Saturday, July 16, 2011

Reality Break and Random Things

Thought it was time for a little break from posting about our trip to Nepal to talk about real life. Although the plants on my bedroom balcony died while we were away, the succulents on the other balcony fared well.


The old barn wood animals you see in the pots were gifted to me by my husband's ex-wife's uncle many years ago. :)

This wildflower with tiny yellow flowers has popped up in many pots. Not sure where it came from, but I am happy to see anything green so it gets to stay and grow wherever it pleases.

With temps around 125 each day, I am in full pajama mode, and although I should be cleaning, I am mostly blogging and crocheting. The crocheted hearts were made using a pattern found at The Royal Sisters and the sachet hearts were inspired by my many visits to Beth at Gathering Dust.

More doilies off the hook using Glor's mug coaster pattern because it works up quickly and makes a nice little gift with a jar of flowers or bowl of chocolates.

Although it was great eating out while we were away for 10 days, it is also nice to get back to the food we know and love. Black beans with rice topped with onions, tomatoes, jalapenos and sour cream with cornbread on the side. My girlfriend, Lisa, turned me on to canned black beans long ago and they have been a staple ever since. Sadly we can't always find them in the grocery store here.

I tried a new tuna patty recipe which held up nicely when pan fried. (I substituted Italian breadcrumbs for the ground flaxmeal called for in the recipe.)

And last week I actually saw a sunset with a bit color which was unusual since dust high in the sky usually blocks our view of the sun.

Guess I should do a little bit of cleaning so that I don't feel so guilty about my couch potato ways (albeit a productive couch potato). Hope you have a wonderful day! Friendship blessings, Tammy

24 comments:

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Hi Tammy,
It's always good to be back home, isn't it!
Sorry I haven't been by to visit for awhile. I'm going to spend some time here and catch up on your posts.

Have a lovely weekend.

hugs
Sissie

Tanna said...

My gosh, girl! I feel bad whining about our days in the low 100s when I think of your being in that kind of heat!! Mercy me! Glad the succulents and the little yellow flower made it... I think they give hope to surviving the heat. I've been doing much the same to get by in the heat, only knitting. It does feel good that it is productive. =) take care and stay cool. blessings ~ tanna

Tanna said...

ps You will have to check out the smell of wet camel yarn for us. LOL! We might prefer sheep, but since I have never smelled a camel, I couldn't say for sure. ;)

Happy@Home said...

Yikes, that is hot! It sounds like the perfect excuse for being a productive couch potato:).
Your crocheted hearts are so pretty. You do such nice work.
What a shame about your plants. I'm glad to hear that all was not lost.
Your food pictures are making me hungry. Those tuna patties look like a good idea for lunch.

Vee said...

Hi Tammy~

Thank you for your visit to my corner. I so enjoy meeting bloggers how are new to me. You certainly live in an interesting corner of the world. One hundred twenty-five degrees would be beyond miserable for me. I'm afraid I'm destined to always be a gal of the north.

Clafouti, should you dare to bake any time soon, is more like a custard than a cobbler. Very creamy and light and easy.

I'm off to find the coaster pattern as I love the look of the coasters you've made.

Libbie said...

Hi Tammy! 124! I didn't even know it GOT that hot anywhere on earth! That is so crazy!!! But that cucmber with your tuna looks like the perfect way to stay cool! cucs are just so refreshing! Love your little doilies! You are right...they would make such sweet gifts! Hope you are doing good! Stay inside! :) Lib

Anonymous said...

Black beans are a favorite of ours, too. You can do so much to them and they make a wonderful side dish. Over rice and topped with chopped tomatoes. Yummy.

Hearts are another of my favorites and your little sachets are charming. I'd love the pattern for those as I'm taking a class in the near future that uses hearts of all shapes and sizes. Would you mind sharing?

I'm off to Target today while hubby is on a climbing trip. Although I can't shop in my jammies! Anything I can pick up for you?

Hugs my friend and have a sweet day.

Jan

Mariette's Back to Basics said...

Dearest Tammy,

Love your succulents and your question where the new one came from... 'Everything is everywhere, only the environment selects' so seeds get airborne or carried by birds and voilà. Enjoy it as it is adapted to the barren climate. Like you say, anything green is welcome. Enjoy your Sunday and have a great week's beginning!

Lots of love,

Mariette

Lemon Lane Studio said...

Your crochet work is so pretty. I will have to give that coaster a try. It's always nice to have a little something extra to tuck into a gift and I love it when it's handmade. I certainly don't blame you for staying inside and pajama mode sounds wonderful!

