For Amber Waves Of Grain

In between the little cloud burst I was able to take a stroll (on the lawn mower)  to my favorite place.  The secluded back field where the garden and barn hides.  It is forever changing even though I'm there daily.  Today was one of those, the hay is beautiful moments.  It sure reminded me of a song I dearly love to listen to and fills me with pride for the USA and everyone that serves to protect it.  All of the brave souls that were so endeared to establish and build our country.  It's hard to imagine the hardships they faced but did because the were that sure they could build one nation with such greatness.
The wind is quite strong today and the tops of the orchard grass and alfalfa looked like waves drifting by.  Remember it is Hay Days and all farmers eyes are to the sky and feeling the dew on the morning grass waiting for the first intuition to get busy.  With modern technology from weather forecasters  the farmer's gut feeling is still more reliable.  I don't like to say this but garden, hay and young born animals show signs of summer growth past new and headed to harvest time.  The circle of life.

     
  O beautiful for spacious skies,
       For amber waves of grain,  
       For purple mountain majesties 
       Above the fruited plain!

America! America!
God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern impassion'd stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness.

America! America!
God mend thine ev'ry flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law.

O beautiful for heroes prov'd
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved,
And mercy more than life.

America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness,
And ev'ry gain divine.

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears.

America! America!
God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea.                             written by: Katharine Lee Bates

Tonight was the first greens of the season.  I used spinach and baby rainbow Swiss chard in a Spanish recipe we like.  I made empanadas which are crescent shaped pies.  You can fill with anything, even sweet fruit fillings.  Tonight I used beef, mushrooms, diced carrots, green onions and the greens.  Let the filling cool before making the pies.  Sometimes I bake them but tonight I fried them in grape seed oil.  It's a great oil that doesn't burn at high heat.
We had salsa, sour cream and homemade mustard for toppings.  The best part we have two left over for lunch tomorrow.

        There are the empanadas.  It doesn't look like much for supper but they are filling.

Head'n up the Run Part 2

After the Taylor home was John and Eva Simons home and farm.  There are many memories with this family.  I babysat for their daughter's children,  they had a home across from John and Eva.   Then there are the 3 sons,  Bill or Willy (Willard), Scuff (Howard) and Mike (Mike, lol no nickname that I know of).  My biggest fright was another member of the family, George!  Every time I road my bike past their house I would call to tell them and they would put that bike chasing George in or tie him up.  Well one day someone didn't do it and George gave me a lifetime memory of him, a scar on my right calf!  Those were the days that nobody was mad over things like this.  Now it's call the police and sue!  The Simons family also had a Holstein Dairy farm.
Willard is a dentist in Cuba, NY. We have been going to him for 40+ years.  He is a good guy, his brothers are too.  Scuff is quite the gardener and also cans his harvest.  Mike is known for his gardening skills also with a specialty in garlic and dahlias.  In the spring he is busy with maple syrup which he also sells locally.

The next farm was the Hastings, which had been abandoned long before I lived next to it.  The kids on the upper Run thought it was haunted.  We bought the Henry Terrette farm.  This was one of my favorite homes, the first one I had ever lived in with an upstairs.  The stairway was beautiful and had a cubby under the stairs with a little door, my private place.  It also was a Holstein dairy farm.

Our neighbors were Peg and Ducky Leilous.  I don't even know his real name.  When I lived next to them they had 2 daughters, Joyce and Linda and one son, Donny.  Well, the girls and I had great fun together but Donny was a little fire cracker always causing trouble.  I think daily his mom would say, "Donny wait until your father gets home!"  For a few years we would pick elderberries by the bushel.  Ducky would take them to Clark Brothers and a couple Italian guys would buy them for $5 a bushel to make wine.

Next to the Leilous property was Lloyd and Emma Babcock.  Their children were all older than me, more the age of my brothers.  Clarence (Babby), Ed and Don, their daughter married Ed Bell.

Next on the left was the Hathaway home. They had 3 boys and 2 girls which helped add to our neighborhood baseball teams.  Across from them the Bells.  They had 2 boys, Ed and Randy and a daughter Eileen, more for the baseball teams.  Just above Bells was Lyle Sloat and his family, I also babysat for their little boys.  Across from them was the Leo Osburn family and a farm owned by Irelands with their two daughters Gloria and Linda.  They also contributed to the baseball teams  They also had two young sons.

Now the next dairy farm on the left was owned by Clara and Bill Southerland.  Another family that I have good memories of.  They would visit mom and dad which was exciting because back then we very seldom left the farm.  Other farmers were the entertainment.  I remember my dad telling mom, "you know Bill's daughter Margie married a tall guy good with horses.  Again, odd what sticks in my mind!  Margie and Bob Visseau's home is on Horse Run but on the NY side.

