First Snow

YES! And I think more is forecast for the end of the week.

Background image taken by my neighbor this morning.

Well I must say I did get some Christmas cards completed and snail mailed. I'm ashamed to say they aren't very fancy this year due to stress of printer failures, and lack of other supplies. I will also be sending many more via e-mail messages. I really like creating nice ones, but.........

Ice not formed on lake yet.

Ice not formed on stepping stones.

The window view includes a happy orchid.

It is warm indoors —

And...Yard Guy dressed James!! YAY!

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Early Christmas Gift

Someone from across the Pacific Ocean has sent me a wonderful box full of cheeses and meats. The word must have gotten out that I'm the mouse slayer in the area. Well this is staying indoors and only being eaten by hungry humans. Wonderful surprise! There are also chocolate covered almonds, crackers and olives!  I sure love cheeses and these are soooo special.

I've been working on Christmas cards. I first created an image. I had to be sure to only use colors that would be functional by my failing printer. It only will print colors - no black. When I proceeded to change the empty black cartridge with a new replacement - it failed. I put the empty one back in and the color would print! I ordered another black cartridge and it too, wasn't recognized by the printer. Well, the color would work so that is how I created my card image. Would you believe that the XXX old printer then would print only 4 pages (4 images each one) with my brand new photo paper! Then it absolutely refused to print on photo paper and made lots of rattling noise. I finished off the project by printing a few sheets of 'regular paper' and am finished with this project. Yes, I know I need a new printer. Maybe.....after the holidays. This one has functioned fantastically for many years and I should NOT complain! I still can print all other documents on plain paper if I make the text be red, blue, or green. I'll use up the color cartridge and then decide what to do. The scanner still works fine! Never a dull moment down on this farm! My hand had a workout writing to and from addresses on the envelopes. 

"Make it do or do without!"

Keep it Simple

Yes, it is simple and I now have comfortable feelings for the season. Over the many years of big real tree decorating, tons of sparkle and lighting, it really is enough to show just the remnants of 60+ years when it comes to Christmas decorating. A long time ago I gave one of my daughters all of the hand crocheted ornaments her grandmother made. Yesterday another daughter, living in another state sent images of her tree with the hand-painted ornaments I made for her through a few years, way back when....

Recently I have passed on some very simple ones that I made to a young neighbor. What started my thoughts about this is that I have finally completed my efforts to brighten my environment with my own. The crystal ornaments in the windows are ones that my brother made. They are a reflection of his talent and love of making glass art creations.

The tiny birdfeeder was created by my mother. It has held together for about 30 years!

In 1972 a dear friend was into glazing and decorating ceramic ware. She gave this tree to me and even signed it inside with the date. Last year the mice ate through the electric cord and that part was replaced by another close friend. This tree has been on display in my home every year for 50 years! I get goose bumps when I hold it. This year I decorated it with over a dozen pewter ornaments gifted to me by my daughter over the years. It shines brightly all day and all night for the entire month. 

The honey bear and cub are gifts from the same daughter.

The set of plastic deer family has been displayed for dozens of years. I'll wager that all of my kids remember them. They will also remember that I have made repairs to the buck's antlers several times as well.

I know that I'm just a sentimental being, but it is my nature and these memories are cherished and make me happy. It really doesn't take much. No elegance, no grandeur, just simply satisfying.

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Preventitive Measures

Last year mice got in here. I didn't protect my home early enough. They ate my ceramic Christmas tree cord and totally wrecked my linen closet with the chewed remains of seven new rolls of Viva paper towels. There was evidence of them in the kitchen cupboards although almost all boxed and paper foodstuffs are in plastic containers. This year I'm the mouse slayer and they are the slain. So far all new SIX mouse traps are in the trash can with my victims. As frugal as I am, I don't wish to empty the traps and wash them and reset them, so have asked a friend to buy six more. 

Warning, the picture I took might be disturbing to some. It felt no pain, believe me! The plain, ordinary Victor traps work well — very well. (I've learned that mice go for the sharp white cheese chunks best of all.)

My yard guy stopped in and told me his artificial Christmas tree was stored in his garage and the mice have killed it. My daughter also said they got into her ornament box that was stored in an outdoor shed and did damage to some treasures.

 

Not much has changed over the years. Here is a link on a blog I wrote 5 years ago. The challenge every year goes on! I seem to tell about them every year as well.......

Yearly Happening

Whimsy Workshop

Still haven't found any whimsy-worthy ideas but I did get some decorating finished. Will show you next time.

