"Down the shore"

What a weekend!  I was in Cape May, New Jersey  on a paint job.
 In the evenings, I walked and saw the most gorgeous homes and gardens.
 I just loved being "down the shore",   as we say in South Jersey,
 enjoying this  lovely Victorian resort town .

     I came down here  before 6 a.m.,  to see the sun rise over the ocean,
 but the beach was facing south. It was overcast, but still glorious
 in the new dawn to watch the endless waves roll in, and  listen
 to the sea's powerful crashing.  I tried to just be still and meditate,
 until I spotted some dolphins frolicking.

It's such a quaint seaside community, where you feel safe to walk around,

 even at night.   I was so blessed to be able to work here for a few days,

 refreshing the interior of a rental unit before the summer crowds ascend.
Then, on my time off,  I went to the beach and walked around
 the neighborhoods and shops.


     

Linda Lee Bed and Breakfast

 
The John F. Craig House, 1866 Carpenter Gothic  inn

"The pink house"   It has a  fabulous fashion boutique and jewelry store

Inviting porches

The fence at the Emmitt Physick Estate
 They were holding a craft show this weekend on the grounds

The  US Coast Guard Boot Camp is near where we stayed, and the new recruits run by,
 singing cadence chants right down Madison Avenue, and we run out to watch them. 
"My  grandmother is 91..., my grandmother is 91.....
She did PT just for fun... , she  did PT just for fun........"
Makes you feel kinda proud! 

I love this color scheme!

A peek into a lovely courtyard garden

I was amazed to see this unusual petunia with
 a chartruese edge, cascading from a shop's window box.

Here's another pretty variegated plant I couldn't identify.
 Anybody know what this is?

I just adore this sage  that grows very well here.

The Victorian houses are so grand! 

 Hmmm, looks like I could have plenty of work, scraping and
 re-painting these "painted ladies" each year.

 The damp salt air is hard on them, weathers them terribly.
Every property requires constant upkeep.

This is such a quaint seaside community,

 where you feel safe to walk around, even at night.

I was so blessed to be able to work here for a few days,

 painting the interior of a rental unit.  A working vacation.

Ah, the summer begins. 

 Sweet, sweet summer in Cape May. 

Love, Linda

I've been grilled by Grandma's Briefs!

I joined the party!

 

Dinner's ready!

 I feel bad that my daughter gets home from work so late, and then has to start  cooking dinner and eat sometimes as late as 8 p.m., so often I ask her if I can start preparing it for her.  Tonight she told me an easy, delicious way she likes to fix pork chops, and I had them ready when she and her hubby arrived home.  I didn't fix potatoes or rice, because she's on  the Adkin's diet.

Baked Italian Pork Chops

4 boneless pork chops

Mix together  2 Tbsp.Dijon Mustard,

2 Tbsp. Olive Oil

1 Tbsp. Italian Seasoning on a plate 

Place 3-4 Tbsp. shredded parmesan on another plate

Coat each pork chop,  with the mustard mixture.

Lay each chop in the cheese and press,  then turn to coat both sides.

Arrange in a baking dish,  which has been sprayed with a non-stick coating.

Bake at 375 for 45 minutes.

They should be crispy golden brown, and juicy inside.

Very easy and flavorful, and it is also a low-carb recipe!

I served them with sauteed garlic green beans.  Ummmmm!

 

Thomas sat nearby in his highchair and had his dinner,

 while I  prepared the meal, so when Mommy and Daddy

 came home, they found a happy baby and dinner all ready!

I  love to see the little family come together after a long day at work. 

I think it's important that they sit and eat at the table, and

 share good food and their day's experiences! 

Yeaaaah!

Love, Linda

I partied at   typeadecorating.blogspot.com/2012/05/anything-goes
and
I am linking with GRAND Social on Saturday!

Mother- another word for love

 My daughter Julie and  my grandson, Tommy

One of  later-life's greatest rewards is the immense pleasure

 of watching  your child parenting your precious grandchild.

"Of all the rights of women,
         the greatest is to be a mother."

                                          ---Lin Yutang

"Of all the rigOf all hts of women, the greatest is to be a mother."
Lin Yutang

Being a mother completed me, 

 supremely blessed me!

And being a grandmother 

 is ultimate joy!

God bless all the mothers, grandmothers, stepmothers,

 adopted mothers, and mother-in-laws

 for their unselfish love and giving.

Love, Linda

My Daughter Amy- " Beloved"

My youngest daughter was born two days before Mother's Day, in 1979.   I called her my " bonus baby", because I already had a  "rich man's family", one of each, and she was a total surprise!

