Friday Foto Friends~ Odds and Ends

Happy Friday everyone! It's been such a beautiful week here in north central Florida...we've had nice cooler mornings, starting out in the low 60's, and only getting up into the mid 80's for most of the week, with lower humidity.  It's been delightful, even though we still need rain so badly!  As I look ahead on my weather app on my phone, it appears that next week we might start seeing a change in the weather patterns, with some rain predicted each day,  (Oops! That just changed! No rain in sight until at least next Thursday or Friday! Bah Humbug!) and the temperatures starting to rise back up a little bit to more normal levels, low 70's to high 80's.  But if it brings us rain anytime, I will be thankful!

I've recently noticed a plant growing in my butterfly garden area that suddenly had quite a growth spurt, which totally surprised me.  But the biggest surprise was all of a sudden I saw this flower blooming on it! What?  A flower?  I had no idea that plant was going to get a flower on it when I purchased a very small, scrawny stick of a plant early this past late spring at the farmer's market.  It looked interesting and different, so I bought it without really knowing what I was getting! (Probably not a good idea, but in this case, it turned out okay!)

 

So I had to use the Google Lens app on my iPhone to find out what it is, and here's the scoop via Wikipedia:  It is called Roselle  "Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) is a species of flowering plant in the genus Hibiscus that is native to Africa, most likely West Africa. In the 16th and early 17th centuries it was spread to Asia and the West Indies, where it has since become naturalized in many places.[1] The stems are used for the production of bast fibre and the dried cranberry-tasting calyces are commonly steeped to make a popular infusion known by many names, including carcade."

Here's a picture from a distance, taken from my porch this morning, so you can see what a strange looking plant it is:

The flowers bloom in the morning, 

but then they fold back up in the afternoon sun. 

Here's another link for some more information.

https://www.gardenia.net/plant/hibiscus-sabdariffa-roselle-grow-care-guide

I had no idea when I bought this plant that is could be used for tea, medicinal purposes, and even some jams and sauces.  I'm wondering if anyone else knows anything about this plant, or if you know how to use it?  I'm not much into using natural things like this for tea or other things, so I don't know if I will try it or not...we'll see...but I can still just enjoy the beauty of the flowers while they last.

Here's another flower that finally decided to bloom! I bought this Rose of Sharon bush this past summer also, and I've been waiting patiently for someone to come dig a hole for me so I can plant it in the ground. It has become so rootbound in the pot that I have to water it constantly to keep it alive...and I really was afraid I was going to lose it,  when all of a sudden it decided to bloom! 

Hooray!  Now maybe this weekend I can actually talk one of my strong sons into getting it planted in the ground for me!  I wanted this particular plant because I had one before in the original Memorial Garden for our son Matthew that we created back at our previous home. When we moved here to this house 6 years ago I brought the Rose of Sharon plant with us, along with that beautiful Don Juan Rose bush that blooms every so often.  The Rose of Sharon did fine for a few years, but finally died.  So when I saw this plant at the farmer's market I decided to get it and try again.  

The other day we were taking a little ride in the evening, and we saw this young deer on the side of the road, eating his supper I guess!

Upon closer look, we realized there were actually two deer!

I love seeing them, don't you?  As long as they aren't eating my flowers, they are just fine! (Yes, they do that!

Now here's a bit of an oddity!  I pulled this apple out of the bag of Gala Apples that I bought recently from Walmart.  I don't think I've ever seen an apple with such a line of division of color on it before, have you?

It was literally divided in half by the brighter, bolder red color on one half, and the more yellowed mixed with red color on the other half!

What a phenomenon!  

It tasted the same all the way through, however!  Makes me think this apple was a product of some genetic engineering...what do you think? Yeah, I guess I probably don't really want to know the answer to that! I wish I could grow our own apples, but that just doesn't happen here in Florida. I tried once, but the apples never got beyond the little green apple stage and the trees eventually died.  I'm glad we are going to go to the mountains of North Georgia next month and get some fresh apples straight from the orchard...

Okay, here's another odd sighting this week...yes, that big red spot is hives..actually on my upper thigh. It is about the size of a 50 cent piece.  

