When the Swamp is Filled

The old saying, we won't have a winter until the swamps are filled.  Dick came from the barn and told me Clara Creek is still full.  I'm assuming the swamps are too. Rain has set in for the day and at times a nice steady rain.  We sure have needed days like this.  It takes some stressful thoughts away about the well going dry.  Rainy days and Sundays, perfect!

Today is the first fall meal of the season.  Even though the temperatures are in the high 50s it will be a boiled dinner day with Amber, Jim and Kirk.  When I make boiled dinner it is enough for many and many days of leftovers.  Free meals!   I cooked a Calley Ham in my pressure cooker.  It takes about an hour to be fall off the bone tender and juicy.  Covering it on a platter it sets until the vegetables are done.  First the turnip goes in the broth and simmered until fork tender then it goes in a large bowl.  Cabbage is next to be cooked in the broth, put in the bowl.  Carrots, same thing and finally the potatoes.  Once everything is cooked ham and veggies all go back it the large pot with the broth to set for a few hours.  About 30 minutes before dinner I reheat it.  Years ago I cooked the ham for an hour and then added all the vegetables at once.  What happened was the turnip was just right and everything else was too soft or mushy.  I like doing everything separate avoiding some overcooked veggies.  Homemade buttermilk biscuits and cornbread on the side and for dessert...............warm ginger bread with lemon sauce and whipped cream on top.  That is what's cook'n at Cook'n by the Creek today.  That ginger bread is going to make the house smell like fall for sure.

Ginger bread with lemon sauce and whipped cream.
Dick is getting so use to me making something and taking
a picture before he eats it he decided to fancy it up!

If you are of age you probably know what a Calley Ham is.  It is called a Picnic Ham or pork shoulder.  They are not hams at all.  Hams come from the hind quarters and the Calley or Picnic comes from the front shoulder.  They are tougher and need longer cooking time than a traditional ham.  You can boil it for an hour, then bake it covered in a 360 degree oven for a few hours or until tender.  They are also wonderful when glazed with a brown sugar or maple glaze.  Never did they cost more than 89 cents a pound and 39 cents on sale. Now I am happy to find one for less than $2. a pound.  These hams are wonderful for boiled dinners with their rich flavor and smoky taste.  Makes for a great broth too.  If I plan on making bean soup with no plans for a ham dinner I buy a few ham hocks to simmer for the flavoring and broth, plus there is just enough meat on them for the soup.  Ham hocks are fully cooked with a very smoky flavor.  Great for homemade noodles too!  You can find them in the ham and pork section of the meat department. 

Cabin news!   Electric is all wired in with a few lights set.  Dick is over putting up the porch light this morning. He was quite proud when he announced the electric is on and nothing caught fire!  He did the wiring with a few instructions from our son in law.  Life is so much easier with electric.  What a spoiled bunch we have become but isn't that what life is all about, progress, making life easier and more enjoyable? 

We had to go over and see how cozy it looks with
the lights on at night.

We love this little cabin!

With the leaves gone I can see the cabin from our house.
Look at all the apple still on the tree and on the ground.
Deer are going to be happy this winter.
 

One week from today I will be placing the order for my cookbook, Della's Daughter.  I'm excited, scared and also proud to think my mom gave me the opportunity to come to this point in my life. 

Twisted Vine Winery

As the sun came up this morning it was with the comment, " look how far on the hills I can see".  Most of the leaves are gone with the oak and poplar hanging on.  There are still some vibrant yellows and golds that have the "awe" look at that them.  It really does seem good to be able to see on the hills and deep into the pine stand (what is left of it).  True wild open spaces until late spring.  Raspberry and blackberry bushes have lost there foliage, now we will be able to see little and big animals that travel through by the house. 

As daylight slips away earlier each day and darkness sets in we will all be waiting for that one special day in December.  No, not Christmas!  Winter Solstice, December 21, 2016.  It makes me happy to know daylight will be pushing darkness aside after December 21.  We will be setting the clocks back in  couple weeks which means it will be dark when supper is on the table.   I like those daylight evenings, 6 more months!

