and the wind blew

Today was a day thinking of my father in law, Bill Bryant or as many called him "Wild Bill". That he was, we never knew what he would say or do.  One thing for sure it was to make him laugh and us stutter step.  I loved the guy, he would stop at the house and just brighten my day.  One time he asked the kids,"you want some fancy tailed pigeons"?  My mistake was saying absolutely not!  That was a "you wanna bet look" from Bill.  Months later when I felt enough time had passed I forgot about the pigeon offer  the door opened a box came skidding across the floor.  Bill right behind it laughing and carrying pigeon food.  He was always up to something and whatever it was you better be prepared for the next round.

Without a doubt had Bill lived long enough we would have received a "blue mule" from him.  He had been talking about the blue mule he had found in NYS.  I knew it was just a matter of time, I'm sure he was doing some good old fashion horse trader talk with the owner.  Unfortunately Bill became ill and it never was to be.  A few years ago we were riding bike near Houghton, NY and there was a pasture with blue mules.  My first thought, was this where Wild Bill was going to buy the mule?

This little beauty is a Blue Mule.

One of Bill's sayings was, "and the wind blew and the shit flew for days and days".   I know he wasn't talking about real wind, he was talking about someone exaggerating and telling tall tales or just plain lying.   Now you see why Bill came to mind today, the wind blew and is still blowing.  When he was ready to leave up he would jump and sing, "Goodnight Irene".  He was a joy and our entertainment for many years.  I cherish the time he looked at me and said, "your a good woman Cheryl Bryant".  I don't think there was ever a time I saw him so serious. ♥  

Speaking of horse traders, Sterling Peters.  He was a silver haired, good looking gentleman that always had a stubby stogie in his mouth.  He could sell a half dead plow horse and convince the buyer it just ran the Kentucky Derby.  When Sterling had a green broke he would call Dick's dad to have Dick go down and ride the horse to get ready to sell.  Some were real snakes!  I remember my dad trying to cut a deal with Sterling for a horse.  My head was spinning with their bickering and bartering, you would have thought these guys hated each other.  No, no deal, home I went without the horse and that was that.

If any have memories of the horse shows held in Millport in the 50's and 60's here are some names that you might remember, Tom & Cheryl Oles, EV & Fay Schoonover, Dave Amidon, Bill, Cookie &Dick Bryant, Sterling Peters & Nan & Terry Beckwith, Squeaker Coleman, Cole Family, Carnes Family, Cliff, Peggy & Tom Day, Tom Spease and Stan Evingham.

No matter what the day brings I can always remember so many good memories of so many good people that have crossed my path.  It just takes something as simple as the wind to bring them out of the memory file.

Dick fixed another delicious supper of whipped potatoes, green beans and sauteed Texas Gulf Shrimp with butter, old bay, garlic, salt and pepper!

Country Road, Take Me Home

To the place I belong.....No it's not WV, but the song sure fits our neck of the woods.  We had a few errands in Coudersport today such as dog licenses, mail some thank yous, pick up some clear plastic for the garden, gas in the car (3.75 a gallon!), and then to the little grocery store across from Charles Cole.  They sell the best USA seafood at a reasonable price.  The shrimp is what we were after and is Texas Bay Shrimp.  How about that?  The big stores go for seafood from China, Taiwan, etc.   We refuse, I have a feeling it is raised and packaged in some nasty conditions.  Not to mention the contamination in their water. Who knows they might have a plan to rid us from the earth by what we eat.   I know, seafood from the USA may also have it's problems but I'll take my chances on this call.

Back to country roads.  We go one way and home the other, that way we don't miss seeing what is going on in the area.  I am happy to report nothing new and no changes on this ride.  Just beautiful views through the open woods.  No underbrush leaved out yet so the view was of new green ground cover just waiting to blossom.  May 1, will soon be here which means, May flowers, Stink Pots and Adder Tongues.  Even though they are named after a nasty snake I still like them with their single stem, green spotted slender leaves and yellow lily like flower.

Speaking of May......how about making a May Basket and surprising someone?  That was so exciting in school, we would make little May Baskets, fill them with flowers and the teacher would take us around town to hang baskets on door knobs of retired people.   The boys all complained but the girls loved it ;)  I didn't like Red Rover, Red Rover but I still did it.  We had some pretty cruel boys in our class, at least I thought so.

Sorry, back to country roads.  One thing is for sure, living here for 64 years puts a lot of memories in just about every back road in a 20 mile radius.  Today was going past a couple of streams we would trout fish on.  Way back they didn't stock so it was the Native Trout we fished.  More allusive than a stocky. You had to really be sneaky or give up and finger them!  Illegal but many a kid was taught by a dad or brother to finger fish.  I guess it depended on how hungry they were for fish.  Fish and leeks in April, it can't get more original than that.  My grandson brings me a few fresh trout  now.  Then we came up over the dirt road which is now named Moffit Rd. which drops into Clara Valley.  For older folks reading this you might remember it as "Nigger Hill".  Sorry if this offends you but it was the actual name of the hill and road.  Go back to the maps before 1980 and that's what is printed.  I guess it's only as incorrect as one can make it.  My goodness my 7th grade teacher referred to it that way, she lived at the base of the hill on a beautiful farm.  I believe this is where the black family named Moffit lived during the underground railroad era.  At least this is the story I have been told.  Either or we have some great hunting experiences, wonderful walks and picking blackberries up there.  Not to mention coon hunting and spotting deer.  The coon hunting was in high school with Fay Schoonover, Ken Hersog and Tom Scott, more good and exciting times.  Even the girlfriend liked the thrill of a good coon hound sounding off in the dark of night.  We took our cousin Jerry McDermott when he lived out here for his Junior and Senior year, I guess we should apologize for talking him into going up a spindly tree after the coon. It snapped and down Jerry and the coon fell.  It doesn't pay to be the new city boy from Los Angeles in 1966.  He forgave us that night, good guy!

That's the love of a country road, the scenery, quiet and memories.  The older we get the more the memories surface and mean so much to us.  Remember tell your stories to your kids and grand kids, someday they will Pass it On to others.  You know I love stories from everywhere and everyone.

A glass of Naughty & Nice from my DIL, North Carolina Duplin.  My favorite, sweeeeet ♥

Smack Dab in the Middle

Friday afternoon we went to the OV Baseball game in Port Allegany, OV won.   Of course I watched from the back seat which was enjoyable, the air was cool and the wind was cold.  Spectators had hoods up, hands in pockets and some even with blankets wrapped around them, just to hear the crack of a bat.  Dedication and love for the game at it's finest.  I like baseball and basketball but nothing beats being outside to watch a game.

As I sat there of course my mind started wandering.  To my left was Mr. Dick Meacham, his son Mark and Coach Dan Stavisky.  Mr. Meacham was my Shorthand and History teacher way back in 1965-1967.  Coach Dan Stavisky's dad, Mr. Bill Stavisky was our Superintendent and in his young teaching years at OV was the boys varsity basketball and baseball coach.  He was also a dear friend and wonderful gentleman.  Dan started his teaching career at OV and was our kids phys ed teacher.  They liked him and was sad when he left.  He was replaced with a great gal, Darlene Bullock, that brought some wonderful ideas to OV.  Then there is Mark, we watched him play ball in his younger years (he is still young in this gal's eyes).  Mr. Meacham was there watching Mark's son/his grandson play ball.  Here is the "smack dab in the middle".  Me, I am old enough to watch sons and grandsons play baseball and young enough to remember when fathers and grandfathers played.  There is a benefit to my age ;)  My husband stood over and talked to the 3 for quite awhile.  I was telling him what I thought my blog was going to be about today.  Yeah for that because he told me Mr. Meacham was reminiscing of his teen years and playing baseball on the very seem field his grandson was playing on that night.  He pointed out where home plate was originally and where there was a hand water pump they would get drinks from.  He said every day him and his friends headed to the field for the day.  There is that love for the "crack of the bat".
Three generations is what I am seeing in many families at the ball field.  Our grandson Kent, his dad Jim and his grandad Dick, all played for OV.  My nephew Coby and his grandad Alan together at the field.  All a tradition passed down through the years to the next generation.  Other families in our area that have carried on the love of baseball, Lundy, Jandrew, Nolan, Babcock, Terrette/Sturdevant, Graves, Mesler, Ebeling, Shall, Newton, the names could go on and on.  This is one of the joys to living where you and your parents grew up, a close knit community.

