What day is it?

What day is it?  That is the question frequently asked by one of us.  Retirement does that, everyday is the same and believe me I am not complaining.  Life is just the way we like it at Cook'n by the Creek.  The only demanding schedule is the animals in winter time.  Their alarm clock is working just perfect.  By 8 am the horses are standing at the gate looking towards the house.  I can almost hear them thinking, come on it's time for breakfast.  This morning was no exception.  They were munching away on a round bale and like an inner alarm clock went off they both left it and moved to the gate.  It's time to get the day going.  Dick is doing barn chores and I am finishing the last of my coffee.  The best part, my mind said.....time to write a blog.  I love these times when my mind and fingers connect.  What better place to be than on the couch looking out the glass doors to the view that takes my breath away, one of the nice things  about an open floor plan.  The other is if I'm in the kitchen I get to see and talk to everyone.  The not so nice thing, dishes need to be done immediately otherwise the living room and dining room get to see a messy kitchen. 

As I do a blog I can keep an eye on
the great outdoors and horses.

Snow is predicted to hit this afternoon.  We are hoping for enough to get the snowshoes out tomorrow.  January 17, 2016 and still have not had enough snow to get out and enjoy.  Today might be the day.  Dinner will be roast beef cooked in the pressure cooker which will take about 30 minutes for a 2 pound roast.  It will be fork tender with a beautiful rich juice.  I dust the roast with a little flour, salt and pepper, brown it and then pour about 4 cups of water over it.  Then throw in some onion, celery and carrots.  The vegetable will be so soft that a fork or potato masher will blend them into the juice to make it a little thicker.  If you have never used a pressure cooker please don't be afraid of them.  The pressure cooker will make cooking meats so much faster.  Who can get a roast fork tender in 30 minutes? 

Since I am on the food subject (always in the morning because I have to plan for the evening meal) I will tell you what we had yesterday.  Saturday was also a day of R & R.  Some days we just need to regroup, rest and get ready for whatever is thrown our way.  Lunch was just a plate of salami, ham, Swiss Cheese, a variety of olives, crackers and a spicy mustard.  I might have had a few pieces of chocolate too (such a sweet hound I am).  Saturday night supper was pork schnitzel, potato cakes and green beans.  The schnitzel is nothing more than pork loin pounded thin, dusted with flour, salt and pepper and fried in butter.  Now, the potato cake is a recipe that our exchange student from the Czech Republic showed me how to make 30 years ago.  Wow that doesn't seem possible. He said they are sold by street vendors in his country.  Very easy and very tasty.  The hardest part is grating the potatoes on the fine side of a grater and not grating your knuckles.  I grated about 2 cups, adding 5 TBSP flour, a little salt and pepper, 1 tsp of dried marjoram and one beaten egg.  Mix all together and drop by large spoonful into hot oil.  I used canola because my lard supply is dwindling and would rather save it for pie crust.  Fry until golden brown on both sides.  They can be topped with any sauce you like.  I'm a sour cream type and the husband likes my chipotle sauce which is spicy and sweet.  I like applesauce also but didn't get it out of the freezer in time to thaw. 

Potato cakes with sour cream,
pork schnitzel with a little
Chipotle Sauce.

Lunch for two.

Time to get on with the day, a little crocheting, cooking and watching for the storm to pull in.  Do I trust the weather forecast?  Not really, they have been wrong so many times.  It might just be easier to head out on the porch and give a sniff up the valley and down the valley like my oldest brother always said he did.  Either way that air will smell fresh and clean, nothing better than good old country air. 

The King Cake

Every year at this time I see posts from a young man that grew up in Shinglehouse.  When I worked at the Market Basket he would come in frequently running errands for his mom.  Steve's smile and wit reminds me so much of his mom, Jannie.  There are just certain people that can make your day or ruin it when working behind the register.  Jannie and Steve made the day.  Ok, so Steve makes the famous King Cake which is the start to Mardi Gras.  I have looked at his pictures and thought, I'm going to make a King Cake.  Well this year was the year.  He even gave me the link for the recipe he uses. 

The King Cake

Up bright and early this morning because the hub had an 8:30 am dentist appointment which means he leaves at 7:30 or earlier....he is always early out the door.  Me?  No, I have it figured right to the minute hoping no delays along the way.  I did the chores, I was surprised at 8 above it was not that bad.  Of course by the time I grain the horses and hens, put half the hay in their stalls, carry half out to the pasture and fill the water vessels it is enough to feel a little sweaty.  I even had time to take some pictures out back.  There was a big flock of geese making a lot of noise.  I think they were giving the leader hell for waiting around until the temperatures dropped to single digits.  Maybe they will turn around and come back by week's end.  It is suppose to be back in the 40s.  Like the stock market, what goes up must come down.  Our horses and hens are lucky, Dick has a heater in both water vessels.  It proves to be worth the extra $ on the electric bill not having to break ice 3 times a  day.  The horses drink a lot of water this time of the year.  Hay and grain is dry so they have to make up with more water intake.  During the summer the grass is full of water so they drink far less.  Either way the morning was brisk and oh so clean to smell.  I love fresh air at Cook'n by the Creek. 

