No Hearts And Flowers Coming My Way

From My Computer these days! It seems that quite often when I find myself in uncharted waters it doesn't take long before I wish I had seen the monster coming after me. I can still use the computer but there definitely are ISSUES! Wow, it is always such a time eater and I would rather be outside even though we are in a heat wave. With all the large trees on my little piece of property I can always find some shade. And, of course, there is always something that needs to be done outside. 

No new garden photos today, but soon. So many new blossoms each and every day. Some of the new faces are gardenia, gladiolus, daylily, dianthus, rose of sharon (hibiscus) calla lilies (bright yellow, maroon, lavender) and alstroemeria. I have been spending a lot of time in the front of my house pulling and cleaning up weeds and leaves. I don't think I have ever had this many weeds get out of control like this year. The wonderful rains helped the cause. But, it is OK. In fact, it was wonderful.

I am hoping to get some top soil delivered and then I can give some serious time to my "Iris Garden". It is totally cleaned up of weeds but there is so much hard clay/rock and a couple inches of planting or top soil would give it a very nice boost. I plan to take them all up and clean and trim them and then replant.  It would be so fabulous for me to see it look like it did a few years ago.

I know I have posted this a few times. But, I can't help it. I love the iris so much. I think if you click on the photo it will enlarge and the color and details will show better.

Flowers are such a beautiful piece of God's work of art! Oh, by the way, I am enjoying lots of butterflies, bees and hummingbirds. Another blessing.

Happy New Week!

Mary

First Day Of Summer

And it is a HOT one! I went outside at 8:30 this morning to take some photos and it was already 80 degrees with bright sunlight. Certainly not the best conditions for taking photos. But, I did my best!

There is a new cutie in my garden. I needed a helper especially since I am alone these days with only my very own heart beat. So I will just have to pretend that my new helper will follow me around the garden. Have I gone ding-a-ling? I don't think so!

There are so many lovely flowers in the garden that are showing their beautiful faces for the first time this season. Here are just a few. All of these photos were taken this morning. By the end of the day I am sure there will be more especially with the hot weather that is forecast for about a week. Yikes, it is suppose to reach 100 degrees.

I have had more time to garden this year and it certainly shows. And, it is so good for my spirit!

Last evening for dinner I made a little baked cod with a yummy topping.

Along with rice pilaf with roasted almonds and some freshly bought cantaloupe and I was "a happy camper". Something easy and healthy. 

Please enjoy your first day of SUMMER. Can you believe it - already? How many days until Christmas, did you say?

Mary

Look At These Lovlies

This afternoon I decided that I should use the three very ripe bananas that have been sitting on my kitchen counter waiting to end up in some banana bread. It may sound silly but I was really having a good time. And, look how beautiful they have turned out. I plan to put a little sugar glaze on top. And, I may be able to share them. That is one of the nice things about making these cute little loaves.

I am almost feeling giddy about my oven that is finally working. 

And, here is another photo of some lovlies that continue to bloom, bloom and bloom some more. From one little plant from the grocery store, I now have seven plants that are all blooming "with gusto"! Every flower looks so perfect. They almost do not look real - but they are.

It would be nice if you could join me for a cup of tea and my home baked banana bread.

Take Care.

Mary

Report Card Of Medical Annual Wellness Visit

Medicare's name for annual physical exam. However, it also included a teaching module focused on safety and topics specific to the aging population.

My Report Card was very good. Extensive laboratory studies were completed and all were within normal range or very close. My blood pressure is behaving. Or perhaps I should say that I am behaving and trying to take better care of myself when it comes to stress!

I am very pleased, especially considering the report notes that I have sixteen problems/health issues! There is a code for every little thing. Government!!!

It is wonderful that the correct medications, taken regularly as ordered can provide good health. But, it can often taken a lot of effort on the part of the patient and especially the doctor to find the best combination.

Unfortunately, my physician is going to be leaving her current position and start working for the local VA Hospital in anticipation of better working conditions and most importantly, better benefits. I will certainly miss her after six years of very good care.

It is the weekend! Have a good one!

Mary

Part II - Oven Repair

Yes, Part II. I did not think there was going to be a Part II. But, what is - is.

Even though the pizza that I baked turned out well I was still having difficulty with obtaining high heat, hot enough to bake a potato without having to bake it longer than usual. And, if I can't bake a German Puff Pancake which takes very high heat my oven is useless to me! 

So, my detective skill kicked in and I was not going to be defeated, if I could help it.

