The Hunter's Supper

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday with the Sunday after being my second favorite day, I call it the "day of the hunter" with a Hunter's Supper.  Today is the day the hunters of our family and our friend Larry, from Canada joins the guys to talk stories of long ago and anticipated strategy for the first day of buck tomorrow.  No snow this year which will make it tough for the lucky hunter to drag his buck from the woods. 

Everyone carries walkie talkies and I keep one at the house to listen  to the action or announce to the guys who are deep in the woods or high on the hill of the deer running through our field.  Truthfully I see more from my comfy stand (house) than they do in the woods.  Always the way but being in the woods is the only satisfaction a true hunter gets.  The clean fresh air, with the quiet of the woods only to hear the rustling of the branches or leaves when something is near.  Some like to stand watch while others would rather stay moving.  Dick is the mover, "up" is his game.  Up that hill so he can watch down over.  Many would rather not hunt with him because of his technique and desire to keep moving.  Our grandson Kent is a mover and keeps up with his granddad.

Back to our Hunter's Supper.  It varies but always consists of a few different meat dishes.  Today is pulled pork, Venison Pastrami (made by our son, Bart), little smokies, salami, ring bologna, roasted potatoes, our home canned pickled asparagus, pickles and beets, dinner rolls and deviled eggs (thanks to the hens). No fresh baked desserts today, way to hot for this cook to light the oven for very long.  Instead I bought a Golden Pineapple, if the weather is going to be tropical we shall eat Island Fruit.   Oh, there will be some last minute throw on the table food, one thing for sure they will have plenty to eat while telling their stories that get better each year.



Gramps and his grandson, Kent.

Dick, Kent, Ricky and Larry.

Only the best for my hunters.
Homemade dinner rolls, soft and chewy on
the inside, crusty on the
outside and rubbed with real butter. 

We have had quite a mild fall at Cook'n by the Creek, which has allowed Pine boughs to be cut and put around the porch rail, no gloves needed this year.  The inside is going to get the Christmas Season look tomorrow.  That keeps me busy while listening for a shot and hear deer down on the walkie talkie.  Once the decorations are done we always set back in the evening and think how beautiful and cozy it looks.  Then in about a week I see dust settling in and it doesn't look so fresh and cozy, only after the sun goes down but during the day, ohhhhhh the dust!  Such a pain to dust under that "stuff".  Soon after Christmas the "stuff" all comes down and the cleaning begins.  Again, I will sit and say how nice it looks to have the house back to normal, funny how the cycle of seasons prepares us for the next one. The next important ones, leek digging, fishing and spring gobbler.  After that the garden and lawn work begins.  Geeeeeez, I just flew through winter in one minute!  I have to remember enjoy the day, the season and never wish time away.

To all the hunters out there may your tag be filled while you enjoy the great outdoors. 

Weekends

It's the weekend which mean a hearty breakfast.  We eat a little later on the weekends that way no lunch and an early supper.  The two meal days.  This morning we had fried corn meal mush....huh? what? you have never heard of it?  I'm sure a few have.  I was excited to find it all ready made in loaves like I make it.  The grocery store in Coudersport and Hess's Deli in Andover, NY sell it.  It is made in Lancaster Country and cost  between $2.25 and $3.49 depending on where you buy it.  Slice it about an 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick, depending how you like it.  Dust it with flour and fry in oil and a TBSP of butter.  Just enough oil to fry, not a great lot.  Once it is crisp drain on a paper towel and serve with maple syrup drizzled on top.  It goes with everything.  Today we had scrambled eggs and salt rising toast with it.  I like to have different colors on the plate but this morning everything was yellow, hit the spot and stays with ya a long time.

Fried mush drizzled with maple syrup,
 scrambled eggs with
homemade Chipotle Sauce and
Salt Rising toast.

Even after retirement weekends are still special.  After all many friends and family still work or have part time jobs.  That really isn't the reason, we are all creatures of habit and so hard to change is the reason.  Weekdays are for working around Cook'n by the Creek.  Dick can always find something to putter at in the barn, (yes, I realize sometimes it is a get-a-way from me time).  That's ok, to be very honest I like those get-a-ways.  That is when I tend to rearrange furniture, pictures on the wall or what ever else might put me in the scope of, "why don't you just leave things alone it looks fine just the way it is".  I like change, always have and always will.  I know someone else that does the same, I will just say I understand Kay :)  So I always try to get laundry caught up and give the house a "lick and a promise every Friday".  I need stress free weekends and thinking of double to do on Monday is not my way of enjoying the weekend.

 Once the work week has ended we do what ever happens to come our way.  An ideal time is with family or friends.  We love visiting winiers and traveling around the Finger Lakes or a trip to Williamsport.  It really doesn't matter if we just stay home and take our forest walks with Quincy.  He loves squirrels and chippers which gives us good entertainment watching him get so excited chasing them up trees.  I almost can hear him think, why can't I climb this tree.  Riding in the car if one happens to run in front of us he also gets excited watching out the front window, then the side and finally the back window as it goes out of sight. Today is Quincy's morning, Dick and him are going squirrel hunting.  If you have ever had a dog you know they are also creatures of habit, he knows when it is his morning or if we are leaving and he can't go.  I would like to say we have an exceptionally smart dog but hearing friends tell stories of their dogs I know he is just an average dog.
I wanted to name him Yoder, since we got him from a young Amish boy and many Amish are Yoders in our area.  Dick didn't think it was funny so Quincy it is.  If you are our age you will remember the TV show Quincy ME, starring Jack Klugman.  That is why he was named Quincy, one of Dick's favorite shows from long ago.

