Eat, Swim, Watch a Movie; Repeat

What a plan for 4th of July! 

Celebrate U.S.A.

Wave the flag, sing the Anthem.

Eat, Swim, Watch a movie; Repeat.

Ice Cream Served with Low-Guilt

     What would July be without peach ice cream.
 
     While Marvin and I set out to lose weight, which needed to happen for health and personal preference, now we have incorporated the basics of the diet into our eating habits. I'm one of those who must watch the calorie intake. When the body does not have carbohydrates to burn for energy, the body will burn fat, instead.
       I'm still a sucker for all those foods that jump directly from the plate onto my hips. Conscious of what I'm putting into my mouth, I choose protein to fill the call for food, protein over carbs. Though not a purist, not a paleo proponent, nor a vegetarian, I've become aware of what puts immediate pounds and inches onto my silhouette. Straying from the plan is not in my best interest.
      Atkins calls for strict obedience to low-very low carbs. If you eat carbs, it blows the effect. I casually added pounds with casual consumption of catfish and french fries.
       The holidays that traditionally revolve around delicious culinary treats are my downfall. I'll have to hit the gym and rewind the diet plan after the 4th.
     Splurges exist. Our favorite is Yarnell's Guilt Free Ice Cream. (6 net carbs)
       You might join in on an ice cream splurge with Carb-Smart from Breyers  (4 net carbs).
Either will work for Low-Carb. Smush up some fresh peaches sprinkled with Splenda, blend. Voila! Taste the Summertime Magic

FitBit Bling Promotes Can-Do Attitude

This is my FitBit Flex w/Bling

“Is that your FitBit?”

“Yeah, why?”

“What is that on it? Is that…jewelry?”

“Of course.”

“You’ve got to be kidding. You put jewelry on your FitBit.” 
A statement. Not a question.
“It needed bling. I saw it on Amazon and, well…you know…if it can be dressed up, made a little more feminine, I’ll be all-in.”

 

Map-My-Walk, My FitnessPal, and FitBit Flex have been great for encouragement in keeping steady at an exercise routine. I’m not a gym rat nor am I a runner. I buy jewelry for my FitBit so it will coordinate with my wardrobe when I'm going "out in public."
These conveniences keep me focused on healthy lifestyle, including food choices and sleep habits. Marvin and I report to each other when we reach our goal for the day. He always reaches at least 10,000 steps. I struggle to get in my 5,000 steps per day.

 FitBit Flex will record meals that I enter through the computer but I have to compute the net carbs. It allows me to check my progress to goal.

If I don’t exercise regularly, I’ll absorb every calorie I put into my mouth and they will apply directly to the areas where the poofy is needed the least. Five pounds will morph into ten before I do a set of toe-touches.

With bling, my FitBit is a constant reminder of the lifesyle I need, the sweets I don't need,  and the can-do attitude that always helps.

House Hunters - Bluebird Style

    HGTV programming such as Flip or Flop, Fixer Upper, Property Brothers, and House Hunters are favorites.Imagination plays a role in these programs - the ability to dream what could be and then let the professionals create it from what exists. Imagination and trust!

Photo by Ronda Haney - WOW!

    The bluebird, the one bringing happiness all around, must have a great imagination!
    Two bluebird houses are available at our Woodland Heights Drive address. The property offers plenty of curb appeal and no cats.
   

Bluebird Family in glass - various sizes, including babies

      We've watched bluebirds investigate both potential residences and choose the one just right for them. They fly in and out, checking the layout, the size of the kitchen and master suite. Finally, they choose and build their nest inside and raise a family. Teaching a lesson in partnership, the couple takes turns gathering food and babysitting the little worm-grabbers.

Peep out, little mama! She's in there!

   







We have relocated one of our bluebird houses because we'd positioned it under a huge tree and the families had ignored it for two seasons. Bluebirds must know that cats can climb trees and lurk in recessed areas. Even Property Brothers could not convince them of a potential renovation with the tree being the non-negotiable.
     Tips for positioning bluebird houses suggest direction facing away from direct winds, away from predatory danger for the nest. Just as we human counterparts choose the best neighborhoods we can afford, the best schools available, the safest environment possible for our families, so do our feathered friends.
     Ronda Dooley Haney has captured via photography the beauty of bluebirds, the gorgeous and vivid blue feathers given by the Creator. Her photographs posted on Facebook are phenomenal.

