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| Bird on the Wires |
Not a very good photo of the mockingbird who was watching me when I was out in the garden, yesterday. My plum tree in the foreground, back neighbor's chinaberry tree in the background.
It was 98F where I live, today, and I'll admit that it felt hot, today. In the morning, I gave the vegetable plants and the Asian pear tree another drink of water, Later, I replied to blog comments and visited a few blogs. Then, after a brunch of leftover pancakes with leftover chicken curry, I took a nap on the sofa!
It was still quite warm when I woke up from my nap and, instead of making my usual cup of evening tea, I made myself a refreshing glass of faluda! Faluda was a treat when I was growing up and I have fond memories of going to a particular restaurant we always used to go to, my mother and I, and ordering a "sherbet" which is what we used to call faluda, back then. And it would be brought to the table, in tall frosty glasses, filled with ice cubes: a sweet pink colored drink, a mixture of rose syrup and water, with streaks of condensed milk on the inside of the glass and a layer of pre-soaked black kasa kasa (basil; also known as tukmaria) seeds floating on top. You stirred the drink to mix the contents and the aroma of roses wafted up. Sometimes, people put little cubes of gelatin into the drink, but, the drinks I remember having from the restaurant didn't have any gelatin in them. The faluda I made for myself today consisted of rose syrup, iced water, and a spoon or two of condensed milk. I didn't have any basil seeds to presoak and add to my drink, but, that didn't matter. It was a tasty treat on a hot day. My bottle of rose syrup is almost over; I must see if I can get another bottle, soon.
I watched the evening news after my nap, opened the windows to air out the house, and decided to have spaghetti for dinner, with sauce I had made previously and frozen. There are leftovers for tomorrow, as well.
Aunt C called while I was having dinner to say she loved the card I sent her. Later, friend R called and we chatted for a bit. Still later, I video chatted with my daughter. She had gone into the office today; they are still going in one day a week. We don't know how the recent changes to the CDC's Covid guidelines will affect that arrangement.
Today, I am grateful for:
- Afternoon naps
- Water for the garden
- Rose syrup and faluda
- Rose syrup and faluda
- Fans and electricity to run them
- Chats with family and friends
- Chats with family and friends
Today's joyful activity was taking an afternoon nap!
Plans for tomorrow include watering the garden, including the newly transplanted ferns in the front, and starting the car! It occurred to me that I haven't driven the car in a week! The last time I drove it was last week Friday, when I went to the grocery store to pick up my order! Actually, that was the last time I left the house and went anywhere! LOL. Oh, but don't I lead an exciting life?!
How was your Thursday? What are your plans for Friday?
Your drink sounds delicious and so refreshing on a hot summer's day. I just heard on the news the UK is going to be hotter than the Caribbean today. I've been out early with Tilly and I feel like I'm melting. Don't worry about not leaving the house if you are content at home. Your blog is interesting or I wouldn't keep coming back and as I've said on my blog, other people's opinions on how we live our lives don't matter xx
ReplyDeleteThe drink was cold and sweet and delicious! Loaded with calories, of course, but, I'll deal with that, later! :D
DeleteI'm glad you went on your walk with Tilly early in the morning when it was cooler; please take it easy and relax during your current heatwave.
I am fine with staying at home, although, yesterday, when I realized I hadn't been out all week, I felt that I should try to make an effort to go somewhere. But, not sure where because I am still not comfortable going places.
Thank you, Eileen, for saying my blog is interesting and I'm glad you continue to visit me. :)
Did you take a photo of your faluda drink for the SPSH (no. 8 - sipping on)? I like the rose syrup but think the condensed milk would make it too sweet for me. I'd like to try it though so please will you add it to the menu when I visit? 😊
ReplyDeleteIs it possible that the Covid guideline changes will result in your daughter working full time from her home again?
Oh, no, I forgot to take a photo of my faluda drink! Well, you know what that means, don't you? I'll just have to make another one! Just for the sake of the SPSH, you understand! :D
DeleteI'll make sure to have a new bottle of rose syrup on hand for when you visit! :D
The new Covid guidelines are relaxing the protocols that have been in effect till now. Unvaccinated people no longer have to isolate for 5 days after being exposed to the virus, social distancing is no longer required, school staff and students are no longer required to be tested regularly if they don't show symptoms, etc. It's an easing of the restrictions; according to them, there is a high enough rate of immunity built up in the general population against the virus that hospitals can deal with it. So, I'm wondering if my daughter's office will require everyone to come into the office now; she will continue to wear her mask, she says, even if there is no requirement for masking.
