Summer, Summer, Summer

YEAH! Today is the first full day of summer. My absolute favorite time of year... I think maybe I should have been a teacher, to have summers off. But there is the whole "dealing with kids" thing... soooooo maybe not.

Heading to Seattle in 10 days for little vacation. This is a busy, packed vacation with lots of events, and seeing people we only get to see once a year.

Also, I recently was deeded by gift a week's timeshare in the Outer Banks, NC. This is one of my favorite spots on earth, and I can't honestly remember the last I spent an entire week there. It's only an hour and half away, but it's another world. I can't explain it, but if you've ever been, you know what I'm talking about. I just cannot wait.

No other big trips planned, but hoping to get a weekend of relaxing camping in sometime as well...

The weather is hot, hot, hot. And actually - I don't mind it. I would rather be hot than cold. It's summer! Ironically, in Seattle, it's in the 50's and 60's. On the first day of SUMMER! So not prepared for that....

What are your summer plans? Where do you like to vacation? Where is your favorite spot to visit?

AMW

New shoes and a quilt

I've finally got one quick quilt picture I can show, because it's a gift that's been given to it's owner. It was really a simple, simple, simple one, but I knew she would love it.

And here are my new shoes! I can't wait to really start wearing them. They recommend starting out wearing them just an hour or so each day, and increase the amount of time. I've only had them two days, so we'll see, but so far, it's like going barefoot...

Yes, they look funny, and yes, I fully expect people to stare, but they feel so good, I just don't care! (Hey, I made a rhyme!)

I think I'm going to try them out at the Boardwalk Art Show this Sunday. Except it's supposed to be near 100 degrees, UGH! So maybe I won't be out there very long.........

And they are definitely going with me on vacation in 12 days!!

YEAH!

AMW

An embarrassing problem

I'm wondering if any of you out there have ever faced this, and how you dealt with it...

When I get nervous, especially if I'm public speaking, my neck, chest, and ears turn a splotchy bright red!

Not just the flushed cheeks kind of red, but patches of randomness that look idiotic.

I can feel it coming on, and can't stop it from happening.

Like yesterday.... I had to attend a meeting where I was going to be giving some ideas on a project. Before the meeting, I met all of the people, had nice conversation, and felt comfortable. As soon as the meeting started, and I was "called" on....

Dun, Dun, Dun!

Here comes the red splotches....

It's involuntary. And EMBARRASSING!

HELP! Anyone know of any solutions?????

AMW

Swiss Chard

Ok - so the first attempt at a Swiss Chard recipe was a bust for me. It sounded good enough... Saute shallots and garlic in a small amount of oil. Throw in the Chard till it cooked down. Top with goat or feta cheese and serve.

D didn't mind it so much, but not me. It was bitter, and the cheese didn't do much to help out, although it was delicious goat cheese.

Will try again......

AMW

CSA - 2 weeks in

Back at the end of March, I wrote this post about trying out a CSA. Need a moment to catch up? I'll wait.....

Back? Great!

The CSA officially started this past weekend. June 4th. We got the 1/2 share since there are only two of us in the house. We also got an email that we could pick up a "bonus" over Memorial Day weekend. WOOHOO! BONUS!

Here is the list of what we got in bonus basket:

• Beets
• Turnips
• Swiss Chard
• Spinach
• Salad mix (lettuce and radishes)
• Herbs (mint and basil)
• small bag of frozen Peas from last year's harvest

Ok, I'll be honest. I don't eat a lot of veggies. I've gotten a LOT better over the last couple of years.

I've never eaten beets. I've never eaten turnips. I've never eaten Swiss Chard.

Last week, I cooked and ate both beets and turnips. And liked them!!

This first official week is good too! We got:

• Zucchini
• White Squash
• Yellow Squash
• Beets
• Turnips
• Swiss Chard
• Herbs (mint and basil)
• PEACHES!

I see grilled squash and zucchini this week, and I also see a peach cobbler! I also see more beets and mashed turnips.

But can someone please tell me what to do with Swiss Chard???

I have no idea!

And we've got 20 weeks of fresh veggies with different stuff every week!

YEAH!

Please help out with the Swiss Chard, or any other yummy recipes for some of the other items!!!

AMW

Hello??? Is this thing on?

I guess I just haven't had anything interesting to say. Or I just forgot to say it. Who knows....

Been quilting a bit. Got a couple finished up for gifts. And a wall hanging for me. Will post pictures of them after they've been delivered. Got several cut, and bought more fabric for even more.

Finally had to break it all out on the white board in the craft room.

A friend has been in the hospital this week, so I've been running out to visit him on my lunch hour. He's a pretty private person, so he didn't let on that he was in the hospital until he had been there two full days. In ICU. His fiancee lives on the other coast more than 3000 miles away, and his folks are almost nearly as far. Some of his co-workers are keeping an eye on his cat and apartment, but I know he was getting bored in the hospital...

Today I picked him up some boy magazines. Computers, Men's Health, and a puzzle book. I also picked up the newest quilt magazine and stuck it in there. He chuckled, and handed it back to me....

Took an impromptu trip on Memorial Day weekend to check out a casino in WV. Charles Town Races and Slots. Not bad. A bit smokey, but the place was huge! And this summer they are opening table games. Nearby is Harper's Ferry, WV. An adorable town on the AT with a bunch of National Parks around. Really want to get back there.

And remember a LOOOONNGGG time ago, I mentioned that we were going to try a CSA? Well, we had our first couple of baskets. I PROMISE to post an update VERY soon. I even took all the required pics tonight... So it's coming.

And, once again, I'll try to do better about posting. I read other blogs every day, but just can't seem to post. Doesn't seem like I anywhere as interesting as the folks I read....

AMW