Just for Fun

My Honey Sent Me Flowers This Morning! It takes a few seconds, on a busy day to reach out to people you either love, do business with or in fact, matter in life. Imagine my surprise when waking up this morning, I had a series of photos in a text message from my husband, Michael.  Immediately, my mood was elevated, making a great start to the day!   Technology makes it easy to send a note, make a call or contact people through an email or a quick text. It's amazing the results that come from a simple step forward. Just do it and have a positively, blooming day! 04/26/2024

The Beautiful Tulip Tree With Spring here and plants blooming I’ve really started paying close attention to the different trees in my neighborhood. Recently I noticed, my beautiful Eastern Redbud tree in my front yard that blooms the most beautiful purple-pinkish flower in the Spring has a disease and the trunk is splitting. So my poor Redbud tree will have to be removed and I will have to replace it with a new tree.  Have you ever seen a Tulip Tree? After doing some research to determine how big a Tulip tree gets, as well as I always like to find out if the trees are pretty sturdy and not as prone to getting diseases etc… I put it in my list of possible replacements. Yes, I had to make a list or I would definitely forget all the names of the trees that I’ve loved. In my research, I’ve ... 04/26/2024

Trivia question answers for Thursday April 25, 20241. In bowling, what would you score be if you bowled 11 strikes and a 6? 2962. In which state was the first Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise opened? Utah3. Who was called "The Hero of San Juan Hill"? Theodore Roosevelt4. What is the Larynx often referred to as? Voice boxTrivia questions for Friday April 26, 20241. What plant does the Boo Weevil destroy?2. What was the name of the high school in the movie "Grease"?3. What is the five letter word for a young dog?4. What was Walt Disney afraid of?Enjoy your day..  04/26/2024

This recipe was inspired by a cookbook I received from our friend Dick Greenberg  many years ago. Sady, he left the platform many years ago as well... He sent me this cookbook, once he discovered that I was a gourmet cook but did not have this book.So let me share the ingredients (the key is having all this to make it work):1. black truffle oil2. black truffle mushroom3. morrell mushrooms (in my case dried ones)4. Fresh Trumpet Mushrooms5. two garlic cloves6. quarter of an onion (I always use sweet onions)7. little butter with seasonings, parsley, tarragon, thyme and oregano8. Chicken Stock preferably a good one9. 1/2 cup of half and half or heavy cream (today I used half and half)10. any kind of pasta, I used some colorful ones just to make it more interesting.Needless to say, Diane th... 04/25/2024

Now I have one friend in Kentucky, who thinks Inspire is paying me for advertising, and that is not so, it is just when I come upon something unbelievable, unusual, and different from most, I love telling others about it.If you or someone you know has sleep apnea, there is something that is newer, improved, more technological advanced and less of a hassle to use, than the cpac mask over your face all night, it is called INSPIRE. Mine was installed in my chest and a small installation to the right of my chin three weeks ago, with 30 days for the body to HEAL around it, then I will go in for them to activate it, and we can begin using it.If you live in the Phoenix area, Dr Gutman is my doctor. You need an ENT to do the work. There are some qualifying items, one is you can't be over weight... 04/25/2024

Friday Fun…How Do You YOUTUBE? Yesterday in Dorie Dillard Austin TX’s Throwback Thursdays Post she shared that the first YouTube video was uploaded on April 23, 2005. When it was introduced, I remember thinking “Who on earth would want to watch someone’s videos?”Yes…I was wrong. To say I lacked foresight in this would be a gross understatement. As it turns out, YouTube is the second most visited website behind Google! More Stats…~there are more than 114 million active YouTube channels~an average of 2500 new videos are uploaded every minute~music videos are the most popularYou can see more fun facts here.  We know you upload your videos for work, but what are you watching? How do you use YouTube??Larry loves the “how to” videos on YouTube. Me? I’m one of the millions who love the music v... 04/26/2024

