My "Lucky" Day

This morning I baked cookies.

I am NOT superstitious, BUT...Even though it is Friday the 13th, things are going well. I have been waiting for several months for two different scrap metal people to come pick up my big dead freezer. Yesterday I saw an ad and made a call and TODAY he came and hefted that appliance into the bed of his truck all by himself while his wife watched. I could not believe my eyes! Then he moved the small chest freezer over to the empty pallet and leveled it. As they were leaving, I offered them cookies. Soon there was a knock on the door and it was him telling me that if I ever need any help or something done to give them a call. I  think they liked my cookies.

Another friend came by shortly afterwards to deliver my allergy medicine. He gets it at Sams and I reimbursed him with cash and cookies. 

A neighbor was kind enough this week to order some coffee bags for me. I had told her I was going to make cookies the next day. As she and her husband walked by with their dogs last night he wanted to know when the cookies would be ready! 

My daughter will be arriving shortly with some home-cooked foods for me. There are some cookies set aside for her. 

One more cookie left home as the mail carrier delivered a package and accepted her treat!

These are good and I  have never made them before.

My advice is to share cookies on Friday the 13th!

Bowl Me Over!

It all started when My friend The Potter posted a photo of him holding the first large bowl he completed while in college. (Marywood University is a higher education institution in Scranton, PA. Study academic programs in biotechnology, architecture, communications, art and more.)

Here is the photo and the text that got my interest: July 6, 2021...Dad was cleaning and found an old time box of pots from 20 years ago and in it was one of the very first large centerpiece bowls I was able to get through the gas kiln at Marywood University in 2001. The rim roll was not completely closed but it appears done was better than perfect at the time. Mum has all my early things. She shows them to visitors when they stop by. A bit embarrassing. 

My thought was, "Gee I would really like to have that bowl!" The next thing was that he had another post: 

Description

This Large Centerpiece Bowl was handmade by my own hand and fired to 2300f in the gas kiln.

The bowl measures 12 in. wide by 5.5 inches high.

All proceeds from this sale will go to a fund to benefit Bill Payne and family to help with medical bills.

Aug 28, 2021

I have a large centerpiece bowl and a platter I am putting up for sale to help raise money for Bill Payne and Family for medical bills.  If you wish to purchase, click the link.

                         SOLD! Thanks so much!

Didn't I jump right in! The proceeds of the sale will go to the fund raised to help the family in need, and Al and I benefit, knowing we have contributed. 

Al brought it over to me today. Just touching this 20 year old gem makes me feel good, but best of all is the history of when it was made, who made it, and how it will help others.

He enclosed a nice card for me and I will treasure both the bowl and the card and most of all - the friendship of this special man.

I'm already thinking of cold salads, cake batter, fresh whole fruit, and so much more....

Don't forget to tap on image to view larger

More Than I Need

One for Margie, one for Laura, one for ME! Special delivery yesterday from Missy. (I already ate one not shown here!) Those seeds are fermenting in jar for a couple of weeks. Perfect Oxheart! Friend Al will have some seeds for next year!

Please tap on image to view the deliciousness!

 

Porch Hangings

People often walk around the lake for fresh air and exercise. The other day I noticed a woman who came right up to the front porch and she was examining my craft projects. I opened the door and asked if I could help her with something and she replied, "Are your porch decorations for sale?"

I think she was a guest of a resident, so I explained that I make them for my enjoyment and they are one of a kind, not for sale at all. Then...she wanted to know how I make them!

So... I went on to describe the process of finding the elements around my home area, cleaning them, and then deciding what to create. There is no plan, no process the same, some results good, some not as good, but all for my recreation and relaxation. I like looking out the windows and seeing them move in the winds. I don't have any instructions as to making any of these. The end results are never known when I begin. I told her the "story" about each one. I think she went away with ideas of her own. I never did ask who she was or where she came from. It didn't matter.

Short stories of each one below image.

50 cent metal wreath found at yard sale.

Roadside pinecones, teasel, jute, feathers.

