We had our production week over yesterday and afterwards I made my delivery run. I was exhausted last night, but it was worth it since today was all mine! Yay!
The morning started off chilly with lots of sunshine. My garden has been sliding downhill quickly during the month of August.
As the temperature rose I headed outside and began working. I thinned out the beets and turnips I planted over two weeks ago.
I harvested the rest of the beets, eggplant and carrots. I know what mistakes I made that affected the size of produce; I overcrowded everything.
Overcrowding shouldn’t be a problem next year since we added more raised beds to grow more food.
After harvesting I pulled out the plants and threw them into a compost pile. I left the pepper until they all turn red.
I am planning on roasting all the red peppers and storing them in olive oil. I love roasted red peppers and can have them all winter.
Did I mention how much I loved growing food for us to eat??
After lunch, I got out our scarecrow frame and dressed it in clothes that are too big on me now.
I attached my scare girl to the post Marty put up so I could display our birdhouses that were tucked away in the back part of our yard.
I had the idea and knew what it would look like and Marty made my vision come to life again.
I have a lot to write down in my garden journal and I took photos at the beginning and the end of each month to remind me while planning next year’s garden.
I went into the pool to cool down after gardening and jumped in the outdoor shower afterwards. Ah!
The outdoor shower was the best thing Marty built for us this summer. We take showers almost every night before bed.
There are no words for showering under the starry skies and the beautiful moon.
That’s it for now. I’m making Thai green curry chicken and jasmine rice for dinner which is an easy and flavorful meal. Yum!
Hey, happy Friday! Enjoy your holiday weekend guys. ❤️🤍💙
Randomness: the quality or state of lacking a pattern or principle of organization; unpredictability.
The number one thing that people say when they see me, “I love your blog and how random it is.”
My blog is so random that most pieces write themselves, and I am even surprised as the story unfolds.
Before I started my blog back in 2021, I gave a lot of thought as to what kind of blog I wanted to have.
I knew I wanted to write about food and cooking, but I didn’t want to be “just” a food blog.
I wanted to write about my life and what I’m up to. I wanted to share my Julzie things with people.
I never imagined I would use my blog as a therapeutic and healing place to share the fucked up relationship I had with my mother.
Recently, my blog posts have focused on food, gardening, being a witch, my kids, and so forth.
When I finish writing a piece, I’m usually pleased with the direction the post went.
Then sometimes, I let a post simmer overnight and reread it in the morning. When this happens, I usually hit the delete button.
I don’t write for the sake of writing; I write about things that excite me or that inspire me to share something new or interesting.
I love sharing delicious recipes or photos of my garden. And the psychic shit…that comes out of thin air like magic.
I had no plans to write tonight, but after cleaning up after dinner, I got a grin on my face and knew I wanted to write about my complete randomness as a writer.
This meme is so me, one minute I’m cleaning then the next moment and I find something that makes me want to write about it.For instance, finding a mask then writing about belly dancing in a haunted castle, which I haven’t wrote about yet.
Randomness suits me. I have so many random things going on in my life that it would be impossible for me to write about only one subject.
When people open their computers or phones and see that I wrote another piece they wonder what in the hell did she write about today?
Random things like my blog keep my life interesting and fun. Every day is different, and so are the many things I have my hands in.
Did I know where this post was going after I typed the title? Fuck no. I didn’t realize until tonight how random I really am.
Actually, come to think of it, I am unpredictable, just like the definition below the title photo. 😜
I haven’t written a blog post like this in ages, but it finally feels like it’s the right time.
I guess it started in mid-July, I was asked to help move on a newly deceased man who refused to leave his house and was scaring the shit out of his grown kids.
I was able to obtain a lot of information about this case since it’s been an ongoing story that my friend has been concerned about for years.
The tip-off that the guy died in the house was when several ravens were flying over his family’s home, seen by a neighbor who happens to be psychic.
When the neighbor began to smell death coming from inside the house it was time to call the authorities. End of situation; or not.
Bottom line, the stubborn asshole wouldn’t leave the house even though loved ones from the other side tried their best.
After a powerful job of getting this guy to move on with the help of my “big kahuna helpers,” the story doesn’t end here.
After the job was done, I say job but I don’t charge money for services since I was given my gifts to be a spiritual healer or helper.
Usually, I perform the service of crossing over a stuck person for their own good, but in this case, it was for his kids.
