Living Up to Your Name

I've always loved the idea of

choosing a name because of it's meaning,

for example, like the American Indians 

did in naming their children.

However, it could put a bit of pressure upon a person

to live up to that name, especially if

you got one like "always speaks the truth"

or "eats like a bird" (especially if you love food!)

 A perfect example of something living up to its name

appeared in my yard this week.

The Surprise Lily

(or Spider Lily as some people call it) 

 always appears when the weather begins to cool

and a hint of fall is in the air.

I never expect them, they just seem to pop up. 

And what a surprise they were this year!

With the drought this summer, I had no idea

 these spidery red blooms would show up and show out!

They seem totally unaffected by the

lack of water and extreme heat.

In fact, they actually seem to have thrived.

They popped up in places I never expected.

(hence the name surprise lily?)

I feel like Fall has finally arrived!

~

Just out of curosity, I did a search on my name, Carolyn,

and found several different meanings.

One English meaning is "joy or song of happiness".

I like that one, even though I am not sure I always live up to it!

Another is a variation of the masculine name Charles,

which means "manly" and one source gave the feminine meaning

as "little womanly one". That one, I think I can be:))

~Happy Weekend~

What's for Supper?

There is only David and me at home these days and  

I have a hard time coming up with creative menus.

Why is it easier to cook for a crowd than just two?

My friend Gloria made this salad from Ina Garten for one of our get togethers.

The Barefoot Contessa is one of my favorite cooking shows

so I knew it would be good.

It's become one of our favorite salads. 

The flavor is wonderful and it is easy to put together.

Not only does it taste good but it is so pretty!

I'm sharing the recipe in case you are looking

 for something new and tasty to prepare.

Guacamole Salad

                  1      pint grape tomatoes, halved

                  1      yellow bell pepper, seeded and 1/2 inch diced

                  1      (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained

                 1/2   cup diced red onion

                 2      tablespoons minced jalapeno peppers, seeded

                1/2   teaspoon freshly grated lime zest

                1/4   cup good olive oil

                1/4   cup freshly squeezed lime juice (1 large or 2 small)

                 1      teaspoon kosher salt

                1/2   teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

                1/2   teaspoon minced garlic

                1/4   teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

                 2      ripe Hass avacados, seeded, peeled and 1/2 inch diced

Place tomatoes, yellow pepper, black beans, red onion, jalapeno peppers,

and lime zest in a large bowl.

Whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, salt, black pepper,

garlic and cayenne pepper and pour over the vegetables.

Toss well. Just before you are ready to serve, add the avocados.

 Check the seasoning and serve at room temperature.

I thought my niece Ashley would especially love this salad.

She lives in Florida and has these wonderful fresh vegetables year around.

So, I have the salad for supper......now what am I going to have with it?

Any ideas?



Over the Top

We live just a few miles from the Texas state line

and one of our favorite places to eat is a little

Mexican restaurant in Marshall, Texas

called the Jalapeno Tree.

We always go the "back way" instead of traveling the interstate.

The scenery is pastoral, and always interesting.

This barn always makes me smile.

I love the Texas "Lone Star" flag on the barn.

The whimsical bicycles just put it "over the top".

These folks are proud to be Texans.



The few extra miles we drive for dinner are more

than compensated by views like this.

Oh, and the food is really good, expecially

the green dipping sauce.

 If you are ever in Marshall try the Jalapeno Tree.  

Do You See What I See?

In case you can't tell, it's raindrops on the gutter!!

Lovely droplets on the Loropetalum

(say that fast five times)

Ahh! Thank you Lord!

The first rain of any measure in over three months.

Got those rockers just in time to sit on the porch and watch the rain.

Hope your Sunday has been as blessed as mine.

Birthdays

It is that time of year again!

 Birthday's are always a time of celebration and children always

celebrate best with cake, balloons, games and lots of presents.

As I get older, I still celebrate, but it takes on a different look.

Here is how I celebrated my birthday this year.

Around the Table with my Husband, Daughter and Son-in-law.

Shannon cooked a delicious jambalaya and

we had blackberry cobbler with ice cream  instead of birthday cake.

With a gift for the spirit when a quiet time is needed.

 Peach Apricot Tea and Key Lime & White Chocolate Cookies.

(this one I am looking forward to enjoying)

With a gift for the bling in every girl.

A Bit of Jewelry in the Form of a New Watch.

And a gift to use when drinking the Peach Apricot Tea and Eating Cookies

on those days when I don't have to keep up with the time on that new Watch.

New Front Porch Rockers.



David and I don't usually exchange gifts these days. 

We find we have few wants and fewer needs. 

We usually opt instead to just enjoy a special dinner out.

But this year I requested these rockers.

 I have lots of seating on the back porch, but none in the front.

After David cut the big oak tree down that was directly

in front of the porch, I now have a great view of the large front

yard and street. I can sit out here with my tea (or coffee) and

enjoy the birds and butterflies and watch the world go by.

And I can't think of anyone I would rather sit on the

porch and rock with than my hubby!

(I think we look little like ma & pa Kettle,

 I guess having birthdays really does make you old!)

A Promise of Rain ~ Withheld?

A tropical storm in the Gulf!!!

Surely that would cause the rain clouds to come as far

 north as Caddo Parish. We desperately need rain to douse

the wildfires that are out of control.

We have had predictions of possible showers this weekend but the latest weather track seems to leave the northern section of

Caddo Parish dry.....that would be me!

The Cypress Trees here on the swamp have turned

copper and their leaves have started to fall.

I hope they are just going dormant early

and not dying.

There's still a few green things like this coleus

that has managed to survive.

It has a strange little bloom, but a bloom after all.

And oddly enough, this hibiscus has lovely red flowers

in spite of the drought.

We have tried to give it a drink now and then

and it has shown it's appreciation.

In spite of  the 100 degree temps this past week,

 the days are getting shorter, we have a real cool front

 promised  this week.....low 90's and high 80's!

So it is beginning to feel just a wee bit like fall.

Fall is one of my favorite times to decorate.

I love, love pumpkins, pretty colored leaves, cool nights

and all that goes with it.

A project in progress. I think he will go on the front door.

This has been an unusual summer for us. The extreme weather

that seems to go on and on and the unexpected surgery has

kept me indoors and that has been hard for me.

I love being outside working in my flowers.

But it has given me time to catch up

on some reading and reflecting. 

"A man's heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps."

                                                                          Proverbs 16:9

I had plans in the spring for a beautiful,

colorful yard filled with flowers

 and the good health to work outside and enjoy them.

God has shown me He is still in control,

 not only of nature, 

but of my life as well.

Will we get rain this weekend? I don't know.

I pray we will, but if not, we will wait and know

God will send it in His time.

Enjoy the Labor Day Weekend!