Here's the strange story...I had to be placed on some antibiotics this week for an infection, which I won't name.  I had forgotten that this particular antibiotic had caused this strange itchy spot to appear in times past. (several times, actually, before I realized what it was! I thought it was a bug bite at first). It's been a few years since I've been prescribed this medication, and probably because I had mentioned to the doctor before when this happened, but apparently it didn't make it into my records and there's a new doctor and he wasn't even looking at my files when he asked about what antibiotics I could take, and frankly I had forgotten about this one. But the next morning when this spot started itching on my thigh and I looked at it I remembered it right away...and called the doctor's office and told them. Of course they said not to take anymore doses, which I knew that much already. They prescribed something else, but it was also another variety of antibiotic that I cannot take, so I had to call them back and tell them that so they could prescribe something else!  They finally got it right, and I am doing fine now, but think what could've happened if I ignored the symptoms?  I also told the doctor's office that they need to start paying better attention to my records!!  This was on Tuesday, and the spot is still slightly visible on my thigh, but thankfully it stopped itching when I put some cream on it and took an antihistamine. What's weird is that there were no other spots, but I did feel some itchiness in other parts of my body.  I am thankful that I am feeling better now, and that nothing really bad happened.

I guess you could say I'm cleaning out my photo files on my phone today! Here's something else I found that I took pictures of recently, but haven't shared yet.  Have you ever made your own "Maple Syrup"?  No, I don't mean the kind that you get from Maple tree sap. That's the REAL maple syrup, and there's quite a process to making it. First, you have to have the right kind of sugar maple trees, which are primarily up in the northern part of the country. Then you have to know when to "tap" them to gather the sap, usually in the spring. Next you have to boil the sap down to get the syrup, and I believe the formula is that it takes 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of Maple Syrup. Those of you who have done this may correct me if I am wrong.  

Pure Maple Syrup is the very best, but it is also rather expensive. When we lived up in New England we used to get some from friends who had their own Maple Syrup business.  However, throughout the majority of my life, I have mostly used Log Cabin Maple Syrup, which is not the real deal, but at least it doesn't contain High Fructose Corn syrup, so I prefer that one above most other commercial brands.

But there have been times when I couldn't really afford to even buy that, or I would run out of it, and then I would make my own "Maple Syrup". Here is the recipe that I've used for many years:

It's pretty simple, and tastes good too. Our kids never knew the difference!

I found this little bottle of Maple Flavoring in my cupboard the other day, and it was almost completely empty. However, there was at least 1/4 teaspoon left, (which probably had become mostly just the alcohol with a little flavor left, it was so old!) Rather than waste that last drop, I decided to make a batch of syrup since hubby was hankering for some French Toast.

I've had this glass syrup pitcher for years. I think it came with Log Cabin Syrup in it one time for an anniversary or something, but I can't find any information on that to prove it, so maybe it was from a different syrup company.  If anyone else knows for sure, please let me know. It has an old sailing ship embossed in the glass.  I've always used this pitcher to hold and serve my homemade syrup!

I used Italian bread from the Walmart bakery to make our French Toast. They have been selling these loaves of bread for just $1.00 for this past year, but only recently increased the price to $1.47 or something like that. Either way, it's still a great deal, and makes great French Toast!

Oh, here it is with the syrup poured over it.

Yum...however, I really can't eat this very often. Too much "sugar" for me, but hubby sure loves it.

Well, I've been working on this post all day, in between running errands, fixing lunch, taking a nap, and all the other stuff we do every day.  It's time to get it finished so I can move on to something else! 

I went outside for a minute, and this is what happened:

The kitties came running over to me, and after I petted them both they started loving on each other too. They are so sweet...they always make me smile.

Awwww...

Yes, I am thankful...

1 Samuel 2:1-2 NKJV

Hannah’s Prayer

1 And Hannah prayed and said:

“My heart rejoices in the Lord;

My horn is exalted in the Lord.

I smile at my enemies,

Because I rejoice in Your salvation.

2 “No one is holy like the Lord,

For there is none besides You,

Nor is there any rock like our God.

Amen.

Be Still My Soul...

Hello! I was just sitting here in my "Room with a View", looking out the window as I was trying to decide what to write about, and there were these three Sand Hill Cranes walking about on the other side of Still Waters Pond. So I hopped up and went out on the porch and took a few pictures...