Case closed? No. I received a phone call from the psychic neighbor and we chatted at length.
She told me about her raven friends, whom she feeds, and how smart they are. When they visit her, they bring her shiny trinkets.
Interesting! Then, I began seeing ravens everywhere. Online, in newsfeeds, on the cover of a book at a friend’s place, in person, hearing them, seeing images of ravens in the oddest places.
I started finding shiny coins and trinkets in odd places. This is bat shit crazy I must be imaging this is what I thought whenever I found another one.
This morning, I found a shiny dime that was under an old windowsill that Marty was working on for me.
Finally, I decided all of the above were signs. Raven was trying to get my attention which I was avoiding out of fear.
Ravens are bad omens aren’t they? Not always.
In my case, it wasn’t a bad omen, but I had a new power animal who wanted to work with me and had a message for me.
I tried many times to journey to the lower world to see what Raven wanted, but I couldn’t because I was afraid.
The other side won’t let you journey if you are afraid, period. I knew this.
In the spring, I had two conversations with friends of mine about witchcraft. I was worried I was a witch.
I started receiving messages reminding me of what they told me: healers were or are considered witches, and it’s not a bad thing.
One of the friends I spoke with posted this the other night.
I know for sure I promised not to be a bad witch in this lifetime, but I learned a few months ago that I am a good witch.
Listen, I know it’s scary shit that still freaks me out!
Once I came to terms with being a witch is why I always see black cats everywhere just like how I saw ravens everywhere.
Finally, I was allowed to journey to the lower world earlier this week. My life power animal turtle took me to Raven.
During my journey, I was sitting on a large rock with a turtle when Raven swooped down, stood on my knees, and looked me straight in the eyes.
I can always find an image of what I saw in a journey. It’s weird. He doesn’t look kind in this image but it’s how he cocked his head.
I wasn’t afraid, for I saw kindness in his eyes. He kept cocking his head from side to side, looking at me.
He had a short message for me. “It’s time for you to step into your magic.”
I am blessed with extremely powerful gifts. Now was the time to start using those gifts on my own account.
I have always put everyone else first until my transformation after my illness.
Right now, I am healthy and in shape. My ulcerative colitis is in full remission. I have a healthy gut and can dance and walk fast, even up hills and stairs.
I can carry heavy things and have lots of energy thanks to clean eating and not drinking anymore. It’s truly a miracle that I was praying for.
Now is the time for me to use my magic to create what kind of life I want. Hell, I’m already on my way!
Back in June, I decided to honor my witch hood and dress like the kind of witch I am—nothing like the Wicked Witch of the West or Glenda. Lol.
I’ve been working on my witch attire for the last couple of weeks and it’s coming together beautifully.
Are you afraid of me now that I came out of the witches closet? I hope not because I am the same person I’ve been my whole life.
I am a caring, kind giver, a spiritual healer, and a helper. If you are in my circle, I will protect you with everything I’ve got.
I use my powers for good and have never used them for anything bad.
The only thing that happens when someone crosses the line with me is that it ignites my Jersey fire which is not a good thing.
I can cut anyone loose who crosses that line with a mere thought and they don’t exist in my world anymore. Is that magic?
No, it’s having boundaries that took me decades to learn about. My life has little to no drama now which brings me peace.
I set up a new altar in our back room, my creative space. My old altar was up in our office where I seldom go.
Turtle in my abalone shell.
The space feels powerful now. It feels like my true self. Yes, I have a raven on my altar along with turtle since they both belong there.
I used the space that used to be our bar as my new altar. I love it!
It’s always difficult to write pieces like this not because I don’t have the words, it’s not knowing how it will be received by my readers.
I put myself out there and I know I’m not everyone’s cup of tea when it comes to these topics but it is who I really am. ~julz
The definition of bittersweet is a blend of sad and happy feelings. That’s what I was feeling last night at the fair.
We had a family Sunday dinner at our place with Noah, Sam, and Aja on Sunday.
These are the dinners I dreamed of when the boys were young bickering at the dinner table. I honestly never thought we’d have enjoyable dinners.
I’m so happy I was wrong. It took until the boys were fully matured and on the right paths of their lives.
At the table, we talked about going to the Washington County Fair in NY this week. We didn’t go last year because I was so ill.
