A Candy Dish

Can you remember being little/young and seeing a candy dish full of sweets (always in a wrapper).  More than likely it was a home that an older person lived in.  My gramma, aunts and my mom all had a candy dish setting on a stand.  It was proper to take a piece (only one) without being offered.  I forgot about "the candy dish" until Sunday when Dick and I went to a yard sale at the Hebron Seventh Day Adventist Church.  They have this sale once a year around the same time.  This is the first year we went and will definitely go back next year.  There were many treasures from long ago.  That is usually what we are looking for.  Just a little reminder of our past.  I believe the older you get the more going back is important.  If I had been more interested in the past during my teen years I would have listened and asked more questions.  I didn't, so these days I rely on what I do remember or what someone reminds me of.  Looking around at all the dishes they were selling for 10 cents to a dollar I found a couple reminders of my past.  When I saw the candy dish I just stood there staring at it with a reminder of walking past my Grammas.  That was a buy, 10 cents, all washed and setting on our stand with wrapped candy in it.  I love it!  The other buy was a milk glass pedestal bowl that was made in Cleveland, Ohio, by O. E. Brody Co.  That was a deal, 10 cents and worth $16 and up.  It's not for sale,  I just wanted to find out about the company.  Dick bought 8 silver (?) coasters etched with a beautiful design.  With a little silver cleaner they cleaned up beautiful.  Needless to say everything we bought will be used.  In the past few months I had been looking for coasters and just couldn't find ones that were just right.  These are,  for.......25 cents.  We love a bargain.

Stamped on the bottom is "Holland Mold".

The rest of time has been in the garden.  Not during the heat of the day but evenings.  We have been going out before supper and  again afterwards.  This weekend was planting of corn, potatoes, beans and cucumbers.  Next will be the winter squash, summer squash and pumpkins.  Do a little weeding and tilling until the busy time of harvest and canning starts.  We have been getting a lot of asparagus since the temperatures have been in the 70s and 80s.  The important thing in seeds germinating is ground temperature which depends on night time warmth.  If the nights are 50-60 with high moisture the seeds and young plants are going to thrive.  So far it looks like a good year for the garden.  Some rain would be nice, it is quite dry at Cook'n by the Creek.  Thunderstorms have moved all round us but none for us. 

Tomorrow our beautiful stand of White Pine Trees will be gone and hauled away to be sawed into lumber for the cabin and whatever else is needed.  Seventeen years ago we took down just enough to build our barn and now the need is here again.  I am very sad but also keep saying, never cry for anything that can't cry for you.  It has been very peaceful looking out the bedroom window watching the tops sway in the night.  On the deck we set and watch them also. There are some young cherry trying to take hold and may do better with the tall pines gone.  Trees are so very important for our world and these guys have been growing since around the late 1800s, from stories an old guy told us about a huge White Pine that grew on the same spot as our trees.  

Tomorrow night the view will be completely different.
 

The 57 Chevy

Window vents to keep the air moving,  no air conditioning.

Ron and Dick checking out every square inch.

Full bench seat, fits 3 easy.

Stylish lines, wow!

Big steering wheel!  The dice on the mirror, a must have.

There is the white walls and beautiful color.

Quite by accident we happened upon this "Thursday Night Car" show at the Charcoal Corral near Letchworth, NY.  The restaurant is quite the place to eat.  They have just about anything you want including burgers, fries, pizza and an ice cream parlor...how is that for a 50ish-70ish word..parlor.  I like the sounds of it and the place gives the old time feel of taking me back to my teen years.  I know, I always say they are the best years and our generation was the luckiest of lucky to live that era.  It's true, even now I see young people trying to play the hippie style and looking a material the other day it also has the hippie look of the 60s.  Can't ignore a good thing! 

What got me thinking (geez it doesn't take much) today we went on an atv ride around the back roads of Clara with our daughter and her husband.  It was a great ride because Jim took us on 3 roads that we did not know existed.  What a joy and yes we will be on them again for pictures.  Beautiful area.  The best was seeing a house that was just my style!  Those funky 60s colors of deep gold, red and navy blue.  Now this may sound rather yucky to some but trust me the style of the house and the perfection of what to paint what color was absolutely beautiful.  I looked at my husband and said.....my kinda house, I love it!  He said, looks like a hippie lives there.  So the next warm night we will take a ride and get one more look at that very intriguing house that sets in the woods with a well groomed lawn and flower beds.

