A Weather Vane!

 

My First Weather Vane

Blog friend Lady Ella (her blog is private, so I am not providing a link) regularly posts pictures of weathervanes she sees over in the UK and I love seeing them.  I started to look for weathervanes when I was out and about, but they seem to be a rarity in this area and I wasn't able to find any until late last year, when I went to the fabric store in mid December and happened to see a building with a weathervane, across the street from the store.  I meant to take a photo of it on the way out, but, forgot to do so.

However, this weekend, daughter and I went back to the fabric store (which is now closing) and this time, daughter reminded me to take the photo of the weathervane before we went into the store!  And I did so!  Which was a good thing because by the time we finished shopping (more about the shopping in another post), it was getting dark and the light wasn't very good for taking photographs.  

The building with the weathervane is a commercial building, built in 1977.  It's an interesting looking building, too, but, my focus was the weathervane.  I have now taken a photograph of a weathervane and I feel ridiculously happy about that!  

Have you seen weather vanes in your area?  Are they relatively common where you live?

More Rain on Friday

It rained again on Friday morning and then, it slowed down to a misty fine drizzle.  I didn't know if M would be able to tend to the garden, but, he texted to let me know that he would be here earlier than usual and he made up for not being able to work on Wednesday.  We checked on the garden together, pointing out things to each other - the kangaroo paw plant was starting to flower, the Asian pear tree seems to be coming out of dormancy, the strawberries forming on the plant seem to have developed mildew with all the rain we've had, etc.  Then, I went indoors and M weeded and tidied up the garden.

I had a long phone chat with aunt C and then, I called the Temple and spoke with the head monk or abbot. 

Later in the evening, I helped daughter with sorting out some of her clothes.  

Brunch was an egg with bacon and hash browns.  I made fresh lemonade to have with our brunch.  Dinner was rice with chicken curry, leftover sauteed cabbage (me), Brussels sprouts (daughter), and tomato chutney.

Earlier, I had considered making a pie for dessert, in honor of Pi Day, but, in the end, I didn't make a pie and we ate fresh apples after dinner, which was healthier than a pie.  I still might make a pie over the weekend.

On Friday, I was grateful for:

- More rain for the garden
- M was able to tend to the garden, after all
- A working heater and a warm and dry house
- Phone calls with my aunt and with the monks at the temple
- Emails from friends

Friday's joyful activity was spending time in the garden.

No big plans for the weekend.  I will probably order and pick up some groceries and maybe bake a pie?

How was your Friday?  What are your plans for the weekend?

On Thursday

 

"Blood Worm Moon" - March 13, 2025
(Photo taken by daughter's friend P)

Wednesday night into early Thursday morning, it poured with rain and there was a strong wind blowing, too.  But, Thursday was quite sunny, if cool and windy, with a high of only 56F.  Daughter had a migraine and I almost had a headache, myself, dealing with tax documents, but, I managed to get a portion of it to my tax preparer with my daughter's help.  I need to get the rest of the documents to the tax preparer in the next day or two.  

In the afternoon, I walked for a little bit in the driveway and checked on the garden, afterwards.  After our evening tea, I cooked a chicken curry, rice with green peas, and sauteed cabbage for our dinner.  I made a fruit salad for dessert with the last portion of mango, half an apple, an orange, some green grapes, and some raw cashew pieces.  

From about 8:00 p.m., I kept going outside to take a look at the moon to see any signs of the eclipse, but, I was unable to see anything till about 11:15 p.m. when the eclipse was about three quarters of the way to being complete.  Then, daughter and I went out at almost midnight and we saw the full eclipse.  My phone camera doesn't take good enough pictures when it is dark outside and I was disappointed.  But, my daughter's friend P sent her some pictures of the total eclipse and I am posting one of those pictures with P's consent.  

On Thursday, I am grateful for:

- The rain we received Wednesday night and Thursday morning
- There was no major damage in my area due to the rain
- A day of sunshine on Thursday
- Being able to see the total eclipse of the moon
- Daughter's friend P sharing his photos and allowing me to post one on my blog

Thursday's joyful activity was watching the eclipse with my daughter.

No big plans for Friday other than getting the rest of the tax documents to the tax preparer and maybe tending to the garden with M, if it doesn't rain (forecast calls for rain).

