September Beach

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It was a beautiful afternoon to head to the beach with my international babies. Elly (in the middle) invited Eunjin (left) last spring when we went; they both loved it. It was Mariana's first look at the Atlantic Ocean; she dipped her toes, but then was afraid to even walk in the waves because it was just a tad cooler than the waters off the coast of Brazil where she lives! Yup!
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I, on the other hand, loved the water. Sure it was a little cool (read cold) when you first went in; but once you were knocked over by a large wave or two, it felt much warmer. Actually, it was so glorious! Large, foamy waves for body surfing, and then a beach chair and a good book for drying off.
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We got ice creams and walked the boardwalk and back around the beach. Man! It was just what I asked you for September!
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Back home while the girls showered, I lit a candle outside and sat with a glass of sangria in my salty bathing suit encrusted happiness with sand in all my nooks 'n' crannies and my wind-blown winged hair. Dinner on the deck was delicious -- home-made barbequed burgers flavored with parsley, cumin and a pinch of basil & chili powder and fresh corn on the cob slathered with oodles of butter and salt. Ahhhh!

And September -- corn on the cob wasn't even available here in August.
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So, who's a good month now?
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Thanks September! Can we do this again real soon?
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Rabbit, Rabbit!

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I begged August not to leave.

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"Look", I said. "The sun is still shining brightly; the temperatures are perfect; the ocean is finally warm; the beaches are beckoning."

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He gave me a sideways quizzical glance.

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I tried bribery.

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"I have a few days of vacation left, and I'll spend them all with you. I'll throw in a corn boil and that 4 pack of sparkling cider I have downstairs. I'll make you Smores!"

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He ignored me.

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I tried seduction:

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"You're such a great month, August!" I purred. "Probably the best month a-l-l year!" (I got as close to him as I could.) I wish you'd stay a little longer and we could 'play' together! I whispered in his ear: "I'll wear that low-cut cotton dress ... wink, wink, nudge, nudge!"

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He actually turned away from me! I could feel the coolness in his nights.

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I tried raising my voice and uttering threats.

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"Now lookie here, young month!" I yelled. "I'm not through with you yet! You get your butt back in this year and stay put until I tell you to!"

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He left!

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And here it is --- September. And I'm not at all ready. What's a girl to do?

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"So ..... September. How 'ya doin? Listen, before you get all orange and brown and red, there are a few things you and I should do together! I'll make it worth your while!"

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(I'm not sure how well September listens. I'll let you know!"

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By the way ... Rabbit, Rabbit!

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Goodnight Irene!

The South Shore of Nova Scotia got off relatively scott free yesterday with Hurricane Irene. We had intermittent rains and some high winds ... but not enough to disturb my lawn furniture. Thank God!

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Some people and places were not so lucky. My prayers are with those who were affected: those who lost family or property. May God's comfort and provision be with them.

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And no, I don't think the media hyped it up needlessly. You can NEVER be too careful when it comes to the forces of nature. Mother must be respected! And better safe than sorry.

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I have a busy couple of days ahead of me as I say goodbye to my Baby Girl and welcome 2 new foreign babies. Hmmmm ... Two for one! A bargain? We'll have to wait and see if they can measure up to the Fair Libby! (I have my doubts.)

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As all this airport activity will all happen over a 2 day period and there are several airport runs involved, I'll be staying in the city overnight with friends.

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Can you say Value Village and/or the Market?

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See you in a couple of days!

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You all know that preparation for a yard sale begins long before the day of the sale. Molly and I were up by 7 am and were set up by 8:30 as the first customers were arriving. I had mostly "stuff" -- 4 tables of "stuff" -- with a few pieces of furniture and what I'd consider "good stuff".

Guess what sold?
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Yup! The "stuff". People loved my stuff! I had taken the time to put all the jewellery on cards so they were nicely displayed; that went like hot cakes.
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Our location was great; the sun didn't get around to our end of the house until just after noon. My darling daughter Molly surprised me with a delicious lunch.
... cream of tomato soup and these lovely sandwiches she created herself -- grilled whole grain bread spread lightly with mayo on one slice and dijon on the other, topped with processed mozzarella cheese and then sprinkled with feta, green onions and red peppers. They were soooo good!.