Quincy had the front seat.  The view looked much closer than this, I could read the player's number but knew a few by their batting stance ;)

By 11 am Dick had the floors done,  breakfast over, his barn chores done and leeks dug!  Once the leeks were cleaned I asked in a quiet voice, "would you like to try making homemade bread"?  It is a tradition, homemade bread and leeks so why break tradition?  He's either getting very brave or very bored with the usual hum drum house work.  Either way it's working.  I'm actually thankful for the cool temperatures and cold wind, too miserable to be outside working so I have his attention for a few more days.

Yes!  I was able to help!

Here is the leek butter recipe I promised.  We freeze it and believe me it is as tasty in the winter as the day you make it.  One of my favorites is a baked potato with leek butter!  Nothing better than the smell of fresh leeks on a cold blustery day, just makes the day fill with a big smile.

LEEK BUTTER
Soften butter, "real butter", chop the ends of the leeks and a few greens for color,(it looks so much better with the flecks of green).  Mix leeks and butter.  I can't tell you the exact measurement for the leeks.  It is preference.  Remember flavor vs heat.  The more leeks the more heat.  I prefer flavor over heat.  Put on a piece of saran wrap or wax paper and set in the refrigerator until it starts to set.  Take out and shape into a log shape roll.  Wrap with saran wrap and put in zip lock freezer bag and freeze.  I do the roll form that way I can cut off as much as needed.  Run a knife under hot water and cut the frozen butter.

Here is another leek recipe that is tradition.  We use Old York Cheese Spread but there are other cheddar cheese spreads that will do just fine.  I'm not sure but believe Old York is a Western NY product like Bison French Onion Dip.

LEEK CHEESE SPREAD
Chop the leeks as you would for the butter.  Soften 1 carton of cheese spread and  1 package of regular cream cheese (no reduced or low fat here, if we are going to eat it, it better be good;)  1/4 cup of mayonnaise, 2 TBSP Worcestershire sauce, 1/4 tsp accent, 1/4 tsp paprika.  Mix all together and put in sealed bowls.  We are going to try freezing some today, not sure if cheese will freeze and thaw but will let you know.

The perfect "tada" tasting moment, served chair side ♥♥♥♥♥

This student gets an A+ it looks great and tastes delicious!

See Dick Cook ;)

See Dick cook,
Dick can cook.

It was delicious!

Talk about feeling like such a needy person and then to top it off the husband is doing double time.  Barn, housework, laundry, cooking and waiting on me.  Today he took me for a hair appointment and then on to Wellsville for groceries.  Although it was a pleasure for me it required work for him, hauling a wheelchair in and out of the car, groceries and then on load me and everything.  Yes, I am feeling guilty.  It was funny at 9:30 as we were getting ready to leave the house.  I said, "it's 9:30 and the breakfast dishes aren't done and the bed isn't made".  Two things that I never left without having done, bed and dishes.  Times have changed and I am not the Queen of my castle, at least for 7 more weeks.  It bothers me a little but nothing like I had thought.  Let's just hope I can keep this mental attitude.  Like dieting, good until a certain breaking point then I can't eat enough sugar.

Here's Saturday night supper.  How lucky I have a husband willing to try his hand at cooking rather than takeouts.  We have never been much on restaurants but have our favorites, Red and Trudy's, Pizza King in Wellsville and the Corner Cafe in Ulysses.  Tonight Dick wanted to make Beef Taquitos with refried beans and Mexican Rice, so let's do it!  I sat at the table and did some prep work while he cooked.  Everything went great.  The taquitos were filled with beef Dick had done in the pressure cooker a few days ago.  Added some cumin, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder to it and rolled the beef in corn tortillas and fried them.  We like to dip the taquitos in chopped avocado, garlic, salt, pepper and lemon or lime juice mixed together.  Success, we were quite satisfied and full.  Probably by now you have figured out we like Mexican meals.  Authentic is the best for us, not a lot of cheese and sauces, more fresh salsas.  Tomatilla is my favorite which is made from the little green tomatilla, it looks like a green tomato with a paper shell.

I promise tomorrow is leek butter day and a delicious leek cheese spread recipe.  I know I said Saturday but things aren't going according to plans like they use to around here.  No complaints, it's all good.  Remember what ever you have and can, "Pass it On" for others to enjoy

What do you see?

All of this "relaxing" gets my mind whirling with so many thoughts.  I was thinking of our trip through the mountains of  Virginia last month.  Due to a serious accident on Rt 220 just south of Roanoke we had been stopped 35 minutes and as word filtered down  it was going to be an hour our more so we turned around to head into the VA Mountain Pass to I-81.  At the time I was not happy to prolong a 12 hour trip to 14.  Dick said,"we're retired, no hurry."  He always as a way to make it sound carefree.  Without a doubt, one of the most beautiful routes we have been on.  An old guy in an old truck gave us the directions when we were stopped.  Ha, we will strike up a conversation with just about anyone anywhere.  Well the road went straight up, narrowed to barely a 2 lane.  A kiss your butt switch backs, the best on a motorcycle.  In fact we mentioned it would be a great bike ride with the gang.
We both love to travel, see the country side and even try to visualize what family life is like in these areas.
The picture I took of this house was not in disgust or to belittle the owner and family.  It's actually because in the Appalachian Mountain Range that we travel there are many homes like this one.  Back roads are our favorite routes.  Without a doubt a million dollar home or a couple thousand dollar home hopefully the family is proud and happy.  I love talking to country folk, listening to their ways and hearing their opinion on just about everything.  I am always amazed, everyone has a story and not once has it not been interesting.  Maybe this is why I talk so much, trying to entice a story or two along the way. Not everyone can or wants to be a doctor, lawyer or Indian Chief.  Whatever we do it better make us happy and proud of who we are.

This home was 45 minutes, 1/2 way across the mountain pass.  My first thought was how far they are from stores, doctors, etc. It made me laugh because I have heard the same from visitors at Cook'n by the Creek.  It's the truth, 5 minutes, 30 minutes, it is what we are accustomed to.  Sometimes I would like to live a little closer to a big shopping area, especially a Trader Joe's.  Never pass  a Trader Joe's, it is a great grocery store with the freshest of the fresh and very reasonable prices.  The dried mango slices (no sugar added)  are my favorite refreshing snack.

I see pride around this home, clearing the hillside and building fences.
What do you see?

We enjoy traveling, meeting all kinds of people and a good adventure.  Sometimes we might be a little too daring!  Someday I will tell the adventure of way back in the mountains of WV, on the bike, in a tent, rattle snakes, old man with a shotgun and a thunderstorm!  We have offered a bed to many people we have met in our travels.  Good people that have been kind to us.  We love company, conversation, food, coffee and a crackling campfire to end the day.

