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| Lantana and Plumbago Hedge |
We had a lovely, sunny, warm (90F) day, on Friday! My kind of weather!
Friday's housekeeping task was cleaning my bathroom, which I did in the afternoon. Then, I started sewing a new border to the repair the torn edges of the old, anime themed comforter that I bought, several years ago, for my daughter. While I sewed, I watched some online videos and the news programs I usually watch.
Later in the evening, gardener M planted the okra seeds I had kept to soak and watered the back garden. He also brought me two Persian cucumber seedlings and planted them, too. I have been tasked with watering them on a regular basis, until his next visit which will be on Wednesday of next week.
I had listed leftover coconut roti for my brunch on Friday, in the meal plan, but, since I didn't make roti, on Thursday, I didn't have any leftover roti for brunch. What I did have was leftover rice, a piece of leftover bacon, and a little bit of chicken from the single chicken thigh I curried on Thursday. Which meant just one thing:
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| Leftovers Fried Rice |
Fried rice! I added a little freshly picked broccoli and an egg and I had a very filling brunch!
Dinner was just what I had listed on the meal plan: battered frozen fish filles, broccoli, and corn. Leftover fruit salad for dessert.
The monks at the Temple called me in the evening and asked me if I could review and edit a speech they were giving at the dedication of a new Temple, this weekend. So, I spent a few minutes doing that and felt blessed that I could help them with it.
The oncologist's office called, too. They asked if I can come in on Tuesday morning instead of Tuesday afternoon (my appointment is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.). I asked them around what time in the morning and they said 9:00 a.m.; I said I didn't think I'd be able to make it that early. After some discussion, I was allowed to keep the 1:00 p.m. appointment. I will, however, still call them on Tuesday morning to confirm!
On Friday, I was grateful for:
- Being able to help the monks with their speech
- Being able to video chat with my daughter
- M bringing me the Persian cucumber seedlings to plant
- The sunny and warm day
- What I was able to accomplish
Friday's joyful activities included gardening, picking broccoli and blueberries, and video chatting with my daughter.
Plans for Saturday include sewing the other border to the comforter I am repairing. I am not planning to do any housework this weekend. My plan is to do some fun sewing. However, if I do feel up to it, I have another stack of papers to sort through!
How was your Friday? What are your plans for the weekend?
90F is way too hot for me ... it made me laugh that you described it as 'warm'!
ReplyDeleteI've lost count of how many different fruits and vegetables you are growing but the addition of the Persian cucumbers must give you a good variety. What are you planning to add next?
It was a kindness on your part to help the monks by reviewing their speech. Is the new Temple an extension to the existing one or a completely different building?
I don't have much planned for today. I need to sort out the patio ... there's still a fair bit of soil everywhere so I want to get it as clear as I can because we are promised heavy rain on Sunday and Monday and I don't want to be left with mud everywhere. Apart from that I will probably make a start on the family tree presentation.
It was quite warm, almost hot, in the sun, but, inside the house was much cooler.
DeleteI love cucumbers; I'm looking forward to having my own Persian cucumbers. We planted the okra seeds today and the next item to plant will be another Early Girl tomato plant (or two).
The new Temple is a new building in an adjoining city. It has its own abbot and group of monks associated with it, its own congregation, etc. But, the monks from the Temple I usually go to will participate in the opening ceremony. I received an invitation in the mail to attend the ceremony, but, of course, I am not participating in person, right now (I mailed a donation, instead).
Sounds like cleaning the patio and working on the family tree presentation will keep you busy. Enjoy the pleasant weather before the rains arrive!
Casual mention of heavy rain, again! Well, I'm not going to rise to it, are you? ;o) We MIGHT get light rain tomorrow and I am hoping the forecast is correct because I want to put feed and weed on the so-called lawn and attempt to make it worthy of the name. Here's hoping!
DeleteAnd now I am off to look up Persian cucumbers...
We could really do with some rain at this end - any rain! I hope you get just the right amount of rain to help your lawn green up.
DeletePersian cucumbers are also known as Middle Eastern cucumbers, here. They are small and crisp.
I love the lantana picture. It is an annual here and doesn't get that big, but I planted some in a pot the other day, anyway. It's a favorite of bees and butterflies.
ReplyDeleteLantana doesn't like cold weather, but, I've read that one can over-winter them as houseplants, if they are given adequate light and care. Might be something to try?
DeleteIf they survive the summer, I might try that.
Delete:)
DeleteWhat a nice compliment for the monks to ask you to review their speech. It shows how highly they think of you.
ReplyDeleteHaving cucumbers will be nice for you as I know you eat them often.
And you can make homegrown homemade pickled cucumbers. :)
I have been weeding & mulching our beds for a few weeks now. Going slow though. I actually made a plan that I would not push myself but rather work for just 30 minutes a day. I even set my timer lol. I usually go a bit longer but the feeling of "being done" when the timer goes off has made such a difference in my mindset. I used to dread it because I would work in the yard for hours at a time. Now instead I think, "just go do it, 30 minutes will be up before you know it". And the time really does go by quickly. Little by little things are shaping up.
