GardenGrrl's WunderBlog 

Hey Ylee, perhaps those folks were kin of yours. My family on my grandfathers side came from Kentucky with a bunch of others looking to make their fortunes.
Thanks for explaining all the different ways to play washers. We were all kind of fascinated with their tournament. I definitely think favorite games, songs, stories are all family heirlooms. Have you tried teaching your kids to play washers?

Hi Sandi, it's my short week so there won't be much done except laundry and naps. It was fun seeing my Dad. I think a book with the family tree and history is like passing down gold. I have some boxes of pictures that will remain forever unidentified from my grandmother and a few news clippings, letters. The cousins are all scattered. To have the history organized is such a great gift to pass on.

Good Morning All, it's the day before back-to-work so lot's of small chores to do...so many things I'd rather play with but part of being an adult is cleaning, sorting bills, annual vet appointment, making custom birdy food.
Dont' have any great ideas for dinner tonight but yesterday made this amazing beef noodle dish from a new recipe. Serves four, we ate most. Only a small bowl left for lunc/snack. It is called Spicy Beef and Basil with Vermicelli Noodles. I left out the chiles because garlic and fresh ginger are spicy enough. Also, it seemed a bit dry in the pan so added half cup Zico's coconut water to it. Here is the link Link

Oh yeah, for anything that calls for browned ground beef I use 93% lean then add a 1/4 cup instant oats and in lieu of salt add 1/4 cup more or less of liquid beef au jus mix any brand. (this is my trade secret)

Hi Calpoppy, it does seem so many of us have families that have scattered with the wind. Then making new heirlooms is a way to give your family some roots again.
The garden is just getting by. The high heat has abated, now just 90's, but the dry has settled in. Looks like I'm back in the business of feeding the outdoor birds. For awhile they were not coming by much.

Hi Briarcraft, it seems like a lot of heirlooms and keepsakes don't have dollar value. They are more of a symbol, a way to remember, a way to honor the past. My sister and I never had children so even if we had some heirlooms there is really nothing to pass down. Okay, if I had some relatives on the Texas side to pass grandmothers stuff to each piece would have some interesting albeit made-up story to pass on with it.
I've noticed when my family does get together we all have a different version of the same experience. So I guess many family stories are loosely based on the truth anyways ;-)

Hey Ylee, we could be kin. Wouldn't that be something?

Hi Prose, I think having such a complete record is an amazing and wonderful heirloom. As for your paintings, those are beautiful. My sister and I would fight over getting those if they were in our family. Currently I have custody of my grandmothers only surviving watercolors. Both of us while not very good at art, love art. The water color had been folded up in a trunk for years. My sister sort of snatched it and had it properly sealed in a good frame.

Happy Fourth of July Everyone!

Happy Independence Day USA!!!

Hi Prose, thanks. Say Hi to DC for me. Let's hope that atleast some of our lawmakers find revelation today about what makes America great and act accordingly.

Hi Ylee, I have a great uncle that was a member of the Dallas Bonehead? club. They were known for pulling practical jokes around town. Have a news article buried in a box somewhere. His lucky number was 13. Guess he was quite a charater.

Hi Sandi, you came in while I was typing. Your great, great grandmother rather looks like a queen or duchess in the picture.

Good Morning, gonna be tired today. Sent the spouse out to have firework fun with the family because I have to be up at 4ish and just don't have the umph be in bed at eleven anymore.
Well, fireworks were rockin the house so on go some outdoor clothes, Roxie on a leash and the great view we used to have is partially obscured by new buildings. But wait!
Look at that moon! Okay Rox, back in the house I'm getting the camera. It was too windy to get any good shots on the tripod.
Turned around and Holy cow, there was an amazing firework display behind me. FlowerMound decided to do it this year. Yee-Haa SCORE!!!

Hi Shore, that kind of reminds me of a United Colors of Benneton ad but without the weird. Lucky you got a home town parade and marching band. The neighbor kid (bad boy)got left home and I caught hime coming down off his roof. I just whooped and said weren't those great fireworks and we all but chest bumped and high fived over how cool it.

Hey Ylee, I'm gonna feel like a bat stuck in day light today but it sure was fun seeing the fireworks. Got a bunch of pictures that are all squiggly light show looking but still cool.

Hi Sandi, It's not patriotic but I will take a double chocolate muffin with chocolate chips and a stiff cup of coffee.
Interesting how even back then people wore "trendy" clothes for their photoshoots.

Hey All, Monday, July 9th is another one of those virus of doom days.

Millions of computers are infected with a virus called DNS Changer which is a trojan that redirects you computer to other places. The server that controls this will be shut off Monday and all computers infected will cease to have internet.

To learn more and to get the link to check your computer go to this link Link

It's dcwg.org Goodluck.

Good Morning, How did it get hot again? Last night after the front came through it was in the 70's. Now it's 10am and 91f. Poor Roxie isn't going to the dog park today.

Hi Prose, glad to hear your computer is okay. Enjoyed reading part three of your new blog.

Hi Auburn, thanks for coming by and explaining that virus programs don't stop this one. I was at work and couldn't add anything else. I guess a computer security blog would be a good thing to do one of these days.

Hi Sandi, Good to hear your computers are fine. Whats with this weather? You have the furnace on and most of the US is a furnace right now.

Hi Briarcraft, some days I feel like I have a surplus of lemonade. Oh well, it's hot out, good to have lot's of liquids. The fireworks were really fun to see.

Hi Shore, Lewisville didn't get any rain. We have a really good water rescue team. It's nice that our town will help out other towns.

Hi Rob, Your right about keeping up with security. Especially the parts about unknown links. This is really important with e-mail and Facebook links/attachments.
A hijacked computer will copy e-mail links and send infected links attachments.
I just delete any e-mails that come with attachments unless I know that person is sending me something.

Hi Ylee, glad to know the glitchomatic works a little bit. Hope you are finding ways to stay cool.

Good Morning All,
Seems we have dodged the DNS changer. One more thing to add to the good things list.

Hi Calpoppy, Nice job rescuing the wren. I really like those hyper little guys. They do sing really pretty when they are in the mood. My garden is dry and unhappy. The salvias and lavender are hangin in there though.
The kitchen is painted and trimmed. We need to hang a valance over the window and get a new fancy faucet then it will be done. I don't sew, so the valance hunt has not inspired me so far to hang anything. Maybe need to shop online.

Hi Ylee, no cool for us today. It's supposed to be a 100f. There are small storms all around and I keep calling to them to rain on our house. Am leaving the grass a bit long so the lawn still looks good.

Sandi, I fear there will be many a winter Olympic joke flying about the UK soon. Hope it warms up a bit. When we hosted the Super Bowl in DFW, a record snow, ice and low temp storm came up. Genrally speaking that does not happen too often. Hope you guys can avoid snow.