Tuesday, July 12, 2022

This and That Tuesday

 

 Greetings Blogger Buds, Did you have a wonderful weekend?

We went to a party at the lake which was all kinds of fun.  Mother Nature was in a puckish mood. We were there three hours and nary a drop of rain fell. When we got in line for dinner, which was served outside, it started raining. As soon as dinner was over, it stopped. She was quite the little imp. 


It was a fiftieth wedding anniversary and the wife came up with such a lovely gift for her husband. He had nearly lost a finger when his wedding ring got caught on the dock, so for their anniversary she got them silicone rings, which she will later have engraved. What a great idea, huh? They are flexible and will give if they snag on anything. Purrfect for active folks.  AND they come in traditional sizes and a variety of colors.

AND the cake. OMG. Two layers of strawberry cake sandwiched around a layer of cheesecake.

AND they served sangria. 🍷 😉

The neighbors had giant sculptures on their property giving a park-like feel to our surroundings. 

Then Monday rolled around, we went grocery shopping and came back to earth with a thump. Huge sticker shock and we weren't shopping at a high end grocery store. I can't imagine how folks with children still at home do it.

AND totally off topic, I'm thinking about planting strawberries next spring. Has anyone out there raised them? Any tips.

So, you've heard about my weekend. How was yours? Raised strawberries? Like cake and sangria? Preferably not together. Heh.



17 comments:

Elephant's Child said...

The silicon rings was a brain wave.
I have strawberry plants in a hanging pot - which prevents the snails from getting to them.
Of course it stopped raining when you were no longer in a queue. I think it is a rule.

Anonymous said...

With a proper strawberry terracotta pot and some reading to gain knowledge of strawberry growing, in the 80s I tried with the result of one ever so expensive strawberry. So I have no advice other than don't do what I did, perhaps overthink it.

Annalisa Crawford said...

The party sounds wonderful, and the rain sounds incredibly British - we always assume plans will be thwarted, or at least adapted to include rain, wind, and hail on any given day 😂

Grocery prices are skyrocketing here as well, although some products have fallen. We keep an eye out for end-of-day bargains.

My mum grows strawberries. All I know about them is some years she has loads to give us and others there's only just enough for one bowl for her. They taste so good straight from the plant though.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Sandra - the party sounds great fun ... oh! I thought our weather was fickle ... we're in a no rain time-frame ... odd for us. Shopping now must be so difficult for so many ... people have become very picky with what they eat ... time to change that ideal. Perhaps grow some things ...

We used to grow all our own veggie and fruit (very lucky) - my Mama was an excellent gardener ... straw under the plants to keep the slugs and snails away ...cover them too - so the birds don't have a feast!!

Cheers Hilary

Natalie Aguirre said...

Sounds like a fun party. Sorry, I never grew strawberries.

Jeanie said...

Your weekend and the party sound wonderful -- apart from the rain. (And gorgeous photo of the flower with the drops, too!). What a lovely occasion. I love the idea of sangria -- perfect for a warm summer day.

I grow strawberries, though I can't say I'm an expert. Last year I got enough to get a shortcake. This year, I bet I didn't get two cups total. Part was it being a race to get them before the critters -- birds, probably. They have the annoying habit of taking a bite or two and leaving the rest (I actually kept some like that and trimmed off where they had eaten -- I was that desperate!). They were also being crowded out by black eyed Susans and sweet peas that spread. I'm not sure what I'll do next year -- I don't want to move any of them! They do need sun, so I recommend NOT planting them near things that spread and are tall.

I'll tell you -- there is nothing more satisfying than stepping out your door, picking a few berries for your cereal (or just to eat!) and finding them sweeter than any of those you get in the store! Buy four or five plants and give it a go. I think you can do them in large pots, too, and I might try that next year.

Christine said...

What a wonderful weekend! I love the silicone ring idea!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I didn't know you could do silicone rings.

I grow blackberries and raspberries but I've not tried strawberries yet.

Computer Tutor said...

I love everything about that party--even the rain. Silicon wedding rings. How interesting. 50 years... I can't wait, only at 38 so far...

D.L. Finn said...

I love the silicone ring idea! Sounds like a wonderful party even with the misplaced rain. I have strawberries growing and the birds appreciate it...lol. i have to put some type of netting over it if we want to eat the berries. This weekend celebrated the oldest daughters bday. Don't know how she's getting old but I'm not...lol

Sandra Cox said...

EC, Agreed. I love the silicon rings concept. So much safer for so many people.
Re: Raining.It must be a rule:)
Hugs,
Andrew, You are so clever:)
Annalisa, The rain incredibly British. I love it;) I haven't noticed any falling grocery store prices here yet. Toes-crossed.
Hils, Sorry to hear you aren't getting rain either. Gardening for food does seem to be a good idea right now.
Cheers,
Thanks, Natalie.

Sandra Cox said...

Jeanie, That sounds so good. I've given up buying them in stores. Sigh.
Christine, I did too. Perfect for folks working with machinery.
Diane, I wasn't aware of the silicone rings either. After reading the comments, I might try raspberries instead. Those strawberries sound finicky.
Okay, Jacqui. Here's my question. How can you be married for 38 years when you're only 25? :)
Denise, I do too. And they are decent looking. You need to share your non-aging secret with the rest of us:) xoxo

J.P. Alexander said...

Has tenido una buena semana. Te mando un beso.

Birgit said...

It sounds like you had a great time despite the quick rain. I know about the gauging they ate doing to us. The cheapest butter I can get is $5.99. I like butter too much so I get it but ughh. Our gas went down to $1.73/ litre. Crazy!
I had a great weekend ...I made a nice vanilla cake with a lemon icing.its his favourite and I'm glad he enjoyed himself. Oh..my brother...it was his birthday on Saturday:)

Sandra Cox said...

Birgit, That is pretty pricey butter. My coffee has jumped five bucks.
Your cake sounds delicious. I'm glad you and your bro had a good weekend;)

Lowcarb team member said...

We could do with some rain here ...
I'd not come across silicone rings ...

Hope you are having a good week.

All the best Jan

Sandra Cox said...

I hadn't heard of the silicon rings before, but I'm quite impressed with them.
Rain always seems to be in short supply these days, doesn't it?
Take care.