Went to worship this weekend and was reminded of my many gifts when the person next to me said I sang so well I should be in the chorus. The lady in front reminded me that I should be painting...I have let the summer make me lazy and  I used guest, heat, and any other excuse to keep my creative side hidden...so today I awoke early and tackled the craft-sewing room and straightened all out so that I knew where every thing is...then I did 2 loads of wash and Joe came home with a load of tomatoes so I canned them up...I love the way the canning jars of jelly and tomatoes look like jars of jewels on the kitchen counter...I made fig and peach, plum and apricot jelly earlier in the week...then I started crocheting a chemo cap for my friend rosemary...I fill so much better today...just doing things that make me happy...
I did enjoy visiting with our grand daughter and her 5 friends who made a road trip to visit us for a week..they enjoyed the beach house and did a city day and an ocean day...from college  age to  nathaniel at 2 is a large age span but we enjoyed having  them both at the beach...threw rocks with Nathaniel and made the college kids a shore dinner....everyone had fun.
It is important that I remember to enjoy my gifts so that I can be all that I can...some days I forget and miss out on a lot of fun.
Joe took me shopping Sunday as we finally had a rainy day...I used my birthday gift cards and bought an outfit for the cruise...the garden was all smiles today too as we finally had a real soaking rain.

It has been a sad month so far with my friend's illness and my friend , Janet's daughter was diagnosed with the brac gene...
We celebrated our 42nd anniversary...nothing special...a trip down to the jersey shore...and we are going on a cruise in September so that will make a wonderful memory...We had a great time on the shore...stayed in Atlantic city and saw Straight No Chaser at Harrahs...It was so fabulous...we loved it...we rode a bicycle built for 2 and walked a mile on the sand and let the water rush up and catch us..it is such a carefree feeling and just what I needed.
We have had friends at the beach house over the weekend...beautiful weather...I am trying to be upbeat and just appreciative of all I have...
Little Nathaniel is getting more fun each day...he loves to sing with me...and play blocks and his little toy piano with Joe...he told his mom that I loved him..it was so cute...and when he looks at a picture taken when he was younger...he says, "and that is myself"...hard not to feel good in his company....and we are going to babysit him twice this week...yeah.

Sad news..my good friend age 71 ,Rosemary, is diagnosed with ovarian cancer..a rare kind..it has been difficult, as it brings to mind that any day,that can be you...she has healed well from the hysterectomy but will have to do five months of chemo..It is a very rare kind so she is scared and just trying to be accepting of what is coming.  My girlfriend, Janet and I made her a prayer shawl..it was an interesting experience..Janet knit it and I did the fringe..I put 18 on each end for life...you have to pray while you do it so...I put the mishaberach prayer up on u tube and prayed as knotted the fringe.  when we finished I felt very peaceful. I felt as if Janet had given me a gift..because without her insisting on doing this I probably wouldn't have made one at all. I was an uplifting experience and Rosemary was very touched.

Our friends have left and our house is empty and we are the only mess makers again...and we are both messy...Joe is like a pigpen tracking dirt where ever he goes...and I just don't put things away right away...so it is always a bit cluttered...slept in this morning and enjoyed my coffee and paper in bed with my honey...did some shopping and played mah jong...so it was a relaxing day...

Wonderful hot, humid, summer days...here I am in a tank top at age 70....shy me...but it is too hot to were a bra or any other confining clothing...around the house it is fine and with a cotton blouse over it I can go anywhere...
The garden is delicious and so fragrant...the birds and the butterflies love it too...I have enjoyed sitting on the back patio and reading.
Went fishing on the motor boat ...first time this year and caught a blue right away...so excited when you feel that first tug on your line...I had to have my son reel it in as I didn't want to hurt my arm or shoulder and more..It is responding well to treatment..although going to therapy takes a piece out of my day...When you blue fish, you troll ...It is very relaxing as you just put your line out and enjoy the sun glistening on the water making jewel like crystals that dance on the waves , the clouds, the conversation on the boat, and all the beautiful scenery. We only like to fish for what we will eat so it was a three fish limit that day...I caught 2 rather quickly..and then gave the pole to Dan who caught one too.  They are so delicious...I love them fried in a beer batter...but they are also good broiled with garlic and butter...
My friend, Wendy is here with her significant other from Albuqurque...she stood up at our wedding 42 years ago..seems like yesterday...We went to Atlantic City to get out of the heat...had a great time walking the beach and riding a bicycle built for 2..eating great food and just spending time together.

