Hubby Home and All is Well

Brian at Deaconess Hospital.

This has been a busy and eventful period and I am happy to report things are looking up and life may once again be "normal"!  After a bout with AFIB  and a 5 day hospital stay my husband is back at home and at his place of business and life may get back to it's every day routine.

This I felt I needed to share as an explanation of my absence from posting anything.  Please stand-by as we get back into our grove.  Happy Spring and thanks.

Apple Season Begins as the Garden Dwindles, Fall is Near and Winter Not Far Behind!

Beautiful apples picked just this morning!

As summer wains and fall nears apples and pumpkins abound.  The gardens dwindle  and the orchards spruce up for the fall crop.  I have very small pickings left of tomatoes and beans but today our friends the Linton's delivered near a bushel of apples from the tree in their yard.  I especially love this as he doesn't spray and there is no pesticide residue to have concerns about.

Today's picking from our garden is sparse.

Mike and Brian had big discussions about where to place an additional out building as Molly looked on!  I put 10 pounds in an orchard box to take to the kitchen and boxed the other 20+ pounds to store in the garage refrigerator until I get my bearings and process them!

Mike Linton and Brian ponder.

And Molly looks on!

Sewing is calling me and as usual I have lost most of the day already.  Maybe I will get some mending started as I contemplate apple something!  Thanks go out to our friends Mike and Mindy for the lovely apples!

A Beautiful Day for Laying Low and Making up Easter Baskets and Eggs

Maundy Thursday 4/17/14 on the patio at home.

My saga began with forecast lows of 28 degrees F Tuesday night here in southern Indiana.  Of course I told Brian everyone could thank me for that one as I was sure it was because I'd jumped the gun and took all of my jungle of house plants outside to the patio on Saturday! And...he agreed!

Indoor plants blooming outdoors.

Not wishing to drag them all inside again or to lose them to freezing I hatched a plan.  Pulling them all back to the corner closest to the house and the most insulated by a brick wall I rigged up a trouble light and bulb.  The light was positioned down in the center of the plants and pulled back enough to insure that a sheet used to cover the entire debacle would not touch it in any way. (Avoiding the chance of starting a fire I hoped.)  Last of all I covered the entire lot with a king sized flannel sheet and anchored it's ends with logs.

Tropical plants outside.

Late that night, after midnight I would guess, (Brian was fast asleep.) I stumbled barefoot in pajamas, and in the dark down the back stairs to the landing with Molly faithful at my side.  I wanted to check to be sure she hadn't pulled my project apart or that the wind had not come up and blown it all a rye.  All was as I had left it but when I turned.  OUCH!  Somehow I had twisted my foot and a pain shot from my big toe through the arch of my foot.  So I hobbled back upstairs as quietly as I could as not to wake my sleeping husband.

These are Virginia Bluebells in bloom.

Even after reluctantly taking one of the pain pills prescribed for knee pain the pain did not leave me and I didn't sleep all night.  The next morning I found there was no swelling or discoloration and thought I must be a big wimp!  Surly it was not broken as there were no sign.  So.....I pulled out my big clunky walking shoes with the RX prosthetic inserts and there was no pain!  I could walk just fine.  Away I went!  The bank, gas station, grocery, and post office were all on my route.

 All was well until I removed the shoe then OUCH.

I just love these Virginia Bluebells!

Happily I had an easy soup supper planned and could just prop up my foot.  By this morning things are improved and I think if I take it easy today I might well have seen the worst of it.

The candy and baskets have already been gotten down and await me on the bed in the rear bedroom. A  quick visit to Harry Brown the egg man on Monday netted me an additional 5 dozen eggs.  I held back 3 dozen from my last purchase to hard cook for Easter as they will peel easier if the are not just laid.

Molly is checking out the fish pond.

But as I look out on such a lovely day I am certain I will enjoy sitting outside with Molly a good bit today.

The egg colors and a fresh bottle of white vinegar await me.  I am also contemplating an Easter Bunny cake.  More to follow on that one!  Happy Easter everyone.

Grant's Farm and the St.Louis Zoo are OUTSTANDING Family Attractions.

Left rear, Brian, Diane, Chris, Mike, Julie.  Front left, Jack, Sam, Emily, and Kate.  Inside Grant's log cabin at Grant's Farm.

We have had company, and we went on a family outing.  It was not what we had planned but it turned out beautifully!  That is my story as well as my excuse for not keeping up with postings!

The twins check out the artillery outside Grant's Cabin.

When out oldest son called to get last minute directions for a family trip long planned to Gatlinburgh, Tn. he had a bad feeling and as the conversation progressed it only got worse.  We have gone there and stayed several times and had a wonderful time.  However this was with a different outfit and red flags were flying up all over.  The trip was cancelled.  It seems it is not as well kept as the online photos implied nor is the pool up to good working condition (and who knows what else!)

