My Grama's Soul

June is always the hottest month in  Arizona. That is why, if you are able, one must surround your home with as much  GREEN  as possible.  Here, in the desert, much of what we see during summer months is brown...brown....brown. So that is why Brad and I chose this little spot in order that we would feel as though we LIVED in a greenhouse. These photos are from both inside and outside our home.  Every room has something live growing.... When you walk into our home you are looking directly into our backyard via huge glass windows. I know....one might feel as though you were in a jungle...but it makes everything feel so very cool and refreshing. These plants are in my kitchen on an elevated bar area...I have a huge skylight...so they get that much needed light.  Moisture from the faucet does not hurt as well. By our front door....requires little light. Good old pothos in the b...

"Wealth consists not in having great possessions~~ but in having few wants." Epictetus Right now as I'm going through our home and purging things ...... it has occurred to me that we spend most of our younger years acquiring things and a good part of our older years trying to rid ourselves of all the "stuff" we have managed to accumulate. I don't know if it is keeping up appearances or just the human desire to have "more".  I had a very dear friend once say to me that "it is good for the soul NOT TO GET EVERYTHING one wants".  At this stage I would more than agree with her...because as you collect and collect...there will come a day when you will have to give away and give away. In fact, when you really think about it..  "LIFE" IS A LOT LIKE THIS.  In your younger years you are vibrant and healthy and as you get older...more and more of your body betrays you....you cannot hold onto your looks ...

I love peonies They are only available in AZ for a short period of time.  I don't believe they can be grown here because of the immense heat during the summers and because of our low humidity...although what do I know, since I have never grown any. lOl Found this beautiful bunch at my local Trader Joe's for $6.99 a bunch.  That is a great value since they are $10.99 to $12.99 everywhere else.  I buy them when I see them come in as they are not here for long.....and nothing makes my heart sing like PEONIES. xo Jo

I really don't make many pies....and I am not so sure you could really classify this as one...but here is something I whipped up from items in my fridge that I wanted to use up. Fat free cool whip Reduced fat sour cream Peaches or strawberries if you have them on hand and crumbs from the bottom of the cookie jar Smash crumbs in a baggie...... Mis sour cream and cool whip together....to taste....as sweet....or not so sweet as you desire Spread crumbs in the bottom of your pie plate cover with whatever fruit you have chosen (I had to use peaches because ...... I had them on hand.....and my soul mate cannot eat strawberries) Cover the whole thing with cool whip/sour cream mixture...... Then top with some of the remaining cookie crumb mixture. I might sprinkle some nuts on top before I serve this.....and I'm not sure if it will be more like a pudding rather than an actual piece of pie....but I think it will be yummy......

We all know how fragrant Gardenias and Roses are......I have both of these in my front and back gardens.....however......this post today is about other scents in a summer garden. This is scented rose geranium....it smells heavenly when touched or incorporated in a bouquet.....I almost lost all of it a few years ago due to a heavy, heavy freeze...but somehow it managed to survive and now has come back full force in my beds.  I always give cuttings to fellow gardeners when they stop buy as it is difficult to find here. Rosemary I have rosemary bushes in my yard that are at least 4 to 5 feet high......sweet Sophie and wonderful Skyler like to poke around in them looking for bunnies.  You can imagine how my beautiful dogs smell when they come in the house....yep.....just like Rosemary....my whole house is filled with the scent. Lavender Lavender grows really well here.  I have it in with my rose bushes and get loads and loads of blooms ea...

Soon we will begin our summer progress to our little spot up North....but before we leave I wanted to have a small give-away for all my dear followers and perhaps anyone who would like to become a follower of my little spot on the internet. To begin with An Entire Year's worth of Romantic Country for the year 2011.  It is truly one of my favorite magazines and I always save all my copies as I never know when I will need a beautiful picture or two.  In case you aren't familiar with this publication....each issue is $7.99 on the newstand. Second.......this wonderful little bag....I picked up on an Alaskan cruise.  I brought home several as gifts for friends....and had an extra....so it is for you. Here is the front....and here is the inside... I really thought these bags were cute and so different.... and last.... soap and fragrance AMAZING GRACE from Philosophy.....it is my absolute favorite scent in their line. O.K.   ...

EEEEEKKKKKK!!!! Time for hot....hot....hot weather......and bold....bold....bold color. 0  0 ~ [----] Have a wonderful weekend. Jo

AH.......it is summer in Arizona....I know....many of you haven't even had Spring yet....but here it seems we go from Winter right to Summer...with almost no Spring in between. Summer is a time for having friends for dinner and cooking over the grill. Had our neighbors over last night for burgers on the grill and a very simple salad made from what was in season and on sale at the grocers. Cucumbers Tomatoes Red and Yellow bell Peppers Olives Garlic and herb season salt Pepper Golden balsamic vinegar Olive oil Easy-peasey to make.....dice all veges very small I start by adding twice as much vinegar to oil....but you can season as you like...salt and pepper to taste. This simple salad is yummy and actually is part of the Medi-fast diet plan...so it is low in calories as well. Tonight....more company....I'm making roasted chicken with rosemary...and my friend, Shirley, is bringing the salad. As we have gotten older, I've come to realize that we don't ne...