Clara Creek still running but ice around
the edge.

Sun just coming up over the hill, 8 degrees.

Once the chores were finished I started the dough for the King Cake.  Not really a cake it's like a sweet bread dough made with yeast.  The dough is quite sticky once the final kneading is done.  This makes for a very light and airy finished product.  The texture is lighter than regular white bread dough.   I have a feeling it would make some nice cinnamon rolls too.  The recipe filling calls for pecans, brown sugar, flour, butter and raisins.  I like raisins but the rest of the family does not.  So like I usually do (don't follow rules) I substituted chopped dates.  I put every thing in the food mill for a couple spins and then spread it on .  The end result is great and I don't have to see noses wrinkle up and say, "raisins".

So thank you Steve West for the recipe and motivation.  Single digits and what better time to smell homemade goodness all through the house.  This afternoon we had a fresh brewed cup of Jamaican Me Crazy and a Slice of King Cake.  Let me tell ya it was worth the time!  Since it made two big loaves one was delivered to the neighbors. 

The King Cake is frosted or sugared with the colors Purple for justice, yellow for power and green for faith. The cake often has a small plastic baby (said to represent Baby Jesus) inside, or underneath; and the person who gets the piece of cake with the trinket has various privileges and obligations.



A slice for me!

 So today was Cajun or New Orleans style food.  Yesterday was homemade Mexican with beef taquitos, refried beans, seasoned rice and of course quacamole.  Did you know quacamole or sour cream can cut the heat from spicy food?  We are quacamole fans rather than sour cream.  Either way it is a fun way for a meal to add a foreign flare.

Mexican night! 

One more tip.  When a dough recipe calls for scalded and cooled milk you do not have to scald the milk if it is store bought.  Just heat it to the temperature the recipe calls for.  If you buy your milk raw and fresh from the farm then yes scald and cool it.  So many dough recipes were written long ago before pasteurized milk hit the markets.  Scalding was their way of killing bacteria.  Now ya know.

I'm looking over a four leaf clover....

There they are, 2 four leaf clovers I found while pheasant hunting with the grandkids on Tuesday, December 22, 2015.  It was a perfect day to be out in the woods and fields on the Pennsylvania Game Commission Land.  It is just over the hill from us off Whitney Creek and the valley they hunt pheasant for is called the Castle Branch.  Like everything around here it is a small valley with hills close together.  Beautiful spot to hike and hunt.  Now Oswayo Valley is the "big valley" so to speak with of course the Oswayo River running through it and  RT 44 crossing it quite a few times.  There are many little roads, black top or dirt that turn out of the big valley and lead to who knows where.  Just depends on what turn you take.  Tuesday it was Whitney Creek, Castle Branch and circle back to RT 44.  I really love my grandson, I have a muddy car to prove it.  Kamrie and I followed the guys because they had Molly the "wonder pheasant hunting dog" and no not in my car and we all wouldn't fit in the old farm truck.  I was in shock at how good the little CRV went through that muddy road of Castle Branch.  It was a baja kinda drive.    Years ago there would be no way I would have done that to my car, now it's what the hell.  Let's have fun and enjoy the day...just what we did.

Kamrie and I walked behind Dick, Kent and Molly while they were trying to find a pheasant or two.  The Game Commission does a fine job planting special crops for the animals.  They also leave windrows of tall trees and brambles for the pheasant to hide in.  Only Molly can get through them but when she finds a bird she is all point and then Kent knows what to do.  As I was slowly walking I noticed they had planted plenty of clover for the deer.  Clover, it brought back the memories of my Gramma Carrie Gross.  She was quite the lady, as to say a tough old bird.  I can remember when she would visit the farm in the summer all she had to do was walk through our lawn and end up with a small bouquet of four leaf clovers.  I swear that woman didn't even look for them and she could find them.  I would spend hours  crawling on my hands and knees and never find one.  In the last few years I have been better at spotting one, not bouquets of them.  Well of course seeing all the clover made me start looking while the guys were hunting.  It seemed like there was not going to be the lucky clover and I thought,  come on Gramma I got your white hair and build can't I at least find clovers?   Before the walk was over I had found two within a few feet of each other.  My lucky day!  First to be with my grands and husband, second to be in the great outdoors on such a beautiful day and third, I found not one but two four leaf clovers on a special December day. 

Today the cold temperatures and snow has moved in.  Just what I have been waiting for.  The rain and mud has wore very thin with my temperament.  Every time the dog goes out we have to wipe his feet.  Now the ground is frozen enough that no more mud.  At least for a few days. 

On the menu tonight is cabbage rolls and sauerkraut, green bean casserole, baked potato casserole, winter squash and apple dumplings for dessert. I am cooking the potatoes, squash and dumplings, Amber is making the rest.  The apples are from our friends John and Diane when they were visiting from NM last fall.  Their daughter lives in Buffalo and had a tree loaded with apples.  They were kind to pick them up and bring some to us.  I had put them in the freezer just waiting for a cold winter day to use them.  At first it was going to be pie and then I thought dumplings.  We had just had chicken and dumplings last week.  It is the same batter recipe only dropped over simmering apples, sugar and cinnamon.  Once they are done I sprinkled more sugar and cinnamon on top of the dumplings.  As for the potato casserole it was just thin sliced baking potatoes and a large sweet onion thinly sliced and layered in a buttered baking dish and butter drizzled on top.  I also used garlic, salt and pepper for seasoning.  Bake at 400 until lightly browned.   If you like cheese you can also sprinkle your favorite kind on to just before taking out of the oven.