Don't forget, Saturday's blog will be how the new chef of the kitchen makes leek butter.  Freeze it and you will have spring all winter long.  The best way is on homemade bread but is great on veggies, grilled meats, fish and shrimp.

The Nickle Coke

How did we ever satisfy our hunger with a nickle coke, reg hamburger and an order of fries?  No "can we super size that" in my teen years.  Then came Mc Donalds, Carrolls, etc.  The great love affair for quick drive through service.  My kids learned the jingle "2 all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickle, onion on a sesame seed bun".  I still can hear the little back seat chorus on our way to Olean.  Years ago we were satisfied with mustard, ketchup, onions or relish, no cheese, special sauces, bacon or what ever else can be stacked on the burger.  I think this is why the Red and Trudy Burger still reigns the "champion burger of choice for so many of us.  Simple, always the same and just plain good.  How about a side of fries from some restaurants......side?  Those fries are  family size.  Fries, chili, cheese, sour cream, you name it and they will serve it.  I can never remember going to a restaurant more than a few times growing up.  Red and Trudy's for sure but it wasn't take out.  Another place I went a few times with my sister in law was in Olean and on the Main St.  I wish I could remember the name, here's hoping one of you can.  It was a diner style, low ceilings, booths and was noted for their hot roast beef sandwiches.  Can you remember?  The last time I was there was around 1958-60.

There I went off track from the nickle coke.  Freeborns was the place, they would put a shot of cherry syrup or vanilla syrup in for a few more cents.  That little paper Dixie cup was quite satisfying.  If not I also liked their cherry sundaes, it was maraschino cherries chopped fine in a red syrup.  Never had a cherry sundae since Freebs.  They also had a display case in the front with different kinds of chocolates, my favorite was the chocolate covered sponge candy.  Can you tell I do have not have just one sweet tooth but several?  Another favorite at Freeborns was Anna Bump.  What a sweet lady and always so good to us teens.  That says a lot about a person, how well they get along with teens,  it can be very testy at times but  Anna had no problems with us.

Freeborns seemed to be the hub of happenings.  Get together and decide who could get a car, where were we going or just hang around and play pinball.  John Chamberlsin the town policeman would keep good tabs on us, funny he
 always knew what was up.   Not as smart as we thought!  It was all good honest fun with no worries.  Heck on an exciting afternoon we could watch a few races in town.  Sometimes they would go to the Horse Run Rd.  Rt 44 to the Horse Run Bridge.  Doug Evingham was always up for a challenge.  If you see him I'm sure he can tell you every car and every race.

Even with the few snowflakes today the garden is close in our thoughts.  Off to Riverside in Wellsville this week for our onion sets.  I think Dick wants to visit with  Rod  about his new tiller.  He used it last weekend to get the ground ready for sweet peas.  No more back breaking work, he said he barely has to hang on to it.  Yeah!  I see more being planted this year.  (maybe ;)  I was looking forward to  tiller lessons, instead I will coach from the bench for a while.  I just have to make sure the guy I coach doesn't start wearing earplugs.

I can almost smell the beauty of Sweet Peas.

Earth Day and Failure #2

Earth Day was one of my favorite days when working at OVES.  The little ones were so eager to learn about the day, get outside, pick up trash and sometimes plant a flower to take home to mom and dad.  They would put on the little plastic vests and carry a trash bag to hold their finds.   The school sets on piece of land and having the beautiful park across the street makes it pretty much worry free to let the kids run loose to do their duty.  Amazing to see how tickled some were to find trash.  Simple pleasures for sure.  One thing I have learned being around kids, they love attention and they love to please adults.  It doesn't matter what age we all like attention and like to please others.

Well I guess I will tell you.............oatmeal=failure #2 attempt.  I said, "1/2 cup of quick oatmeal,  it's in the plastic bag, 1 cup of milk, cook in microwave for 2 minutes.  He heard 1/2 cup quick oatmeal in the plastic container, 1 cup of milk, microwave for 2 minutes.  He said, well shit, this isn't right either.  Plastic bag=quick oats, plastic container=old fashioned.  He heard plastic and went for the container.  By now you are probably feeling sorry for the hub, after all he is trying to please the benched wife that has very few patience most of the time.   I'm trying, he's trying and we will get this worked out.  In a couple days I will ask for oatmeal again, it just keeps our life interesting!  He does make an awesome blueberry pancake, right from scratch using my buttermilk pancake recipe.  He looked like Mrs.Robin with that chest all puffed up,  only his with pride.  47 years and finally I have turned the reins over.  Not easy for me but I'm doing, not easy.

Buttermilk pancake recipe is on 2/23/14, they really are so light and fluffy!

Thursday we are going grocery shopping.  Two items for certain will be Old York Cheese Spread and cream cheese.  If you like cheese spreads and leeks this will be a recipe for you.  Delicious on Crackers, veggies and crusty bread.  I hope to have the recipe posted on Saturday the 26th.
Pass it On, You will make yourself happy.

Dig Deep

It seems like the word dig has been popping into the conversation a lot for the last few days.  First Dick has been preparing flower beds and did get the sweet peas planted on Good Friday. We even had enough seeds to put on the edge of the asparagus bed.  They will sure make it smell good while harvesting the veggies during the hot days of summer.  Speaking of hot days we just read it will be a cooler than normal summer.  No shock if it is, spring is saying the same thing with cooler and sometimes cold days.  So, the word dig, he wanted to know how far to dig down with the new time and labor saving rototiller.  Then how far to dig the trench for the sweet peas.  Big decisions around the little farm.  We both help make them that way nobody has to take the complete blame if there is failure.  Good grief!

Next I am hearing the word dig and leeks in the same sentence.  One of my favorite spring tonics.  I say that because Vernie Howard  lived on Honeoye St years ago, (he is Virg, Hank, Vince, Joe, Ella, Aola, Yvonne, Jackie and if others I'm not remembering) always said leeks were spring tonic from a long winter.  If we think about it I'm sure when fresh veggies were not plentiful in winter months the first greens of spring were exactly just that, spring tonic.  My gramma would dig dandelions for "a mess" (her words).  I never liked the bitter taste but many do.  I remember a couple springs when our kids were little Bruce and Aola Maxson would have leek dinners at their camp on Fiske Hollow.  Vernie and his wife would always be there.  The usual fan fare of a leek dinner, ham, potatoes, homemade bread and butter, cooked leeks and raw.  It was a day of fun in the sun, cleaning leeks, women talking, kids playing in the stream and men doing what they do best at a camp.  I have a feeling many remember Maxson's Camp.......Good hearted people and good thoughts of wonderful times.  The weather today reminds me of the perfect leek days.

Today we will be eating dinner with our daughter and family.  Thank goodness for little girls, she takes good care of us and also our grand daughter Kamrie is always near the action at gram and gramps.  Dick is attempting German Potato Salad.  Poor guy he is working overtime but insists he wants to help.  We were told not to bring anything but like always, can't go empty handed.  My hands are full of crutches and wheel chair!  Beautiful 78 degrees to eat out and decorate eggs and catch up on the Costello happenings.

