It's a Slow Down

June 22, 2016, who would have thought it would be a major slow down around Clara!  No rain, grass is turning brown and going dormant  which means I am not on the lawn mower every three days doing yard, barn yard and around the garden.  The garden looks mighty pathetic.  The only things growing are onions, peas and green beans.  The peas have a nice bunch of pods but without rain I'm worried they will never mature.  The pea plants are no more than 12-16 inches high and that is very unusual.  Other years we run posts and wire for them to climb 5'or more.  It looks like nature is doing what it does best, compensate for no rain.  The sweet corn  is 4 inches high, a pale green instead of the dark lush green we are use to seeing.  The old farmers always say the corn should be "knee high" by the 4th of July.  Ours surely will not be which makes me think.......freezing and canning is going to be only if we buy veggies.  Unless we get some nice steady warm rain it looks like a long dry couple months.  Another worry, how the water wells will do.  When ya live in the country we know it just doesn't come out of the faucet because it is suppose to. 

For the last few days I have called us the "sky watchers".  When a dark cloud moves in we start hoping it will drop rain but nothing.  Living in a tight valley with hills high and close we normally don't see the storm until it is almost over us.  So we have watched and watched, the clouds come and they go.  I remember reading about the Great Dust Bowl in history class.  It is almost how I feel now.  The ground is showing deep cracks and the dirt is like talcum powder.  The only ones enjoying the dust are my hens.  They are dusting and sleeping in the holes they have dug during the hot afternoons. 

Last Sunday we took the day off for a little fun.  My favorite rides are along Keuka and Seneca Lakes.  Just north of Watkins Glen over looking Seneca Lake is Lakewood Winery.  They offer a great tasting experience.  Since the first time we went the same guy does the tasting.  He is great, funny and full of information.  He also does a great job of selecting what we should sample.  Sunday the Fiddlers Guild was on the winery lawn loaded with great fiddling talent.  From Norway to wine country area the fiddlers were  showing off the God given talent. There was even story telling to let us know how the long ago songs came to be.  A little wine, Sangria, beautiful weather and great music.  We hit it lucky.  They had vendors selling garden products, plants, home canned goods, purses and even a few young girls dressed in their Norwegian costumes braiding wild daisy garlands for the gals to wear in their hair.  It was just a good old fashioned kind of fun.  I needed that!  They husband bought a red grape vine to plant since the one we planted last year is doing so good.  It needed company......

If I think our lawns are turning brown it is nothing to what Wine Country is facing.  The grass was brown and crisp, like walking on Shredded Wheat.  Come on, let's get some rain for this area.  I will say as warm as the days have been the evenings are cool and comfortable for sleeping.  50/50, give and take, good with the bad, it all equals out.  One thing for sure we can't predict the weather and we can't change it. 

Sounds of summer were all about today.  It's hay season and a good one too.  Every farmer I talked to has said the same thing, the fields are thick and high with hay.  That tends for a plentiful amount of bales per acre.  The Hoffmans have been going by with tractor trailer loads of the big round bales all morning. News travels quickly in Clara Valley and we were told the hay was from the Bob Graves farm.  Scott West has been busy cutting and raking our neighbor's field all day. Sounds of summer in the country, can't beat it.  At least for us.

Beautiful friendly gals,  happy to tell you a about their country.

Keuka Lake heading back south on the east side of the lake.

Vineyards at Lakewood Winery.  What a view to set and sample some good wines.

 The fields from here to Wine Country are cut and bales taken care of.  Now will there be a second cutting?  Only time will tell, rain to make it grow and dry days to get it cut and baled.  Like I said, happy we don't depend on farming for a living, worry is daily when your a farmer.

Motivation at Cook'n by the Creek

Several have asked why I wait so long between blog posts.  It is hard to explain but here goes.  Like all my hobbies or loves such as knitting, crocheting, needle work, sewing and painting, my blog also falls into the what motivates me or when the mood hits I do it.  It may take a month (or more) possibly to say to myself, "I feel like writing".  Dick has come home and mentioned, "you haven't  blogged lately?"  He does not read them so I always ask why he asked.  Someone had asked him.  That's a lot of asks!  I can be in a time of my mind wandering and think, "that's a blog".  I can be riding down the road, it doesn't matter where and something will strike me into deep thoughts and there it is, a blog.  That's as good as it gets for explaining my not so consistent blog.  I can't apologize because that would mean doing better at blogging, not going to happen, I just need to be in the mood where the thoughts turn into words.  I will admit I am not impressed with my blog and wonder why others want to read it.  I have faithful followers from near and far, friends, people I have never met and never will but believe me I appreciate each one and look forward to checking out what countries are viewing.  Right now Germany is in the lead, too many to mention and some so amazing that they stop by to read what nonsense my mind puts into words.  Thanks to all. 

 This was the topping for the motivation this morning, our front porch.  I have been mulling thoughts around in this crazy mind of mine for a few days.  At Cook'n by the Creek I am lucky to have a morning, afternoon and evening spot to set, enjoy the quiet and get lost in my far away thoughts.   The final touches went on it a week ago.  Our Canadian friends have a camp across the road from us.  They wanted their old shed tore down and Dick was more than happy to find a guy to do it for whatever he wanted from inside it.  This table was left.  Covered in Clara Rd dust and bird poop it looked pretty sad.  I had to check it out and jackpot, it was as sturdy if not more so than one I could buy.  We hauled it home, pressure washed it, fresh coat of paint and it fits the bill for what I needed on the porch.  Free "stuff", can't get better than that.  The real jackpot was our friend's dad had built the table.  I have seen many thinks Ed has made and he is a fine craftsman.  He gave our grandson a flying Canadian Goose he made.  Life is good to be able to think of Ed and our friends when I set at my "new" table. 

