The Simple Woman's Daybook ~ July

For Today, Saturday, July 13

 

Outside my window...

It's a hot and humid, sunshiny summer day here in Virginia...89 the high today and 92 tomorrow. These days are best for staying inside keeping cool. I think that's my plan today!

I am thankful for:

Family and friends .... those close by and those at a distance who let you know they're praying for you when you need it most.

 

From the Flower Garden...

I posted this photo on Instagram today...both the cleome plant and the garden name plaque I received for Mother's Day. I've enjoyed seeing them in the garden this year:

From the Garden to the Kitchen...

Tomatoes are beginning to arrive in the garden, great for fresh salsa! And jalapenos, peppers, and zucchini! Last year our zucchini plant died...and, unfortunately, no one tried to pawn their bounty off on us.

So we waited for this year's harvest...we've enjoyed such good zucchini meals! Zucchini Squares has been a favorite recipe for many years...great for a quick lunch meal:

Zucchini Squares

1 c. Bisquick (we use 1 c. ww flour, 1 ½ t. baking powder, ¼ t. salt instead)

½ t. each salt and pepper

1 t. oregano, dried

1 T. parsley, dried

½ c. grated Parmesan cheese

½ c. onion, diced small

1 clove garlic, minced

3 c. zucchini, sliced thinly

½ c. olive oil

4 eggs, lightly beaten

Combine dry ingredients, add veggies, and toss to coat. Mix in oil and eggs and pour into a greased 9” sq or 7 x11” pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 min.

And Hannah has been utilizing her spiralizer to make zucchini noodles, affectionately known as zoodles. I can't tell you the number of times I've said zoodles this past week!
 Zoodles are good served with cajun-seasoned tilapia. And to really spice it up...cover the zoodles with Bobby Flay's Diavolo Sauce:  Today's lunch was a winner! Hannah can whip anything up...it seems with hardly any effort. Spicy Coconut and Butternut squash soup topped with cilantro and leftover zucchini squares: I have to say that I've thoroughly enjoyed using my Magnolia chalkboard I received as another Mother's Day gift! Here's a recent family meal menu:

One of my favorite things...

I love day trips, quick overnight trips, spontaneous outings, and rare planned vacations. We knew we wanted to do a quick getaway sometime this summer, so two weeks ago we traveled to Alexandria, Virginia, for their pre-4th of July Fireworks over the Potomac at Mount Vernon.

First we enjoyed a D.C. Monuments boat ride on the Potomac in the afternoon:

On the lawn at Mount Vernon we listened to the marching band playing patriotic numbers before we toured the mansion: The night-time fireworks display was amazing! They did an excellent job! Here's historic Mount Vernon awaiting the fireworks over the Potomac:

I am creating...

I'm in between projects at the moment while I recuperate (more on that shortly)...but this Fig Tree bundle of goodness arrived in the mail recently. My friend Chris and I plan to do a long-distance sew-along together in September, making a Pumpkin quilt. Should be so fun!:

I am wearing...

Navy around-the-house paint skirt, navy tank, fuchsia blouse.

 

A shared verse:

"All these blessings shall overtake you because you obey the Lord your God." ~ Deuteronomy 28:2

 

You were praying...

For our grandson who was having surgery last month when I wrote the last Daybook. I wanted to thank you all for your prayers and let you know that Andrew's surgery was a success. He's doing well and continuing to improve.

Here he is with his little brother arriving to visit us last week for my birthday and the 4th of July holiday. Yep, red, white, and awesome says it all!:

The boys noticed the flag right away, and Aunt Hannah showed them all the animals:

We sure enjoyed the holiday visit with the whole family:

It was great having little ones running and playing in the yard and garden:

And riding the tractor with a doting Grampa:

Around the house:

Making special 4th of July desserts for our little guests:

Closing Thoughts:

I wanted to ask prayer again...this time for me. As it turns out, the reason I wasn't feeling well last month when I last wrote was a tick bite that I had gotten that produced fever, chills, severe headache, neck ache, extreme fatigue, and generally momma-ain't-happy feelings.