Well, we went with Noah and Aja last night and it was so much fun! We all looked forward to it all week and the evening turned out spectacular.
As we walked around the fair I would see all of Noah’s favorite places in the fair when he was little. I wasn’t really sad, but I got a little choked up.
We had him as an only child for four years and did everything we could for us to do family things.
Walking around the fair with him for the first time in almost two decades was bittersweet, indeed.
Watching him and Aja walking around together and interacting as two people in love made me so happy.
We had a lot of laughs and a great time, but we stopped going because the fair was pretty boring when just the two of us went.
We went with Sammy a few years ago and it was hot as hell. We had a wonderful time with Sam even though we were running for shade constantly. lol.
I could see in my mind’s eye how excited Noah would get when he saw the tractors. That was all he cared about.
I could still hear him make tractor sounds, and it made me smile from ear to ear. Last night, he said how much he loved sitting on all the tractors.
I loved walking around with Aja and having fun together. We watched the piggy races, which I don’t think she has seen before. It’s so corny, but we all wanted to watch the race.
On our way home from the fair, it was funny listening to them talking about how their feet and backs hurt.
I could imagine going to the fair with my future grandchildren and showing them the animals and farm equipment, just like we did with our boys.
When we looked at crafts for sale for children, I told Aja that I will go broke when we have grand-babies.
I was walking ahead like I always do, thinking last year I would have been unable to walk around at all. I praised God for my second chance at life.
When Marty and I got home, we talked about what an awesome evening it was. I told him my mama heart with so full and happy.
Last night was a special full moon, it was a full blue supermoon and we won’t see another one until 2037.
Did I feel the energy? Hell, yes! I ran around last night and gathered my gemstones, crystal ball, and the most worn bracelets.
I set them up in our back room, where I recently made not an altar but a calming area in my creative spot.
I keep reading about manifesting what you truly want. The sky’s the limit, and so have been. Dreams beyond your wildest dreams. Yes, please.
I have some specific wishes, along with ones that cover protection, wealth of a multitude of things like health and financial freedom.
You aren’t supposed to ask how or question anything. All you need is faith and big dreams.
Yes, some folks will be like dream on kid it, ain’t gonna happen. But what if it did? That’s how faith and hope work.
All you have to do is believe. It’s easier said than done, I know. The key is to already see yourself living that life.
Yes, mainstream people think I am a nut job, but my friends who really know me are sometimes amazed at the magic I can create and what a powerful healer I am.
You have 2 more days to reap the harvest of this full blue supermoon! Dream away!
I’ve wait for a couple of months for this baby to be just right before I picked it tonight.
This is what I love so much about gardening! I watched a tiny pepper pop out of a flower.
I watched the little green pepper grow and grow. Towards the end of July, that green pepper started to turn red.
This made me squeal with delight. I can’t believe how exciting it is to have a garden!
I would update Nelly on how the garden was doing since she was at my feet whenever I was outside.
The month of August has been quite rainy, so rainy in fact that today is the first day I’ve watered my garden since July.
I had my eye on that pepper all week and kept telling myself not yet. I bought some lean ground beef to make stuffed peppers with many peppers I’ve grown.
There are still a couple of half-green and half-red peppers. The great news is that I get to do it all over again—waiting until they are just right!
Behold, the photo above of my pepper that I’m so fucking proud of. She’s a beauty isn’t she?
Last week, a friend of mine, Seline, came over to give us some gardening advice for the fall.
She is an avid gardener and has been growing her own food since her childhood.
She showed me her garden journal, which was not only beautiful but full of information and drawings about her garden year after year.
I spent a long time searching for something that appealed to me. The journal I settled for wasn’t exactly what I wanted but it will do for now. I can keep searching.
I’ve been putting off writing in my new journal. I don’t want to mess it up. I’m planning on using pencil just in case. 😝
As a writer, I write about how things make me feel. This journal is to track and keep information that I can refer back to.
I did a practice page, and of course, I wrote too much. I’m going to have to edit myself constantly, which will be a challenge.
I will have to tell myself what I planted, the weather conditions, problems that may have arose, and how I remedied them each month if I could.
When did I harvest the vegetables and how much did the plants yield. Then I will do the same thing with my perennials and annuals garden beds and containers.
I took a lot of photos of my gardens each month to help me compare next year’s to this year’s.
