Cup or Mug

What do you drink coffee, tea or cocoa from?  I always say a cup of coffee but actually prefer a mug.  This is probably confusing but why not, it comes from my thoughts which 90% of the time are very confused!  At least that is what the hub says and I don't always believe him.  My favorite saying when he is trying to convince me to see or do something his way....I'll google that!  Back to the cup and mug thing.  When I drink coffee at home there are a few of my favorites and I never use other ones.  All of them have been gifts from my family and one from a friend.  It really depends on my mood or just because on the mug of the day.  I have a special teacup for tea and one for cocoa.  The one for cocoa is extra large so it can accommodate a few large marshmallows.  What's cocoa without a little extra sweet goodness?  Even a drizzle of caramel on the marshmallows gives it the wow taste.  I almost start hyperventilating when company stands around while I'm pouring coffee worried they will grab the "wrong" cup.  Weird huh?  Of course that is my controlling I want it my way personality beside the fact coffee tastes better in my signature mugs, tea tastes better in my cup and cocoa wouldn't be nearly as chocolate scrumptious in any other tall mug.  How about this....I have a few of my mom's silverware and I always use the fork, knife and spoon from the set.   They seem to fit just right in my hand, or so I believe!  I even have a favorite glass for ice water that is always by my side during the day.  It's not glass but an old pink Tupperware that has been around since the beginning of time.  Again water would not be the same from any other glass.

Mugs of choice filled with Jamaican Me Crazy coffee anytime
 of the day from The Finger Lakes Coffee Roasters.!

The big cocoa mug.  This should say.....COWGIRL KITCHEN ♡

My tea cup and my favorite tea is Canadian Maple Cream from
 Victoria's Tea House in Niagara On The Lake, Canada.

The granola is delicious.  I always worry trying a new recipe,especially when some expensive ingredients are involved.  Making it saves $ from store bought and also lets me decide how much of my favorite fruit is added.

Granola has to cool for three hours, it can be crumbled
or cut in bar shapes.

Granola Recipe:  In a large bowl add 2 cups of old fashioned oat meal,  1 cup of coconut (I used unsweetened but it's your choice), 1 cup of slivered or rough chopped almonds, 1/2 cup of sunflower seeds (again your choice of nuts).  Mix together and pour onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.  Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.  While it is toasting in the oven(this brings out the oils in the nuts and coconut for a better flavor) add 1/2 cup raisins(I used golden), dried cranberries, dried mango and 1/2 cup of chopped dates to the large bowl.  Pour toasted mixture back in the bowl with the fruit.  In a small saucepan add 3 TBSP butter, 3/4 cup of honey, 1/4 cup light brown sugar and 1/4 tsp salt, bring to boil for 1 minute.  Add 1 tsp vanilla.  Pour over all ingredients in the bowl, mix well and put back on the parchment lined baking sheet.  Bake at 300 for 25-30 minutes,  cool for 3 hours then crumble or slice bar style.

I will probably be making more granola for our cross country skiing and snow shoeing if the snow prediction is correct.  Next time dried blueberries and strawberries will be the fruit along with pecans for the nut choice.

It's been very cold in NWPA, I can see the catching up on some new recipes will be on my agenda.  Lentil Veggie soup tonight before the Green Waves hit the court at Otto-Eldred.........Go Green!

5 Degrees...What would you do?

When we left Clara this morning it was a brisk and windy 9 degrees.  Over the creek, hills, valleys and woods to the Amish we went.  We go every 2-3 weeks for horse and chicken feed plus stop at their grocery store for a few things.  2# packages of rolled butter is $5.65 and wonderful.  Not like the greasy butter in super markets.  Unless you buy the very expensive Irish butter which I don't but did try it once out of curiosity.  It is awesome but way, way too pricey.  So the next best butter, Amish.
We always take the camera just in case we see wild animals roaming.  Only one very fast rabbit today.  It wasn't wasting time running through the open pipeline.  The wind was vicious causing a few white outs and bursts of snow.  The wind was so strong on the top of hills there was no snow on the roads.  The temperature was 9 in the valleys and on the hills 5.  At Rose Lake it was still 5 degrees.  I had to take a picture of the speedometer to prove it.  From 15 degrees on down it really doesn't matter, bitter cold all feels the same.

Proof

As we drove in the area of Amish we were not surprised to see young Amish boys on the frozen pond playing ice hockey.  The wind was whipping snow across the pond to the point it was tough to see them.  Of course it didn't bother them even with what I call skimpy coats and no snow pants.  As fast as they were moving it must generate enough heat to keep them warm.  Every winter we are lucky to see them on the pond.  There is another pond but it is used to cut ice out in big squares to be stored in their community ice house.  That is what keeps the food cold in the heat of the summer.

So, what would you do at 5 degrees outside?   Dick did the chores, cleaned stalls and checked traps.  I wimped and stayed in other than the trip to the Amish.  Once the ground has 4-6 inches it will be out on the skis and snowshoes.  It's that time of year  to check out the valleys for animal tracks and have our hot dog roast in the woods.   I'm not a hot dog kinda person unless it is burnt on an open fire.  A wintry day makes it taste even better.

All the buggies are tucked away and the horses are in the barn.

