How Highs The Water Mama

As  a friend from Oswayo posted the joy of waking to the sound of rain and birds singing, it was nice.  We have had the doors and windows open which pulls a beautiful fresh smelling breeze throughout the house.  Unfortunately the fresh cleansing smell has turned to the smell of earth worms.....yuck!  Plus the gentle rain has turned to the old saying, "it's raining cats and dogs".  Never did figure that saying out, have you?  How about it's raining, it's pouring and lucky me the old man is not snoring.  It didn't take long for the driveway to become a small stream and the lawn a shallow pond.  Unfortunately we also woke to looking out the window to see the sun roof wide open in the car.  Lucky the sun is out and if it continues everything should dry out today.  This gives a whole new meaning to rain fresh scent.

Not intentionally but at the top right of the hummingbird
 feeder on the sky is a hummer coming in for a drink.

We were going to plant garden yesterday, so happy the lawnmower mishap didn't allow time for planting.  This hard rain probably would have washed the seeds to the top of the ground.  Can you see I'm still trying to justify hitting the rock nest?  Yes,there was more than one rock, I must learn to slow down.  Someday :)

The wild strawberry blossoms are every where.  Now if mother nature provides just the right environment there will be plenty of little bursts of flavor.  Amber gave me a beautiful plate and ceramic berry carton for Mom's Day.  I'm excited to put berries in it and wash them, they are so tender, the less they are moved the better.

The ceramic berry carton on the right.

May 17, we will stop turning the eggs in the incubator in 3-5 days after if we are lucky the chicks should be hatching.  Dick has been turning them 3-4 times a day for a total of 17 days.  I am to nervous to candle them to see if there are chicks in the eggs.  This will be our first  farm born chicks if they do.  Last summer we let a hen set on them but for some reason they did not hatch and there were chicks in the eggs.  Hopefully we will learn the technique on the correct way to hatch eggs.

Today I am going to bake for the first time in 4 weeks.  One of my favorite cookies to have with coffee, milk or a cold glass of ice tea, Snicker doodles.  If you have not made them they are a nice little sugar cookie dough rolled in cinnamon and sugar.  They also are great keepers for the freezer.  I always put half of what I bake in the freezer for unexpected but always welcome company.  Plus the freezer stash has come in handy since being sidelined for the last 4 weeks.  Not to mention the goodies dear friends have brought us.

Snicker Doodles Recipe:  
1/2 cup butter and 1/2 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 medium eggs
*Beat until creamy then add:
2 3/4 cups of all-purpose flour
2 tsps. cream of tartar
1 tsp.baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
Stir until well blended
Roll into 2 inch balls and then roll in 1/4 cup sugar and 3 tsps. cinnamon mixed together.  Bake for 8-10 minutes in 400 degree oven.  Cool on rack and store in airtight container.
Change of plans.......since I have not been paying much attention to my kitchen I don't have enough sugar.  Love my country home but when we run out of something we usually wait for a trip to town.  Another day and then I will post a picture of these tasty little beauties.

What a weekend!

What a weekend!  The weather was perfect to get some much needed chores done around Cook'n by the Creek.  Our son-in-law rototilled the garden with his "big green tractor"  and Dick got the first planting in of Super Sweet and Stuttgart onion sets.  In a few weeks fresh "spring onions" will be on the menu.  Next he will be planting the garden peas, butter crunch lettuce, spinach, kale and collards.  Every day he has cut asparagus for either breakfast or supper.  This is the 3rd year for the new asparagus bed and it is plentiful.  Well worth the wait, we like asparagus and like any vegetable or fruit nothing better than garden to the table within a few hours.  One of my favorite sayings, "spring green"  the color and the food it provides.  Everything is green from the garden, like fall and all it's beautiful colors even the fruits and vegetables harvested take on the colors of fall.  From red and yellow apples, yellow pears, purple plums, orange squash, colorful tomatoes,  it's like the grand finale show before the white of winter sets in.

These will be spring onions for the table and some will be left to
mature for winter onions.

Kirk had the family at his home for a cookout (Amber did the cooking) and the chicken was delicious!  Kirk worked on the "duck house" that is quite elegant for ducks, front porch and cedar shake shingles.  The six ducks are ready for their new home.  Amber and Chris introduced them to the big pond, they took to it like "ducks to water".
Jim and Amber took us on an ATV ride through Kirk's valley which is also my favorite walks.  The last walk was the day I broke my leg 4 weeks ago yesterday, 4 more to go and maybe I can start walking on it.  The ride was welcoming, I was able to see how much the woods had greened up.  Low bushes have leaved out, good time for the gobbler hunters to set up and wait for Mr. Big Boy to come out in a clearing.  After checking the woods we took to the dirt road and went up by the Clara Airstrip.  Yes, small planes actually landed there.  Our friend Al Kaufman (we called him Cloud Buster) landed there in the 1970's when he flew up from Williamsport for a visit.  Then we rode up Wakley Hollow, one of our favorite road walks.  It's a dead end that rarely has a car on it and makes for a back to nature peaceful walk.