Ok, let's talk cars. My favorite is the 57 Chevy. Actually I was 8 years old in 1957 but as you know very seldom did parents buy new so when I was 14 my parents owned a 57, silver colored convertible with red interior.  It was a beauty!  Our friend Ron said something the other day that has been on my mind because it is the truth.  He said, one thing is for sure my Hyundai will not be a collector car.  Our Honda will not make it to the car shows in 50 years for a remember when!   Now our cars are nice but we are in the era that cars all look alike, unless you get into the $100,000 price tag.  They just don't have their own personality and style.  As we were walking around looking and drooling at the 50s cars and particularly the 57s he said with regret,  to think I ran the heck out of my Aunt Red's car.  How true, if we knew then what we know now!  Those cars were gold and we all would have drove a little more careful and probably would still own it.  Gosh, there is just something about those cars.  A few of my favorite things, a full bench seat, big steering wheel, windows that rolled all the way down, the window vent on the front doors, the lines, white wall tires, beautiful colors and easy to get in and out of.  The pictures from the car show prove just about everything I like about them.  Hey, when ya went on a date it was a must to set next to the guy....ya can't do that in modern day cars.  I can remember a few "old" wives that would set by their husband.  It made me do the eye roll and think how weird it looked.  If you are from Shinglehouse I bet you know who I am talking about.  Now as I look back it doesn't seem weird it seems rather sweet and yes they are still married.

I am going to mention a few I remember seeing Doug Evingham, Mike Taylor, Cubby Newton,  Lee West, Stan Evingham, Ross Jones, Hollis Allen,  Ginger James and Squeaker Coleman.  There are more but this mind is at a stand still.  Overload does that sometimes.  I can still see some of these guys driving by, window down, hair slicked back and a button down shirt on.  How about that for remembering what cool was!  It was also a time they headed for the Horse Run Road to race to the bridge.  Good times!

It is fun to look back at the cars we grew up with, listen to the music, and talk of good times.  There are a lot of stories to be told, take time to listen or tell a few. 

A Man and His Hoe

Around Cook'n by the Creek we have to work the good days even if we are not having a good day.  You know at our age the aches and pains just keep multiplying but like we say...."it's gonna hurt to work or set so we better keep moving.  In the end we work through the kinks and moans, by the end of the day we usually are smiling and say....."damn, we did it".  Being outside and especially in the garden gives us the greatest enjoyment.  The garden is first nothing but weeds and leftover dead crops from last year.  With the exception of asparagus and early spring onions.  We have had asparagus for the last two weeks and will hopefully get another 2 weeks of picking.  Last week I used my cast iron skillet with 4 tablespoons of butter melted and added the asparagus turning until tender.  This might be the best way so far.  Next I will be pickling 6 pints.  We tried it last year and everyone liked it.

He loves to play in the dirt and his Amish hat!

Dick is the hoe man.  I am the seed planter, considering I am a foot shorter than him it is easier for me to plant.  Works out great because I have never liked hoeing.  That was my job in my younger years growing up on the Horse Run Farm.  I was never trusted to do the planting so hoe it was.  I look back and realize, I never was asked or had a choice.  Of course it might be where I learned to give those looks that are always showing on my face when I have a silent opinion....not good most of the time.

The peas we planted a few weeks ago are up about 3 inches.  We planted two more rows Friday.  I am pretty sure they will both produce at the same time.  Growing season is all about ground temperatures.  Although we have planted two weeks apart the early planting is struggling with cool temperatures.  Friday we also planted 3 varieties of carrots and beets.  Tuesday and Wednesday we will plant cukes, green beans, corn, tomatoes, pumpkins, winter and summer squash.   Then it is hope we don't get a heavy frost after they come up.

About July we will be picking, shucking and freezing peas.



If you live in our area you have probably noticed the fruit tree blossoms!  They are plentiful on the tame and wild fruit trees.  Our apple trees and blueberry bushes are loaded with blossoms.  We did have a hard frost or two which is usually not good for the fruit crops.  I am hoping it was just the right timing that will not ruin the fruit.  It has been two years since we were able to gather wild apples for our weekend of apple cider pressing.  The family is ready to press and fire up the pizza oven.

How pretty this year!



Our blueberry bushes are loaded with
blossoms.

Wild strawberry blossoms, hoping this year for a few pints to make
"wild strawberry jam", nothing tastes better.

The weekend has been a dreary rain which we need and also provides a couple days rest for us.  We headed to the Amish for horse, chicken and wild bird feed.      Happened upon a lawn sale, great deal on a pair of cross country skis made in Norway.  I love the poles, so old fashioned looking.  The plan for the poles is to use as a wall decoration in the cabin.

 If I am "stuck" inside it usually means kitchen time.  I baked Toll House Cookies and thawed up leftover ham we had for Sunday dinner a few weeks ago.  Even with Amber and family we had  plenty of leftover ham.  I made a batch of ham salad after dinner and the rest of the ham went to the freezer.  Today I cut meat from the bone and made scalloped potatoes, Navy Bean Soup and more ham salad.  That ham cost $17.00 and provided a Sunday dinner with family, 2 batches of ham salad, soup and Sunday dinner for today of scalloped potatoes.  That is a bargain!  I love what I call free meals with leftovers.  About the ham salad, it is the recipe my mom used.  We like it on bread, rolls or crackers.  I use to use the old time hand grinder, now I use my food mill which gives the same consistency.  Just grind the ham, add relish, chopped onion, mustard, mayonnaise, garlic, salt and pepper.  Sometimes I use sweet pickles, dill pickles, hot peppers or horseradish, what ever sounds tasty.

