Just Little Things

Things are popping at Cook'n by the Creek. That is the normal for August.  Everything is ready to freeze or can daily.   Last night we were given a new Silky Rooster. Dick met Emily and Kaleb Kellogg at the fairgrounds to pick up Mr. Silky.  Hopefully Mrs. Silky will take to him and next summer we might get lucky for full blooded Silky babies. The new man at the barn is very  handsome, silver/gray with black.  I went out this morning but he was in no mood for a picture. When they go to roost I'm hoping he will stand still and give me a smile.  I know most of you are thinking, a new rooster is exciting?   It is for us, remember they entertain us (which doesn't take much) and the hens provide not just us but faithful customers their beautiful brown or white eggs.

Since I couldn't get a picture of Mr. Silky "Wild Man Smokey"  was begging for some attention.  He loves his head and ears rubbed.  So much so I think he is going to fall over from totally relaxing.   The old saying, "when he's good he is really good and when he is bad he is really, really bad!  Smokey is the type you can see in his eyes when he is ready to Rock & Roll!   14 Years old and he still has the "Piss and Vinegar" personality.  So today we were friends, next time maybe not.

Dick and I are taking a break with a glass of ice water and slice of lemon in it. No talking except he just said, "I didn't get the stalls cleaned and not going to, too tired"!  My comment, "I didn't get our stall cleaned and not going to, too tired".  Dick has been laying blocks for our outdoor pizza oven (more about that another time) all day.  I have been cooking spaghetti sauce down (canning it tomorrow morning).

The first blocks being set for the pizza oven!

 I had to try the lemon blueberry bread that Rod Van Pelt posted on Face Book.  It is delicious, no doubt I could eat the whole loaf!  I love it when a new recipe turns out to be a new add to my favorite list.

It will disappear tonight with coffee while watching the
deer that visit our field each night.

Lemon Blueberry Bread - 

Ingredients:
1/3 cup melted butter 
1 cup sugar 
3 tablespoons lemon juice
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons grated lemon zest
1/2 cup chopped walnuts optional
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

GLAZE
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon butter melted
1 cup confectioners sugar

Directions:
In a mixing bowl, beat together butter, 1 cup sugar, juice and eggs. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; stir into egg mixture alternately with milk. Fold in lemon zest, nuts, and blueberries. Pour batter into greased loaf pan. Bake at 350 for 60 to 70 minutes.

GLAZE
Combine all ingredients mix well. Drizzle over bread.

Standing in the kitchen most of the day can get a little testy with my patience.  It's not the mess from cutting and running the raw tomatoes in my food mill, baking lemon blueberry bread or even roasting a chicken for chicken and buttermilk biscuits..........it's the little things that cause my blood pressure to peak and close to throwing something.  Everything was moving along without a hitch.  Then fumble fingers (mine)  dropped a new container of basil all over my counter top.  I could have spit nails.  Of course I never mumbled a bad word, only a few.  I have tile counters with grout in between them which is like a little low ditch.  Dry crumbs or anything dry is impossible to wipe up.  Out comes the vacuum for what I couldn't scoop up.  Patience is not my virtue, especially when I have everything synchronized and planned to the T.  

Spaghetti sauce ready to cook down for 4 hrs.

Fresh carrots and onions for chicken and biscuits.

The day as ended, kitchen is cleaned up.  As far as the rest of the house I will do what my mom would say when she gave a quick cleaning.  She called it "a lick and a promise".  So in the morning "a lick and a promise".  I realized the other day in one of my reasoning thinking moments why women would spring clean.  One, to get rid of the winter blues and two, (the most important) clean in the spting because once gardens come in there is no time for the little daily things.  All to soon it will be over and there will be time for cleaning and my hobbies.  Good grief I just realized it is August 8th, this week did fly by.  

No matter how busy life gets always take time to relax and enjoy something just for the fun of it.♥♥♥

Black Eyed Susan Cafe

Today was a fun day with my friends Marcia and Donna.  Marcia picked Angelica, Ny for us to check out the antique stores, variety shops, bakery/ice cream parlor and the Black Eyed Susan Cafe for lunch.  First the shops, they line the Main Street and each one has it's own unique displays.  In one there is a wall lined with every kind of cookie and biscuit cutter imaginable.  Of course, I always need a new cookie cutter or two!  I bought two, a large flower and small one.  They will make perfect sunflower sugar cookies next week.  There was a shop with more jewelry than I have ever seen in one place.  Jewelry even hung from the ceiling.  The store had twenty rooms filled with everything from cookbooks to Hi Oh Silver items and sometimes the rooms were color coordinated.  I was amazed and even more amazed I only bought the cookie cutters at the first store.  There were sets of the "old" Pyrex bowls that almost put the temptation bar too high.  That just gives a reason to go back some day.

Soon to be Sunflower cookies.

