Just for Fun | Telling the Truth

August 5, 2017

Curried Red Lentil Soup | Recipe

Time to share another frugal favorite. Once again, it’s a tasty, jaw-friendly, non-dairy, high protein recipe. I made it this past week. Enough for 3 or 4 single servings, and, in my unbiased opinion, fit for a Queen! Also in its favor, you don’t need to be a master chef to make this come out right.

Seriously, this is as casual and easy it as gets. Years ago I copied the recipe from the back page of a Nutrition Action Healthletter. Enjoy it as is, or dress it up with simple additions. You can also double the recipe (though not the curry unless you love the heat). I consider it a main protein dish, not a light soup.

1 diced onion (small or medium)

2 Tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon curry powder (more or less)

1 cup red lentils, rinsed

2 ½ cups water – more as needed

1. Sauté diced onion in oil until browned.
2. Stir in curry powder and lentils.
3. Add water.
4. Simmer uncovered 10-12 minutes (or longer—up to half an hour) – until most liquid is absorbed and lentils have formed a thick sauce.
5. Salt if desired.

Here are several add-in ideas, though it tastes fabulous without them. Whatever you add, less is better.

cooked quinoa — leftover, not too much; soft, blends right in, easy to digest, high protein
cooked brown rice — not too much; can be chewy and overpowering
chopped frozen spinach
green peas – fresh or frozen
garbanzos (chick peas)
bite-size pieces of leftover asparagus
fresh cilantro, parsley or a squeeze of lemon juice
Greek yogurt on top if you do dairy.

Happy relaxed, Queenly casual cooking!

Elouise ♥

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August 1, 2017

the garden of my heart

This past Sunday D and I visited Chanticleer. It’s only a 20 minute drive from our house. You can walk through the entire garden, with a few off-path adventures, in a couple of hours. Alternatively, you can spend the day exploring tempting side paths. Bring your picnic lunch and eat at one of the picnic tables, or on your own blanket spread anywhere you like on the grass. Or you could sit in a lawn chair and read a book all afternoon.

On Sunday it was a bit crowded, but not too much for a leisurely stroll punctuated with stops for photo ops. D took the photo at the top on Mother’s Day in May 2015. It’s one of my favorites. Later this week I’ll post a photo review of Sunday’s visit.

During the last few weeks I’ve begun reviewing all my Haiku/Poetry posts, selecting some for possible publication in an ebook. The poem below is among them, inspired by the photo at the top.

the garden of my heart
sits quietly waiting
chairs placed side by side
beam with glowing luster
tadpoles swim
mosquitoes buzz
flowers dip and sway,
music from a springtime breeze
invites me out to play
lily pads provoke a game
of hopscotch cricket-style
dragon-flies flit overhead
and clap their wings for joy
cool water laps around the reeds
a gentle under-tone
announcing your arrival soon
to be with me
alone

© Elouise Renich Fraser, 16 June 2015
Photo found at Chanticleer Garden Guide
Chanticleer Pond Garden

Time to get back to sorting through those lovely poems. Surprisingly, I’m feeling more energized about this project than I anticipated. Thanks for all the likes and comments you left in the past, especially on my haiku/poetry posts. It’s heartwarming to see and read them again! Even inspirational.

© Elouise Renich Fraser, 1 August 2017

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July 29, 2017

Sabbath Rest Memories | Photos

It’s Summer 2016. In early April I got my pacemaker (Lucy); two weeks later I broke my jaw and had my teeth wired for 4-5 weeks. The idea of going on the cruise we’d already planned seemed crazy. But it wasn’t. My main activity during the cruise was resting, sleeping, and eating soft food! In other words, it was, for me, a huge Sabbath Rest.

One year ago D and I, with our daughter and son-in-law enjoyed a huge once-in-a-lifetime cruise down the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers. Here are random favorites that depict the heart, if not the full reality of Sabbath rest. The ducks at the top are showing how it’s done. We spotted them at Kinderdijk. The photos below were taken on the way to Cologne and in one of the parks there.

For starters, here’s a photo of me sound asleep, doing Nothing.
Just looking at this makes me go all limp.
And what about those snazzy socks!