Tomorrow I will be making granola with dried cranberries, mango, coconut, almonds, sunflower seeds, oatmeal, honey and butter.  This will be my first try, if it's worth the time I will post the recipe.         ♡ Always Pass it On ♡

♥ to Edmond Quilt

When the Cold Wind Blows

Have you noticed how beautiful your house looks the day Winter/Christmas decorations are out?  The first night when only the Christmas lights are on seem so cozy and even magical.  Faithfully the first week I turn each strand on through out the house and on the porch.  After that is is whenever.   The first day of deer season is the official day for  hauling out the boxes of decorations.  Each year less and less.  This week I am going through all of it and keeping memories from the kids and grands.  That's a promise I will keep!  I have turned toward poinsettias, snowmen, snowflakes, branches painted white and white lights.  Everything stays out until March 1st.  From that day on it is spring and summer "stuff" I love stuff for the closing of one season and the hello to the new.  By the time our fall holidays are over and the cold days of January and February set in the house seems to not look so good.  That almighty winter sun is low in the sky shining directly in the windows, us ladies know what that means!  Spring cleaning can not be far away.  I just told the hub last week, we need to clean the beams and big window sill which is 15 feet above my head. Often I think.....why did I want open cathedral ceilings?  I am at the mercy of asking (several times) to help clean them.  I have always been an impulse doer.  If the mood hits I want it done now.  Not so easy when I really need a 10 ft ladder...blahhhhhh

Today is season my cast iron fry pans day.  While they are in the oven I will search for a knitting pattern to use with a new yarn.   Lucky the pans  need freshened up in the winter when it's nice to have the oven on.  Once they have a nice coating they are good to go for another year.  The best way for the seasoning to last is never use dish soap, they should come clean with warm water and a quick wipe left to air dry.  Some put them over the gas burner for a quick dry, this shortens the life of the seasoning.  Also remember tomatoes and vinegar base recipes are not good for cast iron they also shorten the life of the seasoning.  Last year I blogged on my method of seasoning cast iron, it works great.  If interested the blog post was on 2/15/2014.  Good project when the cold wind blows!

Our oldest son has become quite the sausage, salami and pastrami maker.  Amber went to NC just before Christmas and came back with Bart's specialties.  They are all delicious but the Pastrami is the best I have ever had.  He used venison and I challenge anyone to the taste test!  Even a downtown NYC deli.  He asked what I put it on, usually rye and a hearty mustard but not this pastrami.  I slice it thin and just enjoy, would hate to hide the flavor of something so good.  I have put an order in for next year, I will take all he makes.  I'll even share a little with him ;)

The best of the best....fresh made Pastrami ♡

How about Sunday and 50 degrees!  At 7 am when I let the dogs out it felt like a tropical breeze.  In fact it was so nice I was able to leave the front door open and enjoy the full view storm door.  I love windows and having the front door open felt like being free as a summer day.  It's amazing what simple little things can do to brighten the spirit.

Take time to enjoy what ever makes your spirit soar and always "pass it on" ♡

♡My view♡

Aola's Delish Date and Nut Balls

In a small sauce pan add 1 stick of butter, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup chopped dates and 1 beaten egg.  On low heat stir and cook for 10 minutes.  Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla and pour over 2 cups rice krispies and 1 cup of chopped walnuts. Mix together, roll in desired size balls and roll in coconut.  These keep for a few weeks in a sealed container and actually my husband likes them better after they have been stored for a few days.

Rather than put the recipe at the end of my blog it will be first for a quick copy and make.  Time is precious in the last few days of holiday baking.  I have never been one to bake weeks in advance, I like fresh and most cookies taste best in the first 5days of baking.  Soft sugar cookies and molasses cookies can be stored in the freezer and stay soft.

Aola Maxson's recipe goes way back.  We moved next to her family when I was twenty, a young wife and mom of a little 2 yr old girl  and 6 month old boy.  I was lucky, since both of my parents had died by the time I was 19 a couple neighbor ladies took me under their wing.  Aola Maxson and Marie Brown were always there to help me along.  Some gifts of "Pass it On" last a lifetime and I have received many through the years.

So the final days before Christmas are upon us.  The tree is small, packages fewer, house is quiet, not as much baking and cooking but that is part of the circle of life.  I have heard so many say Christmas just isn't what it use to be.  Of course it is we were young, now it's a whole new experience.  Enjoy for what it is, not for what it was.

You know Winter Solstice is said to be a time for endings, cleansing and new beginnings.  It is the time we head to spring with new growth and awakenings.  Kinda what I have been thinking since we had the shortest day of the year yesterday, time to think of more daylight, gardens, the great outdoors and make my TADO lists.
Doesn't take much to occupy my mind, keep it wandering and working.

