Check out the size of this tomato!

Not a very bright picture, but wanted you to see the FIRST tomato I picked from my garden! It is sitting beside a regular cup. Now won't that make a good tomato sandwich?

Rachel had a picture of a big onion on her blog today.

Boone and Blowing Rock, NC

I spent the day in Boone and Blowing Rock NC. That's me on the left and in the center is my friend Patricia from Flordia and Nancy from Tucson, AZ. We all worked together at Raytheon many years ago. It was a beautiful day and I had forgotten how much I liked being in that part of the area. Pat and Nancy, if you see this....thanks for a wonderful day. See you this time next year....hopefully!!!!!

Adding a Link....

I am practicing on adding a link and clicking on the word to get me there. Be patient with me...LOL Rachel Thanks Rachel....I think it worked. WOW....I learned something today!!!!

SHAKE PICKLES......

3 QTS. CUCUMBERS..(SLICED)
4TO 8 ONIONS. (I USE ONE LARGE)
3 CUPS WHITE VINEGAR

3 1/2 CUPS WHITE SUGAR

1/4 CUP PICKLING SALT

1 TEASPOON TUMERIC

1 TEASPOON ALUM

1 TEASPOON MUSTARD SEED
1 TEASPOON CELERY SALT
Slice and layer cucumbers
and onions in jar. (You can use
pint jars or one large jar) or any
glass jar. Mix all other ingred
ients together. Pour over pickles.
Put lids on and refrigerate. Shake
every day for six days. Use lids
that you can shake with so your
juice won't pour out when you shake.
Always keep refrigerated. I have
left these in the fridge for two years
and couldn't tell any difference
than when I made them.
Good with beans!

Another picture of my tepee.....

Can you tell my cucumbers have grown? I'm getting several cucumbers every day and am getting ready to make "Shake Pickles". I need to put up a few more strings, but I will have to get a ladder to do that. Does anyone know if every bloom makes a cucumber? I always thought that is what happened, but my DH says no. He thinks only about half of the blooms turn into a cucumber. I'm at a loss on that one!

Aging With Grace.....

Aging With Grace

I know that I am growing older, and will someday be old.

Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject on every occasion.

Release me from trying to straighten out everybody's affairs. Make me thoughtful, but not moody: helpful, but not bossy.

With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all, but I want a few friends at the end.

Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details: give me wings to get to the point.

Seal my lips on my aches and pains: they are increasing and love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by.

I dare not ask for grace enough to enjoy the tales of theirs, but help me to endure them with patience.

I dare not ask for improved memory, but for a growing humility and a lessening cocksureness when my memory seems to clash with the memories of others.

Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken.

Keep me reasonably sweet: I do not want to be a Saint (some of them are so hard to live with) but a sour old person is one of the crowning works of the Devil.

Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places and talents in unexpected people....and give me the grace to tell them so.

And keep me humble until the end.

A Lovely Service......

We had two lovely services celebrating the life of Irene Melvin. She looked like an angel. Everybody that looked at her could not believe she was 94. I had a lovely knitted shawl that was just perfect for her burial attire. She had told me many time how beautiful it was. It was just hanging there waiting for her at the end.
Today at the cemetary, my son Gary played Amazing Grace and Going Home on the bagpipes. It was lovely and touching. Thanks to all for the sweet comments!

A SAD TIME.....

My Mother-In-Law passed over into the arms of Jesus yesterday morning. The nurses put her to bed last Thursday at 12:30. She spent only four days in bed before her death came. She passed easily.....went to sleep to wake no more. I have know her for 53 years and we have NEVER said a cross word to each other. She was like a second Mother to me. I will miss her terribly, but it is MY loss and HER gain!!!! I love you Mamaw!!!!!!