Here are some rather limp cattle we passed along the way.
They didn’t even look up or ask what we were doing!
Just kept napping, chewing their cud, and chilling out.

Not to be outdone by cattle,
this water fowl family is getting into the spirit of things, too.
Doing mostly nothing but enjoying an outing together.

And here’s a young couple also doing nothing
but resting and enjoying this beautiful view of the river.
I wonder who they are?

Here they are again!
We saw them quite often during the cruise.
They smiled a lot. Definitely a sign of Sabbath joy.

Well look at that!
This Sabbath rest thing seems to be popular with everyone.
Especially when it means enjoying nature.

Here’s our trusty photographer, aka D,
taking a picture of himself in front of a reflective screen.
He’s enjoying relaxed time in his very relaxed outfit!
You don’t have to dress up for Sabbath rest, you know.

Nearby was this calm bunny taking great joy in a favorite snack!

There’s that good-looking couple again!
They look like they’re enjoying each other and nature and
a complete break from their normal busy, creative lives.
Just as I’m trying to do right now.

You might say nature enjoys Sabbath every day.
But sometimes it outdoes itself with beauty. Natural beauty.
This looks like Sabbath-day best to me.

And this little bee is having the feast of a lifetime.
You might say its cup is running over with joy and delight.

Back on the cruise ship, D got this evening shot of
the Cologne Cathedral, spires pointing upwards.
A silent reminder of the source of our life, our rest and our joy.

Blessings of peace and rest to each of you.
Elouise ♥

© Elouise Renich Fraser, 29 July 2017, reposted on 6 August 2022
Photos taken by DAFraser, Summer 2016 Viking Cruise

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July 26, 2017

A quick and happy update

I’m just back from seeing my kidney doctor to go over recent lab tests. Two things in particular have me ecstatic!

First, my Vitamin D is no longer a hair’s breadth from ‘deficient.’ It’s now proudly ‘sufficient’! This means good things for my health overall including more energy, happy kidneys, happy heart, happy blood pressure and happy bones. Well…happy enough for me.
Second, my Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 3 ranking got kicked in the butt! It’s now Stage 2, and should hold right there as long as I’m a good girl and do all the right stuff. That means eating the right food, drinking enough water, exercising regularly every day, getting enough sleep, saying No to just about every invitation that comes my way (slight exaggeration), lazing around when that’s what I feel like doing, writing my heart out, and visiting you as I’m able.

Speaking of visiting, tomorrow D and I are going next door for tea with our neighbors. He cooked the fabulous Quinoa and Garbanzo Bean dish (Indian style) for me, and she’s a medical doctor. Yesterday I saw Rita while we were out walking. I’m due a cup of tea with her, as well.

That’s it for now. Just felt like I would pop wide open if I didn’t share my good news!

Elouise ♥

© Elouise Renich Fraser, 26 July 2018
Response to WordPress Daily Prompt: Tea

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Video | July 20, 2017

Oh Lolli-Lolli-Lolli

Can’t get it out of my mind. Thank you WordPress for this delectable word of the day: Lollipop!

No, I wasn’t allowed to listen to it at home, or dance and romance to it, but I loved it. It was alive, incredibly fun to sing and cheeky in days when cheeky wasn’t on The Good Girl’s List of Acceptable Behaviors.

Here it is, in its original glory, performed by the Chordettes. One of their glorious hits from the 1940s and 50s, recorded and filmed in the good old days. Their biggest hit was Mr. Sandman.

Don’t blame me if you can’t get it out of your mind….

© Elouise Renich Fraser, 20 July 2017
Tootsie Roll Lollipop image found at sweetcitycandy.com
Response to WordPress Daily Prompt: Lollipop

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July 18, 2017

rising and falling

rising and falling
earth-born cicada concert
shrieks through summer air

***

Do you live on the East Coast of the USA? This year’s crop of cicadas is huge. Here’s a great article that will tell you how many cicadas per square mile (sit down!), plus other fascinating cicada facts.

Or maybe you’d just like to hear one of these little buggers in solo concert (solo? a rarity in my experience). Check out this video:

All I wanted was a quiet morning walk. Not only were the cicadas ramping up into full morning concert, the tree experts were boring and grinding the remains of a large expired shade tree deeply rooted in soil next to the grade school. No complaints, though, since I already knew the prompt for the day, and enjoyed the walk.