                                  ★☆★☆★☆★Merry Christmas and a very
                                   Happy & Healthy 2015★☆★☆★☆★☆★

Another Love the Clara Valley Day

The snow is still with us but settling fast.  Of course I had to check the 2 week weather forecast.......even though I do not believe the guys and gals predictions.  Still I am hoping for temps in the high 20s with snow.  Looks more like rain and mud!  It was a perfect few days for the hunters in Clara Valley.  Fresh fallen snow and hunters are best pals when it comes to tracking and spotting the ever so evasive deer.  As big as they are they can be the ghost of the forest, now you see the and poof they are gone.  Without snow it is pretty tough to spot one if it is standing still and if it's running tough to hit.  My guys teamed up with our Canadian friends for a couple hunts.  One doe was taken by the young Canadian and 2 buck missed by 2 guys that will remain anonymous.  No sense in rubbing salt in the wound of the two dead eyes!  It will be another good story for the 2015 Hunters' Supper.  It's not been too bad of a year for the family.  The NC son and grandson each got a buck in their neck of the woods.  Both grandsons from Clara downed deer, one buck and one doe.  Can't complain on that, meat in the freezer is always welcome.  It won't be long and the deer will be safe to do their winter foraging and circle of territory.  Most wild animals have a territory they travel which can be quite a few square miles.  For example coyotes.  If we are awakened with their calls during the night I can almost guarantee, Christine Austin Gibble will have a good nights sleep.  This will go on for a week or two and then Christine will post her middle of the night visitors and that means the Bryants will get sleep with no howling, yipping and barking.  Christine lives over two  hills from us on Canada Hollow.  The crow could fly it in a minute,  we can drive it in 5-8 minutes.

Yesterday was Hazelnut Balls and yes it is a German cookie recipe.  Another good one for a hot cup of coffee, tea or cocoa.  Light on the sugar and lots of ground hazelnuts that provide flavor over sugar.  You can also use pecans or walnuts.  They would also be delicious with dark chocolate drizzled over them.

It's a good thing Christmas only comes once a year!

~38 little balls of goodness~

Tomorrow the famous cookie recipe, date and nut goodies by Aola Maxson, plus my cinnamon roll recipe again.   Back by popular demand, happy, happy, happy so many are requesting the recipe.....they are worth it.  Also I am very excited to be cooking/baking next week with a great Venezuelan guy that is following his desire to be a chef.  We will be sharing and teaching each other our favorite recipes.  You know that will be a blog with plenty of photos.  We will both be "Passing it On"!

Dresdner Christstollen

I know many dislike winter, snow, cold and short daylight hours.  Looking out the windows today I honestly can not imagine enjoying a day like today.  Every where I look it just seems so calming.  Remembering the days on Horse Run we would grab the sleds and head to Bakers' hill. That is the first time I remember having the wind knocked out of me.  Wow, not being able to take a breath after hitting the ditch, flying through the air and slamming the ground.  Awww being young, jumping up and back to the top for another go around.  No 4 wheelers to haul us back up the hill,  I guess it made the ride down that much better.

Yes, I am in peaceful bliss.  Everything looks so white and pure which means no mud or dirt showing.  All the snow that fell over night was quite a surprise considering Dick read the weather report before we went to bed and it said 1-3 inches.  It looked like 8-10 to me.  Wait.......we actually believed the prediction?  I think I disclaimed those guys a long time ago only to fall into the trap of believing them.  Dick went hunting as planned this morning but our afternoon plans were scratched!  That's life in the snow belts.

On to plan B for me.  Once the  regular morning routine was over I headed to the kitchen (of course) to start the Christmas baking.  Last week I decided to do a traditional German Holiday.  Makes me wonder what the family will think when a Christmas Goose is roasted.  Only one cookie will not be German, Aola Maxson's Date & Nut recipe that has been a ★★★★★ since she gave it to me 45 years ago.  Minus the sugar I consider them 100% healthy and good for ya!  Each blog I will post a picture and recipe that I have made.  Today was a German Christmas Stollen which is not a cookie but a bread.  It has dried fruit of your choice, I used dried papaya and golden raisins that were soaked in Amaretto for 2 hours.  Dark Rum is used but any whiskey/rum will do. Stollen is a yeast bread and is not like the dreaded fruit cake.  I really dislike fruit cake and mince meat pie.  Never made them and never will.  Never being such a strong word is fits the bill.  The Christmas Stollen has quite a story behind it.  We enjoy it toasted with real butter for a snack along with a fresh brewed cup of Jamaican Me Crazy coffee.  Everything is better with butter and JMC coffee.  At least in the cozy little home.  Another reason to love winter and snow.

The Christmas Stollen, like all German sweets, more flavor
than sweetness.  They use much less sugar than we do.
It truly makes for a better tasting dessert.

The final raise.

Baked, still warm and ready for the sifting of
confectionery sugar.

Dresdner Christstollen - Stollen the Christmas Bread:

1/4 cup warm water with 2 1/4 tsp yeast or 1 packet sprinkled on top set aside for 10 minutes.

1 cup golden raisins
1 cup dried cherries (any dried fruit works)
1 cup of nuts, walnuts, pecan, hazelnuts (your choice)
1 cup rum, amaretto or what ever liquor you like.
1 cup butter
⅓ cup milk
4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon grated orange zest or lemon
2¼ teaspoons instant yeast or one ¼-ounce packet active dry yeast
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cardamom (I used allspice)
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 tsp of orange or lemon flavoring
Oil or butter for greasing the bowl and baking sheet
1½ cups powdered sugar

1. Combine the raisins, cherries or dried fruits you prefer, nuts, and liquor in a medium bowl. Stir to combine, cover, and let sit at room temperature while you make the dough or overnight if time allows.

