Restless

I feel the need to create something but my energy in that area has disappeared.  It may be due to a very annoying eye issue. I have had dry eye for several years. Now it is flared and all treatments suggested by doctors and friends don't seem to be helping much at all. Two visits to optometrist within a month haven't made a bit of difference. This has caused me to feel quite angry at my eye! Durn eye! Stop stinging, burning, scratching. How can I get back on track? Right now I'm wearing sunglass clip-ons over my closeup glasses, along with the brightness of the computer turned way down. 

So, here I am thinking about taking a break from researching, reading, posting. Yes, I have put out my yarn wreath that was a 1984 gift from one of "my" 4-H'ers. Yes, I managed to get the ceramic Christmas tree out of the closet and set up (without ornaments) in front of the kitchen window, It was a gift to me and marked inside with the date 1972 from a friend who is long gone. My brother's six glass ornaments hang in the other double windows. I have trapped 8 mice outside by the side door. 

My daughters want to know what I'd like for Christmas. I would like world peace. They can't give me that! There is nothing else that I can think of.  My status quo living in the old cabin is comforting as nothing else could be. 

If you don't hear from me for a while, be sure I'm trying to perk up - to not worry, to be satisfied. I'm fortunate in many ways that even you cannot imagine. 

Back to Baking

This morning I felt I NEEDED to do something other than read. I looked up an older recipe I have made many times and checked out my supplies. Yes! I had everything to bake Blueberry Lemon Muffins. Thank goodness the little old hand mixer will be used and the cleanup will be easier as well.  Here is the tried and true recipe.

  

                       Very Blueberry and Lemon Muffins

  1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

  2/3 cup sugar

  2 teaspoons baking powder

  1/4 teaspoon salt

  1 egg

  3/4 cup milk

  1/4 cup butter, softened

  2 tablespoons lemon juice

  2 teaspoon lemon zest

  1 cup fresh blueberries. If frozen, thaw and drain.

  Extra sugar and lemon zest for the tops.

  Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl. Add the egg, milk, butter, lemon juice, and zest.

  Stir to combine–the batter should be lumpy. Don’t mix it too hard. Muffin batter doesn’t like that. Gently fold in blueberries. Lightly grease muffin cups or use paper liners. Fill each cup about 2/3 to 3/4 full. *This should make 12 muffins. Sprinkle extra sugar and lemon zest on the tops.

   Bake at 400°f for about 20 minutes or until golden. *If baking only 6 large ones, bake for about 30 minutes. No longer. Remove from pan   before completely cooled.

Veteran Remembered

My dad's brother, my Uncle Henry G. Nulton was a veteran of both world wars. He was a Major General and Commander of the 78th Divison, Army Reserves, when he retired from service in 1960.

He saw action in France with Co. A. of the 111th Machine Gun Battalion, 29th Division in World War I and was wounded at Meuse-Argonne. During World War II he was wounded by mortar fire in New Guinea. He was awarded Purple hearts.

Personally, I remember him being very jovial and carrying an authoritative attitude, while being very likeable. His four sons each were service members and outstanding soldiers. Ever since I was a young child I have honored him and his service to our country.

ALL veterans should be honored for their service, no matter where or what they did to serve.

*tap image to read print larger

Friday Odd Jobs

Today, feeling a bit trapped because yesterday my buggy left home for storage in a warm place. It will be returned next year, checked over, serviced and cleaned. Now the snowblower can be brought out of the shed and ready for activity. I hope not too much activity, though. Yard guy is always busy with shoveling and plowing places around the lake. Here he uses my equipment because I have a very short driveway and it is easier than the truck or SUV with attached plow.

The dehumidifier is filled every day and today it needed a good cleaning. The chalkboard needed my nap hours re-posted on a cleaner surface. The request sign was placed at the porch entrance for folks to please use the side door. That is because I move the antique rocking chair to the inside area in front of the front door. There is a reason for all I do. The chair blocks the heater from sending warmth when it is between my place at the table and its usual place beside the heater.

The decorative pumpkin gift from a granddaughter has been bagged and stored.

On Monday a 8.5 lb. fully cooked spiral-sliced bone-in ham should arrive here. It is for my local daughter's Thanksgiving family dinner. I'll stay home, not really liking so much activity nowadays. She'll save me some and especially the bone. Yes! I do love the pea soup I make with that bone. The ham comes frozen and takes three days to thaw so there is time before the dinner needs to be ready. This is hickory smoked and cured along with sweet brown sugar. It is so much less work than the usual turkey.

P.S.

Oh, and breaking in new shoes not fun.

Carry On...

In spite of very annoying pain, irritation and vision problems, I try to get one project either started or finished each day. I do have a routine first. I have breakfast; watch early news and weather on TV, make bed and then personal care. I'm ready to go.... Oops, refill humidifier and check mousetrap in carport. (Today #3 was the tally so far.) 

I usually plan the day ahead regarding a project. The 2nd visit to the optometrist yesterday after an episode of stuck eyelid last week resulted in the same ole, same ole...dry eye. Quite severe. A nighttime lubricant being one of the treatments to add to my already daily treatment of drops and hot compresses and a Bruder mask; computer screen brightness turned way down and sunglass flippers when outdoors. I do it all. 

Today I baked. I baked two loaves of cinnamon bread. Recipe at end here. High level project due to dishwashing and cleaning my mess. Result? WOW!  Would I do it again? Nope. I have been wanting to bake this for at least two years. Good results.

I suggest slicing with an electric knife.

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Cinnamon Bread

Ingredients

For The Batter:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups buttermilk or homemade buttermilk— 2 cups milk plus 2 tablespoons vinegar or lemon juice
• 4 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda

For The Cinnamon/Sugar Mixture:

• 2/3 cups sugar
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon

How To Make Cinnamon Bread

Cream together butter, 2 cups of sugar, and eggs. Add milk, flour, and baking soda. Put 1/2 of batter (or a little less) into greased loaf pans (1/4 in each pan). Mix in separate bowl the 2/3 c sugar and cinnamon.
Sprinkle 3/4 of cinnamon mixture on top of the 1/2 batter in each pan. Add remaining batter to pans; sprinkle with last of cinnamon topping. Swirl with a knife. Bake at 350° for 45-50 minutes or until toothpick tester comes clean. Cool in pan for 20 minutes before removing from pan. Makes 2 loaves.

Halloween continued and today new!

The family in Philadelphia always celebrates together on Halloween as it is the wedding anniversary of my Nephew and Niece. These are only a very few of the options I have to grab some of their pictures.

Another family from New York state that shows two of my three great great grandkids. The third one wouldn't sit still for a shot as he was on a sugar high!

So far no images from the local great grandkids. 

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This morning I made walnut candies. Easy and tasty as well.

Recipe available by request.

Now I'm working with my colorful leaves. Will show you after 2nd coat is applied. Too cold and windy today to work on it. Fun project!

Today is the 43rd anniversary of my NJ daughter and her husband. The photo is from their 30th!