Zucchini seems to be growing hot and heavy everywhere you look. I guess due to all the rain everyone has been getting. No matter who I talk to they all seem to have alot and sometimes are at a lose as to what to do with it all.
Over the years I acquired a taste for it myself. While I was growing up I couldn't stand them, (kinda like the avocado's we were overwhelmed with 2 trees) but believe me I have learned to love it. I have eaten sauteed with onions, mixed with tomatoes, had a zucchini cheese bake, of course the always sneaky zucchini bread (I have alot of different recipe's and you would never no it is inside the bread) cookies well you get it the list it goes on and on.
The other day it again must have been a slow news day because one of our local areas had a zucchini derby. What you may ask? For all of you who have had sons in boy scouts you can relate. Scouts wasn't without its yearly Pinewood Derby. But yes they had a race apparently the 4th annual of its kind. They decorated there zucchini's and raced them down a hot wheels strip. Strange you might think but apparently loads of fun if you have nothing to do. Seems like a waste of a good item but I guess if in doubt, race them..
The one thing the Pinewood Derby keeps the memories forever and the zucchini derby doesn't is that, the memories of my son and husband making it together. They worked long and hard on the little car, painted, whittled, weighted in just the right place, put cute stickers all over it and proudly ran it down that track. If my mind serves me I think they came in second place. Another plus is that car is a part of his memory box. I rather doubt that the top winners in the zucchini run will be able to preserve their winner.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
One Determined Man- Skating Across America
Usually every morning I read our paper on-line. There are usually a couple stories that catch my eye and this one definitely did.
Kenichi Yamasita is a 62 year old Japanese man who is making a trek across the country via rollerblades to thank Americans. During World War II he said many helped him and he wanted to thank Americans for doing so. He started his journey in Santa Monica, CA and will hopefully end it in Provincetown, MA before his six-month visa expires.
His determination is inspiring and personally I can't imagine going across country via rollerblades. He stopped in Sedalia and people graciously took him in for a meal.
Sadly, a story such as this also makes me think of my grandpa who fought during World War II, who wouldn't even let a grain of rice in the house. He was a very opinionated man and never forgot the time he had to spend away from home and all that he had to fight for. I can understand his feelings but also it is extremely heartwarming to also understand Mr. Yamasita's life-long determination and for him to make a trip to America and give words of thanks.
I wonder if there will ever be people in years to come who will thank us for all our country has done to allow their lives to be different-only time will tell...
Kenichi Yamasita is a 62 year old Japanese man who is making a trek across the country via rollerblades to thank Americans. During World War II he said many helped him and he wanted to thank Americans for doing so. He started his journey in Santa Monica, CA and will hopefully end it in Provincetown, MA before his six-month visa expires.
His determination is inspiring and personally I can't imagine going across country via rollerblades. He stopped in Sedalia and people graciously took him in for a meal.
Sadly, a story such as this also makes me think of my grandpa who fought during World War II, who wouldn't even let a grain of rice in the house. He was a very opinionated man and never forgot the time he had to spend away from home and all that he had to fight for. I can understand his feelings but also it is extremely heartwarming to also understand Mr. Yamasita's life-long determination and for him to make a trip to America and give words of thanks.
I wonder if there will ever be people in years to come who will thank us for all our country has done to allow their lives to be different-only time will tell...
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Old Movies-They Do It Every Time
When David is home we always try and do a "date night" which usually means dinner and a movie. We try to be fair to each other and I usually like the chick flicks and he the action adventures. This time it was my turn to pick and we saw Grown Ups. It was a cute movie, which brought back memories of growing up way back when and the lessons learned. One thing I found interesting with all the comedians that starred in it was that they was really no explicit language. That is a rarity by today's standards of sex, drugs and four letter words.
Yesterday while flipping through channels I came upon an old movie that I hadn't seen for a while. It brought me back to a time as a child when Sunday afternoons was usually a movie fest and tv dinners. One movie after another starting at 1:00 and going until dinner time was usually what we did. William Holden, Cary Grant, Irene Dunne, Myrna Loy those were the actors and actresses in the 1930's, 1940's and 1950's that was a household name and one's that I grew up with in the 1970's.
Not many actor's of today come close to the glamour of those times when the glitz and glamour was a mystery to everyday people. Nothing like today's sex, drugs and problems of many of them plastered on the tv, and tabloids.
Even after seeing Love is a Many Splendid Thing with William Holden and Jennifer Jones which depicted an American with a Eurasian woman was pushing the envelope. The story itself still made me cry even after all the times I have seen it, but what can I say, I am female and most movies make me cry at the drop of a hat.
