Nature

Wholesome, Delicious & Easy Homemade Granola

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All natural goodness and worth the splurge!

I’ve always liked granola and tried making it homemade a number of times, but this version is the best I’ve ever had! It’s more than worth the splurge. Yet it has some healthy additions that help offset any guilt. Sometimes I do indulge in eating it in a little milk, but a little goes a long way as it’s so flavorful, crunchy, and satisfying. It’s also perfect sprinkled on top of yogurt or ice cream or as part of a parfait.

This homemade granola is super easy to make. You can vary the nut, fruit and seed options, but I strongly suggest considering all (or at least some) of the ones I use. It’s a perfect combination! I’ve been making it frequently as I have a very large supply of honey in my pantry. Beekeeping is very popular in Czech Republic, where I now live. My brother also keeps honeybees in New Jersey, in the US. It’s a good practice as the honeybee populations are crucial to maintain in the world. Plus, honey tastes marvelous!

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If only more people spayed or neutered their pets

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Dog emaciated
A very sad reality for some domestic animals.

I know that pets are so significant in many of our lives. Most give us unconditional love, make us laugh, become integral members of our family, and much more. As a person with bipolar disorder (a mental illness), I’ve also experienced pets as a source of great emotional support. During my life, I have primarily been a cat or parrot owner, but I love all animals. When I see any animal struggling or injured (or dead alongside the road) it breaks my heart. The sad thing is that such observations are far too numerous. Obviously some of these occurrences are just the reality of nature, others are clearly caused by humans, unintentionally, and tragically sometimes intentionally. Though many of us wish we could end humans’ negative impact on animals, often we have to become partially numb to it, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to do some things that can make a difference. Continue reading →

Bohemian boy with baby bunnies

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Smile at the bunnies

How on earth could one imagine not smiling from ear to ear with handfuls of baby bunnies? I don’t know who I want to kiss first. Maybe that little blond boy!

I hope everyone had a lovely Easter!

So you know, the mother did continue to care for her baby bunnies. Also, I was corrected that these are actually wild baby hares (leverets) and not rabbits.

Birds of paradise and a bee

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DSC_0110.NEF

I see two birds of paradise in this shot. One drinking the nectar of another. The drink will conclude in a mere second to two, with the hummingbird remembering exactly where he drank previously.

Do you see that bee (or other flying bug) hovering just behind the hummingbird’s upper tail? It won’t be in that position too long. It will likely be blown away by the fan of the hummingbird’s ultra-fast flapping wings. This whole scene is so temporary that it could not be captured  by a person’s eye alone.

Photograph taken in Costa Rica by my husband

A passenger with no need to navigate

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sleeping in car

My husband and I have a GPS navigation system in our car for long trips. Hubby is almost always the driver. Despite our Tom Tom’s verbal instructions, my hubby still likes me to be the Tom Tom lady’s “second voice”. That certainly ensures getting to our destinations without problems, and yet it takes away some of my freedom to just be a passenger, who can stare out the window and daydream.  Continue reading →

It’s October – Apple Time! Where to pick them, and a few yummy recipes

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apples on tree
Pick em fresh from the tree

My husband just LOVES apples! You’ve probably heard the saying “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”? Well, he certainly eats at least one apple every day. Maybe even two, or sometimes three. Actually, last weekend we went to a local apple orchard, and I swear he ate five. Honestly! September and October is certainly apple time in our part of the United States. Every year we can’t resist going to the orchard when they are in season, and picking two big canvas bags worth. The price was good, but because of the weight, we spent almost $50 total for those filled sacks. Good grief! What are we to do with all of the apples? Even my hubby can’t manage to eat them up too quickly.

My husband has his clear favorite apples varieties (Jonathan and Macoun), but the orchard we go to has several types, some ready to pick earlier than others. What is your favorite type of apple? Continue reading →

Waiting for that exact second

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Fort Myers Beach sunset

All of us are watching the horizon, waiting for that exact second when the glowing ball disappears. No one moves even an inch, not even their eyes, but when the event is over it is just a memory until 24 hours later.

Photographed at Fort Meyers Beach, Florida on Thanksgiving Day 2016