Happy National Read a Book Day

 

I love that there is a day set aside to celebrate reading a book.When I read about this special day it is simply a day designated to relax and read a book. I carved out some time today. This is what I read:

I borrowed this cookbook from my brother today. When we had a Mediterranean family dinner a few weeks ago I loved all the healthy recipes. This cookbook is full of those healthy recipes.

Instead of family dinner this week we did "bring your own family lunch" today. After catching up on the news of the week, events, and travel plans Paul and Carol stayed and did some garden planning with me. I have an area in the back corner of the yard that needs a makeover, there is a corner by  the table that needs a bit more TLC and we moved the ladder shelves Everett had built to a more efficient place. I dusted off my favorite gardening book and starting reading about landscaping.

I am continuing to read this book I wrote about last week on this blog. As I begin planning for seed purchases and flower beds for next year, this book is an inspiration. 

Most of us don't need a special day to relax and read a book, but in case you haven't carved out time lately to do it, stop, grab a book, and read.

Do LIfe Hacks Make Life Easier? Sometimes.

When I am scanning my news feeds each day  I often see articles about life hacks. While reading some of  these life hacks I shake my head and ask myself, "Why didn't I think of that?" There are also life hacks that I read and think ," I don't think that would work for me."

 According to Wikipedia a life hack (or life hacking) is any trick, shortcut, skill, or novelty method that increases productivity and efficiency in all walks of life.

While watching a cooking show last night a woman showed a life hack that would not work for me. The life hack was an idea of what to do with leftover red wine. She showed how to make red wine popsicles. When I think of red wine I am always concerned about staining my shirt or spilled wine on furniture or a rug. A wine popsicle? When I eat a popsicle it always falls apart before I finish. I picture myself with wine stains on my mouth, melted wine on my shirt, and a brain freeze to top it off. Not a life hack for me.

This is a new life hack I am going to try. Take the sticky part of a Post-It note along your keyboard and it will remove bits of food, pieces of grime, etc. Who knew?

Who has used duct tape to open a tough lid? I am trying it tomorrow. 

Did  you know if you sprinkle salt in the ice in a cooler it will stay frozen for much longer? Have you tried this?

Once I discovered Wrinkle Release spray I hardly use my iron anymore. It is perfect while traveling. There are lots of brands that are effective.

Have you ever used a straw to remove the stem from a strawberry? I haven't.

Where do you carry cash when you don't want to carry your wallet or purse, like when you are at the beach? This is new to me. Roll you money and place it in an empty lip balm tube. I don't think this would work for me. I can't imagine being able to roll the money tight enough to fit in a tube.  I would also be the person that tosses the lip balm tube, forgetting it had cash in it.

What is your favorite life hack?

No Jack Frost Please

 It is days like today when the sky is blue, the air is just the right temperature, and many flowers are still blooming .  Please Mr. Jack Frost, stay away until sometime in November, okay?

 

If Only Riley Could Talk

 

My dog Riley has not been himself lately when we go to get exercise up at the high school. Usually going to the high school is one of Riley's favorite things to do. He leaps out of the car and runs and runs then walks with me and runs and runs some more.

The first time he wasn't himself  was last week. He ran across the field chasing ravens then came back to me, sat and wouldn't move. I tried to get him to walk with me. He was panting, shaking, and wouldn't budge. He wanted to get back in the car. He didn't get hurt, but something made him act different.

Next time we went to the high school it happened again. He ran up the hill then came back and had the same behaviors. I moved to car closer to the bridge thinking he would get out and walk with me. I couldn't get him out of the car. He was again trembling and panting.

Yesterday I took him to a different place. He was the Riley I know and love. He ran, rolled on a dead animal, found a deer bone and carried it around, He ran until he got tired.

I wish Riley could talk. What happened to him at the high school parking lot? Did he smell something that scared him? I just don't know. I am going to try it again tomorrow to see what happens.

Again, he didn't have an injury and when he is home he is the window watcher, early bed goer, bone lover, and snuggle boy like always. If only Riley could talk, he could tell me what was going on at the high school. Any ideas dog owners?

Keepers From the Recipe Box: Week-End Breakfast Favorites

Labor Day Week-end marks that time when school starts again, mornings are cooler, and days are getting a bit shorter. It is also a time for a last trip to the lake, camping with friends, or enjoying a backyard BBQ with family and friends. No matter how people  spend this first week-end in September, everyone  always eats breakfast. Here are some of my breakfast favorites for any week-end. 

These Sausage Biscuit Bites are easy and delicious. That is a good combination.

These biscuits are super easy to make. Take some breakfast sausage and combine it with cheddar cheese. Divide the mixture into 40 balls. Take refrigerated biscuits and split them into two rounds each. Place the biscuits in a mini muffin pan. Press the sausage ball into the biscuit and bake. I was worried that these biscuit bites would be greasy, but they weren’t.

• You can roll the sausage and cheese into balls ahead of time and assemble the biscuit bites when you are ready to bake them.  

• I use Tennessee Pride or Jimmy Dean sausage.

• You can substitute turkey sausage for the pork sausage if you prefer.

• This recipe uses the smaller refrigerated biscuits. Look for a 12-oz can or 6-oz can of biscuits. They will have 10 or 5 biscuits per can.
• find the recipe here: https://www.plainchicken.com/sausage-biscuit-bites-football-friday/

I just love this Vegetarian Breakfast Casserole. It is a nice change from the tradition breakfast meat casseroles. You make it ahead. It stays good for a few days and you can freeze it. Find the recipe here: https://www.wellplated.com/vegetarian-breakfast-casserole/#wprm-recipe-container-44530

Block Island Fog

Rhode Islanders have voted "coffee milk" the official state drink -- and they adore any variation on it. This punch, with its triple dose of coffee flavor, is a nod to this fondness for coffee.

Ingredients:

2 c. coffee liqueur

1/2 c. vodka

5 c. espresso or strong black coffee

3 pt. high-quality coffee ice cream    

Mix all of the ingredients in a large bowl and whisk until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to serve.  Serves 16 . Serve chilled. Find the recipe here: https://www.countryliving.com/food-drinks/recipes/a1319/block-island-fog-3429/

Enjoy the week-end!  

Silly Things I Can't Live Without

 There are certain things I am fortunate to have. Shelter, a car, food, water, a devoted pet, family close by, and a special circle of friends near and far.  Below are silly things  I can't live without. 

I can't live without kitchen scissors. Remember the good old days when you pulled on a plastic wrapper and you could open it with your own strength? These days I can hardly pry open the thick plastic wrapper on a carton of ice cream without kitchen scissors. It is amazing how we lived through childhood purchasing ice cream with no wrapper or heavy plastic. I use kitchen scissors to cut bacon, cut strips of lettuce, and snip parsley.

I also can't live without an inside outside thermometer. We first purchased one when we had our greenhouse so we could monitor temperatures, especially in winter. Now I am obsessed with inside and outside temperature. So obsessed I have one in the living room and one in the bedroom.

I know Wite Out is a no-no in a classroom, but I can't live without it. I am constantly whiting out a date on the calendar, or a mistake I made on a greeting card. Mine has to be the liquid type with the brush, not that tape stuff.

I can't imagine life without a cocktail jigger. Enough said.

I have found so many uses for Mason jars. Obviously I can't live without them for canning,  A Mason jar works do well as a vase, drinking glass, a vessel to shake up dressing, a container to hold baking ingredients, and so many cute crafts.

The last silly thing I can't live without is a pen, but with me it is a certain kind of pen. Even though I am not teaching now I am very picky about the type of pen I use. I know, it is silly.