The Days of Muffins and Roses

Our rains have ceased for about 4 days, and now we are trying (not too successfully) to keep the Japanese beetles off of the roses. There is always some challenge when it comes to gardening. I do feel sorry for the farmers in this area, because it has been impossible for many of them to get their crops planted, due to the rain.

When the weather gives you rain and 60 degree temperatures, it is time to make muffins!!! Ahh yes I found the best recipe for banana nut muffins, and just happened to have some very ripe bananas ready for the batter. They are yummy.

All the rain, causes the trees which have died back in the woodland to become saturated with water, and become top heavy and fall. While we sat on the deck we noticed this large tree had fallen across the smaller tree, and had it bent over, so Leon got his chainsaw and released the tree that was bowed under the weight of the big fallen one.
Someone had to take pictures during this intense work, and that would be me!!! While I was watching the work, I found this pretty orange fungus growing on the forest floor. All the rains have caused lots of interesting fungi to pop up all over the yard.

Now my job of digitally capturing all the work that goes on around our place, was very intense earlier this week, as we got the trenching done in our front yard. I am so happy to report that the project is complete, and we are just waiting for more rain to settle the ground, so we can bring in more soil to fill in the trench and plant some grass seed. I must admit, Leon did lots of digging and shoveling, while I took photos, and helped when I could. As Mom used to say, "'We' killed a bear. Pa shot it." We both were so thankful that the rain held off and we got it finished.

Here is a picture of the work in progress.
This is a tiny lily that managed to bloom, despite the frigid weather and excessive rain. It is only about an inch across, but precious. After taking this picture, "Fluffy" wanted to know why I had not taken his picture recently, so I must include his pose in this posting. He hurried over and laid on these stones and waited for his photo shoot.

Next time it rains, gather yourself a bouquet and make a batch of muffins. They are wonderful with coffee and a good book. The following is the recipe, so you have no excuse.

Banana Nut Muffins

4 ripe bananas, mashed

1/3 cup butter, melted

3/4 cup sugar

1 egg, beaten

1 tsp. vanilla

1 Tablespoon strong coffee

1 tsp. baking soda

pinch of salt

1 1/2cups flour

1 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix butter and bananas in a large bowl. Mix in sugar, egg, coffee, and vanilla. Sprinkle baking soda and salt over mixture. Add flour, but don't over mix. Fold in the nuts. Pour into muffin tins. Bake 25-30 minutes. Makes 12-15 muffins.

Enjoy!

A Cold July

Tonight's evening sky--beautiful clouds--a few sprinkles of rain, and 60 degree temps. July???

Yesterday evening, yes on July 17th, the temperatures were so cool that a flannel shirt and blanket were needed to sit on the deck comfortably. Here Leon is enjoying his lap desk and computer surrounded by the songs of our birds and the croaking frogs. It truly feels more like autumn than summer. After he came in the house the thunder began and we had another 2 inches of rain! Yes that brings us to a total of over 7 inches in the last 2 weeks. Everything is green and we are looking forward to sunshine.

If you are ever in Effingham, IL and looking for a great coffee house---here it is on Fourth St. Joe Sippers Cafe. They have good food--cookies too, wi-fi and a laid-back atmosphere.

The bull frogs love the rainy weather. More puddles for them to sing about, and they do serenade us most evenings. It is fun to listen to the difference in their tones, as the young ones have such high pitches compared to the full grown old bass frogs. They are cute and abundant around our pond. Many times when you approach them they rapidly jump into the water, but this little guy posed for a portrait. I found him to be very cute.

Yes, more frogs!!!! On the table on our deck I have this cute frog candle holder, which my sweet daughter gave me, and I found our little resident tree frog admiring the big green ceramic frog last evening. He seemed to be wondering if he would look like that when he grows up. The little tree frog has made his home up in our umbrella, and he, along with several of his family and friends, join with the bull frogs in harmony.

When the sun sinks low and the lightning bugs start to glow that is the time to listen for the songs of the frogs.

Look at all the male goldfinches~~~I guess the ladies are all setting on their nests, and the guys all went out to eat, and gathered around the table in our backyard. They have really been busy emptying our feeders, but they pay us for their meals by singing the prettiest songs you can imagine. Our trees are full of their music, and we thank the Lord for the joy and entertainment they provide. We are hoping for some summer days soon, and a reprieve from the rain. Guess the birds also need extra nourishment on our unseasonably cool days.