Crisp potatoes and onions.

Apple dumplings just waiting for the
whipped cream!

What a beautiful brisk and snowy night to walk to the neighbors for supper.  The snow was falling gently and we do have an inch or two on the ground.  I love night time walks because all is quiet in Clara Valley.  The smell of wood smoke from a wood stove up the valley just adds to our peaceful little spot on earth.  Odd how the little things can give great pleasure.   

Sunday Dinner

Growing up on a dairy farm Sunday really was the only day my parents would take the day off.  Sometimes we would go for a ride in the 1950 Chevy to see what other farmers were up to.  A few times we would visit Kane, where my mom grew up.  There was a little snack bar (that's what hot dog and ice cream parlors were called) near Kinzua that we would stop at.  Now those trips were few, maybe only once a summer.  Other trips we would go to Sinclairville, NY to visit my dad's cousins,  Floyd and Edna, they also were dairy farmers.  I guess even today people stay in their own familiar circle of entertainment.  Mostly our Sundays were staying home while dad worked on projects that didn't require hard work.  Mom would sew, knit or set on the porch swing while she made Sunday dinner.  It was always in mid afternoon we ate, that way they could relax before night time milking.  Remember I said they took the day off.  Never was milking included in the day off.  Those cows needed milked twice a day, fed and let out to pasture.  In the winter the barn needed cleaned and fresh bedding in the stalls.  What I meant was day off from the rest of the hard work that was in the daily routine.  Of course if it was haying season or planting fields of corn and oats then no, Sunday was not a day off.  Even around Cook'n by the Creek Sunday is usually a day to relax, go visiting or take walks.  Like the big farmers we still have to be around morning and night for the horses and chickens.  What would we do without our barnyard friends.....they keep us moving.

Sunday dinner is always better to share with family or friends.  Last Sunday we were lucky to have our grandson, his friend and our granddaughter stop in to eat with us.  It was a typical "Della Sunday Dinner".  I roasted a small chicken (no, not one of my girls) that had been seasoned with salt and pepper at 400 degrees until golden brown and the juices ran clear.  After it cooled a bit I cut the breast off, legs and thighs to serve.  The rest of the carcass went into the stock pot to simmer for about 30 minutes.  Straining it and then adding chopped celery, onion, carrots and one bay leaf I cooked until vegetables were just tender.  The meat from the carcass what put back in the stock pot.  With a cup of the broth I added enough flour to make a roux to thicken the broth.  More salt, pepper, a dash of garlic powder and 1 cup of garden peas it turned into a nice vegetable gravy.  Next I made the dumpling dough which is 2 cups of flour, 4 tsp of baking powder, 1 tsp salt mixed together, then cut  in 2 TBSP of shortening (I use lard but Crisco is fine) to that mixture I add enough milk to make a loose dough that is dropped by spoonfuls (spoonfuls or spoonsful,you see my choice) into the simmering gravy.  Cover and let cook for about 20 minutes or until the dumplings are fluffy and done on the inside.  Don't take the cover off before 15 minutes to check, otherwise it will make a heavy dumpling.  Some prefer heavy dumplings but we like the light and fluffy ones.   That's it, served with the baked chicken, winter squash from the garden and cranberry sauce.

A guy's plate.

The cooked dumplings with paprika
sprinkled on top.  My mom loved to
put paprika on salads, potatoes and
dumplings, like the final touch of
goodness.

 It must have been good because chatter turned to silence as dinner was served.  I love to see people eat and enjoy the food I cook. We had a good time and lots of laughs, the young hearts give so much joy to us.  Like I said, it is much nicer to share the Sunday dinner with others.  These three visitors made my day.  It's so easy "to pass it on".

If you read an earlier post about the German Spaghetti Ice Cream I must tell you.  We made it and it was delicious and fun to share with family.  It turned out better than I ever expected and easy to make.   It was so good we will be making it again when other family and friends come to visit.


Ice cream pushed through a can with holes punched in the bottom and
 put back in the freezer for 30 minutes, then strawberry puree on top
and shaved white chocolate.

Spring Evening

As the "old timers" use to say, the swamps must be full before the ground will freeze and snow will stick.  From a ride to Amish country today the swamps are full, streams are overflowing and puddles of water everywhere.   Not to mention mud, lots of it and deep.  It wasn't hard to see how many Amish buggies were out and about in the Genesee/Ulysses area, wagon tracks on all the dirt roads.  Our car looked just as bad as the horses did all covered in mud.  Lucky the rain came down in buckets on the way home and most of the mud was washed off.  Not clean but not caked on.  It will do until the first day of no rain and we can give it a good washing. 

An Amish lady at the Amish grocery store.
Her wheels are cleaner than ours!

