Sunday, November 16, 2014

Sunday Again

Hello All!

Wouldn't you think that, as I am retired, a Sunday wouldn't be much different than any other day of the week.  But it is, for me.  Maybe because I have made it that way, in the Fall anyway.   For one thing,  football is back, and Sundays are for football.  We  rarely go anywhere on a Sunday in the Fall.  Because, besides football, I do a lot of cooking on Sundays, I like to curl up and crochet, and we like to eat whatever it is I may have cooked.

Soooo,  I get up in the morning, make a nice pot of tea,  fix one of my favorite breakfasts, and curl up on my little red love seat.  And so, my Sunday starts.   Hubby sleeps late, so I spend the morning cooking, or relaxing, or crocheting while watching NFL Countdown on ESPN.   I enjoy learning about the players and plays of football.  I' m no expert, tho.  Don't want to be.  I just want to enjoy it.

So, what shall I cook today?  We have some leftovers to finish up.  You know how that is.  I made potato and leek soup a few days ago, and then spaghetti, so we must eat that up.  But I think I will make some chocolate chip cookies, and apple turnovers.  So just desserts today, I guess.  Hubby is craving his goodies.  He loves goodies.


Started a new cowl for granddaughter E., and STILL haven't finished the purple afghan for granddaughter A.   I think some of you can relate to that.  And, I have noticed a few other projects I still haven't finished. I need to get going.  Just haven't had the ambition to get things finished.  But I am inspired by other bloggers who go thru the same thing,  but eventually get things done. 

Finally, I must show you my kitties.  They are getting so big!  
They are sooooooo cute and I have had so much fun with them.  They are a blessing!!!   Bo has found a new place to relax and sleep.


He is one big kitty!  And they have such different personalities that makes for unending enjoyment.  Love them.  

Lastly, I am missing New England, and spend a bit of time wishing I was there to drive thru the Berkshires, or Vermont, and see the colors, which are pretty much finished by now, but nonetheless, my memories of Fall in New England are never far from my mind.  
So beautiful.  Words cannot describe.  

Well, see you another time, which will be .......... Later................JO

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Melancholy

Hello All!

I can't sleep tonite, and I am lying here with so much going thru my head.  I don't know what it is, but Autumn always makes me melancholy, remembering faces, moments, Autumn colors in Vermont, old ways, country roads, etc.  I made applesauce tonite, and it reminded me of when my Mom did the same, and when I made it with my children.   With Thanksgiving coming upon us, I am remembering Thanksgivings with my brothers and sisters and parents in the big old house in Massachusetts.

We were ten children, Mom & Dad, and sometimes my Grandmother, or an Aunt and her son.  I don't remember times when all ten of us children were there at the same time.  My memory starts more when the older boys were in the Air Force and away most of the time, and most of the younger ones at home.  I don't know how my Mother did it all, taking care of so many, cooking and doing laundry for so many.   But she did, and she did it with love for us children, especially.

It was a very large house, with many bedrooms, a large kitchen and living room, a fireplace, and two large porches, which my Father added long after we bought the house.  I loved the kitchen most of all.  Dad had made a table out of a door, as we needed something very large to accommodate everyone at meals.   And I remember everyone at that table, especially at holidays, with the boys teasing one another, and we girls helping Mom put the food out.  I remember especially the pies!  Mom made so many pies!  And all kinds.  Apple, of course, several, pumpkin, mince meat, apricot, berry,  and of course, they didn't last long.  Dad loved pie, as did all of us.  I learned to make pies from my Mom, of course, but could never seem to duplicate hers.  I think it was the love she put in.

