TToT – Cobwebs
You’ll have to please excuse the bit of dust on my blog.
Despite any good intentions or potentially good post ideas, very little has happened around here – save the TToTs – in a very long time. I blame it on several things. Some of the reasons are interesting and relevant; others are not.
Regardless, here is this week’s offering through the dust and cobwebs that might be lurking around the screen here. At least I get some cool photos while I’m staring out the window instead of writing…
![20150721_180627[1]](http://www.themeaningofme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/20150721_1806271.jpg)
The humidity and high temps here have dissipated – at least for the immediate present. We’ve been gifted with a few gloriously beautiful summer days. I’m sad to say the heat and humidity is expected to return tomorrow and stay the week, but for the moment, we’re enjoying the reprieve.
Our CSA is in full swing. We have emerged from the month of greens – although this is kind a bittersweet thing. While I’m glad to not be buried in chard, kale, spinach, and more, I also have to say I miss knowing there is a salad standing at the ready at any moment. I had to buy salad greens at the market this week – the first time since the CSA began back in early June.
We certainly aren’t lacking in the produce department, though – we have seen tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, carrots, potatoes, several onion varieties, squash, zucchini, beets, turnips…beautiful. The Swiss chard is still coming in, though, and that is a beautiful thing. Last week my Soup of the Week was a creamy green soup made with Swiss chard and the rest of the June greens that were begging to be put to good use.
![20150717_183447[1]](http://www.themeaningofme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/20150717_1834471.jpg)
And on that note, my Vitamix is quite possibly my favorite kitchen tool. I haven’t even fully explored its potential uses yet, but just for soups and smoothies? Best purchase ever. This is today’s offering…what you see in the photo was on its way to becoming a delicious strawberry-cucumber-avocado-banana-spinach smoothie. I wish I hadn’t finished it, because Zilla asked for seconds. I had to promise that I would procure more strawberries (the ones we used were on their last moments of life) to duplicate it.
![20150725_144943[1]](http://www.themeaningofme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/20150725_1449431-e1437852667753.jpg)
And know that when I say that I promised to procure more berries, it probably means the Hub is taking a store run. And right this second he is doing just that – to the supermarket and to pick up a sweater I ordered that is ready for in-store pickup. He also took Zilla to Karate this morning so I could finish a work project. He scores big points for making life easier for me.
Zilla’s second week of all-day summer activities went well. She enjoyed herself, met some new friends, learned a few things, and made some cool crafts. One more week of that next week and we’re back to home-all-day summer. And Mom has plans for that… As much as I’m enjoying the solitude here during the days she’s in summer classes, I miss her little head bopping around with me all day. I’m looking forward to August with her.
Thanks to Clark’s anti-gravity incentive, I’ve been working on a bit of weight loss. Overall, since start of summer I’m down nearly ten pounds. Imagine what might happen if I actually exercised… Hmm. I can imagine. Doesn’t mean I’ll actually do it, though…
![20150724_204934[1]](http://www.themeaningofme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/20150724_2049341.jpg)
I learned how to make homemade pickles this week. The CSA was offering $1/pound to help deplete their cucumber overload so I bought ten pounds. My Aunt came over for a morning and we made homemade bread & butter pickles and garlic dill pickles. The B&B will be ready to open on Monday; the garlic dills we have to wait a month to sample. It went well, wasn’t all that difficult, and now I have the basics of a new skill.
![20150720_123835[1]](http://www.themeaningofme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/20150720_1238351.jpg)
This cucumber overload was part of the first planting…and apparently there were three, so I expect we’ll be seeing a lot of cucumber for the rest of the summer. Cucumber smoothie, anyone?
![20150720_130948[1]](http://www.themeaningofme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/20150720_1309481-e1437853774622.jpg)
I’ve also been keeping busy working this week. Yup – work. I’m thankful for that. IN the last couple of weeks, I’ve started up with some new tutoring clients and started some new freelance work. I have a couple of other things in the works, but not quite shareable yet. Fingers crossed and hoping these all continue to work out well. It’s time.
One week, no Rotten Cat accidents. Woot! They’ve been keeping me company and helping out in the office. ![20150723_085025[1]](http://www.themeaningofme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/20150723_0850251.jpg)
Finally, we’ve been watching some baby robins grow. A robin family has a nest in the tree outside our front door. From the main living floor (which is the second floor) we have a great birds-eye view of the nest. Couple that with a pair of binoculars and a zoom lens and you have great opportunity to see nature at work up close. Here’s a shot I grabbed a few days ago – you can see two of the three baby birds hanging out in the next. Well, a beak and an eye, but still.
![20150717_174313[1]](http://www.themeaningofme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/20150717_1743131-e1437854843718.jpg)
One afternoon when Zilla was watching the nest, all three baby birds stretched their little necks out, opened their beaks, and happily received the meal their parents brought home. That was…awesome.
So yeah, summer’s been pretty awesome.
And on that note, it’s time for to hit post – 3:33 PM on Saturday. Whew!
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What are you thankful for this week?
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You have been so productive, it is wonderful! Tony would love those smoothies, a couple of years ago we got him the Ninja blender and for a while he was making smoothies out of anything not nailed down.
Hurray on the Rottens! Did you find the urine gone?
That’s pretty much what I do! If I have produce that needs to be used, in it goes! I usually end up with something good – once or twice I’ve hit a kind of strange taste, but I usually just chug it anyway! 😀
We did find the urine stuff! Thanks for the recommendation! So far, we seem OK. Holding my breath…
those rottens! There are so many smoothie combos I would never entertain but they are all good …. I just have to remember theyre good all together…. I love my vitamix thingy… Have a good week !
