Enjoying the fresh air and taking a lovely stroll is so nice!
I admit, marigolds are, by far, my most favorite of all flowers. In truth, though, is there such a thing as an ugly flower? I don’t believe so and they came in such beautiful varieties and colors, scents, and blooms.
An adventure easy in the making this time of the year and it doesn’t cost a penny to take a lovely stroll around such a beautiful place as here in upstate South Carolina, Anderson County.
Soocial distancng and general quarantine has given me ample opprotunity to work in the yard-and there is plenty to be done; the work is abundant and yet, I have found a new friend in my own backyard (but as you can see, he wants to stay at least 6 feet apart.)
Yard work is always an adventure, especially when working on a property that has not had any TLC for many years. Truthfully, it has been fun discovering what i find and come across and thankfully, when sister lets me play in the yard all I desire.
General cleanup of limbs, twigs and yard debris is a constant, especially after any rain shower or storm. While mowing and cleanup, I also came across a variety of bricks from previous structures or projects from bygone days? So, what is to be done but to create a small fire ring for a mini-bonefire!!!!!!
Recently, my grandfather and I were running errands together (and yes, we live relatively close together, making get togethers rather easy.) We got to talking, as naturally happens when two people are together and my grandfather brought up some very good points that I thought I would share, from his road trips, being a traveling salesmen for many decades and more.
My grandfather and Grandma Norma used to love to take road trips but being retired and being on a retirement income (both being remarried and so forth, combining incomes and responsibilities, he said, was something they discussed and worked on together.)
Here are some of Papa’s suggestions/tips to making a road-trip/travel more affordable, especially if funds are limited/tightly budgeted.
I believe what my grandfather was conveying is that a bit of preparation and forethought can be very beneficial in keeping the adventures going and doing it on a limited budget can be possible.
Everyone needs a quick, easy meal from time-to-time and I am no exception.
The Ingredients are very simple.
1 box of vegetable rotini (16 oz size.) I used the Publix brand Tri Color Rotini ($0.95 per box)
1 jar of Classico Vodka Sauce (Buy one, get one free, so 2 for $3.20/$1.60 a jar.)
2 tablespoons of Kraft Grated Parmesan ($2.50 shaker can.
Cook/make the rotini according to the package directions, drain and return to the same pan you cooked it in, dump whole jar of Vodka sauce onto the pasta, cook on low for 2-3 until hot all the way through.
Serves 4-6 people, divide the parmesan on top of each serving.
It’s quite delicious!!!
When is pie not t a good idea? Super easy to make and great for dessert at home, for a holiday, or to share (although if sharing, using a toss-away aluminum pan would be recommended unless you know for sure the person will return your pie pan!)
Ingredients:
1 bag frozen strawberries (From Dollar Tree)
1 bag frozen blueberries (From Dollar Tree)
1 TBS Real Butter
1/4 Tsp (each) salt, clove, cinnamon, orange (or lemon) peel
1 TBS corn starch
1 box Jiffy Pie Crust mix (make accordingly to package directions for 2 pie crusts.)
2 TBS Sugar (real sugar, not substitute)
Line a 9 inch pie pan with a crust, making sure the dough overlaps the lip of the pie pan.
In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients together, stir until all is mixed thoroughly. Fill the pastry lined pie pan with the entire contents of the bowl.
Top the filling with the second pastry dough, pinching the edges together over the lip of the pie plate. Mark little slots in the top crust. Bake for 30-40 minutes at 350 F.
It’s delicious served hot, cold, warm and/ or with ice-cream.
Happy New Year!! The Year has kicked off Spendidly, my very best friend in the whole word, Kevin, has flown from Colorado, to celebrate the New Year with me!! What a wonderful way to begin 2020!
During this visit, Kevin and I have gone to the Botanical Gardens in Clemson (free entry with a really cool visitors center, too!!).
We also drove over the state line into Georgia, not to sit on the dock of the bay but to find smashed pennies (the souvenir kinds) and, of course, we had to try out hands on a single Georgia lottery ticket.
Life wouldn’t be the same without a best friend to enjoy a fun adventure!!
Autumn in Upstate South Carolina is quite stunning. I have never experienced such a wide array of colors, especially in such length.
Both Videos are taken in Anderson County, South Carolina, by yours truly.
nct seasons here and it is beautiful. I have made a few videos along the way to highlight to just some of the beauty.
A special treat awaited for me in Kensal Green, London. A young man from Finland willing bestowed a lovely song up our music loving group, performed by him, sung in Finnish, entertaining the whole group. Lots of fun, a great way to enjoy the accommodations!
Culture is in the eye of the beholder and the artists of old captured the essence of all things great in the centuries before us….and viewing them is free at the National Gallery at Trafalgar Square in downtown London.
A fabulous aspect of the National Gallery is the general entrance is free, which is great for those traveling on a budget like myself. I attended/viewed the Gallery a total of 3 times to get through all the exhibitions (not fully shown here). The exhibits are large, spacious, and overly awesome to boot. Why? The National Gallery offers era’s from classical to Renaissance to Modern, DaVinci to Rubens to Van Gogh to Monet to Post Modern Art. It is all very wonderful.
The Gallery also sets on Trafalgar Square, which in its own ways is always awesome, a full day or two of free adventures all in one wonderful location, well worth checking out and very friendly on the wallet (post cards of must of the art work is also available for those without a photographic eye or wanting to play “Where’s Waldo” postcard style).
My Travels 