After snooping around the stores it was time to satisfy our hunger.  That was a lot of walking and I'm pretty sure we not only had lunch on our minds but something sweet.  We stopped and read the menus and both cafes looked good.  I think the one we decided on had more to do with the dessert list.  Really who could walk away from homemade ice cream, fresh raspberry/chocolate/cream pie with dark chocolate and whip cream on top or coconut cream pie also with real whip cream?  Yes, two chocolate/raspberry and one coconut cream pie just to make sure it's worthy if we decide to bring the husbands over.  The desserts were beyond worthy, who could imagine a cafe in Angelica would have ☆☆☆☆☆ desserts but they sure do.  I guess I jumped the gun by going straight to the sweets.  Our healthy food was also excellent.  I had a chicken wrap with pecan, dried cranberries, celery, spring greens and grapes.  Donna had a chicken salad with apples, pecans and spring greens.  Marcia did a half salad and cup of roasted red pepper soup.  We all liked our meal.  The lettuce was crisp and the chicken breast was fresh roasted, everything was top notch for ingredients.  Even the coffee was deliciously smooth and fresh brewed.  The waitress was very attentive and sweet, she kept the cups filled.  It's so nice to walk out of a restaurant smiling from a good experience.  Yes, we will be taking the husbands over.  Every Tuesday when you buy a lunch the deal is buy one appetizer get one free, buy one alcoholic drink get one free and buy one dessert get one free.  Friday and Saturday it is two meals for $24.95 which includes beverage and dessert!

♡ Lunch ♡

Sweeeeet ☆☆☆☆☆

What a day, great friends, endless chatter, delicious lunch and a promise to do it all again!

The Rock

This morning while getting laundry sorted and picking up Dicks from the bedroom floor (yep after 47 he still does) I knew by the weight he hadn't emptied his pockets.  It took me a few years to faithfully check pockets, too many wallets have been washed too many times. Today was a wallet, change, a few dollars, a jack knife and a rock.

I held that rock for minutes thinking of all the rocks I have taken from my kids pockets and mine.  Now I find one in Dick's pocket.  Good timing it gave me the quiet time to pull up some wonderful memories.  The kids loved finding a special one to bring to us.  Even my grand kids have handed me their special rocks.  I have held so many rocks in my hands, they just seemed to find so many keepers.  I still have some of the rocks and seashells from so long ago.  All of them are treasures with a memory.

I asked Dick about "the rock" when he came in from the barn.  It is the type of rock the Indians used for arrowheads.  He also said, it is hard to find this kind of rock.  I'm sure he is going to be on the high alert lookout from now on.  Another rock to add to my collection ♡

When we lived next to the Oswayo Creek on the Horse Run Farm my dad found quite a few arrowheads.  In the spring after plowing the fields and it rained dad and mom would walk the fields looking for arrowheads.  He said fresh plowed ground and a rain made the arrowheads glisten and easy to find.  I still have one packed away.  We always imagined along the creek on the high fields was where the Indians probably camped or lived.  They say Horse Run got it's name from early settlers giving direction and saying where the horses run. Don't know for a fact but sounds good.

Today has been picking peas, beans, beets and a hill of potatoes.  We froze the peas (last picking ;), gave the beans away,  (we have enough froze and canned), we pickled the beets.  Thank goodness for a beautiful view out the kitchen window. It was a lot of hours Cook'n by the Creek today.  I saved out a couple cups of peas, cooked a few fresh dug potatoes, added milk, butter, salt and pepper and we had a great pea and potato soup.  Also that favorite "buttermilk corn bread" with butter!  The rain dropped the temperature to 66 so canning and baking bread was no problem.  Usually canning season is like being in a hot sauna, not so this year with the cooler than normal temperatures.

My muscles are sore, fingers are purple, clothes are stained and it has been a most satisfying day in Clara, Pa ♡

Fresh & Clear Clara Country Air

Today I mowed the barn yard, garden area and house lawn as usual enjoying the view,the smell of fresh clean air and mowed grass. Once in a while I hit wild mint that smells good too.  It's funny to watch the chickens chase after the mower looking for the bugs I scare up.   Today was an exceptional treat, a pair of mature Bald Eagles landed in a tree at the edge of our field.  I hoped they were looking for a mouse, rabbit or bird rather than my plump chickens.  The chickens are always on the look out, they wiggled their little tails back to the barn and stayed there until the pair of Eagles left.  Must be the Eagles  just needed a rest on their way down the valley because they left just as fast as they landed.   Seeing the Eagles is so exciting, until   17 years ago I had never  seen them in the wild.  The first time I saw them was at Alma Pond.  We lived in Shinglehouse and would take our lawn chairs to the pond and watch them.  They would swoop down and grab a fish out of the water.  One time we watched an Eagle grab a large fish from an Osprey in mid air!  They are amazing, I am happy, happy, happy to see them a few times a year.  They are still living at Alma Pond and have a nest there with young every year.

Now not only was the view of the Eagles a treat there was a delicious smell also (not horses and chickens).  While mowing the house lawn I smelled..........a berry pie baking!  Someone up the valley was baking some kind of berry pie.  You know the smell when it first bubbles over in the oven?  It smelled so sweet I was ready to grab a cup of coffee and start knocking on doors.   Dick just picked a quart of blueberries off our bushes this morning my thought, I'll bake a pie.  How desperate is that?!  Unfortunately we had tomatoes to can so the pie took a promise for another day.  What we did have tonight blueberry crepes and peach crepes that satisfied the desire for SWEET!  I whipped some fresh heavy cream to top them off.  What would they be without whipped cream,  besides still delicious.  That was supper on a rainy evening.

