Baking...

My husband, John, tried to convince me he didn't really like sweets.... Really, Mr. Little Debbie's addict?

John also loves my home baking.  He likes Makes It's Own Crust peach cake/pie... a great old "dump cake" recipe.
Crazy Crust Peach Cobbler

He also likes baked custard.  I have written several posts about making custard before.... Check the links.

Baked custard

And cheese cake.

Italian cream cheese and ricotta cheesecake

And Carrot cake.  OK, I admit I use a mix for carrot cake.

Dunkin Hines carrot cake mix

But his favorite is old fashioned, home made fruit cake.  I'm not talking that hard, dry, nasty stuff you can buy at this time of year.  I'm talking wonderful, fruity goodness.  Here's the recipe I use.  Try it yourself.  It's great!

Old fashioned fruit cake

I used to bake cookies, nut log, cheese danish.  But we don't travel to Georgia anymore, so I don't do all that baking for the family gift exchange. John, Joshua and I can't eat all those sweets.  So today, fruit cake is the mission.

Getting ready for winter

While I was visiting family in Pennsylvania, John & Josh worked on the greenhouse.  It's now ready for the plants.  I spent about half an hour yesterday getting them all inside.  I will be doing some more work on the interior... putting some rocks around the perimeter too keep out little rodents, putting in some 5 gallon buckets full of water to help raise the humidity & act as a heat mass, starting any seeds we want to grow over the winter (tomato & bell pepper come to mind).

The greenhouse.  The door is on the left, out of the picture.

The roof is really interesting.  This plastic is very strong.

I also got the chicken enclosure covered in plastic.  It's getting down to around freezing at night now, and the highs will only be in the mid 50's.  I've been covering the chickens for a few winters now, and I haven't had damage on their combs or feet.  This is a great improvement.

What the cages looked like after an ice storm last winter.

Frozen chicken is great in the freezer, not in the chicken house.

We've stayed close to home the past few days.  The stores are always crazy the week of Thanksgiving.  First, all those folks are in the grocery store buying all the items they need for the annual feast.  Then, BLACK FRIDAY...  I've never been shopping on Black Friday.  I don't understand waiting in line, in the cold, pushing & shoving & fighting.  Just plain crazy , in my humble opinion.

I did some baking in the past few days. Two pumpkin pies & a peach "dump cake".  The guys have been eating well!  We had ham & potatoes au gratin for our Thanksgiving meal.  Very tasty.

Knitting for the family

Every year, I stress my self out trying to knit or crochet something special for the members of my extended family.  I really believe Christmas is for the kids. The little ones are the ones I try to focus on.

My nieces and nephews are all grown up now.  My step kids are too.  My granddaughter, Ariel, turns 14 today.  WOW!  That doesn't seem possible.  My niece, Tricia, has 2 little girls; Nevaeh and Revan.  I'm crocheting slippers for them right now.

I made Ariel some special socks, 1 pair just because, and 1 for her birthday.  I'm working for a pair of socks for Tammy (my step daughter), for Christmas.  I will also try to get a pair of socks made for Tammy's partner Rickie.

I also knit hats on my knitting looms, which I send to Children's Hospital in Little Rock.  I really love sending hats of all sizes.  All those sick little ones need a nice warm hat.  A good hat in cold weather makes everyone feel better.

I knitted several hats and a scarf before I went to PA this month.... I recently finished a huge crocheted afghan, Mandala Madness, which I am keeping for myself.  I rarely keep anything I make, I like giving my handmade items to people I love.

Mandala Madness

I track most of my projects with Ravelry.  My username is PennyTeem.  You can check out what I'm working on, if you're interested.

I am still weaving dishtowels with the pattern Ariel used over the summer.  I finished and passed out 4 all ready.  I have 4 more on the loom, and will probably have enough warp for 3 more.

Ariel weaving on a jack loom for the first time

I knitted/crocheted Nevaeh & Revan some stuffed animals earlier in the year.  They really love them. Revan will not sleep without her giraffe.

Nevaeh's hippo

Revan's giraffe

Thanksgiving thoughts - helping friends in need...

Today, Tuesday November 22nd, has me thinking of Thanksgiving.

