Friday, October 14, 2016

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.