Just for Fun

“The true character of a person (or tree) is not seen on the surface, but revealed in what lies beneath.”After publishing my Fun Fact Friday article about the Eastern White Oak, my friend Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Real Estate Svcs., suggested that I should feature the Black Oak next. After all, we certainly would not want anyone to think this series was showing favoritism of race! Of course, trees don't concern themselves with such nonsense. Her comment made me laugh and gave me an excellent idea for our next tree.The Eastern black oak has an interesting story of its own. Its nearly black outer bark conceals a bright yellow or orange inner bark that was once used to make an important commercial dye. It feeds and shelters wildlife, supports hundreds of insects, and provides stron... 09/04/2026

Book Recommendation: Topped Chef by Lucy BurdetteTopped Chef (2013) is book number three of the Key West Food Critic Mystery novels by author Lucy Burdette (Roberta Isleib). I recommend this series for your reading pleasure. Click on the link to reach the website to learn more about the author and her books. Hayley Snow loves her job as the food critic for Key Zest magazine, tasting the offerings from Key West’s most innovative restaurants. She’d rate her life four stars, until she’s forced into the spotlight…and another murder investigation.Hoping for some good publicity, Hayley’s boss signs her up to help judge the Key West Topped Chef contest. Stakes are high as the winner could be the next cooking-show superstar. Hayley shows up for the filming nervous but excited, until she sees wh... 09/04/2026

Massachusetts vs. Washington: Innovation, Coastal Trade and the Future Economy Content Summary Massachusetts and Washington sit on opposite coasts, yet they share remarkably similar economic DNA. Both states are recognized as innovation powerhouses, home to world-class universities, thriving technology industries, and globally connected ports that link American businesses to international markets. Massachusetts built its economy around maritime trade, higher education, biotechnology, and research. Washington combined Pacific trade, aerospace leadership, and a modern technology sector that includes some of the world's most influential companies. Today, both states rank among America's most educated and innovation-driven economies. From Boston and Cambridge to Seattle and Bellevue, talent... 09/06/2026

This quick, cozy meal delivers all those familiar pizza flavors without making—or ordering—a crust. It’s inexpensive, packed with protein and fiber and ready in about 15 minutes. Better yet, it uses ingredients you may already have in your pantry.   Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Beans—A 15-Minute Dinner! I’ll admit it: Pizza Beans may not be the most appetizing recipe name I’ve ever heard. In fact, when I first saw it, my reaction was something along the lines of, “Pizza…what now?” But then I watched this recipe come together--creamy white beans simmered in garlicky marinara, topped with mozzarella and pepperoni, then broiled until everything becomes golden, bubbly and irresistible—suddenly, pizza beans made perfect sense!! This quick, cozy meal delivers all those familiar pizza flavors withou... 09/03/2026

Hero Quote: "I shall not hesitate to do my duty." — Attributed to Caesar Rodney's spirit of service during the fight for independence Content Summary Caesar Rodney was born in Delaware in 1728. He became a respected public servant and political leader. In July 1776, he rode overnight to Philadelphia. His vote helped secure Delaware's support for independence. He signed the Declaration despite serious personal risks. Rodney later served as Delaware's President. His legacy remains a powerful example of duty and courage.Who was Caesar Rodney?Caesar Rodney was a Delaware statesman, military leader, and Declaration of Independence signer. He is best known for his dramatic overnight ride to Philadelphia in July 1776 to cast Delaware's crucial vote for independence.Why did Caesar Rodney sign ... 09/05/2026

Trivia question answers for Saturday August 29, 20261. What does VHS stand for? Video Home System2. A group of herring is called a what? An Army3. What unit is used to measure electric current? Ampere4. What is Charlie Chaplin's most popular character?  The TrampTrivia questions for Sunday August 30, 20261. In which country was the Wankel engine, also known as a rotary engine invented?2. What is the complimentary color of red?3. Which metal is liquid at room temperature?4. What color diamond is produced if it contains traces of boron?Enjoy your day. 08/30/2026

Good morning!Since the Bronco game started in the evening in Denver, I had to watch it Saturday morning here.  Sure was a good pre-season game, and the boys are looking pretty darned good!   Can't wait to see the Chiefs/Broncos game on 9/14!I did Google to see if they air American games anywhere here in Quarteira, but they usually don't.   Even if they did, they wouldn't have the sound on, as everyone else would want to hear the soccer game.I have 4 huge windows in my dining/reading room and finally found a squeegee, so I washed the windows inside and out yesterday.   We don't have screens here, but the window panes open from both sides.   Not exciting hanging out from the 3rd floor, but clean windows are SO nice.   When I first moved in, I had to clean them, as the birds had "left thei... 08/30/2026

Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Beans—A 15-Minute Dinner!I’ll admit it: Pizza Beans may not be the most appetizing recipe name I’ve ever heard. In fact, when I first saw it, my reaction was something along the lines of, “Pizza…what now?”But then I watched this recipe come together--creamy white beans simmered in garlicky marinara, topped with mozzarella and pepperoni, then broiled until everything becomes golden, bubbly and irresistible—suddenly, pizza beans made perfect sense!!This quick, cozy meal delivers all those familiar pizza flavors without making—or ordering—a crust. It’s inexpensive, packed with protein and fiber and ready in about 15 minutes. Better yet, it uses ingredients you may already have in your pantry.Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza BeansPrep Time: 5 minutesCook Time: 10 minutesServing... 08/29/2026

Watch History Come to Life at Oconee State ParkIf you are looking for something a little different to do in September, head to Oconee State Park in Mountain Rest for the 2026 blacksmith gathering.The Philip Simmons Artist Blacksmith Guild is scheduled to be at the park September 11–13, 2026, with public demonstrations during the weekend.Visitors can watch traditional blacksmithing techniques in action, including heating, hammering, shaping, and forge welding metal much the way craftsmen did generations ago.The public program, Hinges and Heritage, is scheduled for:Saturday, September 12 — 9:00 AM to 5:00 PMSunday, September 13 — 9:00 AM to 12:00 PMThe demonstrations focus on traditional work such as forging strap hinges and showing how useful hardware was once made by hand.Oconee State P... 08/29/2026

Boomers May Not Outnumber Every Other Generation—But We DO Dominate Real Estate! Kathy Streib’s recent post reminded me why I steer clear of “Senior Day” at the grocery store—it always seems to be the busiest shopping day of the week in Charlotte! One look at those crowded aisles and checkout lines, could easily convince you that Baby Boomers outnumber everyone else in America. Naturally, that sent me searching for the actual numbers!I recently heard that, for the first time in history, Baby Boomers outnumber every other generation in the United States. It certainly sounded believable—we are called the Baby Boom generation, after all!But it isn’t quite accurate.Millennials are currently the largest living generation in the United States, with approximately 74 million people. Baby Boomer... 08/29/2026

I have seen fruit salad dressed up every which way, but this may be the first version that made me want to applaud the melon baller! LOL “Dot fruit salad” has been making the rounds on social media and the idea is wonderfully simple: turn colorful summer fruit into pretty little spheres, toss them together and suddenly an everyday fruit bowl looks ready for a party.   RECIPE: Honey-Lime Dot Fruit Salad The Viral Summer Salad That’s Almost Too Pretty to Eat I have seen fruit salad dressed up every which way, but this may be the first version that made me want to applaud the melon baller! LOL “Dot fruit salad” has been making the rounds on social media and the idea is wonderfully simple: turn colorful summer fruit into pretty little spheres, toss them together and suddenly an everyday fru... 09/02/2026

Celebrating 50 in Ecuador: Quito, Galápagos & a Trip I’ll Never Forget!Turning 50 deserved something special, and for me, there was no better way to celebrate than doing one of the things I love the most: traveling and discovering a new part of the world.This birthday took us to beautiful Ecuador, including Quito and the incredible Galápagos Islands.But this trip had an extra special meaning for us. My husband’s mother was from Ecuador, yet he had never had the opportunity to visit the country himself. Being there together gave the trip a beautiful family connection and made the experience even more meaningful.We started our adventure in Quito, where we enjoyed the city, the mountains, the views and, of course, the food! Ecuadorian food was absolutely delicious, and throughout the trip ... 08/29/2026

Nerdin Gardens: In A Pickle The back yard garden is producing more than I can keep up with, so I decided to take an assortment of cherry tomatoes, 6 varieties of peppers, red onion, garlic, dill and a diverse amount of spices and pickle them. While making the brine, it permeated the kitchen in such a good way. When it was simmering on the stove top, I cut the onions, peppers, thinly sliced the garlic, then packed the jars with the medley.  Several of the peppers 'hearted' me while preparing them for the mixture. The feelings are reciprocated. Mike and I have been so very thankful and grateful for the many harvests that Nerdin Gardens has produced.  Carefully, pouring the hot liquid into the clean, sterilized jars, I then sealed with a top and metal band, allowing them to cool and put th... 08/29/2026