The potato salad was delicious, a little worried since I gave it a twist from my usual vinegar base.  We called it "German Salad with an NC Kick".  Instead of the vinegar and mustard I had Dick mix up the Carolina Barbecue sauce we use for pulled pork and chicken.  It is good.
NC Style:  In a bowl mix 2 cups of vinegar, 1/4 cup dark brown sugar, 1/4 cup ketchup, 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, 1/4 tsp black pepper, salt to taste.
Fry 8 slices of bacon, remove from grease, slice a med size onion and saute in bacon grease, add 3 TBSP. flour, stir around and then add NC sauce, stir til consistency of a light gravy.  You may have to add a little water to thin down.  While hot pour over 6 cups of sliced and cooked potatoes, crumble bacon on top and mix gently.

One more dig and this time I am using the word.  No complaining just trying to dig deep to get a mind set on what the next couple months will be.  I'm going to be honest, there are moments that sneak up on me when I feel over whelmed at what I can't do.  Simple things, everyday things, as simple as putting one foot ahead of the other.  I don't feel sorry for myself, that is defeat and that will not happen.  What keeps me strong and thankful is thinking of what my sons endured when deployed to those exotic places to meet exotic people (their description).  Like most military their way to make light and ease their loved ones worries.  The next person I think of is Marcus Luttrell, a book has been published, The Lone Survivor of his story.  Please read the book, understand the strength of this man, his will to live and his will to continue his life after everything he has been through plus watching his team brothers suffer and die.  Their strength is far beyond what I can imagine.

It was 42 years ago March 16 that I broke my right ankle, surgery and screws.  Same thing walking down stairs.  I really can not remember being so darn weak on crutches!  Way back then I had a 2 and 4 yr old to chase after and was pretty darn fast on crutches.  When the kids would run from me our neighbor Dick Evingham would bring them back telling them to behave.  22 vs 64, I know but darn it give the ol'gal a break, huh "chance" a better choice of words.

I have had so many "Pass it Ons" this past week which will help me "Pass it On".

My Surgeon is so cool, like maybe in his 50's, he said, I'm gonna give you my autograph!

Need, Want and Mustard Leeks.

Spring is in full bloom at Cook'n by the Creek, thanks  Amber and Karen ♥♥

This morning I awoke thinking of two words, need and want.  Need will be my main word for requests in the next few weeks.  Want, well that will not be so frequently used.  Way too much wanting in this world for what really is not significant for survival and happiness.   I will stick with needs, rather than wants, less work for others around me.  I can do a play on the two words to justify the out come though. This morning I said, I need a shower.  I really wanted one and probably Dick is happy the day finally arrived for my request.  Much to our surprise it was very easy with no stress or fear from either of us.  Physical Therapy gals knew what they were talking about.

Ok, showered, fed and ready for the day  Amazing what a little soap and water can do for ones spirits.  My dear friend Karen stopped for a visit. It was so wonderful to have her soft pleasant voice with a smile that also puts a twinkle in her eyes. We talked knitting and other very important matters.  Gals always have so much to talk about.  At least my friends and I do, we never have a loss for words.  Karen is one of the sweet ones in this world that I cherish.

Dick left us to chat and headed to the dump in Weston Mills.  Not like the old days when he went to the dump on Horse Run Rd years ago. Just about every man in the valley went there on Saturday mornings and the next stop was Newton's Bar for a few hours.  You know it was a standard procedure when the phone rang and the barkeep answered it he would say, "they just walked out the door", as he pointed to the guy the wife was calling about? The guy would shrug, get up and leave.  Bartenders did not like the wife calling more than once.   That's the truth.

As I promised here is my recipe for mustard leeks.  Don't forget the sauce left once the leeks are gone is delicious on so many things.

There they are!

Canned Mustard Leeks:
clean fresh dug leeks, cut off green
dissolve 1 cup of salt in 4 quarts of water.  Add leek bulbs and let set 12 hours.
Drain, rinse thoroughly and drain.

Mustard sauce: put all ingredients in a large saucepan:  
1/3 cup dry mustard
3/4 cup flour
4 cups brown sugar
2 tsps. turmeric
1 quart white vinegar
2 tsps. celery seed
1 TBSP mustard seed
Bring to boil for 5 minutes, add leeks, bring to boil, immediately pack in sterilized jars, seal and put in water bath for 10 minutes.

Today was a good day to lay back and think of the past few days, all blessings and no concerns.  Family and friends close and afar have brightened each day.  Nothing better and no more could I "want" or "need"  ♡♡♡♡♡♡
                           

Oatmeal, Doughnuts and Chocolate Chip Cookies.

The morning at Cook'n by the Creek started with the smell of fresh brewed coffee.  I enjoy waking up to coffee already made.  Hop, hop, hop to the recliner.  Do a little FB, read the news and knit........normally this is where the real day begins with breakfast, make the bed, laundry, vacuum and dust.  Now I bark orders from Central Command Station which is not fun!  Dick made  oatmeal for breakfast, one look and he could see the expression on my face.  Here are the directions I gave him: in a bowl put 1/2 cup of quick oats, 1 cup of milk, 1/2 cup of water, a few raisins and walnuts.  Micro wave for 2 minutes.  Here is what he heard for directions: 1 cup of old fashioned oatmeal, 1/2 cup milk, 1/2 cup water, no raisins or walnuts.  Microwave 2 minutes.  ewwwww, didn't eat it.  If I could have so as not to make him feel bad but there was no way.   This is going to be write down directions from this day forward.

He did make a ham and cheese sandwich for lunch that was ok.  One of my besties, Marcia, brought her delicious chocolate chip cookies and from the Wellsville Giant salt rising bread and "tada" raspberry filled powdered doughnuts, my favorite!.. I am justifying eating the goodies because I deserve them ;)  I have a plan, for the next few days I will be eating all the sugary treats possible.  Hopefully it will make me the sweetest, loving, caring, appreciative patient ever.  If it doesn't I can guarantee I will probably be "one, big and mean "B".

I do see getting out this weekend which should help me get back a little spice in my life.  The American Legion let me borrow a very nice wheel chair.  Did you know the Legion offers many home care items?  Very nice for ones that will not need them long term.  Gotta love a Vet.  ♥  They "pass it on"  in very special ways.

What's for supper?  Beef roast done in the pressure cooker, baked potatoes and green beans.  So far so good, it smells delicious.  I don't think I want to give a thumbs down twice in one day.  I might lose the free help.

I will give this a ★★★★★

If this can't sweeten me up nothing will! ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

What a day in Clara, PA with lessons on the way.

Looking back at blog drafts I decided to use the one I started for Palm Sunday.  I will stick by saying it was a beautiful day even with the ankle injury.  No complaining, it never changes a thing so I will "carry on" in a different step.
For some that don't know, I am what you might call the "chief cook and bottle washer".  Cooking, cleaning, etc, an old fashioned wife.  Nothing to brag about and nothing wrong with it.  We all live our own special way.  That being stated the next few weeks are going to be challenging and down right depressing for Dick.  His kitchen skills are next to none.  He does pour a good glass of ice water.  Get my drift?  Kamrie fixed my oatmeal this morning, excellent.  Then Dick made a "huge" pot of ham/potato and pea soup under directions being called out.  Another excellent!  Then it happened, I heard a few choice words while he was making me a protein shake.  Blender, pour shake in, add 1/2 cup of kefir and a handful of frozen mango.  blend on high.  Instead of lifting the blender off the stand he tried turning it off.  Yep shake pouring out all over the counter.  The look on his face was total humiliation.  I'm sure he was hoping for a malfunction and then I broke the news, when you turned it you unscrewed the bottom seal.  Oh well, the ice water will do until tomorrow.  One lesson down a few hundred to go.

