Monday, August 31, 2009

The Sweetness Of Life

There are days that make one's heart soar....
Defying words to describe feelings procured....


Reminding where the sweetness of life is found....


Treasured times when love knows no bounds.

There's A New Restaurant In Town

Won't y'all come on by? Sous Chefs Aubs and Gav work wonders in the kitchen. Specialties include the frequently requested Chocolate Chip Pancakes with a side of Scrambled Eggs. Yum!

Just follow the arrows till you find the sign for The Garden Restaurant. It's worth the trip from anywhere! xo

Friday, August 28, 2009

THE HELP

Please link to my favorite,
Inspiring.
Addendum... Disappointing finale, sorry to say.

Frugal Fun

Check out this awesome site, with its browsing and linking possibilities galore. I'm posting it here so that I don't forget about it; I'll visit often. Have fun!

Before August Slips Away...

I just have to acknowledge The King Of Rock 'N' Roll with this exquisite take from Aloha From Hawaii-1973. If you've never seen this first-via-satellite concert, I highly recommend it.

Sweet Rosemary






This season's prolific Rosemary seems to have enjoyed the particularly rainy summer we've experienced. There is plenty to combine in a garni bouquet or two; but right now, I can only think Shish Kebab on the grill and ND. Yes, sweet Rosemary's Wine, an early deep cut that old fans such as myself just love. Won't you have a listen, please?

Harvest Time... Eat Beets









If you happen to have a Mandoline slicer, it is an awesome tool for this job. I sold my pro version on eBay. It was causing me to have nightmares, wherein one of my grandkids found it and cut themselves. Of course, I must say the bad dreams resulted from the gruesome fact that my Excellent-Chef-Cousin Maria did just that, losing a sizable piece of her fingertip. That said, forgive the uneven slicing herein. Enough red juice splattered from my sharpest knife to stain my fingers; it looked like I participated in a bloody massacre. Regardless, the end product was delicious!

Scrub and partially peel fresh beets; slice and put into a baggie; add your best EVOO; salt if desired, using a kosher or sea version. I like freshly ground pepper, too... it adds some kick. Toss till coated and single-layer on cookie sheet. Roast at 400 degrees/preheated, turning once, for as long as it takes, or about 30-40 minutes! They will shrink; and baking time depends on how thick or thin your machine or manual slicer works! Cool to crisp, or eat them hot and soft; YUM! Even the kids will like these healthy "chips"!

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Food Fight!

No wonder we pay so much for Pomí tomatoes! I prefer mine on pasta. Check out LaTomatina, as you envision yourself like this:

Dawn's Day

Albeit celebratory and difficult at the same time, we wish you birdsongs and blossoms, sunshine and love. Hunter's photo sure does capture the essence of warmth we know you'll feel today. Happy Birthday, Dawn.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Love Him Or Not...

We've all lost the most significant advocate for health care.

We were on the Cape when Eunice died, and Centerville opened its church doors for those challenged to come pay their last respects, in memory of her work done on their behalf. Back in the eighties, Brian and Christian participated in a local ski event for Special Olympics, hosted by Ms. Shriver, a dedicated human being.

It's hard to believe that two illustrious siblings of such a dynamic American family have passed away within days of each other.

RIP, Senator Kennedy and Ms. Shriver.

Do You..

WhirleyPop? If not, you should give it a try. The link provided gives info and history; I purchased mine at Target online. After literally tossing an expensive electric popper into the garbage, I find this old-fashioned method to produce a fluffy result with just a few threatening, teeth-breaking raw kernels left behind (one always needs to be careful with this desirous snack!). Hey, good popcorn can inspire!

Kim, This One's For You

My family knows me well. Each of my loved ones understands that the way to this girl's heart is through her garden! Here we have the cumulative effect, as the previously highlighted "Grandma's Garden" and "Dream" are added to by Kim's-favorite-color-pink Azalea. As I tend to my beautiful grounds, it is never without a thought of a loved one. Please accept my collective "Thanks" and my heart.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

It's Still August... Paying Tribute

Ad and video TIME MAGAZINE online.

We were there; yes, we were. We saw and heard Richie Havens create what became the "Freedom" anthem for this world renowned event. We've recently been back to our most beautiful Bethel Woods to share space with Mr. Havens. Time sure does march on! What a trip.

Monday, August 24, 2009

The Bucket List

Tickets! Yippee!

Beware The Enabler

Big, Beautiful Buck

And why we need a fence to garden....