I've been on steroids, anti-viral meds, and antibiotics; and while we were in Alexandria, out of the blue I developed Bell's palsy, which can be associated with Lyme. A trip to the ER and an additional couple of weeks of antibiotics later, I'm still recovering and start physical therapy on my face next week.

Please pray that I will fully recuperate and get back to normal. There's still a lot of summer left to enjoy! Thank you so much!

Closing Photo of the Week:

(Mosaic tile along the stairway at National Harbor on our trip to Alexandria)

 

If you'd like to visit other Daybook entries, visit The Simple Woman.

 

Thanks for stopping by and visiting us here at Mountain Musings!

~Deb

Comments

[Sharon]

Hi Deb!
I will be praying for you to have a complete recovery. I hope you feel better soon and can get back into your summer fun! Praising God for Andrew’s successful surgery! That butternut squash soup looks yummy! I would love the recipe for the zucchini squares. How nice to have the grandkids visit! They are precious, I love the tractor picture! You take care and get rest when you can...

Blessings,
Sharon

[Deb]

Sharon,
I added the recipe to the blog in case anyone else is interested too. Thank you for your prayers!

[Abigail]

Thanks for catching us up on all the fun happenings! And the not so fun ones, too. :( I'll keep praying! <3

[Doris]

Hi Deb!
I have been praying for you. Carolyn forwarded the email to me that you sent her to me. So sorry to hear about your sickness and Bell's Pasly. I will continue to pray, So thankful your grandson's surgery went well. They are soooo cute. I know what a blessing grandchildren can be. We have 12 and are very thankful for them.
I hope you will see some improvement in your health soon.

[victoria]

Continuing to pray for you Deb and hoping to hear you are all better soon. Take it easy and praying the therapy will go well.
Andrew is just improving by leaps and bounds. Such a wonderful answer to prayer. Those grandsons are the best.

[Holly]

My brother-in-law and a good friend both had Bell's palsy. It took some time, but eventually the effects wore off for both of them. I hope it happens quickly for you. I'm sorry to hear about your tick disease and hope that your antibiotics are completely effective. I really enjoyed seeing a recent picture of Sarah's family. It's good to see her little boys growing so well. :)
On our home front, it looks like my husband will be getting his prosthetic leg in the next week or so. It's been a long, hard year, but God has been so very faithful and good to us. We are so blessed to have wonderful family, friends, and community support. I'll be praying for you!

[Rhonda]

I'm so sorry to read about your recent sickness. I will definitely be praying for a complete recovery. God is good, and His will is perfect! Thank you for all the news and pictures!

[Tammy]

Adding my prayers for you!

[Barbara J.]

Hi Deb, so sorry to be so slow in responding and sorry to hear you are not feeling well. My sister (from Connecticut) had Lyme disease a long time ago. Hope all your meds help and that your therapy goes well. And as always enjoyed those delightful pictures of those boys - so glad you had a chance to visit with them.

[Chris Odorisio]

Hi Deb, somehow I missed this entry! :) My favorite photo was the one of Tom on the lawn mower pulling the boys, so cute!!
The zoodles look and sound really yummy, and I think I saw them over fish!!! You guys are really branching out. :)
Your 4th of July celebration sounded like so much fun!
We are praying for you!! sending hugs your way. <3

[Pattie]

Praying for you...I read this...Moist heat

A warm cloth can help reduce the pain and discomfort associated with Bell’s palsy. Add an essential oil such as lavender, rose, ylang ylang or chamomile to a warm cloth and use the compress whenever pain appears or you want to relieve tension. https://southcoastsun.co.za/108675/10-natural-remedies-to-prevent-and-treat-bells-palsy/

[Brenda Nuland]

Praying you are feeling better! It does seem we are all always in the need for prayer. The older I get, the more I look forward to that Perfect Home.

My daughter lives in Massachusetts where they have to check for tick bites whenever they come in from outdoors.

[Kathleen White]

I 💖 seeing such a well-worn recipe card. I took a screen shot of that creation and will definitely be trying it soon!! Zucchini is my favorite veggie! Aren't zoodles amazing? We love them with homemade Alfredo sauce.
(Well, Larry doesn't! Surprise, surprise!)