The heating element needed to be looked at more carefully. There are two heating elements, one is for the broiler and the other is for the oven. The broiler unit at the top of the oven was heating bright red as it should. But, the oven unit is at the bottom of the oven and has a cover (floor of oven) over it and the oven door has to be removed in order to remove the cover. When I would put my hand at the bottom I could feel heat. Since I could not see if it was heating bright red I knew I would have to remove the cover so I could get more information.

After removing the door and the "floor" of the oven I was able to inspect the heating element and remove it from the back of the oven. No obvious burned area could be seen and the element felt smooth.  I then checked the element with my multimeter for Ohms. It was defective. OK NOW!

With further inspection and my work light positioned just right, I could see an abnormal surface on the left bottom of the oven and it felt very rough!. Not a large area, but just enough to be a sign that something was not quite right. You can see it on the next photo. From what I have read, the element can spark like a fireworks sparkler. Since it doesn't appear to be very large, the element continued to heat but at a lower temperature and fluctuated which meant that I would bake for longer than usual. That worked ok for a casserole, but not for most everything else.

After installing the new element  which meant that I had to pull the range out again and take the back off. I turned the power on at the circuit breaker and then turned the oven on to check everything before putting the oven floor back in. Wonderful, wonderful, it heated to a higher temperature, not bright red but definitely hotter than before.

Every time I had to replace a part, I had to order it through the internet and then wait for the part. I would never have been able to tackle this job if the internet did not have all the information as close as my keyboard.

As long as the range was "revealing it's part" I decided to take a look at the circuit board which is at the front behind the controls. And, lo and behold the schematic for the wiring was in that compartment in case I got deeper into the caverns of my electric range! Believe me, every step I took was with great trepidation!

Since I was waiting for parts, I took the glass door apart to clean between the window sections because there was a large dirty streak from the top to bottom. And, now it is sparkly clean!

And, then I replaced the oven door gasket. However, I ordered the wrong one and had to return the part and order again in order to get the correct size.

The cost for the parts came to less than $200! I think I saved quite a lot of money by NOT calling a Repair Service.  After all my work installing new parts, putting everything back together (seemed like over 100 screws) and doing all the safety checks I could think of - - - The end result is Fabulous! It is a few weeks since I finished the repair.

And, LOOK - - - A perfect German Puff Pancake baked at 425 degrees! It thoroughly baked (no soggy bottom) and the bottom is nicely browned! And - - it slid out of the cast iron skillet with no sticking. It makes me so happy!

When I think back to all the frustration I have had with the oven for at least two to three years it is no wonder that I thought I was experiencing just another of the changes that come with getting older. There were so many times like the Apple Bundt Cake, Easter Ham and Banana Bread. Oh, the list goes on and on.  HOORAY! I still am a good cook and baker. When the weather gets a little cooler, I am going to have me some fun, cooking and baking - maybe, even a Baked Alaska - because I can!

Hope All Is Well with You.

Mary

Happiness

Oh, how I love my tiny little friends and they like the nectar in my garden. I am grateful for so many different things in my life.

A Good Day to You.

Mary

Daily Garden "Fix"

Isn't she lovely? This is the first time that I have ever grown a hydrangea plant in my garden. At the end of the growing season last year I picked up a few discounted plants from "here and there". And, this was one of them. The tag said "White Hydrangea" and nothing more! And, much to my surprise she is thriving and apparently likes where she is planted. Don't you think?

The Star Jasmine is blooming in its prime and has completely covered the wire fencing. Beside the hydrangea on the left, the gladiolus are also coming up. 

It has been another very hot day in the high 90's. However, I have been able to return to my schedule of working in the garden or watering for about two hours each day. My energy level is so much better than in the past. My garden really is my therapy!

Mary

The Temperatures are HOT

Even with temperatures over 100 degrees I have a sweet little pansy that is being a "hold out". I don't think I have had a pansy that kept growing and blooming this late into the hot weather. I guess it is like the "energizer bunny".

I have been looking back and reflecting a little about my garden when I first started blogging in 2009. And I thought I would do a little flashback with some photos.

Garden Vignettes

I enjoy all the "little spots" in my garden that give it my personality. I certainly don't want to overdo it and make it look cluttered or the individual "spots" will lose their significance.

Perhaps I will let the photos speak for themselves. 

ENJOY and take a moment and relax in my garden.

I am happy to tell you that I am feeling much, much, much better!  With a lot of prayer, meditation, awareness of my thoughts and mind control I have been able to return to normal blood pressure reading with the same medication dosages as before. I will continue to be cognizant of what helps me to stay healthy.

Wishing you a Beautiful Weekend.

Mary