How was your Thursday?  Were you able to see the lunar eclipse?  What are your plans for Friday?  Will you be baking a pie to celebrate Pi Day?

More Rain

Cut Up Mango (Tuesday Night's Dessert)

It rained most of the day on Wednesday.  Light drizzle, for the most part, but, I told M to take the day off.  I did a couple of loads of laundry, mended another knitted sock, did a little knitting, did a little paperwork, and, in the early evening, walked a little in the driveway.  

Brunch was a toasted bagel with scrambled eggs, bacon, and fresh oranges.  The cut up mango in the picture was Tuesday night's dessert.  For dinner, I baked chicken drumsticks and spicy potato wedges and made a cucumber salad.  

We had some heavy rain late at night and the forecast calls for more rain on Thursday and Friday, too.

On Wedesday, I was grateful for:

- More rain for the garden
- Working appliances
- A working heater and a warm and dry house
- Time spent with my daughter
- Electricity and natural gas to run the appliances

Wednesday's joyful activities included walking, picking oranges from the garden, and knitting.

Plans for Thursday must include getting my tax documents together to take to my tax preparer.

How was your Wednesday?  What are your plans for Thursday?

When Succulents Bloom

 

Among The Eucalyptus Roots

There are several small succulents nestled among the roots of the eucalyptus tree.  My hope is that they will grow and cover this area, eventually.  One of the plants is succulent with red-tinged leaves (Crassula radicans), which, according to M who gave it to me, will grow and spread to form a ground cover.

Close Up of the Red-Tinged Succulent (Crassula radicans)

As I looked closer at it, I realized that, not only were the tips of the leaves tinged with red, but, there were small clusters of tiny pink flowers!

Succulent Flower Clusters - Magnified 5 Times

My cell phone camera will only magnify up to 5 times.  But, each tiny flower looked beautiful.  

Sometimes, I like to take the garden in at a glance.  But, sometimes, the plants call out to me to get closer and look carefully.  To see the details.  To observe the changes.  To pause in my stroll around the garden and take time to appreciate some of the little things that are often overlooked.  Like miniature blossoms on a tiny plant.  

I am grateful for:

- Having a garden in which to grow plants
- M sharing some of his plants with me
- Being able to stroll around the garden
- Being able to see - the colors, the shapes, the details
- Succulents that bloom

My joyful activity on this day was spending time in the garden, observing the succulent flowers, enjoying the fresh air, the sunshine, hearing the birdsongs, and feeling blessed by nature.

March Meal Planning

I took a break from meal planning during the first week of March.  But, now, it is time to get back to planning some meals.  

Brunches/Lunches: 
Ham cold cuts sandwiches
Scrambled eggs and bacon with bagels
Jamaican style meat patties/hand pies
Pizza (from the freezer) and Salad
French toast

Dinners:
Leftover mac & cheese with ground beef
Rice and chicken curry with vegetables
Pork chops with rice or baked potato wedges and vegetables
Chicken pot pies
Leftovers

Snacks/Desserts:
Fresh fruit
Cereal and milk
Bread pudding
Hot Cheetos

As always, the planned meals are subject to change, depending on what I feel like cooking, but, I've included some convenience meals for those low energy/"don't feel like cooking" days.

I am grateful that I have plenty of groceries on hand to be able to plan a variety of meals during the week.  

Will you be meal planning this week?

March Grocery Shopping and More Earthquakes

This Week's Grocery Pick Up (March 9, 2025)

I have ordered and picked up groceries twice so far in March.  The first time was on March 1 and the second time was on March 9.  

I didn't take a picture of the March 1st grocery pick up, but, I bought milk, half & half, butter, bread, bagels, bananas, canned tuna, frozen dinners, and soda.  Here's the receipt:

Order Summary

Original Item Total$80.05

Item Coupons/Sales-$29.70

Fulfillment Fee+$0.00

Sales Tax+$1.35

Order Total$51.70

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Item Details

26 Items

7UP Lemon Lime Caffeine-Free Soda Bottles, 6 pk / 16.9 fl oz$10.50

3 x $3.50 $6.99 each

CA Redem Val(for the sodas)$1.20

4 x $0.30 each

Fresh Banana - Single, 1 ea (6 bananas)$1.26

1.82 lbs x $0.69 each (approx.)

