Running Water

This has caused a little tention around Cook'n by the Creek.

For a few months I have had a magical kitchen faucet,  Flip the handle nothing, run to the bathroom to check that faucet, yes water. Back to the kitchen and the water is running.  Then last Tuesday it didn't come back on.  Panic set in...this is canning season and family coming for a visit.  No way was I going out to buy a new faucet when this one is only a year old.  Moen to the rescue.  I called and sent them a picture of the faucet.  Today the new inside cartridge arrived.  I am hop, skipping and yelling all the way from the mailbox!  It would be fixed by company time.   No, no it won't!  my heart sank very low...  Dick took one look at the new part and said, wrong one!  I am on the phone to Moen within I'll say 30 seconds.  This gal new her stuff, she asked me what color the cartridge is in my faucet.  Black it is and they sent a white one.  Well the new one will be here 8/5.  Nice but I'm thinking, I'll be hauling buckets of water to the kitchen as I have for the last week, even for canning.

Now I start feeling guilty complaining  about running water.  I at least only carry it from a bathroom 20 steps away.   Back in the early times they carried it from a spring and had to heat it on a wood stove even during the heat of summer.  Canning beans last week really had me kicking myself for grumbling.  I had the air condition cranking cool air, and a pressure canner that took a total of 25 minutes for 5 qts.  That's it, calm cool and collected.  I guess when things seem a little testy just stop, take a deep breath and think.....it's quite an easy work load compared to way back when.

Not so way back when we did not have air conditions in homes and cars.  I remember many trips to Fl and out west without air.  We never complained about what we did not have because we didn't  know what we were missing. Windows down, 3 kids jumping all over and even feet and legs out the windows.  Remember, no car seats to restrain them in one place.  We survived!

Right now we are setting in an air conditioned house waiting for the sun to go behind the hill so we can get out, mow the lawn, feed the animals and pick what ever needs picked from the garden.  Not such a tough life when I think of the alternatives.  People work outside in this heat or the freezing cold winters,  retirement and age has made me soft!

Our Clara Rd. is closed at the lower end for a bridge replacement.  The oil/gas drilling is coming and no I don't like it.  If you are planing a trip up Clara the detour is the Back Rd and it is dirt!  Dusty, narrow and a little rough road.  It could be worse, we could be driving a horse and buggy.

Summer meals on warm days like this are light and easy.  Dick was craving.....bologna so he bought a pound sliced thick.  That was his supper and mine will be a fried bologna sandwich with mustard.  Haven't had one in years so tonight is the night!  The bologna has to be very close if not burnt for me.  Same as a campfire hot dog but the marshmallow just lightly tan in color.  Here is the side salad of fresh garden cukes, thin sliced onions, salt, pepper, a little sugar if you like (we don't) and a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water that is always in the frig during this time of the year.  Very crisp and refreshing on hot summer days.

This is a bean pot given to me by a very dear friend from NC.
Luann just retired from teaching this summer and is
one great and caring lady!  I love the crock and the
reminder of Luann.

We stopped at the Millport Fair for about a half hour this afternoon...to hot ;)  I did get to enjoy the Historical Society building and take a few pictures.  Mr Wicker was great at answering a few questions about the early Clara School.  He even gave me a picture of it when it was in use.  More on the school in another blog.!

The day just got a whole lot better.  The hubs put the faucet back together, flipped the handle and YES!  We have water.  I am back in the easy lane for company and canning, ♡♥♡♥♡♥♡♥♡♥♡♥♡

That Time of the Year ♡

Rounding up the young hens
for the night.

Old Henny and young eating
before lights out.

Henny on her favorite roost for
the night.

I have thought and mentioned in my lifetime how certain times of the year bring back great memories and a few sad one.  July brings the starting of garden harvest, eating fresh veggies at least once a day, hay season and the grand event.....The Potter County Fair that for some reason I still call the Millport Fair.  Old habits are hard to break or maybe the need not to break.
If you grew up in Oswayo Valley I'm pretty sure "Fair Time" was the highlight of your summer.  It was the meeting place for summer fun  that lasted a whole week from late afternoon to late into the evening.  For some that had animals there it meant a week of 24/7 because they camped to keep an eye on their precious animals.