Last is Ken and Glenice Sloat, yep farmers too.  Glenice was quite the cook and baker.

Horse Run was a dairy farm valley but so were others, Sunnyside, Bells Run, Jander Run, Coons Crossing, Eleven Mile, Honeoye Rd, Plank Rd, Clara Rd, and Kings Run.  They were all full of dairy farms.  Gone,  all of them but a few that raise beef cows with the exception of Denver Drake and the Hoffman Family (yes Holstein) Dairy Farms.

Not to be forgotten, two little side roads.  One was the "old Horse Run Rd" my Uncle Orville and Aunt Nina lived on a dairy farm there.  It was beautiful and Nina took pride in her yard and flowers as my mom did.  They were always trading new plants to each other.  My husband worked for Orville in his early teens putting in hay.  The old fashion way, loose!  That is a hot hard days work.  Nina made the best molasses cookies!

The second road is Park Ave. which was to the left of the "dump road".  On the left was the Strickland family home, Jerry and Hope Cone own it now. Farther down on the right was Marie and Elno James with their daughter, Delores and son, Ricky.  Here is one of my all time thank you very much Marie lessons.  She taught me how to crack my gum!  Not more than 10 I would sit on her porch and take lessons.  She was so patient and the day I mastered the every bite crack will always be remembered.  Of course my dad and even my husband could not stand hearing me do it.  I loved it!
Then there was Ricky, he was always picking and one day even tried to make me eat a worm, that will always be remembered!  In all fairness Ricky is a great friend and was a welcome moment when I broke my leg/ankle 10 weeks ago.  He was driving the ambulance, the joy of living where I grew up!  Guy Danforth lived farther down.  Keep on going turn right and the road would take you back into Shinglehouse, the bridge has long since been closed.

There are a few of my growing up memories on Horse Run.  Back to Clara and the place that fills my heart with peace and satisfaction.

Tonight we ate out, roasted hot dogs over an open fire, fresh green onions from the garden, relish and beets canned from last year.  Simple but so easy and good.  Just peace and quiet in the valley.

A reminder on the longest day of the year what the shortest day
looks like.

There Once Was a Time

I had already started this post but feel the need to add this to the beginning rather than the end.  You might say timing is everything and in this case it sure was.  In my mailbox today was a beautiful card complete with a China teapot , cup and saucer with flowers and gold etching on the front.  I love tea pots and tea cups and use the one my daughter gave me on cold , snugly winter days.  Back to the card, it said, "A woman is like a teabag........you never know how strong she is until she gets into hot water"!  Eleanor Roosevelt.  That is nice and actually pertains to me,  I can get into more hot water!  The best part was on the inside that brought tears to my eyes.

Dear Cheryl,
You make me laugh!
You make me cry
I reminisce of days gone by
Love your blog-
Cook'n by the Creek
Keep writing and many
thanks for sharing!

It was a sit down and read it again and again.  You see it came from a friend from long ago when I lived on the Horse Run Rd.  I had already started the blog below.
I will say, "thank you dear one for the card, words of kindness and reminding me "there once was a time" I sat on your porch.  Blessings to you, Sue.

Yesterday was another Cheryl got the keys and headed out and about all by herself.  It's funny how the mind works when no one is with me.  I have been up and over Horse Run Rd. many times but yesterday was just me and my thoughts.  It really is a good thing there was no traffic behind me, I was a little old lady, "driving along in my automobile with no particular place to go".  If you are over 50 you know where that came from!
As I turned up Horse Run my first thought was where we lived for a couple years, The Biergarten, which is now the Roadside.  It was very small when we owned it. From 13 to 15 years old it was my home.  Many a night I went to sleep listening to the juke box playing Ring of Fire, Memphis Tennessee, etc.  Mike Taylor, Squeak Scott, Ken and Dick Blanchard, my brothers, all at that late 20's early 30's age.
Next just across the bridge on the left was the farm I was born at and lived until I was 10.  It was a beautiful Holstein Dairy farm.  My grandparents owned the farm behind ours on the dirt road.  They sold it to Leo and Betty Lauckren.  That was great because they had 3 daughters, Barb, Cindie and Sherry and one son Carlton.  How great, I could walk to their house all by myself.
Across the road just to the right of the bridge was my brother's house which meant I could go play with Pam and Barry.  Red and Nancy Haynes now live there.
 Next to them was Bob and Laura belle Karr's, Bobby spent quite a bit of time visiting my brothers.  I loved his sister Joy, she was older and of course I thought she was beautiful with a great smile. Scuff and Linea Simons live there now.
Of course next was the all too famous dump on the left.  Most remember going to the dump to shoot rats.  Oh, the fun back in the 50's, 60, and 70's.
Up the hill past the dump on the right was Messer Oil Pump Station.  They would pump 24 hours a day.  I remember the day it was shut down and how silent it seemed.  Reminds me of how quiet it was outdoors the day of 9/11 with no sound of airplanes or jets going over.  You never realize until quiet sets in.