I hadn't seen them lately...they are the little family that would sometimes fly in and fly out, I thought earlier in the year looking for a good place for a nest, but the Canada Geese had already beat them to it so they went elsewhere.

But then a few months later came back and brought their "baby" with them. So they show up now and again and have a snack on the pond and then fly up and over the house and away to who knows where for the night.

So, just after they flew away, and I do mean literally up and over the house right up in front of me...I thought they were aiming right for my window but shot straight up and over the house at the last minute...not long after as I was trying to once again organize by thoughts about what I should write...the sky looked like this, and I had to run back out on the porch to take some more pictures...

I mean, who can resist a lovely sunset right before your very eyes? 

I know I can't. I wait until the very last, or until the bugs start biting ferociously, whichever comes first...

Snapping pictures every minute as the skies change right before our eyes...

And finally the bugs got the better of me and I headed inside, but it was worth the pain of a few bug bites...

Previously I had been sitting out on our swing, enjoying the sounds of the frogs on the pond and the stillness of the evening setting in, wishing I had some friends and family to come join me in the afterglow of day...but I had to realize that summertime in Florida really isn't the time to sit outside in the evening for very long.  If it's not too hot and muggy, it's definitely too buggy.  When I relayed my feelings about wishing we could have a gathering outside in the evening, my hubby reminded me of those details, but promised when the weather cools down in the fall and the mosquitoes go away, we can begin to really enjoy our back yard and set up our firepit and do all the things I love to do.  

I sure hope he remembers his promise to do this in the fall, because things might be a little different for me this fall.  In case you've wondered, I did finally get the results of the MRI I had a few weeks ago on my neck...(remember THIS post a while ago?)  Just as I kind of figured, my neck is a mess with bulging disks and impinged nerves, etc., etc., and I have been referred to a neurosurgeon for further examination.  I finally got a call from his office today, telling me the earliest appointment he can see me is September 1st! Wow!  Meanwhile, I am on some strong medication to relieve the pain and spasms in my neck, but I don't know how long I can stay on that without further treatment. So, unless the doctor gets a cancellation and can see me sooner, (or if we decide to look for a different doctor who isn't so booked...but this one came highly recommended)...I'm kind of being put "on hold" for a while as far as making any plans or going anywhere or doing anything beyond the essential regular routine. Thankfully the medication is helping to relieve the nerve pain, but I kind of feel like I am in "la la land" and don't think I should drive or do anything too "exciting". 

So I hope you enjoy the pictures of the lovely blossoms on the Rose of Sharon bush in the Secret Memorial Garden,

and the myriads of new hollyberries ripening on the big holly tree...

I was thrilled to see so many berries again after last year's record "crop" and the flocks of Robins and Cedar Waxwings who showed up to eat them on their way south for the winter...

All this wonderful rain we've been having seems to have helped them develop and multiply!

For now I've ceased helping out at our kids' "Dixie Cottage" store once a week because not being able to rest during the day was putting extra strain on my neck (I missed my nap! LOL) , and we've also had to put off our plans to go to Maine in October to visit our grandson. I am just having to pace myself and not overdo it or things flare up again.

So that's that. Hopefully there will be some non-surgical alternatives that will help relieve this condition. I really hadn't counted on having to wait so long to even talk to a neurosurgeon, but I guess that is just the way it is these days.  I know I am not alone in having to wait for specialized treatment, and many people are in much worse condition that I am in, so I am trying to remain positive and not complain...just a bit frustrated right now. I don't like taking medicine if there is a better way.

So I tell you all of this not for sympathy or even for advice, but would just appreciate your thoughts and prayers as we seek these answers. 

This popped up in my little "Choose Grace" devotional book. Thought it was appropriate for today and for what I'm currently experiencing:

Yes, Lord, thank You for the gift of "stillness" (beside Still Waters Pond?), and again, help me to learn to wait patiently for You.  Amen.

I just realized as I was typing this that one of my friends at church and fellow choir member has asked me to sing a duet with her in the near future, "Be Still My Soul"... Hmmm...God must be trying to tell me something again...

1 Be still, my soul! for God is on your side;

bear patiently the cross of grief or pain:

leave to your God to order and provide,

who through all changes faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul! your best, your heav’nly Friend

through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

2 Be still, my soul! for God will undertake

to guide the future surely as the past.

