The Statue of Liberty's crown may open again to the public. Wouldn't that be just wonderful? She's been closed since September 11th, 2001; I think it time to reopen this beautiful symbol of freedom to the American people and her visitors.

Life often presents us with hard times; I’ve learned not to begrudge them...

I remember— especially when my husband and I were first married—how difficult it could be sometimes just to make ends meet. But guess what? Some of life’s best and most profitable lessons were learned by me when I was forced to be creative with the things that God had given me. It was during those times that I learned how important it is to make a list to shop by, and that I should never go to the grocery store feeling hungry. Simple? Maybe. Valuable? Most definitely. To this day, I never go to the grocery store without my list—in fact, I’d be lost without it! And I rarely go there when I’m hungry lest impulsive buying take over my list.

Years ago, when we first came to New York, I took a job babysitting for two little girls, four days a week. When Thursday came, their kind mother always handed me four twenty-dollar bills. In my heart, I would always subtract $8 for tithe and $2 for a love offering; and the rest was our grocery money! My two boys and one girl would pile into our Grand Safari station wagon with me and we'd drive right over to Shop Rite. With my list in hand, the kids and I would travel the aisles of the store, placing items in our shopping cart while I recorded their cost, careful not to go over our budget. Sometimes, when we had money left over, we would buy vanilla ice cream and root beer for floats; sometimes we got chips, sometimes ice pops. Sometimes we’d pocket the change and walk to 7-11 for slurpies, our dog, Banjo, tagging along for exercise.

This week I planned my menu around the food I already had in the 'fridge and freezer. I allotted myself $75 dollars for groceries at Sam's. The two singles in my change purse made it an even $77. Looks like "hard times" have served me well...

I was thrilled to receive these never-before-seen photos from a brother of mine. The groom is my father, the bride my Mom. Thought I'd share them with all of you.


Click on this photo and notice the fedoras on the men in the background - aren't they just grand?! Looks like the well-wishers used confetti instead of rice!

It's been a beautiful summer here on Long Island. All of my free time has been spent OUTSIDE, in my gardens. It's just about my favorite thing to do!

Here's my first try at basil. It's quite prolific and I need to research the ways in which I can use it. Of course Italian food always tastes great with extra basil, but I'm thinking I'll try and make pesto with it.


I don't know what on earth this is called, but I think it's beautiful!

The lovely dahlias! Unfortunately, some wicked little critter likes to eat the leaves and the flowers!

Miniature roses. I've had this bush since the first year we moved here - that makes it nearly eight-years-old.
Snapdragons! We have yellow and red. They're nestled in the bed beneath our mailbox.

The hydrangea bushes haven't produced many flowers yet. I can't figure out why. Randy said they're probably late bloomers. I hope he's right. They usually bloom around the 4th of July and I love the blue color they sport in honor of our nation's birthday.

Oh, and looks who's back...

A brave little rabbit, I'd say.

TA DA! My very first, homemade, from scratch CHOCOLATE CAKE! Isn't it lovely? Now if I can just find a good marshmallow frosting recipe. If you've got a good one, feel free to leave it in my comment box. :o)

If you live on Long Island, you simply must read this! J. Kings Food Service Professionals, an independently owned food service distributor, is using its long-standing relationships with the region’s top farms to bring the farmers’ market concept to Long Island. Beginning June 25^th, the Holtsville headquarters of J. Kings Food Service Professionals will be the on-site location of the new Long Island Farmers’ Market, at 700 Furrows Road in Holtsville. Here you will have the opportunity to buy directly from dozens of farms that'll be showcasing an assortment of fresh farm produce.

More than 35 local farms will be at the market showcased under tent canopies resembling the world famous Union Square Farmers Market in Manhattan. The Farmers’ Market will be open Wednesday through Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm. For details visit the web site by clicking on the top photo. I bet I’ll see you there!

Click on the apple and see where it takes you for a pleasurable reading experience!

Dark and ominous clouds have moved across the sky of Long Island this evening. The last time I saw storm clouds like these was when we lived in North Dakota! So beautiful, but yet so terrible...