!! 'Chatting Over the Fence' w/ the "Circle of Friends" ~ June 1st thru June 15th !!

Wow! Hard to believe it's already June!!! Graduation Parties, Weddings, summer vacations AND we've got 4 Anniversaries to celebrate in the COF Neighborhoods!! (Be sure to watch for those!!) Here's just a sampling of some of the fun things going on throughout the 'Neighborhoods' this month - 

1. The 'COF Club House' is enjoying some counted x-stitching to start off the month! Ms. Nancy is our gracious hostess for this one! Can't wait to see what she's got planned!

2. That will be followed by the 'COF Club House' making a 'Candy Bouquet' !! Ms Marian has agreed to be our hostess for this fun project!!! This is sure to be a very popular activity

3. The Chez Amis Ladies are busy planning a big 4th of July Bash and are already seeking your treasured recipes for Appetizers and Drinks. They're working on putting together a wonderful little cookbook that will include all of the recipes shared for the Memorial Day Party! Don't know about the rest of you gals, but holy cow was that a fun party! Gonna be hard to top that one! But I'm sure Chez Amis are more than up to the task!

4. Of course the 'COF Bookworms' have been busy reading and discussing not one but TWO books!! 

Such busy, busy ladies and we're just getting started! Hang on to your hats, ladies! Me thinks June is gonna be a wild ride!!!

I cannot believe that it is already JUNE!  This year is just moving by so quickly.  When reading Kay's post, I immediately thought about Paula, one of our neighbors from Chez Amis.  She is retiring in June and already we have more than enough projects to keep her busy. 

The Cross-Stitching Kits are almost ready to go.  I had 5 newbies to cross-stitiching sign up.  I do hope my home made instructional video will be what they need to get started. 

For now, get dressed and onto school.  5 more days!

nancy

Yep, Nancy, two more weeks and I will be retired!  I need to write down a list of all the things I have rolling around in my head to do once I retire.  It is amazing how many folks ask "what are you going to do when you retire" in a way that says--how on earth will you fill all that vacant time.  Well, I have to tell you, I don't think that will be a problem in the least for me.  So far I have joined our Senior Center ( have an orientation next Tuesday), plan to get free a National Parks pass (we live within 20 miles of the Shenandoah National park with all of its beautiful waterfalls, trails, etc.)--and anybody in the car with me can enter free as well!--, free seasons passes to our local lakes (fishing, swimming, hiking, and even a dog park where my hound mix an run around (the yorkie is too tiny for me to even think about taking her).  I have crafts to learn, grand kids to run around with, day trips to take!  Oh my, and of course our neighborhood to visit in.  What with all the parties we are having here lately, I think that will also take up a good portion of my free time.

Today at work (well not really work we are having a staff retreat complete with a self defense class, picnic, hiking some short trails, games and a Whole Foods demonstration about grilling.  Wouldn't you know that there is the possibility of some storms, etc. today, but if that should actually happen, I am sure our planners have some alternate plans.  No fun at a picnic shelter in a hailstorm! 

Well, I better get moving -- need to drop off some fresh veggies with my daughter this morning and run a few other errands before the retreat starts. 

Wishing everybody a good day, prayers for those who need them, and I"ll check in later on!

Paula

Good Grief, Paula!!! I'm exhausted just reading about all your wonderful plans for your retirement!! You go girl!!!! Sounds like your state has a lot to offer the Seniors! MN used to have quite a few of the same things. But not any more! Seems the powers that be have decided Seniors should have to help pay for everything just like everyone else! So sad!!!

Hope all are having a great day! I'm off and running for groceries and a few other errands as well. As much as I love to cook and play with recipes, I absolutely detest having to shop for the groceries! Why? Who knows!!! I learned long ago it doesn't pay to ask DH to help either. If I send him to the stop with a list and specific instructions of exactly what I want and need, you can bet he'll come home with exactly what I do NOT want or need! lol  

later.........

Good Morning - wet and dreary here today. Paula - you are going to be busy - sounds like a lot of fun.

Kay - I hate going to the grocery. I must go tomorrow - ewe - a Saturday - - I better plan on getting there early or else I will be extra miserable. Usually I am OK once I get there - and I have to have a list or who knows what will end up in the cart!

Nancy - that's quite an endeavor making a video! Is it on You-Tube?

I'll stop back soon.