My printer is on the fritz. Got message that black refill cartridge not recognized. Yes, it was authentic HP cartridge. I've always ordered dozens of replacement cartridges from HP and this one won't work. After removing it and re-inserting it many times, I got frustrated and threw it away! When I leave the older empty cartridge in, the color cartridge still performs well. Now what? Well since the color cartridge is showing to be low, I'll order one and see what happens. I'll also order another black one. Story to be continued. (Thank goodness I had just completed a project for a friend. It consisted of many prints and all printed fine and dandy!)

My "Mr. Fix It" fellow came to help with putting up four more cup hooks over the kitchen windows so I can hang my cut glass ornaments up for the holiday season. It is also to celebrate my brother's art and life as this is the time of year last year that covid got him and he's gone. (Last year I had to use safety pins on the curtains to hang them. I'll show you later.)

A wonderful surprise is happening with the orchid that my daughter gave me on Feb. 16. I have never had orchard plants before. Well..... 

now see what is happening! 

Today it does look a little "haywire"!

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Oh and I caught a mouse this morning. The trap of yesterday disappeared. I have extras on hand. It's the time of year!

Suzy Homemaker

Well I really think this Suzy is on her last legs! Her grandmother's and mother's recipe for PB cookies did her in this morning. Sooo much cleanup! At least she got to share some so she doesn't become a PB cookie piggie! Now she is out of brown sugar and vanilla. The Schwan's delivery man was nicely surprised with the treat as he was a substitute for the regular guy. The postal carrier loved the brownies and now was happy for some cookies. The family of my yard guy will surely enjoy many when he comes to pick up my laundry.

I was delighted to have a friend deliver two quarts of homemade New England clam chowder that a local establishment was holding for me in their freezer. Do you know how hard it is to get really good chowder? It is hard for me to ask for favors like this but I sure did want some and I'm lucky enough to have good friends help. So there you have my morning. 

Cookie Recipe~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Peanut Butter Cookies from Grandma's Recipe Collection

Sift together - 

2 C flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/8 tsp salt

Blend well before adding flour mixture -

1 C peanut butter

2 C brown sugar

1/2 C butter (1 stick) I said BUTTER!! (Don't melt!)

2 eggs

Add -

1 tsp pure vanilla

1/2 C whole milk 

Cool dough in refrigerator for a bit, then teaspoon 12 scoops to an ungreased cookie sheet. I don't usually press them into a ball and flatten with a sugared fork, because I don't feel it is necessary, but you can if you wish!

Bake - 350° oven 9-11 minutes depending on how crunchy you like them. The less time in the oven the chewier they are!

After baking, let them rest a bit before removing from sheet to rack to cool..     Makes about 4-5 dozen, depending on size.

Bits 'n Pieces

A little bit of color, a little bit of snow and pieces of roast are the topics of today, plus some tiny critters.

The geese in the foreground of the painting I created seemed to fit in here. I just discovered how to create my own backgrounds in the ArtRage Lite program. I often forget about this simple old application that doesn't need internet to function.

The first snow fell yesterday afternoon. Schools had two hour delays this morning in this area. My neighbor captured the calm scene this morning. Her shots save me from going out into the cold. I do not like to be cold!

A two pound beef roast has been lingering in the freezer waiting to be pulled out and cooked. These days the crock pot is a bit heavy for me but I got 'er done. Then the electric knife went to work. Now what? It really is tasty and juicy. Of course I taste tested after all day waiting to clean up and put my kitchen back together. Perhaps I'll freeze a couple of slices in each of several single serving packets. Tomorrow.......

A granddaughter raises these little critters and I think they are cute! Too much work for me, but she has tons of knowledge and does well with her nature projects. She is an artist and talented photographer as well.

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The Lake

This goose got left behind. It was swimming all over looking for others who had left last week. 

My neighbor up the road allows me to share her pictures. They show some of the beauty we both see upon rising. Living close to our lake is so uplifting, especially in the early morning.

Just a reminder . . . .

 

Understanding yourself is power

Loving yourself is freedom

Forgiving yourself is peace

Being yourself is bliss

This came from a favorite SC meteorologist. 

Routines & Quirks

I have always had routines and quirks. For some reason it is part of my thinking process and doing things out of order are upsetting. An eccentricity, I know for sure. Gonna give you some idea of what I mean. I am not OCD. I do not turn the light switch on and off certain number of times before stopping, nor do I have other repetitive actions.

OCPD is a personality disorder marked by perfectionism and a need for control.

OCD is a mental health disorder characterized by excessive thoughts and repetitive behaviors.