 Have you ever noticed how many dog names end with a Y (e sound)?  Like Skippy, Lily, Toozie, Ruby and Quincy are a few we have had.  My little girl Clara passed away two weeks ago at the age of 14.  She and her siblings were abandoned on a road in NC.  My daughter-in-law rescued them, found homes for all and  kept Clara.  We went down and for some reason I fell in love with the little black foxy looking girl.  All of us thought she must be part fox, she looked and acted so much like one.  They let me have her and we had that special bond until her passing.  Quincy will be an only dog but in my heart if that special one comes along I just might.....but I am not looking.  Ruby (shelter dog), Clara (abandoned) and Quincy a give-a-way all had that special bond the minute we met them.  It is hard losing a pet but I keep in perspective that my family is healthy and happy, that is what matters most.

Today our walk was on top of Moffit Hill, a walk that we have done hundreds of times.  Why in the world I never noticed the sign before has me wondering.  It has been there many years as you will see.  So my point is, how many other things have I walked by in life never to notice?  I guess I wouldn't be a good eye witness to anything.  Maybe because my walks are for peace, enjoyment and to just let my mind clear, good excuse Cheryl!  Seriously the woods make me feel free and refreshed.  The air just seems so clean and crisp in the wide open space of nature. There is nothing I like better than walking the hills around here.

How did I miss it?  It is bordering the
road we walk on.

The First Cool Day

Buttermilk pancakes, fresh side pork and orange juice.

This morning I woke to a beautiful wifting (that's a word from wind and drifting) blowing across my face and the gentle sound of rain.  If it wasn't so pleasant to experience I probably would have went back to sleep.  I couldn't the fresh smell of rain and the cool breeze was just to great to miss.  Over cast sky means what canning gets done will also be very tolerable and pleasant today.

Along with sunshine you gotta have a little rain sometimes.  Yes, that is a song many of us enjoyed years ago.  It's true, no matter what the day brings sun or clouds they all should bring a little joy to us.  Rain and snow purifies the earth and air while the sun purifies us.  Today is one of those days to rest and think of what needs to be done before the winter cold and snows arrive.  I have often wondered could my life's cycle be as full if I lived where there were no definite season changes.  No matter the season I am always ready for the next one.  Soon it will be sweaters, jackets, scarves, hats and mittens for our walks.  I find it quite exciting when the crisp cool air of fall arrives.  Deep breaths and smell the wonderful fragrance fall has to offer.  I call it the Hickory Nut smell and have not a clue what it really is.  We have Poplar trees lining the edge of the lawn, their little golden leaves are amazing to watch drifting down.  One of those simple pleasures.

Breakfast was more like a cold day feast.  With buttermilk pancakes topped with butter and  light Amber Maple Syrup, fresh side pork and our every morning glass of orange juice.  I always have a half gallon of buttermilk in the refrigerator for biscuits, pancakes, a certain chocolate cake recipe, and of course everything I fry from fish, chicken to squash is first dipped in buttermilk.  Fried foods are so much crispier and less greasy when I use buttermilk.  Have you ever fried fresh side pork?  It is what bacon starts as.  Side pork is fresh sliced with no nitrates or preservatives.  It's like bacon but not.  I really can't explain other than we like it more than bacon.  I fry it with one teaspoon of butter in a large cast iron skillet.  It needs salt and pepper but not much and fried until crisp.  Drain on a paper towel.

Speaking of food, (one of my favorite topics).  My Canadian friend was at her camp for a week.  We went for our annual lunch out.  This year we went to the Tea Room and Cafe in Coudersport. It is located at the Abundant Blessings Shop.  Another win!  If you happen to want a day out and good lunch this is the place to stop.  We had their special Fall Squash Soup and  half a sandwich, chicken salad with grapes, walnuts and dried cranberries.  Soup and sandwich was delicious, all homemade.  The topper.....a complimentary Red Velvet Cup Cake with the most delicious light frosting.  Everything was great and the cafe is a cozy room that kept the authentic look of the old building.

Take time to smell fall and enjoy each season as a new chapter in your life.  Remember to always "pass it on".

