEY reports in and then I feel like all I did was laze around and goof off!  I wish I had half her energy!

Good night Everyfriend!  I wish you a peaceful night and a good tomorrow!  And may God bless us, every one!

Here I am back again talking to myself!  I put you all to bed last night and now I'm getting you all up this morning!

I'll be off to Wally World this morning but that IP is sitting on the counter and I found a pyrex casserole that fits inside it.  It's a small one but I think it's big enough for the custard.  I'm going to try it...maybe today but for sure tomorrow.  I have all the stuff and I'm ready!

I hope you all have a good day and I hope LARRY does, too!  If anyone deserves God's attention, it's him!  But I'm sure God knows that!

It's going to be a hot one today with a high of 85!  Here goes the A/C again!  It was nice not to need it for a couple of days.

Happy Day to Everyfriend!

Good morning everyone..
Lovely day here ,didn't get the predicted rain for last night. Today is a catch up day after all my road running after we run the road into town to pay some bills. Managed to get some weeding done  last night.
I didn't get the yogurt made yesterday so today is the day!!

Jane you will love how easy it is to make the custard. Mine being in one bowl needed another 4 minutes to take the wiggle out of it. It does set up as it cools.

Hope everyone has an enjoyable day..

G'morning Shirley.A good one for you i hope, thanks for your comments, glad you enjoyed my 'Armchair Walks' i think this one might be the Caves/Tunnels you are thinking of ?, these once belonged to the Notorious Sir Francis Dashwood and his 'Monks of St Francis of Wycombe' , as they used to say back in the old 'B/W Horror Movies'days' best not vewied by people of a nervous disposition  !, hope it helps bring back memories for you, Cheers..

                                            ROLEY.  .
CLCK HERE....

Good morning.  I'm up but I'm not awake.  Grocery shopping yesterday wore me down and I slept too hard last night.  I don't want to wake up this morning.

I didn't use the IP yesterday because we had leftover Potato Soup that I had made in the pot a couple of days ago.  Along with the soup, we had homemade pickled cucumbers, onions, and yellow squash.  For a sweet, we had peach compote (also made in the IP).  And I didn't have to cook a thing....just reheat the soup.  It was good.  Soup is even better when it sits for a couple of days, isn't it?

Our few days of cooler temps is unfortunately over.  Supposed to be back warmer...90...today.That won't bother me since I don't plan to go out.  I MUST see if the vacuum cleaner still works and if it still remembers how to clean the floors! 

So good of Scott to let us know about his dad. I still have hope that Larry will come back to talk to us.

Take care, All.

Good morning every one, finally slept good. Sure makes a difference in how I feel. Warmer to start the day, already 74°  so looks like the cool days are over for now again. Was so nice sleeping without the AC and the window open  and fresh air coming in. Looks like this will be the last nice day because the heat and humidity are coming back, another heat wave starting Monday. Imagine 2 heat waves in July this year, other years the only time we see that is in August here.

JOY  I think my daughter would not like winters here anymore after living in San Diego for 42 years and now in Arizona for the last 3 years.

JANE  the last few days have been great. Enough with heat waves already!! I would love being in your kitchen with the wonderful aroma of your chili sauce simmering away.

SCOTT  thank you for the update about Larry. We all miss him and pray for him. He has helped so many of us here in S&F and the SS.

MARY ANN  thanks for sharing Scott's message.

CAROL  I am with President Trump. I that woman wanting OUR flag taken down and flying her country's flag put up, let her go back where she came from. I think all Americans feel that way so why are some of those democrats making such a big thing of what he said and no I am not a republican, I rather be an independent voter . I did get a good back massage yesterday. My CNA knows just how much pressure to use and my back always feels so much better for most of the day after.

JANE  you have a gremlin there getting into one of your loaf of Ice cream bread?

SHIRLEY  oh I would enjoy the brownies you baked. I like nuts in them, without the huts they lack something as far as I'm concerned. I did have a dish of ice cream last night, so nice and creamy.

AMY  hope you can enjoy a day staying home. Willy Nelson's song On the Road Again has nothing on ho often you are on the road.

PHYLLIS  every time I go any place I am worn out for a few days.

HAVE A GOOD DAY.

