Well, I went to the Blueberry Jamboree in Hudson today. This is a new event and was quite small. It was held at the Rotary Pavillion area near Safety Town off of SR 52. There is a large parking lot there; they were charging $5, but I parked a short distance away in a free area.
I spent $5 on farm-fresh blueberries, another $5 on two blueberry plants (growing advice from the experts included). I also bought some glazed nuts and some pretty butterfly hair clips. They actually look like real butterflies and even move a bit like them!
There was a bouncy house for kids and there a band was warming up on stage getting ready to give a free concert. There were vendors selling kids' accesories and clothes, other kinds of plants, and home decor items. I stayed just a short time, because as I said it was small - and you could see everything during a brief stroll.
Even though they had the fresh blueberries and plants that expected, I was a little surprised that they didn't have more food and drinks. I would have thought someone would have made some blueberry baked goods or smoothie beverages. They didn't even anything suitable for lunch either - just the glazed nuts, bottled beverages and some bagged potato chips and such. I really didn't have to have lunch there, since I was so close to home, but I thought that was a lost revenue opportunity for the vendors.
Some of the proceeds from the parking and things sold at the event are being donated to an organization that rescues neglected horses.
I kind of like that the event was small and low-key; good for an individual who wants to stop by for a short time or for a family with very small children or older folks who just want a relaxing afternoon. I missed the free evening concerts, but I think those were probably the highlight of the event.
I hope they repeat the Blueberry Jamboree next year and that they add some blueberry treats for sale.
A few words from little old me . . .
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
A certain age
I had a great weekend celebrating my birthday and Easter. Had friends over on Saturday; we ate birthday cake and other goodies, chatted about the good old days and listened to lively music. Guests ranged in age from a very tall 7 year old up to some 60-something retirees. I received flowers, generous coffee and restaurant gift cards, lots of edible treats, and thoughtful greeting cards. Best of all, hubby has been home from the road for several days. He really made the party work, both on a practical and emotional level. It was my best birthday in a long time!
On Easter Sunday, April 24 (my actual birthday) we went to church where Father Mike's musical skills added to the joyous celebration. He sang the Eucharistic prayer and a song called "He's Alive." For the latter song, Mike accompanied himself flawlessly on the guitar.
Sunday night, I got a free dinner at "Crazy Buffet" in Tampa and Robert got his money's worth by going back to the buffet five times!
I also enjoyed long telephone conversations with my brothers. I never get tired of talking to them! I am so grateful to live in a time and place where we have access to technology which allows us to keep in touch over the miles that separate us.
On Monday, it was time for doctor's check-ups for both of us. I got the unpleasant, though not unexpected news that I've reached that certain age where it's a good idea to get screened for colon cancer - you know, that scope procedure.
As we left the doctor's office for another appointment, we ran into a sudden traffic jam on Massachusetts Avenue. Reminding me of my recent "milestone" birthday, as if on cue, the infamous "Red Hat Ladies" were gathering for a luncheon at the Spartan Manor in their unmistakable red-and-purple garb.
Monday night, friends took us out for fajitas at Sioux City. Can't beat good food, good company, a shared brownie sundae with a candle, and another birthday song. As we looked out the window during the meal, we saw a fabulous, huge rainbow.
Robert's getting ready to return to the road. Meanwhile, I am on Spring Break and we are organizing things around the house.
We have tomatoes started on the back porch, it's 77 degrees and sunny here in New Port Richey, Florida. Life is good. <3
~~Renée~~
On Easter Sunday, April 24 (my actual birthday) we went to church where Father Mike's musical skills added to the joyous celebration. He sang the Eucharistic prayer and a song called "He's Alive." For the latter song, Mike accompanied himself flawlessly on the guitar.
Sunday night, I got a free dinner at "Crazy Buffet" in Tampa and Robert got his money's worth by going back to the buffet five times!
I also enjoyed long telephone conversations with my brothers. I never get tired of talking to them! I am so grateful to live in a time and place where we have access to technology which allows us to keep in touch over the miles that separate us.
On Monday, it was time for doctor's check-ups for both of us. I got the unpleasant, though not unexpected news that I've reached that certain age where it's a good idea to get screened for colon cancer - you know, that scope procedure.
As we left the doctor's office for another appointment, we ran into a sudden traffic jam on Massachusetts Avenue. Reminding me of my recent "milestone" birthday, as if on cue, the infamous "Red Hat Ladies" were gathering for a luncheon at the Spartan Manor in their unmistakable red-and-purple garb.
Monday night, friends took us out for fajitas at Sioux City. Can't beat good food, good company, a shared brownie sundae with a candle, and another birthday song. As we looked out the window during the meal, we saw a fabulous, huge rainbow.