That Old Dirt Road

How many times have I/we talked about or taken rides on a dirt road.  In our teenage years the dirt roads were well traveled for deer, small game and turkey hunting, coon hunting, parties or just taking a ride.  We still do love to ride the back roads.  Now the remarks are much different than long ago.  We look out over the hills, or down on a small stream, cows grazing in a pasture, flocks of turkey or a loan grouse crossing the road, deer, bear, coyotes, fox etc., they all get an awe and look at that comment.  Often we stop just to watch them or take a picture.  Things look so much more precious and beautiful in this stage of life.  Simple little things we notice were never even mentioned years ago.  The dirt roads are peaceful and the ride goes much slower than on a 55 mile an hour black topped road.  Late evening or Sunday rides are last minute decisions.  Usually we have been doing work around the yard or chores when the mood hits to take a ride.  Sometimes we even take something to snack on and a camera.  Usually the camera is not needed if we remember it, it's the times we don't that a great picture is lost to only our memory.  How many times and by other families have these back roads been taken.  I know years ago Dr. Stevens traveled this area in her Doctors Buggy to visit her patients.  Through the mud and snow it must have been very difficult but in exchange it would have been a beautiful ride.  We have the buggy she used tucked away in the horse barn.  My dream was to get a buggy horse and take rides with it.  Unfortunately I talked to a Veterinarian than owned quite a few buggies and showed them in competition.  She told me about a time her horse got spooked and took off from the trail and through the woods hitting every tree along the way until there was nothing left of the buggy but the seat she was being dragged on.  No thank you, I shall stick to a car, not with a horse with it's own mind.

There is one back road that will forever be just a thought away.  When I lived up Horse Run there was a dirt road coming down off the hill behind the John Simons farm.  You know his kids, Willard (our dentist), Howard (Scuff), Mike and one daughter Grace.  Well I had been up that hill many times in my dad's truck.  The Messer Oil Lease was back on top and dad worked for them.  Unfortunately I had a new bike for my birthday and that dirt road coming down off the hill looked like a fun free ride once I pushed it to the top.  It was steep but when your 12 danger is not in our thoughts.  I never made it 1/4 of the way down before I lost control.  There was not a spot on my arms and legs that didn't have scraps, bruises and cuts.  I was a mess and pushed the bike all the way home.  My dad's words hurt just about as much as my injuries.  Now I look back and know it was out of worry and concern on what could have happened.  That's the way parents are, we love and we worry.

All clean!

This is what Beaver can do once they build a dam.  The Game Commission
doesn't want to bother them so upper Clara Rd is suffering. 

Years ago I never thought of the downside of riding the back roads.  Recently with the new bridge being replaced at the lower end of Clara Rd. we had to detour the Back Road to get in and out of Clara.  The back road is dirt, dusty dry dirt or wet and mucky mud.  Either way it was a miserable 3 long months.  We took the old truck as much as possible but there were times the car had to be the ride.  I went into a mode of don't look and don't think about how bad the car looks.  I have always been one to like a clean car, inside and out.  It was not until Monday, November 2, 2015, the car would get cleaned.  The bridge opened Friday, November 30.  We had to take a dirty car to MA for a long weekend.  We got home, unloaded the car, got out the shop vac and Armor All and started in.  The running boards for 3 months had left dirt on the back of our pant legs every time we got out.  Every little thing was crammed with dust and dirt.  The next day the outside got washed and waxed, tires sprayed with that stuff that makes them shinny.  Clean car, no dirt road for a very long time.  Only the old Chevy truck will be our back road enjoyment.

It's off to knitting and crocheting club tonight.  The group decided to change from Monday to Wednesday night.  Monday seemed hard to get everyone there, long weekends away, after a nice weekend of working outside or the fact many different groups meet on Monday nights.  So we shall see if the gals like  Wednesday.  With the time change I think we all will like using the get together for staying awake!  It's been a struggle at this house for sure.  By 7 pm we are watching the clock thinking, when will it be 9 pm.  Somehow going to bed earlier than 9 is embarrassing although it happens now and again.

The Ironing Board

How many times have I stood at the ironing board?  Not as much as doing dishes, making beds, running the vacuum, laundry, dusting, cooking, baking, canning, cleaning and what ever else was usually done on a daily basis throughout my lifetime.  But today it is the ironing board that took my  mind to long ago times, my mom and my mother-in-law.

The ironing board is probably something close to antique or just simply not used like it use to be.  My mom would starch just about everything but bathroom and kitchen towels.  Yes, even my dad's boxers, t-shirts, all of our pajamas and the bedding. "Crisp" was my mom's word on how she liked her laundry to look and feel.  Sometimes crisp to me was "scratchy". Mom always took pride in her white clothes hanging on the line..like a feather in her cap.  When I was growing up the clothes were always hung out to dry or on a laundry rack when  the weather did not warrant a good drying day.  Laundry day was always on a Monday and ironing was always done on a Tuesday.  When mom took the laundry down she sprinkled each piece with water from a bottle with a sprinkler top put on it.  She rolled the piece, put it in a large plastic bag and put it in the freezer.  It stayed there until Tuesday when she would iron.  I can still hear the iron ssssssst when it touched the frozen clothes.  CRISP  Now laundry day can be any day or anytime with the washers and dryers of modern times.  One thing I believe, clothes lasted much longer drying on the line outdoors than a dryer.  They had to, back them our closets were not stuffed with clothes. There were special clothes  for working on the farm, my dad's for the oil fields, mine for school and mom and dad had special clothes for weddings, funerals and  doctor visits.

When I was 17 mom passed and the laundry became my duty.  By then dad and I were use to crisp and even scratchy.  Monday changed to Saturday since I was still in school and Sunday was the day to iron.  It wasn't a bad chore and actually I rather enjoyed it.  I still do although with all the types of material and having a dryer I got away from only ironing special cotton shirts and slacks.
 Except.....the last few weeks.