Today the spring birds have stripped the jute for nesting material.

Roadside pinecones washed and baked, sticks, jute.

This was difficult to assemble.

It has to balance so no element bumps the other.

It swings freely and is fun to watch.

This one started out to be a star.

The sticks are from honey tea-dipping lollypops.

Two sided with jute base.

Craft poms and pipe cleaners.

Roadside teasel secured by young agile friend.

Stems cut and stripped of prickly needles.

Assembled with craft wire and hot glue. 

Roadside pinecones washed and baked dry.

Pinecones attached to wire form.

Burlap material wrapped between pinecones.

please click on image to view larger

To review previous posts regarding these items you can click on a link that will take your there in more detail.

https://nookworm-connectionsmore.blogspot.com/2018/02/the-saver.html

https://nookworm-connectionsmore.blogspot.com/2017/10/apple-project-4-plus.html

Still At It

... baking, cooking, you know! Along with the fantastic tomatoes our daughter brings to us, she also shared a hambone from a ham she recently baked for her family.  Of course when she brought some slices as well, we gobbled them like we never had home-cured ham, but they are all gone!  Her neighbor gave her some of his pork after it was smoked and ready to distribute. We have never tasted such delicious ham as this. Isn't it nice how sharing can be such a treat? It's a way of life around here.

Last night we had a bowlful for dinner and the containers shown are left-overs to be frozen and shared too! (There is nothing in this soup except for some chopped onions and dried split peas cooked for 4 hours after the bone broth was cooked and strained for the first 8 hours.)

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What?? You say you don't care for split pea soup? All the more for me.

Oh! Santa Came Early!

I truly would rather give than receive... as we REALLY don't need or want anything at this time of our lives. Gifts are nice, though and we DO appreciate the thoughtful gestures of our friends and family.

The first thing to arrive from HI friends was a variety of frozen chowders and bisques. We both really love seafood and soups.

 Image from source internet site

Our two adult granddaughters who live in upper NY state sent a 5.8 quart digital touchscreen air frier appliance.  It came with a 50-recipe book. That should be fun to try. The world is going to be totally electronic in a couple of years! Scary for me.

 Image from source internet site

The last night when our grandson and his significant partner stopped in to pick up some photo work that I completed for them, they brought along a beautiful glass Christmas tree jar filled with candy!  (I had given them my hand made jute tree when they gave me the photo project earlier.)

Yes, we've been into the candy jar!

I've finished my second batch of split pea soup and am anticipating sharing jars with my brother and daughter who live nearby. Cookies are almost gone and I'll bake more next week. I still haven't dressed James for the season - bad me. It's been too wet and is raining again! I'll pretend he's in the mood with last year's shot for now.......

A Great Granddaughter waits for Santa too!

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Rainy Day - AGAIN!

It is a repeat performance. I don't plan on a golf car ride today. I'll just bake a peach cobbler instead. 50° out there!

A piece ready for the trashman

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Thelma's Recipe

About forty six years ago we lived in a large ranch house on the "other side" of the lake. Our property bordered a great neighbor's who was a down-to earth lady. She and her husband grew a large garden and she was a good cook and baker. I was very fortunate to be the recipient of many of her wonderful baked goods and tasty meal samples, along with fresh garden vegetables. It was all about sharing. We traded recipes often and I have several of hers that are in regular use here. Unfortunately she developed an incurable illness and left earth in 1987 but her memory has remained with me and always will.

Today I baked her banana bread. Try it and you will love it as we still do. It is a "no-fail" recipe and the only thing I did differently was to use a little vinegar in milk to replace the buttermilk it calls for.  I also added some dried craisins - only a few.

please click on image to be motivated to bake banana bread!

His and Hers

This is Hers...making broth and sauce, chopping onions, sautéing meat, soaking peas and beans, and stirring, stirring, stirring, all      day      long!

Then the taste test - supper. Choices are made.

His...

Hers...

Then the clean up...

SHE stores the surplus in containers...

The final cleanup is HIS!

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