2. Meanwhile, put 1 cup (2 sticks) of the butter and the milk in a small saucepan over medium-low heat and cook until the butter melts (or combine the butter and milk in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30-second intervals until the butter melts). Combine 2 cups flour, ¼ cup of the sugar, the orange zest,  ground ginger, the cardamom, the salt, and the nutmeg in a large bowl. When the butter mixture cools to 100°F—about the same temperature as the inside of your wrist—add it to the flour mixture  and then add the yeast mixture.  Stir with the dough-hook attachment of a stand mixer or by hand. Lightly beat together the eggs and vanilla and stir them into the dough.  Now slowly add the last 2 cups of flour.

3. Knead the dough with the dough-hook attachment of a stand mixer or by hand until it feels smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. Grease a large bowl (it’s fine to use the same one you mixed the dough in), add the dough, and turn it over to coat it lightly with oil or butter. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, put it in a warm place, and let the dough rise for 1½ to 2 hours.

4. Punch down the dough and add the raisin mixture. Knead the dough in the bowl with the dough-hook attachment of a stand mixer or by hand until the fruit, nuts, and ginger are evenly incorporated. (The dough will be sticky.) Grease a baking sheet and shape the dough, as well as you can, into 2 to 4 long, oval loaves on the baking sheet. Cover the baking sheet with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, put it in a warm place, and let the loaves rise for 1 hour.

5. Heat the oven to 350°F. Uncover the baking sheet and bake until the loaves are golden brown, about 35 minutes (for smaller loaves) to 1 hour (for larger loaves). When the stollen is done, melt some  butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat (or in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave). Brush the tops and sides of the stollen with the butter while the loaves are still warm. Cool thoroughly. Sprinkle the powdered sugar all over the stollen.  Wrap each loaf in foil or plastic wrap, you can freeze it then  let sit at room temperature for at least 1 day before serving.

She Followed Her Heart to New Hampshire

No I didn't but Sue Barton, rural nurse did.  The book was written by Helen Dore Boylston.   The book came home to me after about 54 years!  Thanks to my teacher, Mrs.Georgia Donovan, her daughters Diane and Jeannie.  I can't remember how it ended up at their home, maybe I gave it to Diane to read when we were around 12 or maybe I just plain left it there!   Then with Mrs. Donovan's passing it was found by Jeannie.  She sent me a message about the book and said she would get it to me.  She did and I can't tell you how special it is.  My name, Cheryl Gross written by my mom on the cover.  Then a couple more of my name where I had practiced writing it.  The funny thing on the inside of the back cover I had written Cheryl Gross + ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥.  I showed it to Dick (wasn't his name) and he just smiled.  We were all close friends, then and through the years.  Good years of hunting, fishing, vacations, double dates and of course parties.   It's very special to have so many connected by the simple pleasures of growing up in Shinglehouse.

Years ago when we lived downtown Olen Perkins knocked on our door holding a small black bible.  He had been cleaning out boxes at the United Methodist Church and found my bible.  It had my name engraved on the front and other information filled out by mom on the inside.  It was also a precious moment for me.  I shall take better care of both books, promise.  Again, I probably left it there!  Both books took me back to happy times when  mom was still with me.  I guess to make light of the memory and laugh a little it also reminds me of what mom had said to me more times than I can remember........Cheryle Anne  you would lose your "ass" if it wasn't hooked to you.  I guess the two books prove she knew what she was talking about!

I  am going to read Sue Barton tonight just to see if I like it as much as in my younger years.  The Sue Barton, Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys Series of books kept this farm kid entertained for many years while growing up.  Eighth grade started me into the "grown-up" books.   Anne Frank, Diary of A Young Girl was the first book that made me realize how hard life was for so many and not everyone was blessed to live in the land of freedom.  I still remember how her family suffered.

Enough of gloom!  We had a great day today even though the temperature never left 25 degrees.  First we headed over the hill to Becker Hollow in Fishing Creek,picked up a check for the Clara Township.  Then it was off to the top of the world near Andover, NY at Hess Tires, to buy chains for the Township truck.  I say top of the world because it looked and felt like Artic!  Wind  was fierce, ice glazed roads and driveways.  I'm happy to live in the valley even though we do get strong winds, no comparison to the hill tops.  .While Dick was in getting the chains I went in the little deli/bulk food store owned by Mennonites.  Similar to the  Amish store and of course I bought a few things.  Large crystal sugar for holiday cookies, corn nuts for the hub to snack on and brown sugar.  I can always find something I want....notice I  didn't say need!

98 miles round trip and we only saw a hawk we couldn't identify.  Very big, lots of white on it's belly and under wing.  It was hovering high in one spot, it almost looked fake from lack of movement.  No deer, no turkey, nothing in the whole trip until we pulled in our driveway........a flock of 38 turkey scouring the field for seed heads from dead grass and weeds.  That is the most turkey we have seen all summer in the field.  Always nice to see wildlife passing through.

Cinnamon rolls for our Canadian friends tonight.  Larry is down with 3 young adults hunting deer for a few days.  He "passes it On" the love for hunting and fishing.  We love knowing they are at camp and look forward to some good conversation.  I also like to sweeten them up with homemade treats!