I hit a rock while mowing today!  Yep I am a lucky gal to have a husband that can diagnose and repair.  The belt came off which I learned today is not a good sign.  Dick warned me it might have to go to Riverside Simplicity Dealer in Wellsville, Ny.  Well it doesn't, he replaced two bolts and unbent something (I am not mechanical at all!) and of course I was humbled and apologizing for not watching where I was going.  Turns out I really was lucky to have hit the rock, it gave Dick the opportunity to find something that was worn and needs replaced, kinda like the ankle bones connected to the leg bone.  If gone undetected it would have been more serious.   A call tomorrow and Rod will be able to order the part for us.  How did we get along without Rod and Kim and their wonderful business?  They make life much simpler with the little farm equipment.  By the way, I'm not off the hook.......Dick and even my son-in-law have made the comment about how hard I am on lawnmowers.  I will agree I am a little wild and go too fast on them.  I love it!

Break time, leg up and a Sangria/Spanada with fresh blackberries and
strawberries made by Amber ♥♥♥ 

I hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful weather, flowers and birds, we sure are. We found out Orioles and Scarlet Tanagers love fresh mango, fresh strawberries and blackberry jelly along with oranges and grape jelly.   Remember any good tips to offer please "Pass it On".

That's Entertainment!

I'm talking about the beautiful birds visiting our feeders.  This has to be the best spring yet for color fluttering around the lawn.  Lucky for me from "Central Command" I have the Crab Apple Tree to look at.  A Robin has been building a nest along with a little English Sparrow.  At various times the brilliant red of two male cardinals and the sunshine yellow of a flock of gold finches brighten the branches.  This makes the tree look like a painting with all the birds in it.  I can't remember seeing so many beautiful birds at one time.  I'll take the cool spring temperatures if that is the reason for so many feathered visitors.  My niece called Tuesday to give me the heads up the Hummingbirds are back.  A few days earlier than last year.  Thursday was the first we noticed the familiar humming sound, sure enough they have arrived at Cook'n by the Creek.  Another free entertainment out the kitchen window.  I'm sure they go by daylight hours rather than the date when the birds and geese decide to head north to start a family, either way we are happy to start feeding them.  I wonder if Mr. King of the feeder will be back, he ran the show last year!   Dick was happy to report the other day he watched two pair of bluebirds building nests in the bluebird boxes he built and hung last fall. The Indigo Buntings and Scarlet Tanagers are also accounted for.  They are more evasive when showing their beautiful colors and only allow quick glimpses.  The beautiful bright colors are easy to see if only for a few seconds.   It looks like most of the spring arrivals are here and ready to entertain us for the summer. Now to keep an eye out for the neighbor's cats that roam freely.   I am not in favor of cats out and about.  They rob nests of baby birds and kill baby bunnies.  Not to mention leaving paw prints on cars!

Indigo Bunting

Scarlet Tanager

The next nature event will be starting around Memorial Day, the doe will be dropping their young.  It is funny to watch the young fawns, it looks like the are playing tag.  They run and chase each other in and out of the woods into the field.  Natures way of building strong bodies and quick movement for the  predators they will face daily for the rest of their lives.  Shortly after this the hen turkey will start parading their brood into the field.  They look like vacuum cleaners going back and forth in line searching for bugs.  Last summer we had two flocks entertaining us daily.  It was the first time for me to see them go to roost.  How funny, the little ones would fly up to the branch and knock another down!  This went on for quite a while until they were all lined up ready to sleep.  I bet mama hen thinks the same as we did when our kids took forever to settle down for bed!  This show went on for about a week in the same tree on the edge of our field, then they moved on to their next destination.

Wednesday and Thursday I was stuck in the house, Dick was subbing at Vo Tech.   My days were long and boring, even I can only knit, crochet, quilt and read so much before I get antsy.  I temporarily lost my inspiration to remember what motivates me to think, talk and express it all.  I wasn't feeling sorry for myself because I don't, way too much to be happy and thankful for.  I guess if I was walking on two feet you could say I lost the pep-in-my-step.  I am happy to report I found it and it feels darn good.  What brought it back?  My lawnmower and the great outdoors.  I knew it would and was so happy to feel the wind on my face, smell the fresh cut grass and just enjoy all of what I love to do and look at.  Actually as I mowed the barnyard I asked myself, just who are you Cheryl Bryant?  Kinda laughing as I answered the question because really I am just the one that would rather be outside mowing, seeing fresh ground tilled and ready to plant, getting dirty and not caring who sees me that way.  Watching the hens peck in the soil and grass for bugs and the roosters strut their handsome selves around is wonderful.  Horses enjoying the green grass with their tail and mane blowing in the wind was all part of the calming affect today.  I was also thinkng about my kids and husband that were not brought up on a farm like me but all love the outdoors, gardening and animals.   It all brings me an inner peace that takes my breath away.  Times like today are a reminder to thank the Lord for the moment.

Let the mowing begin!

