where the heck have I been?

The summer is just flying by.....

I just haven't had the energy or inclination ot post anything here, but I have been keeping busy!

I've been going to the lake and snapping pictures of the most amazing sunsets!!!!

and I've been starting to think more about knitting again. I'ts been so long. I'm thinking socks and sweaters....

I've been baking a bit lately. Today I got the newest Everyday Food magazine in the mail. I was looking through it and there were recipes for plum things. I had gotten a bag of plums at the store this week and was thinking of making a plum tart.

....and there it was. The filling in this tart (other than plums, of course) is ground roasted almonds, sugar and a bit of flour.

I'm not a "eat the raw cookie dough " kind of gal, but I tasted this mixture, and I could have eaten the whole bowl of it.

It's actually a Galette, which, I assume is a free-form type of tart....because that's exactly what it is.

Here it is piping hot from my oven

Monday, Monday.

I've been walking at a local Municipal Park lately. I like the track that runs around the whole thing.. There's something that appeals to me about knowing just how far I am walking.

There is also a tennis court there, which has been a nice halfway point for my friend and I to meet and play a bit.
Next to the park is a cemetary. I walked into it a bit last week. It is so peaceful and charming.
Lots of old trees and even more OLD headstones!





Many are very detailed like this one.

The road through the cemetary is not paved. These trees are absolutely magnificent!

The older headstones are in bad condition. Many have the carvings worn right off them.

and some have fallen over.

This headstone caught my eye. this guy was only 18 when he passed away.

there are a few angels and other assorted obilisks and dual-tower-like markers/statues.

This angel is one of two side by side. Two young girls a couple of years apart, both dying on the same day. Maybe a car accident...... the graves are under the most beautiful locust tree.

haha... here are my train pictures. (backwards, of course...)

More cemetary. ....

this is one of the larger markers in the cemetary.

This picture reminded me of Stonehenge!

And this is the skeleton of a very large bird's nest. It is about the size of a dinner plate.

Very cool!!!

Saturday

I do not know where this past month has gone!
After we got done with the yardwork today, I decided to finally take pictures of the flowers.
They are so beautiful this year! So here is a view from the road.......
(the driveway will be replaced with a new cement driveway soon..)

I love the Hydrangeas!!!!!!

and under the tree..... My Mom made those deer in ceramics.

ahhhhh....

We decided to leave the Greek Festival till tomorrow and headed out to Skaneateles today.

It started to rain, and was gloomy, but nothing can make Skaneateles look gloomy!!! It is so beautiful there.

Such a charming place. We try to get here a couple of times a year.

the hazy lake. One lone saiboat way out.

After we looked through the shops and walked out near the lake, we headed to Anyela's Vinyard. We've been there before, and like the atmosphere there.

Some band called Elephant Shoes was playing. Two men who played mostly guitar-laden pop songs, but were very funny and got everyone going.

In this field they always plant sunflowers.. In the fall we take a picture.

I have gotten so much sun lately, I keep getting burned and getting over it.

I'm not used to not being pale!!!!!

PASTA!

I've been a bit busy this week. First, a picture of Harley...... awww..... Walked at Longbranch Park this week for a change. Not too many people go here during the week. the lake is still a bit rough.

I walked out the stone pier to this vantage point. I really loved looking at the clouds this day.

there were a few people fishing under the bridge.

I like this shot of the bridges.

a single seagull... that beach is pure tiny shells.

A nice hazy shot of the city.

the second bridge.

this is a nice picnic area. In the summer it's packed with people on the weekends.

I decided it was time to stop being so lazy and make some sauce and homemade pasta today.

SanMarzano tomatoes, garlic, green and red peppers, wine, and Italian Sausage.

and, Of course, the pasta. (and of course) the photos are not in the right sequence!

this is the final result.

this was post-rolling and cutting. Drying ......

Cutting..... My mother -in Law gave this pasta maker to me when she got too sick to make pasta anymore. I have treasured it ever since.

We went to a First Communion yesterday. I hate just wrapping anything. got a bit creative....
(pardon the rubber bands.... I also hate to tape things too much!)

Lately I have been so HAPPY..... Life is GREAT! I usually don't like to post my picture on here, but this is my evidence......

Hello...Anyone Out There?????

Wow... I cannot believe it has been so long! I've been keeping busy around here. Last week,I went to the park to walk.. It was stilll pretty cold there, but spring is definitely coming. there was still a bit of ice on the trees and roots , close to the water.

For the past three days, I have been doing spring cleaning. necessary, but so unnecessary ....I am not a nudge about these concerns, but I'm very glad it's all done!

Went to the casino today. had some lunch and then gambled for a while. I only played one machine, and it was pretty good. I won about 50% of my initial money and kept it at that level for quite a while. then I just palyed until I got backto my original money, and cashed out.

I went and got a really big cup of coffee and sat down and people-watched for a bit.

I'm very tired tonight.

Sadly, Coffee and I Will Have To Just Remain Friends.

Urgh......found out the hard way just how much coffee will push me over into crazy territory. Yesterday proved that! It seems that after too much coffee , I turn into some dark sap. I get weepy and crap-sentimental-ish. OHHH... I have some apologizing to do! LOL
the rabbit in the yard has been laying out in the sun the past few days. It reminds me of Harley the way it's sprawled out!

and this little cutie has been hanging around my window.. I don't know who's cat it is, but it gets outside that window and stays for hours...

Sunday's dinner was CHILI. I didn't make that cornbread (mistake) Jerry picked it up at Smokey Bones after someone told him the cornbread was outstanding there. (not). It came with that honey butter. I love this chili .. It is the Wendy's Chili recipe from one of those cheater recipe books where they give you secrets of restaurants.

It couldn't be any easier.........brown the meat, and thenjust dump everyting else into the pot..
Happy Monday! I have some "splainin" to do!

A little St. Paddy's Man Candy

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, and (oh well) because this guy is fantastic!
It's David O'Hara. I love the chemistry between Janeane Garafalo and him in this Movie, the Matchmaker. I love the Irish accent.

So Here I am....

Took a walk down by the lake today. The weather was almost balmy, but still cold.
I took a few pictures, and just walked around looking at all the fallen trees and the half-frozen water.
I look a this picture, and all I see is the toll this past week has taken on me.
I do like the hat though!