 When my thoughts are always on a situation out of my control which it has been for about a month I tend to shut down, set back and get a grip on what will give me peace of mind.  Of course the first thing was clean the chicken coop.  Yes, I love my chickens and Dick usually cleans it but at times he knows to stay out of my way,  he can tell when I'm on a mission.  I need to get this mind set back to what I love and what gives me the greatest peace and love of my life.  WORK  It tends to cleanse my being.  So the chicken coop is clean, fresh shavings down and fresh hay in the laying boxes.  All the hens need to do now is quit molting and lay eggs...4 a day, I want more girls!

My dryer died quite suddenly but hey, I can't remember how old it is.  I do know we lived in Shinglehouse when we bought it.  We have been in Clara 16 years so I'm sure it is well over 20.  I never like to replace what is working and it has been fine until 2 weeks ago.  We are looking but no decisions yet on what kind or where to get it.  In the meantime I have been hanging all laundry outside.  Although I don't starch before I hang them out I do starch as I iron.  This morning it took me about 45 minutes when the word "crisp" came to mind,  I am still smiling about it.  I do, I understand what my mom felt and meant when she was so proud of our crisp clothes.  Being retired I now have something to enjoy and pass the time away.  I am ironing everything and loving it.  I even bought concentrated starch to mix in a spray bottle.  Am I crazy or what?  Probably

The ironing board I use now was my mother-in-laws.  When she passed it became mine which was a good thing because my mom's was  wooden and had been repaired many times.  Although Milly's is very old it still works perfect.  I just made a new padded cover for it because the ones I have bought are not like the good ones from so long ago.

Ironing and sewing with my favorite view watching the back field, hill,
horses and chickens. 

The last of mowing the lawn.

46 degrees but they look like snow clouds this time of year.

Although we still have about 5 weeks give or take until it is officially winter now is the time we say goodbye to fall.  Halloween and setting clocks back Saturday is like the Millport Fair (Potter County) is to summer, just feels like the end and time for the next season.  Only the oak leaves and a few birch trees are holding on to their leaves.  The hills are mostly barren, the fields brown and the summer birds are gone, winter birds are now visiting the feeder.  Life goes on.

The Day You Turn Old

The morning ended with a cup (big one) of fresh ground Jamaican Me Crazy coffee beans brewed strong .  I have limited myself to one cup a day so the beautiful birthday cup from my friend fits the bill.  Sometimes coffee just tastes better in a special cup.  This one reminds me of the 1960s with the design and colors.  Ahhhhh, take me back, stay in the present or think of the future, all 3 have a place in my heart and thoughts.  Notice I started the blog with the ending.....just like me!

So good!

Time  has a way of bringing back memories, good or bad I find myself wandering back to the day I turned "old".  I don't know what day or year it was.   Turning thirteen was the first time thinking....now I'm old enough.  Of course I wasn't, it was a passage into teen life and I soon learned I needed to be 16.  Then I could drive, stay out until 10 pm and yes date.  Three years I counted down the days to be 16.  It happened just as I hoped with dating, driving and staying out until 10.  After a few months of being 16 I knew it was 18 that I really wanted to be...ha!  Old enough to buy alcohol, cigarettes and graduate high school.  Yes, that was the old enough age.  I would be an adult...go to cosmetology school, get married and start a family.  That was what I  dreamed of in the 1960s.  I lived the dream and never again wished I was older.  Well, maybe once in a while when retirement was a few years away.  I just didn't realize along with retirement comes the 60s (as in age).  Good grief...blink and I am still trying to remember what day I turned old.  Yeah, I know so many people say.....you are only as old as you let yourself feel.  Horse feathers as my sister-in-law would say.  No matter how you feel, what you can do or how much fun you are having, age does not lie.
So somewhere between then and now I turned old enough.  Old enough to wear what I want, do what I want and say what I want......just old enough!

Today my morning started with barn chores and checking the garden.  Dick is subbing at school so I am flying solo, just the animals to talk to.  Good morning hens, they quietly clucked back waiting for their feed and fresh cut squash and added treat of leftover buttermilk biscuits crumbled.  I love throwing treats, softly saying "here chick, chick" and watching them scurry to grab a certain piece.  In return by afternoon they have a nest of fresh eggs for us.  Fair trade.  The horses stand not so patiently waiting for their grain. Smokey, the big man thumps his hoof trying to hurry me along.  Then it's off to the garden which is almost ready to be put to rest until next spring.  The over ripe corn has been picked for the hens and a few raccoon have taken the rest.   Patty Pan summer squash is still thriving along with beautiful Heirloom tomatoes.  The shovel stands stuck in the ground by the carrot row.  As soon as the horses are finished eating grain they head to the pasture next to the garden.  They know a few carrots will be dug and thrown to them.  This gives us more time to rub their noses and ears, give them a pat or two and promise to see them later.  I picked a couple squash for tonight's supper.  Soon they will be gone and another pattern of eating will start at Cook'n by the Creek.

Just a few pears left to can.