The joy my gardens gave me each morning, seeing how much things grew overnight, isn’t the place for this journal.
How proud I was every time I picked from the garden and ate what I picked for lunch or dinner that night made me feel so accomplished.
We ate food that I grew felt pretty fucking good, especially with the price of food. Well, that doesn’t go into the journal either.
My plans that I have for a fall crop I will be putting in later this week, well, that goes in for sure.
My wonderful blog, which I enjoy writing and sharing with all of you, is the place for these feelings.
Wish me luck writing down only facts. However, there are spots to draw on, which makes me want to use the lightest pencil I own since, again, I didn’t want to mess up my journal. 😜
The grueling hiring process of working for the company Air Methods didn’t take as long as any of us thought.
Sam was hired as a flight nurse with Lifenet NY with his home base in Fort Ticonderoga, NY.
His home base is 1 1/2 hours from his place in Essex, VT, and here. He will have a day in between his two 24-hour shifts a week, meaning he can go to either place.
Last week, he was flown to Denver to Air Method’s headquarters and trained at the academy. There was a lot to learn.
This past week, Sam was in Bozeman, Montana, like in the show Yellowstone, to attend an outdoor conference called Crash and Learn.
Ugh, I wish it had a different name, but I have learned it’s a crash course in learning from top-flight teams all around the country.
The conference takes place outdoors around a campfire so to speak. All the attendees camped in this beautiful setting.
Sam has kept me in the loop by sending me photos. Marty and I are very proud of how hard he worked, he worked his ass off and is one of the youngest flight nurses in the company.
I am still nervous about Sam’s new job, but we have learned that safety is the company’s number one priority. Safety comes first, period.
I’m looking forward to having him here every once in a while. Marty may see him often since his base is one of the helicopters in this area.
I give my worries away over to God every night about both of my boys so I know they are in good hands. 🙏🏼
I opted not to top my loaf with bananas; I just threw them into the blender. I like banana bread with walnuts, so I added a handful to the batter before I poured it into the pan.
Most banana bread I’ve made in the past had a lot of fat and sugar. To top it off, I put mini chocolate chips in the bread of if I was making it for me kids.
It was super sweet and sometimes greasy on a napkin. Now I realize I was not feeding my boys as well as I thought at the time.
They loved it; who wouldn’t? Noah was a picky eater, so when I found something he liked, I was overjoyed.
The banana bread recipe I tried on Sunday afternoon was outstanding. All the ingredients went into a blender then poured into a loaf pan.
I baked the banana bread for 35 minutes instead of the usual 55-60 minutes. From start to finish in under 45 minutes is wonderful.
The first slice came out of the pan with ease.
After it cooled, I tried a slice, and it was super moist. It wasn’t overly sweet, but it was sweet enough from the bananas and maple syrup in the recipe.
One slice of this banana bread is satisfying and filling. The best part was how the house smelled while it was baking.
This is a great recipe for breakfast with a side of fruit or an afternoon snack with peanut butter.
I ate a slice this morning and it’s still moist and delicious. It’s completely bananas that such a simple and healthy recipe can taste so good!
If you like banana bread, I hope you will try this quick and easy recipe; I don’t think you’ll be sorry. 🍌
We had friends over for dinner last night and I wanted to share with them one of our favorite things we’ve been eating this summer.
This was not your regular old fruit salad, this one was epic!
Since we have been eating clean, I’ve learned to cut up fruit beautifully and appreciate gorgeous seasonal eating.
We’ve eaten more fruit this year than ever before. One of our guests, Lee, commented that this was the most fruit he’d eaten in one sitting.
On the fruit platter, there were peaches, nectarines, cherries, plums, white flesh peaches, prosciutto and melon, chiffonade basil leaves, and burrata cheese drizzled with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
They loved it as much as we did. No, you don’t have to cut your fruit beautifully like I did; that’s just me, and I love doing it—it’s my zen.
It doesn’t matter what your kitchen skill set is; your platter can look like a total mess but will still taste delicious.
If this whets your appetite, run out and get some seasonal fruit and a container of burrata cheese at the grocery store.
Remember the olive oil, salt, and pepper—it’s what makes the dish go from a fruit platter to epic!
As I write this, we are having tea and coffee on the front porch and enjoying a thunderstorm.
Nelly is snuggled on my lap. Living in the moment doesn’t get better than this.