Big Fred the buffalo.

Really Big Birds!

Instead we went to Grant's Farm and the St. Louis  Zoo.  We didn't drive but half as far and we had a terrific time.  There is a private tour you can arrange at Grant's Farm and I cannot say enough wonderful things about it!  There were buffalo, several varieties of elk, deer. foul of many colors and varieties.  There were many other animals, too many for me to remember and to name here.

This truck's equipped with benches and coolers of drinks and also held lots of food for us to feed many of the wonderful fish, foul, and animals.

We first walked down and visited the stables.  After some friendly petting of the critters and photos we boarded a touring truck and were off.  It is both a beautiful place and a very historically interesting place.  Our driver and tour guide were the best.....so much fun. 

They were both just wonderful with the children too.

Emily and Kate.

The next day we visited the Zoo which was also delightful.  A good time was had by all!  The motel was very very nice and located right across the street from the zoo too.

My only wrinkle was this.  I don't remember if I have shared my woes about both knees with you.  After working on furniture floors and wearing high heels for well over 30 years, there is not a speck of cartilage in either of my knees.  Before agreeing to go on this trip I checked out the Zoo online and saw there was a railroad circling the entire zoo.  My thought was that if my knees grew painful and the rest of me weary I could ride the train to meet the rest of the family any place they might head.

Lunch?

That was a good plan BUT,  there were so many people riding the train that we stood while 4 trains stopped and left again without enough people getting off for the crowds waiting to board to get on!  Meanwhile 7-9 trains sat idle behind the station.  Poor planning on somebody's part I would guess.  We still had a good time but I am not too sure I would try it again before having both knees replaced. 
(Which I am in no big hurry to do.)

Note: Our other son Joel and his wife Julie were not available to go with us this time as they have their home being built on to and couldn't get away just now.

We've Gone to the Dogs!

Oreo is of course the black and white dog and Molly is called orange and white.

Last week Molly our Brittany had a house guest, Oreo, a Brittany/Beagle mix and our son Mike's family pet.  Their family had gone to Florida and Oreo spent her week vacationing with Molly who loves to run in our fenced yard with her. 

Oreo is getting up there in years as our son Chris got a Rhodesian Ridge Back,  we got Susie, our boxer and Mike got Oreo all the same year and Oreo is the only one left living.  So I am sentimental about her,  and so glad she had such a good week.

Grandpa did have to rig up lattice over the fish pond as Oreo wanted to swim with the fishes at least 3 times a day!!  I think she was a black lab in another life!

I found it surprising that both dogs went bonkers for a treat I made them.  So much so that I ended up making a second batch Friday evening to have enough to send home a "dogie bag"  (ha  ha) with Oreo on Sunday.

These are so easy to make kids could make them.  The dough is very easy to work and roll.  the second batch I didn't even drag out the cutters but cut them in logs and pinched them in the center to liik like little bow ties.  Here is the link if you want to try them.    thehiddenpantry.blogspot.com/2011/05/peanut-butter-bones-for-molly.html

I must say I like to make my own treats for our pets just as well as our food from scratch as then at least I know what is in in and I can pronounce everything I add.  It HAS to be better for all concerned!  Probably cheaper too in the long run plus nowhere as much packaging used.

Oreo likes to sleep behind Brian's recliner and keeps an eye on the front door.  Nobody is going to sneak up in this neighborhood full of dog lovers and dog owners!

At any rate we enjoyed Oreo and hope she can star again another time.

A Rainy Monday in South West Indiana.

A rainy morning in Indiana.

We are having a dark and rainy Monday.  Very surprisingly the power has not gone off although there were numerous flashes and  much flickering of the lights.  Flash floods are still in effect although they don't generally affect us as we sit up near the top of a big hill.  Molly our dog is scared to death, quivering and has not left my side.

It just rains steadily.

I like rainy days.  They seem to make me feel a bit lazy and that can be a pleasant affliction.  Today after starting the laundry and doing a few little chores I settled down and curled up to a movie as the dog nestled at my feet.

The birds have found shelter elsewhere.

But restlessness sets in and I have to busy myself so I have tried to capture the cleansing and rebirth a good rain brings.  Everything becomes a lusher green.  Soon the birds and insects will be back about their rounds and normal will resume.

Spring has Sprung with Mushrooms in Southern Indiana and Frog is Back for Another Season!

Wonderful Wild Morels.

Each day dawns more glorious than the last as the mist of green about the trees goes from the tiny needle like slivers of new life to buds, to blossoms, to leaves.  From my windows I revel each morning in the great beauty unfolding before me.  I go outside to find more miracles abound.  Mostly small wonderful miracles of nature.  Like wild mushrooms.  And, like frogs!