Most evenings I enjoy watching the local Philadelphia weather to see what is up for the next few days or week. And in every forecast there is a report for the Philly area as well as the Jersey shore and the Poconos. Where I live in Delaware County, it is a hop skip and a jump to get to the Atlantic Ocean or to the Pocono Mountains. Both directions roughly just under 2 hours. So the summer months in Delaware County and around the county offers a variety of things to do and places to visit.Delaware County itself offers many things to do in the summer months, such as:-Getting fresh produce from Farmers’ Markets across the county. From the Media Farmer’s Market, Linvilla Orchards, Wolff’s Apple House, Lansdowne Farmers, local CSA’s, to name a few.-Enjoying places to refresh and cool down du... 08/29/2026

"A person's worth in this world is estimated according tothe value they put on themselves."~French Writer, Jean De La BruyereYour action for today is to identify what personality trait you value most about yourself.Design An Extraordinary Day!☮💜I work 100% By Referral And Focus My Energy on The 5 Circles of Life!My wonderful team is coached by the #1 businesscoaching company in North America:Buffini & Company...I'm also a 🥷Ninja Selling student for over 26 years! 08/29/2026

Trivia question answers for Friday August 28, 20261. First marketed in 1952 as Preamer was a brand of instant what? Creamer2. What is the second largest continent? Africa3. What figure in Greek mythology was tricked into holding the sky? Atlas4. What is the only muscle in the human body not attached at both ends? TongueTrivia questions for Saturday August 29, 20261. What does VHS stand for?2. A group of herring is called a what?3. What unit is used to measure electric current?4. What is Charlie Chaplin's most popular character? Enjoy your day. 08/29/2026

RECIPE: Honey-Lime Dot Fruit Salad The Viral Summer Salad That’s Almost Too Pretty to Eat I have seen fruit salad dressed up every which way, but this may be the first version that made me want to applaud the melon baller! LOL “Dot fruit salad” has been making the rounds on social media and the idea is wonderfully simple: turn colorful summer fruit into pretty little spheres, toss them together and suddenly an everyday fruit bowl looks ready for a party.Of course, I had to give it my Prime Recipes twist. This version gets a light honey-lime dressing and plenty of fresh mint—just enough to brighten the fruit without making it too syrupy or overly (if that's a word??!!) sweet. It is refreshing, easy to make and perfect for a late-summer brunch, cookout or potluck. The hardest part may be ... 08/28/2026

Exploring the annals of history is always a fascinating journey, offering glimpses into the significance of various dates. Here are a few intriguing historical tidbits to dive into this week.THIS WEEK IN HISTORY♦ 2014: On Sept. 3: CVS Pharmacy became CVS Health and stopped selling cigarettes.♦ 2008: The U.S. government announced it would take control of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac on September 7, a huge moment in the unfolding financial crisis.♦ 2006: On September 4: The world lost one of television's most recognizable personalities, Steve Irwin, “The Crocodile Hunter.” He died at age 44 after being struck by a stingray while filming off Australia's Great Barrier Reef.♦ 1998: Mark McGwire hits home run #62 on Sept. 8, breaking a 37-year-old record.♦ 1998: On September 4: Google was incor... 09/03/2026

El Arroyo stands as an iconic Austin gem, renowned for crafting the finest hand-squeezed margaritas and serving up delectable Black Angus beef tacos, among a plethora of other Tex-Mex delights, since 1975!Situated at the corner of West 5th and Campbell, this local favorite boasts a quirky marquee that captures attention. Daily, the billboard transforms with a fresh pun, spanning the spectrum of wit and humor, making it a delightful fixture at the heart of Austin's culinary scene. The laughter doesn't stop there, they share these puns on Instagram, drawing in admirers like our very own Kathy Streib, and Debe Maxwell, CRS, is also in on the fun. In a world where a daily chuckle is a necessity, following El Arroyo's Instagram for the latest pun is a shared joy.Wishing you endless smiles! H... 09/04/2026

This Week…An Adult Treat The first time I had this desert/beverage, I thought I’d died and gone to heaven.  It was served at Bud Bigelow's in Houston, which just happened to be next to the apartment I lived in. Sadly, Bud’s is no longer there. This Brandy Freeze is the frozen version of a Brandy Alexander.  However, the recipe I was given is a bit different from what you’d find in Cyberville.  Although I rarely drink alcohol anymore, I would never turn this drink down. (or champagne!) Brandy Freeze 1 pint coffee ice cream (2cups)3/8 oz(little less than 1 TBL.) crème de cacao3/8 oz.  Drambuie3/8 oz. Cointreau (Grand Marnier)2 oz. (4TBL) brandyMix in blender.  Store in the freezer till ready to serve.   Or: for larger batches:½ gallon coffee ice cream1 ½ oz cream de cacao1 ½ oz. Drambuie1... 08/29/2026