We are saying, "why did we eat so much"?
Because they are melt in your mouth light bursts
of  goodness ♡

The tomatoes are chopped and in the pot simmering some of the liquid away.  Once they have cooked down we will get them in jars and pressure can them.  Tomorrow we will be picking beans and canning dilly beans.  Also green peas will be picked for the freezer.  The circle of having a veggie garden.  Thursday is a play day with friends (for me)!

Ready for the jars.

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
Today is August 4th.  It is a date that forever will be remembered, August 4th, 1966 at 4:19 pm,  my mother passed away from a drunk driver crossing the center line hitting her car head on.  It happened in the Dug Way just north of Shinglehouse on Rt 44.  I had just turned 17.  No words can explain the feelings but I will say life goes on and making the best that it can be is a must for happiness and peace of mind.  No blaming, complaining or excuses.  Just do what has to be done in life with little to no regrets.  ♡Della Gross♡

I was 4 when mom broke her left ankle,
something else we have in common ♡

Route 15

Route 15 is one of my favorite ways out of Dodge (PA).  we have been traveling south on 15 to Florida, North Carolina and Maryland for the last 40 years.  Before that two of my older brothers used 15 to go to Green Cove Springs Naval Base and Pope Air Force Base back in the early 1950's.  Now there are several ways to go, I-95 which we avoid at all cost (just like we do Walmart), I-81  is pretty nice for an interstate, there are also some other routes through VA that are ok.  Route 15 is the most scenic from Mansfield all the way to NC.  It takes you through beautiful farm lands of cattle and horses.  Miles of split rail fences, big barns and gorgeous big old farm houses.  One of the many pluses of Rt 15 vs Interstates you can stop without waiting for an exit.  Lucky for us our boys both live just minutes from Rt 15, one in MD and the other in NC, very convenient!

Today I was driving home from MD and of course memories were company.  Once we hit a horrible freezing rain from Shamokin Dam to the MD line.  It was freezing on the car instantly.  We pulled over to wait it out.  The roads cleared fast considering they put a special brine on before it started.  Along the beautiful Susquehanna River from Harrisburg north is always interesting.  Frequent pairs of Bald Eagles and in the Spring many species of ducks, geese and swans.  Shamokin Dam is one of my favorite stops with a Target, Michaels, Sheetz and Panera.  I hit at least one or two of them each way.  This time it was Michaels.  Once I get to Allenwood just south of Williamsport know I'm on the last leg of the trip.  This is where the mountains show the long ridges and wide valleys.  At the top of the mountain there is a pull off that looks over Williamsport.  It is worth the look, how beautiful.  Today it reminded me of our Little League years.  I still have pictures of Beau and his team mates standing together during Little League Tournaments at the lookout.  Exciting times with kids.
Dick went to Willamsport Community College in 1967-69.  That was my first time to travel Rt 15 South.  At 18 years old Williamsport was a scary huge city to me.  I hated to drive in Williamsport for the fact it was (and still is) all one way streets which seemed very confusing.  We always took the kids to downtown for spring and fall clothes.  It was so nice walking, shopping and eating there.  After shopping we went to the Little League World Series never getting home until midnight.  The LLWS is a much bigger event now.  Then came the Lycoming Mall and downtown was left to die and be taken over by not such nice people.  It turned into a dangerous night life place.  In the last few years they have been trying  to revitalize it and in one section I believe they are successful.
The rest of my trip home thoughts of a  dear friend Al Kaufman that we met through my brother. Going by the Cogan Station Exit always reminds me of what a nice couple Al and Ada Kaufman were.   Al was a truck driver for Stroehmanns out of Williamsport to Olean daily.   As with my brother, Al, Johnny, Kenny and Dale were the good guys.  When they stepped down from their spotless trucks they also were spotless with creased blue jeans, button down dress shirts and boots shined like a mirror.  They all looked as good at the end of a run as the beginning.
I turned off Rt 15 at Liberty and went down Rt 414 through Morris.  Years ago we took the kids to a Rattle Snake Hunt in Morris.  We were spectators and once was enough!  Next was Wellsboro,  I really like to wander around the shops there and stop at the Native Bagel to eat.  Great in house made bagels, soups, salads, sandwiches and desserts.  A nice day out.  We have camped at Hills Creek State Park and of course the PA Grand Canyon is there.

Once I pulled in the driveway it was get busy and can peaches I had bought in Westminster, Md.  Dick had the jars carried up from the cellar and ready to go.

Peaches in a light syrup ♡

 Tomorrow we will be canning tomatoes and spaghetti sauce with a bushel of tomatoes I bought from the Amish just North of Harrisburg, $12 a bushel.  When I do my spaghetti sauce I don't peel the tomatoes, just put them in the food processor or blender before cooking.  Time saving and you can not tell they weren't peeled!

I did get the grand tour of the "MD Bryant Family Garden".  They are 6 hours south of us which means their garden is on the down hill slide.  They are getting tomatoes, jalapenos, green peppers,  zucchini and yellow squash that is making them a few dollars a day from their little veggie stand in front of their house.  The kids have an envelope for their garden money.  Beau will be digging potatoes and pulling carrots this week. They have canned tomatoes, salsa and beets.   Just what I thought would happen, he is making the garden bigger next year.  My kids love their gardens!