Today I got this photo from my sister-in-law Darla Burress who I will call the mushroom whisperer!  I have never in my life heard of anyone so adept at the art of finding wild mushrooms!  She knows where and when and how to find them.  If she were not staved up with a bad back she could probably get rich and retire as a wild mushroom guide.  As it is she must pace herself.  Go for short periods and be very careful not to misstep and even with all that she always comes home with a lap full!

He is sort of brown and sitting right smack in the center of this photo.

Last night Brian said when he fed our fish in the fish pond he had heard a plop and suspected a frog has come to enjoy our abode.  He never could spot it so today I ever so stealthily made a sweep looking so very carefully amongst the leaves.   I FOUND HIM! 

He is again right in the middle of the photo.

He doesn't look a thing like our last frog Freddie.  Freddie was here in 2011 and I shot a photo and shared it with you in August that year.   thehiddenpantry.blogspot.com/2011/08/froggie-went-court-he-did-sing-umm-umm.html   Such a bonus to have found this fellow so early in the season.  Hum mm........I wonder if he has brought his family and I just haven't spotted them yet?  Something to ponder.

He is sharing the pond with four goldfish about 3" long each and two koi that are a good 7" long.  This will make for great fun when the little ones come!  Hopefully Molly will not allow any predators into our yard to snack on our tenants.

Next door Doris has a mystery going on in the shrubbery just outside her front door.  A perfect tiny nest is just under construction there.   As I tied up and fertilized the rose bushes each with 3 tablespoons of Epsom salt this morning a woodpecker was working on a nest just out side out dining room window.  The countryside is teaming with springs new life.

Spring is finally here as we enjoy our first day of working out in our yard.

Looking down into a red tulip.

Grape Hyacinths Smell Wonderful.

I expect we will both be moaning and groaning this evening after doing yard work most of the day.  Things are blooming and spring is here.  Thought I would share some of the blossoms..............

My favorite spot.......anytime......

These are called Star Flowers I believe.

This Burk-woody Viburnum smells like heaven and will bloom in days.

These are my favorite Virginia Blue Bells but are hard to see.

Can't get enough Hyacinths!

Pileated Woodpecker Visits Our Window Today.

Pileated Woodpecker @10:30 AM this morning. Picture taken by my friend and next door neighbor, Doris.

Many years I have been visited by Pileated Woodpeckers in the wooded area where we reside.  But not every year and not this year......that is until TODAY!  Never have I been able to get a picture of one, not until today. 

It was amazing as my neighbor Doris and I visited I saw something very large land in the big old tree directly in front of our living room's picture window.  The big branches come within just a couple of inches of the house and squirrels daily jump from roof to house and back in play.  I thought it a white tailed hawk at first as it blended with the snarl of branches.  It was when the stark pointed top notch arose I gasped at the blood red streak it made in my field of vision and Doris and I in unison gasped, "A Pileated Woodpecker!"

It was Doris who thought of the camera and for that I am grateful.  I was so thrilled to have him within 3 feet of the window I was aflutter.  Quietly I stood from the rocker where I had sat and quietly stepped backward through the dining room towards the kitchen where my camera lay on the kitchen counter.  I whispered to Doris, "Is he there?"  He was, and we both adjusted our positions for a better view.

This was my best picture.

I snapped photo after photo 8 or 9 and had all sorts of angles of parts of him but when I handed the camera to Doris....she got the money shot!!  Again, for that I am grateful.   He was well within 6-8 feet from the window.  What a birds eye view we had.  He visited for quite a while savoring grubs or some other such delicacy served up by this old sweet gum tree.  In all he was there for a good 20-30 minutes and we cherished every minute.  I have long since taken the sighting of this bird to be a very good omen and was very thankful that it has come to my door.

American Goldfinches on A Winter Day

American Goldfinches Dinning.

These cheery little birds are as interesting to watch year around as can be... and they certainly cheer up the winter blahs!  These 7 are wearing their winter coats of a drab gray and green hue with black and white bars across their wings.  They will frequent your feeder if you offer Niger seeds, a tiny black seed about a 16th of an inch long and no thicker than a straight pin.  When spring is just around the corner they turn the brightest purest yellow and will cause your spirits to soar as you watch the transition!  Then you will not care what the Groundhog predicts as you will know another season is dawning.

Snow on the ground but Blooms inside as the Amaryllis bulbs burst with color and cheer.

Opened 1/7/13

Opened 1/19-20/13

Opened 1/23/13

My dear friend Diane Goss always sends me Amaryllis bulbs for Christmas since I mentioned years back about having enjoyed them dearly from when I first received one from my husbands Aunt Virginia, probably 30-35 years ago.  This years bulbs are the best in years!  They are putting on quite a show that will last for weeks and weeks.

