Monday, December 24, 2007

Windstorm & Wet Ground...

Last night we heard a weird sound & when I looked outside one of our trees had fallen across the road.

Big winds and wet ground makes a bad combination for trees! Luckily it didn't hit any cars when it dropped. My husband and a driver cleared the tree off the road quickly so traffic could resume. I only cleared off a couple of broken branches - they were working quickly!!

Although "My 2 Cents" is supposed to be about the backyard, this tree was actually in the side yard and maybe even not on our property... right on the line.

Meanwhile, in the back yard, I've got a lot of seed pods right now. Maybe tomorrow I'll go around and gather them. The little tree is Rose of Sharon seed pods and the weedie looking thing next to the deck are these beautiful little baby black eye'd Susans.

Friday, December 14, 2007

Ice Storm Hits Hudson

Mother Nature laid down a sheet of ice yesterday. Even the dogs were slipping on the deck.

Lots of Deer!




Wow. This was taken a couple days ago on my way home for lunch, but everytime I drive by here there are about 20 deer. Usually there's some on the other side of the street as well as this side.

Even more ever time I turn around. Not shy either!

Saturday, December 08, 2007

Cooking Light at Christmas time

I know, I know. I just posted about cookies.

But now something about cooking light at Christmas time. I discovered a great cooking blog hosted by Roni at GreenLiteBites, who has 2 videos on how to cook light

1) Cutting up one of those pesky butternut squashes: Click here for the butternut squash vlog.

2) Creating a delicious snack of Quesadillas: Click here for the quesadilla vlog.

I also tried her salmon and veges recipe last night and it was great.

Hopefully this balances out the fattening cookies links!

Friday, December 07, 2007

Cookie Recipes... Just a click away

This is one of those great forwarded emails that I want to save somewhere. Obviously it doesn't have a lot to do with the backyard or the garden... or even the dogs. But next time I need a cookie recipe in a hurry, I'll know right where to look!!