I think a nap on a hot summer day is the perfect activity :)
ReplyDeleteAlthough I'm not a napper (I like the idea, I just can't fall asleep)
I must say, you drink sounds wonderful. I loved reading about your memories of it and I'm glad you thought to make yourself one when you awoke.
I could never take afternoon naps as a child, but, now, I am happy to take afternoon naps!
DeleteThe drink was wonderful and Eileen reminded me that I should have taken a picture for the summer photo hunt! I thought you might enjoy reading about my memories. :) It was another place and time, but, the memories are still there. :)
I always like hearing your reminiscences about growing up!
DeleteI could never sleep during the day, no matter how tired I might have been, until I was at university. I remember being really surprised the first couple of times I lay on my bed to read, and dozed off, deeply, for a few hours. I was even more shocked when a friend said she'd never known anyone who slept so much ... I hadn't perceived it as the norm, but just something that had happened to me once or twice - she assumed it was something I did/had always done. (And I wasn't a rowdy student who went partying every night, either!) Now, my sleep patterns are not very good, so if I feel tired during the day and am free to sleep, I tend to take the opportunity while I can.
Thank you, Lady Ella. :)
DeleteFunny how you found it easy to take naps when you went to university! I guess our sleep patterns change all the time. :)
That faluda sounds amazing!
ReplyDeleteIt's a good thing that you remembered your car. Over lock down here, there were a lot of issues with cars left too long. Perhaps you could have a drive to somewhere beautiful.
The faluda was delicious! :)
DeleteI keep forgetting to start the car at least a couple of times a week! But, I was happy when it started without any trouble earlier, today. I let the engine run for about 15 minutes while I checked on the garden and picked ripe chilies. I will have to plan a drive somewhere. I usually hate to just drive for the sake of driving, but, maybe next week, I can order some food to go from the Sri Lankan restaurant and drive there to collect it. :)
We've been in the 90's for a while now, but today we are finally having a break with highs only in the 80's. I'm looking forward to it and plan to get some yard work done. Hope you have a cooler day today than yesterday, but whether you do or not I think your rose water drink is in order. It sounds lovely.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you are getting a bit of a break from the heat, June. Hope it will be cool enough for you to get your gardening done.
DeleteWe are at 96F this afternoon ("feels like 101F per the weather forecast), with 19% humidity; I think that will be our high for today. I have the fan on, but, it doesn't feel too uncomfortably hot. Yesterday's drink was very delicious. Now I wish I had frozen some of it to have as a popsicle! :D
Birds on the wire are so beautiful! Wonderful Post! Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteRampdiary | Fineartandyou | Beautyandfashionfreaks
Thank you, Jyoti.
DeleteSo of course I had to look up another exotic for the drink. I actually think I could make a keto version of it. I am going to have to try it pretty soon.
ReplyDeleteOh, I do hope you can make a keto friendly version of it, Anne. I just did a search and there are several videos and recipes online!
DeleteBlessings. Regine
ReplyDeletewww.rsrue.blogspot.com
Thank you, Regine. Blessings to you, too. Hope all is well with you.
DeleteWhat an interesting drink! I'd have to figure out what to do with the rest of the condensed milk or I might be tempted just to eat it from a spoon!
ReplyDeleteWhen I read "bird on the wires" I immediately thought of the song, "Bird on a wire" by Leonard Cohen.
We are having amazing weather, sunny, breezy and not too hot. DH went sailing with a friend yesterday and I walked down to the river to watch them come in.
I use condensed milk in my tea, so there's always a jar of condensed milk in my fridge (I pour the contents into a jar when I open a new can).
DeleteI hadn't heard that particular song, so, of course, I had to search for it and listen to it. I love the lyrics!
Sounds like you are out of the heat wave and are enjoying some really nice summer weather! We are still hot and dry, but, it hasn't been too hot (as in over 100F). As summers go, it has been relatively mild!
The Faluda sounds delicious. And just what you need to refresh you on a hot day. Xx
ReplyDeleteIt really was delicious! Very cooling and refreshing and sweet! :)
DeleteI have never heard of Faluda but it sounds absolutely delicious.
ReplyDeleteHot here today too, 33C forecast and rain is desperately needed.
After your comment about starting the car I realise that I haven't started mine in a week either! I must have saved on fuel lol ! I need to pop to the supermarket this morning before it gets too hot. I hope it WILL start :/
Have a lovely day Bless.
Faluda tastes a little like melted ice cream, I think. :)
Delete33C/91F is very hot! Stay hydrated and hope you can keep cool with a fan.
Hope your car started without any problems and you were able to go to the supermarket before it got too hot!
Thank you; I hope you are having a lovely day, too. :)