Yesterday while flipping through channels I came upon an old movie that I hadn't seen for a while. It brought me back to a time as a child when Sunday afternoons was usually a movie fest and tv dinners. One movie after another starting at 1:00 and going until dinner time was usually what we did. William Holden, Cary Grant, Irene Dunne, Myrna Loy those were the actors and actresses in the 1930's, 1940's and 1950's that was a household name and one's that I grew up with in the 1970's.
Not many actor's of today come close to the glamour of those times when the glitz and glamour was a mystery to everyday people. Nothing like today's sex, drugs and problems of many of them plastered on the tv, and tabloids.
Even after seeing Love is a Many Splendid Thing with William Holden and Jennifer Jones which depicted an American with a Eurasian woman was pushing the envelope. The story itself still made me cry even after all the times I have seen it, but what can I say, I am female and most movies make me cry at the drop of a hat.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
A Long Weekend to Celebrate
With the 4th of July long weekend just hours away, many will be bbqing, having picnics and getting together with family and friends.
We will go a short distance and celebrate with family and friends. Hoping that the weather will hold out since it has been a fabulous week as far as weather for us.
July 4th weekends growing up sometimes meant trailing along with my Dad who was a fire prevention officer with the fire department. He had to observe fireworks being displayed to make sure they didn't catch each other or anything on fire. Fireworks displays are always better viewed from far, far away rather than up close and personal which is usually what we had to do.
My favorite display of fireworks of all times was when I was much older and a friend asked if I wanted to go to the Rose Bowl Celebration. Although it was the most beautiful I had ever seen and by that time I had seen many, I couldn't hear for several days after because the sound bounced off the stadium. Back then they didn't suggest you bring ear plugs or headphones.
The food and the togetherness is much more than the fireworks. Independence is something everyone should strive for. The American flag is a symbol of what Americans have worked so hard for, which today's seems like it gets harder and harder.
No matter what your opinion is of what is currently going on in the world today, if you don't get a little lump in your throat or a tear in your eye when you hear any of the patriotic music that will be heard in the next several days, remember many many people have and will continue to give their lives for what we enjoy each and every day.
Have a great weekend everyone.
We will go a short distance and celebrate with family and friends. Hoping that the weather will hold out since it has been a fabulous week as far as weather for us.
July 4th weekends growing up sometimes meant trailing along with my Dad who was a fire prevention officer with the fire department. He had to observe fireworks being displayed to make sure they didn't catch each other or anything on fire. Fireworks displays are always better viewed from far, far away rather than up close and personal which is usually what we had to do.
My favorite display of fireworks of all times was when I was much older and a friend asked if I wanted to go to the Rose Bowl Celebration. Although it was the most beautiful I had ever seen and by that time I had seen many, I couldn't hear for several days after because the sound bounced off the stadium. Back then they didn't suggest you bring ear plugs or headphones.
The food and the togetherness is much more than the fireworks. Independence is something everyone should strive for. The American flag is a symbol of what Americans have worked so hard for, which today's seems like it gets harder and harder.
No matter what your opinion is of what is currently going on in the world today, if you don't get a little lump in your throat or a tear in your eye when you hear any of the patriotic music that will be heard in the next several days, remember many many people have and will continue to give their lives for what we enjoy each and every day.
Have a great weekend everyone.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
One Person's Unwanted Items is Another Person's Treasure
One can never have too many purses but you can always get more..
Dooney & Bourke
3 For Sale Med Tassle Tote $40.00
Vintage Black/Tan $40.00
Vintage Camel/Tan $30.00
Monday, June 14, 2010
Weekend of Anniversary Celebrations-My Perspective
This weekend I attended two anniversary celebrations. My in-laws celebrated 60 years of marriage. Wow!! Hard to put your head around that sometimes. The last few years have been tough for our family but it is always so touching when we visit them that they still keep the spark going even after all the bumps in the road. I love to hear the story of how they met at the wrestling match in town. They both had come with other people but left with each other and have been together ever since. They both were hard working people, raised four boys and have 12 grandchildren and 10+ great-grand children. They always seem to overlook the little issues with each other and just enjoy their life together.
The other couple's party I attended have been married 40 years. They have also had their share of rough times but they still continue to plug along.
When people ask me how David and I have managed to stay married sometimes I really have to stop and think what we have done to keep it together. It has not been easy, we have had our share of rough patches like everyone else. But I always think back to the first time I saw him and it truly was one of those moments when we both did a double take and somehow it clicked. Although we have spent alot of our marriage apart because of his work I think over the years that probably just works for us. No it didn't at first I can remember when the kids were little we would all stand at the door with tears in our eyes saying "do you have to leave". I admit it is by no means easy to see him leave each trip but, it's his job, how he makes his living and I just deal the best I can.
Our 26th anniversary is approaching in a few months, I hope we can get to 50 years, with luck and hard work we will. It's a full-time commitment and not a walk in the park, he is my ying, and I am his yang and I wouldn't have it any other way.