Today








Gargantuan Grasses &

Tall, Glow-In-The-Dark Phlox


Smile!

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Kim's Happy Feet

These wonderful creations adorning Niece Kim's feet were handcrafted by a 13-year-old girl named Michelle who was very recently diagnosed with cancer of the eye. Michelle was immediately plunged into very intense treatment for this aggressive form of the disease. Post-treatment, when bedridden and feeling up to it, she creates these unique Flip-Flops. My Aubrey has dubbed them "Flippers", slipper/flip-flop combos.

Kim and Michelle's Mom, Andrea, are pediatric oncology nurses who care for very sick children on a daily basis. They are also very dear friends. We've all been touched by this family, and we hope you'll send out a healing prayer for Michelle.

Aubrey's Happy Digits

Color Me Funky

Thursday, August 20, 2009

True Story...


KIM & KEITH ARE COMING

Phone rings, "We're on our way, Aunt Nick." Blaring from my iPod dock is "A Matter Of Trust". I know I'm doing a lot of this lately, but I SWEAR! Hey, it's "our" Billy song!! Go figure.

The 3 M's - Mambo's Missing Maddy

Hey, do you know what a Nantucket Sleigh Ride is?? We learned! :-) Please left double-click to see the daring victim.

Understanding A Microburst

NY TIMES Photo-Central Park Damage
The saying goes in New York, "If you don't like the weather, stand still for a minute and it will change." That said, the "new" trends are frightening; i.e., the microburst in Central Park. We've witnessed similar weather, but never knew to identify its category. The NY TIMES photo and accompanying article are worth a glance; and this video is, in my opinion, important to watch:

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Envision Red


Gluten-Free Are You?

This is an awesome and informative article about Celiac disease, offering many "shoestring" links to help defray the cost of feeding oneself. I learned that Britain and Italy have unique ways of helping sufferers. Read on, if this issue affects your family, as it does ours: NY-TIMES-ARTICLE

Thank You!

It is astounding to think that I've reached 3,000 hits on Color Me Inspired. Thank you so much for sharing my inspirations with me.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Homegrown Beauty

Mates

Tina's Rescues

Nature Beckons

It's Coincidence, I Swear!


Just unpacked a little trinket from the Cape winery. Joe and I wanted the lighthouse-shaped, cobalt blue bottle to use for salad dressing, after the wine is gone. As I placed it on my counter, I noticed the Diamond connection; pure coincidence. So, the proverbial two birds are covered in favorites: Truro beaches and Neil. Cool.

This brings me to mention that I have a lot of catching up to do, with the ND TV special I've not yet seen from last Friday night and the "Hot August Night/NYC-Live From Madison Square Garden" DVD to watch. We were at the Garden last year during hot August nights; I am so psyched to think that I have a tangible memory to cherish.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Beach Tomatoes - Rugosa Rose Hips

What an astounding history this intriguing shrub has! It loves the fiercest of maritime weather and produces edible fruit, at one time an important staple in coastal towns. If you'd like to know more, here is the link to an

Random Cape Beauty

Please Left Double-Click

Identity Crisis

It's a good thing that Mambo is secure in his macho Black Russian Terrier-ness. He was mistaken for the following breeds: Portuguese Water Dog (on steroids?); Bouvier; Giant Schnauzer; Standard Poodle; English Sheep Dog (?); and Newfoundland. Okay, he is still a rare breed! The most intriguing comment, though, came from a funky young girl who sat herself next to me at an ice cream joint and then proceeded to grill me about the breed. She believed that she had finally found the dog meant to be in her family, as her Dad is Black and Russian! He later came over to introduce himself, affording us a good laugh and the discovery of a New York neighbor. Gotta luv it!

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Carpe Diem

Sunsets in our borrowed backyard are something to treasure, each different from the last. Upon descending to the bay beach after the big orange ball disappeared, we were treated to yet another unique light show.


Prolific Seals-Watch & Listen!

Today's brilliance seemed to be appreciated by the seal population at Head Of The Meadow beach. Their numbers are increasing quickly; and the Rangers of the National Seashore spend a lot of time protecting them from gawkers and their pets. Yes; Mambo accompanies us to the Cape because of the pet-friendly beaches here.

Please be sure to listen to the video at the end of this entry. The seals are noisy, emanating a mournful sound, such as that of a foghorn or mourning dove. It's a tad eerie; but they are immensely intriguing and very peaceful creatures. We'll miss them till next year.

We Love Our Dunes





Backyard-By-The-Bay Morning