Robert's getting ready to return to the road. Meanwhile, I am on Spring Break and we are organizing things around the house.
We have tomatoes started on the back porch, it's 77 degrees and sunny here in New Port Richey, Florida. Life is good. <3
~~Renée~~
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Well, I know some of you are wondering why in heck I drove all the way to Tennessee on a Friday afternoon and evening and back to Florida on Saturday morning!
Robert needed to get home to take care of some paperwork, things around the house, routine doctor's appointments and of course, most of all, he had to get home for Easter and my birthday!
As it worked out, he was able to do that by leaving his truck in the nearest company terminal to his last delivery; the terminal is out in the Middle of Nowhere, Tennessee. He looked into renting a car, but the cost was astronomical and he would have had to find a way (probably a pricey cab ride) to get to the nearest rental car place which was at an airport at least 35 miles away. It isn't possible to get a train or bus to Florida from this particular town, and even if there were, he would not have been able to take all the personal belongings from his truck. You see, when a trucker is off for more than a few days, the company can’t guarantee he gets the same truck back! So he wouldn’t have been able to carry a mini-fridge, microwave, radio, navigation system, personal items and 4 weeks worth of laundry on a bus!
So, I drove to Tennessee to pick him up. It took about ten hours and I got there after midnight. I was quite grouchy about the whole thing because I hadn’t been feeling well for a few days (a woman thing) and was already tired from school paperwork and FCAT testing.
Robert drove on the way back, with our little car stuffed to the gills, while I tried to sleep. We arrived home around noon, exhausted. We spent a daunting sum on gasoline, but it was still a big savings over any other mode of transportation. Thank goodness for 24-hour travel-stops with clean restrooms!
On the plus side, Robert is home early and will stay through the day after Easter. He is going to check the brakes and transmission on our car as they seem to be working less than perfectly.
I'm glad that Robert is home and that we will have a little more time together than expected! When he wakes up, I will have plenty of things to add to the honey-do list.
Happy Holy Week!
Renée
Robert needed to get home to take care of some paperwork, things around the house, routine doctor's appointments and of course, most of all, he had to get home for Easter and my birthday!
As it worked out, he was able to do that by leaving his truck in the nearest company terminal to his last delivery; the terminal is out in the Middle of Nowhere, Tennessee. He looked into renting a car, but the cost was astronomical and he would have had to find a way (probably a pricey cab ride) to get to the nearest rental car place which was at an airport at least 35 miles away. It isn't possible to get a train or bus to Florida from this particular town, and even if there were, he would not have been able to take all the personal belongings from his truck. You see, when a trucker is off for more than a few days, the company can’t guarantee he gets the same truck back! So he wouldn’t have been able to carry a mini-fridge, microwave, radio, navigation system, personal items and 4 weeks worth of laundry on a bus!
So, I drove to Tennessee to pick him up. It took about ten hours and I got there after midnight. I was quite grouchy about the whole thing because I hadn’t been feeling well for a few days (a woman thing) and was already tired from school paperwork and FCAT testing.
Robert drove on the way back, with our little car stuffed to the gills, while I tried to sleep. We arrived home around noon, exhausted. We spent a daunting sum on gasoline, but it was still a big savings over any other mode of transportation. Thank goodness for 24-hour travel-stops with clean restrooms!
On the plus side, Robert is home early and will stay through the day after Easter. He is going to check the brakes and transmission on our car as they seem to be working less than perfectly.
I'm glad that Robert is home and that we will have a little more time together than expected! When he wakes up, I will have plenty of things to add to the honey-do list.
Happy Holy Week!
Renée
Saturday, November 13, 2010
A moment of faith
Yesterday, someone spotted the large St. Benedict's crucifix that I was wearing, and said, "Are you a Christian?" When I responded, "Yes!" this person said, "Well, I'm an atheist," and seeing no reaction, then decided to up the ante by stating, "no, I mean I believe in the Devil, and he will kill everyone!"
It was obvious that the person sought an emotional reaction, but I felt an overwhelming calm and said, "The Devil cannot do anything to me, because Jesus died to save me and all believers." For once, this person fell silent.
It was obvious that the person sought an emotional reaction, but I felt an overwhelming calm and said, "The Devil cannot do anything to me, because Jesus died to save me and all believers." For once, this person fell silent.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Sunday cooking
We have a busy week ahead, so I cooked some things today which we can re-heat and eat all week.
Made "Easy Quiche" with eggs, 1% milk, 2% cheddar, lean ham, asparagus and Jiffy baking mix. The recipe is quite like those Bisquick "impossible" pies. The double batch baked nicely in a large Pyrex dish and now we have sixteen servings for breakfasts to-go. It's tasty hot or cold and will give us the protein we need to start the day. Maybe not as healthy as oatmeal, but it is much better and cheaper than something from 7-11 or Dunkin' Donuts.