People ask "What is the secret to a good marriage?"It really isn't a secret. Everyone has their own way of making it work. Sometimes I think couples today think it's a walk in the park or when it does get hard they don't try and iron out their problems. It is like anything else we do today, you work hard, you have the good and the bad and you go on. Things change, people change you either change with the tide or move on. Their is a reason why you pick each other and through the years certain things do change but always go back to what first brought you together and work toward that throughout marriage.
The other couple's party I attended have been married 40 years. They have also had their share of rough times but they still continue to plug along.
When people ask me how David and I have managed to stay married sometimes I really have to stop and think what we have done to keep it together. It has not been easy, we have had our share of rough patches like everyone else. But I always think back to the first time I saw him and it truly was one of those moments when we both did a double take and somehow it clicked. Although we have spent alot of our marriage apart because of his work I think over the years that probably just works for us. No it didn't at first I can remember when the kids were little we would all stand at the door with tears in our eyes saying "do you have to leave". I admit it is by no means easy to see him leave each trip but, it's his job, how he makes his living and I just deal the best I can.
Our 26th anniversary is approaching in a few months, I hope we can get to 50 years, with luck and hard work we will. It's a full-time commitment and not a walk in the park, he is my ying, and I am his yang and I wouldn't have it any other way.
People ask "What is the secret to a good marriage?"It really isn't a secret. Everyone has their own way of making it work. Sometimes I think couples today think it's a walk in the park or when it does get hard they don't try and iron out their problems. It is like anything else we do today, you work hard, you have the good and the bad and you go on. Things change, people change you either change with the tide or move on. Their is a reason why you pick each other and through the years certain things do change but always go back to what first brought you together and work toward that throughout marriage.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Memorial Day Weekends of Long Ago
Memorial Day Weekend has long been the first weekend of sun, relaxing and BBQing. I have done one out of the three--relax.. I can remember a time when I was a kid that you had to put out your towel, lather on the suntan lotion and bake in the sun for the weekend so that you would return to school with a start of a tan. The school year for us mostly ended toward the middle of June. Sometimes we weren't so lucky with sun and had to resort to the QT fake tans of long ago that left you a strange orange color. Yes, I do admit I did try it once and thank goodness fake tanning has come a long way over the year.
Now with the threat of skin cancer a possibility I tend to spend a little less time in the sun, although I do partake occasionally even though I shouldn't and spend my money on the fake stuff.
I would have loved to BBQ this weekend but ours was on its last leg and was put out for spring cleanup and we have yet to purchase a new one. I have checked a few out but still can't seem to decide on one. There is something about standing in front of the grill and the aroma of smoking meat that just brings about more great childhood memories. Of course then it was charcoal and lighter fluid instead of gas cooking. This is another aspect that isn't as healthy for you either but how is it that everything fun is bad for you?
I have put off firing up the air conditioner too. I guess I am trying to see how long I can go to keep from having that astronomical electric bill. I have pushed up all the windows and letting the ceiling fans and breeze do the work for me. Of course, this has slightly affected allergies but I will live through it.. Oh yeah we never had air conditioning growing up. Our way of cooling down was opening the windows, laying on the floor and letting the ocean breeze make its way through. Iced tea was a "summer only" beverage so we drank pitchers of it. Why is it I don't remember sweating as a kid? Maybe because it is not something that matters when you are growing up. Now you just hope you can get through the day without having to change your clothes at least three times in one day.
Memorial Day is memory day for some-the good, the sad and everything rolled up into one.
Now with the threat of skin cancer a possibility I tend to spend a little less time in the sun, although I do partake occasionally even though I shouldn't and spend my money on the fake stuff.
I would have loved to BBQ this weekend but ours was on its last leg and was put out for spring cleanup and we have yet to purchase a new one. I have checked a few out but still can't seem to decide on one. There is something about standing in front of the grill and the aroma of smoking meat that just brings about more great childhood memories. Of course then it was charcoal and lighter fluid instead of gas cooking. This is another aspect that isn't as healthy for you either but how is it that everything fun is bad for you?
I have put off firing up the air conditioner too. I guess I am trying to see how long I can go to keep from having that astronomical electric bill. I have pushed up all the windows and letting the ceiling fans and breeze do the work for me. Of course, this has slightly affected allergies but I will live through it.. Oh yeah we never had air conditioning growing up. Our way of cooling down was opening the windows, laying on the floor and letting the ocean breeze make its way through. Iced tea was a "summer only" beverage so we drank pitchers of it. Why is it I don't remember sweating as a kid? Maybe because it is not something that matters when you are growing up. Now you just hope you can get through the day without having to change your clothes at least three times in one day.
Memorial Day is memory day for some-the good, the sad and everything rolled up into one.
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