Warm from the oven headed to Clara View Camp ♡♥♡

Counting Eggs

Cleaning the frig out this morning left NO bread for the day.  I try not to buy bread unless it is from the bakery with no preservatives and what ever else they put in to make it stay oh so soft and misleading us fresh.  Dick would go to the Stroehmanns day old or month old bread shop for a pallet of bread for the chickens.  Here is the sad thing,  that bread would be soft with no mold for weeks on the shelf in the tack room....good grief that is not right!  The hens and rooster love bread and just about any table scraps.  The really like whipped potatoes and cooked squash.  On top of their free ranging during daylight ours they give us the most beautiful dark orange yolked eggs!  Now that winter is here and the days are much shorter the hens slow down on laying. 2-4-6 a day is their limit, way down from 12-15 during the summer.  Last week with Thanksgiving and our Hunter's Supper I broke down and bought a dozen eggs......EWWWWW.  Never again, pale yellow and the white was a runny consistency.  Hard to believe I only used them for baking and saw a huge result in the finished bake goods.  Apparently the girls heard me bitching and complaining, magically they  stepped up production and in one week I have stock piled 2 dozen eggs.  Today is make Italian bread for Richard, German Cut Out cookies to send my 3 little loves in Maryland and noodles for the ham broth.  The next best thing to my little boys making cookies with me is sending them snowman cookies.  Five precious eggs will be used today, cookies-2, bread-1 and homemade noodles-2.  I sound like a stingy ol'gal counting eggs!

Here are the finished products.  It was quite warm in the house, we have an open floor plan with 4 large windows the sun shines in all day during the winter months.  We are lucky it keeps the furnace from running but it is so hot on the days the sun shines.   If you drive by and the doors are open we are just cooling down!

Fresh from the oven, Italian Bread with sesame seeds
on top.  Good for a few days ♡

Leftover ham simmered with water, seasonings,
fresh garden carrots, potatoes and homemade noodles.

About the carrots.  George Donovan told me last summer he covered his carrots with straw and dug fresh carrots all winter.  He also said how sweet they were.  Of course we gave it a try this fall....they are amazing.  Very sweet and tender.  I had my doubts seeing how big they grew but no problem the are great.  No more canning carrots for me and that's a good thing.

Fresh dug today for Sunday dinner.

Last  the cookies, the first few are fun to decorate after that it gets a little more like work for me.  Imagining the 3 little smiles makes it all worth while.

Ready to be safely boxed and mailed tomorrow.

I am not good at deciding on what gift to buy someone but I have no problem giving a gift of food to family and friends.  Much easier than shopping ♥

The Day Has Arrived

Wednesday was the day to start hitting the canned and frozen garden harvest!  Hard to believe I  hold off until it looks like winter has set in but the day has arrived.  We did have green beans, tomatoes, pickled beets and spaghetti sauce left from 2013 harvest.  Now that is gone and 2014 is a go.  Thursday night we had asparagus from the freezer. Very tasty, just not the fresh snappy way we prefer.  Last night was Rainbow Swiss Chard also from the freezer.  That was delicious and the same tenderness when we fix fresh picked.  This is the first year we had planted it and it will be at the top of our seed list come February.  I will be honest, I love all four seasons, even the cold snowy winter.  The cold crisp days with blue sky or even the days with heavy clouds and beautiful snow falling down, they all make for our favorite walk into Kirk's Valley.  Seeing what animals have been out and about or hearing the quiet of the woods all makes for a peaceful enjoyable touch with nature and its beauty.  We are anxiously waiting to hit the trails.  My X-Country skis need repaired, although I have a feeling it might be buy a new pair.  Ours are 27 years old and paid $100. for them, poles and boots.  I guess we got our $ worth. It will be interesting to see what they cost now.  There I go, off my topic, that's me, a wandering bundle of thoughts!   Back to the garden food.  Bringing out all the good fruits and veggies had us start chatting about where to plant what and what seeds to buy.  All part of the winter break for resting and forgetting how tired we get during garden time.  Like women giving birth to a child, pain is quickly forgotten.  Odd way to compare but most moms will know what I'm getting at.

The hard part of the cold winter days is lunch.  Not working outside tends to haunt us that we can not eat as much.  I guess the tall skinny guy doesn't have to worry, it's the short not skinny gal that needs to worry!   Last week while shopping at Wegmans we bought specialty meats, cheeses and an assortment of olives from the Olive Bar.  Dick had made leek spread last spring using York Cheese, Cream Cheese and some top secret ingredients.  He is in charge of his own creation and it is good! We pulled it from the freezer, with Italian Sopressata, Genoa Salami, Swiss Cheese, Smoked Gouda, crackers and hot pepper jelly I made last September.   A slice of meat, cheese on top of a cracker spread with the hot pepper jelly, that was a delicious light lunch.  We had a couple Clementines to end the meal, they are little balls of orange sugar.  I always think of my mom when I eat a Clementine.  She loved tangerines and starting around Christmas she made sure we had plenty.  I traded my love for tangerines in when the Clementine became available, no seeds and so much sweeter.

