{Sautéed Kale with Balsamic Reduction}

When I read this recipe of Sautéed Kale with Balsamic Reduction (click it) by Kristianne, of My San Francisco Kitchen, I loved it right away!

So that made for a simple and quick Superfood meal with some brown rice and chicken nuggets.

Related links:
{Tuscan Red Quinoa Salad - Whole Foods Sarasota FL} | previous post by me, using ribbon kale.
{10 Best Foods for Diabetes and Blood Sugar} | previous post by me also mentioning leafy greens like kale

{Light Mauve Double Rose of Sharon Hibiscus in our Wood Garden}

In our Wood Garden, Pieter did plant several of the young Rose of Sharon Hibiscus plants that we'd ordered, as a hedge on the border with our neighbors.

But only ONE did show blossoms, this was a light mauve color.

Quite a beauty and some critter has been snacking on its leaves!

We look forward to next year as the others will show some blossoms as well.

{The Kiss of the Sun for Pardon}

While at the Bok Tower in Lake Wales, Florida, we did buy another sweet gift at the giftshop.
This also resides in our veranda...

 Such a lovely quote by Dorothy Frances Gurney 1858 - 1932

The kiss of the sun
for pardon,
The song of the birds
for mirth,
One is nearer God's 
heart in a garden
Than anywhere else 
on earth.

Related link:
{Edward Bok Quote} | previous post by me

{Bok Tower in Lake Wales, Florida} | previous post by me
{1903 Ladies Home Journal by Edward Bok - The Mother of America & Dutch American Heritage Day} | previous post by me with more information about Edward Bok

{Mauve Double Rose of Sharon Hibiscus Behind Our Pond}

This year we have extended our collection of Hibiscus by lots of little plants.

Not all of these young plants did bloom this summer but one Mauve Double Rose of Sharon Hibiscus behind our Pond put on quite a show.

At least, it is my guess of being this a mauve color... I am not an expert!

Don't you love this fully double version?

Just a perfect blossom!

How beautiful such a double Rose of Sharon Hibiscus can be; just for one day...

                                                

{Agave Syrup Glycemic Index 15}

For the longest time, since 2007, I am also using Agave Syrup with a Glycemic Index of only 15, compared to refined sugar that has a GI of 80. That does make a huge difference for the body.

                                                                                     

At Costco Wholesale we always buy these twin-bottles of Agave Syrup.

Agave with a Glycemic Index: 15 just click on the link.

A Low-Glycemic sweetener bursting with flavor

For 7 years this fall, I have been eating sweeteners with a low Glycemic Index!

Very happy with a blood sugar level that has been in check.

Are you cutting down on your sugar intake as well?

Related links:
{Brown Rice Syrup Glycemic Index 25} | previous post by me

{Coconut Palm Sugar with Glycemic Index 35} | previous post by me with added video link to bottom

{10 Best Foods for Diabetes and Blood Sugar} | previous post by me

{Diabetes Type 2, & Iranian Medicine about Sesame Seed Paste or Tahini} | previous post by me

{Belgian Endive Salad with Chia Seeds} | previous post by me

{CHIA for Iron Boost and Good for Blood Sugar Level} | previous post by me
{Tuscan Red Quinoa Salad - Whole Foods Sarasota FL}  | previous post by me
Sugar: The Bitter Truth | A very informative video with LOTS of information

     

{Our Apple Blossom Rosebud Pelargonium}

Once more I'd like to show you our precious tiny Apple Blossom Rosebud Pelargonium.

Are those tiny Rosebuds not a DREAM?
They truly do resemble Apple Blossom

Tiny buds and they become more pinkish when fully opened up.
Hope you loved seeing these romantic Victorian hybrid Pelargonium Rosebuds!

Related links:
{Apple Blossom Rosebud Pelargonium} | previous post by me showing the Apple Blossom
{Tiny Silver Vase with Rosebud Pelargonium} | previous post by me showing the Apple Blossom  Rosebud Pelargonium

{Our Victorian hybrid Pelargonium Rosebuds} | previous post by me

{Tiny Silver Vase with Rosebud Pelargonium} | previous post by me

                                                  

{Carolina Wren on Nest}

You have seen photos before from a Carolina Wren on a Nest, in the greenhouse and such.