1-2-3 Cookies 7 Layer Cookies Allie Nelson's Famous Snickerdoodle Cookies Almond Crescent Shortbread Amish Sugar Cookies Andies Candies Cookies Angel Crisps Angenets Applesauce Cookies Apricot Fold-Overs Aunt Edy's Molasses Crinkles Auntie Linda's Ginger Gems Bakeless Dream Cookies Banana Drop Cookies Best Chocolate Chip Cookies in the World Biscotti Biscotti Blueberry Cookies Boiled Chocolate Oatmeal Drop Cookies Bronwnies Brown Sugar Shortbread Brownie Cookies Brownie Delight Brownies Buccaneer Snowballs Buried Cherry Cookies Butter Cookies Butter Nut Balls Butterballs Butterscotch Haystacks C.O.P. Cookies Candy Cane Cookies Candy Cookies Caramel Shortbread Cheesecake Brownies Cherry Buns Cherry Crowns Cherry Winks Chewies Chewy Noels Chinese Chews/Haystacks Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Chocolate Chip Cookies Chocolate Chip Meltaways Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies Chocolate Christmas Trees Chocolate Cream Cheese Squares Chocolate Crinkles Chocolate Mint Snow-Top Cookies Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies (no bake) Chocolate Snowball Cookies Chocolate Streusel Bars Chocolate Sundae Cookies Chocolate Walnut Crumb Bars Choco-Scotch Crunchies Choose A Cookie Dough Recipe Christmas Crackers Christmas Crunch Bars Christmas Ginger Snaps Christmas Macaroons Christmas Mice Cookies Christmas Shaped Cookies Church Window Cookies Coconut Cookies Congo Squares Cookie in a Jar Corn Flakes Cookies Cornflake Christmas Wreaths Cowboy Cookies (oatmeal) Cream Cheese Cookies with Apricot Filling Cr?me De Menthe Chocolate Squares Cr?me Wafers Crescent Cookies Crispy Crunchies Date Nut Balls Date-nut Pinwheel Cookies Diabetic Peanut Butter Cookies Disgustingly Rich Brownies Doodles Double chocolate chip cookies Double-Chocolate Crinkles Eatmore Cookies Eggnog Cookies Elizabeth's Sugar Cookies Elves Quick Fudge Brownies Emily Dickinson's Gingerbread Cookie Recipe Emily's Best Brownies Famous Oatmeal Cookies Firemen Cookies Fluffy Shortbread Cookies Forgotten Cookies Frosted Peanut Butter Brownies Fruit Cake Cookies Fruitcake Squares Fry Pan Cookies Gems Ginger Cookies Ginger Crinkles Gingerbread Baby Gingerbread Cookies with Butter Cream Icing Gingerbread Men Gingerbread Men Ginny's Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies Glory's Golden Graham Squares Glory's Sugar Cookies Gramma Chapman's chocolate coconut drops Grandma Elsie's Zimt (cinnamon) Cookies Grandma J's Butter Cookies Grandma Olson's Parkay Cookies Great Grandmothers Sugar Cookies Gum Drop Cookies Gumdrop Gems Haystack Cookies Ho-Ho Bars Holiday Cereal Snaps Holiday Chocolate Butter Cookies Holiday Raisin Walnut Bars Holly Cookies Hungarian Cookies (Little Nut Rolls) Ice Box Cookies Irresistible Peanut Butter Cookies Italian Cookies Jacob's Peppermint Snowballs Jam Bars Jessica's Famous Brownies Jessie's Chocolate Chip Cookies Jubilee Jumbles Juliet's Peanut Butter Blossoms Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookies Kentucky Colonels Kiefle (cream cheese cookies with jam filling) Kifflings Kiss Cookies Lacy Swedish Almond Wafers Lemon Angel Bar Cookies Lemon Bars Lemon Cake Cookies Lemon Cream Cheese Cookies Lemon Squares Linzer Tarts Log Cabin Cookies Luscious Lemon Squares M&M Cookies Magic Cookie Bars Melt in Your Mouth Cutout Sugar Cookies Melting Shortbread Meme's Cream Cheese Cookies Milk Chocolate Florentine Cookies Mincemeat Cookies Mincemeat Goodies Molasses Cookies Molasses Forest Cookies Molasses Sugar Cookies Mom Mom's Crescent Cookies Mom-Mom's Ginger Cookies Mom's Nutmeg Sugar Cookies Mom's Old Fashion "Puffy" Sugar Cookies Monster Cookies Moravian Christmas Cookies Nana's Famous Soft Southern Cookies Nitey Nite Cookies No Bake Chocolate Cookies No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies No Bake Cookies No Bake Cookies No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies No-Bake Cookies Norwegian Sugar Cookies Nut Balls Oatmeal Bars Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Nut Cookies Oatmeal Coconut Crisps Oatmeal Cookies Oatmeal Scotchies Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies Ooey Gooey Caramel Chocolate Dunk Ooey Gooey Squares Orange Slice Cookies Parking Lot Cookies Peanut Blossoms Peanut Butter Bars Peanut Butter Blossoms Peanut Butter Cereal Cookies Peanut Butter Chewies Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars Peanut Butter Cookies Peanut Butter Cookies Peanut butter fingers Peanut Butter Reindeer Peanut Butter Surprises Peanut Marshmallow Cookies Pecan Puff Cookies Peppermint Snowballs Peppernuts Persimmon Cookies Persimmon Cookies Petey's Yummy Spicy Almond Thins Pfeffernuesse Pffefferneuse Cookies Pineapple Filled Cookies Pizzelles Potato Chip Cookies Potato Flake Cookies Praline Cookies Praline Strips Pterodactyl Nests Pumpkin Bars Pumpkin Bars Pumpkin Chip Cookies Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies Pumpkin Cookies Queen Biscuits Quick Cookies Raised Sugar Cookies Raisin Filled Oatmeal Bars Raspberry Meringue Bars Really Peanutty Butter Cookies Reese`s Brownies Reese's Peanut Butter Bars Rich Flavor Christmas Cookies Rich Lemon Bars Ricotta Cheese Cookies Royal Almond Christmas Bars Rudolph Cinnamon Cookies Russian Tea Cookies Russian Teacakes Samantha & Kelsey's Chocolate Chip Cookies Sand Art Brownies Santa Claus Cookie Pops Santa Claus Cookies Santa's Butterscotch Melts Santa's Shorts Santa's Special Squares Scotch Cakes Scotch Shortbread Scotcharoos Scotcheroos Seven Layer Cookies Short Bread Cookies Shortbread Skor Squares Snicker Doodle Cookies Snickerdoodles Snickerdoodles Snow Balls Sour Cream Apple Squares Sour Cream Christmas Cookies Special K Cookies Spice Cookies Spicy Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Spritz Cookies Stained Glass Window Cookies Stir & Drop Sugar Cookies Sugar Cookies Sugar Cookies Sugar Cookies Swedish Pepparkakor (Pepper Cake) Cookies Swedish Sugar Cookies Sweet Marie's Swiss Treats Taralle (Italian Cookies) Tea Time Tassies Texas Brownies The Best Shortbread in The World Thumbprint Cookies Thumbprint Cookies Toffee Squares Traditional Christmas Sugar Cookies Traditional Gingerbread Men Cookies Triple-Chocolate Chip Cookies Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies Vanilla Waffer Balls Walnut Butter Cookies Walnut Crumb Bars White Chip Chocolate Cookies Wild Oatmeal Cookies Will's Famous Apple Jack Cookies Yummy Yummy Peanut Butter Blossoms