Since today is the official first day of winter and daylight will get longer each day I really would like.....snow.  Yes, it's true.  I am ready for the frozen ground, 8-12 inches of that white stuff and temperatures to hover around 20-30 degrees will do.  White looks so much nicer than brown this time of year for me.  As the days tick by it lessens the opportunity to get the skis and snowshoes out.  We are ready to venture in the woods and check out all the animals tracks in the snow.  That hot dog roast is also on the list of wants.  Last Saturday we took an early evening ride up Wakley Hollow.  It is a dead end road so we were the only tracks in and out on the fresh fallen snow.  I call rides like this "peace rides".  They give us peace and remind us of how much we have to be happy and thankful for.  All was quiet in the little valley just as it always is.  Coming back  we drove by our grandson's land and house, he was out enjoying the fresh air too.  Early this summer the electric company went through to cut trees and brush from their power lines.  They do not clean up the mess, that is the landowners job.  Kirk was doing just that and pretty much had the job done.  Hard to believe our first grandchild has grown to a 27 year old man. 

Wakley Hollow



Snow still falling but it doesn't stop
the work to be done.

Tonight I did the chores while the husband went to the Oswayo Valley Varsity Basketball game.  The chickens were having a tough time deciding if they really wanted to go in the hen house.  After all it was warm, the ground is not frozen and I'm sure bugs and worms are plentiful.  They finally did with a little clucking from me and throwing some cracked corn on the barn floor.  Who can turn down free food?  While waiting for the hens to decide it was dark enough to go to roost I noticed the moon, almost full by not quite, that will be on Christmas.  I read it will be the first full moon on Christmas since 1977.  What were you doing in 1977?  Our kids were 1, 7, and 9 years old, you know the best time for celebrating Christmas.  Kids to make the day.  That trip to the barn is my clear my mind time.  It's give Cheryl a pep talk and hopefully she listens.

Tonight it was like a "spring evening".  Clara Creek was raging full with milky water that looks like the snow run off in spring.  I hope what I noticed on the hills was not what I thought it was.  The maple trees had a lot of red on the branches!  Though it wouldn't shock me if they are confused and start to bud.  Of course my first thought is it better not mess up Maple Syrup season.

Speaking of Christmas....remember it is what you make of it. There is no guarantee it will be a happy time for many. The last couple weeks have been with joy and sadness at Cook'n by the Creek.  The joy, our new granddaughter, Sloan Annabelle Bryant, she's a beauty. The sadness is the passing of our dear friend and then of our cousin's son.   Not all can be together during the holidays but like I tell myself (talking to myself always!)  healthy, loved and safe is what is important. 



Simply Shinglehouse

 Simply Shinglehouse is exactly how I think of the town I grew up in.  It holds so many wonderful memories of people and times.  Even if I didn't personally know the people or experience the happening, stories have brought them to me to keep in my memory.  Thanks to everyone that will "Pass On" a memory to others.

One of my favorite pastimes is listening to stories about our area when someone is refreshing their memory of years ago.  For instance a while back (which means days, weeks or month) our friends Ron and Marcia were here.  One thing we can count on is going back to our childhood when we are around folks our age that lived in Oswayo Valley.  That get together was no exception.  One thing I learned last night........there was a bowling alley on Second St. and from what I gather it was where the saw mill use to be.  It was a huge brick building and I don't know what it was before the saw mill.  Ron remembered Dick was a pin setter.  I didn't even know that and didn't realize the bowling alley was there.  Of course I was a country kid.  I only remember the bowling alley that is still on Academy St. and owned by Ross and Ellen Jones now.  Years ago Durwood Van Epps owned it.  Never was a bowler and the few times I tried it was more frustrating than fun, that ball never went the same way twice.  Truthfully I am not athletic at all so spectator is my best sport.

It is fun "looking back" and remembering something that has been tucked way back in our memory files.  Once a "remember when" is brought up everyone starts remembering and giving their input on how it was.  Usually the first" remember when" ends up being  quite a few, one thing leads to another memory etc. 

There is a page on Face Book called "Shinglehouse Remember When".  Like myself many are enjoying the pictures posted by Chris Hobson, from Shinglehouse and Lanny Lunn from Port Allegany.  The pictures are wonderful and very clear to view.  It's hard to believe so long ago our little town along with Millport, Coneville, Oswayo and Ceres were bustling with factories, trolleys, trains, hotels and mills.  What happened?  I have not a clue other than every tree was cut from our hills and forests.  Maybe that was the start of the end for the bustling towns.  Gone are the factories such as the glass and bottle plant in Shinglehouse and hotels.  I'm sure the story is printed somewhere.

These small towns are now no more than a drive through on our way to bigger towns.  Shinglehouse is the only one with a grocery store, drugstore, 2 gas stations, 2 doctor's offices and school. Wouldn't it be fun to slip back in time a see what it was really like?  I'm sure it was not easy living then but the people probably thought it was so much easier that their parents had.  I know from my mom's stories of growing up I can't imagine living through the Great Depression, WWI and WWII.  Her father fled Germany in the early 1900s.   Where I am today is quite satisfying.