I lived across from the pump station (actually I lived in 5 different homes on Horse Run Rd, dad would buy, fix it up and sell).  Next to the pump station was Rex and Madelyn Baker's home.  They had 2 girls, Sharon and Laurie plus their grandad lived with them.  Sharon and I have continued to be best friends for, let's just say 55 or more years.  We had some great times and sled riding at their house.

Next I passed the Taylor home which is still owned by their daughter Donna Fetzer, more good times at the Taylor house.  Theresa Taylor lived there, one time we gathered cat tails by the bushel full and threw them at each other,  The lawn was covered in fuzz!  Her mom, Celeste was so mad!  We spent 2 days picking fuzz up.

Wow, this trip back in time is taking longer to write than I imagined.   It is hard to believe but all of the homes have a memory or more for me.  That was a loving Run to grow up on. Great times, great people and so many are still friends.
  Part 2 tomorrow, until then Pass It On!  If it's good it's worth it.


     This is little Daffney.  I am happy to say Daisy, Buttercup and Daffney are healthy and tucked safely under Mama as of 7:30 pm tonight.  I can't stay away from them!  Every 2 hours I have to take a peek.            

They Wiggled!

As I was researching how to candle eggs I came upon the old fashioned method (which is awesome) using water.  Well first thing this morning I had Hub watch the video.  Eyebrows up he looked at me and said, "let's do it".  Of course he meant float eggs, what else?  Off to the barn with a thermometer, jug of warm water and a deep bowl.  The temperature has to be 100 degrees.   Lucky for us Miss Silky was off her clutch eating breakfast.  Very carefully Dick put one egg at a time in the bowl filled with water, once the water was calm we just stood there and stared, barley breathing.  The egg has to be put in round side up, pointed down.  The very top of the egg will be out of the water, balanced perfect.  Then if there is a live chick inside the egg will wiggle or jiggle, rest and then wiggle again and again.  We let it wiggle once, dried it and back to the nest.  Six out of seven eggs wiggled which means within a week, give or take we should have some baby peeps!  Hopefully there will be no quitters and they will hatch strong and healthy.  Exciting time for sure,new life at the farm.

Actually we have been watching a Robin raise 3 little ones one the rafter of our front porch.  Remember the winter winds blew down the ceiling on the porch.  We have had the material for a month ready to put up.  Mrs. Robin has put the job on hold, I just couldn't destroy her family.  It will seem nice to get the porch back together.  I'm guessing the babes will be ready to take flight in the next few days.

On to the garden report.  We have had our first picking of green onions, nothing better with a hamburg or in a pasta salad.  As far as the spinach,  Swiss chard and kale it is suspended in time.  I can't recall the garden growing as slow as it is this year.  Even the corn is dragging.  I guess we can agree the winter and spring were quite different.  Good of an excuse as any why the garden is taking it's time.  The green beans, peas and lima beans are proving to be stronger and growing fast.

I don't like to complain about the weather, I will anyway.  It has gone from quite cool to hot and muggy with 24 hours frequently.  Cool days I cook and bake, warm days is cold cereal, sandwiches and salads.  We like salads with Romaine, baby greens or both.  A  big plate of salad is a meal for us.  Last night we had Romaine lettuce, green onions and avocado.  I made a vinaigrette dressing using Prickly Pear Cactus Syrup that our friends brought us from New Mexico.  A little orange juice, vinegar, the syrup, grape seed oil, salt and pepper.  It is a very light and refreshing dressing.  I also diced the avocado and squeezed fresh lime juice over it before putting on the salad.  A few slices of ham , olive and a hard roll on the side.  That is an easy clean-up!

This was our view eating supper, a storm moving over the hills. Until the cold air of fall is back very few of our meals will be inside.  To much to see and enjoy in the great outdoors.  Mother nature at her best, "Passing it On"

FULL ALERT

I knew  the time was near when I would hear.........."I saw a snake today".  It took my breath away and of course I wanted to know exactly where he saw it and did he kill it.  The documented report he offered: It was by the garden, near the black drum, it was just a garter snake.  Of course I knew if he did not say "it was a small one", it must have been a big one.  So I kept up the interrogation, how big?  'BIG" he said, and "Cheryl it was the biggest garter snake I have ever seen".  Oh No!  Second question from the interrogator, did you kill it? ( I knew he didn't or that would have been the first thing he told me), "no, it got away in the high grass but I did try to stomp on it".  Just stick to the facts I say:   you saw a huge snake by the garden and let it get away! Why waste so many words when he knew I would get the truth out of him?  I remember our sons telling me, when someone is not telling the truth or avoiding an answer they don't want to reveal they will offer too much information and not look you in the eyes.  Dick failed on both accounts.

