Has it really been...?

Yikes... I didn't realize how long it had been since I'd posted to this blog...

I had a really rough week last week... on Monday I went for my annual trip to visit my Allergy Specialist (he's about a 3 hour drive away, not including stops)... the allergy testing always leaves me tired & achey for about a week, which causes me to get quite down, and it's a battle to accomplish anything during that time...

Strawberry Frozen Yogurt (works for Peaches too)

So the fact that I managed to come up with a new recipe (and a variation) for Frozen Yogurt is quite an accomplishment!

Nectarine Clove Sorbet

Strawberry Pineapple Sorbet

I also managed to make 2 of my custom Sorbets (Nectarine Clove & Strawberry Pineapple) during this time, in order to have a total of 3 custom Sorbets to share with my Small Group - we gathered together to visit with & learn about the work of a young doctor (and daughter of one of the couples) who is getting ready to be a full time medical missionary in Zambia.

Weigela blooms...

During that tough week I took it slow, making time to enjoy the Beauty, Bounty, Birds, Bees, & Blooms in my gardens... it was a good time to stop & be thankful for the many blessings God has given!!  I was amazed at how many & how many varieties of Birds were at my various feeders as I was trying out some new feed blends... little cheery friends, little feathered blessings to brighten my days!

This week has been much better & much more productive...  

I've been experimenting in the kitchen again, this time trying to come up with a Banana Rum Raisin frozen desert that's to my liking... my first try had some hiccups but came out "ok"... it's a work in process (yep, no recipe or photos to share yet)...

I've been really busy in the gardens, making up for lost time last week, transplanting & planting some Perennials & Annuals...

New perennial - Phlox

New perennial - Bee Balm

New annuals - Ornamental Peppers & Celosia

Checking on some plants, and appreciating all the changes...

Look at my cute little baby Tomatillos!!

As a bonus, while cleaning up the gardens I made a New Friend...

Lovely very large femal Yellow & Black Garden Spider,
no she's not poisonous...

Now Stop That!!  I think she's Beautiful!! Besides, anyone that voluntarily comes into my yard & kills gnats & mosquitos is a friend!!

That's all for now... hopefully it won't be so long between posts for a while...