Once I mow the lawn for the first time in the spring it will be a twice weekly event.  Cool nights with plenty of dew or frost, hot sun during the day will make the grass grow so fast, almost to the point "you can watch it grow.  I'm not complaining because it is a time for me to relax and enjoy the beautiful view of Clara Valley.  Especially now that I am sidelined for another 4-6 weeks.  Dick helped me get on the zero-turn mower yesterday and away I went.  Leg propped up with a pillow I stayed on the lawn mower for 3 hours.  It was freedom of movement that I haven't had for a few weeks.  I even crossed the bridge to the barn and back fields, mowed the barnyard and around the garden.  Oh joy, it looks like we will be eating our first batch of asparagus this weekend!  It was so good to leave "Central Command", that today I will get back on the mower, head to the garden and give the Mr. some gardening tado suggestions.  Yep, I'm back in the driver's seat (or like to think I am).

Later we will be back in the house to finish up the last 4 #'s of leek butter for the freezer to enjoy next winter.  Since we didn't get the chicken tamales made yesterday that will also being going down during the afternoon break from garden work of tilling, planting onions, spinach and collards if time allows.   I never would have survived being a supervisor, I like getting my hands dirty, feeling the soil, planting the seeds, standing back and admiring the hard work.  Busy mind/busy hands makes my world go round ♥

As in every home plans tend to change and today was no exception at Cook'n by the Creek.  The garden tilling took much longer and then the garden stakes had to be sharpened.  No ride on the mower for me.  I stayed in and worked on the #5 quilt for my grandson.  I did get to eat lunch on the back deck which was quite cool but nice.

Thanks Sebina, I enjoyed learning how to make tamales!

Finally I made chicken tamales for the first time.  They turned out better than expected but it might have been the cream sauce with leeks that put the awww in them.  On the side was black bean and corn salad in half of an avocado.  Well this is how it goes, one meal down and already thinking of what to have for the next one.  Sometimes it gets to be a real pain and today is one of those times.  I think I will Pass it On and let the student chef think of something.........I'm officially on strike for a few meals.

The Doctor's Buggy

Fifteen years ago February we signed the papers for our little piece of love in Clara.  Our love for Clara began 50 years ago when my youngest brother bought land and built a camp. A few years later my oldest brother bought the camp and made it their home.  Our kids along with cousins played in Clara Creek, wiffle ball and road bikes.  As they got older it was fishing and hunting.  Here we are so fortunate to be back.

There was an ad for an auction at the Paul Pierce home in Shinglehouse.  Paul worked for Horace Wolcott for as long as I can remember.  The Wolcott residence was sold to Fred Hewitt which he then built on a wing to the big, beautiful home and it became Hewitt Manor Nursing Home.  The Manor provided work for many people in our area and was a nice family atmosphere for the patients.  After Mr. Wolcott died Paul moved across the road, the house set back in with a big red barn up front next  to the road.  During preparation for the estate sale the barn doors were open.  Every time I drove by I could see a horse drawn sleigh.  Yes, I wanted it, unfortunately we wouldn't be able to go to the auction.   Amber was going so I told her if you can get the sleigh for around $300. I want it.   The first thing I saw pulling in our driveway  was a horse drawn buggy!  I fell in love with visions of refurbishing it and the husband's beautiful black horse taking us around the "back roads".

♥ The Dr's Buggy that made it's way back to Clara, 1900-2014 ♥

There was a package in the back of the buggy, it was wrapped in brown mercantile paper and tied shut with twine.  On the package was printed Elizabeth S.  which was a mystery name to us.  About a week later George Donovan called to tell me he had bought a chest at the auction with many papers and documents in it.  George was interested because he had bought the beautiful Wolcott home.  The buggy which is a Doctor's Buggy had belonged to Dr. Stevens and Horace Wolcott had obtained it when she died.  Dr. Edith Stevens had adopted a young mentally disabled girl and named her Elizabeth.  Mystery solved on who the blanket belonged to.  Horace Wolcott and his wife agreed to take care of Elizabeth when Dr. Stevens died along with Dr. Steven's belongings.  Very interesting but it gets even better.  At least for us.  When we bought the land a search was done and of course I read every last detail.  Our land was owned by.............Dr. Stevens!  Her and Elizabeth lived in a two story house which was across the creek from where we built ours.  All of this I found through documentation in the book, "A Journey in Time" Part II.  Their barn was on our side of the creek just above the Old Hathaway home.  The foundation can still be seen if you look for it.  This is such an amazing story for me.  After buying our land in February of 1999 we would walk every foot of it daily.  I still have a hard time believing it is ours.  Some know where we lived in Shinglehouse, the lot was tiny and required little mowing.  Now when I look out my windows I am in awe at all the land I see.  My grand daughter and I found daffodils growing across the stream.  I told Kamrie at the time how odd, it looks like someone planted them in a row.  Well that is where the Dr's house was as I was to find out by pictures of it.  Yes, I have pictures and what a surprise they were.  Dick found a couple old medicine bottles along the creek edge a few years back.  They were the kind used by hypodermic needles.

One cold winter day I got a phone call from Mr. and Mrs. Lambert from Coneville.  Mr. Lambert wanted me to come up and visit plus he had something for me.  Pictures of our land, the house and barn!  His parents owned the land at one time and the farm next to it where they lived.  He was a young boy at the time but had fond memories of the beautiful spring and putting in hay from the fields.  This is a true "Pass it On".  I asked Mr. Lambert, "are you sure you want to give away your pictures"?  He said, "yes, I am old and won't be needing them and want you folks to have them".  He died shortly after, he was taking care of what was important to him.

