Valerean

When my guy and I visit Snooky Park in Lady Lake it's to walk the half-mile path around it, and to enjoy the outdoors. Generally the only people there are walkers like us, either alone or with their pets or babies. Everyone is very quiet, in the same way they are inside a church. The park is named after a local boy who perished on board the Arizona during the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was only 21 years old. In a way that always affects how I am when we visit. Calm, but also contemplative about the nature of life. Ageing is not a privilege that is given to everyone. There's one tree in particular at the park that my guy and I both stand in awe of -- this one. This tree might be as old as our country, and has been through hurricanes, endless summers of sometimes impossibly hot days and nights, and maybe even lightning strikes. It's old and scarred, and definitely stronger than the other, younger trees around it -- not because it's got so much damage. Bec...

Having too many projects going at the same time left me unwilling to start another until I finished one, so I waited to jump on my June tote for my calendar project. I also had a problem to solve with the fabric remnants I wanted to use for it, in that I needed complimentary solid fabric to top it on both sides. I have very little of that in my stash, and no fabric stores near me except Hobby Lobby (where I won't shop), so I decided to thrift the fabric. After we walked a park in Lady Lake I stopped by a thrift store across the street and found some excellent candidates: queen sheets and pillowcases. The pillowcases were $1.00 each, and the sheets were $4.00 (blue) and $2.00 on sale (green), for a total of $8.56. All of them are in new condition. Why do sheets work so well as fabric? A flat queen sheet is 90" X 102", which is almost three yards of 90" fabric. Try to buy that new for a couple of bucks. You do have to trim off the top fold and seams, ...

I am being rather annoying about Independence Day this year, but it is America's 250th birthday. Also, I probably won't have too many more chances to celebrate Independence Day in the future. I plan to go to town and watch the hometown parade we always have, and then make a big dinner with lots of treats and wrap up everything with a special dessert and maybe some sparklers. That's all. It's mostly work for me. Why not? I am a patriotic person, and I don't care if it's unfashionable, too much work or a holiday no one cares about. I care. Anyway, I've been collecting little things to use on the fourth. A red white and blue ceramic chip tray with dip bowls decorated with fireworks. Some flag-inspired hot pads. My guy bought some banners to hang on our house, and mini flags to put out along the front walk. I'm also planning a delicious and yet healthy for me meal with lots of protein, veggies, and one or two things that I can nibble on tha...

Because I often make desserts and things for the boys that I can't eat myself, I've been looking for small portion recipes I can make for me. That's why I'm having fun trying Claire Risper's one serving recipes while tweaking them to be sugarfree and diabetic friendly. This apple pie is one I made into a sugarfree galette with a mostly almond flour crust for Easter, and while I didn't take a pic of it, the dessert came out very nice (and small!) If you don't have diabetic needs then you can just follow her recipes as she presents them. Her one-portion videos are smart, easy and it's a great way to make a little something for yourself.

Pretty Crazy is a Korean romantic comedy movie about demonic possession, if there is such a thing in any universe, but it is quite amusing and doesn't come with the usual ejections of pea soup we have in the west. It's very clever, well-written and has a somewhat sad turn of events, but nothing that will make you want to throw anything at your screen. The story: Jeong Seon-ji (Lim Yoona) is a baker who lives with her father and cousin, and moves in beneath Gil-goo (Ahn Bo-hyun), an unemployed man who has no skills other than winning prizes from claw machines. From the very first night Gil-goo not only falls for the lovely, gentle and quiet Seon-ji, but also witnesses her demonstrating some bizarre behavior in the middle of the night. In short order Gil-goo discovers his crush is possessed by a demon that wakes up every night at 2 am and must be appeased or she becomes a one-demon wrecking ball. Seon-ji's dad throws out his back trying to cope, and hires Gil-goo t...

There's a lot to stress over this summer, which prompted me to make some changes to maintain a positive attitude while I manage everything. If you're in a similar boat, here are: Ten Things I'm Doing to Reduce My Stress Baking: Cooking is therapy for me, and baking is my specialty. Yesterday I baked a new batch of my guys' favorite bagels, and last night I made apple turnovers for them. Crochet Every Day: I regain a lot of peace and calm from crocheting in my spare time. It's also great physical therapy for my hands. Focus: For the first time in my life I am taking active charge of not only what I think, but how I think. My goal is to be present in this moment, not dwell on the past or worry about the future. Today, right now, is where I am and where I need to be. Generosity: I've always been a generous person, but I'm trying to incorporate one act of kindness every day. It's not anything gradiose, usually just a nice gesture or k...