~~~Watering Hole~~~ April, 2012 - Page 4

dougmccallum · #46 04-08-2012, 04:49 PM

Afternoon one and all!

Linda, I don't think it selfish to want to do the cooking school thing even if the family isn't exactly supportive. If in the end you can help a few people eat healthier you will have done a lot of good. I think you wil have a lot of fun and it won't take long to adapt to the schedule.

Haven't had any time for art in the past week between working to get the gardens ready (some of the greens have sprouted already) and the really intense week at work. Did get the work project delivered so have a bit of breathing room before the next deadline.

Time for the next round of garden work.

Doug

JayJay365UK · #47 04-09-2012, 06:32 AM

Good morning all!

Mary Lou, I have passed that house so many times on the way to Barmouth, Wales! We used to call it the Castle house, from the road you can only see the castellated tower in the summer... You can see most of it before the trees leaf in the spring. Ahh the Mawddach valley. We used to go every year at least two or three times for holidays, in touring caravans when we were younger, then a static my parents bought when we were older... Now our kids still go there!

Got the painting I was doing almost finished yesterday, I'll post a pic for C&CCs a bit later!

Doug, watch the back - stop frequently for rests!

Brenda - I always have trouble getting started - it seems there are always other things that need my attention more (or is it that my mind needs time to prepare, so I go finding excuses not to?) I did an hour on the caravan yesterday and only stopped as I ran out of vinyl covering for the front window which I've repaired and am now renovating! After that I didn't really have any more excuses, so I carried on with my paintings!

Azure, I wish we did have garage sales here, I would be the first to try it out! Actually someone around the corner did have one - I stumbled across it out walking the dog. I got two lovely kites for my grandkids - and they gave me another one free! But it's very very rare around here. That is the only one I've ever seen.

Linda, good luck with the classes!

Waving to all who come later!

HarvestMoon · #48 04-09-2012, 11:00 AM

I feel like a kid going off to kindergarden for the first day....will I pack the right lunch? Will anyone talk to me? Will I remember all the stuff I am supposed to take? I am a bit in a frenzy since our late lunch company yesterday (oldest brought a gang and my BF from HS came too) stayied for hours! So kitchen clean up and laundry this morning early.

I hope everyone has a great week, and if I don't pop in as often as I should please forgive me but know I am thinking about all of you!

aszurblue · #49 04-09-2012, 12:52 PM

Linda, you'll do just fine..Just remember to pace yourself and have a good time

Just want to pop in and say Howdy to one and all.. Doug, you are working in garden way to hard, but the fruits of your labors, will be yummy indeed

Mary Lou, What a outstanding photo...Stunning place!! Will you paint it..huh huh huh

Kay and JayJay, Loved your postings..

Hi Shirl, Hope you had a good Easter

Can't hang around and play today, but hope everyone has a great day...

Azure

**Brenda Y** · #50 04-09-2012, 03:27 PM

Just a quick pop in. I'm "on target" with my list today, but must keep moving in order to have some rest time before going to my class tonight.
DH and I went on a hike on our mountain this morning. . .felt sooooooo good as I'd not been out since sometime in early Feb

I think I must be part mountain goat, I can still outdo hubby when it comes to hiking and he's much more faithful about working out than I am.

Linda,
The first day is always the hardest. I imagine you will take more than you need and will learn quickly what you can pare down. I know you're going to love this venture and very much understand if you don't pop into the hole every day.

Doug,
DO be careful with your back! Will you take pics to share when you are finished with all this landscaping?

ML has popped into FB with one and two word comments. . ."Home" and "On the road again."

I think she's one busy bee!!

Well, break is over, onward and upward and wishing all a very good day!

HarvestMoon · #51 04-10-2012, 08:52 AM

popping in too....yesterday was exhausting! but we got our uniforms and knife kits, how exciting! Forgot to say that Sat. I went to an antique market that happens 2X a year- there were a LOT of booths selling antique botantical prints, I would have loved to have bought a lot of them but they were in the hundreds of $$ each! I was really taken by one of different speckled eggs....and a mushroom one!

**Brenda Y** · #52 04-10-2012, 11:01 AM

Another "drive-by" from me. . .I have a doctor appt this morning and then plan on getting our taxes done. I haven't even started the taxes. . .

I changed my profile pic on FB and other accts about a month ago, decided this morning to update the one here. It's a pic taken to show a friend my new hair "do."