Oh, my goodness, Peter, I had no idea the cave was that large. We were told that "it ran between that entrance behind the house named Highfields in Marlow (on the Henley Road), to High Wycombe. I will see if I can find out who opened the caves up for the public. That looked like stone lined walls in most areas, such a lot of work to build. I know it isn't a very nice subject with the "goings on" that took place, but so interesting!  Can't thank you enough, I did not know there was a name for the tunnels but I bookmarked to send the link to my kids, they've heard me tell about the story. The entrance near the house was sealed off completely so never a look inside. We were there when gasoline was still rationed (1954-57) so did not do a lot of exploring, I walked to town nearly every day because my husband needed the car (and gas) to go to the base.

The base was mostly under ground and it joined the "Wycombe Abbey" for girls. One time the base was put on alert so the Air Police patroled the outer permitter, which put them on Abbey property & Headmistress up in arms to protect her girls. My husband was in the Air Police so was interested in being able to see what was on the other side of the fence. Thank you so much for finding that link. I couldn't see quick enough when it showed the diagram of the caves, if it had been opened over to Marlow, but will watch again (and again).

Gloria, I am so angry that anyone born in America would allow someone to take down OUR flag & put one up of another country, it doesn't even come down to politics.... but pride in this "melting pot", as our teachers always described us. I am not a French American or an English American... as 23 & me tells me... but just an American. Nobody is forcing anyone to live here, the gates are open to leave. The limits of people entering were a protection so that WE would not become slaves to have to provide for the masses, that diseases were not carried across the borders and terrorists kept out. All of our ancestors came through after being checked out, supposed to be able to provide for themselves and not become a life long welfare family. Like you, I am an independent voter but not Independent as a party. I have registered both parties in order to vote in primaries, but I do have friends that are so biased they would vote their party even if it was proven the candidate had absolutely no morals and willing to "sell their soul" for their own greed.

This is not a political discussion and I am not stating MY preference for any party, just defending pride in MY country. No other country would allow people to cross their borders and "undermine" the government, none. We do care for the sick and helpless, it was called charity long ago but now it is "entitlement". Really? And we are now slaves to people that prefer not to work? Oh, my, better shut up & go eat breakfast... any wonder why I canceled cable TV?  I watch TV with antenna & get all the news channels I care to see, when they start leaning one way or the other & quit being "news", I find another channel to watch.

WELL!  After the day I put in at work and crying for tired on the way home, I read that there are others who sit on their duffs and expect to live on food stamps and then get to criticize the country that feeds them.  I agree with SHIRLEY and I see them every day and often wish I could say "Take this job and shove it!" and be done with the whole works.  But I can't so I won't and Monday Morning, I'll be back in my spot taking the EBT cards and smiling as if I mean it.  SORRY about venting on you all, One of the things I regret is not having someone close to talk to.  I don't tell my kids this stuff!  Now I'm going to go take a nap....maybe!

Jane, want to thank you for "breaking the ice"..... I was having regrets for being so vocal about my views & was going to come in & say that I would shut up from now on.  I had just had it with feeling sorry for all the people living on welfare that never put a penny in the pot along the way. My sympathy goes to the hard working Americans that paid into the system, so many working yet to have the extras so they can give to their families. But they don't feel sorry for themselves, they just go on working and smiling and giving, so politicians can rob them to buy votes from illegals. There, I've said it! Now I will shut up and if anyone wants to ban me from posting, that's okay with me!  Being politically correct is not a trait I will be proud of anymore. Shirley

well you all know how a bad piney alleys returns well here I an after a long day at VA. after we got out of there we stopped at Sam's club and got grocers and right across the road was a farmer selling peaches sweet corn cantaloupes and tomatoes.we bought some of all them. reasonable priced also. but I am wore slick. have a great rest of the day.

Lloyd

Well if you two are in the wagon (Shirley and Jane) I might as well give it a push. I get so angry with others coming into our country and not liking it and want to change the rules......bottom line if you don't like it, leave and try that crap in the country you came from.
I do think it is time we all put our foot down and say no more!! Ok off the wagon.

Finally got the yogurt done. We had a phone call to say that a installer would be here for the new satellite dish ,we had settled on the 30th but I told him to come ahead . Now to learn the different channeling from the other one. The other one the price kept going up and up....but funny when I phoned to disconnect the man said he could lower the price.......hmm why didn't you do that when I have phoned before???