Checking tomatoes for the veggie stand.

Cash had to show me how easy the carrots pull out.
Beau mixed sand in the soil for his root veggies.

Loooooong Day!

This was one of those kick my butt days.  Up at 6 am, coffee, see what is going on around the area, nation and world, breakfast and off the the garden.  We picked 2 grocery bags of peas and and the same for green beans.  Of course we couldn't leave the garden without weeding a few rows of lima beans and beets. Oh our achy breaky backs.  It's worth every ache.

Early morning and cool for picking peasw and beans.
How about all the beautiful green pastures and hills?

Beautiful peas for the freezer.

Now the relaxing part, setting on the back deck shucking peas and snapping beans and enjoying the view with a nice breeze.  While Dick finished the beans I mowed the lawn, it was actually dry.  I thought it would be days until I could mow.  Mowing is one of my favorite outdoor chores, along with brush hogging.  Once the lawn was done we were ready to wash jars, beans and start the pressure canner.  It is 9:32 pm and the last batch of beans just went in.  20 minutes for the pints and we can go to bed!  We canned 10 quarts and 7 pints of beans along with freezing 2 quarts of green peas and 2 quarts of green beans.  It's been a long day.  Breakfast and nothing until 7 pm which was worth the wait.  I fixed baked potatoes our favorite way.  Wash, dry, pat of butter for each potato, salt and pepper, wrap in foil and bake at 400 degrees.  I also picked a batch of Rainbow Swiss Chard, I washed it, cut in good sized strips (stem too), melted butter in a pot, added the Chard, small onion bulbs from the garden and a TBSP of concentrated beef stock, cooked until wilted.  Delicious!  Dick fixed NY Strip Steaks.  I am getting so much better sharing my kitchen and the cooking since I was forced to be at the mercy of not being able for 5 weeks.  I'm enjoying sharing (sometimes).

Then there was an exciting event.  The UPS gal pulled in and Dick carried a huge box from her truck. A Huffy Cruiser!  We had rode them in Key West last year and it was awesome.  Dick bought this one for me thinking it will help strengthen my ankle and leg.  I know it will because I rode it up to my nephews house and back.  Going up it was definitely like pushing on the weight panel I use at therapy.  I am so happy Dick thought of the Huffy.  It brought tears spitting out and the more I thought about it  memories  flooded back.  53 years ago my dad pulled in our driveway with my first Huffy, 53 sounds so........long ago, antique, ancient and were bicycles even invented 53 years ago?  For some reason I just can't grasp and believe 53 years ago!  I was 12.  If someone had said you won't get another Huffy until you are 65 I would have said, "Old people can't ride bicycles"!  Well one thing is for sure I won't be getting another one in 53 years ;)  My first one was blue and without a doubt built much better and probably cost about the same.  I rode that bike up and down Horse Run and to town when I was allowed in the the summer.  Remember me saying Scuff's  dog bit my leg riding by the Simons farm?  Well I said it was George and after  Scuff read my blog he told me it was Woodchuck that bit me not George.  Sorry George!

The Huffy Cruiser and so snazzy with my favorite
color, turquoise.  Reminds me of the ocean.

Tomorrow I leave for MD for a few days.  That is the reason we were in high gear trying to get the garden and lawn caught up.  Dick can have a few days to relax, enjoy our Canadian friends that will be at their camp and help the Rod and Gun Club at the fair on Saturday.  He's on his own.  Of course when I get back we will be pickling beets and canning peaches, both are a messy job but oh so good.
 I will be getting some much needed hugging, loving and giggles from our three little Bryant boys.  They are excited  and will have it all figured out on who sleeps with me what night.  Pulling in their driveway and seeing those little guys all grins and running to meet me is beyond trying to explain how wonderful they make me feel.  About the time I get to Harrisburg they will have their dad or mom call to see how much longer.  Happens every trip.

Try to take time to relax, take long deep breaths and enjoy what ever makes you happy.

Where's the BIG GUN?

With all the rain wind and cold temperatures we have been on the inside looking out for the last few days.  Depending on where we set we can see East, West and South.  The East view being our number one pick.  In between the rain we can watch the chickens across Clara Creek, even wild turkey and deer at times.  You know we are much in tune to the deer and turkey when we can tell they are acting strange.  Today Dick said there's a few turkey in the back field.  Then he takes off like a streak to the bedroom for his rifle yelling all the way, "I BET THE COYOTES ARE UP THERE"!  What a guy, he can lock and load that rifle while turning corners and opening doors,  out to the back deck and uses his favorite post to steady the rifle.  Sure enough out comes a coyote from the woods.  Three shots, that gets me up from quilting, he usually fires one shot which means he hit it or it got back in the woods.  So why 3 shots I'm thinking.  Well he had the 17 that is light on wham, the coyote wasn't paying attention to it until the 3rd shot that hit him in the rear.  I had to ask where is the "big gun"?  In the gun case up in the loft.  Now we have my 38 Special in the stand by our bed, a shotgun and the 17 behind our bedroom door, why is the "big gun" not in the bedroom?  It is now, we need to be prepared with the shotgun if a bear or two come wandering through (gives them a good scare), the 17 for skunk or opossum and the "big gun" for coyotes.  My 38 is for me to decide what to use it on ;)  I take it on woods and road walks plus it's my security blanket when home alone.  Just makes my life much more enjoyable.  I know it's not for everyone but I was brought up with guns and hunting.

