Sign to entrance of Longwood Gardens, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

If I didn’t follow this road (ok, there is another road, but I mainly use this one), you wouldn’t see anything from Longwood Gardens!

Snow Birds Collage Card, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

I went for my follow-up doctor’s visit and some things were better and some need to be checked again in 3 months. My thyroid reading was better, and my blood pressure reading was lower, but he didn’t like that I was coughing a lot (I still think from allergies), so he changed my hbp medicine (after almost 5 months). I also got $$ nasal medicine. My blood sugar was 122 a few weeks ago. That isn’t good. My oldest brother has to take medicine for his diabetes and my mom has high fasting blood sugar like me! His main concern for me is to try and lose weight and I am probably going to try the circuit gym that Sean goes to and get over to Longwood for long walks a few times a week. The problem is with me feeling good and being able to exercise, etc. This is why I think I need to see a specialist. I’ll give the above a shot, but I surely have that specialist on my mind too.
My collage was made mostly from pieces from my scrap box. When people who live in cold climates go to Florida, etc. they are called ‘snow birds’. I like that the line of seagull heads says ‘winter’. The ‘real hardbody lobster’ piece is actually a paper napkin ring from ‘The Red Lobster’.
Poor Sean has a cold or sinus issue. He made plans to go to PSU for the weekend and he hopes he can fight his problem so he can go. My mom wanted to come out for a few days, so I hope that happens too.

Garden Visitor Collage Card, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

My friend Barbara is raising chickens and enjoying it so much. If I had more of an interest here, I’d certainly love some fresh eggs every day. We were going to make a hutch for a rabbit we once had, but alas, poor Buster got stuck in a cage his entire life. We use to let him out everyday.
This card gets the main design from a 1951 kids’ reader. I love the ‘vintage’ illustrations and they are fun to add to collages.
Not much new except they had Sean at Wally World at 6:30 am until 3:30 pm. He’s usually there from 3:30 pm to 10:30 pm. He’s not an early bird like his mother. He was feeling like he’s getting a cold and is planning the weekend up at Penn State for their Blue and White game. He was going to take his dad, but if the weather isn’t good, that will be really boring for Brian. Maybe Bri and I can go somewhere instead.
Tomorrow is my follow-up for the bloodwork. Also to see if the hbp med is strong enough. I take my bp on my left and it’s 10-15 points higher than my right arm. I’m a leftie and use that arm a lot!
Off to make Roasted Cauliflower and Chickpea pasta with a few subs. From the Everyday Food magazine. We had a yummy pot roast yesterday and we can certainly go meatless tonight.

Kitty Egg Hunt Collage Card, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

Last night I was looking at one of my favorite magazines-Woman’s World and they had a recipe for baked mac and cheese. Since we are still going meatless for a few more Fridays, I thought I’d make some for tonight. Alas, someone was using the cheddar I had for a chili topper and only left a few tablespoons of cheese. I quickly called Sean and left a message, but he didn’t hear it until 10:30. No one felt like going to the store when they first got up, so we will probably get take out pizza.
Sean had to take my car again as his wasn’t fixed until 4:15 this afternoon. Rats-it was expensive! The guys will pick it up tomorrow.
My dreams of raking and getting the gardens cleaned out vanished with the 45 degree temp and all day rain event and my post nasal drip and cough. I had to take medicine the doctor said not to, but the pharmacist said was ok (I’m going with the later and it doesn’t make me feel weird) and it opened my sinuses. I’m afraid it’s just going to get worse, you know? I have one itchy spot on my throat, and that gets so irritated it tickles and makes me cough.
Tomorrow we are invited to a 12th birthday get-together for my niece Tori. I can’t believe she’s that big already.
The kitty here came from a desk calendar and I decided he was snooping around looking for Easter eggs. I need to snoop around and get more Easter decorations out!
Have a great weekend.

Vintage Rose Collage Card, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

These are the colors of my pal’s refurbished, Victoriana influenced living room-pink and a pretty celery green. I started with the little girl ad and went from there.
Not much going on except that Sean’s car again needed work when he had just taken it in for inspection. It needs a water pump. A few months ago it was a exhaust system repair. He needs to look for another car as this one is now nickel and diming him.
I got my last issue of ‘The Food Network’ magazine in the mail today. I was looking for a chicken recipe and flipped it open and tried the Chicken with Pickle sauce. It was really good. You basically fry up flour dipped s&p seasoned boneless chicken in butter until brown (they should be only about 1/2 inch thick). Take them out of the pan and add one chopped onion and a cup of chicken broth (with thyme) to the pan. The sauce is two egg yolks, 1/2 cup chopped pickles (I used pickle relish) and scallions. Stir that into the onion/broth and do not boil-just let thicken. Add the chicken to warm it again. It’s like fried chicken with a side of deviled eggs.

Popular Swimming Strokes Collage Card, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

I actually started this one a few days back and had embossed it in black also, but the turquoise stood out the best to me. I then found the paper with the wood worn look and the ‘popular swim strokes’ and it all came together.
Speaking of the beach, we usually go to some beach resort every year. Our favorite is Ocean City, MD, which is also where my youngest brother and his family go every year. It would be nice to go down at the same time as them one time.
Sean dropped his car off to get inspected and we jumped in my vehicle to go to the mall for a little birthday shopping for my niece. I got her a few cute things in stores that her mom mentioned she likes. We couldn’t decide what to eat and a restaurant at the end had Fajitas for $9.99 (why don’t they say $10?) so we went in and ordered them. We both got shrimp which were really good.
We dropped off a bag of stuff at the Goodwill and we went in and I got a few books and a little tabletop fountain with chickadees (I think). I was asked if I could take a senior citizen or military discount-gee thanks! ; P