The buggy has come full circle and I am happy it's finally home.  Though we have not refurbished it and I doubt we will.  There is a need to leave the prints of the past in tack.  It means more to me seeing where the Dr. would rest her foot or where she would lift her bag over the board into the back.  It rests in a quiet spot in the barn with an occasional egg laid in it.

Another strange encounter that provided more stories of our land when  I was in the waiting room at the eye dr. in Olean.  A very elderly couple sat across from me and of course doing what Cheryl does quite often I struck up a conversation.  They were more than happy to tell me their stories.  They were from Hebron, how about that?  Just over the hill from us.  I told him where I lived and he said when he was little he would go with his dad and  drive their team of horses over the hill to get hay from Dr. Stevens fields.  He remembered Elizabeth too.  Dr. Stevens brought them strawberry jam sandwiches from the berries she picked around her house one time.  He also got a dreamy look and said I can still smell that jam smell coming across the fields while we worked.  Last year the wild strawberries were plentiful, Dick and I picked enough for 2 batches of jam.  Nothing like the burst of flavor in those tiny berries.  Of course you know who I thought of while picking,  Elizabeth and Dr. Stevens.  He  mentioned a large white pine tree that grew in the pine stand (next to our house).  Many people would refer to the enormous pine tree when giving directions.  When we moved here just the outer shell of the stump remained and we were amazed at how big the tree must have been.  Dick had the Amish come in to cut enough of the big pines, saw them into lumber and then Dick, Bart, Beau, Jim and Larry built our horse barn.  That is a great memory for us knowing loving hands came together and it will be standing for a long time.

The metal tag is still on the back of the buggy from the company that built it from Ohio.  I wrote to the Chamber of Commerce in Ohio where it came from.   They sent me information on it and also expressed interest in obtaining it for their museum.  I wish I could let them have it but for reasons I can not explain, I truly believe it belongs here.  Maybe someday I will be able to "Pass it On".

lunch pail, lunch bucket, lunch box

Here is the kind I am talking about.  My dad worked for Messer Oil during the 1950's plus we had a dairy farm that my parents ran completely by themselves.  Milking morning and night with all the summer hay, corn and oats to put in.  From the time I have memory it was sitting on a tractor, wagon or in a nest of hay with a blanket while work or chores were being done.  On the cold days I just wanted to stay in the warm house but was too young to be alone.  I spent a lot of time reading or drawing patiently waiting until the last few cows were let out.  Do you know when cows come in the barn to be milked the go to the same stanchion?  That always fascinated me that not one would ever mess up.

I guess I should get on with the lunch pail question.  Like I said, dad worked for Messer Oil which was on the Horse Run Road about 2 miles up from Rt 44.  He carried the lunch  pail like the one above everyday.  Mom always packed it full of food with a thermos of hot tea for him.  I remember how excited I was when he would get home.  I thought dad always saved me something but now I know mom always put an extra cookie in for me.  I loved taking his lunch box and opening the little clamps to see what he had brought me.   That is something for me to laugh about now, thinking of the tiniest pleasures of living on a farm.  It was just the three of us unless visitors stopped in which wasn't often.

So if you remember these, what did you call them?  I have heard pail, box and bucket used.  When I googled to find a picture of a lunch pail I also discovered who invented it.  James Robinson in the year 1887.  I tried to find out more about him, the only thing he was a black man and that was it.  No other information.

As I was writing this I happened to look at a picture of mom, dad and myself I keep on the end table.  I had never noticed but there was "the lunch pail" right in dad's hand.  Funny what I didn't see for all of these years.  It sure is giving me great pleasure to know it's been there all this time.

There we are and "the lunch pail"

 I'm going to mention one more thing about the advantage of living on a farm.  I never used the excuse to get out of school but I do remember one "cool dude" with a car that would ;)  Fog!

Another good supper from the student chef, he even picked the menu!  I think he's liking his new duty station........or at least putting on a good front.  We had fried pork chops with red beans and jasmine rice.  Excellent!  Tomorrow we will be making tamales for Monday's supper along with tacos topped with salsa fresh from New Mexico.  Thanks to John & Diane Surra ♥  They sure know how to "Pass it On".

The May Day Basket

Amber has never missed a year to make a basket and have one of her kids deliver ♥♥♥

What a beautiful morning.  We woke to a gray cloud coverage and a London Fog mist in the air.  By the second cup of coffee a beautiful blue ceiling was showing trough the breaks in the clouds.  Spring green was vibrant green, the trees are showing red and gold buds on the branches.  That is a welcome sight.  In the winter it doesn't bother me seeing the bare branches but come spring I'm ready for our beautiful Clara to turn every shade of green imaginable.  It is a fact, every season has it's own special beauty and I love all four seasons.  Let's see, summer = garden, canning, bike rides & campfires. fall = cider, foliage & hunting, winter= beautiful snow, peace, rest and skiing, spring= leeks, fishing, spring gobbler, spring green, flowers & baby peeps!