The first day of deer season is the day I take down the fall decorations and haul out the winter ones.  This year has been a "lighten the load" at least that was my plan and by gosh I stuck to it.  I really like the small white strings of lights so I put garlands strung with lights on my large pieces and up the stairs.  One little rustic artificial Christmas tree with white lights in the front window.  A quick painted snowman board with an old bucket filled with pine bows and bare branches sprayed silver, strung with........yes white lights and that is on the front porch.  Everything will stay until the first of March and then bring on spring!

From the front porch looking in ♥

Tomorrow is blackberry and raspberry jam and jelly day.  It took me until the age of 63 (2 yrs ago) to realize....freeze the berries after a long hot summer day of picking and pull them from the freezer on a cold winter day to use.  Nothing better than smelling berries simmering, it is so much more enjoyable.  "Almost" doesn't seem like work.

It's that time of the year to think of giving, be it as simple as homemade what ever or a talent you have to teach another.......just do it......Pass It On ♥♥♥

Weather Rules the Day

♡Beautiful♡

It's that time of the year when weather rules.  It put the end to a gal's day out yesterday.  We planned on going to Frosty Hollows Open House.  Today I was to head to the Poconos with my niece Pam and visit her cousin Michelle for the weekend.  Both days were cancelled due to snow and roads.  I would have loved to see Michelle, it has been around 51 years since I have seen her.  Yes, hard to believe.  I doubt we have changed much (kidding) and of course we probably would have told each other how fabulous we still look!  Which reminds me, when someone tells me I haven't changed....does that mean I always looked like an old lady?

So in my boohoo face this morning Richard picked up on it and said.......wanna ride over to Frosty Hollow?  Could I get on my feet any faster and start throwing orders around, probably not.  Let's see, you can go check traps, then go to town and mail Gage's birthday gift out and when you get back get cleaned up.  I will do breakfast dishes, my hair and be ready when you are.  How's that for a synchronized time schedule?  Sometimes I can't stand myself with my orders!  It worked, all was done and away we went.

Frosty Hollow is an amazing business.  It doesn't feel like a business, more like walking in a friends home.  Everyone is so friendly with a great smile to back it up.
If you are "of age" (I like that better than old) you will remember Gail Jackson from Honeoye.  She and her husband Joe,  own Frosty Hollow and have built a great place.  Along with the B&B she has a variety and mercantile shop.  Beautiful displays in a renovated barn.  In the bottom is a cozy and oh so good smelling dining room with an open kitchen.  That makes it nice to carry on a pleasant conversation with Gail and her husband.  Today was open house at Frosty Hollow.  Beautiful items for the holidays for decorating along with year round items.  The best part, Gail offers many of her specialty home grown canned products.  I was amazed at how much she cans and the different varieties.  From salsas, jams, jellies, pickles and what Dick bought, pickled garlic.  I was happy he bought a jar since he has mentioned pickling some in August and never did.  Gail has a 50% off room that has some beautiful country charm to chose from.  I bought a pillow for spring at $6.00.  My deal of the month!  There is a display of hard candy,  Dick bought raspberry and root beer.  They even had sassafras!

So warm and comfy in the dining area and the smell was
wonderful.  

Frosty Hollow mercantile is tastefully done with beautiful
items for the home, very unique.  Can ya tell, I love this place ♡

We had a nice visit with Gail and Joe.  They were busy cooking and keeping the complimentary table of goodies full.  They even had samples of their homemade fudge for sale in the store.  You know it's homemade because it is that good!  They are two people that have a talent to multitask and work well together.  You might say, k can talk and stir the pot at the same time.  Food.......of course I knew what I wanted to try because in the Frosty Hollow add it said, rice pudding and mulled cider.  Rice pudding for me, best ever and I have had plenty in my lifetime.  This was a completely different texture, creamy, fluffy and oh so just right with the flavourings.  I told Gail and she gave credit to her husband, she said she has finally let him make rather than just stir the pot.  They have a great sense of humor,  if you are going to work shoulder to shoulder it better be good.  Proof of their special talents, they have built a successful business and been in business for years.  The first time I went was 1965 and it was just the farm house.  Many more buildings now and they out grew the farm house, on they went to the big barn.  Beautiful work!

Such a nice touch, even the bag for my purchases
made me smile!

One of the things Gail said that I liked and runs true to how I feel when we take time to get off the beaten path in our travels....."everyone and everything has a story."  We just need to take time and opportunity to listen.  So, if you know someone looking for a unique, filled with country charm and most likely the best cooking send them to Frosty Hollow B&B, they will thank you for sure.  If you are looking for special gifts from the heart Frosty Hollow can satisfy your shopping needs.  I just can't say enough about the great time we had today.  Dick enjoyed being my friend for the day, or he's good at pretending.   He loves to talk,  Gail and Ken Ayers  made his day!

♡ such a great price ♡

What the hub purchased. 

Frosty Hollow website    http://frostyhollowbandb.com/11.html

Favorite Foods

Today as I was quilting and watching  the snow come down, sometimes big flakes and other times it was snowing so hard I couldn't tell what size they were It was a thinking time.  In the winter when it's cold out I head to the loft, heat goes up and so do I.   It gives a great view of up and down the valley.  Unfortunately no windows to show off my favorite view of the back field and hill so I can watch the horses and chickens.  Of course it gave me lots of time to think of.......a kazillion things.  Food happened to be one of my  many thoughts.  Like "stuff" that reminds me of family and friends so do certain foods and recipes.  Yesterday I forgot to mention something else about Dr. Kapp.  It goes  along with my favorites, it is my favorite saying and he always  signed his letters at the end with it or would say it upon leaving after a visit.

