Walking Miles Before I Sleep

 

Logged many miles this week and right now I am at 61% of my goal to walk 100 miles by July 31st.  Barring broken toes or any other untoward situations I should make it.  I really love the longer walks and often find myself lost in thought and almost unaware of the distance being covered.  When walking alone, as I do a lot in the summer cause my walking buddies go very early in the morning and I am happier lazing around drinking tea, I listen to music.  Surprised that I can still hear the birds or even the rustle of leaves when a deer is right next to me on the side of the road.  Anyway, the music has a good beat and it helps me pick up the pace.  Most walks average around 19 minute miles which is just over three miles per hour which is an excellent pace that I can keep up for two hours.  It was hot this week but that didn’t stop me I just found shadier walks and thank goodness there was a good breeze most days.

Project Update

 

This week was very hot and that meant not a lot of painting was done after our rainy day last weekend.  Therefore, Libby and I put on a big push yesterday after she got home from her camp out overnight down the lake.  Actually, she went back to bed and slept for three hours while I got the first coat of the color on the walls.  Then she joined me for the second coat after lunch.  The color she picked for the walls is the softest blue and the room now feels very calm and relaxing.  I think she is very pleased with the results and yes, I am very pleased with the results too.  Libby picked out the bedspread and I think she did a terrific job in matching the colors in the bedspread with the color on the wall.  We are also pleased that we painted the woodwork white including the doors and the chair rail.  Nice job Libby maybe you have a career as an interior decorator.

 

 

 

Special Lunch

 

Every summer for the last few years I have taken my mother to one of our favorite local watering holes for a lobster roll and wine by the lake.  The Ripplecove Inn is a beautiful hotel at the south end of the lake.  They have tables out on the patio right next to the water.  It is not easy for us to get there as there are lots of stairs and no elevator but Mum is determined and we made it.  The lobster rolls were perfect, the day was perfect, the wine was perfect and an eagle flew overhead while a pair of loons played just off the shore.  Perfection!

Mama on the Move

 

On my walks this past week I saw lots of interesting wildlife.  Took pictures of deer, hawks, bugs and slugs but my favorite picture is this one of a mother duck and her babies running likety split across the road from the pond on hole 3 North Hatley Golf Club to the pond on hole 8.  She didn’t fly as I know she could because her babies aren’t able to fly yet.  I watched them for quite awhile and really was in awe of this mama.  Earlier in the week I had seen them feeding on the pond at hole 4.  So far she has kept the family together.  There are many dangers out there for baby ducks and crossing the road is only one of them.  Not sharing the photo I took of a very large spotted slug that turns out is called a Leopard Slug due to those same said spots because it really isn’t very pretty, the Mama duck and her babies is much cuter!

Soups On

This weeks recipe is from Health Holistic Living.  With all the wonderful tomatoes ripening right now this soup will be a good way to use some of them up.  It combines the health benefits of black pepper, turmeric and tomatoes.  This is a very powerful recipe rich n antioxidants and full of great anti inflammatory goodies.  Enjoy!

 

 

 

Ingredients:

¾ cup cherry tomatoes, rinsed and cut in halves
1 can diced tomatoes (don’t drain the sauce)
½ cup low-sodium vegetable stock
1 minced onion
2 minced garlic cloves
2 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp coconut oil
½ tsp sea salt
1 tsp dried basil
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions:

Fry onion and garlic in coconut oil over medium heat for 1 minute.
Add turmeric, cherry tomatoes. Cook until tomatoes are soft.
Add canned tomatoes, stock, ACV, and basil. Bring to boil on medium-high heat, then cover and let simmer on low heat for 5 minutes.
Blend using a blender or hand mixer until creamy.
Season with salt and pepper.