The Palm Sunday Blog:This was a day of sunshine, warm temperatures, strong warm winds and just one of those special days to be so very thankful.  What a beautiful day to celebrate Palm Sunday.  We finished up the fence and gate that didn't take as long as I figured.  My figuring is always off at some point in time.  It really eases the mind not  to fret about the chickens or wild rabbits getting the asparagus before us.  Days like this should be helping the ground warm up and send the shoots up!

The dogs have been begging to "take a walk". Can you believe we have to spell the word walk?  As soon as they hear walk they are barking and jumping ready to go.  I don't blame them I love our special walk up into Kirk's Valley.  We were a little worried we wouldn't make it all the way but "tada"  we did it.  Slower than usual but it will get better.  Plus we stopped for a drink and then to play in the fresh, clear, bubbling little spring run.  We were surprised to see how big the leeks were and of course dug a few, washed them in the spring and ate them.  One for me, they were hot, hot, hot!  Hopefully in a couple days they will lose some of the heat.  It won't be long and I will be pickling leeks in brine and mustard sauce.  I will be posting the recipes plus the one for leek butter.

This morning was blueberry crepes.  They were delicious and quick to make.  You can use your favorite fruit, fresh or canned.  Pie fillings or puddings are good too.  Be daring and try what sounds good to you.

Crepe Recipe: In a blender or food processor put 3 large eggs, 2/3 cup milk, 2/3 cup water, 1/4 tsp salt, 3 TBSP melted butter and 1 cup flour. beat for 30 seconds.

The first meal of Palm Sunday.

which was the only meal on Palm Sunday.

If you have something good to share no matter how small it seems please "pass it on".  It's the simple little pleasures that can mean so much.  Thank you all so much for caring.

8 weeks of R&R

Remember Sunday and what a beautiful day?  We finished the fence around the asparagus and still had enough energy and desire to take our favorite walk up "Kirk's Valley", it was a perfect walk.  We found the leeks are just right for the digging and with the leaves of trees and bushes not yet out we could see forever on in the valley and on the hills.  Now not to be sentimental or complain it was my last walk until late summer.  At least August is my goal, sooner would be great,  later will be what is meant to be.

When we got back from the walk I was going down stairs and my left heel slid off the step causing it to slam down to the second step.  There was no doubt in that second of time it was broke and bad.  Dick and Jim put me in a chair and carried me to the car, no way did I need an ambulance.  By the time I went one mile holding my leg I knew the ambulance should be called.  Plus Amber told me it would be put in an air splint with less movement.  Living in our area is a huge asset, the first thing Amber said when the ambulance got there was, "look mom it's Ricky".  Blessing, we have been friends since growing up together on the Horse Run Rd.  Josh Antonioli was another welcome face, his dad and I had worked together at Tommy Clark's Gas Station in our younger years.  Familiar trusting men, what more could a gal ask for in time of need and I needed them!
Once at the OGH they confirmed what I already knew and sent me on to ECMC.   This place gets a gold star and every person that I have come in contact with.  Not familiar people or place but treated me with respect and very attentive to me and my family. Rebecca, the RN in the emergency room started the line of great nurses I had.  She was the calmer of the uncharted water we were in.  Dr. Victor Marwim was the Orthopedic Surgeon that was called in, he repositioned the bones and put the dislocated ankle back in.  Not easy to do but he did a great job to get me ready for surgery and Dr. Mark Anders that did  surgery was pleased with the alignment.  David was the D'youville RN student nurse I had after surgery, he is ready for his career, excellent Navy Veteran.   The night RN, Beth and I  had some wonderful talks and her caring nursing skills were tops.  She just stopped in to wish me well and say how much she enjoyed me, made my morning.  The day RN is Abbey, she is equally as wonderful and stopped to say she would be in soon to help me get ready to discharge.  She was stopping for a second to see how surgery went the night before.  I said,  "how could it not be good, I had 3 very handsome and personable, kind surgeons.  These professionals have really proven what good caring people are in the medical field.  I was lucky to have these people...they like to talk as much as I do!

So here is is, a broken tibia, fibula and dislocated ankle joint, all fixed and in place with 2 plates and screws.  The pain is 99% better than when it happened which everyone is amazed.  Morphine last night at 9 pm just in case.  No pain no more meds..

Am I looking forward to being benched for a few months, of course not but it's a challenge that I will face head on every day and get back to the "pep in my step".  This is nothing compared to others heartaches and that is what makes us all stronger to carry on.  You can be doom and gloom or look at what will and can prevail,  Remember I mentioned  can't and won't, this is an "I can" but I still won't touch a snake or like them ;)

I am so blessed with my family and the "big n tall" guy I live with.  If I could have taken the hurt and worry from him that second I surely would have.  It was not good to look at but he held up.  It's always hard on the loved ones that feel helpless because there really us nothing they can do physically but mentally can be the rock.  Amber, Jim and Kamrie never left me.  Kent and Pam helped with our animals.  The boys called hourly to keep tabs on happenings.  Another tough position, living afar.

My blog will have a new twist, I will be schooling Dick on cooking and cleaning.  Tomorrow he will do the beef roast that was suppose to be Monday's supper.  This going to get very interesting.  How much bossing and instructions will he be able to take?  I say 3 days and it will get ouchy around Cook'n by the Creek!

Life in the fast lane

That title really is an exaggeration!  There was nothing fast other than the day went by very fast.   By 7:30 am we  headed  to Bells Run for a load of hay.    Unfortunately for me waking up to  look at the clock (with one eye barely open)  is not good.  I thought it said 6:50 and knowing we had to pick up hay at 8:00 I jumped out of bed.  Dick is always up early to make coffee and have quiet time. When my feet hit the floor I am talking and I'm sure that can be annoying.  By my second cup I checked to see if it was time to go.   It was only 6:15 which meant I got up at 5:50........ewwwww I will be in bed by 9 pm tonight.

After 2 loads of hay, fixed breakfast, went to the high school baseball game at 10, home at noon, lunch (easy  protein shake), it was time to spend 4 hours at the garden.  We did get posts set, 100 feet of wire stretched and ready to attach and the gate poles in place.  Everything  will be waiting  tomorrow for us, enough for today.  I  have a feeling after this beautiful day there will be a lot of people feeling like we do. TIRED, ACHY AND WHIPPED.

The nice surprise was the chives are big enough to eat.  We had them in scrambled egg sandwiches this morning and they did taste good, chives are tender and a very mild flavor.   No after taste like garlic, green onions/spring onions or leeks.  I have lots of chives that reseed each year, if you want some to plant just send me a message. As the chives mature which only takes a few weeks they have a beautiful lavender colored flower.  I put the blossoms in white vinegar in a clear jar, pretty to look at plus gives the vinegar a nice flavor for salad dressings. The garlic is also up.  No sign of asparagus yet, we are very anxious to pick this year.  This is the 3rd year since planting and we can pick lots on the third year.  Year 1 and 2 are establishing years for asparagus beds.  We like it so it's worth the wait.

Chives

Easy supper again tonight :)  Chopped salad from Subway!  Blueberry filled crepes for breakfast tomorrow, one of our favorite breakfasts.
Crepe recipe on the blog tomorrow.
Time for sleep, 8-10 hours is perfect!