We enjoy eating on our porches.  I couldn't resist this picture looking from the inside out.  Quiet morning, listening to the birds and watching a few (very few) cars go by. Our mornings are usually slow and easy.  That is unless the husband is on a tangent to get busy then he tries to rush me along.  Since hitting my 60 something rushing is not for me.  I rushed for too many years, now it is time to go at my own pace.  Salt Rising bread is our pick for toast but my "gal pal" flew solo from New Mexico Friday for a visit.  She brought "Hatch Green Chile Cheddar" bread from a bakery in Ruidoso, NM.  Well let me tell ya, it is our new favorite toast.  Not a cheesy bread just a hint of cheddar but those Hatch Chiles are the quest for the best!   It is so good I couldn't throw away the last piece from yesterday.  This morning while corn pancakes were on the menu I passed and had that lonesome last slice of toast that had been carefully wrapped and tucked away just for................me!  My thought, once cold weather arrives I will be requesting  loaves be sent to PA.  Yes, we love it that much.  Thanks John and Diane for thinking of us.  Speaking of Diane, she is like myself.  When a meal is to be fixed she is right there beside me doing whatever.  Like two peas in a pod we don't ask how the other wants something done we just do it our way and it works great.  Honestly, Diane is the only one I have ever welcomed into my kitchen for food preparation, my personality does not like intrusions but hers is welcome always. 

I tried something new for a breakfast casserole.  Grating a large potato and spreading it out in a cast iron pan with melted butter I browned the bottom of the potatoes.  Then spread browned breakfast sausage over the potatoes and finally poured 5 beaten eggs with about a cup of milk and a cup of grated cheese.  I used German Butter Kasse from Aldis.  I love that place they have so many wonderful German products.  Not to mention the German Chocolates are top notch!  Once it was all together it went in the oven at 375 until the center was set.  Easy and great as leftovers for the next morning. 

Yesterday was Summer Solstice which means the longest day of light.  Kinda sad to think we are already headed the other way.  As we sat on the back porch looking out over the lawn Dick noticed the birds were very quiet.  Maybe they knew and also felt a little sadness knowing their young will soon fly the coop and they will take flight for a long journey to their winter home.  We have been so fortunate this year to have 3 pair of Baltimore Orioles visiting the Hummingbird feeder and eating grape jelly by the jars full.  They are on the third jar already.  No complaints here, they are feeding within 4 feet of us. For the first time we have a pair of Gray Cat Birds...I googled that!   Dick is the nature man with more information that sometimes I wonder how he knows it all.  He told a friend that while the rest of us went to school faithfully he skipped to be in the great outdoors.  Ok, back to the Gray Cat Birds.  They have a beautiful song but they also mew like a cat!  Seriously, they meow when setting waiting their turn to eat the grape jelly.  We also have a pair of tiny gray birds that also eat grape jelly and no, the big guy is not sure what they are but assumes they are some kind wren.

Last but not least a box turtle went slowly through the lawn.  It was headed for the pine grove that isn't there anymore.  A few Cherry trees and pines that are left will offer protection and shade for the animals.  Quincy had never seen a turtle so off he went to take a look.  He must have known it was nothing to reckon with because after a few seconds of barking he left it alone.

Our nights are full of entertainment, from watching the chickens, listening to the birds and whatever else happens by.  It is just the way I like it, no news, no views, no opinions and no one telling me what to think or do because.....Take time to leave the world behind and live life your way.  I just realized, writing lets me live my life my way and enjoy it.  Kinda like a pretend world.....it's worth it.

 

From the Hills of PA and NY

Mountain Laurel is in full bloom on Moffit Hill.  It is against the law to pick the flowers or dig the plant.  Very delicate
pale pink flowers.  Many rides through our area  have an abundance of Mountain Laurel.  There is also a Mountain
Laurel Festival in Wellsboro, PA, with a parade and crowning of a queen picked from local high schools.

Saturday we took a ride "around the horn" as we sometimes call a slow, peaceful ride to gather what we need for the week.  It was up over Moffit Hill to Coudersport.  The grocery store sells side pork which is our top pick over bacon.  Just fresh sliced slab bacon with no preservatives and nitrates.  Then we headed over North Hollow which is between Rt 6 and Rt 49.  The views at the top of the hills are amazing, they went on forever.  It made me wonder just how many miles long the views are.  Then we went towards Ulysses and turned onto Hickox Rd, yep, to visit the Amish Feed Store.  I actually get excited wondering what the little ones are doing.  Saturday was no exception to their busy little lives.  A boy around 12 was riding the big draft horse while his dad followed behind the hitch plowing the garden.  Two very tiny ones were running around the yard chasing each other and the older boys were busy grinding and filling various types of feed bags.  No girls in sight, if I only could see in that house.  I imagine they were cooking, cleaning and sewing.  Busy day, every day for this Amish family.  Once the garden is plowed  the wife and girls do the planting and tending to it.

The Troyer guys getting the garden ready for the women to plant.

We left the feed store and took an old, narrow dirt road to Rt 19, that came out near North
Bingham, Pa and soon crossed into NY towards Whitesville.  Our next stop was another Amish family that is building our cabin in August.  Dick and Joe had a few details to go over to complete the deal.  No papers to sign, no lawyer, no fancy words, just a good old conversation and handshake sealed the deal.  This might be why so many go to the Amish, the simple pleasures of good honest talk.  The view from this farm is breath taking.  While the men talked I was more than satisfied to enjoy the view and again watch the young Amish keeping themselves entertained.  There were 3 young girls practicing driving the buggy.  Up and down the long dirt driveway and around the house they would go.  Backing up, turning different directions and around a tree or clothes line.  I held up my phone to take a picture and got 3 big smiles.  Times are changing for the Amish around here, the women no longer hustle to the house when a car pulls in and leave the talk to the men.  I even had a nice conversation a few years ago with the wife.  Same concerns as many of us have, just not worldly worries.  That is a good thing.

The brother was trying to tell them how to drive.....these plain clothed sisters had the same reaction
as fancy clothed sisters.  A giggle and a comment from them and he shrugged and walked away.

Company arriving at Joe's for a celebration dinner,  he said there will be a lot of families there for the afternoon.

The trip "around the horn" led us to Genesee, down the Eleven Mile and finally back to Clara.  Lots to see during the ride and the fact we had about 3 hours of rest before working on the old garage.  It is coming and looks so much better with the fresh paint on it.  A few boards need replaced around the garage door, no problem.  My husband is a scavenger, when he sees things that we could use "someday"  he brings the "stuff" home.  The new boards are from the old Bob Pratt farm house up the road.  Beautiful boards that will never be able to be duplicated.  Thick, wide and aged to perfection.  Dick made a table out of some of the wide thick planks.  It will go in the new cabin.  What better way to keep memories of what was.

View from the Amish farm near Whitesville, NY.

On top of the ridge near Whitesville, NY.

Wheat that was blowing in the wind, rotation of crops is great for the soil.  This will soon be "Amber waves of grain".