Then the sun came round and man! was it hot! Every time we seriously discussed closing up shop and packing things away, another car would drive up. We stuck it out until about 1:30 pm. The larger items went back inside (to be sold on Kijiji). Then we packed up the things I absolutely didn't want, and I dropped them off at The Daisy. By the time I got back, Molly had just about put everything else away. What an enormous help she was!.

We collapsed on the couch in front of the fan with a cold brew, and I pretended I was Milburn Drysdale. I made about $200 and gave my lovely assistant 20%. After a much necessary half hour snooze, I swept, vacuumed and tidied the house, showered and took us off for dinner.

Yum, yum! Indian food - fish masala, vegetable pulea, nan bread and raita ... followed by the lightest, fluffiest, most delicious coconut cream cake. A good days work deserves a good dinner, don't ya think?

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There's naught to do now except put my feet up, thank God for his blessings and await the arrival of Irene. More prayers for that, I guess!

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Fertilizer Friday - Aug 26.11

TGIF! It's my last weekend of total freedom. And although my garden is looking mighty sad these day, I thought it best to take a few pictures today before we get hit by Hurricane Irene.

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So, I joining Tootsie at Tootsie Time for her weekly Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers Aug. 26/11.

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The star of the garden has to be the Coneflowers; that one little plant I put in 3 years ago is looking quite beautiful and lush. The Hydrangea is still blooming; I have one pretty little Hosta that miraculously the deer have eaten, one pretty little Snapdragon, one Coleus (badly in need of watering), and 2 little Gernaniums that are still blooming.

And the lower left picture shows my Holly plant with berries beginning to turn red. Eeek!

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"I will not say the 'F' word; I will not say the 'F' word!"

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Tomorrow calls for sunshine -- the calm before the storm. With any luck, I'll be hosting my own yard sale and will be able to get rid of that pile that I've been accumulating in the basement.

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If Irene is headed your way, I pray God's protection on you. Stay safe and dry.

And a wonderful weekend to all!

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Thrifty Thursday

I'm participating in Thrifty Thursday #128, Plus a Tablescape! posted by Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville at Tales from Bloggeritaville . Drop by after my post and see what's new in Bloggeritaville.
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I got some wonderful bargains at 2 different yard sales I went to on the 13th. Let me share with you.

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1. The first is this pretty canvas ($3) that reminded me of Italy.


2. Then we have this great stand-up retro looking fan for $2 (w/ 1" of slightly chewed cord which I covered with electrical tape). Someone's bad doggie allowed me to score!


3. Then we have this fantastic bargain of an Electrolux vacuum cleaner for $10! My Kenmore is not a good vacuum; I could say that it sucked ... except it doesn't very well. I was a little aprehensive about spending $10 on an Electrolux that perhaps wouldn't work well. But it works like a dream.


4. And how serendipitous! The next yard sale had 2 Electrolux bags for 25 cents each!


5. Lastly, these gorgeous and comfortable slip-ons for fall ($6).

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Considering I began the day with a delicious dark-roast coffee and a flakey almond croisant at the Farmer's Market, I'd say I did well for my $30!
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Happy shopping!
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Cha-cha-changes!

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Yesterday the baby got her driver's license and today it's her 19th birthday. Wasn't it only yesterday that she was asking for crayons and pencils? And today, she's asking for the car keys! Yikes! When did that happen? When did we both grow up?

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Well, okay. SHE grew up ... and I just grew old! Cha-cha-changes!

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Next week, Little Baby goes back to Newfoundland for her 2nd year of nursing school. But Middle Baby came home yesterday from the BIG city to stay. Cha-cha-changes! She's going to attend college this year (and just generally complain about my acting like her mother!) But I'm so happy to have her home again.

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AND my 2 Foreign Babies will arrive next week as well. Cha-cha-changes! (So, I have to stop skiving off and become a responsible mother again. Cha-cha-changes!)

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Yes, change is exciting and often wonderful .... but also difficult. Do I even remember where the freezer is and how to use the electric frying pan? It's been a while!!

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