It was pancake  night.  In between the rain storms Dick picked a quart of blueberries from our bushes.  His favorite meal is blueberry or corn pancakes no matter what time of day.  Works for me, 30 minutes from start to table, 15 to eat and 15 for cleanup. Tonight we had side pork that I bought at the Giant in Cuba.  I fry it with just a little butter, salt and pepper until crisp.  A couple fresh eggs from the hens and that was supper.

Buttermilk pancakes

With fresh blueberries.

Fresh cut side pork.

The "big guy" will clean the plate!

We can grumble about the rain but one thing is for sure it has given us beautiful greens of all tones through the summer.  Normally parts of our lawn go dormant and turn crispy brown.  Not so, it still is a lush soft green carpet of depth.  A little too deep but it is beautiful.  From the rolling hills, fields and lawns it is a beautiful view.  The other day on a ride around the Clara back roads it was amazing to see how the trees and bushes have grown over the roads.  It looked like we were driving down a narrow green tunnel, no houses, camps, telephone poles, just a dirt road with all it's green surroundings.  Peace and quiet, nothing more relaxing for an afternoon ride.  A 40 minute ride and never saw another car, that was a good back road ride!

The Hotel Ritz

I don't mind the cool temperatures but the overcast sky can  break away!  After the rain yesterday the grass is still too wet to mow.  I might have to run the lawn sweep to pick up the clippings, it's high and doesn't look promising for mowing tomorrow.   Bhlaaaaa I love mowing.

We had a great ride today through the Amish area between, Cuba, Belfast and Friendship.  Dick is in need of a new Amish straw hat.  His has seen better days and is beginning to fall apart.  There is a young Amish housewife that makes them to order,  tall or round.  Dick couldn't decide so she is making both styles.  Fourteen years ago he paid $8.00, only went up to $9.

The old hat, Dick varnished it to make it water proof.

We stopped at the Amish dry goods and grocery store and I bought quilting thread, the good stuff at $1.50 a spool, I pay double that in Olean.  Since they are very close to my dentist I know where I will go on dentist days.
The last stop was to see an  Amish guy we have known for 14 years.  When we first met Enos Mast he was 24 and had 4 young boys.  They are now 17,15,14 and 12.  I remember asking Enos what is your little girl's name as she stood on their front porch.  He said, "that's a boy".  I had to ask him,  why does your boy wear a dress?  He had a good answer.  Amish boys wear dresses until they are potty trained, easier to change the diaper!..Dick would always take a bag of candy to the little ones when taking Enos home at night.  We did the same today and gave the 14 year old a bag of salt water taffy.  He was all smiles as he dove into the bag.  The boy 17 works their other sawmill and the one 15 works putting in hardwood floors and cabinets.  This leaves the 14 and 12 year old helping their dad at his sawmill.  We stayed over an hour catching up on their family news and what work Enos was doing and for who.  He is the one that cut the timbers for the new library being built in Coudersport.  He is very proud of the 10"x10"x30' long beams that will be used in the Post and Beam building.  Dick told Enos you get good customers because you are honest, skilled and take pride in your work.  That he does plus he is such a nice guy!  His dad is just as nice a guy that does beautiful woodworking of all kinds.  He also repairs antique clocks and antique firearms.

Fourteen years ago Enos brought his portable saw mill to our land and cut the white pine logs into boards and beams of all sizes.  Dick would drive to Friendship every morning to pick Enos up and take him home at night.  Enos would come up on our deck for lunch which turned out to be a learning experience for all of us.  He would ask questions about our boys and the Army and we would ask questions about the Amish life.  He was so funny at times and really surprised me when he would make up something and I would gasp.  Then he would laugh and say no not really!   Enos was well read on World Events and happenings.  He loves to read and he really liked our truck radio, he could zip through the channels and find what he wanted.  The Amish men in Ulysses have cell phones.  I asked Enos today if they use them, NO, not allowed in their area.  He said he wouldn't want one it would interrupt his work day.  He makes all of his calls from an Amish community phone and if someone wants to get hold of him they can call the number and leave a message but best to drive to his house.

I do wander and jump around from subject to subject.  I think I should have liked English more in school and learned how to write in sequence and subject order!  Back to the wood Enos milled for us.  The wood  was left stacked to cure and air dry for one year.  The following summer Bart and Beau came home for two weeks and built the 40'x50' barn.  Jim, Dick and our Canadian friend Larry all helped.  Kinda like the Amish, nonstop from start to finish.  The only difference these guys ended the day with a few cold beers which were well deserved.   It was a hot humid 2 weeks, lots of water during the day and I always had a big farm breakfast and supper for them.  Nothing more pleasing  than looking at the barn knowing it was our trees and our family and friend that made it possible.   My goal is to wood burn a plaque with the date, names and where the wood came from, it will be done soon.