 Just looking at these pictures give me a sense of relaxation.  Take a ride, take some turns off the beaten path.  You won't get lost, after all you will still be in the beautiful USA. 

That Old Garage

When I drive past an abandoned house, barn or even a garage it makes me wonder why was it left to rot and fall down.  My dad told us when we bought our first house in 1970, Cheryle Anne, if you do one thing each year to your house you will be ahead of the work.  Every summer was the time for fresh paint, new roof, eves, fix the side walk or paint the interior.It worked doing something once a year.  Today was the day I thought of my dad and the once a year fix it up.  We bought the land across from us and unfortunately the trailer had been used for a camp and long since abandoned.  It was in real bad shape with no chance of refurbishing it.  Dick spent the winter demolishing it.  Our big decision and we thought we had made one was to demolish the garage too.  The foundation in the back is sinking away and needs jacked up.  The roof has about 4 inches of moss growing on it.  The windows are broke, the trim boards are blistered and peeling, entrance door is long gone and the garage door is in desperate need.  The good thing is it still pulls up like a well oiled charm.

 So, as we sat having coffee last weekend I suggested going to Home Depot.  Yes, Dick never realizes I have a reason besides being nice to him.  He loves looking around that store.  I do too!  We went our separate ways and it was straight to the paint section for me.  I had a plan, that garage was going to get a new look and quite a bit of tender loving care.  After all, it is old but still useable.  Poor thing, it really wasn't built by a professional so there are many flaws.  It is what it is, Monty's garage.  How could I get rid of the very thing I hate to see.  Get rid of the old and build new.  This little garage has character, flaws and all.  It is nestled into the hill side with beautiful Maple Trees framing it like a picture.  I knew I wanted Earthy colors to blend in with the hillside.  Lucky they had a pallet of colors that would look good together.  Mix'm up I told the guy.  I now have 3 gals of paint, Hazy Sage (medium), Mossy Green (dark) and Shamrock White (light).  It was as if I had to hurry and get it done before Dick could give me a kazillion reason why not to fix the "old garage" up.

The old garage, this has been our view for 17 years
from our house. 

The final choice of colors.

This morning I was on one of my tangents of a mission.  While Dick was starting the stone work on the front of the pizza oven (yes, it should be finished and fired up within the week) I told him I was heading across the road to test out the new colors on the old garage. 8 hours later I am thrilled with the color choice.  One side is completely done other than putting new glass in the window.  I'm sure he will be off to Norton's Building Supply in the morning to order the glass......I'm pretty certain.
The front is half painted, I need a taller ladder for the peek.  The garage door, I'm not sure what it needs beside paint but my idea is probably going to be met with a little hesitation.  90% of the second side is painted.  Eves, window trim left to paint.  We will be looking for a used entrance door in the next few weeks.  I would like to brag to the husband I did it all for less than $100.  The paint was $76 with a $10 a gallon rebate to send in.  That brings it down to $46 which means I have $54 for incidentals!  Like hanging baskets on each side of the garage door and a large metal sun for the side.  I'm a dreamer with projects, it's what keeps me ticking!  Did I mention little to no resistance on my project from the husband?

My mission of get it done is in high.... excited to see the final look.  Like I said, it is nothing special to look at but oh so special for me.  It is after all a garage built my a guy born and raised in Clara.  I'm sure he was proud the day his dad gave him the acreage for his home.  Memories will live on for a few more years. 

The sun has just dropped over the hill behind the garage.  Another thankful day of doing what we love at Cook'n by the Creek, staying busy.  There was even a good breakfast and a nice break of milk and Buttermilk Cookies.  The cookies were made a few days ago when the house needed warmed with the oven on.  Two bags in the freezer for days when I do not feel like baking or cooking.  Today was that day.

This is Eleanor Stavisky's cookie recipe.  It makes about 3 doz. large cookies.
Big, soft, tender cookies.....the best.

When you see something old and run down think of what it was and how it came to be.  Then imagine, what would it look like with a little love splattered all over it. 
 

Time

This time of the year there is never enough daylight time.  Or maybe there is and I am just wasting time.  Every morning I get on the computer to check the news, email and finally face book.  There is an hour wasted.  After coffee and breakfast it is clean up the kitchen and myself, make the bed and head outside for brush hogging, mowing, weed whacking, garden work, weed a few flower beds.  It doesn't matter what I do first it all needs to be done at one point in "time".  Lunch usually  involves computer (more wasted time) and then back to whatever was left out from the morning.  Supper is from 4:30 to 7:00 depending if one of us is in the middle of something.  This morning I made potato salad, plus a few loads of laundry before heading out. 

Back to that "time" thing.  What made me think of time?  My mom and a song today while I was in the back fields brush hogging.  The best time of my day, on the tractor and going back in "time".  I think of my mom and how she used her time wisely, she must have.  She sewed me beautiful dresses and fancy coats, crocheted doilies, knit sweaters and socks, cooked wonderful farm meals 3 times a day, baked delicious sweets and bread, kept a very clean house, milked cows morning and night and still found time to be a mom.  Her day never involved radio or tv.  If there would have been computers that would not have been in her day.  Shopping was once a week in Shinglehouse or maybe once a month in Olean.  One vacation in all my young years.  Thinking of all she did with a smile is amazing.  Consider our generation right on down.  We deserve all the good times.....right.....at least that is what we tell ourselves.  Working from dawn to dusk is not in our vocabulary now a days.  There are shopping trips, vacations, hair appointments, fingernails, toenails, facials, massages and lunch with the girls.  Because we deserve it.  Time......slips away.  The days turn into years and as I look back I wonder....was mom really happy doing all that work?  I think so, after all my happiest times are doing things around "Cook'n by the Creek".  It is like watching an old time movie playing my past, from the farm to my kids it is the best movie ever!

Now about the song.   Willie Nelson -  Funny How Time Slips Away.  Thinking of time brought back this old favorite.  It is not funny how time slips away but it is going to happen like it or not.  With out time slipping away how would we ever collect precious memories?  It is all part our life that keeps us going.