Years ago there was a group of horse lovers called the Trail Riders.  They had evening trail rides and bonfires with the last day a corn roast to celebrate.  These were western riders, no helmets, no fancy buckles and clothes.  Kinda like the old west, rough and ready to ride.  Horse shows now are much different, well groomed horses, saddles decked in silver, horses with fancy braided tails and body paint.  Riders have matching clothes, hats and boots.  The events are calm and in my opinion not so exciting.  I still like to watch them though.  I can remember, Dave Amidon, Cookie Bryant, Fay Schoonover, Donny Amidon, Dick Bryant, Nan Beckwith, Terry Beckwith, Tom Spees, Stan Evingham, Squeaker Coleman, Terry Lee Hawley, Cheryl Oles Tommy and Peggy Day, Mike DeFlorient and so many others that rode like their ass was on fire!  Those horses could turn on a dime with the rider never leaving the saddle.  I will say there were a few scary moments in those years but everyone stayed unhurt and happy.   Parents that kept this club going year after year, Midge and Louie Amidon, Bob and Marge Visseau, EV Schoonover, Bud DeFlorient,  Sterling Peters, Tom Oles just to mention a few that might bring back a few good memories.

The other horse event was watching the draft and pony pulls.  Alan Cornelious and his dad Lyle, Fay Schoonover, his dad EV, his sister Reta and his sons,  Mike Ward and again others it always seemed to be a family affair.  This could get a little dangerous.  Quite a few pullers have lost the end of a finger finger or two when the reins get wrapped around a them.  Never stopped them they were ready for the next pull.

Those years are gone and new crews have taken their place but as the song says, "who's gonna fill their shoes"?  I doubt the shoes will be filled but new ones can still provide entertainment for the ones that love the smell and whinny of a horse.  Plus the bonus, rubbing their oh so soft nose.  Yes, I love horses.

This week will be a trip to the fair (2 miles for us) for candied apples, maple cotton candy, lemonade and french fries with........cider vinegar and salt.  French fries always taste better at the fair!  We will check out all the animals, canned goods, sewing, knitting, etc. and then take in a few animal events.

Although the fair is "itty bitty" it takes 2-3 hours or more to see it all.  Why?  It's the meeting place and ya never know who's going to show up fair week.  Remember it is the Valley Summer Meeting place.  Did you know Flossie Shields started the whole thing?  You can google that to find out when and why it came to be by one very dedicated and caring OVE teacher.  She was my 4th grade teacher.

 I will take a few pictures just in case you can't make it. Hope to see you at the fair!

Sweet Henny

There is something about eyes that get to me, human or animals it doesn't matter.  Last night when I was tucking the chickens in for a safe night in the barn "old" Henny gave me the eye glance.  The Bitties are in the original hen house until they get a little bigger.  We have screen over the door so the old gals and roosters can communicate and get use to them.  Henny wanted in to roost on her favorite spot and wasn't going to give in.  She is around 6 years old and the last of our Barred Rock brood.  She has survived coyotes, fox, weasels, Red Tailed Hawks and even a horse hoof or two.  How can I ignore such a lady, she has been faithful giving us eggs.  Now she lays JUMBO size and only twice a week.  Henny is here for the duration even when her egg factory runs out.  I picked her up, gave her a few rubs and scratches and put her in with the Bitties.  Up she flew to her favorite roosting spot and content with a few clucks.  I would like to thing it was her way of saying.....I'm one happy chick!

All of the wild animals around Cook'n by the Creek seem to have a seasonal pattern.  This time of the year  deer and turkey are coming into the field.  Dick brush hogged the upper field yesterday morning and by afternoon a hen turkey was teaching her young to catch bugs.  I just wonder, was she waiting in the edge of the woods for Dick to get it done?  When we were at the barn last night 4 buck all decked out in velvet made their first appearance of the season.  Dick saying as each stepped from the wood line to the field.......THAT'S A BUCK!  I admit I was excited too.  We watched them for quite a few minutes and then as fast as they appeared they disappeared.  All it takes is their tails to lift and the white underside looks like a white flag and away they go.  I loved watching them jump over a fence they always look so proud and majestic.  Another nice ending to a day on the little farm.