I failed miserably at getting some art done yesterday. . .I've got the ideas in my head, but just can't get the muse to cooperate

Maybe when I get all the other "stuff" (like taxes and the "sample" foods I need to make for the catering job) behind me I'll be able to rouse up the ol' muse!!

Linda,
Oooooo, a KNIFE SET! I've been coveting a new knife set for a couple of years. When I read that you got a uniform, it reminded me of the book (and movie) about Julia Child

Wishing everyone a terrific day!!

Faafil · #53 04-10-2012, 12:26 PM

'morning everyone!

B, yep, I was 'brief' in my FB updates... we had a great time in LaMesa for Easter; nice gathering. It seems there's going to be a lot of family stuff going on in June, and it was really odd for me to have to think about and ask people if they could put us up for a few days when we come back for those kinds of things....looks like we'll just be barely moved in and be coming back!!

Oooo, Linda, new knives...

I have a pretty decent set of Henckels, but they really need a good sharpening. I have yet to find a good sharpener that doesn't cost over $100. Anyone have suggestions??

Azure, I've been wanting to paint that photo ever since I took it, but I still don't think I'm at a place where I could do it justice. But it's definitely on my 'to paint' list...

JayJay, I was so pleasantly surprised when we went to Barmouth. Even though we were there in July, I'd read that it could be chilly, so I wasn't prepared for a beautiful beach and sunshine there! It could have been a beach here in southern California; people flying kites, sunbathing, it was just gorgeous. I would love to go back to North Wales again...we got as far as Harlech Castle, and if I'd known we were so close to Portmeirion and Porthmadog, I would have encouraged DH to drive a little further.

DH is still under the weather

, he cancelled his test this morning, and now we'll have to postpone it for 2 weeks since we'll be in AZ next week. Guess it's a good thing our painter couldn't do the work until next week or DH would be miserable if it was this week. Oh, and good news - we have a new tenant for the money pit!

I've been busy going thru stuff, either putting it on Craig's List or in a pile for Goodwill. Today I'm taking my good suits and shoes to Working Wardrobes since I know I'll never wear them again... should have done that a few years ago. I did make a donation when we moved here, but some things I couldn't part with at the time, and now's the time!

Soo much to do, so little time!

Waving to Shirl, Doug, Ona, Jackie, Kay and anyone I failed to mention, have a wonderfully creative day!

dougmccallum · #54 04-10-2012, 10:20 PM

Good evening everyone. Hope all had some time for creativity today.

Turns out there were 4 baby owls. The last one left the nest box yesterday.

ML, good news on the tenant, bad news that DH is still under the weather. Hope he feels better before you go to AZ.

Linda, having fun? I understand about those antique botanical prints. They can be pricey but very interesting. I've added another book to my list -- Botanicals: Butterflies & Insects (Overstreet).

Brenda, JayJay I am watching my back. Almost done with the raised beds but have a slight sidetrack with tree planting. Planted a pie cherry this afternoon and got two more holes dug for trees. Tomorrow I plant two more cherries (sweet) and two plums. This is the start of the orchard. All trees going in have to pay their own way. A few nut trees will go in in the net week or so. Each day I can get a little more done than the day before.

Well, off to the next chores.

Doug

**Brenda Y** · #55 04-11-2012, 10:30 AM

MY, but the weather changed and it's downright chilly. My fibro started flaring up late yesterday afternoon and it occurred to me that it was the barometric pressure from the coming storm.

I got most of the taxes done yesterday, just waiting on DH to give me his mileage that's work related.

ML,
Sorry your DH is still under the weather

That's funny about you realizing you'll need "boarding" when coming back to CA for family/friend events.

Doug,
Wow -- you are going to have a LOVELY variegated orchard!! Glad to hear you are watching your back

I wonder if there will be more owlets coming out of the nest?

to all and wishing everyone a very good and creative day!!

aszurblue · #56 04-11-2012, 11:38 AM

Good Rainy Morning to Ya All!! Lovely Lovely rain started around two o'clock this morning..just a nice soft rain without all the bell and whistles

We may get a few thunder boomer's later today, but for now..its just sweet... But this could well be the last of it till November

Doug, I love cherry trees!! When I first move into this place I had, two peach, two pecan and two cherry's out back(also a mini grape arbor)...It was the only reason I took this place...Over the years, I lost three to storms and the others to some weird tree disease. Only one pecan was left

..But let me tell you something about them cherry trees..."THE BIRD'S"!! Hundreds and hundreds of BIRD'S!! Much much worse than the fruit bats that came for the peaches!!..I tried aluminum streamer's, I tried fake Owls, I tried chimes, I tried getting out there flapping sheets(that was the first time my neighbors thought me demented), I would be lucky to get a basket full from between both of them

..But I fought bravely

Hay Mary Lou, good to see ya back, but Wow, your hubby still sick!!