My one true HATE for warm weather, snakes.  I am on alert where ever I walk looking for them.  You may not like the word hate and if I could think of a stronger word to describe how I feel about them I would use it.  This first sighting has put Cheryl on FULL RED ALERT.  I will be on the lawn mower traveling for another week, then if my Dr. gives the go I will be walking.  I need speed for these two legs because when I see a snake it is the "FRIGHT AND FLIGHT" mode.  Sure, I shouldn't get all in a yank over this but I am and will continue to do so until the first snow flake comes down.

Today was making take out food.  One of my favorites is chicken and biscuits.  Not the traditional way but the one pot method in aluminum pans with no return necessary.  I roasted chicken thighs that had salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika and cumin rubbed on.  Bake at 400 until golden brown.  Once cooled put the skin and bones in a pot with water and more seasoning to simmer 30 minutes.  I cooked fresh slices of carrot until almost tender.  Strained the juice simmering and thickened with flour, add the meat carrots and frozen garden peas.  Put in the pan and placed buttermilk biscuits on top.  Bake at 400 until biscuits golden, a little butter on top and ready for delivery or freezer.

 Next was rhubarb pie and strawberry rhubarb pie.  I buy the aluminum pans at the Amish Store for a few cents a piece.  This size is perfect for 2 servings.  By the way on a previous blog  I posted the rhubarb pie filling and said I never used strawberries in the filling and didn't know if it would set up.  Yes it does!  I used thawed and drained frozen berries.

A perfect day, a little cook'n, traveling the back roads and cool fresh air ♡

Cool, Rain, Enjoy

The rain just seems to keep coming down.  We are having a beautiful breeze to bring the rain in short spurts.  As I type the leaves are dancing and twirling on their branches.  Very pretty with so many different shades of green, it makes the view much more interesting.   I have been a work on the binding of the quilt that will soon be finished, a batch of chocolate chip/coconut cookies, stuffed peppers and baked potatoes.  I'm sure I will be saying this phrase over and over but here goes, "it is great to be back in the kitchen"!  Plus the house smells so good.  I have been collecting recipes to try and it looks like I will be doing them soon.  Successful ones will be on the blog.  What better way to occupy rainy days for me than in the kitchen at Cook'n by the Creek.  Now if the rain stops I will be in the great outdoors for sure.

One thing around here  it is the time for new life with the wild animals.  I opted to stay home Monday when Dick asked me to ride along to Coudersport.  That was a mistake, he came home with a great story of a turkey and young fawn.  If you remember the Steve Rapchick farm on Rt 44 just in Coneville it is where Dick had to stop and watch.  He saw the turkey coming through the field and thought at first there was a red fox sneaking behind it.  No, it was a young fawn following it and mama doe was up near the woods watching.  Young fawns are so much fun to watch, they love to run, chase and buck.  Dick also just reported we have a mama and young fawn in our back field, weather permitting we will have coffee and entertainment for the next few months out there.  A hen turkey has been coming out to the field a few times a day which means she has young ones hidden in the edge of the woods.  Yesterday she presented a little problem involving the garden.  She was dusting herself in our sweet corn that is still young and tender.  Dick tried yelling and clapping his hands but had to get off the tractor to chase her away.  Young bunnies are on the prowl too.They have decided the bean plants are better than clover or just looking for variety.  I'm pretty sure there is enough to go around and some left for us.  If not and they take more than their share we will get the fence up.  NO shooting bunnies!

I tried something different with the stuffed peppers.  How about red, orange and green peppers!  I cut them in half rather than stuff them whole.  We never can eat a whole one, this way in the freezer the other half will go.  Free meal for the day I just don't feel like cook'n.  Plus my grandson will get one for his supper tonight. Every once in a while I like to surprise him so he doesn't have to cook after work.  We all can relate to working and coming home to face cooking and cleaning.  Makes me wonder how I ever kept up.

The primrose survived being dug up while Dick rototilled the area.  I was concerned it wouldn't but by the looks of the healthy leaves and now the flowers is will live to see another year.  Mine seem to thrive in the cool, damp, shady spots that get little to no sun.  They are delicate little plants and don't take up much room.  I was happy to split a new baby plant growing off to the side.  Still waiting for my peonies to blossom out, ants and all.  I really don't know why ants invade the flowers but they do.  I still like to pick a them for the house, we have to be on ant lookout for a few hours when we first pick them.