I remember summers there.  The huge garden Dad and the boys made.  The tomatoes, cukes, radishes, corn, green beans, peas, and everything else you can think of.  We all had to work in the

garden, but oh, the wonderful tastes that came out of it.   Corn, for this family, was several dozen at
one time.  And you had to eat it fast, if you wanted to have more than one.  I could never keep up with the boys.  Corn has never tasted the same as in those days, with salt and pepper, and butter dripping off.   Later, a bunch of us would pile in the old station wagon,  (the kind with the wood on the sides), and we would go to get ice cream.  I didn't like ice cream all that much, so I would want a hot dog!  My favorite!  We didn't have bikes, but we could walk anywhere in the country, so we would go to the pond, or into the woods, or sit on the log that Dad felled across the brook.  Or just play on the lawn, under the big oak trees.   And then, after a long Winter, in the Spring, we would make maple syrup right out in the back yard, over a big fire, from the maple trees we had.

So many memories.   They are wonderful to think about.  But it is 3:00 a.m., and I should get some sleep.   The memories have given me contentment, so I should be able to nod off soon.

See you..........Later........ JO

Afterthought:  Finally fell asleep around four a.m., and arose at ten-thirty, and am sitting reading an old Gladys Taber favorite, (Stillmeadow Seasons), and found this sentence.

"How many journeys the mind makes -- and how wonderful that it may do so!"     Gladys Taber


Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Beef Stew

Hello All!

And welcome to all of my followers out there.  It is so nice to see all of your blogs, and happenings too!  You are so creative and fun, and lovely.  I am so glad I found this blogging world, because I get to see so much that I would otherwise not have access to.  Others' crocheting, cooking, decorating and nature!  I love all the photos of nature that I see from different parts of the country and of the world!

As I may have intimated in previous posts, I am a caregiver for my husband, and so I don't get out very far from home, or where I would see more of nature.  No garden, as I just don't have the time or patience for it anymore, but I miss it terribly.  It was such a wonderful way to rid myself of stress, and to get so much satisfaction from.  Now, I must content myself with an occasional ride out into the country, and using crochet and blogging as my outlets.   Once in awhile I talk hubby into a long ride for the day, and I enjoy it to the hilt!!

Anyway, I spend a lot of my time cooking, as I still can enjoy that, and I get so many ideas from blogs, and Pinterest.   Yesterday, I used a recipe from The Pioneer Woman blog.  Beef stew.  I haven't made stew in a long time.  My Mom used to make stew a lot when I was a child, as I was one of ten, and stew went a long ways to feed that bunch!  But she didn't use much for herbs and spices, so I like to try new recipes.  This one was a keeper.   We had my brother over to watch the football game, and he loved the stew.   And the homemade biscuits, also from Ree's site.  You can find her recipes on her Pinterest board, too.  

Check out my Pinterest boards, if you like,  as I think I have some interesting things there.  But very homey, as that is Me!   I like the home crafts of cooking, homemaking, and making things yourself.  I am an old-fashioned girl, I guess.   So here is my beef stew.
You would think that at 70 years young, I would have perfected my recipes, but no, I haven't.  I am always finding new ways to do things.  Aren't we all?  That is the way of things.  That is progress.  That is how we grow.  I love it.  I love the old ways, but I like add new ways to the old ways, if that makes sense!  

In other news, my grandson has a new job, which I pray will lead him to find new things, too!  Good luck, my sweet.  

I am already thinking out and planning Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday of the year, which we will, as usual, host.  

So, I am busy as I can be and I will talk to you all...............Later........JO

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Reminiscing!

I was reminiscing this morning.  Even tho it rained overnight, it warmed up and the sun came out during the day.  And my love of Fall carries through anyway.  The air is really changing, as are the temperatures, and it was bringing fond memories of our life in Vermont

Vermont is a special place to live.  Most of it is pure country;  farms, land, barns, pies, trees, cows, horses,  and GREEN!  It is The Green Mountain State, after all.  I am an old fashioned girl, and I love the old fashioned things.  We went to Pond Parties, where everyone would come , sit around the pond, with a huge bonfire going, someone strumming a guitar, with many different kinds of food, and people.  It was such fun, but of course, we were much younger then.  I was under forty when we lived  there.  What would it be like to be forty again.  There was so much I could do that I cannot do now.   I had so much more energy.  I used to bring in wood for the wood stove, milk a cow, make butter, and buttermilk, clean out stalls in the barn, shovel snow, run errands, etc., etc.  like most of you younger bloggers do now.  I read your blogs and I am amazed at how much you do.  Teaching crafts, homeschooling,  and all the usual household chores, plus, plus, plus.  I wish I had some of that energy back, but at the same time I am proud of what I do get done for my age, (70),  and still find time to do things for myself.  I am a caregiver for my husband, and because he is disabled all of the household chores are mine to take care of.  My grandson does help when he can (he vacuumed the house, and mopped the bare floors today),  but I get very tired.