Friday was fish fry.  We like beer battered the best and usually we have fish every Friday night right at Cook'n by the Creek.  It's an easy batter to make, 1 cup flour, 1 egg, salt, pepper and enough beer to make a batter about the consistency of paint.  Make sure the fish is rinsed and patted dry before dipping in the batter.  Fry in hot grease about 2 inches deep until golden brown on both sides. Lard or grape seed oil it my pick for frying and Icelandic Haddock is our choice unless we are lucky enough to have fresh Walleye from our Canadian friend.  Dick makes the tartar sauce which is mayonnaise, relish, horseradish and a couple squirts of chipotle red hot sauce.  So good, I even dip my French fries in it.  That's it, fish and chips.  Well, there was something else but that was much later, Perry's Ice Cream.  For some reason ice cream tastes better on cold days than warm days for us.  Maybe it is because it gets dark so darn early in the winter we think of food more.  Either way about once a month we buy ice cream and tonight is the night and the flavor is......Bittersweet Coffee!

Saturday morning we decided to go to the Oswayo Valley Elementary School for Candy Cane Lane.  There were 32 vendors set up and some great smelling food cooking too!  The best part for me was some hello hugs from friends that I grew up with, worked with or friends of my family.  It was wonderful seeing so many memories in one room.  Thanks, Shirley Burrell, Sue Phillips, Nicky Howard, Mary Blanchard, Mary Kay Torrey and Colleen Hyde,  it was great chatting with you all.  I just had to use Shirley and Sue's maiden names.  Makes me smile to remember the memories we have shared.  That's the joy of growing up in our "little valley".  At that time years ago we knew everyone.  I don't think there was a house on any given street that we didn't know.  As a matter of fact I'm sure if I went up every street I could remember just about everyone that lived in each house.  Not so now, I see people downtown and wonder, who is that? 

  I was surprised and very happy to see husbands at the Candy Cane Lane, they gave my husband someone to talk to while I went solo looking at all the displays of the vendors.  Shauna Jandrew Maxson and Olivia Jandrew had some awesome crocheted and knit items.  If you are in for a specialty hat that is now in such demand give them a call.  From what I see there is nothing they can't make!  Adorable hats for little to big kids, the scarves that are knit by using your arm are gorgeous with beautiful large button to give them the "wow" and other items too.  It is wonderful to see young girls doing such a nice job and something they will always be able to pass on to others.  I only wish I would have taken my camera!

Speaking of "Passing it On"  our grandson Kent just stopped in to take his Gramps hunting.  There's that full circle.  Dick was the one to take Kent hunting and trapping when he was young and now he is the one to take Gramps hunting.  Nothing puts a bigger smile on our face and love in our heart than the grandkids.  Here is a picture of Kent and Dick way back in 2000 heading out for a day of hunting.

Like we all say, "where as the time
gone?"  Seems like just a blink ago our
kids were this little.

Spaghetti Ice Cream and Expectations

Over Christmas I am going to make a dessert we had in Germany of April, 1989.  Spaghetti Ice Cream (because I will work out double that day, and if you believe that I have some "Ocean Front Property in Arizona"). That's a song that will stick in my mind for the day!  Ok, the Spaghetti Ice Cream "how to" was posted by a German Gal that lived across from us in Shinglehouse long ago.  We had the opportunity to get to know her, her family and meet her mom when she visited from Germany.   Birgit posted how to make the famous Spaghetti Ice Cream which is not noodles but made to look like them. I am one happy gramma to share this with the grands.  It is delicious and just down right fun to eat.  Presentation is 99% of any foods desire to eat as far as I'm concerned.  Here is the video on how to, you might even enjoy making it on a special day.  Birgit reminded me, don't forge to put a mound of whip cream on the plate first, it makes it so much better.  Of course it would, I love German desserts!

 

 The Wellness Center (weights and treadmill) is a very odd place to let the mind roll to blogging.  Proves no matter where I am this mind keeps rolling. While I was getting to the 2 mile mark it made me think of   "expectations" on how far I wanted to walk and my goal for the lift routine.  Expectations, we all have them and probably had them from the minute we were able to "want". 

In a young teenager there are few expectations but many wants.  Making first string on a sport team, being picked for a solo in chorus, painting a beautiful picture, getting a trophy buck, passing a driver's test, having a girl friend or boy friend, etc.  Then as we leave high school want usually turns to expectations.  Parents have great expectations for their kids, kids desire the same.  Remember though, it requires work and dedication to achieve that goal.  Sometimes that is not enough, so when the expectation is not reached but you have achieved a satisfying wrung on the ladder, are you able to accept that as success or failure?  Success is accepting and not blaming others or a circumstance for not reaching the great expectation.  Most parents, me being one are more than satisfied with our children and what we expected them to achieve.  Love, happiness. able to take care of their wife/husband and children and being able to "Pass it On" to their family.  That is the greatest expectation I could want for them.

