Jay Leno Hospitalized

I've said before that I'm a Tonight Show fan. I love Jay Leno.

I've just heard that he's checked himself into a Los Angeles, California hospital and canceled the taping of Thursday night's show. Jay is a workaholic, never taking time off for vacations. This is his first "sick" day in 17 years! He'd rather do stand-up when given time off. I pray that he recovers.

Happy Birthday, Shakespeare!

William Shakespeare influenced the language we speak far more than most realize. Here's a listing of things you've heard and spoken, perhaps without realizing that Shakespeare penned it first. A few from that list:

The course of true love never did run smooth
Off with his head!
The green-eyed monster
A blinking idiot
A dish fit for the gods
A pound of flesh
A sorry sight
A spotless reputation
A tower of strength
Good riddance
Too much of a good thing
What the dickens

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Joy at Cupid's Charm is hosting a Blogging party, and I'm going. Click here to find out if it's a good idea for you.

Outdoor Wednesday - Jatropha Bush

Susan is the gracious hostess for Outdoor Wednesday. Participants post pictures of anything that they might find outdoors. If you'd like to join in, click here for instructions.

This spot is right outside of my kitchen window. Clearly, something needed to be done. We tried one small tree, but the yard man whacked it once too often with the weed whacker. Johnny put this ring of bricks around it. Unfortunately, it was too late to save the tree. 

Andres, my granddaughter's boyfriend, came over to help. First, he had to hack out the dead thing. You can see the double kitchen window. That's where the breakfast table sits.


Next, Andres planted a jatropha plant that we bought from a local nursery and filled it in with mulch. The Jatropha is a tropical shrub or small tree with beautiful red flowers that grow in a cluster.

Here's a close up of the blossoms. I just love this plant/tree.


From inside the house, I can just see the red flowers peeking over the edge of my window as I sit at the table sipping my morning coffee.  This wonderful plant will bloom almost all year.

Easy Way to Peel a Potato

Remember Mary Ann, played by Dawn Wells from Gilligan's Island? She's a spokesperson for Idaho potatoes now, and she has the best tip for easy peeling. This is quick; it only takes 1:34 to watch.



I wish that I had known about this thirty years ago. Peeling the cooked potato is the least desirable part in making potato salad. It should work for mashed potatoes too.

Blue Monday - Bye, Bye Blue

It's Blue Monday! To participate:

1. Post about something blue on your blog. It can be pretty, ugly, funny, old, or new as long as it's blue. Leave a link to this blog on your post.

2. Place the Blue Monday button on the top of your post so that people can easily spot it. Place another Blue Monday button on the sidebar of your blog.

3. Return here and link in with Mr. Linky by leaving your name and the Permalink to your post. To create a Permalink, click on your Blue Monday post title and copy all the stuff in the http window. It is a longer address so that people can find your post even later in the week--whenever they get a chance to visit. For those who just can't wait, Mr. Linky will be up after midnight!

4. Visit other Blue participants by clicking on their links. Make someone's day; leave a comment. I appreciate those who leave a comment for me.

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Once upon a time, my office had blue wallpaper with a blue border that coordinated with the valence which has blue bands. Even the blinds are blue. I was a happy camper, but time and little grandchildren made for some rough places on this wallpaper. It was time for it to go!





We hired three men to strip off the wallpaper and paint the room a neutral tan. However, you know that I'm really not saying good-bye to all my blue. Notice the many touches of blue around: picture, books, basket.



I don't know why flashes make for funny colors, but this shot above is not the true color.


This final shot is the true color. It's Benjamin Moore AC-31 hot spring stones. I like it, but I already miss my gorgeous blue wallpaper.

Blue Monday Participants

1. Mary @Boogieboard Cottage 2. Kathleen M 3. Barb~Bella Vista 4. m 5. Elizabeth 6. Susan 7. Lana G! 8. Marie\'s Marche 9. ellen b 10. Susan@thoughtsfromovertherainbow 11. Kady 12. Kathy b 13. Carrie - Oak Rise Cottage 14. Marjorie Molly\'s country memories homeplace 15. Fifi Flowers 16. Chandy 17. NicoleB Hungary 18. Terry 19. Libby Twirl&Taste 20. Gloria 21. Christine (xinex)

22. Anne Fannie 23. CJ @ Pro Artz 24. Barbara Jean 25. sylvia extra from Villa Extra 26. Linnea 27. Gemma, Australia 28. Serenata in England 29. Sandi 30. Ruby 31. marsha 32. Debra Kaye 33. Mojo, NC, USA 34. Becky K. 35. bj 36. Crystal 37. Beverly 38. Vikki 39. Tea 40. Jeanne 41. Baba 42. Carrie @ Being Domestic

43. Margaret 44. Leigh from Tales from Bloggeritaville 45. ANN 46. Tam @ The Gypsy\'s Corner 47. Candy 48. Sandi 49. Knitty 50. Shirls Rose Cottage 51. ~Theresa~ 52. ValerieKC 53. Charlotte 54. Black eyed susans kitchen (white wicker) 55. Katrina~ 56. Jane (Blondie) 57. charli and me 58. Cindy 59. Cathy @ The Stylish House 60. Karen ~Georgia Angel 61. Helen 62. Cass at That Old House 63. Tink *~*~*

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