Getting back to life in Vermont.  The nearest town for major shopping, drs., dentists, etc., was about 22 miles away, and I loved that ride every time I took it.  My mother-in-law lived with us, and she usually went to town with me, and we would take in lunch, or a coffee and pie somewhere, and do our shopping etc., then  head back home.   She always saw something new on the ride, that she would point out to me.  We saw the ski mountains, the farms, country stores, ponds, and  the people.  Sometimes, we would stop and say hello to a neighbor, or the school bus driver, or a farmer.  It was a
wonderful life.  We didn't even mind the snow.  We had two dogs, and I would take them up into the woods for walks while the kids were in school.   My husband worked as a tool designer for a
company on the border of Canada, and when he got home, he was right outside chopping wood, or working in the barn until dinner was ready.  We weren't full fledged farmers, but we did what we could, and enjoyed it.

And Fall in Vermont was the BEST SEASON!   We would go every weekend for a picnic on the side of the road somewhere, or just for a ride to see the colors, or to visit with neighbors.   It was our favorite time of the year.  Wood smoke, changing colors,  wild animals, such as deer, fox, coy dogs, (half dog, half coyote).   I miss those days, but I am so grateful that I had them.  It was the kind of life   we wanted to live, and we were so fortunate and blessed to be able to do it for six years.

Now I enjoy Fall here in Arizona, which is very different, but nonetheless the best season of all.

Enjoy your Fall as much as you can, whether you are here in Arizona, or in the Northeast, where snow will come before you know it,  or wherever you are.  

Thanks for visiting, and I will talk to you........Later........JO

Monday, October 6, 2014

What Is It??!

Hello all!

Is it something in the air?  The weather is changing, and so the air is changing, and I respond to it!  I don't know what it is, but the air smells so fresh and feels so cool, (mornings and evenings),  but there  must be something else.   When Fall arrives, I want to get up earlier, to enjoy the cool air, and sit out on my patio, read or crochet, listen to music, etc.  but it is like there is something subliminal in the air, urging me on, putting ideas into my head.  I can't seem to fit enough into the day.  No other season does that to me, not even Spring.  I love Fall even more here in Arizona, because we are coming off a long, hot summer, and the change is so welcome!!

So can you tell I LOVE LOVE LOVE Fall???!   Yesterday was Sunday, so there were corn cakes for breakfast,  oatmeal raisin cookies for hubby, football all day, and at night, crocheting, and meatloaf, mashed potatoes, applesauce, and collard greens for supper.   Gooooood day!
I am making a couple of  pumpkin garlands for gifts for my daughter and daughter in law, from a pattern on Pinterest, from KarenWiederhold.blogspot.com.  I love this pattern.  And I need to make one for myself, too, as I gave away all the ones I made last year.  
And Bo is enjoying my yarn projects, too!  He and Johnny have grown so much, and have found new spots to relax, sleep, and watch out the window.  They are such a joy!  

Now, I need to talk my hubby into going for another long drive up North to see how much color there is.    Maybe I can take a few photos so I can savor the scenes I see.   Wish me luck.  

Later..........JO


Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Is Fall On The Way??

Hello All!

Yes, Fall must be on the way, as I notice I want to cook more, clean more, and definitely want to start crocheting more.  I don't do as much of any of those in the summer months, cause it is is just too darn hot!    But yes, this morning I decided to make a berry pie, spaghetti and meatballs, and strawberry banana muffins.   The muffins just came out of the oven, mmmmmmm!, and the pie just went in.  Now I am pooped for awhile (I don't have a lot of stamina anymore), so I will write a little blog.