Sunday, December 02, 2007

Cold. Icy. Sleety. Welcome December!


Winter weather is merging with the calendar. I guess parts west of here (Chicago, Des Moines) were hit yesterday, so today is our turn.

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

Few Rays of November Sunshine



Today is a rainy day with the first spotting of snow. I'm going to post these photos from last weekend because we still had a bit of sun!

Sunday, October 28, 2007


I love the fall. The leaves, the colors, the smells. Even the RAIN. This year we had a very late fall because it was so warm and dry. Finally last week we got a couple of days of colder nights and some rain. And finally the leaves gave off their glorious colors.

The curve in the road seems to add interest, but my favorite photo of these three is the one with the almost straight road. It was taken on Ravenna street headed East into Streetsboro and Franklin Township (Kent) just over the Hudson line past Stone Road.

I love how the black trunks of the trees stand out so clearly against the yellow leaves when they're wet from the rain. And even the wet road kinda glistens because of the water.

I had an opportunity to drive from Hudson to Kent and then up to Streetsboro on the backroads. What a wonderful way to experience the colors -- even on a rainy day.

My tires were a little slippery on the way, so I had them rotated over the weekend. As they say "wet leaves = ice" But I still love the color.

This last photo is from the Hudson green outside my office. I love how just a touch of sunlight was peaking thru the clouds to light the gazebo. And don't you just love the red tree behind the gazebo?!

Sunday, October 14, 2007

LifeCenter Plus - a Garden Oasis

A hidden, winding path tucked in between two block walls. The morning sun. Who would think that this garden oasis would be found at what some would consider "a workout gym"...

LifeCenter Plus , in Hudson, Ohio, really caters to the mind, body and spirit. When I go there in the morning for an aquasize class or to work out on the machines, its' a real treat to park in the back of the parking lot and walk thru the gardens, admiring the plants along the way.

It really feeds my spirit. I don't know what these little red burrs are or what kind of plant this is, but it is glorious this time of year.

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Phipps Chihuly Exhibit in Pittsburgh

Wnet to the Pittsburgh Botanical Garden during the Chihuly exhibit of Gardens & Glass. It was awesome and fun!

I especially liked how the glass seemed to grow out of the gardens. All the colors and forms really were beautiful. It feeds the soul.

We were there during the day, but I saw photos of it during the night and it's beautiful then too.

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

A Rainbow in Streetsboro out the Car Window



Not to worry, I was the passenger, not the driver!!

Friday, September 21, 2007

Toilet Paper on the Hudson Green

How about this one?! It's from the Green in Hudson the day of the homecoming game. It's tradition for the seniors to toilet paper the green, but of course they get better at it every year. The seniors clean it up afterwards, but some of the paper was so high in the trees it couldn't come down... This video is a must see.

Saturday, August 25, 2007

Bow Wow Beach Video

Lucky is having a blast swimming at Bow Wow Beach. Watch how he just HOPS into that lake. He and Jean really love cooling off on hot summer days there!



I like Bloggers new feature of being able to post video, but it took me 90 minutes to get this thing up. Better be faster next time. Always seems like the first time is the most confusing. I wanted to edit a little bit too, so used Windows Movie Maker. Okay, so that's probably where one hour went!!

Thursday, August 09, 2007

Gardening in the summer heat

I've found that this month in Ohio it feels like a jungle out there and it's very difficult to get outside even to enjoy the flowers! I want to bolt straight from the car to the house and get inside with the air conditioning. The extreme humidity is doing a nice job with my garden though. In the seconds from bolting from the car I've notices that the combination of moisture and heat is really making my garden grow!

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Rose of Sharon continues to Bloom

I can't get over how many blooms we have this year! The black eyed susans are in full force now too.