Ok, so now I have been a little serious on that tread mill.  The music I had blasting in my ears suddenly turned "toe tap'n" fast.  Time to get moving  and actually got a little silly thinking of all the sweat running off my hair and down my back, it is not a glamorous time.  My expectations, let's see.  One, don't let the gal beside me go faster (20ish or 60ish) I will not let them out walk me for time.  Unless the sweet little thing puts on a full fledged run for an hour or even 10 minutes, then she is on her own.   Slyly looking out the corner of my eye at there distance and time to make sure, yes I am still faster. This is ridiculous Cheryl, you are here for yourself, not to out do the gal next to you.  I kept trying to figure out what my expectation of time would be.  2 miles in 30 minutes, yes that will do and I am having a good day.  Some days are like being tortured on that treadmill, there is no song with enough toe tap'n to motivate on those days.  One thing I learned last week, (still have a lot to learn remember) if I deadlift, press and squat first it makes the tread mill time much better.  I guess because lifting makes me warm up and sweat much faster thus not so long to get it moving on the treadmill.  I hate my expectations because I am not good when I don't meet them...I can give advice, I just can't take it...blahhhhhh

Well, here's the final time including a 5 minute warm-up and 5 minute cool-down.

No, I did not meet my expectation,
no excuses, just didn't!

  Normally I would never take a selfie especially the way I look at the end of my work-out expectation but this will be a therapy session.  The only place I will go without make-up on, hair done and matching clothes is the Wellness Center.  The first few times 14 years ago I went all "fixed up", by the end of 90 minutes make-up was running down my face with sweaty clothes and hair.  No thanks, cleaning up once a day is enough.  Plus that make-up made my eyes burn which made me look like I had been crying or on a 2 day drunk. 

   Nasty, sweaty and red faced but
 feel'n good!

Let's go back to adult (older) expectations.  Seriously outside of the gym I have no expectations and it feels great!  That is what happens after retirement, full circle.  Young life, none. Older life, none.  In between a kazillion mind boggling expectations.  Some important, most not.  Remember the saying, "if I knew then what I know now".  For me that would have been grand, it could have kept me out of some not so fun situations.  "It is what it is"...I like that saying and find I use it quite often these days, it is what it is.  Nice ring to it. 

He Walked on Water

The old saying, Snow will not stick until the swamps are full and have frozen.  From the rain we have had lately and the rain for the past few days the swamps are full!  The National Weather forecast says the NE is looking pretty good for mild winter weather.  Of course they are predicting a not so good chance of a white Christmas.  Either way Christmas will come and go, snow or no.  Cross Country Skiing and Snow Shoeing are our favorite pastimes along with those winter woods hot dog roasts.  I am also enjoying these 40 plus degree days.  December 21st will be the shortest daylight day of the year, Winter Solstice.  Then the days will slowly gain more daylight and my hens will start giving more eggs.  By this time of the year they have slowed down, 12 hens 3-4 eggs a day.  I am much more careful on what I bake and plan in the days ahead.  Lucky this year the 14 Australorp pullets have started laying in the past 2 weeks.  They have given us the so called Pullet eggs which are the pick of many farm families.  Tiny egg with that beautiful dark orange yolk.  In about 2-4 weeks their eggs will be hen size.  Being their first year they will lay regularly for us.  Soon our family will be getting eggs to enjoy too.  Right now, well I am hoarding eggs.  This is our first go around at Australorps, we like them.  They are a very friendly breed, heavy bodied and good layers.  Our son Beau, had them a few years ago so we knew a little about them.  Actually a fox raided his pen one night and killed all but one of his hens.  We happened to be there a few days later.  That hen was so traumatized she would not get off their kitchen window sill.  Day and night she sat there not daring to go in her coop.  What to do?  Bring her back to the farm.  The 6 hour trip with a hen, now that's funny.  The dogs didn't mind sharing the back with her.  We called her "Princess Queen" and here she lived at Cook'n by the Creek until her natural death.  Sound a little crazy do I, could be.  We always call the chickens mine, the horses his. 

When our daughter Amber, moved to
Clara she was the one with chickens.
Many years ago she gave me her egg
gathering bucket, I still use it.

 

This morning as we sat enjoying morning coffee looking at the Christmas tree  Dick made the remark, "we sure have peaceful mornings around here."  I think he had that same feeling I did yesterday.  Now the best part he was what he said next,  "I'm going to buy more Austrolorp hens next spring".  My kinda guy!  You can never have too many hens.  There will be eggs sold and given away, after all we are not in it for the $, we enjoy setting and watching the chickens peck during the warmer evenings.  We have a birds eye view from our table and kitchen window to keep an eye on them throughout the day.  We let our chickens free range, this makes the yolk that beautiful rich orange and I would like to think make my hens "Happy Hens." Kind of like the Happy Cows from California commercial.  I have a hard time seeing animals confined to small spaces.  I don't like so many laws but I would like to see one that  gives large animals the right to 1 acre of pasture per animal and a place to get out of the heat, cold, snow or rain.

A hen egg on the left and a Pullet egg
on the right.  Kitchen towel a gift
from my friend Tomi.

Our beautiful Australorps, in the
sunlight they shimmer iridescent colors.