Pears are washed and ready to be canned.  They are nice ones, juicy and very tasty with tender skin.  I sent one in Dick's pail and I had one for breakfast, who can resist fresh pears ♡ fall fresh fruits and veggies, nothing better.  The shelves are filling up and soon we will start using all the canned "stuff".  You know I have to wait for that certain day to reach for the first jar of summer canning.  It's a savings account for the next 6 months of meals.

Soft as a Mouse's Ear

Here I go again!  While lightly buffing the refinished floor this morning an old phrase just popped into my thoughts.  Maybe this is how I contend with housework and other chores, zoning into nicer, happier and long forgotten times.  The tung oil makes the floor feel soft with very little sharp noise.  So far it is what I like and hopefully will remain so.   Thinking of how soft it feels on barefeet brought back "soft as a mouses's ear".  I remember the first time I heard the phrase "soft as a mouse's ear" and asking mom, "how do you know how soft a mouse's ear is"?  She simply said because she had felt one.  Living on a farm we had mice around and in the barn.  One time while doing the milking mom found a mouse nest and of course she made sure I had the chance to learn how soft a mouse's ear is.  Probably some of you are really shuddering to think we would do such a thing but it's all part of the country life.  Snakes are too but heck no, never would I get close enough to one much less touch it.  I'll call it enough with a mouse, wild bunnies and baby peeps.  They are all soft which now reminds me of touching a newborn baby, their skin so soft and the smell of a newborn (I call it a baby smell) is so soothing.  Life is about the young and their innocence.  I doubt many of us look at babies (human or animal) without getting a tender smile or saying, awwwww ♡

Speaking of ears......our little Clara was born with 2 ears standing straight up.  Then came the day she tried scooting out the door when Dick was leaving and got her head shut in the door.  It broke one of her ears which developed a pillow like ear lobe full of blood.  Surgery left her with one droopy ear so now she looks a little silly.  At 13 years old I'm sure she doesn't mind.  Like me, age has a way of changing my priorities and that's a great thing!

Dick put a treat by Clara for when she wakes up.
The old girl gets treated like a queen ♡

Back to soft and let's add gentle to the equation.  I am setting on the back deck with a comfortable breeze, that fall smell, warm sun, fluffy white clouds drifting along and the gentle rustle of the poplar leaves.  Taking deep breaths and letting all of the worries melt away even if it is just for a little while.  At this point all feels right with the world.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if every human could find that moment of peace?  This is my time of year that inspires me in so many ways.  Too much desire for accomplishments and never enough time, especially when I reach the pleasure of relaxing, listening, watching and feeling the contentment.  I could avoid the desire to set and get in this state of mind but then I would miss the glory of the day ♡ I'll just stay here a while longer.

I wish you could feel the breeze, hear the rustling leaves and
and see how the leaves dance and twirl.
Peace in the valley.

The Thimble

Nothing fancy but holds precious memories for me.
It takes my breath away when I slip it on. ♡♥♡♥♡

As small as my thimble is I have kept it safe for about 60 years.  For the first 15 years of my life the thimble was tucked safely in my mom's sewing basket.  After supper Della (I love her name) would sit in her big over stuffed chair and reach for her basket of clothes to be mended or socks to be darned.  Mom also sewed beautiful dresses and coats for me during my early years and there was the thimble for the fine hand sewn work.  The thimble slipped on her finger and stayed there fitting just right.  My dad's work clothes were the main mending chore and by far the most difficult to do. He worked on the farm and oil leases on Horse Run Rd, he always wore  gray/green pants and shirts in the winter and khaki tan in the summer months.  Mom always starched and ironed them.  Some of you may remember the stiff wire frames for pants.  Mom would use those and hang them on the line, winter or summer clothes were hung out to dry.    The material was heavy so mending was always difficult to get a needle through the layers.  The little thimble made mending so much easier (seriously.....easier?)  and saved quite a few pokes in the end of a finger.

I have tried to wear the thimble when I am quilting but it never feels comfortable.  I think it was made for one very special lady's finger.  ♡♥♡♥♡  Can you imagine mending clothes or darning socks in today's world.  I still sew a button on or fix a seam but to sew patches on holes....no.  Darning socks is also a no.  Thinking of it almost makes me feel guilty and wasteful.  Almost

The pleasure I get remembering Della setting in her chair, legs crossed and humming a song fills my heart with such love.

I am trying something new this tomato season, freezing peeled whole tomatoes.  Of course I googled that and all reviews are a go for me.  With the last week of very hot temperatures I am looking for an alternative to canning.  Freezing them will give the temperature and humidity time to drop.  On the crisp fall days I can haul the tomatoes from the freezer to make canned spaghetti sauce and chipotle sauce.  That way the extra heat from the kitchen will be a pleasure.   I use to love hot days but know just give me cool sunny days with a warm sweatshirt or sweater.  We are talking of our fall woods walks already.  mmmm the woods smell so fresh and have a smell of what I call Hickory Nuts.

This has been quite a year for weather, garden, ticks and fleas.  The weather for winter and spring was on the downside but if that is what caused the absent of NO fleas or ticks this summer I'll take another year of it.  Our dogs have been free of fleas and ticks.  Even me the #1 tick magnet has been free of them!  Incredible how much one nasty little bug can make life miserable.  Once we are back in the woods that will be the real test.