Today on the tractor was one of those.....how beautiful Clara Valley is.  The temperature was a cool 57 degrees, blue sky, warm sunshine and a brisk breeze that left my face wind burned by afternoon.  All worth it.  The leaves on the trees were fluttering and dancing around and the hay was blowing every which way looking like waves across the water.  Swallows were diving and dipping ahead of the tractor trying to catch bugs that were trying to get out of the way.  Usually a big Red Tail Hawk is hawking the field looking for mice or snakes once the hay is cut, not today.  There were two Turkey Vultures circling over head.   It made me laugh as I looked up at them and said, I may be old but not today.  They have never been a bird I enjoy seeing.  Another smile came when I caught a glimpse of our black dog Quincy running up to check on me.  He has a tough time keeping track of Dick and I if we are working in separate places.  He tends to run back and forth every so often just to make sure he knows where we are.  He hung around for a bit sniffing spot where the hay was crushed down, it was probably from a deer bedding down the night before.  Deer like to bed down in an open field,  they can see farther and get a scent from a predator that way.  From that tractor I can look up the valley, down the valley, to my right and left and all I see is high green hills and blue sky, my little heaven on Earth.  I wish everyone could feel the peace this play I call home has to offer.



At the end of the day there is always something
soothing to drink.

Breakfast is usually filling during the summer.  You never know if there
is time for lunch.  Dick had French Toast, I had an asparagus omelet and
we both had hominy and cantaloupe. 

If you have never heard of or had hominy give it a try.   Hominy can be for any meal in place of potatoes, noodles or rice.  We prefer the white hominy, drained and warmed in butter with salt and pepper.  My dad always poured warm milk and maple syrup over it for breakfast.

Take "time" to enjoy what you like to do.  Time slips away to fast. 

A Candy Dish

Can you remember being little/young and seeing a candy dish full of sweets (always in a wrapper).  More than likely it was a home that an older person lived in.  My gramma, aunts and my mom all had a candy dish setting on a stand.  It was proper to take a piece (only one) without being offered.  I forgot about "the candy dish" until Sunday when Dick and I went to a yard sale at the Hebron Seventh Day Adventist Church.  They have this sale once a year around the same time.  This is the first year we went and will definitely go back next year.  There were many treasures from long ago.  That is usually what we are looking for.  Just a little reminder of our past.  I believe the older you get the more going back is important.  If I had been more interested in the past during my teen years I would have listened and asked more questions.  I didn't, so these days I rely on what I do remember or what someone reminds me of.  Looking around at all the dishes they were selling for 10 cents to a dollar I found a couple reminders of my past.  When I saw the candy dish I just stood there staring at it with a reminder of walking past my Grammas.  That was a buy, 10 cents, all washed and setting on our stand with wrapped candy in it.  I love it!  The other buy was a milk glass pedestal bowl that was made in Cleveland, Ohio, by O. E. Brody Co.  That was a deal, 10 cents and worth $16 and up.  It's not for sale,  I just wanted to find out about the company.  Dick bought 8 silver (?) coasters etched with a beautiful design.  With a little silver cleaner they cleaned up beautiful.  Needless to say everything we bought will be used.  In the past few months I had been looking for coasters and just couldn't find ones that were just right.  These are,  for.......25 cents.  We love a bargain.

Stamped on the bottom is "Holland Mold".

The rest of time has been in the garden.  Not during the heat of the day but evenings.  We have been going out before supper and  again afterwards.  This weekend was planting of corn, potatoes, beans and cucumbers.  Next will be the winter squash, summer squash and pumpkins.  Do a little weeding and tilling until the busy time of harvest and canning starts.  We have been getting a lot of asparagus since the temperatures have been in the 70s and 80s.  The important thing in seeds germinating is ground temperature which depends on night time warmth.  If the nights are 50-60 with high moisture the seeds and young plants are going to thrive.  So far it looks like a good year for the garden.  Some rain would be nice, it is quite dry at Cook'n by the Creek.  Thunderstorms have moved all round us but none for us. 

Tomorrow our beautiful stand of White Pine Trees will be gone and hauled away to be sawed into lumber for the cabin and whatever else is needed.  Seventeen years ago we took down just enough to build our barn and now the need is here again.  I am very sad but also keep saying, never cry for anything that can't cry for you.  It has been very peaceful looking out the bedroom window watching the tops sway in the night.  On the deck we set and watch them also. There are some young cherry trying to take hold and may do better with the tall pines gone.  Trees are so very important for our world and these guys have been growing since around the late 1800s, from stories an old guy told us about a huge White Pine that grew on the same spot as our trees.  

Tomorrow night the view will be completely different.
 

The 57 Chevy

Window vents to keep the air moving,  no air conditioning.

Ron and Dick checking out every square inch.

Full bench seat, fits 3 easy.

Stylish lines, wow!

Big steering wheel!  The dice on the mirror, a must have.

There is the white walls and beautiful color.

Quite by accident we happened upon this "Thursday Night Car" show at the Charcoal Corral near Letchworth, NY.  The restaurant is quite the place to eat.  They have just about anything you want including burgers, fries, pizza and an ice cream parlor...how is that for a 50ish-70ish word..parlor.  I like the sounds of it and the place gives the old time feel of taking me back to my teen years.  I know, I always say they are the best years and our generation was the luckiest of lucky to live that era.  It's true, even now I see young people trying to play the hippie style and looking a material the other day it also has the hippie look of the 60s.  Can't ignore a good thing! 

What got me thinking (geez it doesn't take much) today we went on an atv ride around the back roads of Clara with our daughter and her husband.  It was a great ride because Jim took us on 3 roads that we did not know existed.  What a joy and yes we will be on them again for pictures.  Beautiful area.  The best was seeing a house that was just my style!  Those funky 60s colors of deep gold, red and navy blue.  Now this may sound rather yucky to some but trust me the style of the house and the perfection of what to paint what color was absolutely beautiful.  I looked at my husband and said.....my kinda house, I love it!  He said, looks like a hippie lives there.  So the next warm night we will take a ride and get one more look at that very intriguing house that sets in the woods with a well groomed lawn and flower beds.