I'm sure many of you know, I like wine.  Not dry wine, that reminds me of the worst liquid medicines I took as a little girl.  Give me the fruity, sweet, flavor burst wines.  There are a couple local wineries that fit the bill for my choice.  Lakewood Winery in Watkins Glen, NY, for their Niagara and Abbey Rose.  The Wilcox Winery in Wilcox, PA, for their Blueberry.  Bastress Winery, Williamsport, PA for their Jack Ass Red and Group Therapy.  The new one.............Twisted Vine Winery near Kane, PA, for their Wild Berry.  My wine tour is quite a circle of miles apart but all the more reason to take some beautiful rides.

Half gone or half full?  Tonight probably empty! 
It is that good if you like sweet wine.

We had friends visit yesterday and they brought me a bottle of wine from the Twisted Vine Winery and Dick a bottle of homemade brandy.  The day was perfect with lots of chatter, laughter, a little serious talk and catching up on life since 1968.  Remember the saying about paths crossing for a reason?  This is where it rings true, the reason.  In 1968 my path crossed with someone and now in 2016 that crossing has brought joy and friendship from this young couple.  When I think of how this time in our lives have come to be it is almost unbelievable.  I am so happy and proud to be a part of it all.  There is no doubt the friendship will continue.  What a great couple and amazing how much we have in common.  Good people deserve good happenings and I wish the best to them!

Now, I love cooking and will be very honest.  I HAVE FAILURES!  Yesterday for our company I decided to make it simple.  Potato soup with Italian Sausage, fresh spinach, onions, garlic, jalapeno smoked pepper, chicken broth and topped of with heavy cream.  I bought two small jalapenos, one for a Mexican dish we had the other night and the other for the potato soup.  I put them over the open flame on the stove, blackened them and put in a sandwich bag for 10 minutes.  That way the blackened peel slips off, take the seeds and stem out and chop.  We couldn't even taste the one I put in the Mexican dish.  The one I put in the soup for company.............kick butt, hotter than hot!.  I was so upset!  They ate it and didn't complain but for me it was one of those "oh, no!" times.  Thank goodness I had made dinner rolls, apple pie and a Tandy Cake.  So, now you know........Cheryl makes big blunders in the kitchen.  Take the good with the bad.  I can guarantee from now on I will add a little spice at a time!

The deadly hot one!

Chicken enchiladas in a creamy cheese sauce.  Chipotle
rice and refried beans.  Why couldn't this have been
the one I put the deadly Jalapeno in......

Thank you for all the interest in my cookbook.  Once most of the money is in I will place the order.  Please know that when I mail the book to you I will put in any extra money left if the postage is less than you sent me.  The more that I buy the cheaper per cookbook.  As of now I have 59 requested, plus the 15 I am buying. 

Thunder in the Fall

The third meal provided by one 3 pound beef roast.

Sunday dinner was a choice to our grandson for his birthday.  Kirk, what would you like for dinner?  Beef roast, pork roast or chicken.  I knew the answer before I asked and was so confident it would be beef I had already purchased one.  Beef was the answer.  He always raves about the beef roast that I do in the pressure cooker.  I sent him home with a nice big plate of leftovers.  We still had plenty of meat and gravy left for "hot roast beef" sandwiches.  After that enough left for beef stew.  Cook the potatoes, carrots and peas, add to the beef and gravy, serve with buttermilk biscuits and 3 meals provided with ease.  Nothing better than that!

In the middle of the night the thunder storms complete with rain, lightning and wind moved in.  Since we have had a few warm and muggy days the windows have been open.  Up we jumped to close them and listen to the storm.  It brought back my dad's voice saying........thunder in the fall, no winter at all.  I made a note to myself, we shall see if it holds true.  The Farmer's Almanac is predicting a cold winter with lots of snow for the NE.  I am one that loves snow and looking forward to their prediction this winter.  Last winter was little snow, sometimes mud and no fun living in the hill country of NW PA.  The skis and snow shoes sat abandoned in the basement all winter.  Soon we will get them out, dust them off, wax the skis and hope we get to enjoy the trails in Clara.  When the perfect day comes this winter we will head to the woods, build a fire and have a "winter hot dog roast"  complete with marshmallows and hot chocolate.  It's the only way to enjoy the cold and snow, get outside!  I love looking out the windows and watching a nice snowstorm with flakes swirling and drifts building.  Cozy!

Ok, back to all the sayings I have heard through my years.  Check out a few and see if you have heard them too.

Red at night, sailor's delight,
red in the morning, sailors take warning.

As high as the weeds grow,
so will the drifts of snow.

If the first snow lands on unfrozen ground,
the winter will be mild.