Anyway, I will also have some iced tea and a muffin in a few minutes.   In the meantime, I will look up some more recipes, do some wash, and start putting together my grandaughter's afghan, finally!   I am not even sure I have enough squares for it yet, so I will lay it out, and see where I am at, since I haven't touched it in months.

So, a very exciting thing happened to me on my visit to Massachusetts in August to see my daughter. It was my birthday in August, while I was there, and she had planned a surprise birthday party for me!  Now, you may not believe it, but I don't remember ever having a birthday party in my life, so this was a very big thing to me!  And I was surprised!!  I don't know how she got it done, but she did.  She had a lot of help from many of my friends, and family.  It was a lovely Sunday afternoon, and I thought we were just going for a cookout at a very good friend's home.  I know it was one of the best days of my life, as I love getting together with people, and I have so little time when I am there.  You know how it is, you want to see everyone, but there just isn't enough time.  But on this day, so many people that I love were there.  About 30, I guess.  Here are a couple of photos.
 My



Special,

 beautiful daughter.


Hosts, 



and
 best friends. 


Little sister


.




Yummy
,



 beautiful cake.  
Oh, what a day!  My 70th birthday, celebrated well!  It was a day I will remember fondly, forever.  

That 
was fun, telling
 you 
all about my special day.  But back to today.   These are the strawberry banana muffins I made this morning.   And here is my recipe.  Simple.  
Hope 

you can read that, as I am too lazy to write it out.  Thanks for understanding.  xxoo

 I used two ripe bananas, small, this morning, as that is what I had.  I just added a little more cream, and bis quick.  But I have made them many times, and they are soft, and delicious.  Actually, also, I added about a half teaspoon strawberry preserves right onto the top, and then baked.  Made it all the more better!!!  

And here is a look at my kitties today.  They are getting big, especially Bo, the black one.  I don't what it is, but he has grown twice as fast as Johnny.  I enjoy them so much, even tho they are mischievous sometimes.  
Well, I had better get back to work, as I still have a few things to do before I have to start my spaghetti and meatballs.  
See you ............  Later...........JO














































Tuesday, August 12, 2014

August Already?

Here are some photos of my babies, who I absolutelyADORE!  They are getting bigger, and into more mischief, but they are just what I needed in my life.  

They get along perfectly, and they are very attentive and loving to us.  

We have had several family gatherings this summer, and all of the family enjoy my kitties also!  They play so much with them when they are visiting, that the kitties are pooped by the time my guests leave.  




Yesterday, I made two pans of lasagna, along with garlic bread, and a very large salad with homemade dressing.  And for dessert, an Apricot pie.  
Now, this was interesting, as I have not made one for at least twenty years, but had bought a large bag of apricots at Costco, and wanted to use them up, as I was the only one eating them.  Does anyone out there remember apricot pie?  Did your mother or grandmother make it years ago.  It is not something you see these days.  Most younger people have never had it, yet I remember my mom making it several times a year, as my father loved it.  Usually, she made it at Thanksgiving.   So I had to reach back into my memory and try to remember just how to make it.   But I was able to remember enough, plus looking it up on the internet, and concocted my pie.  I especially made it for my brother, who was saying last week that he liked it, when I mentioned it.  I didn't think any of the others would have any, as I didn't think they had ever had it, and wouldn't want to try something new and unusual.  But they all tried it, and I only had a little left once they were gone.  It was delicious, tho I didn't think it tasted as much like mom's as I would have liked.  But I never think recipes that I make that were hers, taste as I remember them.  I guess that is just the way it is with daughters.  

So, those are examples of my day to day busy life.  How 'bout yours?  How do you stay busy?  
Thanks for stopping by, and I hope to hear from you.   See you..............Later........JO


Friday, July 18, 2014

Long Time, No See!

Hello out there!
     I have been neglectful of my blog, I know!   I don't know where the time goes.  I know I have been cooking a lot,  handling dr. visits, and dental visits, and now, going to the Vet.

