Mom

My sister sent a sad email. The nurses are looking to get hospice care for Mom. She has been deteriorating both physically and  mentally. Death is not imminent, they just want someone to keep an eye on her. Mike reminded me his uncle was in hospice care for quite a while. I'm just glad I will be visiting Mom next week. I hope we can take her to her favorite restaurant, as it may be the last time.

Here is Mom celebrating her 94th birthday this past January.

First tomato

Mike and I enjoyed the first tomato from my garden a few days ago. We've averaged about one a day so far. They are soooo good.

Walking Around a Pond

Mike and I went to the local park, which has a big pond, to see turtles. Alas, it has been so hot that the pond was covered with green algae and we could hardly see the turtles. They did look pretty cute when they poked their little heads up, though.

We walked around the pond and I was able to add about a thousand steps to my Fitbit. I walked Julie later on and did hit 10,000 steps today! And that's despite the fact it has been in the 90s.

One Morning In July

If there's one thing I like about my home, it's my backyard. I love to sit and watch my wildlife at the bird feeder. I even got to carry on a one-sided conversation with a chipmunk, who did not run away!

Atlantic City

Just got back from a much-needed trip to Atlantic City. Mike and I haven't been away in months and really enjoyed this. It was a bit crowded because "Pink" was performing on the beach one night. Mike was able to hear her from the Boardwalk. I stayed in--too hot, too many people.

We went for my nephew's 12th birthday. He's getting big. He's such a nice kid--showed me some 'fidget' things he has that are very popular now.

I had my biggest win ever--$125! Of course we never come out ahead, but if you count the room is semi-free (except taxes and fees) it all balances out. This is the first time I've ever come home with over $50 in my wallet.

We breezed right there on the way, but hit some traffic on the way home.  One was an accident scene and there was a body on the side of the road. People were actually standing on the overpass above looking down at the scene. I assume the guy was dead because no one seemed to be doing CPR. Very strange.

Here we are about to get on the Verrazano Bridge:

A bunny visits

A little rabbit has been coming into the backyard the past  few evenings. She usually runs off but Michael was able to get a cute picture of her:

Katherine thinks it might be going for the zucchini blossoms.Okay with me, I don't like zucchini anyway. I would even plant extra next year for more bunnies!

Spritz Cookies

Just posting here for future reference. 

Spritz Cookies

(Makes about 7 dozen)

1 Cup butter, softened

1/2 C sugar

1/2 C packed brown sugar

1 egg

1/2 teaspoon almond extract (this really makes them taste good, but I suppose you could double the vanilla instead)

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

2 1/2 Cups flour

1/4 teaspoon baking soda.

1/4 teaspoon salt

Cream butter and sugars. Beat in egg and extracts.
Combine flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture.

Fill cookie press and press dough shapes 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Decorate with colored sugar.

Bake at 375 degrees for 6 minutes* or until edges just begin to brown.

Cool on wire racks.

Enjoy!

*6 minutes works in my oven but adjust time for yours.

Now, if you really want to make this easy, gather all your ingredients ahead of time. I put my dry ingredients in a large bag and put in two wrapped sticks of butter and an egg (unbroken--duh). I put my sugars in a smaller bag and put this inside the big bag. Then I clip my recipe to the bag. I did this 2 weeks ago. The only thing I left out was the extracts, until I made the dough.

Then, yesterday, I mixed it all together. That way, when my little friend came to visit, all we had to do was fill the cookie press and start having fun!

Update

I am feeling much, much better these days. Not 100% but I can eat just about anything so long as I don't overindulge. I don't want to do that anyway because I don't want to regain the weight I lost! I love being a smaller size. Hopefully, the Fitbit will keep me there.

The other good news is that my blood pressure has been in the normal range for a few days now. I hope that means no more meds for that!