Your hope, your confidence, let nothing shake;

all now mysterious shall be clear at last.

Be still, my soul! the waves and winds still know

the voice that calmed their fury long ago.

3 Be still, my soul! the hour is hastening on

when we shall be forever in God's peace;

when disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,

love’s joys restored, our strivings all shall cease.

Be still my soul! when change and tears are past,

all safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Good Night.

 

Sorry I've been M.I.A.

 I feel like I've been Missing in Action this week! I just couldn't seem to sit down and write anything worth posting, and so I took a little break for a few days.  Now I feel so out of touch. Where do I begin? I will have to go back through my photos from the week and see what is worth sharing.  Some of it may not make much sense...that's just how I'm feeling...not making much sense...

First of all, I can't believe we are already half way through the month of May! Where did May go???

This is a picture from my Country Seasons calendar by the artist John Sloane.  

I think the days of the month have followed that gaggle of geese right out the road...

I did discover this lovely little dessert plate at the flea market... I know, I know...I don't need anymore dessert plates...some day they will end up in the church thrift store for someone else to discover and enjoy, but for now I am enjoying it, and I thought you would too:

Jeepers! It's real gold!  

Never know what you may find for $1.00 at the flea market!

This lovely Great White Egret came strolling by on Still Waters Pond one day this week:

He just kind of blends right in, doesn't he? That's his way of camouflaging himself I guess, so I can't see him. LOL. Kind of like hiding in plain view...

Speaking of "hiding in plain view", this slider turtle was moving along on the ground instead of in the pond where he came from.  Not sure where he was going, but he was headed in the wrong direction...

I got up nose to nose with him and told him he was headed in the wrong direction, but I didn't really want to interfere after my experience with our little goose family a few weeks ago, so I just talked to him for a minute...

He shut his eyes and hid from me right there in plain view again...

And then he decided to turn around and head back to the pond like a good boy:

Hopefully he is back where he belongs now...

I was thrilled to see lots of new buds on the Rose of Sharon bush in the Secret Memorial Garden this week:

(yes, that is Lily Grace making a cameo appearance just to let you know she is still alive and well too!)

And was rewarded with some lovely blossoms each day:   This was one of the plants we brought with us from the former Memorial Garden at the old house. It seems to really love it here now that I've finally planted it in the ground.  

And this Gloxinia plant is another that I brought with me, and it is still in a pot. It dies back in the winter, and then pops back up in the spring and has the most lovely blossoms:

Now here is something to chuckle about but also take seriously:

Picture of the week:

Buyers beware: This is why you don't want to buy a house online without coming and looking at it in person first. What the Zillow and other groups like that don't show you is what may be "lurking" down the street. A snowbird friend of mine from up north bought a house  through a realtor,  sight unseen, and when she arrived she discovered this living down the street:

Reminded me of this famous quote from one of our favorite movies, "Christmas Vacation":

Just a little humorous warning to those who may be considering migrating south for the winter or even permanently...be sure to have someone you trust check out the neighborhood first!

Now switching gears to something very pleasant. Today we had the privilege of celebrating the graduation of our nephew Nicholaus as he graduated from high school:

After this past year of distance learning, missing out on many school activities, etc., he persevered and made it through with high grades and just being an all around good young man! So very proud of him.

He will be starting classes at Seminole State College in Sanford, Florida, this summer.

Here he is with his Dad, my husband's brother Bill:

This is his talented and sweet mother Peggy, who had outdone herself with decorations and food, etc. for family and friends to come and enjoy:

She did have some wonderful helpers from her side of the family, but I neglected to get their pictures. I am truly sorry. 

Here's a few more of the decorations and favors:

and desserts:

Here's Nicholaus with his family, Peggy, Bill, Nick, and Shannon

This is Bill and my hubby John

My sister Doris and her hubby Art were also there for the occasion

Here's yours truly and my sister in a selfie...

And here's Nick with our good friend Paula, who is like family...

Well, it is late, and I need to get to bed. Tomorrow is Sunday, and my hubby is going to preach at our church since our Pastor is on vacation. So we need to get to bed. Morning comes early.

Here's a good verse for today and for always:

Amen!

And Please Pray for Israel.

And please pray for our country too.

Good night dear friends. I will try to be a better communicator next week.