Slow and steady.....like your mom always said. :)
My mother was a teacher and she used to teach the monks English when they first came here. Every now and then, I step into her shoes and help the monks with their speeches, letters, etc. It is also a way for me to participate and accrue merits without actually attending the events in person.
DeleteI love cucumbers! The Persian cucumbers are small and a couple of them are just right for a serving.
Sounds like you've been busy in the garden! Yes, "slow and steady" was what my mother used to say! :D I'm glad you are doing just 30 minutes and not pushing yourself. I learned that the hard way, last year - I think the hours of weeding I did in the garden (as much as I enjoyed it) was what triggered the sciatica, last year. Are you planning to grow any vegetables this year?
Tomatoes!!!! And herbs - basil, parsley and a few others
DeleteTomatoes and herbs sound good - maybe you are planning to make some homemade tomato sauce?
DeleteFried rice in a pretty new bowl - excellent! It probably tasted twice as nice, too. How lovely to be asked to review the dedication speech. The monks obviously value your spiritual knowledge and writing ability. As for the oncologist appointment, I guess they were pushing their luck when they wanted you to fill in at 9 am! You did well to dig your heels in.
ReplyDeleteOur heat wave continues but there is a possibility of rain later today and maybe even a thunderstorm, so I am keeping an eye on the radar as I have a full line of washing that may need to be taken in quickly. I have other things to catch up on but I don't have a lot of energy for them, so I will probably take it easy for a while and see how I feel. I really do want to get so much done, but there is supper to prepare later and that needs some energy.
Fried rice in the new bowl was extra special! :)
DeleteYes, it was a blessing to be asked to help with the speech, Bushlady. My mother (who was a teacher) used to teach the monks English when they first came here and every now and then, they ask me, as the teacher's daughter, to help them. :) They are very eloquent in Sinhalese, but, when it comes to English, they still struggle a bit. It is, also, a way for me to participate, even indirectly, and accrue merit without attending the event in person.
Ha, the oncology clinic was definitely pushing its luck! There was a time when I would have accommodated them, but, I'm getting more assertive in my old age! :D I did ask them if it was due to the doctor or nurse practitioner needing to leave early on that day and offered to reschedule to another day, but, it was just that they had an opening at 9:00 a.m.
Please don't worry too much about catching up on other things when you are having a heat wave. At those temperatures, it is better to take it easy. It has finally warmed up to 93F, here, this afternoon; I think I will remove my socks! :D
We have had several days in the 90s, and I turned on the air conditioner! I am grateful it works still, as it's 33 years old. ,The flowers in your hedge picture are lovely. I love it when different flowers weave together like that and the colors are perfect!
ReplyDeleteI heard on the news about the heat wave in the Mid West, including Wisconsin. I'm glad you had the air conditioner and it worked! My unit is almost as old as yours! The plumbago flowers seem to be taking over the hedge, but, the lantana is holding its own! :)
DeleteI love your photo of the lantana. Mine are not large yet, but. couple of weeks time will change that.
ReplyDeleteLovely that you were able to help with the monk's dedication speech. I hope you weekend has/will be fun filled and restful.
Glad you liked the photo, Anne. Now, if only the lantana in the front will grow as big, I'll have a nice little hedge, there, too. But, so far, they have refused to become big bushes.
DeleteI was very glad that I was able to help with the speech. To paraphrase a saying, "They also serve who proofread and edit"! :D Thank you, Anne; hope you, too, have a good weekend. :)
The monks must think highly of you to be asking for your assistance with their speech. 9.a.m. is early for an appointment, you did right sticking to your original appointment. I hope you are enjoying your fun weekend of sewing and relaxation .
ReplyDeleteThank you , Eileen. I've known these monks for a long time now and my mother (who was a teacher) used to teach them English when they first came to this country. I've helped them with editing their speeches and newsletters, etc., on previous occasions, too, and appreciate the opportunity to help them in this way. :)
DeleteThere was a time when I didn't mind early morning appointments - I used to go for immune booster injections, etc., at 8:00 a.m., when I was undergoing chemo. But, these days, I prefer not to sign up for morning appointments if I can help it!
I've had a lovely Saturday, sewing the border to a quilt and watering the garden. More sewing is planned for tomorrow. :)
I hope that everything stays okay for the oncologist appointment. Fingers crossed that it happens at the right time and all goes well. Your temple sounds lovely.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lyssa. The oncologist visit is a routine check up, so it should be fine. I didn't see anything alarming in the blood test results, when compared to the previous test. :)
DeleteThe Plumbago and Lantana are so pretty together. In the north of NZ Lantana is listed as a noxious weed!! It smothers everything, luckily in my area it is not and we can grow it in our gardens. Your fried rice looks lovely in your new bowl. Your Persian cucumbers sound like our lebanese cucumbers (they are about 4 - 6 inches long). Hope your oncologist appointment goes well.
ReplyDeleteI like how the plants grew together to form a hedge. We grow lantana as it is a drought tolerant plant (once established). Same with the plumbago.
DeleteYes, the Persian cucumbers are probably quite similar to the Lebanese cucumbers. I have only seen the Persian cucumbers, here.
Thank you, Sharon; it is a routine check up, but, sometimes, there's nothing routine about these things, is there?