Hay, yay on your new tenant!! Hope its a good one!

Hi Linda, hope you are having fun with your school...I never bought a good set of chief knives because I knew I was changing over to deserts, pastry's, breads and cakes..but wish I had now

Brenda, see you are back to running full tilt again...Like your new hair-do

I hope everything remains well with Katie, your Mom and your family

ing big at Shirl, Kay, JayJay, Ona and all peeking in!

Azure

Faafil · #57 04-11-2012, 12:37 PM

'morning kids

Raining here too Azure, it started last night and came down pretty good, but has since let up a little...I'm glad I got my errands done yesterday...

Doug, wow 4 baby owls! Is that unusual to have that many at once? You've been one busy guy out in the garden...

B, that was such an odd feeling to me; not like I felt homeless or anything, just weird to have another thing to think about when we do visits now.

DH is still feeling awful - he had a horrible night last night, so we're calling the doctor this morning. Poor guy can't sleep unless he's sitting up, wheezing, can't breathe - and then it occurred to me that maybe the new medication has something to do with it. Sure enough, one of the possible side effects to call the doctor about is 'asthma like symptoms'.

He's been taking it for a month, and he got sick last week. This is more than just a cold...

I wish I'd thought to check earlier...

He can't even enjoy his new retirement gift that I bought for him (us really

) yesterday. I got an email from American Express, that using points thru their 'shop amex' site currently has a 30% discount on the amount of points it costs to purchase items. Sooooooooo, I scoped out the iPad 2, bought it online with points and picked it up at Best Buy.

Time for me to get dressed and see when we can get in to see the Dr. - I wanted to call first thing this morning and DH said "I'll call him"... men...

Waving to all, have a wonderfully creative day!

dougmccallum · #58 04-11-2012, 02:56 PM

Good afternoon everyone

ML, Brenda, 4 owlets is pretty much the maximum. Second year with 4 for these adults. One or two surviving to leave the nest is more typical. They are cute. I'm going to have to learn to draw birds.

Azure, we expect bird problems and hopefully will be able to net most of the trees. We are staying with dwarf or semi-dwarf trees to make it possible. I think the nut trees will be standard height (we don't have squirrels) and will use them as shade trees.

Along with the orchard will be berries. Those will mostly be in a shrub border between us and one neighbor since the property line has been worked to direct water from the farmer behind us away from the house. The shrubs will get a bit of extra water when he floods. This year service berry and honey berry. Unfortunately, the soil is a bit too alkaline for blueberries.

If nothing else, all this digging is starting to get me into shape.

Doug

HarvestMoon · #59 04-12-2012, 09:48 AM

I am so exhausted, and behind already on reading! I did not know. That culinary schools were run like the military! Whew! Uniform inspections, points deducted, start time means hands and knifes washed, everything ready to go and standing at your station, not rolling in the parking lot! Goats are getting the veggie scraps though! But it is ful, only 8 of us, all women!

Faafil · #60 04-12-2012, 10:36 AM

'morning everyone

Linda, sounds like you are in chef's boot camp!

Well, it was definitely more than a cold. DH has pneumonia and will be in the hospital for a couple of days. We got to the Dr. at 11:30, he was seen at noon and his blood oxygen level was so low that they immediately put him on oxygen, ran tests, called the hospital and sent us to the emergency room. After the ER ran more tests, they admitted him.

He's lost 7 pounds in the last week too, and for a slim guy like him, he can't afford to lose any weight.

I came home at 6:30 pm only because I had to be here to meet with the painter to give him the deposit check for the work in AZ next week. DH isn't happy about being in the hospital, but he didn't protest either, which indicates how bad he feels. Needless to say it was a loooooooong day.

I'll be going up this morning to take him his newspapers and a few things. Hopefully they will release him tomorrow

I have to find someone to go with me to Ikea to pick up the cabinets because we are still going to AZ on Sunday - we just can't postpone it even by a day.

Sooooooo, would appreciate prayers for a speedy recovery for him!

I'll check in later - have a most creative day!

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