All the talk of food, break time!  My favorite pottery, the cups are a gift from
Bart and Deb from NC.  Dick bought the tea pot at the Creative Arts Center
in Wellsville, NY.  Perfect match for being made 700 miles from each potter.

Drinking with the Birds

At Cook'n By the Creek this morning is was one of those shock and awe times that always amaze me.  I was in charge of chickens and horses which is way "ok" with me. What better way to start the day!   The sun was starting to melt the hard frost we had last night and also provide enough warmth that no coat was needed.  This morning is proof life goes on in nature, bird and animal kingdom.  The chickens had found their not so secret passage from the coop and as they have been doing since winter broke did their morning greetins to us as soon as we cross the bridge.  Why?  Because we never leave the house without a few slices of bread or whatever.  They love their morning and evening snacks.  I know, I am a chicken kinda chick but seriously if you don't crack a smile seeing those hens doing their "waddle run" then ya just have NO heart for chickens. 

I had an added bonus!  Getting closer to the barnyard I spotted something moving in the grass (not a snake in the grass :)  It was a tiny baby Killdeer.  Looking around I spotted 2 more and just a few feet from the babies were the momma and papa.  One was laying down as close to the ground as possible and the other was pretending to be injured with a wave of its wing and a small call.  The babies disappeared in a blink.  They also were buried into the grass laying flat. What a sight to watch.  Nature has so much to offer if we just take the time to "smell the roses" as to speak.

Doing breakfast dishes I had the honor to watch Mr. and Mrs. Baltimore Oriole as we have been for the past 3 days.  Once we noticed them trying to drink from the Hummingbird feeder Dick went to town for fresh oranges and grape jelly.  They are now frequent visitors several times a day.  This is the first time they have come so close to the house.  I am on the back deck writing, enjoying the morning and our feathered friends, hoping to get a close up of the Orioles.  They must learn to share the space with us.  This is our outdoor living space once the weather allows and this morning is perfection at its best.  Every time I pick up the camera they take flight.  Mr. is quite noisy and I believe trying to tell me.....GET!  They keep circling back, the fruit and jelly is just more than they can ignore.  Kinda like the cinnamon jelly beans our friend keeps on his counter.  If I walk by I just have to take a few. 

Trying to be still is like hunting spring gobbler.  I become so aware of my surroundings.  Here in Clara it can be hours before we hear another sign of humans.  This morning is no exception.  Of course I missed a good picture because I had my eyes closed listening to Morning Doves, all the other song birds and an occasional whinny from the horses.  Must be everyone left Clara early this morning because not a vehicle has gone by for quite awhile.  Lawns must have been mowed earlier in the week.  Gotta cut grass when the weather allows.  This is an amazing feeling...like I am the only one on earth.  Times like these are refreshing and cleansing, just me and my thoughts.  Which many of you know I seem to have way to many of.  Well there is a great sound, the cuckoo clock just announced it is 10 am. I have been enjoying my time for 2 hours already and possibly with another cup of coffee a few more.   I have to take advantage of the "around sound".  Deep breathing, relax and be thankful for what is. 

Mrs. O. decided we can enjoy the porch together.  I knew they could not resist a free meal.

The hummers could care less if I am close to their food. 

Well it has happened.  I have drank with many friends but with the feathered ones it is much more quiet and peaceful. Oh, I did perk another small pot of Jamaican Me Crazy.  I think this could possibly be another 2 hours of "drinking with my friends".  Did you happen to notice I wrote that it is perked coffee?  Who says you can't go back.  A few weeks ago I was reading an article about the automatic and Kurig coffee makers.  It didn't sound to enjoyable about the water tanks and nasty sediments in the tanks.  I googled that and discovered the old time percolators are by far the best for cleaning and keeping clean.  Amazon was my next stop on the world wide web.  Yep, they had plenty to chose from and the reviews helped me decide which one.  The first time we "perked" a pot we were hooked!  The coffee is so crisp tasting, I think I remember that taste.  Lucky for me where I buy my Finger Lakes Jamaican Me Crazy does a perk grind.  Perfect, life in my "coffee world" can't get any better than that!  Off I go to enjoy the quiet,  another cup of JMC and our little feathered friends.

There is my new favorite coffee pot!

 

Take time to enjoy the great outdoors, it really does have a lot of wonderful, free things to offer.  Just listen and watch.