This beautiful Amaryllis stands on my dinning room table enjoying the light from 3 sides.

The first one, above has opened a bud daily.  In addition it has another stalk with buds directly behind the one you see.  Big Bonus!!  To the left there is a second pot with a stalk and bud yet unopened.  There is a third pot and bulb just starting and although the stalk has not yet shot up you can see 2 fat buds on either side of the bulb gathering energy for the trip!

I am prone to getting the doldrums in the dead of the cold grey winter and these lift my spirits immensely.  So in case you do too I thought I would share these with you.  I am going to try to think to keep adding photos to this post as they progress.

One stem has broken but 5 buds remain.

This morning 1/11/13 I was surprised to find the weight of the 4 blossoms were more than the 1/1/2" wide stalk could hold.  It had fallen and broken off.  I was further delighted as well as surprised to find my suspicions confirmed that one bulb is bringing forward a remarkable THREE fat buds!

THREE fat buds!

Now I head to my stash of fabrics to find suitable material for my next project, aprons!

The second bulb has bloomed this week, ending 1/19/13.  It opened two buds together and is opening two more but a few days later.  Happily there are 4 more unopened buds yet to bloom.  I have moved them from the dining room to the living room and they do brighten my spirits for which I am very grateful!

Our Garden Today 1/23/13.

Note:  Each stalk has a bud and contains (usually anyway) four more buds within it and thus four giant lily like flowers emerge from each huge stalk.  Each bulb usually produces from one to three stalks.

We've had a White Christmas & Happy New Years to all 2013.

Sledding on our front hill the morning after Christmas.

Hello there to everyone.  We have returned with colds and coughs and are laying about like old dogs!  We had a lovely Christmas and New Years with family and friends and hope you did too.  Given the intensity with travel and company I have not devoted a bit of attention to anything except whatever has been at hand.

The schedule has been hectic with everyone coming and going.  I do believe that everyone had a Blessed Christmas season.  We got to visit with Jacob at the Burress Christmas held this year at my sister Linda's home.  He continues to make slow but definite progress and we see miracles happen and blessings continue as our prayers are answered in the Lord's time.  Thank you for your continued prayers for his healing.

I am going to take another day to try and play catch up and get to feeling better than it will be cranking up the sewing machine and preparing "slow carb" meals as I have decided to repeat my diet of last year.  I have only gained back 3-4 pounds of the 35 I lost so I thought a 10-12 week diet each New Year might be a good thing to continue.

Again Happy New Year to you all and thank you for looking in on this blog.  I look forward to your comments and e-mails in the coming year.

Diane

Vintage Canning Lids

Just look what I found as I am going through a truck load of fabric, trims, and other misc, goodies from Grandma Powell.  Two original packages of canning lids and one is marked with a price of $.98.

I ask you is that a bargain or what?? A dozen wide mouth caps and screw lids for 98 cents!  I have known her since I was 18 and I am 64 now and she has never canned anything since we were introduced.  She had long since left the farm and was a gal working for the state of Indiana Excise Department. 

I surely wonder how old these really are.  Wide mouth jars are a much newer innovation so surely within memory.  Just a stroll back in time!

PS:  It may well take me another week to get all of this organized.

Just Eating an Apple and Thinking.

It is about time I get back into the grove don't you think?  Seems like since Brian's surgery it has just been one thing right after another. Well, the days have cooled and the garden is about gone.  Today I picked what is probably the last batch of tomatoes to process.  I still have 20 pounds of apples to do something with though!! Thought I would just slice and eat one and think about the fall.

Today I spent at least 5 hours on the telephone.  I am hoping this is the last of my "CHORES".  I am the not so proud owner of an ATT 2 year cell phone contract and an Apple i-phone 3 that has not worked properly since I got it last Dec. 10th.   I spoke with both AT&T and Apple and all of the people were very helpful and we are getting a new phone but "Oh the hoops you have to leap through!" Golly, you just wouldn't believe!

Then I must start sewing.  Grandma Powell who was 92 last Sunday has given probably 20 large plastic bins of fabric to go with quite a bit I already had saved or been given.  I used to piece quilts but haven't for a number of years.  I am going to get some projects going though!! Then there are the wool sweaters I have been collecting for felting!  I could  go on and on. 

There is a thick stack of recipes too that I am getting to.  Just getting wound up for a big start, any day now.....

I just love these chickens!! My 4 year old Grandsons made them and I of course think they are works of art!!  Rainbow chicken was made when one Grandson sorted his Kix cereal and crushed it up into pretty sand.   Fluffy chicken was made when the other twin stuck on cotton balls and spaghetti for his picture.  Both the chickens and the boys are a grin!  Just thought I would share today.

Rainbow Chicken

Fluffy Chicken