Flowers blooming in late Autumn,
a sure sign of a bad winter coming.

Full moon in October without frost,
No snow until November's full moon.

For every fog in August,
there will be a snowfall in winter.

If the first week in August is unusually warm,
the coming winter will be long.

Dry grass on an early summer morning,
rain is coming.

Fog on the hill,
brings water to the mill.

Fog climbing the hill,
water in the mill.

It will be interesting to see how the winter goes.  We have had thunder, no winter and we have had the unusual warm first week of August which means the winter is going to be long.  Folklore and meteorologists, which one do you believe?  I trust waking up in the morning and looking out the window.  As my brother that lived in Clara always told my kids.  I wake up in the morning, open the door and sniff up the valley and down the valley to know what the day brings.  I like that!

Finally little Clara Creek as water and hoping the water level will
stay up once the rain quits.  We need ground water for our
wells and springs.  Clara Creek as been close to not flowing this summer.

I am saying the cookbook is finished.  At least I have made the decision to stop second guessing what I have done, close the book and say, "time to order it to print"!  The recipes are a collection from my mom, family members and friends throughout my life.  I have given credit on each recipe from the person that gave it to me.  With my kids, grandchildren and requests for a copy the total is now 59.  This amount will bring the price to $7.00 plus shipping.  If you live near and I can deliver or you can pick it up it will be $7.00.  I am going to say $10.00 if I have to mail it to you.  There are 82 recipes, a page of my tips for various things, a little review page of me, and several pages of incidentals of kitchen helpers that are complimentary from the company.  I am very nervous about people paying for a cookbook I compiled.  Like the feeling, is it worthy enough for others to have other than my family?  What if it is a complete flop and I don't like the finished product?  I would love to order one copy to check it out but can't.  I could order 12 but that puts the price to $15. a book, plus shipping.  So I will bite the bullet and take the plunge to order 60.  Here is hoping no apologizes are necessary down the road.  If after all of these "true worries" I have and you still want a "Della's Daughter" cookbook you may send me the money by mail or drop it off.  Need my address or phone number, please private message me on Face Book.  I would like to put in the order by 11/07/2016.

Here goes..................I am so nervous!!!

Salt Rising Toast and Apple Butter!

Lucky for us the weather has stayed relatively warm with only a few nights in the 30 degree range.  The pilot light on the furnace will not stay lit which means come on service guy and give us some good news.  Last February we had it completely over hauled with every new part put on. Considering it was 17 years old and had never cost us a penny in all those years we felt pretty good about putting money into it.  The service guy said,  the stove has brand new parts and no worries.  Well...............so what is the problem here?  It worked great for the 4 months left of cold weather and now it has taken a fit.  Today is the day to find out do or die for it. 

Happy smells,  taste and views for the fall lovers.

On to better things.  The house has been smelling like an apple spice candle all week.  From applesauce to the last of the apple butter being canned this morning.  Of course the husband had to have a sample of the apple butter on his Salt Rising Toast this morning.  Yes, I capitalize SRT, it is just that special and important to us.  Once the furnace gets fixed I will be starting a batch of homemade SRT.  It is a 36 hour process but what else do I have to do around Cook'n by the Creek but razzle dazzle the guy that lives with me?  My day is like little work stations, cook, work on the cookbook, knit, crochet, read, check out FB and the news of the day and maybe clean a little then  keep rotating.  It's my way of keeping busy, move it, move it!

A beautiful bunch of wild flowers.

One of them many advantages of having a dog........they beg you to go for a walk.  Now is the time it is cool, pretty much bug free and enjoyable to get out and make me and the dog happy!  This morning was no exception.  Dick had to work and Quincy lays around looking all "puppy eyed sad".  All I have to say is, wanna go for a walk?  He is jumping and running to the door looking like come on let's go.  I have learned to get my sneakers on before saying the magic happy question.  Wednesday we walked to our grandson's pond and sat quite a while just enjoying the quiet and fall colors.  Quincy played on the edge of the pond looking for any little movement in the water.  He is afraid of water (actually afraid of many things) so he never goes in farther than his knees.  I guess dogs have knees?  Today was a walk around our fields and pasture.  It doesn't matter what time of the year it is quite the view no matter what way I look.  I took a picture of "Old Baldy" as so many of us knew growing up in the Oswayo Valley area.  It was bald way back when.  Today it is all grown up except for a little area that is kept cleared at the top.  I have no idea how many kids, parents and dogs made the climb.  Many for us. The view looking down towards Ceres is amazing on a clear day. 