The barn built from our White Pine Trees.

The "all inclusive" Hotel Ritz!  Free food, water, treats, unlimited
 roaming and fresh bedding.

Mama Silky showing the little ones (not so little now) how
to go on roost tonight!  The kids are growing up ;)

See That Frosting ♡♡♡♡

After a day of play yesterday we are back at the garden today.  More green beans to pick and can, kale to pick, blanch and freeze and our first picking of peas for the freezer.  It was a little too warm and humid for my liking but we got it all picked.  From my weather page it looks like cooler temperatures are moving in tonight.  This is when we work,work, work outside.  Amazing at our age how fast the heat slows us down.  Considering years ago we loved hot weather and lots of sunshine.  Now cool and overcast is our choice.   In two days we will be back at it again.  It makes us smile every time we finish and think of the freezer and shelves getting full for winter.  I might take a trip to visit the Bryant Boys and buy some fresh produce from them.  Their tomatoes and hot peppers are coming on strong from my early morning report today.  They also said the peaches are ready.   That means I will be bringing a bushel home to can.  I'm really excited to see our MD family, do a walk through their garden and get a few pictures to share on a future blog.  Mostly I will just enjoy our Cooper, Jagger and Cash.  They are always so happy and full of so much info when we visit.  Nothing in the world as wonderful as little kids.  They have so much to offer and so innocent to life.

  We had a little guy named Sage entertain us yesterday at the drag races.  At 5 years he is full of questions and you can see the gears winding for the next question or solution!  He reminded me so much of his dad when he was a little guy!  If you want a good smile take the time to visit with a little one, it is worth every minute.  This morning we were coming out of a store and a little girl and her mom were coming in.  Dick asked the little one who won the game (baseball cap and shirt on).  She put her head down and said, "we lost".  He said, "did you hit the ball"?  She looked up at him all smiles and said, "YES"!  Even the mom had a big grin seeing how happy her little girl was at that moment.  I was so proud of Dick knowing what to say at that time.  Until it hit me in the car,what if she hadn't caught a ball!  I love kids and big kids at heart.

Speaking of drag races, I like them!  We went to Empire State Raceway in Liescester, NY, south of Rochester.  Seeing the older model cars from the 60's and 70's is a real plus.  They are all beautiful and well kept not to mention the speed!  Some of their front ends come off the track on take off with top speeds of 187 mph in the quarter mile.   We went to watch Ed McCleaft race his dragster which sports the logo of Sheila G's Brownie Brittle.  Good stuff and he always makes sure plenty of samples are passed out at the races.  If you haven't tried it the Chocolate Salted Caramel is excellent in my taste test.  Many stores sell it.  Oops, back to the quarter mile.  If you grew up here you know where we watched the guys race the quarter mile...........from the corner to the Horse Run Bridge.  Pretty famous drag strip for Shinglehouse.  Someone kept John Chamberlain (town policeman)  busy while they ran the quarter mile.  He knew what was going down.

Dick picked up a homemade garlic sausage ring at Wegmans the other day and it's what is for supper.  I picked some garden onions to saute with them,  on the side buttered Amish noodles and green beans. For dessert it will be Wegmans ultimate chocolate chip cookie cake  that Amber bought me.  Light on the real food and a big piece of the sweetness!  That has always been my motto.

Garlic & Herb Sausage with garden onions.

Ready to eat, I tossed the noodles in the juice from the
onions and sausage, garden beans & a pretzel roll.

See that frosting?  All mine ♡

Don't forget (even far away friends)  the Potter County Fair started today.  Growing up I always called it the Millport Fair.  My favorite treats, cotton candy and cinnamon candy apples.

A Garden Walk

I'm pretty sure I fell asleep just about the time my head hit the pillow last night.  43 degrees and a breeze coming in the window works magic for a good nights sleep.  Air conditioning doesn't do the trick.  We haven't turned it on yet and may not need to.  The sun looks beautiful coming up over the hill, coffee is hitting the need button and we are having our usual discussion of what is "tado" for the day.  It's Friday which is no different from any other day.  We do have plans to Go to Olean, pick blueberries, and stop at Scuff and Linea Simons for a bit.  The old farmer habits and curiosity lives on.  We have to check on each others gardens since there are no crops in fields and cows in the barn any more.  The other reason is word got out that Scuff makes an awesome Mango sauce!  The mission will be GET THE RECIPE!  Mangoes are one of our favorite fruits from the store.  Trader Joe's has dried mango, no sugar added that is delicious.  It is the only store we have found them without sugar added and are thin chewy strips.  There is a chance I will get to Trader Joe's next week which means stock up on my favorite picks!

Then there's the Kale to pick and get ready for the freezer.  After yesterday's workout in the garden it will be the only thing we do.  Both of us woke up saying, "my back".  I can add "oh my shoulders".  It's been a long time since they have had a good old fashioned workout.  Feels great to be doing everyday jobs around here.  By the way I am 4 for 2!  Snakes that is.  I have seen four and chopped 2 to pieces with the riding lawn mower, screaming as I did it.  The last one to meet his death was big, very big and headed to my garden!  It stopped coiled up and looked at me with those nasty beady eyes.  One scream, full throttle and done.  Yuck!  This is a record year for snake sightings but why not the year from winter till now has been out of whack.