Near the deck

I cut the Lady's Mantle way way back and it looks a lot better. Sunday was a rainy day but cool enough that I could get quite a bit done.

Tuesday, July 31, 2007

July Gardening -- most everything is in Beautiful Bloom!

The black eyed susans are just starting to show up everywhere... next to the deck, beside the garage, a couple near the well. I planted a few near the scout trailer but they aren't going to bloom this year. If they don't bloom next year, maybe I transplanted the wrong thing.

The mini black eyed susan's look like they have about 2 more weeks to go. I'm hoping that I can keep the big ones alive all through September again like I did about 3 years ago when the weather wasn't too darned hot. Lots of water and TLC might do it!

Just got some hanging baskets of red geraniums and red pansy's to spruce up the deck with all the green, green, green.

Big hostas are about to bloom with their white flowers, maybe a week, maybe 2. The little striped hostas with the white stripes & purple shoots are going. I'm not sure what the name of the pretty purple shoots are. Their leaves look similar to roses or celery or a vegetable, but they shoot up the most delicate and beautiful thick purple flowers. In the photo to the left, you can just make out the beginning of the purple flowers shooting from the varigated hosta. Big hosta is in the background and ferns are to the right.

Rose of Sharon is in Beautiful Bloom!


Bow Wow Beach is a Dog's Paradise



Bow Wow Beach in Stow Ohio is a former swimming area for humans, but the town changed it to a dog park. What a wonderful place for the dogs to safely romp and play. Lucky loves chasing tennis balls and greeting new "friends, while Jean is a swimmer/diver, diving to catch fish or bring up rocks from the bottom.

Friday, July 13, 2007

The Deck is in Bloom


Even with this heat, the garden is looking pretty darned good. Most of the yellow flowers are over right now, but the black eyed susan's are just started to open up. My current favorite is this beauty that is winding around on the deck.

This is my 100th blog post on this blog.

Saturday, June 23, 2007

Lucky & Jean

Lucky and Jean have been going to the dog park in Stow and having a great time. Well, Lucky's had a great time. Jean doesn't know how to be.

Jean is so wonderful with people but is very confused at the dog park. Growls at other dogs and is kinda scared.

Lucky on the other hand, doesn't stop wagging his tail, greeting the other dogs and having a wonderful time.

Sunday, June 17, 2007

June 17 Father's day

Today the Clematis is looking great. Here's a "After" and a "Before".

The before was taken June 2nd and the after was taken just a couple minutes ago.

Saturday, June 02, 2007

Next April...

Note to self. Next April, start weeding the side garden. This morning I tackled it but I should have done it when everything was baby plants!

7 Kinds of Purple in June


There are 7 maybe 8?? different purple flowers in my gardens this morning.

1) Clematis and 1.5) Fluffly purple/kinda wispy

2) Monkey's paw (spiderwort)


3)Another kind of Fluffy purple





4) Japanese Iris



5) Purple hump



6) Columbine
and 7) Rhododendron .... I know the last 3 look pink on my computer, but they are definitely purple in real life! They are really so pretty. Didn't realize I like purples so much!

Thursday, May 10, 2007

The Gazebo in Hudson Ohio



The gazebo sits in the center of town in Hudson on a patch of grass better known as "the green" rather than "the square". By any name, it was beautiful this spring day!

Friday, May 04, 2007

Love those Blossoms!

Although the ground hogs love the wood pile, I love the blossoms. This tree is one I hardly notice on the edge of our property, but this week, it's GORGEOUS!!

Lilacs and Apple Blossoms!

I don't remember having both the lilacs and apple blossoms in bloom at once -- especially on May 4th, but who knows.

Tonight I've got to wander back to the green house and see if the wisteria are about to blossom. They go so quickly I don't want to miss it!

Sunday, March 25, 2007

The Bistro in Wentworth Village South Yorkshire UK

Wentworth Village Bistro

My dear friend and business mentor, Norma Rist... standing outside of the Wentworth Village Bistro.

Wentworth Village near Rotherham South Yorkshire UK

Wenthworth Village Tea Room

A beautiful little, quaint English town!

Welcome SPRING!!

Yesterday I noticed the crocus I have planted near the driveway are in bloom. Yahoo!!

I tried to snap a photo this morning, but it was too early and they were still hiding their faces against the dew.

I'll try to get a photo up later today!

Saturday, February 24, 2007

Wednesday, February 14, 2007