Kroger® Butter Sticks, 16 oz$6.98

2 x $3.49 $4.99 each

Kroger® Half & Half, 1 pt$2.69

1 x $2.69 each

Kroger® Plain Bagels, 6 ct / 18 oz$2.79

1 x $2.79 each

Kroger® White Sandwich Bread, 20 oz$2.49

1 x $2.49 each

Kroger® Wild Caught Chunk Light Tuna in Water, 5 oz$6.00

6 x $1.00 $1.29 each

Marie Callender's Chicken Pot Pie Frozen Meal, 10 oz$7.96

4 x $1.99 $3.99 each

Marie Callender's Slow Roasted Beef Frozen Meal, 12.300 oz$1.99

1 x $1.99 $4.99 each

Pepsi Cola® Soda Bottles, 6 pk / 16.9 fl oz$3.50

1 x $3.50 $6.99 each

Item Coupon/Sale: -$3.49

Ralphs® Vitamin D Whole Milk Half Gallon, 1/2 gal$2.99

1 x $2.99 each

March 1 Grocery Total = $51.70

Today's groceries are pictured above and I bought milk, half & half, condensed milk, eggs ($9.99/doz.), fresh fruits, a cucumber, cold cuts, peppermint candy, and sugar.

Here's the receipt for the March 9 groceries:

Order Summary

Original Item Total$57.62

Item Coupons/Sales-$9.80

Fulfillment Fee+$0.00

Other Fees+$0.10

Sales Tax$0.00

Order Total$47.92

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Item Details

15 Items

Cucumber, 1 ct$0.89

1 x $0.89 $0.99 each

Fresh Banana - Single, 1 ea (4 bananas)$1.27

1.84 lbs x $0.69 each (approx.)

Kroger® Grade AA Large Cage Free White Eggs, 12 ct$9.99

1 x $9.99 each

Kroger® Half & Half, 1 pt$2.69

1 x $2.69 each

Kroger® Starlight Mint Peppermint Candy, 8 oz$2.00

1 x $2.00 each

Large Gala Apple - Each, 1 each (3 apples) $2.75

1.38 lbs x $1.99 each (approx.)

Large Mangos, 1 ct$3.00

2 x $1.50 $2.00 each

Nestle La Lechera Sweetened Condensed Milk, 14 oz$10.76

4 x $2.69 $3.99 each (this brand was cheaper than store brand)

Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh Uncured Smoked Ham Sliced Deli Lunch Meat, 9 oz$3.49

1 x $3.49 $6.99 each

Ralphs® Vitamin D Whole Milk Half Gallon, 1/2 gal$2.99

1 x $2.99 each

Smart Way™ Granulated Sugar, 10 lb$7.99

1 x $7.99 each

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Other Fees

$0.10

Bag Fee$0.10

1 x $0.10 each

March 9 Grocery Total = $47.92

Eggs have gone up to almost $10/doz.  I thought it was interesting, to say the least, that the dozen eggs amounted to 20% of my grocery bill, this week!

Last week's tuna and this week's sugar and condensed milk were stock up items, although, only the tuna was on sale.  I use the condensed milk in my tea and a can lasts me about 10 to 14 days depending on whether I have two cups of tea a day or just one (daughter usually has a cup of coffee in the morning with half and half and a cup of tea with condensed milk in the evening).  I had two cans left in the cupboard after I opened a new can last week and I wanted to have 4 to 6 cans on hand at all times, as part of my earthquake preparedness.

Speaking of earthquakes, we had a magnitude 4.1 earthquake on Sunday afternoon in one area of L.A. followed by three smaller earthquakes in Malibu a bit later.  

As for the sugar, I recently opened a bag of sugar and there is another one in the cupboard.  Which is plenty.  But, I want to be ready for jam and chutney making season later this summer and I want to stock up on sugar before prices go up.  

Since I used February's gas budget to pay off the amount I went over with my February grocery budget, I am starting March off with a $200 grocery budget.

March grocery budget = $200
Spent to date = $51.70 + $47.92 = $99.62

Sunday's brunch was a cold cuts sandwich.  Dinner was leftovers - I had the leftover beef and vegetable soup with a slice of toast; daughter had leftover mac & cheese with the ground beef  mixture.  I will be making a meal plan for the week ahead; chicken curry has been requested.

How is your March grocery shopping coming along?