Skippidy Doo Da Day

Even though the rain was more than the  forecast and heavy at times it didn't dampen the excitement around here.  The granddaughter and I headed to Wellsville while Dick was subbing at Vo Tech.  Today was the day to pick up the new Super Bronco Troy Bilt Tiller.  That is what gets the adrenalin going at Cook'n by the Creek!  We have never had a walk behind tiller.  Jim has the big one that fits on the back of the tractor for tilling the garden before it is planted.  Once that is done we hoe and weed by hand.  What a chore, we would do 3 rows every morning.  By the time it was all done it was time to start over.  Now it will be a "skippidy doo da day"  you might say "I'm the happiest girl in the whole USA".  How corny is that?  I like the old twangy songs.  Sorry couldn't resist the old country song line!   It's a fact because I will be able to run it too.  I have a very hard time watching others do something, (Type A)  of course there will be pictures and blogs as the garden progresses along with recipes.

Back to the tiller.  I had posted we were buying it at Lowe's.  Best thing I could have posted because I received an email from a sweet gal telling me they sell Troy-Bilt at their store in Wellsville, same price but they service what they sell.  I can't believe they have been in business so long and we never heard about it!   Both are local "kids", Kim was a Wheeler from "downtown" Shinglehouse and her husband Rod Dickerson  from Eleven Mile where they also have a home and huge garden.  They can answer your questions on gardening.  That was a jackpot message, we would rather buy from a family business any day!  Here's my tip to all you gardeners, not only do they sell Troy-Bilt, Simplicity and Holland Grills, they also have a wide variety of garden seeds, seed potatoes, onion sets, etc.  I'm also happy to say they have Sweet Pea seeds.  My mom always said to plant them on Good Friday, actually many say the same thing which I will do this year.  If Good Friday falls earlier I hold off until the middle of April.  If you have never planted them give it try.  They have a beautiful scent, various colors and stems just right for a small vase.  They need support for climbing.

Drum roll ;)

Check out Riverside Sales and Service, Inc.

Rod and Kim are super at what they do, friendly and full of knowledge and happy to "pass it on" to their customers.  For sure our "Ta Da" find of the year.  ♥

IF THE SUN IS OUT

If the sun is out and temperatures are above 60 I will be hanging clothes on the line, washing and cleaning the inside/outside of the car, maybe waxing it, mowing lawn, weeding garden or flowers, planting, weed whacking, brush hogging, taking a walk, relaxing on the back porch reading or working on a project. Pick one because the days of doing more than one is long gone.   On a face book post Bridget reminded me of what I do on warm, sunny days.  She also reminded me of what I did on sunny days in my 20's and 30's.  As I was getting ready for Olean and thinking of how my "sunny day" priorities have change it also reminded me of what my youngest son told his speech therapist in school.  You never know what the little innocent ones will say to embarrass  the heck out of us.  Beau was in 3rd grade getting speech to help with putting the letter 'r' in his words.  Bart=Bout, four=fou, etc.  It was April and time for the end of the year evaluation meeting on his progress.  Mr. Thompson asked Beau, "is your mom home during the day"?   His answer, "yes, IF THE  SUN IS OUT don't call my mom.  She gets made when  she has to answer the phone while she is laying in the sun"!  He spoke the truth, honest answer and did not know it would be the joke for the meeting.  When Mr. Thompson did call to set it up he apologized if I had been outside.   It seemed like a weird thing to apologize for at the time. There's a plus for cell phones, hooked to the hip at all times, no running to answer the phone.  Thinking of what my long cord looked like all tangled and twice as long as it should have been.  It was tough trying to do something with a cord wrapped around me or the kids.  I would open the bedroom window to hear the phone ring back in the "olden days".

Today was sunny, warm and above 60.  I was lazy and did none of the above.  I didn't cook or clean although the laundry did get tackled and finished.  I guess it was too darn nice and relaxing with a beautiful view of fields and woods for therapy time.  Plus this kind doesn't cost a penny.  It made me think with all the gusts of wind that kids should be out flying kites, even though March is designated kite flying month it was way too cold.  April showers will bring May Flowers.  I like walking in the woods to see them, such delicate little flowers with the subdued pinks and lavenders.
How about a big bouquet of "Stink Pots", white or red will do.  In elementary school kids would bring wild flowers to the teachers and they always had a little vase to put them in on their desk.  May flowers, May Pole, May Court and the fashion show made for an exciting time in high school.  Every piece of clothing that was made in Home Ec class was in the fashion show.  I remember how embarrassed I was in 7th grade to be in it!  Traumatized for about a week.  Awwww the worries of the young.

One of those" I don't care suppers" which is ok with me.  Hot dogs, fried potatoes and pickled beets.   Then a fresh cup of JMC and coffee cake my niece sent up today.  It is her Aunt Jane's tried and true recipe.  It might be a "pass it on" in a future blog.  Here is how "pass it on" works.  I sent Pam a dozen eggs and she sent up the coffee cake.  If you "pass it on"  it will come back to you eventually, Pam was quick to "pass it on".  No matter what it is the thought and simple pleasure means the world to so many.  ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥      

Like Toby Keith's song says, "but once in a while I gotta..........my ending to the line>have a little unhealthy fried food".
We like fried potatoes, when they are crispy.  I slice raw potatoes quite thin.  Soak in a bowl of cold water for an hour, drain, pat dry, salt and pepper and fry in coconut oil or what ever oil you like.  Keep turning as they turn golden brown and crispy.  Then I melt a couple tsp of butter on top for the ahhhh factor.

The tall skinny guy's plate.  Some can only dream of packing
 it in and not gaining weight.  Nothing wrong with the hot
dogs, I always score them with a knife and I don't know why.

Why did I keep that?

I'm not a saver but because I try not to waste I end up stashing things thinking I will surely use it again or find a use for it.  The time is here to get rid of last years, it's not good enough but too good to throw away.  Once a year which seems to fall right about now I head to my little corner of junk.   A few examples, toaster, micro wave, baskets, outdoor cushions.  I didn't want them then and certainly not now.  It's off to the basement today and make room for next years toss aways but keep just in case.

We finished my junk /canned goods room.  It looks so nice and organized that the husband said he better get at his.  Oh boy!  I have been waiting for the chance to get in there and throw out a lot of things.  You see after one year I toss.  He is going on 14 years and I know for a fact he is going to find things (I will use a nice word to describe his stuff)  he hasn't touched for years.  This is where it gets ugly folks, because I will hold it up, point to the trash can and he will give me the old "stink eye" and refuse.  The stand off with a 50/50 chance on who will reign the champion.  It will be like the shoot out at the OK Corral only at Cook'n by the Creek instead of Tombstone.  Who will ride off into the sunset?  Hopefully we will find out come the weekend.  I'm excited.

It's getting close to seeing tender shoots of asparagus (mention shoot out and made me think of asparagus shoots, see there is reasoning behind my left turns and jump the tracks).  Honestly I don't believe it but it sounds good.  Ok, asparagus is the subject.  I check it every day looking for the first one to show face.  This morning I noticed the chickens have been scratching in the asparagus bed!  Not good at all, they will eat it faster than it can grow.  Off to Home Depot for a 100 ft of fencing.  Probably a wise move since we have an over abundance of rabbits.  Last year the rabbits and their cute little bunny kids did a number on my string beans.  We put a temporary low fence up and that helped.  We usually plant way more than we need so there was no shortage of beans.  I like to give fresh veggies to our family.  Just makes us feel good to share what we love to do, watching the garden grow is satisfaction for the hard work.  All worth it because we get to "pass it on".

Got it, this will keep my girls out of trouble.

The next purchase is a rototiller which is long over due.  Looks like Lowe's will get our business to buy a Troybilt,  16 inch rear tine, gas operated super blah, blah, blah.  You know a trip would be more fun but the garden calls.

