{Poinsettia as Tree in Indonesia}

THANK you all for the many Birthday wishes; here and on FB!



Most of my readers do know that we have worked and lived on the island of Java, Indonesia. In that tropical setting you find many exotic plants, shrubs and trees. Also you find there the Poinsettia Tree!

They really do become as tall as a tree and bloom year round of course. Our Poinsettia plant is only rewarding us with some blooms around Christmas. Many of you for sure have tried to keep such a plant alive but it is hard to do so... On January 18, ours looked still great and even today, it still is alive but has lost some leaves already because it is not happy in the dry conditions of winter inside our home.

Of course, those are the cultivated species and they look beautiful!

Did you know they were like trees in tropical areas?

Do you still have yours from Christmas...?

Related links:
{December 12th is Poinsettia Day} | previous post by me
{Today I turned 17!} previous post by me showing you white and red Poinsettia
{Our Pinckneya Pubens - Poinsettia Tree} previous post by me about our Poinsettia Tree in our garden.
{History of the Poinsettia} previous post by me
America's First Poinsettia: The Introduction at Bartram’s Garden  published on Poinsettia Day, 2011!
Joell Roberts Poinsett 1759 - 1851 Info
Joell Roberts Poinsett Info History

{Angels Birthdates & Fortunes}

All of us know that there are often ANGELS among us, they can be two- or four-legged.

They know when we need them MOST...

This gorgeous 'Fashionista' bouquet got delivered while I was in the hospital for major surgery on October 7. Dear friend Celia M. High Heeled Life & Resilientista proved to be one of those Angels among us. Thanks again dear! Flowers do always pick us up in a special way...

This photo is made by Pieter at 3:50 AM when I just was one day out of the hospital and look...

Cat Nurse Barty is nursing me back to health... Barty is almost 10, on March 17 we celebrate his would be birthday; guessing from the Humane Society's adoption papers.

What a difference a down duvet bed makes compared to a hospital bed!

Love my Yves Delorme US cotton duvet cover with roses woven into it...

Drinking lots of water and using on and off my Spirometer (to the left of Barty).

This is the 2nd time Barty did care for me in a very special and soft way. When I got home from the hospital in January of 2010, after being almost completely paralyzed, Barty was there with me as a Cat Nurse...

When husband Pieter delivered a kidney stone some 13 years ago, our than feline girl Spooky sat next to him, keeping him comfort while pressing herself against him. They sense that their human is in great pain.

Guess that animals have a very special 6th sense and they can read our body language far better than humans can.

Barty knew that I had not been taking pain medication the entire time; due to my chronic kidney disease.

Sure it does help for getting human love and pet love. Such flowers do send a very strong message.

Like these gorgeous sunflowers that came from our Church Women.

Very sweet and they sure do help you mend...

Time heals and time also is passing very fast. Birthdays hit us at a much faster pace than it used to be!

Does any of you have the same problem?

But there is so much to be grateful for; for being healthy, for having a loving husband and loving pets.

For having numerous friends that lovingly bridge the gap between the ocean for being far away from family.

It is said about my Birthday that I have this Fortune:

Feb.6 ----You have a keen sense of humor, are witty, fond of fun, economical and prudent. You are inclined toward sensitivity which worries and annoys you. You should practice poise. You are demonstrative and loving, and should have a very happy marriage.

Husband Pieter's:

April.29 ----You live within yourself. Rather than make any of those you love unhappy, you keep your troubles and worries to yourself. You have determination of purpose and always do what you plan.

Pieter sure does what he plans!

Related links:

{Our Felines - Sweet Barty...} | previous post by me
{Our Felines - Sweet Spooky I...} | previous post by me

{CHIA for Iron Boost and Good for Blood Sugar Level}

Are you already aware of the great benefits of using CHIA seeds in your daily diet? Use CHIA for Iron Boost and it is also Good for Blood Sugar Level. That are two big reasons for me to embrace these powerful seeds! Being Diabetes type 2 and also having had on and off bouts of anemia, sure made CHIA a permanent item in our kitchen! Are you using it too?

CHIA seeds can be used in a number of ways. Here I added it to some cole slaw, together with dried cranberries and a dressing of Trader Joe's reduced fat mayonaise with some brown rice vinegar and CHIA Seeds. You can find below post a link from previous post with photos of this mayonaise.

Daily we both add CHIA Seeds to our Trader Joe's 0% Greek Yogurt with some fresh fruits. Chia seeds work gelatinous so keep that in mind when adding to certain dishes. Best is to do it right before being served.

So again, I did reveal another Secret for my size and weight...

For USA, Canada and Mexico citizens you can find CHIA SEEDS from Carrington Farms  at Costco Wholesale 

More you can read about Carrington Farms below my post.

Healthy Foods for a Healthy Soul

This sure belongs in the group of Antioxidant Super Foods!

CHIA SEEDS The Costco Connection, July 2013 (click link for Pdf format)

Combat Diabetes

Get More Fibre

Stock Up On Omega-3

Stronger Teeth And Bones

Don't Forget Manganese

Plenty Of Phosphorus

Pack In The Protein

Fight Belly Fat

Get Full. Faster.

Improve Heart Health

Chia Seed Benefits: 10 Reasons To Add Chia To Your Diet (link from above 10)

So are you using CHIA already?

Related links:
{Healthy & Quick Vegetarian Supper} | previous post by me showing Trader Joe's Reduced Fat Mayonaise

Carrington Farms Healthy Foods for a Healthy Soul | FB Fan Page
11 Health Benefits of Chia Seeds - Eco Watch info about Chia Seeds