(One of my very own vine-ripened tomatoes. After I took this photo, I immediately went inside and ate it. I almost wept it was so good.)
Outside my window... my yard looks beautiful.
I need a flag pole next to my mailbox. If my grandsons lived closer ,we would have a Memorial Day flag raising ceremony under the pecan tree in the front yard.
Then they could salute their great-grandfathers.
Papa (my father) built roads in Korea.
Big Da, my husband’s father, ran a refinery in Duval County that provided fuel during the war. He lost a brother in the war.
I am thinking... about my to do list and I am excited.
I am thankful for... and humbled by the selfless giving of others for our safety and freedom.
From the learning rooms... I learned at the training I attended this past week that
50% of all teachers entering the profession leave within the first 5 years.
They need support.
From the kitchen... I am making my favorite green beans for supper.
***
Green Beans
Prepare a bag of frozen whole green beans according to package directions
After draining the green beans, slather them with real butter, and top them with sliced almonds.
Sprinkle with sea salt.
***
I am wearing... yard clothes.
I am creating... a new perennial bed of white plumbago. I am so excited I found the white variety.
I am going... to baby-sit my grandsons this week.I can’t wait.
I think I am going to take them to the Houston zoo.
I am reading... Dominique Browning’s Slow Love: How I Lost My Job, Put On My Pajamas, and Found Happiness.
Dominique Browning was the editor of House and Garden, one of my favorite magazines before it was canceled. I always enjoyed reading her editorial letters. They were like wonderful essays.
I am hoping... for a good night’s rest. I have been staying up too late reading, blogging, and watching television.
I am hearing... the Texas Parks and Wildlife television show in the background. I love that program on Sunday afternoons.
Around the house... I am going to start packing for my trip to see my grandsons. I want to find a paint by number set or a macaroni art project we can do.
One of my favorite things...Lipton’s Cold Brew tea, lots of ice, no sweetener.
A few plans for the rest of the week:
*learning more about my new wide angle lens
That is one luscious looking tomato and together with yard clothes, Memorial Day, iced tea, a good book, marigolds - it sounds like an American moment.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a wonderful holiday. Very nice tribute.
That was beautiful. From the ripe tomato through the memorial day tribute to your plans with your grandsons. Have a great Memorial Day.
ReplyDeleteThat tomato sure looks good. Nothing better than a good juicy ripe one. I get tickled when you say you are in your yard clothes. I was in mine all weekend and they are covered in stinky mud and sweat. To the wash they go!
ReplyDeleteI don't like the taste of tomatoes so I would just let it sit there and enjoy the beauty it gives to my eyes.
ReplyDeleteDi
Sounds like a good weekend to me. Enjoy your time with your grandsons.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely, peaceful and satisfying post, Laura.
ReplyDeleteI wish you that good rest, a wonderful time with your grandsons and perhaps the odd tag sale while you're away!
Miss Laura, I didn't know they made white plumbago, your zinnias are glorius and up north, my quarter sized green tomatoes are coming along and I can't wait to taste that first ripe one. Have fun with the babies. I love the Houston zoo and the Museum of Natural Science is wonderful too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful posting, Laura... and, oh how I love the music!
ReplyDeleteKaren
Ladybug Creek
Beautiful, beginning to end! Enjoy your day and your week with the Grandsons:) Have a blessed Memorial Day! HUGS
ReplyDeleteMMMM...home grown tomatoes...sunshine in a skin!
ReplyDeleteDebbie
P.S. Now you've gone and done it. I want a flagpole too...NOW!
Found you today and loved this post! Deer love my zinnias, so I've given up on planting them. :( Yours are a feast for the eyes, as is that tomato!
ReplyDeleteThere's literally nothing like that first tomato of the season. It's perfection in a single bite. Still waiting on mine -all I've got are little green ones.
ReplyDeleteI've heard the stats on teachers leaving within 5 years -personally I think it has a lot to do with having standardized testing.Here the teachers are reduced to figures of authority who read out of a big notebook with the S.O.L. requirements for that day. How fustrating for real teachers!
Your tomatoe is ripe! Yum O! My daughter, in her second year of college wants to be an English teacher. I pray she can do it. Have a blessed and happy week. You are now delightfully on my blog roll and now I can keep up with you so much better.
ReplyDeletexo,
olive
Wonderful and newsy post, always love them! Love the memory of your great-grandfathers, bless their sacrifices they made to our country. I could picture your little grandsons putting up the flag, great visual. Oh Laura, I KNOW you can't wait to see and spend time with your little cutie pies! Oh my gosh, I almost forgot, that is one beautiful tomato, think I'll have to go have one now too.
ReplyDeleteHave a safe trip.
Hugs,
Nancy
May you all have a blessed Memorial Day and the lord keep you all safe. We thank your family members who served our country and their families.
ReplyDeleteI did weep... The poor tomato did not have a chance. It lived longer with you than it would have with me. It would not have made it into the house.
I love them, they are very photogenic.
Laura, I was happy to see your beautiful face on my blog this evening! I love your wonderful, happy list you have in this post! And your tomato is perfect! We're just at the tiny bloom stage up here in Ohio! We won't be eating them until August!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tomato and zinnia bed! Have a wonderful week and have fun with your darling grandsons!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post to open this morning! Love the calming effect it had on me and even though I am not a tomato fan ~ yours looks beautiful. Have a great week playing with the boys!
ReplyDeleteYour garden is growing faster than mine. No ripe tomatoes yet! This has been a basil year for me and I need the tomatoes. So I can make pesto my favorite summer love.
ReplyDeleteDottie
Wow! Your tomato is beautiful. It's a bit too early for them here. I loved this post for two other reasons, however - first, that you're wearing yard clothes (that seems to be all I wear in the summer and I'm always grungy when neighbors stop by!) and second, that you're reading Dominique Brown's book - can't wait to start it myself.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your grandchildren!
Leah
Here in GA teachers are leaving the classrooms at just that pace. Research has shown that having a strong mentor helps...that's how I got my job! Now that I'm retired from teaching, I hope to continue to work with young teachers and help them persevere! Now is NOT a good time in education in our country. It's so sad and unsettling. Visit my latest blog entry and see the activity I did with my grandson today. He loved it! Hope you enjoy your visit with your grands!
ReplyDeleteWow, that is one cutey patootie tomato!
ReplyDeleteMine are teensy so far, although the heirlooms are bigger -- hope to have red tomatoes by the 4th of july.
Your babysitting plans sound delicious -- especially the macaroni art. Don't forget pictures. :-)
Cass
I just read something about that book last week, and immediately went to Amazon and put it on my list! Is it really fantastic? If so, I'll do a little early ordering, even though I have books I need to read.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Greetings, just stopping by for a visit! Guess what, we lurve green beans too! Hope your having a lovely week!
ReplyDelete