What's for supper on a hot day?  All in the crock pot, meatloaf and fresh garden potatoes.  I will saute a few little zucchinis and patty pan squash.  Patty pans are our new favorite summer squash (took the place of yellow).

Patty Pan summer squash.

The Glads are in full bloom.

The easy fix and clean up supper!

So Long White

I can't break the habit of putting my white clothes and shoes away on Labor Day and not bring them out until Easter Sunday.  Many times I have tried but it just doesn't feel right.  For the last couple weeks I knew that Labor Day would be the last day of white. First thing this morning I put on my white Capris and tropical purple and white top for the last time of 2015.  That could change if we headed some place tropical but that is slim to none.  See ya next spring "white".

It's been a busy summer at Cook'n by the Creek, from hay season, mowing lawn, refinishing about 700 sq ft of hardwood floors, garden tending, canning and freezing.  Yes, it is all worth the time and effort.  The freezer and shelves are almost full.  Corn, beans, aspragus, pickles, peaches and beets are done.  Left to do is pears, tomatoes, spaghetti sauce, chipotle sauce and winter squash.  Maybe applesauce if we can find a bargain around Wine Country.  That's it, then we get lazy, relax and watch the "white" of winter take over.

On our trip to Olean this morning we really noticed the green has been taken over by yellow and golds on the low lying brush and grasses.  Even the hills are showing less of the rich lush greens of summer.  It's the cycle of life.  The birds are flocking and the ones that head south will soon be gone.  My Uncle Orville always said his hummingbirds were usually gone around September 12th.  Ours usually are with a few straggles that stop in.  Maybe they are Canadian hummers that just need a little rest and sweet fill up to make the rest of the trip.  From birds to summer white I am on the next phase of 2015.

Summer meals have been filled with fresh veggies and fruit.  We love fried squash and try to have it  least 3 times a week.  Once the corn was ready that was an everyday thing.  As soon as it loses it's "pop" we freeze it.  Half is roasted over an open fire for soups and salsas.  The smokey flavor makes for great flavor.  The rest is boiled, cut off the cob and froze.

A typical summer supper. New potatoes with beans, fried
squash and a few slices of zucchini bread for dessert.

Yes, our dining room table was on the porch while we refinished the floors.  The house is all back in order...It was a long month.

Take time to "Pass it On" the good is always appreciated and welcomed, well worth it no matter how small or simple.

Grape Leaves

If I don't have enough recipes I'm always looking for a few more unique ones to try.  Last winter while checking out other blogs I happened across a dill pickle recipe that guarantees the crispiest dill pickle ever.  The difference from my recipe?  Put a half of a fresh grape leaf on top before sealing.  I just finished 6 pints for a trial run.  If it works next year I will make more with grape leaves.  I'm a sweet pickle kinda gal but the family prefers dill or spicy hot.

The grape leaf test batch.  Let ya know in a
couple months if they are crispy.

 Unfortunately by the looks of our cucumber vines we may not get many more cukes.  It looks like a vine blight is setting in and also on the squash and pumpkin vines.  For all the rain we had in the spring and right up to a few weeks ago the ground is dry, creeks are very low and the garden is suffering!  The corn popped beautiful ears of corn but the fear of no rain has the leaves curled tight.  That means no moisture the kernels will not develop.  This itty bitty farm  has me worried about  something quite a bit.  From the garden to a lame horse, chicken stalkers or equipment break downs there is always something to do.  I am thankful for the veggies we harvested so far, the 14 of 17 Australorps hens we raised (fox, coyote or Red Tailed Hawk took 3 for their young ones).  Dick fenced in an area for them until they get bigger, older and wiser.

The end of summer is being felt with a few reminders all around.  In service for teachers and aides started today and will be a couple days a week until the students first day back.  It sure has been a quick vacation for them!  The hills are getting a yellow tinge, nights are cooler, the sun is hot but the breezes seem to have that cool affect.  Usually in September I clean out the side flower bed but for some reason the plants all died off early so yesterday I cleaned them out and got it ready for mulch.  The dahlias are still going strong with many beautiful deep red blossoms.  We planted 50 gladiolas this spring, 3 had blossoms!  Never again, I refuse to waste my time and money on things that don't like our soil.  I like plants that come up every year rather than buy and plant every year.  You know perennials and annuals technically speaking.

Dahlias will blossom until the first frost. Then we dig the
roots to store in the basement.  In the spring Dick will divide the
tubors, plant some and give some away.  Pass it On ♡♡♡♡

Poppies are nearing the end of their life.  The large pods will
turn brown and we will gather the seeds to give away.
The seeds that fall will come up next spring.

This is what our garden and flower beds look like.  Since we
have a well precious water is not used for watering.  Only
humans and animals get to drink. 

The rhubarb has been healthy and plentiful and supplied a few families with pies and jams this spring/summer.  When the rhubarb plant gets the seed stalk started I cut it off before it can develop that way we have rhubarb to pick all summer.  Too much nutrition goes to the seed stalk which stops new rhubarb from sprouting.  Kinda like dead heading flowers so they will continue to have lots of blossoms.