Soooooooo, here are some examples of my routines. Each night before going to bed, I turn down the thermostat from 74° to 69°. I make sure doors are locked and interior night lights are functioning. I set out clean clothes for morning. I prepare the coffee pot so all I have to do is plug it in the next morning. At noon, I take the phone off the hook and unplug it so the message function won't work. I like quiet for lunch and then my nap. At around 3-3:30 I plug it back in and reset the message time. I then walk about 7-10 laps with the rolling walker back and forth the length of the cabin. The times between meals are dedicated to: my chore of the day, computer correspondence, research and reading, cleaning. There aren't dishes left in the sink to be washed and put away very often. Things in my environment have to be "just so" and to my preference. Example: salt shaker always on right of pepper shaker. Sugar spoon handle back of bowl. Refrigerator organized a particular way. Cupboard dishes stacked to my preference and in order. Left sock and shoe go on before right. Got it? 

Now, I truly do not care how others keep their offices, homes, yards, closets, etc. Other's ways and methods can be exactly opposite of mine and it matters not one blink to me. BUT! if you put something one bit crooked or back in the wrong place in my space I'm compelled to "fix" it immediately. 

Order and perfection are my middle name. It cannot be helped. It's not harmful nor serious. You can chalk it up to my idiosyncrasies! We all have them, do we not?

Preparations

Well now I think I'm ready for the upcoming season here. This morning the temperature outdoors read 28°.

The mailbox won't have so much political stuff that is immediately torn and trashed and it will save the carrier many steps. 

I set all 6 of my clocks back. 

My golf car was picked up for winter storage in a heated facility and will have complete service as well. I shall call in the Spring to have it returned and the charge is very reasonable. I had an offer by my yard guy to store it in his garage, but if I can handle arrangements on my own it makes me feel better. That was a genuine big-hearted offer! I am so thankful for such caring friends.

The A/C is covered, porch chairs are stacked, the swing sofa is covered, the ceramic pumpkin is in and put away. The sign to use the side door is in place.

This morning I brought in some of my porch ornaments to clean and save from probable damage during wind, snow and ice storms. The wooden fish sign is safe inside. 

I started my humidifiers going. Sure needed to do that! The humidity is so low my hair is sticking up everywhere with static electricity!

I transplanted two of my succulents into larger pots on the kitchen counter. Made a big mess...

I still have to get out the electric blanket and hook it up. 

What else? Oh lots of other minor things were done and I got with the program quite well.  With all this free time I just might bake some cookies in the near future. I have a craving for peanut butter ones, using my mother's recipe and also might dig out the spritz one as well. Then I'll have to hunt for the old (1950) gun that has always worked for me. The last time I made them was 2014!

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Back in the Kitchen

When I went into the big freezer in search of something else, I discovered a bag of frozen Cortland apple slices (chunks) that were dated October 2021. I had forgotten all about them. What to do? I have been checking out the cupboard supplies lately to be sure my items aren't outdated and found one box that was very close. Light bulb!  I will make an apple crisp in my new casserole dish. It will be a treat! This morning I undertook the project. I don't do much baking now as it is more difficult to clean up and use up the results, but.....The main work was already done. The three large apples from last year were already peeled, cored and sliced and ready! And, best of all I had never made an apple crisp in a pie plate, no less than one of special pottery! The recipe I dug out called for the exact amount of apples that I had so it seemed the best thing to do with them. 

And, yes I have both cool whip and vanilla ice cream to go on top. It will be my lunch today. The best thing is that a long-time friend will stop in tomorrow for an overnight visit as she travels up from SC vacation, to her home in western PA. I'll have a dessert ready. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

RECIPE

Bisquick and Apples

Ingredients

3 C apples peeled and sliced

1 t ground cinnamon

1/2 t nutmeg

1/2 C Bisquick mix

2 large eggs

1/2 C granulated sugar

1/2 C whole milk

1 t vanilla extract

1 T butter, softened

1/4 t Kosher salt

Topping

1/2 C Bisquick mix

1/4 C light brown sugar, packed

1/2 t ground cinnamon

2 T cold butter

Instructions

1.  Preheat oven 325° and grease 9” or 10 “pie dish.

2.  Add cinnamon and nutmeg to apples and mix well.

3.  Add the apple mixture to prepared pie dish and spread out evenly.

4. Whisk together a 1/2 C of Bisquick mix, eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, butter and salt.

The butter is soft but not melted and will leave lumps. OK. Pour  wet mixture over over apples.

5. Use your hands or pastry cutter to mix topping until a crumble forms. Sprinkle over top.

6. Bake for 50-55 minutes at 325° Rest before serving.