"May you stay healthy and happy with a smile on your face and a song in your heart".  It was the first I had heard the saying and fell in love with it, especially reading Doc's letters or hearing him say it.  Years ago I decorated the top of our picnic basket and wrote it on the top.  One of the "stuff" things  I just can't get rid of.

So before I started the blog today I decided to "google" it.  The only thing I came close to finding with the saying was part of it by Abraham Lincoln.  So for the love of Dr. Kapp "Kappy"  I will say he is the original creator of the saying.
Abraham Lincoln said, “Most people are as happy as they've decided to be.” ..... If you go through adversity with a smile on your face and a song in your heart,

Here goes some of the foods fixed by others that I enjoy. For most I have the recipes but for some I would rather eat the deliciousness by the original chef.....somethings are worth the wait and anticipation.  I start with desserts first because I am a sugar baby or have a sweet tooth or just plain love my sweets.

Pam's apple pie, it is famous and in great demand by many.  I think her crust is what makes the pie but then again that filling does too.

Amberly's chocolate truffles.  Also in great demand at Christmas time, every body's wish.
Angie's banana bread and pumpkin fudge.  Yes pumpkin fudge, it's the best.
Debbie's corn pudding and southern banana pudding.  I love banana pudding but have never made it.
Marcia's white frosting that my family asks for, I use it in Whoopie Pies.  Very light and fluffy, not icky sweet.
Della's penuche fudge, cream pies and cinnamon rolls, I make these often.
Eleanor's buttermilk cookies, molasses cookies and yum yum dessert.  I will be posting the yum yum it is so good and a nice dish for gatherings.
Nan's ginger snap cookies, another so good with a cup of tea or coffee.  I love the crunch.
Aola's date and nut balls, these are always made at Christmas and a double batch!
Panera's Bear Claw and strawberry cream scone, that's right I can't get past a Panera.  Timing is everything, I always make sure I am ready for a "grande" coffee and one or both of the above.   It's always nice to have a snack farther down the road.  My desire for sweets says so!
That about sums up my go to sweets.  Simple to me is better, a piece of apple pie, cookie or cake made the original was is always my choice!  So isn't a Reese cup or Snickers.......As I'm writing all of the favorites down I decided, how can I go on to the "not sweet" favorite choices, it would be like eating a good sweet treat and trying to eat a dill pickle afterward.  I can't, so another day another blog.  

Now as finishing up here I thought of a friend and her bedtime story...........Good night Shirley.

Sometimes desperate is good.
Taking down a summer
picture I didn't know what
to put up.  How about an
empty frame with a berry
garland and lights?  It works
for me!

The First........Lie

Recently I blogged about the guy that keeps me smiling, Doc Simons.  Not far from my thoughts when I think of Doc is the first dentist I went to. Probably if you are "of age"  and lived in Shinglehouse he was your dentist too.  Dr. Paul Kapp, he was also a friend in later years to our family.  His sons were friends with my brother Jerry.  In fact Jerry and Jack Kapp were in the Air Force together.  Jerry a crew chief and Jack a pilot of a fighter jet.  My 16 year old grandson had the opportunity to meet Jack a couple years ago.  I was so happy because Jack has great stories to tell as a fighter  pilot.  We don't have many of the 75+ year old military to "pass on"  their experiences so when you get a chance have them to tell their story.  In most cases they are waiting to relive some of the most exciting times of their lives.

Oops!  Back to Doc Kapp.  I remember the first time I lied and it was to Dr.and Flora Kapp.  Remember their office was only a Shinglehouse block (small) from the elementary school.  Mom would send the note and I would get out of school and walk to the dentist.  The lie,  I had it made up the night before and played it over and over.  You know I thought I was really quite smart to think up such a good one.  When I got to Doc Kapps the first thing I said........I have a test and the teacher told me not to be long.  So if I have a cavity I will have to come back another day.  He checked my teeth and of course I had a couple cavities.  What I never thought of....Doc had Flora call the school to see if he had time to fill them!  Why of course he could.  Instantly I am sick to my stomach.  Going to Dr. Kapp took days of setting my mind to it.  If you went to him you will remember that huge drill that had some kind of big rubber belt that made the drill turn at an agonizing slow, bumpy, thunky (fake word), jar your head turn.  My gosh it felt like he had a jackhammer in my mouth!  If that's not bad enough I did not like the smell of his breath, I had a hard time catching his pattern of breathing in and out.  I tried to take in fresh air when he did and let is out the same time.  I'm sure he missed a few breaths on purpose!  His wife Flora was M E A N, or that was my take on her.  She never smiled and always wore dark red lipstick that kinda smeared in the corners.  I often wondered, what did she do behind that door and how did she know when to come in just at the right time?  Well that's my little girl memory of Dr. and Flora Kapp.  My big gal memory of Doc was him knocking on our door when I was about 30.  He had retired and moved to Ft.Meyers, Fl.  He would come back north for a couple months in the summer.  From that first knock he visited us every summer, wrote letters during the year and always sent a box of fruit to us for Christmas.  He asked us to come visit him in Fl which we did.  We stayed a couple days and got to see the scare of our life!  He lived on a canal with alligators in it.  At early evening he would take meat scraps out, the big alligator would come out of the water and crawl to Doc and he would hand it the meat!  We were terrified.  This alligator could have munched this 80 year old man in a blink.  Dick even told him how dangerous it was.  I'm sure he fed that gator for the rest of his time.