I can certainly relate to Timmothy's comic strip for today.When I get home from work I am ready to take a nap BUT Baby usually has another plan for me.Like Philemon in the comic strip above, Baby always has a smiling face waiting for me at the door. She is usually content being put out in the back yard but on the way there I am also reminded to keep food in her bowl and water in her dish.All that being said, I wouldn't have it any other way. 04/26/2024

The Pocono Mountain region is known far and wide for its exquisite beauty. Scenic mountains, thick forests, countless bodies of water: there is no end to the natural radiance of the Poconos. Many visit this area to engage in these exact natural elements; through dozens of parks across NEPA, there are endless possibilities for hiking, fishing, bicycling, and more. If you’re interested in something more relaxed, there are many spaces for lazy days of picnics and bird-watching. This summer, the Poconos adds a new park to its impressive repertoire. Just in time for Earth Day, Monroe Country unveiled Marshalls Falls Park, a new park named appropriately for its location near Marshalls Creek. As Spring bursts life into the region, Marshalls Falls is a great place to take in all of the beauty o... 04/25/2024

April 26th - National Pretzel Day:Enjoy your day!Directions: Click on the link below.  Your puzzle will open in a new window.To locate a word, please hold down the left side of your mouse while dragging your cursor over the letters of that word. Release your hold when all of the letters of the word have been selected. If your response is correct, the word will change color on the word list.Please check back for future daily puzzles.Enjoy and have a great day!Click Here To PlayIf you are looking to purchase a property or home on Long Island, New York, I hope you think of me, Linda Blumenthal. 04/26/2024

Trivia question answers for Wednesday April 24, 20241. The name "Otto" is German for what? Wealth2. What actress played JR's wife on Dallas? Linda Gray3. What is a group of sparrows called? Host4. What kind of bird is the mascot for Fruit Loops? ToucanTrivia questions for Thursday April 25, 20231. In bowling, what would you score be if you bowled 11 strikes and a 6?2. In which state was the first Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise opened?3. Who was called "The Hero of San Juan Hill"?4. What is the Larynx often referred to as?Enjoy your day..  04/25/2024

Wordless Wednesdays:  Easy dinner, easy clean up... all baked. I have my latest cookbook and have not used it... it was all about baking and keeping dinner easy.Well, if you are wondering this was an easy dinner as well as an easy clean up:)If you are wondering, fingerling potatoes with parmesan cheese.Purple Asparagus with lemon zest, lemon juice and parmesan cheese.Salmon with balsamic   vinegar with a fig reduction.425% in the oven for 30 minutes and you are done. Easy dinner! Bon Appetite. Wishing you a safe and healthy life and I look forward to your comments. If you are looking for a knowledgeable, focused and goal-oriented Realtor in the Beverly Hills area who will help you achieve your Real Estate goals, please reach out to me directly! If you are looking for a pet friendly Beve... 04/24/2024

Yesterday I got my first sighting of a hummingbird at our feeder for this season!At first, I thought it was one of those carpenter bees that have been buzzing around, but then I realized it stopped for a drink at the feeder I put out the other day.  Luckily, I had a camera close by!The juncos which have been here since November, seem to have departed and headed north over the weekend.  I have not seen them in a few days.  I was continuing to put out birdseed for the juncos until they left.  After a few years of personal debate, I made a decision to stop putting out bird seed altogether once my supply is depleted this season and bugs are in abundance, since the house sparrows have just taken over everything.  They’ve already had their first set of babies which have visited the feeder, an... 04/24/2024

Thankful Thursdays…for Family When Larry and I decided to return to Houston after 30+ years off and on in FL, it was because of family. It was time.  This hit home with me this week when I attended the funeral Mass for my sister-in-law’s mother. Mrs. A was a kind and loving woman. She had a deep faith that she passed on to her family. She always wore a smile…asked for nothing…and loved her family. Larry made little rolls just for her because she loved small sandwiches.  Mrs. A has a large family…children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, sisters and more. But I also saw other “family”...those who while not related by blood become woven into the fabric of family.  My brother’s band members, sisters-in-law, neighbors, my cousins and Larry and me…we’re all interwoven in... 04/25/2024