Old Baldy.  Not bald anymore.  I bet some guys would like to grow hair
the older they get like Old Baldy grows trees!

Wild Man Smokey waiting for an apple.  He's a charmer!

A warning.  Ticks are back in full swing as of last week.  Daily we are searching our dog and of course I do a tick check frequently on me!  So far so good, none for me.  I was hoping they were gone for good.  The last we had ticks was in May and not a one all summer long.  Maybe it was too dry and hot for the little nasties and once the rain started and temperature dropped off they revived.  What ever the reason be on the lookout when out in the great outdoors.

Update!  Furnace is fixed.  The problem was the gas line to the pilot light.  The only thing that wasn't replaced last winter.  Rick the technician said it is really a rarity it happened.  Like the perfect storm.  It doesn't happen often but it does happen.  Geez, we can't win the lottery (only but a ticket a couple times a year) but we can have the rarity of a pilot  line going bad.  It's ready for winter, knock on wood!   We bought our stove from Sissons in Bolivar, NY.  Last year was the first time we needed a service call and Rick was the guy.  I was so happy to see him this morning.  What a super, nice, pleasant and well spoken guy.  While he was here we talked hunting, sports and anything else along the way. He has a great laugh.  I was baking Toll House Cookies and had to send him on his way with a few for his morning snack.  Made me smile, he said, thanks, dang they smelled so good!  The mom and gramma in me won't quit!

If you live in the area there is a great Artisans Trail going on along RT 417 this weekend.  From potters, jewelry makers, wood working, etc.  You can pick up the booklet  that has the route and list of Artisans involved in the open house.  Looks like good weather for it!  Check it out, http://alleganyartisans.com/  Kay Brooks, one of my favorite potters will be open.   

Thought for the day, pass it on!  Whenever you can to make someone happy, it will make you happy too. 

Apple This and Apple That

I have touched about all the apples I care to for this year.  Apple cider is all pressed, Apple Jack is fermenting, apple sauce in the freezer and apple butter cooking in the crock pot today.  Tomorrow will be the last of what we do with apples for the season, freezing them for pies, cakes and apple crisp.  Like every fruit and vegetable this year it is a happy day to say, "another one down".   Winter squash will be cooked and in the freezer tomorrow and then I'm free unless there is a deer to be tended to. 

Thanks to our nephew J.R.. Hathaway for bring up this high tech cider press.  It cut
the work by 75% and time too! 

It has been busy this past week.  From gathering wild apples, buying apples, cider making for two days and all the canning.  The little cabin project has taken a back seat but by Saturday we should be back at it.  Decisions, decisions on what to do with what ever.  We had discussed having the insulation blown in but after much research and talking to a few that have had it done.....back to the rolled fiberglass.  I was looking forward to not doing rolled.  It requires long sleeves, face mask, gloves and cover as much skin as possible.  Itchy stuff.  I plan on wearing the oldest clothes we have and throwing them away when done with the job.  The wiring is 99% done so let the electric flow. 
The Amish will be here in two weeks to finish boxing in the eaves.  Dick has had some old barn wood stored in our barn for quite a few years.  Now it will get used.  Our grandson thought it would look good on the long wall in the living area that separates the bedroom.  I suggested putting it on the end closet wall that will also be seen from the living area.  It's all about building this cabin on a budget and sticking to it.  

A little food for thought..........I made a goulash/pizza casserole for Sunday's apple pressing.  Everyone said it was good, ya never know kindness from truth.  My opinion, I really liked it.  All I did was make the goulash with ground beef as usual .  Then layered it in a casserole dish with mozzarella cheese, grated cheese and pepperoni,  topped off with cheese on top, drizzled olive oil over and baked until bubbly and the cheese on top was slightly brown.  We even had enough for supper last night which as most leftovers do........taste great the second time around.