Sometimes the strangest combos turn out great, Ivy. I often make mine up based on what I have that needs to be used soon or what my body needs. Vitamix is awesome. Have a good week, too!
you’re doing outstanding on the Challenge, but I hadn’t done the math…10 lbs! yow! how cool is that?
nice photography this week, and Summer has that ‘come on! come outside!! it’s not snowing!’ thing going on that’s kinda hard to resist. Totally get that.
Well, 10 since the beginning of summer, not necessarily the beginning of the Challenge. Slow but steady wins the race, right?
Outside is hard to resist, although I do dislike temps about about 85. And humidity. But yes, at least it’s not snow!
Bread and Butter pickles are one of my favorites. My mom used to do pickles every year, it’s not something I’ve ever done because there really isn’t any place to store the pickles once they’re made here.
The Jamaican ladies I used to work with always talked of a drink they made with cucumber and ginger. I would imagine it also had sweetened condensed milk though, as they used it quite a bit in their cooking.
I never really liked brad and butter pickles – no idea why – but recently we found an organic one at our supermarket (their store brand of all things) that we really liked. My Daughter loves them so much I figured we’d give the homemade a try. Honestly, we really don’t have the space, either, so we didn’t make too many and I’ve given some away.
That drink sounds very good – cucumber and ginger would be delicious, I think. I might have to look that up!
I miss growing cucumbers and vegetable gardening. I have Ninja, but would love a Vitamix. I need to get back on my healthy eating regiment. I gained a few pounds this summer. Too much icecream and not enough exercise. 😉
I love my Vitamix, Mary – thought about it for a loooooong time and after we blew out the motor in my Cuisinart, decided it would be a good investment. It has been. I often use it to kick-start better eating or to counteract some less than healthy choices. It just makes me feel good, you know? And that said, I hear a peach and blueberry and spinach smoothie calling my name…
You and Sarah both talk about Vitamix and I guess I don’t know what one is. You’ll have to explain why it’s so much better than a blender.
Glad you’ve got new tutoring clients and freelance work! Good for you! And Zilla is having a wonderful summer and making new friends.
The baby robins are so sweet! Can the Rottens see them from the window?
Yes, the Rottens can see the birds from the window – they spend a great portion of their day in the window watching them. Kitty TV!
I’m glad for the work, too – very glad. Hoping it continues and that the other things I’m working on come through, too.
The Vitamix is awesome – text me or something and I’ll tell you why it’s amazing. 😉
I made bread and butter pickles last year and they were a big hit. I don’t know of any CSA around here, but there are numerous farm markets making a go of selling fresh vegetables very close to our home. Summer is for enjoying everything.
I found our CSA – both times – by searching the Internet, Val. Maybe there is one and you just don’t know yet! Farmer’s markets are also awesome. Nothing like right from the field.
I hear homemade pickles are the best, though I can’t tell you. I only make them. I don’t eat them. 🙂
TWO people singing the praises of a Vitamix this week! I don’t know if I’d ever get enough use out of it to make it worth it.
Congrats on the new work! I pray the other things pan out for you.
Our summer is almost over. I was out shopping for school pants today and ordered new backpacks this afternoon. High school starts next Wednesday. I am quite sad about the whole thing.
You are the second person this week who said they don’t eat pickles – and honestly the only two I’ve ever known! 😀
I put off a Vitamix for a long time for the same reasons, but it’s been very worth the cost. I love it.
Thank you for the prayers – I know yours work well, so keep ’em coming, please!
I was actually thinking of your family today when we were talking about back to school. Zilla’s school is starting earlier this year and nobody is happy about it. But not as early as you are for sure. Enjoy the rest of summer and try not to think about the school part.
Ten pounds? That’s awesome! Those fresh fruits and veggies do a body good. You sound busy, and I’m glad for you. I’m loving life since I gave myself permission to take a break from blogging. I actually have time to just read my favorite blogs! I hope you continue enjoying your summer, and if you are coming to the shore let me know!
Ten pounds…ish. Most days it looks like that, but in between it creeps up a bit, then goes down. I’m working on that new “stable weight” of Clark’s.
I guess you could say I’ve kind of allowed myself to step back from the blog – I’m really only doing the TToT on weekends and have skipped pretty much everything else. We’ve been busy and it’s been the good kind.
Not sure if we’ll make it to shore yet this summer – honestly, waiting on some finances to fall into place before we make that call. Isn’t that the way of life? 😀 But if we do come, we will definitely let you know! Would love to meet up with you and Val!
How sweet! A few weeks ago, Violet came happily running to me, telling me about the bird in our lawn, and that she got to pet it. Poor girl, I had to explain to her that the bird was not alive any more and dispose of it. Live birds are so much more fun!!
10 pounds down, how awesome!! I definitely have to jump back on the exercise bandwagon myself!
Have a great new week, Lisa!!
Oh no – a dead birdie? Poor Violet! Poor Violet. Yes, live birds are definitely better.
The ten pounds are more about conscious eating habits than exercise. And luck, I think. I can’t say I’ve exercised much at all and definitely need to get back to it. I think about it a lot…that counts, right? 😀
Ahhhhhh cobwebs mean spiders and those mother effers have got to go…go…goooooo.
I take hiatuses because I need to and life and brain drain. But see we are all here waiting when you come back 🙂
Ten pounds is amazing. Like whoa. Go you!!
I love pickles. Weird story about me. I can smell pickles from a mile away. If you ate it at lunch and it’s now midnight, I’ll be able to smell it on you. You can’t hide pickles from me. It’s a gift.
Hate spiders. I don’t care how helpful they are. More legs than a dog means go away from me!
That is definitely a pickle gift – amazing! Is it limited to particular kinds? Or just pickles in general?