We finally watched a high school baseball game tonight.  OV won over Bishop Walsh.  It was freezing cold with gusting winds.  I watched from the car.  People were bundled up and some with blankets wrapped around them.  Come on warmer weather,  it's no fun watching and not hearing the crack of the bat, team chatter and umps gestures.

Another his and her supper tonight.  His was 2 burgers and fries from........Red and Trudys.  Sorry to bring up the famous burgers if you live away from the area.  I know so many that put it on the top of their "must do" list when back this way.  Hers was vegetable beef soup, the super duper fast way.
The recipe is:  Brown ground beef in a pot, add chopped onion, celery, carrots, potatoes, canned tomatoes, 1 bay leaf, garlic, 1/2 cup barley, 1 can of beef broth, enough water as needed  and simmer for 30 minutes.  Add any canned or frozen veggies you like and simmer another 30 minutes. salt and pepper to taste.

A great quick soup.

S.O.S.

World  War II  kids might know what S.O.S. means but "The Greatest Generation" definitely know what I'm talking about.  When we finished breakfast this morning Dick said, "ya know what sounds good for supper and I haven't had for a long time?"  Oh I knew what his answer was going to be and I will not eat it! At least not the way he does, made with hamburg.  I like it made with dried beef ( the good kind from Lancaster, PA).   I'll make it for him but never would I even consider  eating it his way.  Should I say.........mind block?!  Probably, I can be mind set!    Do you know what the initials stand for?  Here goes........"Shit on a Shingle".....
It is a hamburg gravy poured over toast. ewwwwww  The dish originated during WWII,  and is called the era's "signature issue food".  Soldiers would come home from war and request it.  Some restaurants even serve it.  I was lucky to find it made with dried beef in southern PA.

It was a his and her supper tonight.

His S.O.S.

Her left over spinach and ham pie or the fancy name quiche.

 What a time in so many  lives, it was a tough war that touched so many.  Tom Brokaw gave the title to these humble, patriotic, loyal and level headed men of WWII.  Quite fitting in my opinion.  Humble, no bragging on what they endured at least from the WWII Vets that I have had the honor to know from Shinglehouse.  Ruben Donovan, Grant Wisel, Bob Gross, Bill Bryant, Joan and Helen Gross.

I would spend time at Ruben and Georgia Donovan's house with their daughter Diane.   The most interesting and intriguing time was her showing me the silver dollar her dad carried in the war. The story of the silver dollar is a touching one.  Ruben Donovan was certainly a quiet, caring gentle man.  My brother was given a silver dollar from my parents when he left for war.  Our son carried the same one every time he left the country.  He gave it to his younger brother when he left for Iraq.  It had to go,  it was what eased our minds knowing they carried it.

Then there was Grant Wisel.  He was faithful along with his twin brothers in putting on the Veteran's Day program at our high school each year until they could no longer walk in tall and proud wearing their uniform.  When Grant heard we had been in Germany he wanted to talk about his time in the war.  I don't think he had talked often or to many about his experiences while in Germany.  He told me his company had liberated Auschwitz Concentration Camp. The faces and condition of the emancipated bodies as the came out was always with him and not far from his thoughts.  I will always remember the far away look and sadness in Grant's eyes as he told me. He was a survivor of what none of us would want for a young son.  I am honored to have listened to his story.  We visited Dachau Concentration Camp near Munich and I told Grant of what we saw and felt just in the few hours we had been there.   I can tell you seeing it was gut wrenching and made for a very somber rest of the day for our family.  We all were suddenly aware of what horrible suffering and death was endured.  They deserve the title of the "Greatest Generation".  One publisher wrote,  There may never have been a generation when the ratio of honorable men to slackers was higher than the one born between 1914-1929.

In the seventh grade I read the book, Diary of a Young Girl, Anne Frank.  It was the first time I truly understood fear, war and suffering.

A few years ago I read Duty, which is about Colonel Paul Tibbets. He was the commander and pilot of the Enola Gay, which was a B29 Fortress (named after his mother) that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan.  It is an excellent read and rationalizes why it was done and why the 12 man crew never carried regrets through their life on what they did.

Two months ago I read the book Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand.  This is the true story of Louis Zamperini.  You might have seen him honored and give an interview during the Winter Olympics this past winter.  He is considered one of the fastest runners ever and was to go to the Olympics in Japan.  They were cancelled but Louie did go to Japan but as a Prisoner of War.  Another excellent story of WWII in the Pacific, which has also been made into a movie.  In the first few pages of the book I was surprised that he was born in Olean, NY and moved to CA as a young boy.  Louie gives mention of being in prison when the Enola Gay dropped the bomb that ended the war.

The last book to read was Winter Garden, by Kristen Hannah.  It is an historical fiction.  Another good read.

Life is as good as we make it.  That is proven by ones that have  survived the unthinkable.  Strength, determination and the want to live.  ♡

Monday, Monday

Now that we are officially retired it really doesn't matter what day it is.  As a matter of fact we seem to be asking each other quite frequently, "what day is it"?  The days fly by and all of a sudden the month has too.

On this Monday I am making glazed doughnuts for the McCleaft Men and anyone that is there for coffee and catch up on the town news.  The guys sure enjoy meeting at Ed's Garage but why not, they offer some good conversation and laughs.  Just what we all need.  So today they will get a "little sweet" to make them sweeter!  I can remember when Bob Ahl had the same garage when I was growing up.  Even back then it was a meeting place for the Shinglehouse men.  I guess we can say it's a "townsmen tradition".  Nice to see some things never change.  Quite sure some of the guys there today had dads, grandpas or other family members that stood in the same spot so many years ago, 1960's and 70's.  Makes me happy just thinking of the ones I can pull up from my memory bank and see them standing there in a line facing our busy intersection.  I'm sure they didn't want to miss a thing.  A car going by back then was exciting.  From Scuff, Stan, Glen and the others we all grew up together.  One of the things I love about our small area, friends of a lifetime. Oh you know the saying, "if walls could talk", we might learn some shocking news!  Probably better left to stay tucked away with the men that have left this earth.

 Back to Bob Ahl, he was married to a school teacher most of us older "kids" were lucky enough to have or know, Eileen Ahl.  She still lives in Shinglehouse.  Bob was one of the most dedicated sports fans in Shinglehouse. Writing of Bob brings back memories of many men that were dedicated and loved our local teams.  Bob, as many of them had one of those voices to make you set up and listen to.  I love hearing someone give the ump or refs the old one, two.  My husband umpired high school B.B. for years and nothing made me laugh more than to hear the ump, coach, player and fan go at it.  To me it's what puts the excitement in a game and crowd.  Now a days it is frowned on.  I guess some of us are very lucky to have watched or played a team sport back in "the good old days".  Here's to Bob and thinking of him leaning on the right field fence and keeping everyone attentive to the game.

Another cancelled Varsity Baseball game, looks like a take my time to fix supper and go see my Knitting/crochet gals. If you live near we are always happy to teach a beginner or learn from an experienced crafter.........♥ Pass it On ♥ 

How many times can I walk by?

Here is the raised/glazed doughnut recipe:  It makes 24
*Scald and cool 1 1/2 cups of milk
*dissolve 2 pkgs of yeast in 1/3 cup warm water
*In a large bowl put milk, 1/2 cup melted butter, 1/2 cup white sugar,1 tsp salt and 2 beaten eggs.  Stir in 2 cups of flour and yeast mixture.  Add 3 more cups of flour.  Put on floured board and knead for a few minutes.  Place in greased bowl, turn once, cover and let raise until double in size.