Andrea

Yoo hoo!!! How's everyone doing? I have had one cup of coffee and am starting to feel like I am alive finally. I made BBQ short ribs (boneless) last night and boy were they good. Here is the link:

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Barbecued-Beef-Short-Ribs

What I did different - mainly because I was in a hurry.....I browned the beef first. Then I pressure cooked it until almost tender about 20 minutes. Then I cooked it the remaining time (about an hour) on the stove in the sauce - one pan for the whole thing.

I did change the sauce just a bit - but it was good. We add about 3/4 cup of vinegar (rather than 2/3 cup) because we like it better that way. I also added a little more garlic.

I guess I could have cooked it a little longer in the pressure cooker and only about 30 minutes at end - I am not a pro a pressure cookers - so am always kinding of guessing my times. Do anyone here use one frequently?

I do have a 2-in-1 pressure cooker. It has one pressure cooker lid and two sizes of pans - one is about 3 1/2 inches deep - normal circumference. The other is I am guessing 8 qts. It also has a plain glass lid - like a skillet lid - so you can interchange everything - it worked out very nicely for this dish as I used the one that looked more like a fryer pan.

Well, I need a refill - will be back shortly.

Andrea

HELLO

hope your all doing well, about the same  here.

it is  sure  chilly today, we had some rain badly needed. sam is working today and tomorrow,  told him he is to old to work them hours, but it is mandatory,  looks good on pay day.I kept my grandson over night last night,  and my grandaughter is spending the night tonight, she is going to be so tired she ran in a race this morning and ran 3.3 miles  in 33 minutes  sounds pertty good to me, she loves to run the races  it was called girls on the run.

hello to my close neighbors  amy, dm and cee , and  a big yell hello to all our surronding neighbors.everyone house in our neighbor hood  looks good with all the blooming flowers. 

well just stopped by for a minute   take  care  hugs  to all

linda

Afternoon everyone!!

It is an absolutely 'picture perfect' summer day here!! Well, late spring/early summer!! Just gorgeous. If the entire summer were like this, I'd absolutely fall in love with summer. There is just enough of a breeze to keep the bugs at bay and the temps are perfect!! Lots of billowy, fluffy clouds floating across a cerulean blue sky! Just doesn't get any prettier!! It's supposed to rain again tomorrow! AS much rain as we've had, I'm welcoming whatever the good Lord sends our way as we still need it! Unreal how the flowers, trees, gardens and crops are already flourishing and at least 4-5 weeks ahead of schedule! Be interesting to see how it looks in Mid July! lol Anyway.........

I think I"ll head on over to Andrea's house! Her ribs have my mouth watering!!! I got a new spice from Penzey's yesterday that I want to try out! I'm thinking maybe that rack of ribs I have in the freezer will have to come out this week so I can try it out!!

So what's everyone else up to on this first very busy summer weekend? HS Graduation in town here tomorrow! So all over town folks are getting ready and parties abound! Even if it rains, there are temporary shelters scattered all over town. So folks are ready for it!!!

Well, not much else going on around here. I've been trying to get some outside work done but friends and neighbors keep stopping in for a chat! I love it!! Of course, the work isn't getting done. But I sure am enjoying the chit chat! lol

later.......

Kay, I just received a Penzey catalog in the mail yesterday.  I was going to post on here if anybody had ordered from them before.  I am hoping to add some items to my spice rack.  It seems I am always missing something for whatever new recipe I want to prepare. 

Our high school graduations were here today as well.  And it has been a gorgeous day!  Cool, no humidity, sun shining.  I sat outside and read for a bit.   I am sure that this nice weather will soon turn to hot and humid here in Virginia.  It seems to be the pattern anymore.  I remember when I was a child--no air conditioners at all, just window fans.  We all survived very nicely.  But now, what with the ACs everywhere you go, the heat is oppressive--either that or it i really is much hotter than it used to be.

I made stuffed peppers tonight, along with some baked beans and steamed cabbage.  I hadn't had that for dinner in ages, and it all turned out very nicely. 