This time it had her nest in one of our fiberglass window boxes from Flower Framers of Cincinnati, on our kitchen bay window.
In my header, above, you can see the bay window... this nest was to the right.

When I walked around the bay window, with my camera, I could just capture her on the nest.

Our White  Verbena are not looking happy here; they actually died off.

But how clever to build against the corner, under the protection of the roof extension!

Related links:

{Wren's Nest} | previous post by me

{Wren Nest in Our Greenhouse} | previous post by me
{Our Backyard Wildlife HABITAT Certificate from August 1997} | previous post by me

{205 Countries Visited - Welcome Mayotte & Message to Incognito Relatives}

Already on September 13, the 205th Country Visited my humble blog - Welcome Mayotte!

Mayotte is a little Island, West of Madagascar and belongs to FRANCE.

My Dutch relatives, that visit me Incognito, I do wish PEACE!

Mom is in heaven... please find solace by her last words: 'Oh wàt zijn ze lief allemaal!' or 'Oh what are they all sweet!' 
Such a blessing to have this on video...

No, we were not crazy for toting cans with dinosaur soup & cast iron muffin pans for our nephews. We loved them and still do!

Related link:

{Mom Lived 16 Days Short of Her 91st Birthday} | Previous post by me with added message to my relatives...
{Airline Baggage Weight and Campbell Dinosaur Soup} | Previous post by me about carrying cans of dinosaur soup and heavy cast iron gifts for our nephews.

{Late Summer Jasmine}

All throughout summer we will have some heavenly jasmines blooming.
This is the thick and fully double Jasminum Sambac - Jasmine Grand Duke of Tuscany, below post you find link with more info from my previous post.n

Such a late summer jasmine, with some sunshine is pure bliss!

Placed in a tiny silver vase and photographed on the balcony.

It has some pink edges.

Playing with the light...

The backside reveals some dried up petals, from an earlier drought.

But even those dried up petals do have their charm!

Related link:

{Jasminum Sambac - Jasmine Grand Duke of Tuscany} | previous post by me

{Our Visit to September 11 Memorial in New York City}

Of course, when we got on our New York See It All Tour,  with OnBoard Tours, we also did visit the September 11 Memorial. 

This is at the South Pool, where one of the Twin Towers used to be.

Not exactly the same size, as it is about 31% smaller than the towers' actual footprints. 

Memorial Pools Will Not Quite Fill Twin Footprints

Just click the above link...

But still, it is an impressive sight with their 176 square foot presence! Or 16.35 square meters.

Here you see the 4 World Trade Center, right behind the South Pool.

Husband Pieter stands at the North Pool...

It is so impressive and so overwhelming when one thinks about all those souls that lost their life on 9/11 and before... and so many rescue workers, who lost their lives.

It makes it into a kind of a sacred ground!

9/11 by the Numbers... you can click this link for the statistics.

All those names are inscribed in bronze on parapets surrounding the twin Memorial pools.
Learn How the Names are Arranged just click the link.
Two enormous waterfalls and reflecting pools with more than 400 trees surrounding them.

Here Pieter stands near the Callery Pear Tree, that is called The Survivor Tree as a  living reminder of resilience, survival and rebirth.

It got severely damaged and burned but after its recovery and rehabilitation, it got planted back in 2010. Click the above link for the full story.

One can only admire the strength of any living creation on this planet!

We both loved to wear our caps on this very sunny short vacation in NYC.

With its branches stretched out and wounds healed, it seems to look quite happy here!

We did not have time for visiting the Memorial Museum as the bus went on after this stop.

But we both appreciate very much for having been here in person!

May God bless the many souls that lost their lives and also protect us from anything like this.

Related link:

Official 9/11 Memorial Museum Tribute In Time-Lapse 2004-2014 - 2.5 minute YouTube video
Clydesdale Horses showing us respect in a Budweiser Super Bowl Commercial - Done for the 10th Anniversary and we can all learn from them!

{Our Double Orange Hibiscus}

All summer long we have had some gorgeous double orange hibiscus.

From our bay window we can enjoy them, starting at breakfast time...