When I was in PA last week, the folks in my Mom's apartment building had their annual Thanksgiving turkey dinner.  There were about 40 people present.  This was a catered event.  The food was great.  Our table companions were interesting. The elderly married couple seated with us have been married almost 70 years!  Wow! And the lady seated to my left was their flower girl!  Holy cow!

My mother's friend, Pat, was seated to my right - between Mom and I.  Pat had purchased her first house from this lovely couple back in the 1970's.  Again, WOW!

That was on Wednesday, the 16th.

Pat is wheelchair bound.  She's lived in the apartment building for 18 years.  She & my mother have been friends for 15 years.  The watch the NASCAR races every Sunday.  They cook meals together.  Good friends, for sure.

On Thursday, Mom and I went driving to Benton, PA to check out some antique stores.  We had a great time.  When we got back, Mom got a call from Pat's medical emergency monitor that she had fallen.  We hurried over to Pat's apartment.  Pat was lying on the floor in her bathroom.  She seems to be rather unfazed by this fact.  Mom and I got her back into her wheelchair.  She insisted she was fine, but did admit she'd fallen 5 times that day.  This really distressed my mother.

She felt bad that Pat had such a bad day, while we were out enjoying the sunshine.  She didn't really say anything about it.  But I knew she had wished she'd been around to help Pat when she was needed.

I left for the airport very early Friday morning.  My husband and son picked me up in Little Rock, and we drove home in the rain.

When we got home, I called Mom to see how Pat was feeling.  Pat's daughter Becky had called 9-1-1 early that morning.  And just a few moments before I called, Becky had called and informed Mom that Pat had passed away.

I'm glad I had an opportunity to get to know Pat over the past week.  I'm glad I had an opportunity to help her when she needed help, even if it was only to help her when she fell.  I'm glad I got to eat Thanksgiving dinner with her.  What could be more appropriate?  Thanksgiving is about taking the time to be thankful for the people we have in our lives.  For the fact that we have family, a roof over our heads and food in our bellies. It's not about parades, football games or super shopping opportunities.  It's expressing the love we have in our hearts to the people we care about.

So in closing, I want to say "I love you" to my family and friends.  To the people who I see in my daily life.  Thanks for sharing this big old crazy ball flying through space with me.  I'm glad we're here together.

Visiting Pennsylvania, or why I hate keyless cars!

I spent the past week visiting with my family in NE PA.  I left Arkansas on a late flight out of Little Rock on Veteran's day.  I had a short layover in Atlanta, and then continued on to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton airport in Avoca.  We landed a few minutes before midnight.

My first mission was to pick up the rental car I reserved with Hertz.  When I talked to the counter person, she informed me that I could only rent a car using a major credit card.  No debit cards!  Then why didn't they advertise this fact on the website I used to make the reservation?!  ARGH!  So, what's my option at midnight??

Luckily, Avis accepts debit cards.  Hurray, I'm saved.  I completed the forms, signed and received the fobs.  OK.  So, I headed out the door.  BRRRRRRRRR.  It's windy and cold, 34F.  I wandered around in the rental car parking lot for a few minutes and finally found the car.  I unlocked the car, put my carry-on luggage in the trunk, and try to figure out exactly HOW to start this Altima.... Now, my car is a 2006 Scion XB.  No fancy options.  No bluetooth. I don't really understand exactly WHAT bluetooth is.....another wireless technology (not WIFI).  Anyway, I sit there looking at the un-illuminated dashboard.  Wondering.  My niece Tricia calls on the cellphone.  We chat for a moment, and then I ask the ultimate question: "Tricia, how do I start a keyless car?"  "My friend has one, I think she just pushes the START button."  OK.  I try that.  Nope, that doesn't work.  I try several combinations of pushing the start button while trying other things.... Maybe the seat belt has to be on.  Maybe I need to turn the headlights on... Where the hell is the interior light??!!

I finally succeed in finding the interior lights.  The damn bluetooth display says, "Invalid protocol" or some such unhelpful declaration. I finally query Google, "How to start an keyless Altima".  No YouTube videos come right up.  A few blog posts, which weren't very helpful, are available.  Most note that the Altima is a very popular model car.  I'm not impressed so far!

I check the glove compartment, no owner's manual.  Of course not.  Why would you want to look at the owner's manual for a rental car?!  Well, shit!

