Baking Bread

Oh my...you should be here to enjoy the delicious aroma's wafting throughout my house! It is an overcast, chilly day so I decided to bake. On the left is a loaf of Beer Bread and on the right a loaf of Banana Nut Bread.

For days I've been researching and developing a detailed plan of attack for covering as much ground as possible on our three week trip to the east coast with our grands in June. To prepare, I have also finally been walking a mile or two each day...but only for this past week. I hope it's enough! 

After walking in the cold early this afternoon, I decided it was a day for cooking and baking. I have a pot of red beans and rice with smoked sausage simmering on the stove and wanted something baked to go with it. Our pantry has lots of empty space in it because I'm trying to use up what's been in there for a while. I knew I had several out-of-date cake mixes in my pantry...not at all appealing. 

Then I found them...a mix for Beer Bread (and thank goodness we had a bottle of beer in the also-nearly-empty frig!) and a mix for Banana Bread (and thank goodness I had a couple of ripe bananas on the counter and a partial bag of pecans in the pantry!). Don't you just love it when a plan comes together?

Oh wait...were you misled? Did you think I actually baked breads from scratch? I love it when you new folks visit my blog...giggle! Gotta go...it's time to eat!!!

Lovin' Life ~~ And Freshly Baked Breads

Spring Planting

As he typically does around Mother's Day, this week Rich shopped for, planted, and mulched the beds in front of our house. We keep it simple...here are a few photos.

For years we have selected the Blue Wave Petunias but this year changed it up and planted these lovely Burgundy Star Wave Petunias. Rich loves Marigolds so always plants a variety of them behind the petunias.

We have a large container in the front bed and select something different every year to plant in it. Our selections are rarely successful (because we're not attentive gardeners, you think?). This year he planted these Orange and Yellow Gazenias in there...I love them! The yellow ones remind me of sunflowers; at night they close tightly and all the petals point straight up!

We love both the flavor and the aroma of basil, crush a leaf between your fingers and inhale...OH MY! He planted these in a container this year so they are more accessible than when planted in the back bed. Actually, we didn't plant anything in the back this year; we're just not here long enough to plant much.

Spreading mulch over all the beds.

This task is well supervised by The Girls!

Marianne was here on Wednesday and while we were visiting after dinner she glanced outside and saw this...I would have missed it otherwise! I LOVE rainbows!!!

Lovin' Life ~~ Daily

Mother's Day ~ Four Generation Photos

Once upon a time, in 1949, I was the baby of four living generations on Mom's side of the family...oh so lucky me to have known all of these wonderful women (and my Grandpa Price too...what a character!).

l to r: Velma Price Pogue, Bill Price, Bev Pogue, Mary Ann Bivin Price

l to r: Bernice Wallace Price, Velma Price Pogue, Bev Pogue, Martha Weaver Wallace

Twenty Three years later, my daughter Sandee was the baby in this four generation photo.

l to r: Bernice Wallace Price, Bev Pogue Watt [now Ulaszek] holding Sandee Watt, Velma Price Pogue

In June 2011 the latest of our four generation photos included my precious grandkids.

Velma Price Pogue seated in front of: 

Greg Watt, Dylan Crane, Sandee Watt Crane, Jackson Crane, Bev Ulaszek, Shelby Crane

Happy Mother's Day to all of the wonderful women in my life today...you know who you are!

Lovin' Life ~~ Thankful For These Special Memories

This Week in Flowers

This week, of course, was all about Mom. She loved bright flowers like these from her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and all the blossoms of spring. Everything this past week has been just as she would have wanted...her brand of perfect.

Spring brings the fleeting beauty of a variety of flowering trees.

Jonquils and daffodils were among Mom's spring favorites but they pass so quickly and this was the only shot I got, even though they were plentiful until the recent rainy days.

When Rich and I arrived back home Wednesday evening we were greeted by this lovely arrangement of tulips from our next-door BFFs. I LOVE tulips!

How lovely is this bowing bloom with its multi-colored leaf...breathtaking?

Come closer...just look at the magnificence inside this bloom.

This afternoon when he returned from working on the motorhome, Rich brought me these...oh my goodness!

Lovin' Life ~~ This Week Too

1927 - 2013

We'll never know why Rich went outside when he did today, it was 12:45 p.m., but he just happened to notice this above the homes across the street from us and had me come outside to see it. I have never seen anything like it before so I'm sure it was my mom, letting me know all is well in Heaven.

Velma Ruth Pogue

January 23, 1927 - May 2, 2013

Lovin' Life ~~ Love You, Mom