Just to let you know the peppers were delicious.  I have never liked green peppers so the mild flavor of the orange one pleased me.  I use rice, eggs, garlic, Worcestershire Sauce, salt and pepper with ground chuck, pork and veal for the filling.  Put them in a baking dish, a little water in the bottom, cover with foil and bake at 375 for 45 min.  Then I take the foil off and spread 2/3 cup of ketchup and 2 TBSP. of brown sugar mixed together on top and bake 10 more minutes.

Does it Matter

Does it matter the lawn needs mowed, the car needs cleaned, the dust is visible in the house, the loft needs a good cleaning, nothing planned for supper, it's raining, snowing, too cold or  too hot?  Heck no!  These problems are conversation pieces.  At the beginning and end of the day only a couple things matter to me, health and happiness.  Health is a gift, happiness is a choice.  Although through our lives we have times that happiness is interrupted with happenings out of our control we usually find the strength and determination to survive.  As an older person once told me in a trying time, this to will pass.  We have to survive, I always think of Jimmy Buffet's song,  it rings so true for me.  "I'd rather die while I'm living, than live while I'm dead.  I think of this song often.  Just one of my wandering thoughts this morning when tension started taking over to get the floors done, dust and clean the loft so I can get outside paint the porch and mow lawn.  Good grief Cheryl just slow down!  So I did, (after I cleaned) I took a nice long shower which was free standing (no sitting on a chair).  Now standing like the good old days (7 weeks ago) was one more notch in my belt to total recovery. Hoping to hear on the 20th leg healed, throw away the crutches, run, jump and yes you can drive the tractor (manual with a clutch). Odd the simple things that can help the healing process.  Shower done, bathroom cleaned, sandwich, chips, ice water, a little blogging and then outside to paint and mow.  There, I slowed down!  It's what I love.

I think Dick is enjoying my kitchen, he made lunch!
12 grain rolls, golden turkey, sliced tomato sandwiches (Wegmans
 has such a great variety) and a cold bottle of water.

Dick has been great but please remember he is a man.......they don't have the eye for the little things that need done, like dusting, vacuuming, spatters on the stove or crumbs on the counter.  I sound way too fussy when I actually write it!  I now know he can not multi-task at all.  I laugh thinking of what he will say to me when he asks for my help.  Helping him is standing there until he tells me to hold a board or whatever.  I tend to drift off and pluck weeds, sweep the porch, just anything that catches my eye.  Then he's yelling, I need your help and Cheryl you really need to stay focused!  Focused?  Really, how can I stay focused on standing, watching and doing nothing until he needs my help for a second.  There, that is what I mean and will say it, women learned to multi-task from keeping the home and raising kids.  We had to or nothing would get done.  Most men had/have the luxury of doing their little chores one at a time and usually without interruption.

After all this nonsense chatter look what I got, a beautiful bouquet of wild phlox.  They grow along the stream and give off a wonderful sweet smell.  No it wasn't a dozen long stem roses but straight from the heart ♡ which means much more to
 me ♡
The vase is a gift from Hickory Hill Pottery in Seagrove, NC where we visited in March.  Which reminds me, I need to finish Part II of Hickory Hill Pottery and the loving couple that own it.

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A few "Pass it On" gifts.  The blue vase from Hickory Hill, the turquoise vase from OVHS retired Art Instructor, Jesse Hyde ( such talent this man has in so many areas of art), the gram ma and grandchild from son and dil,  the treasure chest with pansies decoupaged on top, the pansies from our flower garden when we lived in town made by my daughter, the  Horse Run Road sign from a friend years ago.  This is what makes my house a home, memories and love ♡

When it Rains

One thing for sure when it rains we get out of Clara for the day.  We always say, "the next time it rains"  and then list what will be on our agenda.  Although it was not raining this morning it was too wet for lawn, garden or sprucing up the front porch.  WEGMANS!  Oh boy that is always my first pick.  Off to Hornell we went.  I am a happy "crutch" gal,  not only did I make it all around Wegmans, I did Aldis and Lowes.  Being able to put a little weight on the left foot has sure made a big difference in my duration of activities.

What else did we do?  Eat, kinda backwards but it sure hit the spot.  On our way home going through Almond , Dick pulled into Dick and Cheryl's.  It just happens to be an ice cream shop that serves Perry's or soft serve.  Now I have an all time new favorite.  Hard serve Coconut Rum!  Let me just say it is so darn good.  If Nanipops has it I am in big trouble, there will be NO will power having it so close.  If that wasn't enough we stopped in Wellsville at another favorite eatery, Pizza King!  Thin crisp crust, delicious sauce and light on the cheese, one slice please.  Dick always gets the turkey sub toasted.  Sounds like we ate our way across NY.  Needless to say no cooking here tonight, which is fine for me.  A cup of Hazelnut coffee and off to see my crochet/knit gals.  What an enjoyable day, a little R & R and we will be good to go for the rest of the week.