Pieter did rescue this beauty at the local Kmart store, where it had been knocked down, soil out of the pot and looking limp...
For only $ 4.00 + tax, it came home with him.

Got a bigger pot, new potting soil and LOOK how rewarding it has been to us.

Don't you like their happy faces?

Depending on the light, the color even changes...

What a joy to have! 

Do you have any double orange hibiscus as well?

{We Stayed for 4 Nights in Manhattan, our Trip to NYC}

Sorry for having been a bit absent lately but soon I will visit you again!

We did indeed make our first 'real' trip to New York City and spent 4 nights at the Hyatt Place New York/Midtown-South which is right in Manhattan.

Manhattan was taken on September 8th, 1664.

Just click the above link...

For us, being from The Netherlands, it had even more historical meaning to us as the Dutch were the first that colonized the USA!

It was called New Netherland with New Amsterdam as their natural harbor, which now is called New York City.

No, New Amsterdam was NOT the capital, neither is New York City.

The capital of the State of New York is Albany.

Yes, in 1609 the story began... and it ended on September 8th, 1664 when Manhattan was taken by the British.

We were on the 18th floor, out of 26... In Manhattan almost all buildings are high rise!

On August 29, it was 32 years ago since we left The Netherlands; on my youngest brother's birthday...

As this is my very first post written from my new Mac, I just wanted to air this in time for its historic birthday on September 8th.

Related link:

{Dutch - American Heritage Day: November 16 since 1991} | previous post by me

11 Bird's-Eye Views That Show How NYC Has Grown Over 350 Years - Very Informative photos!

{My Crocheted Potholders with Rose}

Just would like to show you, my previous crocheted, potholders with ROSE.

We have been lucky for having been taught knitting and crocheting at elementary school, back in The Netherlands!

Done in white with green, red and yellow edging in a crab stitch (kreeftensteek in Dutch)

These are not new but have known many years of duty!

Have you crocheted some potholders as well?

Video showing How to do a Crab Stitch - Crochet for Beginners

{Brown Rice Syrup Glycemic Index 25}

For quite a while now I am also using Brown Rice Syrup with a Glycemic Index of 25, compared to refined sugar that has a GI of 80. That does make quite a difference for the body.

This is my go to ingredient whenever I make ORANGE MASHED SWEET POTATOES
click the link above for recipe!

We can buy it at Whole Foods Market but I never buy the organic, which is also one dollar more expensive.

Since it is rather sticky, I pour it directly from this jar instead of using also a measuring cup; just by eye...

Brown Rice Syrup
Above you even find more uses for this very healthy sweetener.

You just have to learn how to substitute it and you're fine.

Have you been cooking with Brown Rice Syrup?

Related link:
{Coconut Palm Sugar with Glycemic Index 35} | previous post by me
{10 Best Foods for Diabetes and Blood Sugar} | previous post by me

{Diabetes Type 2, & Iranian Medicine about Sesame Seed Paste or Tahini} | previous post by me

{Belgian Endive Salad with Chia Seeds} | previous post by me

{CHIA for Iron Boost and Good for Blood Sugar Level} | previous post by me
{Tuscan Red Quinoa Salad - Whole Foods Sarasota FL}  | previous post by me
Sugar: The Bitter Truth | A very informative video with LOTS of information

{Is BLOGLOVIN' Stealing Your Page Views}

Maybe you did not know about BLOGLOVIN' Stealing YOUR Page Views...?

But YES, they do!

When you do read blogs through the Bloglovin' RSS feed reader, you will notice that they do not collect each post but instead are directing you to the blog post in an iFrame for driving more traffic to their own website.

The page view does not register in Google Analytics, nor in the Blogger Statistics Tab!

This way we won't get credit for people reading our blogs...

BUT - CHANGE your settings!

Go to bloglovin.com/settings and click to the right of your profile photo

From the drop down window, select Settings

Scroll down to:

Make sure that you mark I don't want the frame instead of the choice above!

Click Save settings

You're all done!

You may want to share this with your readers as well, we all can help each other, instead of continuing with driving traffic to Bloglovin'!

Thank you for your time.

As of November 8, 2022 I have Removed the widget and also removed my account from Bloglovin' which resulted in immediately much higher page views!

Their widget did no longer work and I had lots of login problems.