The song I have posted is a  Randy Travis song from 26 years ago, " He Walked On Water." It is about a Grandfather that would set in the shade and watch the chickens peck.  This could have been written about my brother Bob, he would do the same and so many of the lyrics pertain to his life.  Writing on this quiet, peaceful morning and talking of chickens brought Bob and our son back to my thoughts.  I have such a wondering mind!  The first time we heard this song was standing on an Army Base in Stuttgart, Germany where Bart was stationed.  Bob had passed away 4 years prior.  Bart asked, "mom have you heard Randy Travis's new song?"  I hadn't.  We listened to it with tears spitting out. Yes our family thought that "He Walked on Water".  Here's to you dear brother and all the wonderful memories you gave our family.  The most important lesson we learned from Bob, the love of family and watching the chickens peck.  All of  our kids have owned chickens at one time in their adult life.  We "Passed it On"  from my mom, to her kids to mine.  I'm proud of that!   Living in Clara has been a dream come true.  Our 3 kids grew up visiting their Uncle Bob and Aunt Bev just about every weekend.  Since we lived in the city (Shinglehouse, population about 800, smile) Clara visits gave them the country dirt road life that I believe everyone should experience.  They would fish and play in Clara Creek, hunt the hills, take hikes, ride dirt bike and bikes, play with cousins and enjoy the kids that lived in Clara. 

Maybe, just maybe I figured out how to post from YouTube...maybe.  My computer skills are next to none and I am often amazed at what I learn.  Life is a learning experience for me everyday, from animals, cooking, life, you name it I have so much to learn.  If the video does not work you can go to YouTube and search it.  It really is a wonderful song.  I'm sure most families have that one person that held their family close and together.

Take a few minutes to set, relax and think of someone that has made you happy in your lifetime.  There are sad times but without them there could not have been the good times.  Don't forget to "pass on" those memories to the younger members of your family.  It is how they learn where their roots all began.

SIDELINES

After complaining about my early morning wake-up call yesterday I feel a little guilty.  I was up at 5:30 am with no wake-up call.  Fresh Jamaican Me Crazy waiting in the pot for me and the smell of pine from our tree and still dark out.  Here I sit by the tree taking in deep breaths and deep thoughts with only the soft white lights from the tree lighting the way.  Can you remember being a young child and looking at the family Christmas tree?  I can, it was always beautiful in my mind but at that time presents were more thought of than the actual love of the moment.  Now it is the beauty of life, our children, grandchildren, friends or seeing nature at it's finest.  It doesn't matter now if the day brings rain, cold, snow or sunshine it is a day to take in and enjoy.

All the goodies my mom would make for the holidays are probably second in my thoughts this morning.  Della always had fresh tangerines and apples in a big bowl on the counter.  The apples she  rubbed with butter to make them shine.  It makes me grin that I remember that small gesture, it was a very important part of her Christmas preparation.  Then there was a bowl of mixed nuts still in the shells with a smaller empty bowl and a nut cracker set in it to be used for the shells.   Do people still buy nuts in the shell?  I haven't in a long, long time.  Now it is easier to pay $7-9 a pound all salted (not good for our health) or even funky (now there's a word from the past) types of flavorings added.  Through the years we have taken healthy foods and made them not healthy.  Like the nuts, the apple has been pied, caked, drizzled in caramel, a banana has been fostered, peanut buttered, frozen and dipped in chocolate, you name it we can sugar up just about anything.  Several recipes I see take a great pumpkin pie and add cream cheese, caramel or whatever else to give it the wow factor.  A plain piece of pumpkin pie is still my pick and delicious.  How about recipes adding chopped up candy bars to cakes, cookies and pies?  Simple will always be just fine for me. 

It's been an odd year (weather wise) at Cook'n by the Creek.  Wind has been relentless and frequent.  One night a few weeks ago it was so bad I went out in the morning to see if we still had shingles and siding.  Bradley Run/Clara Valley Rd and Moffit Valley Rd come together just above our house.  Once the winds combine from the two valleys it heads our way making for strong winds.  We are open to the valley for winds from each direction.  Setting low between the ridge of the hills acts as a vacuum.  Nice in the summer when the temperatures and humidity move in but during the cold winter months it is not nice.   This crazy weather is tending to make a mess for the hunters.  Yesterday was cold with a hard frost in the morning.  As I looked out across the pasture and to the hill side where Larry and Dick were it gave me a shiver.  I know what it is like to set on the cold, dark side of the valley so early in the morning.  This time of year the sun doesn't hit there until late afternoon and by the time it melts the frost the sun is almost ready to set for the night.  Spring Gobbler is a little kinder to the hunter, the sun rises farther down the valley which brings it's warmth to the hill about 9 am.  I remember setting there watching the warm sun slowly creep my way, thinking soon I will get warm.  The funny part, once it melts the frost on the trees it feels like raining falling on me.   You have to love hunting to face the elements of nature.

You can see the frost line in the field.
 It's cold on that hill, 22 degrees
 this morning.

