WELCOME AUTUMN

When my husband brought this bough from our Dogwood tree, I couldn't belive that a whole summer just passed us by. Happy Autumn everyone.

A JEWEL IN NEW JERSEY

OCEAN GROVE is just a few miles from where we live and along the New Jersey shore line. This beautiful and quaint town is a National Historic shore community. In 1869 a group of spiritual leaders of the time formed the "Camp Meeting Association" and resumed the task of of forming and incorporating the town of Ocean Grove. With its Victorian architecture one cannot help but bask in its old charm and beauty. In the middle of this tiny town and amongst the colorful Victorian and tent houses stands the majestic "Great Auditorium". With its grandiose structure many celebrated preachers have addressed the congregation from its pulpit. Today it is not only a beach town but a jewel in our Jersey shore.

A BOUQET FOR YOU

I came up with this bouquet after getting inspired by my summer flowers. I had planted these day lilies years ago. They come up year after year. Their colors are so vivid that I thought I should match the water with a few drops of red and yellow food coloring and I achieved the color I was looking for.

HMMM! I WONDER

Recently I celebrated a memorable birthday and as usual I contemplated about my life. Thoughts about my life prompted me to recall an article I read in a magazine. The article was about Ernest Hemingway who once was challenged to write a story in only six words and did. What would I write in six words that will summarise my life? FATE HAD GREAT FUN WITH ME.

MEMORIAL DAY

Memorial day is a holiday which gives us all an opportunity to reflect upon our nation's history and remember, give thanks and pay tribute to the countless men and women of the past and present , both living and dead who have served in the US military since our Revolutionary War through the present.. Without their service , dedication and sacrifice we would not exist today as a nation nor would we be the great nation which we've become. I would like to take this opportunity to salute all those who are currently serving our interests in every part of the world specially I salute my husband, my niece and her husband who served and are still serving our nation. Thank You , Thank You and Thank You all from the bottom of my heart.

LETS HAVE A SPOT OF TEA

I found this scone recipe in a magazine. It is very simple to make. Scones are high tea favorites but why not enjoy them for breakfast also. I used raisins, but you can use any dried fruit you choose.

1 large egg
1/2 cup milk
2 cups of all purpose flour
2 1/2 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
6 Tbsp cold butter cut into pieces
3/4 cup raisins (or other dried fruit)

Preheat oven to 400. Whisk the egg and milk together in one bowl and the sugar, baking powder, and salt in another. Mix butter with flour and using your fingers cut and rub until the mixture is like course meal (pebbly). Pour in the milk mixture and mix until the dough is evenly moist. Add raisins and give the sticky dough a few more stirs. Spoon on to a lined baking sheet and bake 25 minutes or until the scones are golden brown. Yield 12 medium sized scones. Cool and serve with lemon curd or any other jam and butter.

SIGHT TO BEHOLD

This year my Wisteria plant decidedly grew forward and has many more flowers. You have to be in the vicinity to take in the delicious aroma. What a sight to behold.