Dick & Cheryl's Ice Cream

We both had Perry's Coconut Rum!

Tomorrow my plans are painting the front porch or at least starting it.  All the spindles are so time consuming but it's outside and that is a great place for me.  Once the grass dries a little break to mow the lawn,  my favorite outdoor chore.

Time out every now and again to hand quilt #5 of the 9 quilts I am doing for each of my grand kids.  Gotta finish the 9th one by 11/19/2014.

Many times as I work with a needle, be it knitting, crocheting, quilting, embroidery or a sewing machine I than God for my mom.  She taught me so much from cooking to what ever she knew.  Where would I be if I didn't have these things to keep my mind, body and soul busy?  Maybe in a Condo overlooking the ocean collecting beach treasures and painting.  Remember always "Pass it On"  kindness works too.

A New Adventure Coming in 2015

We are hoping for something similar to this camper will be our adventure for the summer of 2015.  Yes it is very small but let me tell ya we are the couple that toured the outer perimeter of the USA plus Wyoming in a 4 man tent 3 years ago for 3 weeks. We both agreed it rated tops in all of our travels.  For some reason it was like being being free of every day life and just enjoying the great outdoors.  We were in awe at the beauty of each state we traveled through.  The wonderful people we met along the way were amazing.  For some reason we gathered a crowd.  Pennsylvania plates, two people in their 60,'s in a tent.  We never lacked for company and chatter.  Everyone had a story and you know that is what I like.  I compare elevators, hotels and condos as being "put your head down and pretend you don't see the stranger"  in front or beside you.  Not so in a campground in a tent, everyone notices you and wants to know, WHY in a tent?   Because we can, want to and can still bend down far enough to get in it.  By the end of the third day we could get camp set up in 15 minutes and be on our way to explore the area.  Before going back to camp we would go to the grocery store for what ever looked good for supper and breakfast.  Taking an electric fry pan, coffee pot and cooler made it very enjoyable.  Lunch was out at a local mom and pops or specialty cafe as we traveled to our next campground.

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In March while visiting Bart we talked of our plans and he offered to build our "little bit".  That will be even better, we can set it up for our our needs which really isn't much.  My wants, queen size bed, air conditioner, heater and moon roof to view the stars. Of course I have already picked the flooring and theme design of the 1950's.  In the near future we will be (after canning season)  in NC, Dick helping and me pretending to be "Central Command" .

Before the afternoon storms rolled in I took a cruise around my neighborhood.  No matter how much we love to travel this is where we hope to always be.  Once we cross Clara Creek a beautiful peaceful world awaits us.  The view out back is just green everything this time of the year.  There is no view of houses or roads and the trees buff the sound of autos if they do happen up the road.  This was where we really wanted to build our house, unfortunately electric, gas and a bridge would have put us way over budget.  We are satisfied with what we have and take our chairs and coffee to the quiet zone frequently.

Here is what I saw today on my cruise.  This view is up the valley.  Sitting on our land, looking at the Costello property, then my nephew's property and last my grandson Kirk's property.  The hill on the left and tree line in the background is Kirks.  Now that makes the view priceless.

Have you ever smelled wild phlox?  They have a very sweet scent that fills the air around here during the month of June.

This is our little stream.  I'm sure by now it is raging from the cloud bursts of rain today.  The kids like to catch minnows and little crabs.  The rule is they have to throw them back in so the little guys will be sure to live.

Even though it was a warm day I started a pot of bean soup while cleaning up from breakfast (YES, I am back in the kitchen).  Lucky I have a galley style, two steps and I can reach either side.  We had sausage for breakfast which I fried half of it up loose with diced carrots, celery and onion.  I added dried Navy Beans, 2 qts of water and 1/4 cup of ham soup base.  Let it simmer a couple hours and we had a nice comfort bowl of soup when the rains began.  Leftover rhubarb pie and we were happy eaters.  To top of the night fresh made popcorn!  Sometimes it's the simple snack that satisfies the best.

The First Spring Pie at Cook'n by the Creek

Let's just say "rhubarb".  After most of my baking life I finally found a rhubarb pie recipe that turns out delicious every time!  I can not tell you how frustrated I would get when one time the pie was ok and then the next one would be too sweet or too sour or way too runny never setting up.  Nothing worse for me to invest time and money for a failure.  Oh we would say "a little too sweet, too sour or even though it's runny it's still good.  It's like playing a sport and coming in second, just not good enough.  The recipe I found (posted at the bottom of the blog) was baked several times before boasting of rhubarb pie success.  I didn't want to "pass it on" and not have it meet the challenge.  I first gave it to my niece, Pam.  I think I have mentioned before her talent for the flakiest, tastiest pie crust ever!  Yes, even better than mine. My rhubarb pie filling won her approval ;) I do use her pie crust recipe but since I still have that awesome home rendered lard I will use it for the rhubarb pie tonight.  One thing, I have never mixed strawberries in my treasure recipe so I can't tell you how it would work.  I am  straight rhubarb person, I really like the sweet/tartness flavor and have never cared to have the flavor over powered with strawberries.  Fresh strawberry pie is very good though.  When I get some fresh berries I will make a pie from the recipe Aola Maxson gave me when we were neighbors and "pass it on", yum!

