Vacation

 

Well we're back from vacation safe & sound. We went to visit Bob's sister & brother in law. They live in Elgin, SC.  They bought a beautiful house there. Elgin is just outside of Columbia SC. They bought a beautiful house for el cheap money. But, on the down side not much is going on there. Here's Debbie in her fabulous kitchen.

We went for a ride to Columbia. It was hotter than Hell. The temp was high 90's. The humidity felt like 200 percent. I was sweating bullets beyond belief. I needed windshield wipers for my glasses. LOL.  We were so weak from the heat that I passed out on the street.

As you can see I'm dead and Bob is hitching a ride. Just great! Any way I did return to life and it was off to Beaufort SC the next day. Beaufort is my favorite spot. It is on the coast and has never had a hurricane. There is all kinds of marshland before you hit the ocean. In a storm the water comes in one way and is forced out another. The views are beautiful. The homes are beautiful. You can walk along the marina  & the historic area of town. It's a great place to just hang out. My goal is to live in the community of Habersham. They have a few business there. More & more are moving in. The houses are the Charleston style & cottage style. I'll take anything. Debbie couldn't understand my attraction to the place. All the houses are practically on top of one another. It just looks cozy to me. The oak trees & parks are so beautiful. A realtor brought us to one house but it needed work. It was in pre forclosure so we couldn't go in. It really wasn't my favorite.

The next day it was off to Aiken SC to see an old plantation. We got off to a late start not realizing that it was going to be 250 degrees that day. Here we are dripping on the front porch.

We ate at the West Side Bowery in Aiken. I had a spinach salad with blackened Tilapia. It was de-licious. I forgot to take a picture of my meal. I try to take pictures of my food for my coffee table book that I hope to publish with my contributing photographer, Mike. The streets are divided in downtown Aiken with beautiful gardens in the middle everywhere. I just realized I didn't take any pictures there either. Some photographer I am. Anyway, if I wanted to move inland, Aiken SC would be the place for me. It is also famous for thoroughbred horse country.

Well one more day off and it is back to work. Boo hoo..

All framed in

Nothing new to report. It is still hot & humid as ever. Here are a few pics of the addition which is totally done on the outside. It looks pretty good to me. Bob did a great job as usual. Next the inside will be tackled.

Next week we're off to South Carolina to visit Bob's sister Debbie & husband George. They recently bought a house in Elgin SC. They were living in St Maarten for the past five or six years. We are gonna spend a day in Beaufort SC which is near Hilton Head. That's where I would like to live. I'm sure the weather won't be any hotter & humid than it is here. I'll take plenty of pics.

More Trumpet Vine

Here are some trumpet vine photos. Like I said in another post, they would have been better with the correct lens. These little guys have played their last tune. I think they are morning the previous massacre.

95 DEGREES

There are no words.

DW PARK FIELD TRIP

Yesterday morning I met my friend Mike for a combination physical & nature walk in DW Field in Brockton,  MA. Mike is doing research on a murder that happened in the 1920's. His mother gave him some background information on the rape of a young girl that occurred in the park. By the way Mike loves young girls. LOL. Any way I'm getting side tracked. That story for another blog. Just don't mention the name, Tiffany. We went into the park for about a mile. He showed me an area where people came for swimming & picnicking. It was very sad. The swimming hole was overgrown & dried up. The benches where visitors watched their families swimming were there but nothing else. You would never know that the swimming hole was hidden behind trees & bushes. It was rather sad. We walked a little further & came upon a swan family. They came paddling over to us, probably thinking we brought food, not to say hi. It was time to leave because I had to get to work to open our office, plus the heat wave we're having is continuing to be in the 90's. We also saw some birds that were black with orange wings. I have a bird identifying book in my phone but of course I didn't have it with me. Some explorer I am. As we were leaving we spotted a couple unusual dragonflies. I did have my camera with me. I hate to make excuses but the pictures would have been  better if I had a close-up lens.

Shingling & roofing

This week is the hottest. 90 degree days with high humidity. What better thing to do on a week like this but shingle a roof & sides of the addition. You are looking at insanity in action. What more can I say.

You must be kidding me!!!

This weekend was pretty much uneventful. I did make a new recipe for sweet potato salad with no mayo. Basically shallots bacon bits, oil & vinegar. Barbecued chicken was the main course.

Now for the killer. I was cleaning up the DEAD trumpet vine with a tear in my eye. I noticed a lot of the branches had buds on the tips on the stems. Boo hoo. I hear "Hello neighbor". I look around & don't see anyone. Again, "Hello neighbor". Through a crack in the fence I see a hand waving at me. Are you kidding me? Hello neighbor!! My name is Donna. I wanted to say, but didn't, "oh, I thought your name was Ass Hole!!! She then says, "I met your husband last week. I wanted to say, but didn't, "You mean that Wimp, who was afraid to say anything, but continued to let you cut down the vine and toss it over the fence. Just spare me. I've had it!!!

Low Fat Macaroni & cheese

Here is my latest & greatest recipe for low fat mac & cheese. Yum Yum!!

8 oz. 75% less fat chedder cheese
1 cup nonfat milk
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup flour
2 cups multigrain macaroni
1 Tbsp. whole wheat bread crumbs
1 Tbsp. parmesan cheese

Make a roux with the butter & flour
Pour in milk & stir until it thickens
Mix in the cheese into the milk mixture. It is really thick. You could add more milk, but that means more cals.
Boil up the macaroni al dente
Pour into an 8"x8" pan
Sprinkle top with bread crumbs & parm.
Season with salt & pepper to taste or even a little red pepper flakes.
Serve with a vegetable.
6 servings
303 calories or 1 serving at 1816 calories. Yum.

I'm telling ya it is delish!!