Ok, let's talk cars. My favorite is the 57 Chevy. Actually I was 8 years old in 1957 but as you know very seldom did parents buy new so when I was 14 my parents owned a 57, silver colored convertible with red interior.  It was a beauty!  Our friend Ron said something the other day that has been on my mind because it is the truth.  He said, one thing is for sure my Hyundai will not be a collector car.  Our Honda will not make it to the car shows in 50 years for a remember when!   Now our cars are nice but we are in the era that cars all look alike, unless you get into the $100,000 price tag.  They just don't have their own personality and style.  As we were walking around looking and drooling at the 50s cars and particularly the 57s he said with regret,  to think I ran the heck out of my Aunt Red's car.  How true, if we knew then what we know now!  Those cars were gold and we all would have drove a little more careful and probably would still own it.  Gosh, there is just something about those cars.  A few of my favorite things, a full bench seat, big steering wheel, windows that rolled all the way down, the window vent on the front doors, the lines, white wall tires, beautiful colors and easy to get in and out of.  The pictures from the car show prove just about everything I like about them.  Hey, when ya went on a date it was a must to set next to the guy....ya can't do that in modern day cars.  I can remember a few "old" wives that would set by their husband.  It made me do the eye roll and think how weird it looked.  If you are from Shinglehouse I bet you know who I am talking about.  Now as I look back it doesn't seem weird it seems rather sweet and yes they are still married.

I am going to mention a few I remember seeing Doug Evingham, Mike Taylor, Cubby Newton,  Lee West, Stan Evingham, Ross Jones, Hollis Allen,  Ginger James and Squeaker Coleman.  There are more but this mind is at a stand still.  Overload does that sometimes.  I can still see some of these guys driving by, window down, hair slicked back and a button down shirt on.  How about that for remembering what cool was!  It was also a time they headed for the Horse Run Road to race to the bridge.  Good times!

It is fun to look back at the cars we grew up with, listen to the music, and talk of good times.  There are a lot of stories to be told, take time to listen or tell a few. 

A Man and His Hoe

Around Cook'n by the Creek we have to work the good days even if we are not having a good day.  You know at our age the aches and pains just keep multiplying but like we say...."it's gonna hurt to work or set so we better keep moving.  In the end we work through the kinks and moans, by the end of the day we usually are smiling and say....."damn, we did it".  Being outside and especially in the garden gives us the greatest enjoyment.  The garden is first nothing but weeds and leftover dead crops from last year.  With the exception of asparagus and early spring onions.  We have had asparagus for the last two weeks and will hopefully get another 2 weeks of picking.  Last week I used my cast iron skillet with 4 tablespoons of butter melted and added the asparagus turning until tender.  This might be the best way so far.  Next I will be pickling 6 pints.  We tried it last year and everyone liked it.

He loves to play in the dirt and his Amish hat!

Dick is the hoe man.  I am the seed planter, considering I am a foot shorter than him it is easier for me to plant.  Works out great because I have never liked hoeing.  That was my job in my younger years growing up on the Horse Run Farm.  I was never trusted to do the planting so hoe it was.  I look back and realize, I never was asked or had a choice.  Of course it might be where I learned to give those looks that are always showing on my face when I have a silent opinion....not good most of the time.

The peas we planted a few weeks ago are up about 3 inches.  We planted two more rows Friday.  I am pretty sure they will both produce at the same time.  Growing season is all about ground temperatures.  Although we have planted two weeks apart the early planting is struggling with cool temperatures.  Friday we also planted 3 varieties of carrots and beets.  Tuesday and Wednesday we will plant cukes, green beans, corn, tomatoes, pumpkins, winter and summer squash.   Then it is hope we don't get a heavy frost after they come up.

About July we will be picking, shucking and freezing peas.



If you live in our area you have probably noticed the fruit tree blossoms!  They are plentiful on the tame and wild fruit trees.  Our apple trees and blueberry bushes are loaded with blossoms.  We did have a hard frost or two which is usually not good for the fruit crops.  I am hoping it was just the right timing that will not ruin the fruit.  It has been two years since we were able to gather wild apples for our weekend of apple cider pressing.  The family is ready to press and fire up the pizza oven.

How pretty this year!



Our blueberry bushes are loaded with
blossoms.

Wild strawberry blossoms, hoping this year for a few pints to make
"wild strawberry jam", nothing tastes better.

The weekend has been a dreary rain which we need and also provides a couple days rest for us.  We headed to the Amish for horse, chicken and wild bird feed.      Happened upon a lawn sale, great deal on a pair of cross country skis made in Norway.  I love the poles, so old fashioned looking.  The plan for the poles is to use as a wall decoration in the cabin.

 If I am "stuck" inside it usually means kitchen time.  I baked Toll House Cookies and thawed up leftover ham we had for Sunday dinner a few weeks ago.  Even with Amber and family we had  plenty of leftover ham.  I made a batch of ham salad after dinner and the rest of the ham went to the freezer.  Today I cut meat from the bone and made scalloped potatoes, Navy Bean Soup and more ham salad.  That ham cost $17.00 and provided a Sunday dinner with family, 2 batches of ham salad, soup and Sunday dinner for today of scalloped potatoes.  That is a bargain!  I love what I call free meals with leftovers.  About the ham salad, it is the recipe my mom used.  We like it on bread, rolls or crackers.  I use to use the old time hand grinder, now I use my food mill which gives the same consistency.  Just grind the ham, add relish, chopped onion, mustard, mayonnaise, garlic, salt and pepper.  Sometimes I use sweet pickles, dill pickles, hot peppers or horseradish, what ever sounds tasty.

All the talk of food, break time!  My favorite pottery, the cups are a gift from
Bart and Deb from NC.  Dick bought the tea pot at the Creative Arts Center
in Wellsville, NY.  Perfect match for being made 700 miles from each potter.

Drinking with the Birds

At Cook'n By the Creek this morning is was one of those shock and awe times that always amaze me.  I was in charge of chickens and horses which is way "ok" with me. What better way to start the day!   The sun was starting to melt the hard frost we had last night and also provide enough warmth that no coat was needed.  This morning is proof life goes on in nature, bird and animal kingdom.  The chickens had found their not so secret passage from the coop and as they have been doing since winter broke did their morning greetins to us as soon as we cross the bridge.  Why?  Because we never leave the house without a few slices of bread or whatever.  They love their morning and evening snacks.  I know, I am a chicken kinda chick but seriously if you don't crack a smile seeing those hens doing their "waddle run" then ya just have NO heart for chickens. 

I had an added bonus!  Getting closer to the barnyard I spotted something moving in the grass (not a snake in the grass :)  It was a tiny baby Killdeer.  Looking around I spotted 2 more and just a few feet from the babies were the momma and papa.  One was laying down as close to the ground as possible and the other was pretending to be injured with a wave of its wing and a small call.  The babies disappeared in a blink.  They also were buried into the grass laying flat. What a sight to watch.  Nature has so much to offer if we just take the time to "smell the roses" as to speak.