One thing we have to be careful of with "spring green" is the horses.  Just like us they have been waiting for the tender green shoots of spring.  All animals are on a seasonal circuit of life.  A time for fresh grass, a time for hay and grain.  Unfortunately the saying "eat like a horse"  is true.  Come spring horses put their heads down to the green and seldom come up for a breather.  This can cause digestive problems and a horse to founder.  It is very painful which usually requires the vet visit and meds.  So far so good for us.  When the grass gets real lush Dick will put them in their stalls at night and out during the day.  Days the bugs bother them so  usually they are in and out of the barn, if he would put them out at night they would eat all night long.  Just our theory.

Another spring green I am waiting for,  asparagus!  Hard to explain but I just want to see a sign it survived winter.  On a good note the rhubarb is through the ground and the garlic is up.  Garlic won't be harvested until late July or August.   Leeks and rhubarb will be the first pick and freeze for 2014.  The circle of life.

The lawn needs mowed but with all of the rain it's not going to happen soon.  Predictions are rain every day until after the weekend.  Out will come the lawn sweep!  That's ok with me, I love being on the mower and can because Dr. Sanders said so.  Heeeehawwww ;)  Something I can do!

Cinco de Mayo is coming.  Thanks to Sabina that sent me a recipe for tamales I will be making them for the first time!  Of course it will require the help of my student chef.  I usually order tamales when we go to a Mexican Restaurant.  I'm thinking homemade will be over the top.  Next week I will be posting the recipe. pictures and let you know how many ★'s I rate them.  When I started my blog I really didn't know why.  I now do.  I have had such wonderful feed back, communication with so many that otherwise I never would have.  People from the past and people that are starting a past with me.  Thank you all for recipes, comments and good vibes.  I'm loving it ♥ 

 May Day is almost over and what a beautiful day it was.  It ended with a Varsity BB game, OV lost 1-0 but any time I get to see these handsome guys in the Green and White uniform I'm happy ♡.  Team pride, spirit and respect comes from being dressed alike in a uniform, at least my way of thinking.  Years ago it was  rule, everyone had to be dressed alike, now I see basketball games where socks and sneakers can be any color or height the player wants.  My preference, everything matches.  Grumpy lady!

Supper could be called a dump plate.  Leftover potatoes fried crisp, leftover bacon crumbled in, and 1 cup chopped leeks.   A couple leftover taquitos warmed up.  It's a meal for us.  One more leftover, a glass of Naughty and Nice.  

Quick and satisfying.

and the wind blew

Today was a day thinking of my father in law, Bill Bryant or as many called him "Wild Bill". That he was, we never knew what he would say or do.  One thing for sure it was to make him laugh and us stutter step.  I loved the guy, he would stop at the house and just brighten my day.  One time he asked the kids,"you want some fancy tailed pigeons"?  My mistake was saying absolutely not!  That was a "you wanna bet look" from Bill.  Months later when I felt enough time had passed I forgot about the pigeon offer  the door opened a box came skidding across the floor.  Bill right behind it laughing and carrying pigeon food.  He was always up to something and whatever it was you better be prepared for the next round.

Without a doubt had Bill lived long enough we would have received a "blue mule" from him.  He had been talking about the blue mule he had found in NYS.  I knew it was just a matter of time, I'm sure he was doing some good old fashion horse trader talk with the owner.  Unfortunately Bill became ill and it never was to be.  A few years ago we were riding bike near Houghton, NY and there was a pasture with blue mules.  My first thought, was this where Wild Bill was going to buy the mule?

This little beauty is a Blue Mule.

One of Bill's sayings was, "and the wind blew and the shit flew for days and days".   I know he wasn't talking about real wind, he was talking about someone exaggerating and telling tall tales or just plain lying.   Now you see why Bill came to mind today, the wind blew and is still blowing.  When he was ready to leave up he would jump and sing, "Goodnight Irene".  He was a joy and our entertainment for many years.  I cherish the time he looked at me and said, "your a good woman Cheryl Bryant".  I don't think there was ever a time I saw him so serious. ♥  

Speaking of horse traders, Sterling Peters.  He was a silver haired, good looking gentleman that always had a stubby stogie in his mouth.  He could sell a half dead plow horse and convince the buyer it just ran the Kentucky Derby.  When Sterling had a green broke he would call Dick's dad to have Dick go down and ride the horse to get ready to sell.  Some were real snakes!  I remember my dad trying to cut a deal with Sterling for a horse.  My head was spinning with their bickering and bartering, you would have thought these guys hated each other.  No, no deal, home I went without the horse and that was that.

If any have memories of the horse shows held in Millport in the 50's and 60's here are some names that you might remember, Tom & Cheryl Oles, EV & Fay Schoonover, Dave Amidon, Bill, Cookie &Dick Bryant, Sterling Peters & Nan & Terry Beckwith, Squeaker Coleman, Cole Family, Carnes Family, Cliff, Peggy & Tom Day, Tom Spease and Stan Evingham.

No matter what the day brings I can always remember so many good memories of so many good people that have crossed my path.  It just takes something as simple as the wind to bring them out of the memory file.

Dick fixed another delicious supper of whipped potatoes, green beans and sauteed Texas Gulf Shrimp with butter, old bay, garlic, salt and pepper!