We have had a couple hard frosts here in Clara Valley.  The dahlias are now laying on the ground all black.  Now is the time to dig the tubers, spread them out and let them dry to be stored until planting season in the spring.  Another full circle at Cook'n by the Creek.  The grass is still growing with a vengeance and requires being mowed twice a week.  After the long, hot, dry spell this summer it is making up for the lack of growth.  The pastures and fields also need one last brush hogging before winter.  I think it helps give the fresh, tender, young growth a better chance to grow in the spring.  Plus it looks so nice to see the groomed fields from the house.  The last to be trimmed will be the asparagus, when it turns a golden color we will cut it back to a 1/2 inch from the ground and throw the cut tops on the mulch pile.  It's not good to leave them just die without cutting them back.  It leads to bugs and disease that could ruin the patch.  Many say to use salt around the asparagus to keep weeds from growing.  It does that but also makes for spindly asparagus to eat.  Best to keep the weeds down the old fashioned way......pull them and through them out of the garden.  The asparagus spears will be thick and tender this way.  That will about wrap up the outdoor work for us.  Maybe a little snow shoveling for the winter.

We have had a fig tree for 5 years, it was 6 inches tall
when we bought it.  This year was the first for figs.
From August 1 until this week we were enjoying
the sweetness.

This is what the inside of the fig looks like.  We started out sharing when one was ripe and
then it was......oh, I picked it and ate it.  Sorry

 Times a ticking, get out to enjoy the beautiful fall colors, crisp air and beautiful blue skies.

Harvest the American Spirit!

It has been harvest time and maybe time to harvest the American Spirit...we can do this!

Get outside and take a look around...........from the hills, fields, valleys, edges of the little and big streams, just look, it is an amazing view in NWPA and NWNY.  A simple ride to town or over the hill just keeps getting better.  It won't last long so now is the time to take a look.  Much too soon the beautiful fall colors will be on the ground, the trees will be bare allowing to see farther across the valleys and hills.  The animals will be more cautious in their travels.  Hunting season will be upon us.  Mother nature knows what she is doing when it comes to protection for the "wild things".  All summer the deer and fawns have been beautiful red and gold colors.  Now they will be turning a muted gray and brown to blend in with the gray and brown landscape for the next 6 months. 

Behind the garage our little cabin, soon we will be able to see it from the house, all of the leaves will be gone.

Now is the time to take a day trip to Wine Country around the Finger Lakes.  Roll the windows down and smell the aroma of grapes.  It is amazing as to how the grapes send off their beautiful goodness through the air.  The first time I smelled it was quite a shock, it just fills the air.  Along with the grapes on the vine are also the locals that set up little fruit and bakery stands.  There are plenty of them and they all sell the famous Concord Grape Pie.  Yum!  It is delicious, we always buy the little individual ones.  Why not a big pie?  We can eat the individual without a fork!   I'm good for two and a couple to bring home.  Hey, it's only a once a year thing so why not?  We never leave the area without a few bottles of our favorite wine from Lakewood Vineyards, just north of Watkins Glenn on Seneca Lake.  What a view of the lake. The wine is good but there is a guy that gives the tastings and he is awesome with conversation, knowledge and a few jokes.

Apple cider pressing has finally arrived.  Dick and I have been busy picking up apples.  Our friends, Dave and Kathy Ebeling were kind enough to stop by last week and ask if we would like apples from a couple of their trees.  Oh yeah!  They are Golden Delicious and Cortlands, perfect for pressing and a mix of flavor.  We will also get some wild ones.  Variety makes the tastiest cider.  Of course Dick will make a couple gallons of Apple Jack.

Work should get in full swing on the cabin next week.  The electric company got us all hooked up and turned on which means the saws will be moved over and ready to go.  Still waiting for Joe Mullet and his boys (Amish fellas) to get back and box in the eaves.  That will allow us to start the insulation to have a little heat when the days turn cold. 

I have been busy doing the final touches on a cookbook I am writing.  Dick is enjoying it because with just about every recipe I am making the food and taking pictures for the book.  This will be my favorite recipes and also a few tips and certain brands I like and why.  It started out for my kids and grandkids.  When I mentioned (a year ago) to some friends what I was doing they wanted one.  If interested just give me a call, message or email and I will write your name down.  Right now it looks like it is going to cost me $9.95 plus shipping per book.  As it gets closer I will know exactly how much the final cost is.  I will not make a penny on the cookbooks as I do not on my blog.  I only do what I do for my own enjoyment and entertainment.  Busy mind, busy hands keeps Cheryl just a "little crazy".

Last night was chicken and dumplings...........I needed a picture and that is about how our meals and treats have been decided lately.........I need a picture.

Light and fluffy dumplings, easy to make.  A side of cranberry sauce and that is supper!