Life by the creek has been a little testy and quite different for the last 7 weeks.  I will not sugar coat this confession, I have been mean and bitchy at times.  I actually rode the lawn mower to the back field and had myself a good cry.  Not a pity cry but a down right I am "pissed off" cry.  That's me get mean and come up fighting and that is exactly what I am doing.  Heck today after I mowed the lawn I was able to use my crutches, get the weed whacker out, start it, get back on the mower and weed.  That is what happens when mean and determination takes over for me.  Now the hub would do it but I am tired of asking for so much, it's not me and I just can't.  So that being said, I am actually grinning at what my next venture back to my real world will be. Crutches included.   Yada yada I am excited..........I'm almost back!

Ok like always I made a left turn from rhubarb.  How about a little rhubarb history?
ANCIENT HISTORYThe earliest recorded use of rhubarb is 2700BC, although its use is thought to date back much further. At this time rhubarbs use was as a very important drug of the time, being used for a variety of ailments particularly gut, lung and liver problems.
Marco Polo is attributed in bringing the drug to Europe in the thirteenth century when it was referred to as the Rhacoma root.
The drug was so highly regarded and much sought after that in 1657 in England it could command three times the price of Opium.
The first time the plant was seen growing in Britain was in the sixteenth century when the seeds were introduced in an attempt to grow and process the drug here, but the wrong strain was imported and eventually its use in this country went into decline as the British version simply did not work. The rise of modern medicine eventually took over from the wondrous drug.
Ben Franklin is credited for bringing rhubarb seeds to the North American east coast in 1772, yet the red stalks did not catch on until the early 1800s, when it became a popular ingredient for pie. 7
In the late 1800's, rhubarb was brought to Alaska by the Russians and used as an effective counter-agent for scurvy. By the mid-1900s, its popularity was firmly entrenched in the New England states where it was used as pastry and pie fillings and also to make homemade wine. 
Rhubarb leaves are poisonous but the stems and roots are not.
We have two types of rhubarb and I do not know their types other than they are delicious.  So good that our kids and grands eat it raw dipping it in sugar.  One type was given to us by Bill Stavisky from his garden when we moved to Clara and the other from Terry Babcock.  Lucky we picked the cool damp spot because it has thrived.  Part of the day the patch is shaded and I think that has been key to the beautiful healthy stalks and leaves.  When the flower/seed head starts we cut it off to get a second harvest of rhubarb then the second seed head we let grow and quit cutting rhubarb.

Baked in my favorite deep dish pottery pan.

Of course I sample the first piece, wouldn't want to
serve it if it was not good.

Rhubarb pie filling:
4 cups of 1 inch sliced rhubarb
1 TBSP grated orange rind or 1 tsp orange flavoring
1/2 cup of flour
1 2/3 cups of sugar
1 beaten egg
Mix together, pour into a pie crust and put a pie crust on top, seal.  Rub milk or 1/2 & 1/2 on top crust, sprinkle with sugar and bake at 425 degrees until brown.

I have enough rhubarb cut for Rhubarb Crisp tomorrow.  With a little luck someone will stop by and I can share with them.  Always love to Pass it On!

Just Stuff

Monday night at knitting group (group therapy for me:) we started talking about stuff and how important stuff should be to us.  I think we walked away realizing what we already knew, it's just stuff.  We all have it either tucked away or displayed.  Unfortunately at times we forget it really doesn't mean what we think it does.  A few examples,  our kids creations or gifts to us, parents or grandparents belongings that we have acquired along the way, even our wedding sets.  No matter it is all "just stuff".  As a friend once told me, never cry for anything that can't cry for you.  This was after she had lost everything in a fire and in her early years of marriage the loss of her husband and raised their boys by herself.  Strong woman and never a complaint or felt sorry for herself.  Buckle down and go on with life.  Life and love for family and friends is not "just stuff".  That's where it's at.   ♡♡♡

A few years ago Dick lost his wedding band that I had made for him with my mom's diamond in it.  He bought me a diamond ring for our 30th wedding anniversary,  since we were young and living on rolled pennies when we were married there was no diamond.  I remember the look on his face when he said he lost his ring at the barn.  Amazing that I looked at him and said, don't worry and fret I'm ok with it.  For some reason I really was.  Years ago it might have been different but now it is just stuff.  The ring was my mom's but it was not my mom. Dick didn't accept the fact and for some reason when he went back to look for it there it was by the barn door.
Something else that has long not been important but I do every year, put flowers on my parent's headstone.  I don't like going to the cemetery, it is not my parents, they are in my heart and that is where I have kept them since 1966 and 1970.  Headstones, jewelry, etc. just stuff.