Country Road, Take Me Home

To the place I belong.....No it's not WV, but the song sure fits our neck of the woods.  We had a few errands in Coudersport today such as dog licenses, mail some thank yous, pick up some clear plastic for the garden, gas in the car (3.75 a gallon!), and then to the little grocery store across from Charles Cole.  They sell the best USA seafood at a reasonable price.  The shrimp is what we were after and is Texas Bay Shrimp.  How about that?  The big stores go for seafood from China, Taiwan, etc.   We refuse, I have a feeling it is raised and packaged in some nasty conditions.  Not to mention the contamination in their water. Who knows they might have a plan to rid us from the earth by what we eat.   I know, seafood from the USA may also have it's problems but I'll take my chances on this call.

Back to country roads.  We go one way and home the other, that way we don't miss seeing what is going on in the area.  I am happy to report nothing new and no changes on this ride.  Just beautiful views through the open woods.  No underbrush leaved out yet so the view was of new green ground cover just waiting to blossom.  May 1, will soon be here which means, May flowers, Stink Pots and Adder Tongues.  Even though they are named after a nasty snake I still like them with their single stem, green spotted slender leaves and yellow lily like flower.

Speaking of May......how about making a May Basket and surprising someone?  That was so exciting in school, we would make little May Baskets, fill them with flowers and the teacher would take us around town to hang baskets on door knobs of retired people.   The boys all complained but the girls loved it ;)  I didn't like Red Rover, Red Rover but I still did it.  We had some pretty cruel boys in our class, at least I thought so.

Sorry, back to country roads.  One thing is for sure, living here for 64 years puts a lot of memories in just about every back road in a 20 mile radius.  Today was going past a couple of streams we would trout fish on.  Way back they didn't stock so it was the Native Trout we fished.  More allusive than a stocky. You had to really be sneaky or give up and finger them!  Illegal but many a kid was taught by a dad or brother to finger fish.  I guess it depended on how hungry they were for fish.  Fish and leeks in April, it can't get more original than that.  My grandson brings me a few fresh trout  now.  Then we came up over the dirt road which is now named Moffit Rd. which drops into Clara Valley.  For older folks reading this you might remember it as "Nigger Hill".  Sorry if this offends you but it was the actual name of the hill and road.  Go back to the maps before 1980 and that's what is printed.  I guess it's only as incorrect as one can make it.  My goodness my 7th grade teacher referred to it that way, she lived at the base of the hill on a beautiful farm.  I believe this is where the black family named Moffit lived during the underground railroad era.  At least this is the story I have been told.  Either or we have some great hunting experiences, wonderful walks and picking blackberries up there.  Not to mention coon hunting and spotting deer.  The coon hunting was in high school with Fay Schoonover, Ken Hersog and Tom Scott, more good and exciting times.  Even the girlfriend liked the thrill of a good coon hound sounding off in the dark of night.  We took our cousin Jerry McDermott when he lived out here for his Junior and Senior year, I guess we should apologize for talking him into going up a spindly tree after the coon. It snapped and down Jerry and the coon fell.  It doesn't pay to be the new city boy from Los Angeles in 1966.  He forgave us that night, good guy!

That's the love of a country road, the scenery, quiet and memories.  The older we get the more the memories surface and mean so much to us.  Remember tell your stories to your kids and grand kids, someday they will Pass it On to others.  You know I love stories from everywhere and everyone.

A glass of Naughty & Nice from my DIL, North Carolina Duplin.  My favorite, sweeeeet ♥

Smack Dab in the Middle

Friday afternoon we went to the OV Baseball game in Port Allegany, OV won.   Of course I watched from the back seat which was enjoyable, the air was cool and the wind was cold.  Spectators had hoods up, hands in pockets and some even with blankets wrapped around them, just to hear the crack of a bat.  Dedication and love for the game at it's finest.  I like baseball and basketball but nothing beats being outside to watch a game.

As I sat there of course my mind started wandering.  To my left was Mr. Dick Meacham, his son Mark and Coach Dan Stavisky.  Mr. Meacham was my Shorthand and History teacher way back in 1965-1967.  Coach Dan Stavisky's dad, Mr. Bill Stavisky was our Superintendent and in his young teaching years at OV was the boys varsity basketball and baseball coach.  He was also a dear friend and wonderful gentleman.  Dan started his teaching career at OV and was our kids phys ed teacher.  They liked him and was sad when he left.  He was replaced with a great gal, Darlene Bullock, that brought some wonderful ideas to OV.  Then there is Mark, we watched him play ball in his younger years (he is still young in this gal's eyes).  Mr. Meacham was there watching Mark's son/his grandson play ball.  Here is the "smack dab in the middle".  Me, I am old enough to watch sons and grandsons play baseball and young enough to remember when fathers and grandfathers played.  There is a benefit to my age ;)  My husband stood over and talked to the 3 for quite awhile.  I was telling him what I thought my blog was going to be about today.  Yeah for that because he told me Mr. Meacham was reminiscing of his teen years and playing baseball on the very seem field his grandson was playing on that night.  He pointed out where home plate was originally and where there was a hand water pump they would get drinks from.  He said every day him and his friends headed to the field for the day.  There is that love for the "crack of the bat".
Three generations is what I am seeing in many families at the ball field.  Our grandson Kent, his dad Jim and his grandad Dick, all played for OV.  My nephew Coby and his grandad Alan together at the field.  All a tradition passed down through the years to the next generation.  Other families in our area that have carried on the love of baseball, Lundy, Jandrew, Nolan, Babcock, Terrette/Sturdevant, Graves, Mesler, Ebeling, Shall, Newton, the names could go on and on.  This is one of the joys to living where you and your parents grew up, a close knit community.