A Good Fish Story

      Just in time for celebrating Finding Dory, today I'm thrilling to the antics of our goldfish and koi. Over the years, we've struggled with water quality in the fish pond because it was first designed as a water feature with potted water plants. Over the years, the plants' containers turned over and the bottom of the pond became a, pardon me, cesspool. A home for anacondas.
     We've babied the pond and worked with it for these eight years, had good years and not so good years. This year, we totally cleaned it out, making a habitat for the fish and vacuuming out the crud.They find cooling shelter under outcroppings of slate and rock: the waterfall adds necessary oxygen to the water. Finally, we're making headway. We have a grand design scheme in the first stage of imagination.

Vacation Bible School at Rector 1st Baptist: Dive In!

     Our pond is about a million times smaller than the koi pond at Garvan Woodland Gardens, but just as entertaining for us.
     We name our koi: Scout, Butterfly, Green-weenie, Dreamsicle, Sugarlips, and our goldfish: had one named Billy Ted Exxon back in the day (now deceased, once belonging to David McAlister), and my favorites (also now gone on to fish heaven) Goldfish named Lucy and the Beta known as Cake (Red Velvet Cake). You get the picture.
     Habitat is so important for fish friends and while many goldfish would make great aquarium additions,we'll give friends several of these robust beauties for their decorative fish ponds. The message of Finding Nemo registered heavily with me.
   Do you name your fish friends? Have you a good fish story to share? Reply on the comments.

Southern Beauties Don't Like to Sweat

        Ladies from the South glow in the Summertime. Ladies do not sweat. And, if they can possibly avoid fanning themselves, they will sit politely and radiate beauty.
        Hydrangeas are the same. They don't mind the heat so much, but they beg to be out of the direct sun for any lengthy period of time. The blue hydrangeas are on the north side of the house where they flourish. We cut back the spent and dried blossoms and lopped off the sticks, so this year, they are vibrant and showy.
        The Small pink hydrangea is three years old and is in the little secret garden at the side door, beside my family heirloom mint stand that has given every home its flavor and protection from mosquitoes. This pink plant graces the plot in front of a decorative iron piece retrieved from an abandoned house in Memphis.In this secluded garden area the plant gets morning sun, but by early afternoon, the area is shaded. This pink plant's blooms will shrivel under excessive heat, perhaps like you, certainly like me.
        Huge multi-petaled hydrangea blossoms love morning light plus shade and water. They, like you or I, would die of heat stroke if subjected to direct sun all day long. They are southern ladies, showy and beautiful, and they don't like to "sweat."
                 Thank goodness for Marvin's magic watering system and the occasional rain.

Pizzazz in Pink

“The pool is open!”

Look who showed up to add more splashes of color to the modest little flower garden! He has a friend who arrives with him each year - birds of a feather, you know. The whimsical pink flamingo arrives like clockwork and gives pizzazz to the Lower Deck. 
It's time to refresh, relax, chill, and swim.

            Swimming is the only sport, other than miniature golf, that I am any good at. I can float like a pro. Very much later in my life, I learned why I can float so well and determined that was not necessarily a skill, but a by-product of female anatomy.

            The crystal clear, sparkling water, water that shimmers and ripples holds summer magic.The once gag-me green water invites a dip.We followed Keith’s Pool Kare procedure.That and a yeoman’s job on vacuuming, and the pool transforms. Today, it called my name. 

            The sun’s rays warm the water to a perfect temperature so all I need is the blue and gold mesh lounger I bought at Leslie’s Pool Supply in Bartlett before we retired. It's on the pool apron in the top photo...adjustable, suitable for relaxing and use as a flotation device when performing kick-laps.

     For color to the area, we added purple, red and fuchsia pinwheel, deep purple petunias to the large terracotta pots around the apron and Marvin’s magic watering system gives them a little drink every morning around 8 AM (and waters the hanging baskets, too). Sarah Geite of Geite Nursery and Landscape sent me a super morning sun cluster flower that has found its happy place.

      
      The sun, the solitude, and the sanctuary offered by this Lower Deck oasis give me a case of summertime smiles. 

       Share your summertime thoughts, favorites in the comments.

       The pool is open.
       Yes, you're invited.