Amy, and Julie at 3 and 4

 Amy has always been such a joy!  A really cute little kid, and so smart!  Just a sweet little girl, who was an excellent student, loved music and dance, kittens, was quite an artist, loved crafts.  A girl scout, 4H member,  peer mentor, an all around good girl, loving sister, very responsible---a natural leader.  So it was no surprise when she excelled in  her high school and college studies, became a teacher, then went to work at a college while she pursued her masters' degree. She loves campus life and working with young people, and they look up to her.  She grows her thick, shiny hair real long,  and donates it every couple years to Locks of Love. 

 She wants to spend time with me. Has treated me to a cruize and  other vacation trips.  One time we went to Disney world together , when she auditioned for a singing job on Disney Cruizelines.  Another time we went to San Diego.  We love to go out to eat and occasionally go out and  sing Kareoke.

Amy and me, cruize to the Bahamas 2008

 I have always enjoyed my visits with her on the various campuses where she has worked, and love seeing her make a home wherever she is, a dorm, or an apartment.  Sometimes, her birthday falls on Mother's Day, so we've often celebrated together, just the two of us.

  She has a really cool loft apartment in the RCA Victor building now!  She has just successfully completed her first exciting, but very demanding year of Law School.  I went to visit her for her birthday with Thomas, and we ordered pizza and watched Annie.  I am so proud to see her being such a devoted, loving aunt to her sister's baby, and her brother's older kids.
 Happy Birthday, Dear Amy!

Happy May Day!

A clematis in Cape May, New Jersey

The world's favorite season is the spring.

All  things seem possible in May.

                           --- Edwin Way Teale

Did you know that today is also Law Day ?

"In 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower established it 
as  a special day of celebration for the people of the US. ", 
says Wikipedia.    Most people are unaware of this holiday.
  Once again, this year,  President Obama issued a
Presidential Proclamation, designating May 1, as Law Day

 and this year's theme is:

 No Courts...No Justice...No Freedom

 "1. In appreciation of liberties

             reaffirmation of loyalty to US,

                   re-dedication to ideals of equality

and justice under law

        2. for cultivating respect for law

                 that is so vital to the democratic

way of life",
(I paraphrased what 36 USC  113 states)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LawDay

Just think, bloggers!  It's the Bill of Rights that assures 
 us  these basic liberties, and what allows us to blog, tweet, 
pin, and use facebook in just about anyway we please!

Equal Protection

Freedom of Speech

Right to Assemble

and Religious Freedom

For posters and other teaching resources,

 go to www.americanbar.org/groups/public 

Memorial Day  flags in Cape May, New Jersey neighborhood

   

I am so grateful today, for these values and freedoms, 
that many in the world do not enjoy!   Later this month, 
we will remember and honor all those who fought and
 died to give us those rights.

I pledge allegiance to the flag 
of the United States of America
and to the Republic for which it stands, 
one Nation under God,
indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

May Day is celebrated in many different cultures in many different ways.
It is also internationally known as Labor Day, commemorating the struggles
 of working people.  

 One website from India had this saying:
"God give me work, till my life should end

And  life, until my work is done." 

 So, May 1st is  a very special day! 
 My simple custom is to deliver a little basket bouquet 
to a neighbor,  ring the doorbell and run away. 
 Tradition says, if you are caught, you get kissed. 

                  Sweet April showers

                      Do bring May flowers.

                              ---Thomas Tusser, A Hundred Good

                                                           Points of Husbandry, 1557

Lilies in Cape May, New Jersey

Ah! Spring is here. The rabbits quit

their dens,

the dormant grass begins once more

to grow.

The trees release their airborne

allergens.

It's time to tune the Toro and to mow,

To fertilize and lime and thatch and seed

As groveling on dirty, servile knees--

You pluck the dreaded dandelion weed

And rub your itching eyes and start to sneeze.

Wherever grass enchroaches, you must

edge,

And don't forget to stir the compost heap

And trim the juniper unruly hedge,

While forfeiting a needed hour of sleep.

Those poets penning praise to spring

And tillage

Are domiciled in lofts in Greenwich

Village.

--- Bob Mc Kenty, A Sonnet for Spring

Sweet Peas in Cape May, New Jersey

"You are as welcome as the flowers in May"---Charles Macklin

                      Love, Linda

                                                   I linked up at Manic Monday!
                   http://www.serendipityandspice.com/2012/05/manic-monday-17.html#more