I finally did something I have been talking about a little, but wanting to do for a long while.    My grandson and I went to the Humane Society and got not one, but TWO kitties.
And now, may I present Johnny, and Bo!  

Johnny, being the white one and B
o the black. They were 14 weeks and 11 weeks, respectively, when we got them.  We went out to the tire store to get two new tires put on Noah's car, and came home 6 hours later with two kitties.  My hubby knew we wanted to get them sometime, as we had been talking about it, but he didn't know we were coming home with them that day!   They weren't from the same litter, and had not been together before, but they got along like a house afire immediately when we got them home.  They are now best cat buddies.  

I cannot 

describe the joy they have brought into this house.  I wish we hadn't waited so long to get them.  But we have them now, and are so glad of it.  They are lively and active, wrestling, chasing, sleeping on one another,  finding their own little nooks to sleep in, or sleeping together, climbing on my bed to nap with me, and get their lovins!  

And they 
are loved!!  Hubby was very reluctant to get kitties now, but we won out, and he is warming to them quickly.   They are different, Johnny being a bit wild, very energetic, yet lovable too when he wants to be.  Bo is quieter, very lovable, calmer, and not so energetic, but we love their personalities just as they are.   We have definitely bonded with them, and them with us, so they are ours forever!   So you will be hearing kitty stories, and seeing pics of kitties often, I think!  

As far as other goings on, things have been quiet around here.  Very little crocheting, as I don't do as much in the summer months.  I have yet to put together grandaughter's purple afghan, (shame on me!),  and I keep telling myself to get it done, but have procrastinated to the point of ridiculous!!!   And I have not kept up with my blogging friends posts as well as I should, so I must get going.  

I have made plans to visit our daughter for a week or so in August, about which I am very excited.  We are making lists of things to do while I am there, places to go, etc., and I know she is elated, too!  Hubby is not as happy as he has to stay home, ( traveling is getting too difficult for him) , and he doesn't like me leaving him.  But he will be ok, as Noah will be  here with him, and he has the kitties to keep him company.  And I plan everything out for him while I am gone to make sure everything goes smoothly.  

So that's what is going on at my place.  What have you all been up to?   I hope you are enjoying your summer, and thanks for visiting me.  


Maybe I will have a certain purple blanket to show you next time, so see you........
Later.........JO


Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Happenings

Hello All!

What a month or so we have had!  Surgery for a brother-in-law, a bad fall for my brother, gout for me, and carpal tunnel surgery and dentistry for my hubby, E.  Now recoveries for all, thank goodness.      But also, happy things, of course.  Gorgeous flowers abound, the weather has been beautiful, patio loafing for me, a niece visiting, and our 51st anniversary.
We, of course, had a nice dinner out with our grandson, and a nice relaxing day, overall!  My hubby loves all things farm, so we went for a ride and found a neighbor's yard, with a few farm items used as decorations. 
A
n old plow, which would have to be




 horse driven,  a seat from some kind of farm implement,  a riding plow, wagon wheels, etc.  He got out of the car, and told me what each one was, and reminisced about our time on the farm.  He loved that time of our life, as did I.   We love to talk about those times, the animals, gardens, haying, neighbors, etc.  We still have contact with some of them.  The neighbors, that is.  That was such a simple life,  having a pot luck dinner with friends and neighbors,  ice skating, sliding with the kids, walking the dogs in the fields, milking a cow, and making butter, and homemade ice cream, helping to hay, birthing a calf, chickens, and a million more things.  Oh, I miss it even more when I talk about it.  And I know he misses it even more.  










































Even that old red pump brings back memories, tho we didn't have one.  Aren't memories wonderful??  Yes, they are.  And photos.  Maybe one day I will get some of our farm photos out and write a post about those days.  It was such fun!!  Hard work, but fun.  

Well, now you've heard what I have been doing for the past month or so.  What have you been up to? Any crochet or knit projects?  I am ready to put together the long-awaited purple afghan for my grandaughter.   So I had better get busy.  