Quincy had the front seat.  The view looked much closer than this, I could read the player's number but knew a few by their batting stance ;)

By 11 am Dick had the floors done,  breakfast over, his barn chores done and leeks dug!  Once the leeks were cleaned I asked in a quiet voice, "would you like to try making homemade bread"?  It is a tradition, homemade bread and leeks so why break tradition?  He's either getting very brave or very bored with the usual hum drum house work.  Either way it's working.  I'm actually thankful for the cool temperatures and cold wind, too miserable to be outside working so I have his attention for a few more days.

Yes!  I was able to help!

Here is the leek butter recipe I promised.  We freeze it and believe me it is as tasty in the winter as the day you make it.  One of my favorites is a baked potato with leek butter!  Nothing better than the smell of fresh leeks on a cold blustery day, just makes the day fill with a big smile.

LEEK BUTTER
Soften butter, "real butter", chop the ends of the leeks and a few greens for color,(it looks so much better with the flecks of green).  Mix leeks and butter.  I can't tell you the exact measurement for the leeks.  It is preference.  Remember flavor vs heat.  The more leeks the more heat.  I prefer flavor over heat.  Put on a piece of saran wrap or wax paper and set in the refrigerator until it starts to set.  Take out and shape into a log shape roll.  Wrap with saran wrap and put in zip lock freezer bag and freeze.  I do the roll form that way I can cut off as much as needed.  Run a knife under hot water and cut the frozen butter.

Here is another leek recipe that is tradition.  We use Old York Cheese Spread but there are other cheddar cheese spreads that will do just fine.  I'm not sure but believe Old York is a Western NY product like Bison French Onion Dip.

LEEK CHEESE SPREAD
Chop the leeks as you would for the butter.  Soften 1 carton of cheese spread and  1 package of regular cream cheese (no reduced or low fat here, if we are going to eat it, it better be good;)  1/4 cup of mayonnaise, 2 TBSP Worcestershire sauce, 1/4 tsp accent, 1/4 tsp paprika.  Mix all together and put in sealed bowls.  We are going to try freezing some today, not sure if cheese will freeze and thaw but will let you know.

The perfect "tada" tasting moment, served chair side ♥♥♥♥♥

This student gets an A+ it looks great and tastes delicious!

See Dick Cook ;)

See Dick cook,
Dick can cook.

It was delicious!

Talk about feeling like such a needy person and then to top it off the husband is doing double time.  Barn, housework, laundry, cooking and waiting on me.  Today he took me for a hair appointment and then on to Wellsville for groceries.  Although it was a pleasure for me it required work for him, hauling a wheelchair in and out of the car, groceries and then on load me and everything.  Yes, I am feeling guilty.  It was funny at 9:30 as we were getting ready to leave the house.  I said, "it's 9:30 and the breakfast dishes aren't done and the bed isn't made".  Two things that I never left without having done, bed and dishes.  Times have changed and I am not the Queen of my castle, at least for 7 more weeks.  It bothers me a little but nothing like I had thought.  Let's just hope I can keep this mental attitude.  Like dieting, good until a certain breaking point then I can't eat enough sugar.

Here's Saturday night supper.  How lucky I have a husband willing to try his hand at cooking rather than takeouts.  We have never been much on restaurants but have our favorites, Red and Trudy's, Pizza King in Wellsville and the Corner Cafe in Ulysses.  Tonight Dick wanted to make Beef Taquitos with refried beans and Mexican Rice, so let's do it!  I sat at the table and did some prep work while he cooked.  Everything went great.  The taquitos were filled with beef Dick had done in the pressure cooker a few days ago.  Added some cumin, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder to it and rolled the beef in corn tortillas and fried them.  We like to dip the taquitos in chopped avocado, garlic, salt, pepper and lemon or lime juice mixed together.  Success, we were quite satisfied and full.  Probably by now you have figured out we like Mexican meals.  Authentic is the best for us, not a lot of cheese and sauces, more fresh salsas.  Tomatilla is my favorite which is made from the little green tomatilla, it looks like a green tomato with a paper shell.

I promise tomorrow is leek butter day and a delicious leek cheese spread recipe.  I know I said Saturday but things aren't going according to plans like they use to around here.  No complaints, it's all good.  Remember what ever you have and can, "Pass it On" for others to enjoy

What do you see?