Hoping your day brings good surprises along with whatever else comes along.

Elouise ♥

© Elouise Renich Fraser, 19 July 2017
Image found at livescience.com; video found on YouTube
Response to WordPress Daily Prompt: Soil

7 Comments

July 8, 2017

Not in this World to see his face —

~~~~~Antique Primer, School Reader ca. 1923, Bolenius Illustrations

Here’s a clever piece by Emily Dickinson. In it she comes to a well-considered outcome. One that happens to suit her immensely. Who says you can’t strike a bargain with Himself? My comments follow.

Not in this World to see his face –
Sounds long – until I read the place
Where this – is said to be
But just the Primer – to a life –
Unopened – rare – upon the Shelf –
Clasped yet – to Him – and me –

And yet – My Primer suits me so
I would not choose – a Book to know
Than that – be sweeter wise –
Might some one else – so learned – be –
And leave me – just my A – B – C –
Himself – could have the Skies –

c. 1862

Emily Dickinson Poems, Edited by Brenda Hillman
Shambhala Pocket Classics, Shambhala 1995

The setting, not described directly but alluded to, seems to be a Library. One that contains a rare Book, Unopened, on a Shelf. I imagine Emily standing there pondering her options.

It seems she longs to see his face, but doesn’t want to wait until she’s in another World. By the end of this short poem, she has adroitly moved to a solution that solves not one, but two problems! What could be better?

I think her logic goes something like this.

It seems I must wait to see his face in another life, another World. Yet haven’t I read somewhere that this life is a Primer to a life as yet unseen? Unseen because it hasn’t yet been opened.

In fact, this life is hidden over there on the rare Book shelf. See it? There’s a Clasp that keeps the Book tightly shut. Not just to me, but to Himself.

Hmm. You know, the more I think about it, the more I like my small Primer. After all, it introduces me to whatever comes next, and it’s filled with lovely things that point toward whatever comes next.

How about this for a solution? I keep my Primer, and leave the more mysterious Clasped Book for Himself. And maybe for the learned theologians! Surely they would love to figure out the other-World secrets locked within the Book. Then one day they can all see Himself in another World and find out whether they were correct!

As for me, I’m more than content to stay with my simple A-B-Cs. The birds and bees, butterflies and flowers, oceans and sunsets. I already see in them more than enough glimpses of Himself and of me.

Is Himself content with simple A-B-Cs? I don’t know, but if he’ll let me be content with my Primer right here on this earth, I’ll gladly leave the Skies and all other locked mysteries to Himself and the learned theologians.

Something like this. Maybe….

Hoping your Sabbath Primer is filled with mysteries that point to Someone greater than ourselves and to the persons we’re invited to become.

Elouise ♥

9 Comments

June 29, 2017

More Sunny Day Photos at Longwood

We’re back today at Longwood Gardens, on ground level just in front of the main fountains’ reconstructed home on the right. To the left are formal gardens with their own fountains. Note the lovely boulevard with sturdy benches, and trees that project a leafy art show on the ground below.

The front of the main building is lined with decorative urns,
young dwarf papyrus plants and small ornate fountains.

We walked down the side path toward the conservatory.
Here’s a look back from the top of the stairs.

D took the photo below from the conservatory plaza at about 3:30pm.
It gives a sense of the immensity of this project.
Don’t miss the bell tower in the distance.

Below are two photos D took in June 2015 from the conservatory plaza.
The project was well under way.
It’s hard to believe this (below) became that (above).

Below you can see what the Fountain Garden looked like in August 2006.
Visitors weren’t allowed up near the main fountains, and
the old decorative containers and sculptures were in sad shape.
Most foot traffic went around the edges beneath trimmed trees,
though visitors could sit on the lawn during special events
such as the annual 4th of July fireworks and fountains show.

After visiting other gardens, we walked back through the Fountain Garden.
It was nearly 5:00 pm. Here are several last, lovely looks.

Thanks for stopping by!

©Elouise Renich Fraser, 29 June 2017
Photos taken by DAFraser, 27 June 2017, August 2006 and June 2015
Response to WordPress Daily Prompt: Sunny

7 Comments

June 28, 2017

Sunny Day Photos at Longwood