Doing breakfast dishes I had the honor to watch Mr. and Mrs. Baltimore Oriole as we have been for the past 3 days.  Once we noticed them trying to drink from the Hummingbird feeder Dick went to town for fresh oranges and grape jelly.  They are now frequent visitors several times a day.  This is the first time they have come so close to the house.  I am on the back deck writing, enjoying the morning and our feathered friends, hoping to get a close up of the Orioles.  They must learn to share the space with us.  This is our outdoor living space once the weather allows and this morning is perfection at its best.  Every time I pick up the camera they take flight.  Mr. is quite noisy and I believe trying to tell me.....GET!  They keep circling back, the fruit and jelly is just more than they can ignore.  Kinda like the cinnamon jelly beans our friend keeps on his counter.  If I walk by I just have to take a few. 

Trying to be still is like hunting spring gobbler.  I become so aware of my surroundings.  Here in Clara it can be hours before we hear another sign of humans.  This morning is no exception.  Of course I missed a good picture because I had my eyes closed listening to Morning Doves, all the other song birds and an occasional whinny from the horses.  Must be everyone left Clara early this morning because not a vehicle has gone by for quite awhile.  Lawns must have been mowed earlier in the week.  Gotta cut grass when the weather allows.  This is an amazing feeling...like I am the only one on earth.  Times like these are refreshing and cleansing, just me and my thoughts.  Which many of you know I seem to have way to many of.  Well there is a great sound, the cuckoo clock just announced it is 10 am. I have been enjoying my time for 2 hours already and possibly with another cup of coffee a few more.   I have to take advantage of the "around sound".  Deep breathing, relax and be thankful for what is. 

Mrs. O. decided we can enjoy the porch together.  I knew they could not resist a free meal.

The hummers could care less if I am close to their food. 

Well it has happened.  I have drank with many friends but with the feathered ones it is much more quiet and peaceful. Oh, I did perk another small pot of Jamaican Me Crazy.  I think this could possibly be another 2 hours of "drinking with my friends".  Did you happen to notice I wrote that it is perked coffee?  Who says you can't go back.  A few weeks ago I was reading an article about the automatic and Kurig coffee makers.  It didn't sound to enjoyable about the water tanks and nasty sediments in the tanks.  I googled that and discovered the old time percolators are by far the best for cleaning and keeping clean.  Amazon was my next stop on the world wide web.  Yep, they had plenty to chose from and the reviews helped me decide which one.  The first time we "perked" a pot we were hooked!  The coffee is so crisp tasting, I think I remember that taste.  Lucky for me where I buy my Finger Lakes Jamaican Me Crazy does a perk grind.  Perfect, life in my "coffee world" can't get any better than that!  Off I go to enjoy the quiet,  another cup of JMC and our little feathered friends.

There is my new favorite coffee pot!

 

Take time to enjoy the great outdoors, it really does have a lot of wonderful, free things to offer.  Just listen and watch.

The Green Green Grass of Home

1967 a very good year and yes Tom Jones released the song "The Green Green Grass of Home.  We were quite a fortunate generation.  Some of the best bands, singers, flower power, peace, hippies, you name it we were right smack dab in the middle of a revolution.  It was an exciting time to be in our teen years.  I wonder, what would our life have been like had Viet Nam never happened.  What would the marches and protests have been about.   It was a time when it was just time to be a rebel.  Living in the Oswayo Valley area was quiet, no protests, just long hair, hippy clothes and yes maybe a few that smoked a joint.  Seriously I can remember the first time I heard the words, weed, joint, dubby and marijuana.  Which also was probably the first time it was brought to town.  Life was going to change, I think it was a wave of change that started on the West Coast and made its way to the East.  California Dreaming, yep another song and that was the land of anything goes and it did.  Blond hair, tans, Muscle Beach, beaches, surfers and the start of the little bikinis, going braless, flowers and long beads.  As I'm typing this all smiles remembering those hip hugging, bell bottom, embroidery blue jeans.  Darn I liked those jeans.  Of course now, not so much.  Those lean days are gone to just a sweet memory.

In 1965 when I turned 16 my dad allowed me to buy  a new Bridgestone
90.  The 1960s dream come true for me.  Candy Apple Red

Well, that was a step back in time just because I happened to look out to the back fields and see all the green.  Yes, it was that song Tom Jones sang that brought the 1960s back to my thoughts.  The green has now passed the 50 percentage mark and the brown dead grass is quickly fading.  In a few weeks I will be on the John Deere brush hogging the fields.  We will wait until the birds that build their nests on the ground have hatched their young and mama deer are done hiding their tiny ones in the high grass before we cut the fields.  I know for sure somewhere out there a pair of Killdeer have a nest started.  Every time we go to the barn one or both start a warning call and try to play the wounded bird to keep us away from their nest.  They are smart birds considering there also is a pair of Red Tail Hawks tending their nest in the trees up the hill.  They would love to find baby Killdeer to feed their young.  Most of the day the hawks take turns setting in a tree along the field line looking for mice.  When they set there our hens stay in the barn or under a big tree with low branches.  It's a food chain, survival of the fittest.  Nature at its finest.  We also have a couple hen turkeys searching for bugs in the field close to the woods.  Every year a hen or two raise their little ones and when big enough bring them into the field to search for bugs.  It is the cycle of life out there, each month offers a new happening.  Any morning or evening that is warm enough we are on the back deck keeping an eye on the field.  Of course the rifle is close incase a coyote happens through. 

Today we rode to Mansfield to pick up a part for the rototiller and order parts for the tractor.  Unfortunately if you have equipment it needs tended to before it breaks down.  The ride was nice and the sun popped through the clouds now and again.  We stopped for a takeout sandwich at the Brick House Café in Galeton and drove to the Muck to eat and watch for migrating birds.  Then off to the John Deere Dealership.  Oh, to have about $50,000 extra dollars.  He could get a new farm tractor and I could get a new zero turn.  We looked and dreamed, bought the parts for the old faithful and headed home. 

From our woods walk, April Showers brought May Flowers.