All of this "relaxing" gets my mind whirling with so many thoughts.  I was thinking of our trip through the mountains of  Virginia last month.  Due to a serious accident on Rt 220 just south of Roanoke we had been stopped 35 minutes and as word filtered down  it was going to be an hour our more so we turned around to head into the VA Mountain Pass to I-81.  At the time I was not happy to prolong a 12 hour trip to 14.  Dick said,"we're retired, no hurry."  He always as a way to make it sound carefree.  Without a doubt, one of the most beautiful routes we have been on.  An old guy in an old truck gave us the directions when we were stopped.  Ha, we will strike up a conversation with just about anyone anywhere.  Well the road went straight up, narrowed to barely a 2 lane.  A kiss your butt switch backs, the best on a motorcycle.  In fact we mentioned it would be a great bike ride with the gang.
We both love to travel, see the country side and even try to visualize what family life is like in these areas.
The picture I took of this house was not in disgust or to belittle the owner and family.  It's actually because in the Appalachian Mountain Range that we travel there are many homes like this one.  Back roads are our favorite routes.  Without a doubt a million dollar home or a couple thousand dollar home hopefully the family is proud and happy.  I love talking to country folk, listening to their ways and hearing their opinion on just about everything.  I am always amazed, everyone has a story and not once has it not been interesting.  Maybe this is why I talk so much, trying to entice a story or two along the way. Not everyone can or wants to be a doctor, lawyer or Indian Chief.  Whatever we do it better make us happy and proud of who we are.

This home was 45 minutes, 1/2 way across the mountain pass.  My first thought was how far they are from stores, doctors, etc. It made me laugh because I have heard the same from visitors at Cook'n by the Creek.  It's the truth, 5 minutes, 30 minutes, it is what we are accustomed to.  Sometimes I would like to live a little closer to a big shopping area, especially a Trader Joe's.  Never pass  a Trader Joe's, it is a great grocery store with the freshest of the fresh and very reasonable prices.  The dried mango slices (no sugar added)  are my favorite refreshing snack.

I see pride around this home, clearing the hillside and building fences.
What do you see?

We enjoy traveling, meeting all kinds of people and a good adventure.  Sometimes we might be a little too daring!  Someday I will tell the adventure of way back in the mountains of WV, on the bike, in a tent, rattle snakes, old man with a shotgun and a thunderstorm!  We have offered a bed to many people we have met in our travels.  Good people that have been kind to us.  We love company, conversation, food, coffee and a crackling campfire to end the day.

Don't forget, Saturday's blog will be how the new chef of the kitchen makes leek butter.  Freeze it and you will have spring all winter long.  The best way is on homemade bread but is great on veggies, grilled meats, fish and shrimp.

The Nickle Coke

How did we ever satisfy our hunger with a nickle coke, reg hamburger and an order of fries?  No "can we super size that" in my teen years.  Then came Mc Donalds, Carrolls, etc.  The great love affair for quick drive through service.  My kids learned the jingle "2 all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickle, onion on a sesame seed bun".  I still can hear the little back seat chorus on our way to Olean.  Years ago we were satisfied with mustard, ketchup, onions or relish, no cheese, special sauces, bacon or what ever else can be stacked on the burger.  I think this is why the Red and Trudy Burger still reigns the "champion burger of choice for so many of us.  Simple, always the same and just plain good.  How about a side of fries from some restaurants......side?  Those fries are  family size.  Fries, chili, cheese, sour cream, you name it and they will serve it.  I can never remember going to a restaurant more than a few times growing up.  Red and Trudy's for sure but it wasn't take out.  Another place I went a few times with my sister in law was in Olean and on the Main St.  I wish I could remember the name, here's hoping one of you can.  It was a diner style, low ceilings, booths and was noted for their hot roast beef sandwiches.  Can you remember?  The last time I was there was around 1958-60.

There I went off track from the nickle coke.  Freeborns was the place, they would put a shot of cherry syrup or vanilla syrup in for a few more cents.  That little paper Dixie cup was quite satisfying.  If not I also liked their cherry sundaes, it was maraschino cherries chopped fine in a red syrup.  Never had a cherry sundae since Freebs.  They also had a display case in the front with different kinds of chocolates, my favorite was the chocolate covered sponge candy.  Can you tell I do have not have just one sweet tooth but several?  Another favorite at Freeborns was Anna Bump.  What a sweet lady and always so good to us teens.  That says a lot about a person, how well they get along with teens,  it can be very testy at times but  Anna had no problems with us.

Freeborns seemed to be the hub of happenings.  Get together and decide who could get a car, where were we going or just hang around and play pinball.  John Chamberlsin the town policeman would keep good tabs on us, funny he
 always knew what was up.   Not as smart as we thought!  It was all good honest fun with no worries.  Heck on an exciting afternoon we could watch a few races in town.  Sometimes they would go to the Horse Run Rd.  Rt 44 to the Horse Run Bridge.  Doug Evingham was always up for a challenge.  If you see him I'm sure he can tell you every car and every race.

Even with the few snowflakes today the garden is close in our thoughts.  Off to Riverside in Wellsville this week for our onion sets.  I think Dick wants to visit with  Rod  about his new tiller.  He used it last weekend to get the ground ready for sweet peas.  No more back breaking work, he said he barely has to hang on to it.  Yeah!  I see more being planted this year.  (maybe ;)  I was looking forward to  tiller lessons, instead I will coach from the bench for a while.  I just have to make sure the guy I coach doesn't start wearing earplugs.

I can almost smell the beauty of Sweet Peas.