Jane, hugs....we have people like that here, don't do a lick of work yet hold their hand out for free to them money and complain it is not enough. 

Not sure what tomorrow will bring they are calling again for rain which we need!

Enjoy your evening everyone..

well I finely got this thing and My Phone back up and running. is now time to bid you all sweet dreams and good Night, hope to see you all tomorow.

Lloyd

Good morning everyone. Starting out  at 64°. Good for sleeping with the window fan instead of AC. Son called last night and said he would be here early this morning, good thing I woke early.

PETER/ROLEY  like your links from yesterday, t hat cave was interesting and so different.

SHIRLEY  maybe that woman was a Mexican and not born here. She does not appreciate the freedoms we have here. When anyone asks me what I am I always say I'm an American and that is all I say. Burns me up when they call our Social security  an entitlement. Heck we paid for it all the years we worked.

JANE  at one time they were keeping a check on one man with a big EBT card who went to BJ's-a membership huge box store and buy a lot of food and goodies and then take it in his panel truck to one of those small foreign stores and unload it there. Then raise the prices and sell it to people who don't have much to begin with and that man and store keeper were making money on money we all paid for. They both ended in jail.

LLOYD  I am waiting for local produce to come in so I can get some local tomatoes and not from a market.

AMY  I did not know that Canada was getting those foreigners come in and complain and want the customs of the country they left. I so agree with President Trump when he sad if not satisfied her go back where you came from. When they came in years ago they had to learn the language but now they expect us to learn theirs. Not me, I speak the American language and that is it. Wish we could change cable company here but Cox has a monopoly on these buildings and we are stuck.

Goodness where is everyone? Only  posts since I was here yesterday morning. Sad how few of us are here now. Oh well that's life I guess.
Have a good day.

Good morning everyone..

Gloria , I am here not bright eyed or busy tailed but here

Another fry day in the making with rain/storm later on today. They have been promising for rain for weeks now and not a drop here. Watered the garden last night but rain water is much better than well water.

Laundry day today, unless hubby would like to go somewhere....we shall see what he would like to do.
We are getting used to the new channels and this one we can record  shows to watch later!

Better get a move on here.

Enjoy your day everyone.

Good Morning everyone. 66º and mostly clear here now headed to 88º they say. Hope you all have a great day.

Lloyd

We have the start of a warm one today.  I'm going to a funeral this morning with Dot and there will be a lunch afterward so it will be early afternoon before I am home again.  I will change to cooler clothes at that time!  I haven't reached the stage where I want to wear shorts in church, however, I have noticed some people do that.  I don't mind because I am sure God would rather have them in church than stay home.

Our sprinkling system doesn't seem to be working and I am going to get out the hose, if Tom doesn't do it, so I can use township water.  Our sprinkling system uses the pond water in our complex. 

Amy, I'm not bright eyed and bushy tailed either, it is hard getting going this morning.  I don't know why.

Mary Ann

Good Morning Everyfriend!  I'm up and (sort of) attem!  I slept pretty well last night.  I had not been taking the melatonin for a few nights because I wanted to see if it really was that bringing on the sleep.  IT WAS! I took it last night and I slept better!

Today is all planned.  I don't know how the plans will work out but they're there.  First off, I'm going to make a batch of AMY's HOT MUSTARD.  I'm half way through my last jar of the last batch.  Then I'm going to make custard in my IP.  I have all the ingredients.  So far my day is "Mustard and Custard".

Does anyone remember the old "Roy Rogers Show"?  Dale Evans had a restaurant and Roy's sidekick, Pat Brady worked for her when he wasn't backing up Roy.  Pat's favorite exclamation when he got frustrated or angry was "Mustard and Custard!"  I couldn't help remembering that when I decided what I'd do today. 

And as to getting dressed, I might!  And I might just stay in my jammies!  Nobody ever comes here anyway....except my daughter and she says I'm entitled to do anything I feel like doing.  She says I earned that right!  And so did all of you!

I'm off for my second cup of coffee and to get the mustard started.  I hope I have enough jars left for it.  I've made so much jam that I've used a bunch of little jars. 

Enjoy your day Everyfriend.  You've earned that right to enjoy!