Another hot day..but I feel accomplished and not too dumb as I figured out how to order a fishing license on line...so now we can fish legally...made the blue fish Joe caught yesterday...it was delicious...I pan fried it in a beer batter using 2 eggs, half a bottle of beer, some panko crumbs and some flour to thicken it a bit (about 2 tablespoons)...I cut up some green onions and minced some garlic and added that to batter. 2 tablespoons butter and 3 of olive oil...after it was fried..I made a salsa of  1 fresh peach, 2 tablespoons of red onion and some  fresh thyme and 2 tablespoon of yogurt...I put that on top and broiled it for 2-3 minutes...yum. We ate outside...hardly any bugs..and much cooler than the house...the garden gives me much pleasure as it is very beautiful...I weeded a few buckets full and did some chores around the house. My friend Rosemary had surgery...a hysterectomy..they discovered ovarian cancer...it is scary as we are all about the same age and you pray for good health to continue to enjoy life...she is doing well and is already up and walking around...but of course it is painful and frightening as chemo comes next.  went to the library and got Have a little Faith by Mitch Albom...It will be a good book for the coming days...

       I can't believe I have been away so long...My arm is healed not that they ever really gave me a diagnosis...but ice and p.t. really helped.  The summer has been very hot and humid and we do not have air conditioning...We have never needed it but this year it has been in the high 80's and 90's for over three weeks...of course my garden is wonderful...the herbs are green and fragrant...the tomatoes are plentiful...I picked my first one today...the fishing is good...Joe and Dan caught a bunch this afternoon..and had to come in early as the fish were so plentiful. They were jumping out of the bucket...It is wonderful at the beach...
      We went to new jersey to visit friends and walked in  the ocean on the sand...the water was warm and you didn't even mind when a wave came up and soaked you...It was so wonderful. We walked about a mile feeling carefree and childlike...and looking at all the young bikini clad girls we also felt very thankful that we could walk comfortably for that long and enjoy it.
       I have followed through and made plans   (Plan like you will live forever and live like it was your last day..) We are going on a cruise with my sister and her husband to Quebec. It is wonderful to look forward to something special...and of course the quality time we will spend together especially because we live so far from one another.
I have a new recipe to share even though there do not seem to be any followers...It is okay as I am really writing this as something for my children to read or have ...or even to make a book out of it when the year is up so here is the recipe...
Mushroom Salad
This is great for a picnic as it won't spoil...and is light and yummy with chicken or steak or fish.
   1 pound of mushrooms wiped clean and sliced about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick
    juice of a fresh large lemon
    equal amounts of good  extra virgin olive oil
    fresh herbs about  half a cup ...use what you like and you can mix them...I like fresh parsley, chives,and   basil...cilantro is good if you like a  little kick.....  salt and pepper to taste..,.mix it up..serve chilled or room temperature.

First fish of 2010

Finally the heat wave gave us a break with a cool breeze and much less humidity...made two briskets for a party tomorrow and then we went to the beach and just relaxed...had dinner with the kids and Nathaniel...he loved the corn on the cob...then we went fishing and watched the sun set...I felt like On Golden Pond out in the boat with my old coot...I caught 2 porgies but we had to throw them back..too small and Joe caught one too...it was fun...not as much fun as going on a party boat but fun....and very romantic...not bad for old coots.