This afternoon was time to rest, even a 2 hour nap. We are getting ready to sand the hardwood floor (28 x 26) with a hallway tomorrow.  For the last 10 days I have been chemically removing the polyurethane finish.  Yes on my hands and knees,  there is no easy way to get it done.  If ya want to save $ it is do it yourself.  My personality does not allow for dissatisfaction if I'm not happy with the job if we hired it done.  This way I can take the blame for being an amateur.  The wood is not damaged so we really didn't want to use a drum sander,  it is way too aggressive and takes quite a bit of wood.  So tomorrow we rent the orbital sander for a quick smoothing.  We have been reading all we can about the best finishes to use.  The "old fashioned" way wins.  Several articles are saying many contractors are going back to tung oil with a coat of paste wax.  Easier, environment friendly and if the floor dulls or gets scratched it's a quick fix.  We shall see and I will "pass it on" from start to finish with pictures.

Grape Leaves

If I don't have enough recipes I'm always looking for a few more unique ones to try.  Last winter while checking out other blogs I happened across a dill pickle recipe that guarantees the crispiest dill pickle ever.  The difference from my recipe?  Put a half of a fresh grape leaf on top before sealing.  I just finished 6 pints for a trial run.  If it works next year I will make more with grape leaves.  I'm a sweet pickle kinda gal but the family prefers dill or spicy hot.

The grape leaf test batch.  Let ya know in a
couple months if they are crispy.

 Unfortunately by the looks of our cucumber vines we may not get many more cukes.  It looks like a vine blight is setting in and also on the squash and pumpkin vines.  For all the rain we had in the spring and right up to a few weeks ago the ground is dry, creeks are very low and the garden is suffering!  The corn popped beautiful ears of corn but the fear of no rain has the leaves curled tight.  That means no moisture the kernels will not develop.  This itty bitty farm  has me worried about  something quite a bit.  From the garden to a lame horse, chicken stalkers or equipment break downs there is always something to do.  I am thankful for the veggies we harvested so far, the 14 of 17 Australorps hens we raised (fox, coyote or Red Tailed Hawk took 3 for their young ones).  Dick fenced in an area for them until they get bigger, older and wiser.

The end of summer is being felt with a few reminders all around.  In service for teachers and aides started today and will be a couple days a week until the students first day back.  It sure has been a quick vacation for them!  The hills are getting a yellow tinge, nights are cooler, the sun is hot but the breezes seem to have that cool affect.  Usually in September I clean out the side flower bed but for some reason the plants all died off early so yesterday I cleaned them out and got it ready for mulch.  The dahlias are still going strong with many beautiful deep red blossoms.  We planted 50 gladiolas this spring, 3 had blossoms!  Never again, I refuse to waste my time and money on things that don't like our soil.  I like plants that come up every year rather than buy and plant every year.  You know perennials and annuals technically speaking.

Dahlias will blossom until the first frost. Then we dig the
roots to store in the basement.  In the spring Dick will divide the
tubors, plant some and give some away.  Pass it On ♡♡♡♡

Poppies are nearing the end of their life.  The large pods will
turn brown and we will gather the seeds to give away.
The seeds that fall will come up next spring.

This is what our garden and flower beds look like.  Since we
have a well precious water is not used for watering.  Only
humans and animals get to drink. 

The rhubarb has been healthy and plentiful and supplied a few families with pies and jams this spring/summer.  When the rhubarb plant gets the seed stalk started I cut it off before it can develop that way we have rhubarb to pick all summer.  Too much nutrition goes to the seed stalk which stops new rhubarb from sprouting.  Kinda like dead heading flowers so they will continue to have lots of blossoms.

This afternoon was time to rest, even a 2 hour nap. We are getting ready to sand the hardwood floor (28 x 26) with a hallway tomorrow.  For the last 10 days I have been chemically removing the polyurethane finish.  Yes on my hands and knees,  there is no easy way to get it done.  If ya want to save $ it is do it yourself.  My personality does not allow for dissatisfaction if I'm not happy with the job if we hired it done.  This way I can take the blame for being an amateur.  The wood is not damaged so we really didn't want to use a drum sander,  it is way too aggressive and takes quite a bit of wood.  So tomorrow we rent the orbital sander for a quick smoothing.  We have been reading all we can about the best finishes to use.  The "old fashioned" way wins.  Several articles are saying many contractors are going back to tung oil with a coat of paste wax.  Easier, environment friendly and if the floor dulls or gets scratched it's a quick fix.  We shall see and I will "pass it on" from start to finish with pictures.

A Lick and a Promise

Rather an odd saying but one I have heard many times in my life and one I find saying frequently.  Today was no exception.  My day started at 9 am cutting green beans we picked last night and also the last of the beans...yay.  7 pints in the pressure canner that will be marked 15 (2015) and put along side the quarts and pints canned last week.  While they were in the canner I made a trip to the garden for cucumbers and onions needed for the batch of bread and butter pickles that I wanted to start.  Sliced thin, mixed with crushed ice and canning salt they had to set for three hours.  All in the timing around here during harvesting of the garden.  When I was at the garden this morning the barn yard lawn was yelling....mow me.  So I did because it gives me a sense of security that snakes don't like short grass.  Yesterday picking beans I saw a snakes tail.  Calmly I told the hub...snake!  He tried to stomp it but it got away.  That was the end, I quit picking beans.  Dick finished the row, I went to the house not so happy that he let it get away.  Dick and Quincy went on the snake hunt and finally found it, it's history.  I don't care how many bugs a snake can eat, I would rather see a kazillion bugs than one creepy crawling snake.  Even so my eyes are on full alert during snake season.  Dick told our friend yesterday......she can find a snake where snakes normally don't like to be.