The Tulip Tree

I can not remember the first time I heard about the "Tulip Tree" but I am sure I was in the single digits of age.  My mom showed it to me and every time we would get near where it grew (and still does) she would say, there's the "Tulip Tree".  When it had blossoms she would pull over and just stare up at it and point to the beautiful, big, pale yellow flowers.  Today driving by I thought of those words, The Tulip Tree.  Yes, it would be something to blog about.  There is not a time I go by that I don't remember my mom and the Tulip Tree.  Today as I was thinking about how long I have known it was there I wondered, does anyone else know about the Tulip Tree and how long or how did my mom find out about it.  It's also one of the times I wish I  had taken more interest and asked her, how did you know what kind of a tree it is?  Now writing this I am also wondering how did the one lone Tulip Tree happen to grow in this spot?  I have not a clue if others grow in the Oswayo Valley area.  Do you?

This is what the tulips will look like in late spring/early summer.  They are quite visible from the road as you go by even as tall as the tree is.  I was surprised to see Tulip Trees grow abundantly in the wild in northern Virginia near Winchester. 

If you are from our area you also have gone by it hundreds of times.  It is on RT 44 just north of  Shinglehouse in the Dug Road.  The tree grows on the right side of the road heading north towards Ceres.  It is tall and straight, hopefully you will have no trouble spotting it next time you go by.  Maybe someone knows the story behind the tree and how it came to be.  Sure hope so and hope you share the story with me.

The last few days have proved, spring is here and not just by the date it arrived.  We have been making lists and doing some little chores that need to get out of the way before the big chores begin.  Dick has been busy demolishing the old trailer and garage across the road from us.  Last fall we were lucky enough to get the land and buildings for a decent price.  Soon it will be all cleared away and then the work of getting ready for a 20 x 20 ft. camp will be built in August.  Small, 400 sq. ft. but big enough to sleep four.  It will have one bedroom, bath and kitchen/living room combined.  We are hoping for the grand opening to be early spring of 2017.  That might  be cutting it a little tight but I do work better under pressure.  Now to make sure I can get others to work under pressure.

The property was originally owned by Bill and Eugertha Hathaway.  They parceled  off 1&1/3 acres and gave it to their son Monty Hathaway.  He lived there for many years until he sold it and moved to town.  He sold it to a father and son from Allentown, PA for a hunting camp.  Like many they lost interest in coming up or like most families when the kids graduate and off on their own life changes. They camp has been vacant for 16 years with no hunters coming to enjoy the few days of telling stories, playing cards, having good food, drinks and the "male bonding" time.  Life goes on.  Here's hoping our cabin will be full of good times, good food and lots of story telling. 

Soon it will not be such an eye sore.

We had a couple good looking fishermen stop in for lunch today.  I got up this morning thinking, better get some food around just incase.  Loose fried hamburger for "Red and Trudy" style burgers,(if you are from the area you know what I mean) chips, pickled dilly beans and of course a big batch of chocolate chip cookies.  Life is good when the grandkids stop to tell their fishing stories, talk about the OV baseball team win over Coudersport and just have a few laughs together.  Then our oldest grandson came down to help his gramps dig up some dirt and get the lawn ready for rolling and grass seed.  I like the saying, old as dirt.  Today smelling the fresh turned dirt made me think, maybe that is why I like that saying.  The fresh tilled soil smells so fresh, all it needs is seed for the new beginnings of life.  Nothing prettier than see a field freshly plowed. 


We put in a new driveway and now filling in the old, soon grass
will be growing.

The day was perfect for working outside.  My favorite thing, mowing lawn and not so favorite transplanting 4 Peony bushes.  Seriously their roots must reach China!  Once it was all done I headed to the back deck for a cold drink, finish up a doily I have been crocheting and of course just take in the fresh smells and view.  I was surprised to see the moon just over the hill.  It was beautiful and so big.  It made me think, (gahhh, that's all I do is think) we think we are in control but really not at all.  That moon, the sun, planets, stars and meteors they are in control.  It's great big, we are a speck.  Now how is that for odd, weird and out of the normal thinking?  When our boys were in the Army and stationed half way around the world I would look at the moon and say,  it is Bart's or Beau's moon.  It made me feel better to know we could look at the same thing so far away from each other.  I'm sure the moon as consoled many throughout the years.  Nice to see it today against the clear blue sky.
  *The Tulip Tree is the exact place of the accident that killed my mom, August 4, 1966.  Along with good memories of the Tulip Tree is also the sad memory of her death.  The good has finally out weighed the bad.  That tree proves to thrive and give me the opportunity to see it and know what a special meaning it has. I Here is to you Sophia Idella Gross.

Do Chickens Have Tenderloins?

According to the gal working in the meat department, no. 
Getting groceries last week I stopped into Tops for chicken "tenderloins".  While looking over the chicken section a woman that works in the meat department came up and said all in a panic, " the delivery truck is 4 hours late"!  I told her she must have me confused with someone else, thinking that a customer was waiting for something specific.  She continued to rant about the truck being late with the chicken breasts that were on sale.  I laughed and told her I found the chicken tenderloins that I wanted.  Well...............this little city slicker told me I was wasting money on tenderloins because they are cut up chicken breasts.  I looked puzzled and said, really?  There was no convincing her otherwise from the way she was insisting that tenderloins are chicken breasts and I was paying extra money per pound  for them to cut them up.  I asked her, so you cut the breasts up and package them for tenderloins here?  Huh, well no, we get them all ready cut up and packaged.  BINGO!  I couldn't help get that nasty grin on my face, pick up the package of tenderloins and move along.  Sometimes it is just easier to walk away with a grin or for more satisfaction I could have stamped "I think I know everything" on her forehead.  This farm girl knows there are really chicken tenderloins which are very tender and better tasting than chicken breasts.  The tenderloin is attached to the breast but can easily be removed.  I really don't need 20 chicken breasts to get 20 tenderloins so it is easier for me to pay a little extra for a package of tenderloins.  Now you know, chickens have real tenderloins just as pig, beef, deer and other animals.  It is usually close to the spine and is tender because it is a muscle less used.  It is not plentiful in any animal thus giving the added expense to a cut of tenderloin.  Back to that gal, I would love to take this article in and let her read about a chicken tenderloin.  After all if you are going to state what ya know, ya better know for sure!  My favorite saying when in doubt, I'll google that.  Which I did when I got home and smiled all over myself for being right...at least this time.  There are many times I "eat crow".  There's an old saying!

Here's a little video about chicken tenderloins.  Good grief!  Why do I get obsessed with stuff?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fePddbE7GE
What a great thing google and you tube.  Both have pulled me out of several binds since the techy stage of my life.  The techy part is little to none, I muddle through.  From knitting, crocheting, cooking, gardening, refinishing floors and yes chicken tenderloins it has proved its worth to me. 