The snow moved in today.  It really is beautiful, especially seeing it on the ground and balancing on the bare branches.  The air smells clean and fresh, one of those evenings to take a walk and cleanse the mind.  Plus it might help us stay awake.  It seems like every time the time changes it takes us longer and longer to adjust.

We had 4 eggs hatch in June, 3 boys and 1 girl.  Little Daphne
is now a pullet!  She laid her first egg this morning. In a few
days it will be the size of the big egg.  A very exciting
 event at Cook'n by the Creek ♡

The Forever List

We all have memories, some deep in the back files of our mind never to be released and others that are easy to share.  The good and the bad are all for the taking, it's our choice on how to deal with them.  I for one consider the not so happy times can turn into a joy.  How did I get on this subject?  Cleaning house today and rearranging furniture and "stuff".  I tend to be the type to move everything about once a month.  As I was moving my favorite framed rooster picture I instantly thought of Ginger which in turn brought a smile because then I thought of Ricky and the time he tried to make me eat a night crawler  We laughed about that for over 50 years.  The Horse Run Street sign that Glenn gave us is hanging over the door.  The many beautiful gifts from far away places Bart would bring to us when deployed.  A painting of the shoot out at the OK Corral by D. Wyatt Taylor,  given to us by Beau.  A statue of a bulldog Dave and Kathy gave us when we raised bullies.  Kent gave us a picture frame that I put camera cards in and it gives us a wonderful slide show.  Dick's grandmother Angeline's painting of a young Black boy sneaking a cigar.

Our memory from Angeline.  It is painted on silk and showing
the years.  Nothing can be done to restore it. We keep it from
direct sunlight (I don't move it).

We both love this picture and how great we could have it.  Three pieces of furniture that belonged to Dick's mom.  Beautiful dishes Amber has given me through the years.  A carved hen and egg I bought from Dot Bailey's estate sale.  The list just keeps going.  It makes me wonder......did I ever buy anything or is my house full of beautiful gifts with a loving memory hooked to each one.  My dining table was bought 45 years ago.  It brings the memory of a great kid (guy now)  that I babysat, Mark (Squeaker) Voorhees.  Every week I tucked the money away until there was enough to buy the Ethan Allen set.   It has been refinished twice to update the appearance.  So I think of Squeak and what a great kid he was/is.  I probably should have paid his mom to watch him since he was so easy to have around, like one of my own.

The list could go on forever and will be cherished forever.

Bringing up memories from so many family and friends from back in my teen years to the present made the day much more enjoyable than just cleaning and rearranging.  Heck, I talked to myself but not out loud.  There's a difference, right?

The day was so warm and the little bit of breeze flowed through and actually I didn't smell that burnt chicken feather odor.  We shall see when the doors and windows are shut tomorrow and the heat is on.  The bedding was hung out for a final fresh air smell.  Nothing better than cool, crisp, fresh smelling sheets for a good sleep.  In the winter depending on the temperature I like to hang sheets out.  They dry quite fast if the temperature is below freezing, almost like a freeze dried and then they dry with a natural softness.

Remember how many times we have used the butternut squash?  Yesterday I made a dessert bar with the squash.  I have also used sweet potatoes and cooked carrots when a recipe calls for pumpkin.  There really is no difference in taste, I think it all provides the moisture and the seasonings are really what we taste.

Dessert Bars:  1 cup of your choice, pumpkin, squash, mashed carrots or sweet potato.
                           Beat in 3/4 brown sugar, 1 egg, 1 stick of butter, 1 tsp vanilla (I also added 1 tsp maple flavoring),  1/2 cup buttermilk or soured milk.
                           Mix 1 1/2 cup of all purpose flour (I use garbanzo flour to avoid gluten) 1 cup quick oats, 1/2 tsp baking soda, baking powder and salt, 1 tsp cinnamon and 1/2 tsp nutmeg. You could even use pumpkin pie spice! 1 cup of chopped walnuts and 1 cup of golden raisins, add to wet ingredients, mix and pour in greased baking pan.  Bake 375 until center is done.  You can use dates, apples, cranberries, pecans, coconut.  I have used orange flavoring with cranberries, very good.

Dessert bars with a little glaze drizzled on top. There's a
memory, the baking dish my friend Tracy gave me!

Whoopie Pies for the men in my neighborhood ♡

Even making Whoopie Pies brings back a few memories.
The recipe is in this Oswayo River Telephone cookbook and of
course it reminds me of paying the telephone bill in person
 and the bonus, visit with Helen and Janet!

Remember paying the gas, electric, telephone, water and sewer every month?  The electric bill was paid at the hardware store and we even had a gas company office.  It was nice to see people and take the time to chat.  One thing electronic pay offers no conversation but is convenient.