Nancy said...

Husband's ex-wife's uncle... I chuckled at this. :)

Unknown said...

Glad to see you are back home safely. You know what...we are in for the same thing here with the plants... Predicted 105 + humidity on Monday and high 90s the rest...yuck. I'm going to have to go for that tuna pattie idea. No really cooking here. Glad to see you fun crochet around too.

Have a sweet weekend and don't work to hard,
Kate

Stitchy Mc Floss said...

What a lovely sunset!

Sounds like you are getting a lot of work finished in your housewife uniform (I can say that pajama's are a housewife uniform since I am one and I am currently in uniform as I write this)! It's just too hot to get all dressed up if you aren't going out side...and trust me, if it were 125 here, I'd never, ever go outside. OMGosh, that's hot. I thought it was hot here at 97...I think you have us beat by a zillion miles. Try to stay cool and keep that hook flying, I love seeing the things you make they are always so pretty. :) Blessings always :)

Diane said...

125 is just too hot for me to think about. It's 95 here today and THAT'S too hot. My potted flowers and even some in my flower beds just can't take this constant heat. Very depressing to lose them (I'm sure you know that) The food sounds good, you must have air conditioning to even think about cooking. Stay cool Tammy. Enjoy what you can. Blessings, Diane

Anonymous said...

Gosh Tammy that is hot!! Above 90 degrees and I just feel sapped of energy.

That plant that keeps popping up looks like a wild purslane which is edible if it is. I pull a few plants up and chop it up just a bit, saute in olive oil with some garlic and onions and throw in a can of ranch beans. Makes a quick and good meal!

bee blessed
mary

Jackie said...

I don't think I would survive in temperatures that high. It seems unbearably hot to me. I do love your crochet. The hearts are adorable. Learning to crochet and knit is on my list wish of things to teach myself. I am hoping to find some time in the evenings to start learning.

A Fanciful Life said...

Hi Tammy,
Those tuna patties look delicious! Perfectly browned, they are making me hungry. They remind me of the garden burger I buy at Trader Joe's although it is veggies instead but I'd love to try your with a slice of cheese on top. I also make open face tacos with bean, tomatoes, avocados which reminds me of your other dish, which looks equally scrumptious. Gosh, I"m going downstairs to eat right now!

Sharon :-)

Susan said...

Oh Tammy,I would NOT like those horrendously hot temps. The most it ever got in the southwest when I lived there was 119 degrees and I thought I was going to die.

Your crocheted items are darling. Great job!

Well, have a nice day and try to keep cool. Susan

Pam said...

Tammy,
I understand your heat issue although we aren't quite that hot. It's well above 100 everyday. All I want to do is stay inside with air conditioning.

Your crochet pieces are lovely. I've been quilting alot recently but will get back to crochet now that DH is going to have surgery on Wed and will be in the hospital for about 4 days. I always take my crocheting to the waiting room. It helps the time go by a little faster that just sitting.

Have a great weekend.

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Tammy,

There is no place like home and to be able to eat home cooked meals, is a good thing.
I find my succulents are always great over the summer months here, where water is in short supply.
I love your sweet hearts and the crocheted coasters, you have been busy.

Enjoy your weekend and time off.
Hugs
Carolyn

Simple Home said...

Wow, 125!! I don't think I've ever experienced weather that hot, even living in the desert. Your a/c must be working overtime :)
We love black beans around here too. I had them with rice and chicken today for lunch.
Blessings,
Marcia

Anonymous said...

Hi! Your hearts are delightful! On my blog you said you have problems getting dried lavender?
(Pottery Barn, in Kuwait? really?). I too like to use some polyfil tho many of my buyers prefer the 100% lavender. I d be happy to give you my resource (in Cape Cod), maybe they can ship to you? Or to someone in the US who can send it on? Email me or write me on my blog if you re interested.

love

lizzy

gone to the beach lizzzz.d@gmail.com

Serena Lewis said...

Lovely crochet pieces, Tammy. I think I could become converted to more pyjama days after enjoying on myself today. :)

I've never tried black beans...will look out for them here.

Candace & Nicole said...

I love stopping by to see all the places you visit. Sorry about the heat, I can't even imagine it. I nearly die when it gets above 90! :) I'll have to give your black bean and rice meal a try, it looks simple and delicioius.

Candace

Yarni Gras! said...

hmmmmmm. I'll look into that tuna patty recipe...looks good! Yuck to the heat though!!!

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