The beginning of Bread and Butter Pickles.

5 Pints ready to be put away for winter.

Today was a day of going back in time while doing all the things I really love to do. Thinking of my parents, Uncle Orville and Bill Stavisky, they all taught me so much about gardening, canning, cooking and how precious it meant to them to "Pass it On", something we all should do....leave precious memories.  I have been organizing my favorite go to recipes for the last few weeks.  By late fall I hope to have recipe books for my kids and grand kids complete with a story, picture and what family member or friend gave a recipe to me.  It is a lot more involved than I imagined but hoping it will be worth it.

Now for the lick and a promise.  It was what my mom would say when she was in a hurry cleaning the kitchen after a meal, canning or baking.  There was also another time she would say it.....when she would spit on her handkerchief or lick her finger to wipe my face when we were out and about.  She would say about the kitchen, there I gave it a lick and a promise.  When mom wanted to clean something off my face she would say......hold still, I will give you a lick and a promise.  The lick was quick cleaning and the promise was....next time it will be the real deal.

When I finished the pickles today and cleaned the kitchen I said, just a lick and a promise until tomorrow.  Hot bath was on my mind followed by a warm cup of Jamaican Me Crazy, 10 toes up in the hubs recliner, write a blog and enjoy the view at Cook'n by the Creek.  

Running Water

This has caused a little tention around Cook'n by the Creek.

For a few months I have had a magical kitchen faucet,  Flip the handle nothing, run to the bathroom to check that faucet, yes water. Back to the kitchen and the water is running.  Then last Tuesday it didn't come back on.  Panic set in...this is canning season and family coming for a visit.  No way was I going out to buy a new faucet when this one is only a year old.  Moen to the rescue.  I called and sent them a picture of the faucet.  Today the new inside cartridge arrived.  I am hop, skipping and yelling all the way from the mailbox!  It would be fixed by company time.   No, no it won't!  my heart sank very low...  Dick took one look at the new part and said, wrong one!  I am on the phone to Moen within I'll say 30 seconds.  This gal new her stuff, she asked me what color the cartridge is in my faucet.  Black it is and they sent a white one.  Well the new one will be here 8/5.  Nice but I'm thinking, I'll be hauling buckets of water to the kitchen as I have for the last week, even for canning.

Now I start feeling guilty complaining  about running water.  I at least only carry it from a bathroom 20 steps away.   Back in the early times they carried it from a spring and had to heat it on a wood stove even during the heat of summer.  Canning beans last week really had me kicking myself for grumbling.  I had the air condition cranking cool air, and a pressure canner that took a total of 25 minutes for 5 qts.  That's it, calm cool and collected.  I guess when things seem a little testy just stop, take a deep breath and think.....it's quite an easy work load compared to way back when.

Not so way back when we did not have air conditions in homes and cars.  I remember many trips to Fl and out west without air.  We never complained about what we did not have because we didn't  know what we were missing. Windows down, 3 kids jumping all over and even feet and legs out the windows.  Remember, no car seats to restrain them in one place.  We survived!

Right now we are setting in an air conditioned house waiting for the sun to go behind the hill so we can get out, mow the lawn, feed the animals and pick what ever needs picked from the garden.  Not such a tough life when I think of the alternatives.  People work outside in this heat or the freezing cold winters,  retirement and age has made me soft!

Our Clara Rd. is closed at the lower end for a bridge replacement.  The oil/gas drilling is coming and no I don't like it.  If you are planing a trip up Clara the detour is the Back Rd and it is dirt!  Dusty, narrow and a little rough road.  It could be worse, we could be driving a horse and buggy.

Summer meals on warm days like this are light and easy.  Dick was craving.....bologna so he bought a pound sliced thick.  That was his supper and mine will be a fried bologna sandwich with mustard.  Haven't had one in years so tonight is the night!  The bologna has to be very close if not burnt for me.  Same as a campfire hot dog but the marshmallow just lightly tan in color.  Here is the side salad of fresh garden cukes, thin sliced onions, salt, pepper, a little sugar if you like (we don't) and a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water that is always in the frig during this time of the year.  Very crisp and refreshing on hot summer days.

This is a bean pot given to me by a very dear friend from NC.
Luann just retired from teaching this summer and is
one great and caring lady!  I love the crock and the
reminder of Luann.

We stopped at the Millport Fair for about a half hour this afternoon...to hot ;)  I did get to enjoy the Historical Society building and take a few pictures.  Mr Wicker was great at answering a few questions about the early Clara School.  He even gave me a picture of it when it was in use.  More on the school in another blog.!

The day just got a whole lot better.  The hubs put the faucet back together, flipped the handle and YES!  We have water.  I am back in the easy lane for company and canning, ♡♥♡♥♡♥♡♥♡♥♡♥♡