PIE PARTY IS COMING!!!

Keep watching for more info about a Pie Party as we celebrate National Pie Day, January 23.

HGTV and Blogs

 Over the past couple of years I've stopped watching HGTV though I used to love it.  Over time I would try to find some of my favorite shows or HGTV personalities but they weren't there.   I used to love watching Joan Steffend, Kitty Bartholomew, Erica Glasener,  Rebecca Kolls,  Susie Coelho and Paul James...where are all these great show hosts now?  

At night (when I win the channel changer) I flip through the channels and usually skip HGTV because whatever is on the air is a show about buying real estate, internationally.   While I wish I were hunting for a house in a sunny and warm international location, generally I skip such programming because unless I win the lottery or come into some kind of incredible inheritance that I'm not expecting, I'm cozied into my lovely little home in Georgia.  But mentioning this makes me wonder why house hunting is airing almost every night?  Last I heard, the housing market in the U.S. is near flat.  Wishful thinking maybe?

Chip Wade

Occasionally I flip and find Curb Appeal: The Block.  That's a show I really like and as a matter of fact, Chip Wade has been over to help me with some small details on the exterior of my house (read more about his visit here).  He's very helpful and very affordable!

Today, while home for snow day number 2, there was one show airing that was worth watching and I saw an ad for Candice Olson but over all it look liked the "G" (gardening) in the channel name may no longer be airing and sadly, a lot of great programming is no longer on the air.  Now I know why my tv viewing is limited to 2 or 3 channels.  

Have blogs replaced some of these terrific shows?   I have to admit that I enjoy many of the blogs I read and they are far more entertaining that shopping for real estate!  In fact, bloggers send you emails and are much more interactive than a tv show.   Do you still watch HGTV?  If so I'm just curious what are your favorite shows?   I would love to hear your comments.  

"Oranges and Lemons"

Z IS FOR?

ZEST!

"Oranges and lemons,
Say the bells of St. Clement's" ~ traditional English nursery rhyme.

I have plenty of oranges and lemons at the moment and have been thinking of how to use them up ~ both their inners and their flavoursome outer zesty skins. I have zealously zipped through a few recipe books looking for ideas ~ maybe in marmalade, a lemon drizzle cake or perhaps in zabaglione. I have been wondering whether any of the fruit in my fruit bowl comes from the orange groves of Zaragoza ~ surely the odds must be more than one in a zillion.

An interesting explanation of the nursery rhyme can be found here.

Zoom over now to to ABC Wednesday for so much more on the letter Z!

Mushrooms are not plants: they are a fungus.

Found this one behind our tent while taking a leak in the bushes last weekend when we were out camping at the Rietvlei Nature Reserve.


Shot details: Nikon D90, Nikon 50mm f1.8D, f8, 1/60s, ISO200, Aperture Priority, processed in Corel Paintshop Pro X3.

Death to the Trees

At the Rietvlei Nature Reserve they are trying to eradicate the invasive alien trees that our ancestors planted all over the countryside out of blind ignorance. Good luck to them, these things are really tough to get rid of, especially the Black Wattle.

Isn't Nature Wonderful?

I just love spending time outdoors, and this last weekend we went camping at a local nature reserve right next to a beautiful dam. When I say local I really mean local, it is about 4 minutes drive from our apartment! I highly recommend you visit it too if you are in the area, it's the Rietvlei Nature Reserve.

Shot details: Nikon D90, Nikon 50mm f1.8D, f2.8, 1/1250s, ISO200, Aperture Priority, processed in Corel Paintshop Pro X3.

Waiting for the Snow but Fearing the Ice

It's snowing!!!!

Yes, a winter storm is headed to Georgia so yesterday everyone I know got out to buy groceries and other creature comforts. Down south we don't handle wintry weather too well. If there is a hint of snow, and especially ice, in our weather forecast, schools are apt to close and work places generally delay openings.  It's such a treat! We are really hoping the predicted ice doesn't leave us without power but just in case I've got a couple of new books by my side and I'm ready do a little unexpected relaxing tomorrow.  Maybe a pajama day?

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we wake up to a beautiful snowy day. 
UPDATE
It's been snowing for nearly 2 hours. We've got nearly 2 inches and look how light it is outside.