I also made lots of chili for lunches, based on a modified Betty Crocker recipe I got from my school's home ec teacher. It has just a touch of unsweetened cocoa as part of the spice blend! We had some of it over elbow macaroni for supper tonight.
Robert made yummy chicken salad out of rotisserie chicken leftovers. Now don't think we are strictly carnivores, we have salad to eat with all of these and I baked some nice sweet potatoes and white potatoes to add to our lunches and suppers. We have bananas, little Forelle pears and large Braeburn apples for fruit this week. I also have the makings for a pumpkin dessert - I plan to use phyllo dough instead of a traditional pie crust, and will use a muffin tin to make them single serving size.
The goal is to eat home-cooked food as much as we can, even though we have a very hectic week and it would be tempting to simply pick up things on the run.
Made "Easy Quiche" with eggs, 1% milk, 2% cheddar, lean ham, asparagus and Jiffy baking mix. The recipe is quite like those Bisquick "impossible" pies. The double batch baked nicely in a large Pyrex dish and now we have sixteen servings for breakfasts to-go. It's tasty hot or cold and will give us the protein we need to start the day. Maybe not as healthy as oatmeal, but it is much better and cheaper than something from 7-11 or Dunkin' Donuts.
I also made lots of chili for lunches, based on a modified Betty Crocker recipe I got from my school's home ec teacher. It has just a touch of unsweetened cocoa as part of the spice blend! We had some of it over elbow macaroni for supper tonight.
Robert made yummy chicken salad out of rotisserie chicken leftovers. Now don't think we are strictly carnivores, we have salad to eat with all of these and I baked some nice sweet potatoes and white potatoes to add to our lunches and suppers. We have bananas, little Forelle pears and large Braeburn apples for fruit this week. I also have the makings for a pumpkin dessert - I plan to use phyllo dough instead of a traditional pie crust, and will use a muffin tin to make them single serving size.
The goal is to eat home-cooked food as much as we can, even though we have a very hectic week and it would be tempting to simply pick up things on the run.
Good weekend
Yesterday, we got together with friends we hadn't seen in awhile and walked around a free street festival. The cold, dry weather made it even better. So nice to have the company of good friends and to be able to have a "date night" without spending tons of money.
Today, we began getting the second graders at church ready for the Christmas pageant. We talked about God's mercy, and the waiting-time of Advent, but the most fun for the kids was practicing the Christmas carols! Our church assigns the roles by grade, and I think our grade will be angels. The kindergartners always get to be the animals (no memorizing lines!).
Today, we began getting the second graders at church ready for the Christmas pageant. We talked about God's mercy, and the waiting-time of Advent, but the most fun for the kids was practicing the Christmas carols! Our church assigns the roles by grade, and I think our grade will be angels. The kindergartners always get to be the animals (no memorizing lines!).
Friday, October 8, 2010
Haven't had much time to post !
So much has happened in a couple of weeks! I finished two professional development trainings: one on CRISS - CReating Independent Student Strategies and the other in Classroom Management. Those were after school classes, so I was getting home around 8:30 p.m. What made the days really long is that Robert and I share a car, and he had to drop me off at work at 6:30 a.m., so we leave home an hour before that! I'm not on official duty until 8:30 a.m., but it is a very quiet time on campus when I can get some planning done.
Why so early? Robert is back at work! He's getting paid well and they are sending him to various job sites and keeping him busy. Let's hope and pray for a little increase in commercial building, so all of the electricians and other tradesmen can get back to work and stay employed!
There have been lots of challenges at school - the kind you would expect in an urban setting. Robert says that I need to write a book about it someday.
Today was pay-day for both of us! We were able to get two more tires for the car, having purchased the other two about a month or so ago. Our ride now feels safer and more comfortable! Next step - save up for a used truck or van so Robert and I can commute separately on the days when it would make life easier!
Tomorrow - Robert works and I do housework and "teacher planning stuff."
Why so early? Robert is back at work! He's getting paid well and they are sending him to various job sites and keeping him busy. Let's hope and pray for a little increase in commercial building, so all of the electricians and other tradesmen can get back to work and stay employed!
There have been lots of challenges at school - the kind you would expect in an urban setting. Robert says that I need to write a book about it someday.
Today was pay-day for both of us! We were able to get two more tires for the car, having purchased the other two about a month or so ago. Our ride now feels safer and more comfortable! Next step - save up for a used truck or van so Robert and I can commute separately on the days when it would make life easier!
Tomorrow - Robert works and I do housework and "teacher planning stuff."
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