Break time with my favorite coffee.

Even the dreaded Walmart turned out to be better than expected!  They had Wolfgang Puck's Jamaica Me Crazy K-cups.  Made it all worth going in.  It was a nice surprise to see my cousin Mary, she looks so much like my mom.  I love looking at her.  We saw some friends from Shinglehouse and had a nice chat (about gardens).  We told them we were stopping to buy yellow squash they had for sale in front of their house.  We did and it is the perfect size, small and tender skin.  If squash gets too big it is tasteless and tough.  I always bring up connections to local people.  The gal selling squash grew up on a farm that later my dad had bought and I spent part of my young life on.

Wonderful buying fresh from the garden!

We did get to visit Scuff's garden.  It's a dandy and lots of good garlic, beets, beans, cukes and onions ready to harvest.  He has had plenty of problems with deer so the garden is now sporting a 9' high electric fence.  We had a nice visit talking gardening and canning.  I got "the recipe"!  While Dick was chatting I ended up with one of my memory moments!  Of course, I was standing on a lawn that my niece (Pam), nephew (Barry) and myself had run barefoot in and played for hours.  Scuff and Linea live where Bob and Laurabelle Karr lived when we were little.  Pam and Barry lived next door where Red and Nancy Haynes live now.  I lived across the road on the farm.  I stood thinking how much the little area has changed.  In front of the farm bordering Horse Run Rd is two houses where nothing but fields use to be.  I remembered how bad the winters were and the state would put snow fence up to avoid the road drifting shut.  I looked at the little house that my dad and brother had built.  I have pictures of it's progress, block by block.  It has been sided but the brick is under it all.  Day dream over back to the present and time to head home but not until I got to see one of the sweetest most thoughtful little girls ever!  Who pulled in but the one and only Christi Steadman!  What a treat and what a day to visit "Friends of the Valley".  Brian McCleaft and Ed even took time to come out to the car and say hi (plus pick on me)  when Dick made an egg delivery.  ♡

Beets & Beans

White Onions

Scuff, Linea & Dick.  Middle far right, the house
George & Jim Gross built around 1954.

Another good day has passed,the weather was perfect.  Back to our garden in the morning.  I might have to find another friend willing to let me take a walk through their garden.  Especially when their "purple beans"  are ready to sample!

The Kitchen Window

This morning was an "up and at'm", beans ready to pick, onions, cukes and squash had to have the weeds pulled.  What a morning, cool with a little breeze to remind me it's time to get the garden spiffed up.  That we did, I weeded and Dick tended those nasty potato bugs that invade the leaves every year.  He shakes the plant and steps on them.  Bill Stavisky would use a brown grocery bag and shake them into it then burn the bag. Either way it's an on going job for a few weeks.  We picked enough green beans for 5 qts.  They are in the pressure canner for 25 minutes.  A good time to blog.  Later it's out to mow the back lawn and pick Kale for the freezer.

As I was washing dishes after getting the beans ready I had one of those moments that started with the kitchen window. Out the kitchen window a dove sat on the porch rail looking at me and in the lawn was a young bunny eating clover.  If that wasn't enough the chickens were coming to the creek for a drink and bug hunting along the way.  Dick was on the tractor brush hogging the upper field.  It just hit me what a beautiful life I have doing the simple pleasures of summer.  It must be the same feeling my mom had when I was young. She had a beautiful view from our kitchen window also.  Her view was the back lawn, pasture, barn and all those beautiful Holstein Cows grazing.  She not only kept the house, cooked, had a garden and canned, she also was at the barn for chores early morning and night and drove tractor in the hay, corn and oat fields.   Mom  also made most of my clothes and loved to knit and crochet.  Not once did I ever hear her complain, in fact she was most grateful for what she had and could provide for our family.  She grew up in a very poor family, the oldest child that took care of her siblings.  I never had chores to do, mom always said, "enjoy your young life when you grow up then you will work".    Della was my blessing of life.  I had 17 years with mom that ended suddenly.  I had enough love from her that just keeps giving.   Maybe she is why I love doing it all too, to prove she taught me how to live and love doing it.  Well, that was my thought of the day that has left a smile on my face.  Not to mention the dirt under my fingernails and a slice on my thumb.

Five qts of beans ready for the canner.  When canning always use canning salt, regular salt will turn the liquid cloudy in the jars.  Something else I always do before starting,  I fill my sink with water and a cup of beach,  leave it for 15 minutes, drain and rinse thoroughly.  Wash and rinse jars, lids and rings.  Ready for the fresh, cleaned fruits or vegetables.

Before you use the canner take the lid, hold it up to the light and look through the little hole to make sure it is not plugged.  You should be able to see without a narrowing or completely shut.  If it is run hot water and a tooth pick in, it will open up.  The booklet that comes with the pressure canner will be your friend to answer a question.  Read it before using the canner.  Remember my favorite saying, "I'll google that".  Works every time or call ME!

How pretty!

For quarts of  beans the pressure needs to reach and maintain 11 pounds
for 25 minutes.  Turn fire off and let pressure drop on it's
own.  DO NOT TAKE THE LID OFF UNTIL PRESSURE HAS
DROPPED AND LOCK RELEASES.  

