Let the Rest and Regroup Begin

Yes, it is one of my favorite times of the year.  Even thought coats, scarves and gloves are now put on before heading outdoors.  Wednesday there were a few snow flurries coming down the valley.  Bundle up baby it's cold out there!  Along with the cold crisp air comes the desire to tip my head back and take long deep breaths of air that feels like it has been filtered and cleansed.  What a refreshing way to start the day. Wind is still taking leaves of the know dormant trees and twirling every which way, beautiful.

It was off to town and run a few errands.  I actually stopped for a nice visit with a gal.  It is always fun to set and talk about "remember whens".  Another plus to living in the small town we grew up in.  Then it was off to the drugstore.  Great changes.........if you live near or passing through take a stop by and see all the specialty decorations for sale.  Plus the best part for me.....they have a great variety of yarns, crochet thread, embroidery thread, notions, needles and hooks.  I am impressed that they carry so much.  They have far more variety of crochet threads than Walmart or Joanns.  For some reason a beautiful sage green crochet thread just jumped in my hand along with a yarn for making scrubbies.   After all the warm days are a memory and only a few here and there of 50s will be around, then it will be time to do my winter things.  This is a time to rest, regroup and by February start making a list of what plans will be in the making for spring.  Full circle. 

Normally my winter redo and rearrange doesn't start until after Christmas.  This year I have started a couple months early.  I have been thinking,(always dangerous) I never use my dishwasher.  Even if I have company!  For me I like to hand wash, dry and take care of the dishes.  For years I would mumble grumble when it was time to unload the dishwasher.  I think it has been about three years since the dish washer was unloaded for the last time.  I don't miss it and I HAVE A GREATER PLAN FOR THE 24X34 INCH OPENING.  A new cabinet with a marble or granite top to roll pastries on.  The top front of the cabinet will have a wine rack with drawers underneath.  It will be on lockable wheels so I can wheel it out when I want to use it.  Oh, I have been thinking long and hard on what it will be.  Now, here is the kicker, I need to find the perfect cabinet to be remodeled a little, painted deep wine color because there is no way I will be able to match the hickory cabinets of my kitchen..... so....might as well make it completely different.  Just to get the ball (or cabinet) rolling....I tore out the dishwasher and hauled it to the back deck.  It took the husband about 3 hours to notice the big empty space with a look and question, did you do that?   Of course, how else could I make my final decision on what to do with the space.  As usual, I am on a mission.


My counter top is tiled with grout.  Not so good when you bake and use a rolling pin as much as I do. I have a large cutting block for making cookies and pies, such a pain to haul it out!   Plus being 5'1" (and that is stretching it) makes for a difficult time rolling.  With the roller cabinet I want  it will be about 3 inches shorter since it will fit under the counter top.  That will be just right to roll dough.  Always a logical reason for my crazy projects, a least it sounds good.

Since my mind has been in the kitchen lately let me mention a memory that jumped out the other day.  I was leaning on the kitchen sink, drinking the last of a cup of maple tea and day dreaming  out the window.  Then it hit me, how many times had I watched my mom stand over the sink with a cup of coffee or tea looking out the window.  She would stand so still and now I know why.  Deep in thoughts or day dreaming of a memory that came back to her.  It was quite the moment.  I'm sure her view was quite similar with fields, fences and trees.  She would have had the black and white Holsteins to watch.  I have a black and white horse with  a dozen chickens pecking around.  Yes, there was peace for mom and certainly peace for me in the views she would and I can get lost in our thoughts with.

Little Clara Creek borders our lawn and barnyard. 
This is how Cook'n by the Creek started.

Pizza for supper.  No, too cold to strike up the outdoor oven.  Tonight was homemade dough, Vodka Spaghetti sauce, black olives, Kalamata olives, onion and mushrooms on top.  Mozzarella too...can't do without the cheese. The sauce was left from pasta night last week and it tasted just fine on the pizza. 

Before baking.