Paula - I had the Penzey's spices before as gifts. But never ordered from them until now because I thought they were a bit pricey! Recently at the grocery store, I had to restock some oregano and was shocked at how much the price had gone up. Started looking at the price tags on ALL the spices and was flabbergasted. So, knowing Penzey's is a better and likely much fresher choice, I decided to go online and do some price comparisons. Turns out, their prices are MUCH better than local and I KNOW I'm getting top quality!  There are some spices, too, that I can never find around here. I used up the last of my saffron a couple months ago and have yet to find any anywhere around here. It's always been hard to find some of those. But when I couldn't find any coriander, I knew I was gonna have to try something. So Penzey's to the rescue! I'm now replenished and got a few things I didn't realize I needed! lol And the shipping? not bad at all! When I did the math, I still made out better costwise by ordering. How often do any of us actually buy spices? Not all that often right? Most of them do last. So I figure from now on I'll keep a closer eye on what I have and watch for some sales and shipping deals! Anyway, if you decide to try their product, I don't think you'll be disappointed at all! It comes really fast, too. I ordered online on Monday and had it in hand yesterday afternoon! Not bad!!!

So tonight was a continuation of the 'picture perfect' day and I ended up sitting on my lovely porch with a cup of tea and finished a book I've been reading! It was so peaceful and quiet - just me and the birds!! A cardinal was singing away like crazy! Gold finches were joining in and popping into to find some thistle seed. The Baltimore orioles were cleaning up grape jelly and hummingbirds put a big dent in the newly replenished feeder. We usually have a few hummers over summer. But most of them show up in August an entertain us for weeks before finishing their southerly migration. Not sure why they seem to be sticking around here this summer. But I'm loving it!!! If you've never had the pleasure of taking in the 'bird show' around you, put up a few feeders, sit back, relax and enjoy the show! My brothers and I grew up bird watching. And I think now we all enjoy it even more!! They are amazing creatures!!!

Well, it's late. THink I'll hop in the shower and then grab a new book to read!!! Wonder what it'll be this time? lol

Niters............

Greetings to all the Lady Bugs and everyone else.  Not much going on here.  I guess you could call it the house of boredom.  However, I am a major reader and it keeps be going.  I do not do any needlework as I have a lot of difficulty threading a needle.  I am looking foreward to the candy thing.It sounds interesting.  Church today and then to do a couple of loads of laundry.  Hope everyone is having a great weekend.

Good Morning, Everyone,

It's a BEAUTIFUL day here... sun shining (not one cloud in the sky), birds chirping, very slight breeze and about 60 degrees at the moment. It's the DH's birthday and I will be gone all day with my son for the motorcycle course, so we will take DH out to dinner this evening rather than cook his favorite meal (I'll do that later in the week!).

Wishing everyone a wonderful rest of the weekend and a great start to a new week!

Afternoon ladies!

Another absolutely gorgeous day has shaped up! Got a bit of rain this morning and now the sun is out and there's a bit of a breeze and it's just about perfect again. I think, Karen, you got our weather from yesterday today!!! So that should mean you have another great day in store for tomorrow! It's a bit warmer, and there are predicted scattered thunderstorms for later. But truly, this past week has been my idea of perfect weather for summer. I know heat and humidity will be back with a vengeance before I can snap my fingers. Wouldn't it be nice if we could put in our order for the perfect weather for any given day and it would be delivered? lol Anyway........

Been looking through my cookbooks looking for a little cookbook I had for scones. Do you think I can find it? NOT!! ARGH!!! So frustrating! I've got a hankering for some almond scones and I know that little book had the best recipe! I decided to give up the search for now. It's gotta be here. Just can't for the life of me think where it could've gone! I did manage to find another recipe to try. Hope it's at least half as good! lol

Speaking of recipes...............I'm trying to gather up some appetizers and beverages for the July 4th Party to submit to Chez Amis. Guess what? Can't find the addy I'm supposed to be sending those too, either! Guess it's not my day for finding much of anything! Anybody who has it, I would sure appreciate if you could share it with me! I know it's somewhere on FB and on here. But I can't seem to find it here either! lol Maybe I"m supposed to be outside enjoying the day instead of inside trying to find things that do NOT want to be found? Ya think? roflmbo

Duh!! Addy was right under my nose the whole time! So never mind about the addy!! Now if the same would just happen for the scone book! lol I've been looking for the last 2 hours!!

Good Morning, Neighbors! Today is my LAST day of work for this school year!!! I'm actually glad that the forecast is for rain on Tuesday, because I have neglected my housework for too many weekends and need a day to "get 'er done". I also need to get back in the habit of cooking every night! When I was going to school part time and working full time, we got into the who's cooking tonight? routine... one night it would be Bob (Evans), another night 5 Guys, etc! I need to sit down, plan meals, go get the supplies and get back into a routine! Although, I am hoping that my good friend and neighbor, Andrea will accompany me out one last night to celebrate the end of the school year (tonight). Hope everyone has a bright start to the week!