Before starting the beans I canned the Mango/Rhubarb sauce I made last night and was too lazy to finish.  I think I have found my passion for rhubarb.  The traditional strawberry/rhubarb sauce has  turned into what other fruits can I use with rhubarb.  The blueberry was a keeper and now the mango is too.  Honestly the mango/rhubarb is my favorite.  Spoon (key is spoon, no thin layer for me) any of them on a biscuit or toast, YUM!  8 cups of rhubarb, 2 cups of fruit of choice, 1 TBSP butter and 3 cups of sugar, cook until thick. Remember it gets thicker when cool.  When I think it is done I put some in a bowl to cool.  If not thick enough back to cook down more.  Can it or freeze.

25 minutes in the pressure canner and done!

Mango/Rhubarb Sauce

Think     Remember     Smile

Just Walk on By

I call this the "window shopping" isle!  Look but no buying and walk on by.  I have to make a pass through after I'm finished shopping.  Self torture!

We went to Wegmans in Hornell today which is our once a month trip.  From Hornell, Buffalo, Williamsport and Erie I like Wegmans.  We don't save money but having the beautiful clean store with employees that are above and beyond friendly and helpful is worth the drive.  I also read a few months ago it is one of the top places to work.  The produce is amazing, always fresh, no blemishes and cold.  I did get ground beef today at $2.69 a pound, the package was 8 pounds, 80% lean.  The milk,whole, 1%, 2%, skim is always $1.99 and frequently $1.49 a gallon.  I think Wegmans is great for keeping the price of milk so low.  Parents are more likely to buy it for the kids,  (hoping they do).  Another low price item is 1/2 gal. orange juice (fresh, not from sugary concentrate) which is  always a low price of $2.49.

Living in a city to be near Wegmans and other shopping is not for me.  Once a month is ok and living in our quiet small area and buying groceries here is more than ok.

We bought local grown sweet corn at 25 cents an ear,  yellow summer squash, zucchini and a cantaloupe.  We couldn't resist, our corn and squash will be a few weeks until ready.  Supper was what it will be like for the rest of summer.  More veggies and fruits, little to no meat.  I slice the squash quite thin, dip it in buttermilk (makes it crunchy), then in flour and fry in canola or coconut oil, drain on paper towel.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper while hot from grease, it sticks better.  The corn I put in boiling salted water, bring it back up to a boil, cover and shut the fire off.  Five minutes and it's done.

The day was too hot for us to be in the garden and it looks like the next few days will be evening gardening.  Tonight we will be picking Swiss Chard, Kale and maybe some peas.  Then a cup of coffee and let the chickens entertain us before they get shut in for the night.  Unfortunately the coyotes are hanging around and a pair of Red Tail Hawks with a young one.  It's that time of the year wild animals are teaching their young how to hunt.  By the way, keep watch if you have dogs, the skunk are also on the move.  My chickens are holding on, they spend most of the day under bushes and farm equipment.  The coyotes we shoot given a chance but not the hawks.

More of Wegmans and a look at supper.

We did stop for a few of their NY Style Bagels.

             Enjoy whatever makes you happy, gives you peace and makes you smile.
                                                                       Pass it On.

The Garden of Love

This morning was one of those times I just can't get enough of our garden!  Blue sky, big white clouds, the forever view (have I ever mentioned the view, just a few hundred times) and the endless abundance of onions, kale, chard and now green beans.  Dick and I spent an hour picking beans and an hour weeding lima beans.  Yes, the lima plants are now in full bloom lots of flowers.  Come on bees do your thing.  Back from the garden for Salt Rising toast with rhubarb sauce and apple butter, the pick of the breakfast.

Bean season is in full swing.

The beans will go to the freezer and the next picking will be done in the pressure canner.  While I did beans and picked a quart of blueberries Dick was so kind to pick the wild raspberries.  I regret to say (or not) this chick will NOT venture to the raspberries in our Pine Grove and bordering our lawn!  Yesterday not one but TWO snakes crossed my path while mowing the lawn. One I actually dared run over, truthfully no choice it happened so fast, it was about 4-5 inches long.  The next one looked like a python, very big!  It was on the edge of the lawn and slithered into.............>the raspberry patch<!  So the berries will only be picked if Mr. B. wants to.  I won't go near, especially not until my "scream, turn and run" is a lot quicker than it is now!

One hour and 2 quarts of wild raspberries.  Off to the freezer for
jam and jelly making on a cool fall day.

If you don't think you have snakes around your lawn just invite me over.  A few weeks ago I was telling Ron and Marcia what a "snake magnet" I am.  Ron said he hadn't seen a snake around their place in years (city folks they are).  How about the very next day they were setting on their patio and BAM Ron saw a snake.  It was a very funny story with him sending Marcia in the house while he killed it.  He said, I just didn't want her to see if the thing got away.  He got it (or so he says).

Beans have been cleaned, blanched, immersed in ice bath,
left to drain and then packaged, labeled and sent to
the freezer.

Here's supper!  Sausage gravy on buttermilk biscuits, fresh
green beans with butter and last years
cinnamon applesauce.