I have now wasted 20 minutes.  So, in a huff; I unload my carry-on, grab my purse and head back to the Avis counter.  Thankfully, the lady hasn't left yet.  "I can not start this damn car!"

She looked at me like I had 3 heads, "What?"  "I can not start this car!  I have an 11 year old car. With a key.  I have driven since I was 14.  I can start a car, minibike, golf cart, tractor, lawnmower!  Not that damn car!"  She takes the fob and says, "I will check it out, stay here."

After another 10 minutes or so, she pulls up with the car.  "You couldn't start it because you'd had too many failed attempts and it locked you out!".  Great.  So, what is the trick?  "You have 7 seconds from the time you unlock the car to sit in the driver's seat, step on the break & press the START button."  Seven seconds??  and where do I find this information?!!"  "Oh, it's not publicized.  It's a safety feature."  Well, it sure as hell is safe from me!

"OK.  So, how do I start this *&^%#$$%%^&**&&**(### without the fault?!"  "Just step on the break & press the start button."  "Couldn't you have told me this when you gave me the damn fob??!!"  Her reply?  "I thought everyone knew how to start one!"  Well, young lady, NOT EVERYONE owns a new model car!

By this time, it's past 12:30.  I call my mother to inform her I haven't been sucked into the twilight zone... I'm just having technical issues.

So, I get back into the car.  My first task is to make sure I CAN start it.  Step on the break & push the button.  Yes, that works.  The air is now black with my sailor language... but at least I am making progress.

Now I turn to my trusty cell phone & try to get directions from the Avoca airport to Dallas.  I know I have to get onto Interstate 80 (or is it 81??) and make several transfers quickly onto the Cross Valley Expressway.

I left Pennsylvania in 1979 when joined the Navy.  I have visited many times in the early 1980's when I was stationed in Newport, RI.  If I had to fly, one of my relatives always picked me up.  I only visited a few times in the 1990's. I lived in Mount Vernon, WA then.  I visited in 2004 & 2005.  I drove from Georgia for both those visits.  I visited last fall, but I landed during the day.  I have NEVER driven from (or to) the airport in the dark.

Anyway, Google maps indicated I should "head N I-81".  OK...  I notice the bluetooth display still indicated "Invalid protocol".  I follow the signs and manage to find my way out of the airport and on to I-81 north.  As I'm trying to get in the correct lanes, (and miss all the barrels, cones, cement barricades) I try to look at the cellphone display.  I miss a turn, drive several miles before I can turn around.... get off the interstate & turn around.... get back onto the interstate.... and after another 30 minutes see a sign "Binghamton 25"! I'm not supposed to be going to Upstate New York!

Now the air is very black with sailor talk.  "F***** ME!"   I hate driving in Pennsylvania!

I finally manage to get OFF the I-81.  I find a nice, well light & empty parking lot.  My cellphone still indicates "Head N I-81".  What the hell is going on???!!!  At this point, I am ready to happily use dynamite on this Altima.  I notice the "Invalid protocol" again.... Interesting.  So, I start pressing random buttons on the controls near the bluetooth display.    Purely by chance, I finally find a menu for "bluetooth controls" and turn the bluetooth off.  At last!  My cellphone is now responding!  Google maps now indicates I've driven 35 miles in the wrong direction on my 14 mile trip between the airport and my mother's apartment!  CRAP!

It's now after 1:00 AM.  I call my mother, again.  "Oh hi Mom.  I'm fine.  I'm just driving around in circles in the dark.  Oh no, nothing's wrong.  I'm just an idiot who doesn't know how to use technology.  I will be there as soon as I can figure out where I am and how to head in the right direction".

At this point, I must point out: I was an E-6 Intelligence Specialist in the Navy.  I can read maps like nobody's business.  I can navigate in the wood.  I can find my way around satellite imagery.  Make a strip chart. But, I can not get this damn car to stop messing with me!  If I could have located an open gas station or mini mart, I would have purchased a paper map & found 50 ways to get from where I was to where I wanted to go...

Finally, I get Google Maps under control.  I find the route I want (NOT on the Interstate) and make my way to the Cross Valley Expressway.  And by 1:45 I arrive at my mother apartment.  She seems to have taken my vanishing act to New York in stride.  "Come on in.  Would you like some tea?"  "Yes, thanks Mom.  That would be great!"

