Memorial Day

 

This Memorial Day I’ll be thinking of my late father and all the men and women who have served, and are serving in our armed forces. They put their lives at risk for us. They’re heroes, and they should never be forgotten.♥

Before my father was in the Coast Guard he was a Navy man. He was on a Navy ship in Pearl Harbor when it was attacked…he survived that attack, otherwise I would not be writing this today.

My father (George) passed away 3 1/2 years ago, he’s laid to rest at the Veteran’s National Cemetery in Bourne, Ma (Cape Cod).

 

When my father was first laid to rest in this beautiful field of rolling green grass, it was relatively empty. I went to visit it a few weeks back with my mom and sisters and we were astounded by all the very young men who have now surrounded dad. It made us weep as some were only 19 and 20 years old. My father has lived a very long life, but these young men just started theirs. We said a prayer and told our dad it was his duty to take care of these young men.

Pictured below is my husband when he was in the Army stationed over in Korea.

Please stop and say a prayer this weekend for these courageous men and women who serve our beautiful country. ♥

“Semper Paratus”

“Random acts of Kindness”

We don’t talk enough about the kindness of strangers. I was quite surprised to receive something in the mail this week from someone whom I’ve never met, I just happened to be Tracy’s 200th follower on her blog, check it out.

http://prairiepatch.blogspot.com/

She sent me some primitive rag balls, clothespins and these wonderfully scented soaps…wow!

♥ Random acts of Kindness ♥

 

With all of this beautiful weather the sunflowers that my daughter has seeded are sprouting! Soon they will be planted in the garden.

I have 2 favorite flowers, sunflowers & hydrangeas, I never tire looking at these.

 

Flowers are just simply beautiful!

The next best thing to having apple cobbler is having a candle that smells like one! No calories here!

 

Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend!

Blessings, Bonnie

Cape Cod…Seashells by the Seashore & a little “chowdah” to go with it!

 I love Cape Cod, it’s where I lived for many years growing up. The sounds of the ocean and the smell of the salt air bring me much…

The silent beaches and the calm waters of Nantucket Sound…

remind me of my late father. My father was the captain of the USCG Nantucket Lightship back in the 50’s, it sailed the waters off of Nantucket Sound warning ships of hidden shoals. The lightship below sat on my parents mantle next to a Nantucket basket, like a beacon on a stormy night it was always there.

 

 

I love to feel the warm sand between my toes…

and the

rushing water as it swirls by my feet, pulling my feet deeper into the sand.

 

Seashells are like jewels from the sea, each one unique and special. I can’t resist picking them up, feeling them, and slipping them into my pocket to take home. A few months later…I feel a lonely shell in my coat pocket, and I remember…

 

 The sounds of the seagulls cawing in the distance and the gently rolling waves, brings me to a hypnotized state of solitude & peace.

 

 

Charming saltbox homes with their weathered look dot the landscape. They’re so quaint…

   Taking a peaceful stroll down on the boardwalk at sunset is a nightly ritual at Bass Hole in Yarmouth Port, MA.

 

 

My favorite beach on the Cape to visit is on Wing Island in Brewster, MA. A short hike on a wooded trail, over the marshes, leads you out to a beautiful secluded beach. The best time to visit this beach is at low tide, you can walk the tidal flats for what seems like miles to get to the waters edge, but that’s half the fun!

 

 

 

Cape Cod will always be home to me~

 

 ~*~

“Chowdah”

New England Clam “Chowdah” as we say here in our neck of the woods, is one of my all time favorite things to make. I don’t know why, but I tend to make it more in the summer. I love a good cup of thick hearty Chowder, the thicker the better! This recipe I found over 10 years ago, and it’s a no fail recipe. Are you enticed yet? You don’t need fresh clams for this one, which is why I like it. If you live in an area that doesn’t readily have fresh seafood, trust me, this is almost just as good.

New England Clam Chowder

2 slices lean bacon

1 medium onion, diced

4 Tbs. all-purpose flour

3 cans (6.5oz each) minced clams, juice drained & reserved

1 bottle (8oz.) clam juice

1 cup sodium reduced chicken broth

2 medium red-skinned potatoes, cubed

1 bay leaf

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. dried thyme

1 cup half & half

1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper

In a large saucepot, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon, drain on paper towels, crumble and set aside. Cook onion in bacon fat for 5 minutes, until soft. Add flour to pot and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Pour reserved clam juice, chicken broth, potatoes, bay leaf, salt and thyme into pot; bring to boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and cook about 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Stir in half & half, clams, bacon and cayenne pepper. Simmer to heat through. Remove bay leaf and serve.

Enjoy!

Blessings, Bonnie