What am I doing with those tenderloins?  Chicken tacos tonight.  I buy the fresh corn tacos, rub a little olive oil on each side and heat them on the cast iron griddle until they get little golden brown  spots on them.  It's called fill your own taco with as much of what ever.  Tonight is grilled tenderloins, refried beans, rice, onions, tomatoes, lettuce, Mexican Cheese, salsa, chipotle sauce and sour cream.  That's it a meal in a shell.   Coconut/Almond pudding layered with sliced bananas and graham cracker crumbs for dessert and a hot cup of Jamaican Me Crazy to top it off.  The pudding was homemade and I used Coconut/Almond Milk.  It really makes a nice flavored pudding.

Looks messy and soft tacos are but oh so good!

One thing for sure, the daffodils and other spring flowers will be around for quite awhile.  Freezing temps and snow does not seem to bother them.  Once the sun shines they pick right up and look beautiful.  When we go to North Carolina I am always surprised at how fast their spring flowers bloom and die off.  That warm sun and temperatures make their blooms short lived.  About 28 years ago we visited our son while he was stationed in Germany. It was during the Easter Holiday.  The street vendors were in every city and town selling flowers. There were many other types of vendors, the ones I remembered, flowers and beautiful bolts of lace. What a beautiful time to walk the streets.  So old world or what I think old world should be.  Tall buildings with wonderful architecture designs, cobble stone streets that echoed each step.  At that time, I can't speak for now, everyone was out either walking, setting on steps or at tables along the street.  It was like stepping back in time. There were still the signs of war, many building still had damage where bullets had hit.  Quite an experience and memory of an opportunity we didn't let pass.  I guess my point is, if you have an opportunity to do something that may never come again, do it. 

A Well Educated Egg!

Our girls have supplied eggs to many in the Oswayo Valley and even make it to Union Bridge, MD and Worceste, MA a few times a year.  Nothing makes me happier than to hear how everyone likes them.  How about that dark yellow/orange yolk and the white surrounding the yolk is firm and well formed in an oval shape.  No runny whites with our lovely eggs.  We even had the opportunity two years ago to let our Silky hen who had turned very "henny" set on a dozen.  Five hatched and what a great experience.  You might say the excitement around the "hen house" was at its peak.  Even Dick and I were frequent visitors several times a day to see if they hatched and after they did to check on the little chicks.  They stayed under mama for about a week and then it was time to explore the world, they never ventured more than a wings length from their mom.  It was the easiest time ever raising young ones, mama hen did all the work.  We just watched.  Not so when we mail order day old peeps.  It is constantly monitoring the heat lamp and temperature, cleaning the pen daily, checking butts (yes you really have to), feeding, watering, picking fresh greens and even playing with them.  Handling them insures they will be friendly hens. 

Now for the first time our  eggs along with Jackie and Vic Taylors eggs will be going to school!  I had a great message from Emily Weber (a teacher) wanting to buy a few of our eggs.  She has a program at school where the students will be hatching the eggs.  Needless to say, of course Emily, but you are not paying for them.  We will donate for the cause.  She knew we had a beautiful gray Silky rooster because she had given him to us.  That means the eggs should all be fertile.  Don't panic, when you buy our eggs they do not have the start of baby chicks in them.  A mother hen that is "henny"  meaning she wants to set and raise a little clutch of peeps will lay eggs daily and about the time there are 10-12 eggs she will start setting.  Yes, they will all hatch within 3 days of each other, 21 days is the amount of time for the little peeps to greet the world, give or take a 1-3 days.  Fertile eggs are just that, they will not start growing a peep until the mother hen sets to get them up to certain temperature and she will rotate them several times a day.  That is why Jackie and I are able to gather eggs over a two day period, put them in a cool place and rotate them every 12 hours until Emily picks them up in two days.  Rotating keeps the yolk from settling in one spot.  Two dozen in my cool basement, unwashed, rotated and soon off to get an education.  We are all eggcited (thanks for word Jackie)!  Life is grand when new life is brought into the world.   Ummm, unless it is SNAKES!  Then it is far from grand.

The way to tell if an egg is fertile?  Crack it, there is always a tiny white dot on the yolk, if it looks like a little hazy bulls eye it is fertile, if it is just a tiny dot it is not fertile.  I have been checking the dots every time I use eggs, more fertile than not.  Yayyyyyyy

It is a beautiful day in Clara, PA.  The biggest snowflakes are falling down giving the view that wow look outside.  They look like little snowballs.  If this keeps up the ground will soon be covered, again.  Yesterday we woke to about 3 inches but by afternoon much of it had melted.  The hills are still covered.  I know, many are ready for spring and I am too but I can't help love the beauty of snow.  Last Sunday I was so ready for setting on the deck I hauled the furniture out and we enjoyed lunch outside.  As you can see one week later and all that is on the furniture is snow and ice.  Oh well, this too shall pass.  As long as there is fresh snow to gather I think it's time to boil down some maple syrup and drizzle over the snow for a little treat that some call "Jack's Wax".  I call it sticky maple taffy.  For everything there is a reason. 

Just waiting for the next warm day.

Life has been very busy around Cook'n By the Creek.  I am knitting the third pair of socks for either birthday or Christmas gifts.  Once a month we go to Wegmans in Hornell for our favorite treats that only they have.  Along the way in the small college/university town of Alfred is a yarn shop.  I always stop and buy enough yarn for a pair of socks, this seems to keep me on task.  Plus the gal that owns the shop is wonderful with informative conversation about yarn, knitting and life.  My kinda gal.  The other stop is on the way home in Alfred at the Terra Cotta, it always has hot brewed Jamaican Me Crazy, just a nice way to end the day.  Taking a break from knitting is usually time to self teach water color painting.  It is quite a challenge but keeps my mind active and hands busy.  Soon it will be warm enough to take the knitting, painting and quilting to the great outdoors.  The best place in the world to relax, free the mind and enjoy my hobbies.  Of course garden will soon be tilled and ready to plant which means weeding, cultivating, picking and canning.  That was a fast winter when I think of what spring and summer means around here.  We ordered seeds last week that should be here any day.  Some of the order will be shipped later when it is time to plant the sets.  The garden is always worth it.  The shelves in the basement have turned the tide to more empty jars than full.  I plan on a bushel of pears this year, 1/2 a bushel is not enough. 

The barn view from the house.