On  a happy subject, it looks like the garden will get planted soon.  The weekend looks promising for the weather to allow the tiller to get busy.  The next couple days has rain showers and thunderstorms but after that we should be good to go.  The only thing in is onion sets so there will be an Archy back for the Mr.  We have an Earthway seed planter for the larger seeds but the little seeds are down on your knees planting.   The Earthway is money well spent if you have a large garden.  Not only does it plant seeds, it digs the trench, plants and covers the seeds all in one smooth roll of the wheel.  Plus it marks the next row with the proper distance.  They are around a $100. on line.   I have a feeling by July and August I will be getting my share of the workout with picking and canning.  For now I am perched on the lawn mower giving "suggestions".  Someone has developed a hearing problem that hearing aides won't cure!  I would too if I had to take suggestions like he is.  2 more weeks and maybe I can start physically helping.

This is our Earthway seed planter, what a joy to use.
Bart told us about them a few years ago.

A friend sent me a homemade tomato soup recipe that I will be making and posting in a future blog.  I love that so many are getting involved with the blog.  Wonderful ideas and recipes are being passed on to me. A friend said something funny to me Monday night.  She said, "I have a bone to pick with you".  Laughing I said, "tib or fib"?  Come to find out it was because I had been slacking on the blog!  Nice to know I was missed.
GO OV VARSITY BASEBALL!  ♥♥♥♥♥

Rain, chicks and tomato soup!

Hello,  things have been a little slow in Clara, PA.  With  the rain I have been working on a post listing all of the recipes that have been posted.  Remember you can message me or call if you have a question.  All of the recipes are made and tested right here at Cook'n by the Creek.  It will be much easier to find a recipe than searching back through previous posts.

We have had so much rain and the ground is full.  The run off from the hill has caused rushing little streams through our fields that has never happened in 15 years of living here.  2014 has certainly been a year of firsts for weather losses.   The wind took off the porch ceiling in February, the severe below freezing temperatures killed our holly bush and now the water has routed into one corner of our garden.  All part of Mother Nature doing her thing, she is still the boss around here, even though the dogs do a good job of telling us what to do!

The eggs we have  in the incubator should be hatching in 2-4 days.  Wouldn't you know we made it so close and last night the electric went off.  I looked at the alarm clock this morning and just groaned when I saw it flashing.  The temp had dropped a few degrees in the incubator, hoping it didn't ruin the chicks.  We do have a back-up.  Our beautiful little "Miss Speckles"  was acting broody and has been laying in a corner of the barn ;)  As of Saturday she started setting.  21 days and counting for her eggs to hatch.  Another wait and see, patience please.  Her peeps will be tiny since her and hubby are very small.  Sad to say Big Mr. Roo passed which means we are looking for another like him.  He was one handsome big dude and great entertainment around the barnyard.

There is Miss Speckles and her husband in the front guarding
his girls.  He struts his stuff and crows when we get near!

Messaging to a friend all the way across our beautiful USA in the state of Washington gave me this delicious tomato soup recipe.  Actually her father would make it for his kids.  She told me about how he did it and of course being curious on one of the ingredients I googled it.  Well, we had homemade tomato soup for lunch today and never will I buy canned tomato soup again. This is delicious plus you can change it up with many different ingredients although basic was the choice here.  Ok, so many of you either knew this guy, had him for a teacher or one of your family members did.  I had the joy of working with Mr.Smith at the high school. My kinda guy, he told it like it was and not afraid to say it.  I have many funny stories about him and cherish each one.  Here is Mr. Smith's tomato soup recipe ( or very close to what Robin described), thanks Robin Smith Henderson for "Passing it On".

In a saucepan add 1 qt tomatoes (bought or home canned) with 1/2 tsp of baking soda and bring to a boil.  Add 1 qt. of milk and 4 TBSP of butter, salt and pepper. Heat but do not boil....ready to eat.  Remember you can add seasonings of your choice.  This really is great and fast to make.  Next time grilled cheese sandwiches too.

Dick decided fresh chives would be tasty and they were!

The baking soda threw me but makes sense when I found out why.  It cuts the acidic in the tomatoes so the milk doesn't curdle.  Clever, makes me wonder what old timer was so into the science to know this.  I sure wouldn't.  I do know that my buttermilk recipes all call for baking soda, another google to find out if for the same reason!

How Highs The Water Mama

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

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

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

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

The ceramic berry carton on the right.

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

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

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