See you all........Later...........JO

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Happy Spring from Arizona, USA

Hello all you good friends out in blogland!  

I've b

een out driving around to the store, appointments, and such and I have seen the most gorgeous cactus flowers, trees, and such in the area.  

Since
 I don't have much of a green thumb for flowers, anyway, I so admire yards with lovely plantings and  pretty flowers.   If I could have raised beds, I would love to have some flowers and vegetables, but that is not possible right now,  so I really enjoy seeing what others do with their yards.  

And I have to be satisfied with 




my potted plants.  Which is fine.  Maybe I will get some for Mother's Day, and plant them.  

But in the meantime, I am enjoying  our rides where we can see the beautiful works of  Mother Nature, God, and neighbors!  Some go to a lot of work to pretty up their yards.  It is a lot of work, or maybe just picking the right plants for our dry, hot region.  

Many, are satisfied with pots of flowers, even vegetables, but even then, you have to be vigilant in keeping the plants moist enough, or they will shrivel up and die, as mine have.  Haha.  

Some of the region's trees, even tho they may not necessarily flower, are beautiful.  

I don't know the names of the different cactus, but this one has unusual blossoms, don't you think?  

And I thought this was striking with the white flowers on the cactus, and then the Bougainvillea in the background against the house. 


I had to stop the car and get a few photos in this yard, as they had really done a nice job of it!  The cactus, dressed up with their little hats and scarves, the metal road runners, and the petunias spilling out of large, overturned pots.  

Really, gorgeous!  



And the soft pink flowers of this bush.  
On my way out of the yard, I noticed these old cowboy boots under the ladder.  Nice touch, eh?  



Lastly, a different kind of cactus with white flower spikes coming out of the top.  I had never noticed one of these before, so I was fascinated with it.  

I really must learn more about the cactus in this area, their names and flowers, etc.  I am not good at that.  Too much to remember!  
Well, maybe I will learn........  Later........JO.  
P.S.  I really hope you enjoyed my tour of Arizona beauty!  

Sunday, April 20, 2014

HAPPY EASTER!

May you all have a very Happy, Blessed Easter!  Enjoy and love one another and remember the reason for the Season!  Thank you all for visiting me.  xxoo.    Later.......JO


Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Happy Spring! Happy Easter!

Hello All!

The weather here has been absolutely deelightful!!  I've just had my guys come and completely clean, and trim the yard, so everything looks so nice.  The orange and grapefruit trees got trimmed back a bit also, and now I can see when a coyote wanders into my yard.  Haha.  I haven't gotten any plants for the yard yet, and I guess that will have to wait til after Easter.

But, having this done
 (finally, as I have been procrastinating about it), has inspired me to do more inside the house, and in the patio.   Helps me get ready for Easter, as I will be having the gang here.  I have my menu all planned out - ham, of course, with 


pineapple slices, and mustard and brown sugar glaze, as my Mama made it, glazed carrots, mashed potatoes, green beans with sliced almonds, rhubarb pie, and pineapple upside down cake.   Sound good to me!  

The only 


 finished project I have to show is the little bunch of rabbits, and the Easter eggs I made for my daughter's holiday tree.  They are getting there kind of late, but I know she won't mind.  She knows how hectic life is for this old woman!   I know she will love them.  Then I will have to get busy on the next ornaments.  Any suggestions on what I can make for the summer months?   I will make red, white and blue stars for Memorial Day, and for Labor Day, but I don't know what to make for in between.  Help??  

Well, I hope you all have been enjoying the gorgeous weather in your area, except for those of you who have gotten more snow, but fear not, nice weather is coming!  For us, it is starting to get warmer by the day, and we have already had temps in the 90's.   Dread the hot summer, but it is not too great a price to pay in exchange for the wonderful weather, of Spring, Fall, and Winter!!  

So, I hope you all have a wonderful Spring, I hope you get outside as much as possible, smell the flowers, fresh mowed grass, trees, and hear the birds singing to you!  

Until .....Later........JO  xxoo