So you are probably wondering what Sidelines means.  It is a sub/pizza parlor that opened this summer in Bolivar, NY.  Shawn and Davina Evingham are the owners.  Davina is the heartbeat of the business and a great cook too.  She is doing it up right with fresh food, homemade dressings, sauces, soups, etc.  Today was our second time for lunch and like the first time all was delicious.  Dick was on a mission to get onion rings, they are the biggest, crispiest and best onion ring he has ever had.  In  no time short he told Davina just that!  He also had the special, homemade veg. beef soup and a tossed salad which had tomatoes, onions, cukes, chi chi beans and homemade croutons in it and of course homemade ranch dressing, there was even a nice slice of cornbread on the side.  I had the same as the last time (that is how good it was), boneless chicken wings with Mango Habanero Sauce and fresh cut French Fries. Now I am going to say with all honesty the food is 5 star, more like an upscale restaurant.  The establishment is neat, very clean and well decorated with sports memorabilia from Bolivar, Richburg and the combined Bolivar/Richburg Sports Teams.  I have promised next time I will try the pizza, especially when Davina told me the sauce is made in house.  So, if you are visiting the area give Sidelines and try, go hungry because I promise you will get plenty of good food and not go away hungry.  We have known Shawn since he was a little guy, our kids grew up together as we did with Shawn's parents.   Our kids played with the Evingham kids and played against them in school sports.  We have watched our kids and their kids marry and have kids of their own.  Life is good living in our area to see families grow.  Best wishes to Sidelines for a prosperous future.

All of this for $21, well worth the drive to Bolivar.  We were in Olean and knew where to go for a
 GREAT MEAL.

So Darn Close!

For 48 years I have waited for this morning.  Last night it was looking like it was going to happen.  After the "Hunter's Supper" and setting around story telling Dick was getting his "stuff" together.  I was getting quite excited asking him, "did ya pack this, did ya remember that, how about fresh batteries in the walkie talkie and maybe you should get the coffee ready to be brewed in the morning when you get up." I bet my voice is quite annoying at times!  Seriously I could not think of one more thing he might have to wake me up at 5 am for.  I was grinning like a Cheshire Cat, "old saying from way back when."  I remember mom saying when she would ask me something, "why are you grinning like a Cheshire Cat?"  It was a sure sign she was not being fooled.  Ok, so last night I had the "grin on", I was going to sleep until I woke on my own.  It was something I have tried to do for all the years we have been married.  Men are very needy at times and opening day of turkey and deer is the most needy days for my husband. When the kids were young and went hunting I couldn't sleep in.  I had to warn their father, keep a close watch on them and you better not let anything happen to them.  Now the night before I always say, be careful and don't wake me up! 

It is exactly 5:45 am and I DID NOT WAKE UP ON MY OWN.....Yes, I am yelling!  It was so darn close!  The hunter had it all in order, everything packed, gun and clothes waiting in a neat pile.  Then a mild and meek little voice (which is a give-a-way he is needy) woke me. " Cheryl, you wouldn't want to sew my suspenders would you?"  I groaned thinking, this can not be happening....but it was.  Why, does he plan on leaving one thing for me to do in the morning?  My answer was, "NOW?"  Good God Almighty I knew he meant now, I just wanted to let him know I was not happy.  Not that it mattered either way.  He knows I am not "Susie Sunshine" when I get woke up.  They are fixed and I am dealing the only way I can, SHOP!  Good morning LL Bean.  A few gifts bought which is probably a good thing.

As much as I bitch and complain cookies are in the oven for the hunters.  Today I made Oatmeal Drop Cookies.  This is only the second time I have made them, last week and today.  That is how good they are.  If you like Molasses cookies and Oatmeal this is the cookie for you.

Recipe: preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Beat together
              1/2 cup shortening, I use coconut oil
              1- 1/4 cups of sugar
              2 eggs
              1/3 cup dark molasses
Sift together
               1-3/4 cup flour
               1 tsp soda
               1 tsp salt
               1 tsp cinnamon
add to first mixture until well blended (do not over  beat)
Stir in
               2 cups old fashioned oatmeal
               1 cup flaked unsweetened coconut
               1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
               1 cup of raisins ( I don't add them)
Drop by spoonful onto parchment paper and bake 8-10 minutes.  The center will be a little soft if you want a chewy cookie, if you like them crisp have the center completely done.  If you have never used parchment paper for baking it's a must to try.  Nothing sticks to the paper and clean-up is nothing.  I even roast sticky wings and baked potato wedges on parchment paper, I'm hooked!
        
We put the tree up yesterday.  The house has the wonderful smell of pine.  If you live near and need a "real tree"  stop by Renee White's, My Serenity Shop.  She has a lot of trees and I believe they are Frasier and White Pine types.  I thought one type was Blue Spruce but was told (by my husband) no that is not a Blue Spruce.  Ok, fine I really didn't care what kind it was, I liked it very much!  Of course he pointed to the 4-5 ft trees and I headed to the 8 ft + ones.   Renee's husband had a chuckle listening to Dick and I debating and not agreeing, 48 years and we still are debatable, and they said it wouldn't last!  That's where stubborn helps.  We bought the 8ft for $20.  Now to decide how to decorate it, I hate covering such a beautiful tree with too much.

Sweet Serenity with a snowman I
bought in her mama's shop.  Love
her leggings and skirt.

 

Larry and Dick, all they got was back.
No buck today.

The Hunter's Supper

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

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

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



Gramps and his grandson, Kent.

Dick, Kent, Ricky and Larry.

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

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

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

Weekends

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The First Cool Day

Buttermilk pancakes, fresh side pork and orange juice.

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

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

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

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

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