Ashley River Park 8 '22

I've mentioned a couple of times that our new home is located near

 one of the Ashley River Parks.

It is one of the newest  Parks in the Ashleley River Park System and provides an impressive set of recreational offerings available to the public.

Unlike the first Ashley River Park we visited , Boating is not a major focus of this park.

While there is a boat launch on the premise, 

most of the facilities are not watercraft oriented.

There is a large childrens play ground bordered by picnic shelters on each side  so that the young ones can burn off some energy, while their parents relax in the shade.

Much of the equipment is state of the art in terms ofphysical education.  I swear a four-year-old could  safely train to compete for American Ninja Warrior  in this play ground.

There is also a splash park to help the kids cool off during

 our hot and muggy Southern Summer months.

(and may to keep them from trying to cool off in one of the larger fishing ponds).

Of course, there are  also  some spots set aside for the fur babies,

both large and small.

For more mature residents, the park has a  concert stand

 that surrounded by a huge lawn which  can accomodate a huge audience.

Beyond the concert area, is a huge freshwater fishing pond

with lots of docks for fishing. It's all catch an release of, course, 

but try to tell that to this guy , 

or any of the osprey that are buidling nests in the man-made

 Osprey nesting stands adjacent to the ponds.

And of course like all  of the Ashley River parks, there are miles  of walking trails

both through the park,

 and continuing on along the banks of the Ashley River to the next park in the series.

Celebrating Day 6 of Sukkot: 10 '20

 Today was the 6th day of Sukkot

We are still celebrating this Jewish Holiday by eating all of our meals  inside our Sukkah, and reciting the traditional prayers in Hebrew*

Bruce has always told me I would love celebrating Sukkot.  I don't know what took me so long, but I wish I had listen to him sooner. Our Sukkah feel like such a sanctuary of  peace in these troubled  times.  Even our cats love hanging out within it's  tranquil walls.

* The book Bruce is holding is  notebook I made, called,

"The Book of Sukkot."  

It contains a lot of reference material I collected about the art, history, stories,  and  cultural traditions of Sukkot celebrations around our world, along with all of  the holiday's mandated prayers and  rituals.  

Bruce was using it to read the evening Blessings in Hebrew.

First Evening of Sukkot: 10 '20

It is the first evening of Sukkot, and dinner has been served

We are having lamb chop, a steamed artichoke, cous-cous with fresh herbs,  and a compote of spiced apples, raisins, and dates.

After the meal, Bruce did some  COVID safe socializing by emailing friends  his wishes for their having a  "Happy Sukkot" or "Chag Sameach!

Celebrating Rosh Hashanah Evening II: 9 '20

After spending the entire afternoon listening to prayers in Hebrew on a virtual Rosh Hashana service, Bruce was more than happu to participate a private celebration of Rosh Hashanah at home this evening. 

Today's celebration was similar to yesterday's

but with different foods.

I'd made a fresh loaf of Rosemary Challah

(which tasted wonderful with honey).

The main course was a Sephardic dish of chicken sofrito

( Roasted seasoned chicken thighs) )

Appertizers of Apples with honey, pomegranite, and gefilte fish,

and side dishes of 

rice with broccoli

and roasted varietal potatoes

( sweet, white and red potatoes)

Plus Apple pie for desert. 

If this High-Holiday lasted much longer,

we'd both be atoning for gluttony. 

Celebrating Rosh Hashanah 5780, First evening: 9 '20

This Friday evening marks the first night of the two day Jewish high-holiday of Rosh Hashanah 5780.   

We celebrated  the holiday with a review of the significance or its rituals,  followed by  traditional High holiday meal

I spent the day cooking traditional Jewish delicacies which included:

Apple Challah Bread 

and a loaf of  Braided Challah 

Quinioa stuffed tomatoes with goat cheese

Tzimmes

Which Bruce has  now decided is is favorite  root vegetable dish. 

( Link to recipe incuded at end of this post*)

and of course roasted lamb, honey, and and wine.

I informed Bruce that we should dress for the  evening

and he happily complied

Actually, thats not quite accurate,  

it's more like sorta complied

SIGH

Some people never change!) 

But, all things considered it was a beautiful and joyous evening.

*Tzimess recipe available at: 

 https://www.thespruceeats.com/roasted-simanim-tzimmes-4082889

Honda's a wash out: 9"20

 As a follow on to my post of September 9 about Bruce's Honda  getting stuck in a  puddle at the entrance to our street, our trusted mechanic tells us that all the electronics are ruined  and the vehicle is no longer safe to drive.  He advised Bruce to sell it for parts.  Needless to say Bruce is not a happy camper.  Even so one look at the waterline on the rear and sides of the vehicle, says just how deep the water was.

Even 5 days later there is still  standing water inside the car

Both the back and front seats are covered with muck from how high the water rose inside the vehicle.

Sadly, there is little we can do but  retrieve the few  personal items we had in the vehicle's trunk,  and start calling salvage yards to find one which will take the car from our mechanic's yard.

Honda's Flooded: 9' 20

 

Bruce's car got stuck in deep puddle caused by a low spot on one of the roads in our community. The water was deep enough it stalled the engine and flooded the interior of his car. He had to have it towed to a repair shop. Fingers crossed they can get the engine to turn over again once it dries out.

Garlic Sage Rustic Loaf: 8 ' 20

My latest loaf of rustic bread is garlic sage flavored.

The smell of it baking was so mouthwatering we couldn't wait for it to cool and tore off some big hunks to slather with butter while it was still hot. Paired with homemade cream of aspargus soup it made a delicious lunch.

BJ's favorite Breakfast

 This is what happens when it is BJ's turn to make us breakfast.

He makes us a full-on Country-style breakfast with 

 chicken fried steak, hashbrowns, country gravy 

and  buttermilk drop bisquits ( my contribution).

BJ's Hawaiian Poke

  Bruce made us a delicious fresh  Hawaiian Ahi Poke for dinner tonight.

Bruce and The Hammer of Thor

Bruce says this proves that he has been deemed 

worthy enough to hold Thor's hammer.

Tom Yum for Dinner

Bruce made us a vegetarian Tom Yum Soup for dinner.

It was a perfect  meal for a hot summer evening.

Cats have a new maze to play in: 7 2020

  

 It's been a long time since we have shared out home with young  energetic cats and our new kitties seem a bit bored with chasing toy balls and laser lights.  I decided to make them a maze where they could practice their  hunting skills to find hidden treats.

I've been collecting cardboard boxes for the past month

I reinforced all the edges and sealed the flaps with strapping tape. then  cut holes in some of the sides so that the cats could pass from one box to another.

The boys helped me check that each box would  bear their weight 

 and test each  opening to make sure it was large enough for them to pass through .

Yesterday, I  started assembling the components on either side of my computer console.

I added a enclosed box bridge behind the monitor to  connect the two parts of the maze on either side of the desk.  from there they can hop to their window napping platforms  on adjacent wall, or leap  onto to their cat tower on the opposite wall.

It's not pretty ..YET  but I have plans to paint and a lot more embellishments to come. 

  The boys  have wasted no time checking out every corner  of the basic model

 both inside and out 

 and

THEY LOVE IT.