Yesterday was spectacular, so we took off after lunch for an afternoon at Longwood Gardens. The newly renovated Italian Water Garden opened several weeks ago. Besides that, we hadn’t seen other areas of Longwood this season. Here’s a teeny tiny taste, with more to follow in a later post.

The eye of water at the top has been dry as a bone while renovation of the Water Garden was under way. It’s always a cool shady refuge. Quiet, with benches all around, and the sound of water spilling over into a creek rushing down to a waterfall that drops from the bell tower to a pool below.

We crossed the creek and walked by towering trees to the bell tower.
The giant trunk below is a dawn redwood.

Just beyond the bell tower above you can see stairs going
down from the Conservatory into the new Italian Water Garden.
The photo below was taken from the Bell Tower–
our first peek at the Water Garden from a distance.

Now we’re headed downhill from the Bell Tower to ground level.
On the way, we go through a shady wooded area.

Here we are at ground level behind the main fountains.
We’re going to go up the stairs for a close-up view of the main show!.
Note the small water fountain in the courtyard,
and the elevator tower just left of the stairway.

It’s 3:00 in the afternoon, time for water music and a brief water show.
Here are a few more photos taken from the viewing platform.
First, directly below us, looking toward the Conservatory.
Second, a look back at the Bell Tower.
Finally, I think the gentleman with the keys is checking out
music/water display coordination.

Stay tuned for more Longwood photos!

© Elouise Renich Fraser, 28 June 2017
Photos taken by DAFraser, 27 June 2017
Response to WordPress Daily Prompt: Sunny

14 Comments

June 2, 2017

Longwood’s Garden Benches | Photos

The WordPress Prompt for today is Brassy, not one of my favorite words, given its history of being used in negative or derogatory ways. Nonetheless, in the photo above you see a ‘brassy’ cat! Note that she’s gorgeous, beautiful and calm. Also content and independent-minded. With a coat the color of a gleaming brass tuba or trombone. Enough said.

It’s Friday, time for more photos of Longwood’s garden benches. D took most of them over the last few years. In the top photo above, we’re sitting with one of three Garden cats, looking back at the promenade that leads to the Conservatory and Café.

Sturdy, tasteful garden benches line the promenade,
with plenty of room for wheelchairs.

Here’s another angle on the promenade and its benches,
taken in warmer weather from beneath a huge copper beech.

The Meadow Garden is a favorite during late Spring, Summer and Fall. A handful of benches and a few covered pavilions line the edges of the meadow. Here’s an example of a rustic bench, followed by what you might see if you’re sitting on this bench, looking back across the meadow. Notice the cool, shady garden benches at the edge of a wooded area.

Here’s another set of two.
In the first we have a well-behaved gentleman named D
sitting on one of those shaded benches,
along with a photo of the view from this bench in later Spring.

There’s nothing like the café after an hour or two of walking or hiking through the meadow. Below you’ll see outside seating followed by indoor seating in one of three café dining rooms with views of the gardens. You can also be seated in the upper-priced restaurant. We almost always choose the cheaper café with its healthy and unhealthy options. Something for everyone!

The Gardens have public restrooms in three strategic areas–the Visitor’s Center, the Café and Restaurant area, and the Conservatory. Even though you may not be in dire distress, I highly recommend a visit to the Conservatory restrooms. These are by far the most spectacular public restrooms I have ever visited. Imagine restrooms so beautiful you can’t resist taking a photo. And the garden benches? They’re behind the doors, at least one behind each door, plus lots of room, a beautiful sink and mirror. You’ll think you’re royalty!

Following are other indoor options for sitting and enjoying the fragrance, sound of water, an occasional musical concert from the side hall, or happy shrieks from children exploring the Children’s Garden. You might have to look closely to spot the seats.

One last promenade photo taken on my birthday, two years ago. We’d just spent the day exploring the meadow and Conservatory, and are on our way to the Visitor’s Center (far left corner) before heading home.

I hope your weekend brings unexpected beauty and delight!

Elouise ♥

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Category: Just for Fun

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Video | July 20, 2017

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