Pure white lard ready for the freezer.
Measured for a 2 crust pie.....
tender and flaky crust that melts in your
mouth, no grease after taste!

Yesterday I rendered the leaf fat.  It turned out great, white as snow, just the way it is suppose to be.  Any other color is NOT good and has to be tossed away, it will have a horrible odor.  I take that back, it is good for wild birds and yes I am speaking from experience.  Lard has to be rendered low and slow which takes about 6-8 hours.  I keep the leaf fat in the freezer until a day when I can give it all the attention I have.  Now that it is done off to the freezer the lard goes.  Speaking of freezer.....Dick sorted and cleaned ours out yesterday.  All washed, turned back on and ready to load it up with our winter stash.  Full circle.

Like the wild animals we also have eating patterns during the year.  July marks the beginning of fresh veggies from the garden.  This week we have enjoyed Butter Crunch Lettuce, Rainbow Swiss Chard and young spring onions.  Last night beet greens with the tiny, young sweet beets steamed with butter, salt, pepper and a drizzle of balsamic butter.  For us there is nothing better than saying "garden to table".  Each week  will be something else coming in....Let the canning begin! ♥♡♥

peas will be ready soon

green beans will also be ready in a few days

My favorite saying, "Pass it On" and that is what we do with our extra veggies.

Summer Time in Clara ♡

Trying to get some gardening done before the sun
gets too hot!

Free for the picking, wild raspberries in my backyard ♡

It's been a long time since I actually woke and said, I am writing in my blog.  Today was the day.  Maybe I can blame it on spring, traveling to Md and NC, the garden, lawn work or following the OV Varsity Baseball Team.  I'm not going to, the only excuse is when the mind says do it, get writing down all those wandering thoughts, I'm ready.

Yesterday I finally gave in, the air conditioner was fired up.  I am a wide open space kinda gal, no window coverings, lots of windows, full view storm door and patio doors.  I want to see the view.  With the air on the doors and windows are  shut which means no beautiful Clara breeze or song birds to enjoy.  The humidity and heat is making outdoor activities little to none during the hot summer hours.  Once the sun drops behind the hill we are racing around to get a few chores done outside.  Even the horses and chickens are staying in the barn. Of course they have triple fans blowing and have no desire to move from them.  Lucky animals we have.

Everything is lush and green around here with all the rain.  It's been tough for farmers to get hay in.  Hay needs low humidity, sun and a nice breeze to provide good dry hay.  When I was growing up on the family farm I can remember hearing my dad talk of farmers losing their barns to fire.  This was usually because hay was put in wet.  Heat would generate and spontaneous combustion.  If they were lucky the cows were out to pasture and not in the barn when the fire broke out.  Hay equipment is so much better now with special conditioners to help dry the rows before bailing.  Like may things we never realize what it takes to keep the farm going.

Every night just before dark we head to the barn.  That way the chickens have went to roost in their coop and no chasing the new "bitties".   We bought 17 Australorp peeps in May, they are now bitties, not quite a hen and past the peep stage.  Unfortunately a fox or the pair of Red Tail Hawks that live on the hill got 2 of them.  It is the time of year parents are looking for an easy meal for their young.  Now the bitties are locked up until after supper and only allowed out a few hours under watchful eyes.

This is also the time beautiful wild red raspberries are hanging on the bushes.  They are an added treat to nightly barn chores, stopping to pick a handful.  Life has quite a few simple pleasures for me, wild raspberries are top of the list.  So many pleasures from growing up that just put a smile on my face.

Work today is setting with the air on, going out on the porch to check the progress of rendering lard for all those pies, cookies, fried cakes (Gramma's donut recipe) for next fall and winter.  My family called them fried cakes when no yeast was used and donuts when yeast was used for glazed donuts.

Not very pretty but the end product will be snow white pure lard thanks to my son in NC for always saving the Leaf Fat for me......bake on Cheryl ♥♡♥