April 25th - National Telephone Day:Enjoy your day!Directions: Click on the link below.  Your puzzle will open in a new window.To locate a word, please hold down the left side of your mouse while dragging your cursor over the letters of that word. Release your hold when all of the letters of the word have been selected. If your response is correct, the word will change color on the word list.Please check back for future daily puzzles.Enjoy and have a great day!Click Here To PlayIf you are looking to purchase a property or home on Long Island, New York, I hope you think of me, Linda Blumenthal. 04/25/2024

Even during the spring, people spend a lot of time indoors. And while it is important to spend time outside to get fresh air, you may want to do something to improve the quality of the air IN your home. If you enjoy gardening, you don’t have to limit it to outdoors.  There are lots of houseplants that will aid in the removal of pollutants floating around your home.English IvyUsed as a houseplant, this elegant beauty is excellent for removing harmful chemicals that can be found in the home. It will grow in full shade to full sun, so you will have lots of flexibility in placement. With proper care, it can survive for many years.Bamboo PalmThis plant prefers part sun or shade. It removes harmful elements such as benzene and formaldehyde.Chinese EvergreenThis pretty, easy-to-care-for plant ... 04/24/2024

We all do little things that probably annoy our neighbors, and where I live it's having a less than manicured front yard. And right now, most of the perennials that are blooming in mine look like the flower in the photo.  Now, the guy next door does not totally appreciate my choice, since in a few days the yellow flower will be replaced by a fuzz ball that will shoot seeds into their yard. Still, when I was outside playing with the Picco, I was pretty awestruck by its simple beauty. Now, if I can just remember to go dig it up as soon as the seed pod starts to form! 04/24/2024

Are you Guilty as Sin of looking at homes before you're pre-approved? No more crying at the gym; let's get your offer accepted and closed in a Fortnight so you can say So Long, Renting, and find somewhere to call your own. And don't torture yourself by looking in people's windows (m)alone; hire a professional real estate agent to help you! #thehelpfulagent #home #houseexpert #house #listreports #happyhome #homeowner #happyhomeowners #realestate #realtor #realestateagent 04/24/2024

It’s time for an update on our bluebird boxes!   If you follow my blog then you know that Larry and I monitor bluebird boxes at Kickerillo-Mischer Preserve. We also have a bluebird box at home.  Our most prolific box is on its second brood for the season. There were 5 eggs and from what we can tell 4 hatched (on Monday, 4/22)   We have 2 boxes with baby birds however one has baby chickadees (we think) and the other has wrens, both cavity nesters. We had to insert our wireless endoscope in the wren nest to see what was in the nest. ( Baby chickadees hatched last week.)   Wren's nests are different from bluebirds and chickadees in they look like one big mess.     Our nest at home is on its second brood and a second egg was laid today! (Tuesday 4/23)                     We’re hoping anoth... 04/24/2024

Trivia question answers for Tuesday April 23. 20241. How much volume of an apple is air? 25%2. Three gold balls are a universal symbol for what type of business? Pawn shop3. What was the capital of Brazil until Brazilia was completed? Rio de Janeiro4. What day of the week is Mardi Gras? TuesdayTrivia questions for Wednesday April 24, 20241. The name "Otto" is German for what?2. What actress played JR's wife on Dallas?3. What is a group of sparrows called?4. What kind of bird is the mascot for Fruit Loops?Enjoy your day..  04/24/2024

It’s time for an update on our bluebird boxes! If you follow my blog then you know that Larry and I monitor bluebird boxes at Kickerillo-Mischer Preserve. We also have a bluebird box at home. Our most prolific box is on its second brood for the season. There were 5 eggs and from what we can tell 4 hatched (on Monday, 4/22) We have 2 boxes with baby birds however one has baby chickadees (we think) and the other has wrens, both cavity nesters. We had to insert our wireless endoscope in the wren nest to see what was in the nest. ( Baby chickadees hatched last week.)  Wren's nests are different from bluebirds and chickadees in they look like one big mess.    Our nest at home is on its second brood and a second egg was laid today! (Tuesday 4/23)          We’re hoping another nest will be bui... 04/24/2024