Rain & Wind....My Favorite Kind of Day....

Hello everyone...It's one of my favorite kind of days today...we have heavy rain....lot's of wind...AND the temperature is only 58 

This is a peek out our back door...I was hoping to catch the rainfall but it's a little hard to see...

This is a picture of a pot of flower's my sweetie bought me from Trader Joe's...I grew up in Southern California with a Trader Joe's across the street from our house...when they showed up on the East Coast a few years ago It was THRILLING to me...I just love shopping there...raw foods....good produce...the best raw almonds EVER...they come in little packets you can take with you for snacking...almonds are so good for us...I try to eat a packet a day or more...instead of unhealthy things...who knew snacking could be good for you...well Trader Joe's did....and does....

I have chores to do today...still haven't made our bed...laundry is staring at me ....the kitchen needs a good scrub...and the family room could use a vacum ...I don't mind ....on days like this when Mother Nature is feeling emotional I am inspired...quirky I know but I have been this way my whole life...living in sunny California growing up it was rarely gloomy...my best friend and I would call each other up ANY time it was cloudy...cold...rainy..we'd squeal at one another..."Have You Looked Outside"...still to this day with over 23 years of friendship...one of the first things we ask each other over the phone is "How's the Weather"...so while I try to get motivated to tackle my to do list...I wish you blessings...big hugs....and some cloudy weather....thanks for popping in...Karena

No Piknik....Don't Understand Google+....NOW WHAT....

Good Morning girls...okay so these pictures were downloaded into Google+ I decided to try it out....not too excited about it...yes I drug my pictures to the box indicated one at a time...but once they're there ...what then....as in ...how do I edit them...pretty them up...frame them...there isn't a place to do that...urgggg

This perplexes me no end....I don't know the computer very well ....if we don't have Piknik to edit our photos then what do we have...I know you all understand how to do this...I would be so....HAPPY....If you would share with me...okay my mini rant is over...this "pink rose bowl" is so sweet...I just love it....

There is a saying I grew up with in church....it's in the Bible somewhere ...a loose translation ....PEACE BE STILL....I hear it often throughout my day in the back of my mind....sometimes in the front of my mind....Jesus our best friend ...Savior...Lord of our lives reminding us to be still....listen...feel HIS  peace  surrounding us....LOVE THAT THOUGHT....

These little flowers in my kitchen cabinet bring me joy...just the sight of them...reminding me a hundred times a day...as I walk by .....SPRING IS COMING...

Frankie Coffee Cake and I would like to wish you a blessed day full of joy and PEACE....till next time...big hugs...Karena

Simple ...Tastie...& Down To Earth....

When I was little my mom would make what she called "Boiled Dinner"...I have wonderful memories of how the house smelled...the process of cutting the veggies (which I helped her do as I grew older)...this tasty simple dinner was always one of my favorites...This is really Corn Beef and Cabbage....with extra veggies...You get your corn beef wash it off being sure to find the spice packet they include in  the packaging...put  in a dutch oven...add water enough to fill the pot 1/2 way ...add the spice packet...put it in the oven at 350 degrees for 3 hours...no need to check it...the less you uncover the pot the better...

45 minutes before your 3 hours is up get your carrots ...onion...and potatoes...( russet work best here...they are sturdy enough to take the boiling without turning to mush...) Add to your pot on top of the corn beef...set timer for 25 minutes...

Now is a good time to cut and quarter your cabbage...I always use green cabbage...just because I love the taste of it...but you could use purple if you prefer...

When the 25 minutes is up for your veggies....open your pot and add the cabbage...depending on how much your cooking this may take some "lid squishing" ...not to worry the cabbage cooks down quickly...

After your full 3 hours is up I spoon the meat and veggies onto a platter for serving ...which as you can see is a step I missed with my camera...but you get the idea...it is a REALLY YUMMY MEAL....the kids did come and share this with us last night...these are their plates served up...mine is off the side...they were happy little eaters...we ALL were...I am thankful to have this memory of Marmie's boiled dinner ...I hope you all have a great day today...were just a few days away from another weekend...OH BOY....hoping you all have a brilliant day whether  in sun...rain...or snow....till next time big hugs ....Karena

Thoughts ..On A Tuesday Morning....

Well another Tuesday morning is upon us girls...how are you all this morning...I  went  around with my  ipad  practicing with the camera ...I ended up taking these with my power shot camera so they'd be clearer...I do not have a steady hand yet with the ipad..I think it's because the screen is so big and I tend to move with it as I click the camera...oh well ...I will keep trying...practice makes perfect...

I am having the kids over tonight for a "Boiled Dinner"....that's what Marmie used to call it when she made corned beef and cabbage...she would put carrots ...potatoes and onions in during the last 20 minutes of cooking..then add the   Cabbage for 15 minutes after that....what you have then is a SCRUMPTIOUS meal that is filling...tasty...and hardly any work...

I included this picture to show you these battery candles that I am in love with...they are on a timer battery that will turn the candles on for 6 hours ...then off for 8...I just think they're fabulous...I don't have to do anything but enjoy them...

How are you girls spending your Tuesday....I love to cook....I like everything about it...shopping for the meal....washing it all up....chopping...sauteing ....browning...then of course cooking it...I know many of you share this passion....I will take some pictures of our boiled dinner later today and share it with you tomorrow...

Hoping you all have a great day...till next time...blessings and big hugs...Karena

Testing A New Toy.....

Hello girls...it is a rainy Sunday in our neck of the woods...I am  sharing some photos  I've taken with my new  ipad...my sweetie bought it for me after Christmas ...it was the best present I've ever gotten...it brings out the little girl in me cuz it's like a grownup TOY...

I can see some of these look a little grainy...I apologize for that but  today is the first time  I have  played with the camera...It will take a little while for me to get used to being still while I push the camera button...

The technology this little contraption offers is nothing short of  mind blowing...there are app's for almost anything you can think of...I have a bible downloaded for study...catalogs for dreaming...movies for enjoying...music for listening ...and games ...oh my goodness free games like solitaire ...I am having so much fun with it...not to mention the books I can read on it...

This stool is new to our little cottage...I found it at a new  Antique store  we found....I just loved the fabric...the colors...the shape...FABULOUS...the next best part it was under 20.00 dollars....

The crystal on this table is gathered together for thinning out....

Well dear ones...I think that's it for this post...I  will  be back tomorrow...you  all have a blessed day...relax and enjoy your faces...big hugs till next time....Karena