* Roll out to 1/2 - 1 inch thick, cut out doughnuts, cover, let raise for 30 min.  Fry in hot oil turning once.  while still warm dip in glaze. 
*Glaze recipe: 2 cups powdered sugar, 2 tsp. vanilla, 1/4 cup melted butter and enough milk to make a thin glaze.

 ♥ Don't forget to make doughnut holes...........for the walk by and grab snack.  What could be better for a refuel to keep us moving?  ♥

See That Green Over There?

I have a feeling the days are ling gone for me working at every little thing I so desire. Big plans in my mind this morning with the weather prediction of sunny and warmer.  First on the list was clean the hardwood floors which usually takes 2 hours, not today it was 3 1/2 hours.  My back was saying, I'm done and my mind said, you better keep going because if you take a break it's all over.  Onward we went (body and mind) from one thing to the next.  I have a problem staying focused when it comes to doing things around the house.  Right in the middle of whatever I will walk by something and start a completely different task.  I guess you might get the picture because it is how blog, one word and my thought gets a little side tracked.  The best way to describe my cleaning and chores today was "walk by".  If I walked by it I  cleaned it, rearranged it or completely tossed it out.  Heck I even had to go out on the back deck and that started a whole new sequences of chores.  All said and done it was a productive day.  I warned the husband that I was cleaning and wanted to be left alone.  It worked! He stayed busy getting "my" lawnmower ready for the first cutting.  Nothing worse than see the first growth of grass and the lawn mower is still apart from oiling and sharpening the blades.  Not this year, I'm ready.  I love mowing the lawn and brush hogging the fields.  It won't be long, I'm predicting by April 20th.

See that green over there?  I also will give another prediction (maybe wishful thinking)  we will have our first leek dinner by April 13, one week from today.  We took a walk this afternoon to check on the leeks.  They are just sticking up enough to see the little green spears which will probably be rolling out into leaves by the end of the week.  Dick dug 2 because he just couldn't resist tasting the first leeks of spring.  One word, HOT.
My one word will be at bedtime, YUCK.  Not good if one eats leeks and the other doesn't.  Peppy Le'Pew.  Now that takes me back to my favorite little skunk.  Nope not going there.
If you look close you will see the tiny green leeks.  Of course I had to get a picture.

Look really close around the crook of the branch.  This is a desperate leek lover.

The walk put the final touches on my  whipped body.  Mind would still like to keep going but not happening.  The neighbors invited us for dinner, one of those "ahhhhh moments" for me.  Dinner rolls are soon coming out of the oven and potatoes will be whipped, then it's off we go.  I never like to go empty handed.  Plus isn't it nice to take something and  make it a little easier on the hostess?  I know it's appreciated at my house.  My grandsons love the rolls so that was an easy choice.

 Found a nice couple to buy 2 bushel of potatoes from last week.  Sometimes it pays to complain. I had mentioned on a blog post how much the store potatoes cost and not good.   Kim Dickerson from Eleven Mile messaged me they had good potatoes for sale from last falls dig.  Thank you Kim for reading my blog and thinking of me and "passing it on" Yukon Golds for supper tonight and they are as firm as the day they dug them.

This bread recipe was on a previous post,

Time to knit.

In Your Easter Bonnet

With all the frills upon it!  Ahhhhh memories, mom would sing this while getting me ready for Sunday school.  She loved to sing songs, The Old Rugged Cross, And He Walks With Me and Mistress Shady.  Has anyone heard the song Mistress Shady?  The only time I have was from mom.........so I "googled that" (in house joke).  At the bottom of this blog I posted what Mr. Google said.  Back on track, I do jump it frequently!  The dress and coat were hand made by mom with a purchased hat, gloves and patent leather shoes.  I have a picture for every young year of my life.  How times have changed.  The song still plays in my mind about this time of the year but the outfit is quite different.  No frills or patent leather, they have been replaced with rubber boots, (they are decorated), my gloves are no longer little white ones but leather and the hat is a big wide brim to block the sun. I enjoy my outfit just as much as the little frilly ones of long ago.  As a matter of fact probably more.  We went to the farm store in Hornell, NY, the other day.  One of those "smile all over" look what I bought kinda shopping sprees.  They had rubber boots on sale.......my size!  Garden gloves that look like they will save my hands from becoming "farmer hands" by the end of summer. They have leather padded palms, never had them so hoping it's as good as it sounds.  I am ready!  The store also had peeps for sale.  It's a good thing Mr. B. was with me or we would be adding to the laying flock.  The last time we raised meat chickens I said, NEVER AGAIN!  Never say never, we are getting an area ready for........yep, more meat chickens.  They are by far the best to eat with such a tender buttery taste, so here we go again.  If anyone would  like to learn how to pluck and clean a chicken let me know.  There is room for 24 people to learn with hands on experience of course. ;)

Cheryl's spring fashion pick ♥

My son emailed me a couple pictures today of his homemade beef broth.  I'm sure he knew mom would be envious and just had to show me what I'm missing.  He had some good fresh beef bones and took advantage of not wasting them.  It does take time but is well worth the delicious broth.  If you happen to buy beef from a farmer make sure you tell them you want the soup bones.  You can get soup bones from most stores, they use to give them away,  now everything comes with a price but so worth it.  Toss the bones with cooking oil, put them in a shallow baking pan with chunks of onion, carrots, celery, garlic cloves and thyme sprinkled in. Stir frequently, you don't want it to burn.  The shallow pan allows browning on all sides, same when baking other meats that you want to have a crispy crust or browned. Bake them at 350 until they are well browned.  Next put them in either a crock pot or pot for the stove top, add salt and pepper,  cover with water and simmer for 6-8 hours.  Strain and you will have the most awesome rich beef broth ever.  If you like French Onion soup this is the ticket.  Not salty or greasy.  I like a good French Onion soup but not the salty watered down version that without a doubt was made with bouillon.....icky!  This also is delicious for beef au jus and dipping a crusty roll in.  I'm thinking the "kid" did it, I'm wanting some of that broth.

This is after it was baked, ready to cover with water and simmer.

Some of the broth, as you can see little to no grease.
That's the way broth should be.

Cheryl's French Onion Soup:

2 large onions, sliced

• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 stick (1/4 cup) butter
• 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
• 4 cups  beef broth 
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 6 (1/2-inch-thick) diagonal slices of baguette
• 1 (1/2-lb) piece Gruyere or Swiss or both is really good!
• Melt butter in sauce pan, add onions and saute until tender.
• Stir in flour until dissolved
• Slowly pour broth in stirring, add salt, pepper and 1/4 tsp of dried thyme and 1 bay leaf.
• Simmer, sometimes I add 1/2 cup of wine.
• scoop onions and broth into soup rocks, put sliced banquettes on top and cheese on top of bread.  Put in broiler but watch closely until cheese is bubbly and slightly brown.  
• Enjoy the best Onion Soup!  You will never be satisfied with a restaurant version again.

The Song "Mistress Shady" is an old folksong. These are the words:
Oh, Mistress Shady, (go up the scale D-E-F#-G-down to D)
She is a lady, (go down D-C-B-A up to E)
She has a daughter (go up D-E-F-F#- down to D)
Whom I adore (D- down to C- up to D- down to B)
I used to court her, (up to D-E-F#-G- down to D)
I mean her daughter, (D- down to C B-A- up to E)
Every (F#- down to E)
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday afternoon at (all on D)
half past four. (up to E-F#-G)
First , sing the song as it is written. Next, sing the song again, then repeat the days of the week without taking a breath in between. Every time you sing the song, add a week without taking a breath between the weeks. Challenge yourself to see how many weeks you can sing without taking a breath!