After using the Altima for a week, I came to the following conclusions:

1 - The 7 second "rule" isn't true.  I could doddle along as long as I wanted after I unlocked the doors.  Open the trunk... Open all the doors...

2 - You CAN NOT open the doors from the inside as long as the engine is on!  WHAT THE HELL??!!  Maybe I WANT to open the door while the car's on.  Maybe someone in just getting in (or out).  Why MUST I shut the car off??!!

3 - The *&^%#@$%&&*(^%$$ bluetooth will NEVER be on when I am trying to use my cellphone.  I do NOT want the car to control my communications!

4 - I am a Luddite!  My younger family members found the whole story intensely amusing. I did NOT.

5 - Websites that don't inform you a major credit card is required for all transactions take advantage of poor, lost and confused middle-aged travelers.  Thank the maker, there was another option.  I guess I would have waited for a bus otherwise...

New washers.....

Several months ago, we had to buy a new washer.  The one we had was having final spin cycle issues.  And then it decided to stop filling... I guess it thought the kitchen floor needed scrubbing too.

So Josh & I headed to Sears in Ash Fat to see what they had available.  We looked at the various models. I finally decided on one, made the purchase & arranged for delivery.  They brought it by the following day.

We were surprised to discover that this particular model plays several little songs when you start the cycle & when the cycle is done.  Great.  My washer sings to me....

When we started using it, the cycle was very quiet.  This was great, because our old one was very noisy.  But as time has passed, the new machine has been getting louder and louder.  And now, it's veeeeerrrrrryyyy loud and makes a banging noise.  CRAP!!!

Now, I know why this happened.  Our washer is being recalled by Samsung.

Samsung-recalls-top-load-washing-machines

Initially, I tried to register online.  But when I tried to schedule an appointment for repair, the webpage failed.  I tried several times.  So on Monday, I called the 1-800 number and waited on hold for 20 minutes.  I eventually just hung up.  Yesterday, I tried again.  After a 15 minute wait, a nice young man helped me get registered and set an appointment.  A technician will be here next Monday to make repairs.  That's pretty fast!

Cold, crisp Sunday morning

November 5th... the year is flying by.

Today we perform that annual Autumn ritual known as Turning the Clock Back.  What a pointless ritual!  Why do we have "daylight savings" time?  How can you save time by manipulating the clock?  It's not like you can add an hour or subtract an hour .... the day remains 24 hours in length.

Ah well.

It seems we still have an armadillo rampaging in our yard and pasture/orchard area.  Near holes appear every night.  The darn thing gets the chickens all excited.  Which gets the dogs excited.  Go away, you armored beasty!

Recently, I was walking from the house to the workshop, and found a new hole it dug the night before.  Here's what it dug up!

Who knows when this camera was lost. We've been here almost 11 years, so it's been longer than that.

New books

I got a few new books through Amazon last week.  I love books relating to my crafts!  I prefer hardcover books, they hold up better through the years.

So, here's the first book.  Homestead Kitchen

We have enjoyed watching Alaska the Last Frontier for years.  This family brings homesteading to TV in a great way.  They are hardworking.  They have strong family values. They are resourceful.

This new book by Eve and Eivin has lots of great recipes and lots of other useful information.  Great pictures. I'm sure this book is going to be in use in my kitchen for years to come.

As I mentioned the other day, I've been interested in applique quilting for years now.  Recycling wool clothing, felting sweaters from the thrift store, making toys or Christmas ornaments, these all interest me.  I saw these 3 books on Amazon and got a great deal on them,

First is Wool Applique Folk Art

Rebekah L. Smith is a real artist!  Her color pallet is very soothing.  The book is full of great pictures & paper patterns for every project.  The step-by-step instructions are very clear.  Even the novice quilter could use this book to start a project and finish it with excellent results. This is an excellent book.

Gorgeous Wool Applique

This book by Deborah Gale Tirico is wonderful!  Appealing projects, excellent instructions and pattern pieces to help you make these heirloom articles for your home.  This is another book that both the novice, and the long-time quilter can use to get great results.

Summertime Sampler

Erica Kaprow's patterns will help you produce brightly colored primitive quilts.  This isn't a book, per se. The pattern pieces are provided, along with step by step instructions.  I really like the bright colors Erica uses.  Happy, sunny.... They made me smile.