Lilies, moths, & coffee

Lilies line the road and invite all to stop and enjoy!

As we were passing through Mt. Vernon last week, we noticed this beautiful array of lilies along the roadside, just across from Cedarhurst Mitchell Museum. If you are passing that way, stop and enjoy.

Here is a picture of one of the lilies from our garden. I loved the three blooms together, like sisters united, and adorned in their prom dresses.

When I was walking through my flower beds, and trying to dead-head all the plants that needed it, I spotted the hummingbird moths on our butterfly bush. There were 2 or 3 of these fascinating creatures, buzzing from flower to flower, and so unusual and pretty. Watch for them in your flower garden, because they can easily be mistaken for a hummingbird. One never knows what delights can be found when we take time to look closely and enjoy our surroundings.

When I was headed to the butterfly bush, our geese spotted me, and came marching around the pond to persuade me that they needed some shelled corn. There were 14 of them, but 2 are out of camera range. They have just begun practicing flying. What a sound as they take off, through the trees with their broad wingspan, and fly to the middle of our pond. Only one still waddled along to the water and wasn't brave enough to take flight. I expect he will soon. When I was at the mailbox this morning, at the front of our property, all of the sudden I heard the sound of geese honking and descending from the sky in various areas of the yard. I guess they were practicing landing on the ground, rather than the water. It was comical to see how spread out they were, and it was as though they just landed where ever, and not at a precise spot. They are still amateurs, but soon they will fly for the winter and we will miss them until they return next spring for a new nesting season.

Here is one of our latest spots to visit. . . . Delyte's at Morris Library at SIU Carbondale, IL.

A friend had told me that it had opened and that we should check it out, so we, stopped in and enjoyed the newly remodeled Library, and coffee cafe. Delyte Morris was President at SIU while I was a student there, so I have a fond association. I did spend many many hours in the Library studying, especially during finals week. Today, we are enjoying our latest discovered coffee house in Effingham, IL ----Joe Sippers Cafe. A great place to relax, with friendly employees, comfortable atmosphere, and good coffee/cookies. Check it out next time you are in the area.

Let Freedom Ring

Happy 4th of July!! Let Freedom Ring!!

It is so good to be back and have time to catch up on recent happenings and rejoice in our free land and thank God for those who have gone before us to make our blessings possible.

We have been busy with our upcoming photography club contest, which involves many miles of territory in which we may shoot pictures to enter in this year's "Mystery Tour". We have been from Nashville, IL to Old Shawneetown in an effort to take some photos that are on a theme of our choosing. It has been fun, but is always a challenge to come up with a theme then take interesting photos to put in a portfolio.

These little triplets and older sister were at a Farmer's Market, and their outfits in red, white, and blue showed their patriotism. They were adorable.

On Wednesday, I was so happy to enjoy a visit from my sister. We relaxed and watched the birds and squirrels put on a show for us on the feeders. Had lunch on the deck, and the only incident was when I swatted a wasp and it veered off to the side and stung my sister in the arm. It was like an old "Three Stooges" routine. She bounced back after a little Bactine. I felt bad that I had caused it, but certainly did not intend for this to happen.

Leon caught me up on my step ladder, hanging our Stars and Stripes windsock. I figured it was time for the snowflake to go for a few months.



The little goldfinches have been very busy eating the seeds in our cone flowers. The bees love the bee balm, and the flower bed is alive with all the activity.

Today we have had 2 more inches of rain, and it has been a wonderful day to take a break and enjoy the sound of raindrops and the smell of the banana nut muffins baking in our oven. Out the window the hummers are busy at the feeders, and even our "baby" virtually grown, goslings and their parents have been up to our feeder looking for shelled corn. Yes, I went out with my umbrella and gave them some---they have trained me right!!! Our spoiled cat, Fluffy, is still taking his 5 hour long nap on the couch. He knows when it is best to come in out of the rain. Don't know if we will make it to a fireworks display this evening or not, but surely we are celebrating in our hearts and thanking God for the land in which we live, and remembering all our servicemen in prayer daily. Happy Independence Day!!!!!