Not bright eyed & bushy tailed here, either! I've been up since 4:00 am, fed cats & plan to eat and go back to bed. My 3 hours sleep is not going to get me very far.  Right now I am going to turn the sprinkler system on, trees are hardly moving & the ground is bone dry. I noticed the water in the pool is moving so must be a train going through.... the tracks are a good mile away but this area is basically sand because the river has changed course so many times. I am hungry so will feed the body. The start of the week end so wishing all happy days!  Shirley

It must be contagious.  I'm not bright eyed or bushy tailed this morning either.  I was so tired last night I went to bed a little early.  I slept OK up until 2:30 and then popped wide awake.  Finally gave up and got up at 5:30.  A short night means a long day.   

I had my first Instant Pot failure yesterday.  The Banana Bread was a total failure.  It didn't rise at all,  It came out of the pot a heavy, flat mess.  I think it was due to baking powder that was 'way past its expiration date.  I'll buy some more and try the bread again....sometime.

I need more coffee.  And a nap.......   ........talk later.

I'm on break right now and I was just going to read and not write but I find I have to write.

First, SANDY thank you for the "truism".  It's perfect.  I take it to mean "appreciate what comes, remember what went, and get on with your life".  There's more to it than that but we all have to learn to see life as it is!

PHYLLIS, one time my sister was supposed to bring a banana bread to a family gathering and it didn't come up.  She brought it anyway and announced that she'd made us all a "BANANA PANCAKE"!  She brought jelly and peanut butter and we made do!  Only my sister, Leslie could get away with that!  Maybe you can, too!

I have 5 pint jars of mustard cooling on the counter and a little bit of the leftover "eater" in the fridge.  And I still have a few little empty jars left. 

Now for some lunch and a little walk with the doggies and I'll tackle the "custard" in the IP.  Wish me luck. 

Oh yes, I forgot.  I had a text from my daughter and she and my SIL are coming over later so I had to get dressed.  That's OK because I have to make a quick run to the store.  I'm short 2 spices for my next project!

Hope you're all staying cool (It's 85 here) and enjoying your day!

Custard's done but it looks a little "jiggly"!  Maybe a short sojourn in the fridge will set it to an edible stage.  We'll see!

Sandy, I liked your "truism" as Jane called it. 

I'm not fond of custard so I haven't tried it.  I meant to ask Tom if he liked it and if so, I'd suggest he make it.  I haven't asked him yet.

I went to a funeral this morning, with lunch afterward, and it was warm enough that I didn't not feel good when I got home, but having my a/c on has cooled things down.  I feel back to normal now.

Mary Ann

I got my errands done...stopped at the ATM (I'm loaded now), stopped at the grocery store (got my spices and cheese (I'm ready for my next project), stopped at the Mennonite store (got fresh local sweet corn and a couple nice little zucchinis (another project lined up).  I love the summer foods!

The custard set up in the fridge.....no wiggles but lots or yums!  It's not going to take me long to demolish that one!  I hope that person that ate the icecream bread laves my custard alone.  Forgot to tell you, I threw in a handful of coconut.  Looooove coconut custard!

Turned out to be a fun day here..took the dogs to the lake and we know what Babe thinks of the water so only took the pup in. He was timid at first but then I took my sox and shoes off rolled up my pants and went in with him. I just meant to go up to my knees but he was so much fun to watch that in I went..he loved  splashing  and swam a bit.

Shirley, I have no idea of when this bundle of joy is going to stop growning...we may have to raise the roof!!

Jane, I never thought  of putting coconut in custard..great idea thank you I shall try that next time. I did get my yogurt done and added some honey for a sweetener. We had some at noon with blueberries on top.

We like soup all year round so made beef barley soup in the IP.....didn't heat the house up and in 20 min had soup! Come winter soup will be made on the back of the wood stove but until then the IP gets it!! Could have used this when we were working all those years!

Sandy, how true that is!!

Gloria, we had put off changing but when the price seemed to fly instead of climb it was time to say good bye. We shall see how this works...so far so good.

well we are back to no phone service the internet was not either but is now.

Lloyd

Lloyd, that must be so frustrating for you and Nancy....hope the phone company figures out the problem and fixes it for you.

Wow, we just got a thimble full of rain....better go put the hose on the garden..

I might cut the corn off the cobs....and then again, I might not!