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Halloween troubles.
Oct. 31st, 2023 12:28 pmWe have a gorgeous, friendly, black cat. Out of an abundance of caution, we keep him (and the other cats) in on Halloween. As a result, my morning was filled with plaintive cries as he tried to convince this dumb human to just let him out already.
This is harder on me than him, trust me.
This is harder on me than him, trust me.
New Years.
Jan. 2nd, 2023 09:58 amMost of us were still sick on New Year's Eve, so we celebrated at home. I made a big fire in the firepit, and we had dolma for dinner. Every kid managed to shoot off at least one of our fireworks. And, of course, the neighbors were in good form as always with the illegal kind.
I'd made sure we had a bottle of Martinellis in the fridge, but none of us were up to staying awake to our proper midnight. S wasn't up to any countdown, having been the last to fall prey to our plague. C, M, and I counted down with New York. Then, since H couldn't make it by till after work, C, M, H, and I counted down again with Texas.
Then the New Year dawned with continuous cold rain. Our backyard looks like we flooded.
BTW, Happy New Year, everyone.
I'd made sure we had a bottle of Martinellis in the fridge, but none of us were up to staying awake to our proper midnight. S wasn't up to any countdown, having been the last to fall prey to our plague. C, M, and I counted down with New York. Then, since H couldn't make it by till after work, C, M, H, and I counted down again with Texas.
Then the New Year dawned with continuous cold rain. Our backyard looks like we flooded.
BTW, Happy New Year, everyone.
Christmas Pie.
Dec. 24th, 2022 03:43 pmS and I have been making all the pies today. After a trip to the used stuff store, and reclaiming a pie tin I had forgotten had been being used as a cat food dish, we ended up with two 10in glass pie tins and four 9in.
So, pumpkin, pear (far superior to apple), lime meringue, grapefruit meringue (S's fault) and vanilla cream pie have been completed.
Twitter Pies.
Cranberry sauce pie is waiting on H getting done with work.
So, pumpkin, pear (far superior to apple), lime meringue, grapefruit meringue (S's fault) and vanilla cream pie have been completed.
Twitter Pies.
Cranberry sauce pie is waiting on H getting done with work.
The holiday season is coming up.
Halloween.
Thanksgiving.
Christmas*.
New Years.
This used to be the season of parties and get togethers. Then 2020 happened and no one got together. Then 2021, and vaccine only parties cropped up. I wonder how It's going to work this year.
*for us (I am fully aware of the various other religious/celebratory options around mid/late December).
Halloween.
Thanksgiving.
Christmas*.
New Years.
This used to be the season of parties and get togethers. Then 2020 happened and no one got together. Then 2021, and vaccine only parties cropped up. I wonder how It's going to work this year.
*for us (I am fully aware of the various other religious/celebratory options around mid/late December).
Fireworks.
Jul. 5th, 2022 09:02 pmI love our neighborhood.
Many of our neighbors shoot off the good fireworks every year. The snuck in from another state, or another country, not quite legal for this area, fireworks. This year more neighbors joined in and the shows ran longer into the night.
It was glorious.
C and I watched for so long, H finished her nightshift before C and I even had a chance to break into our own supply of grocery store fireworks we shoot off in our backyard.
Far less exciting, and far less illegal, but still good fun.
S even managed to join us right at the end for a few final big ones.
Since S and H both had to work, I didn't expect to get to celebrate with all three of my kids this year. It was a happy accident that it worked out so well after all.
Many of our neighbors shoot off the good fireworks every year. The snuck in from another state, or another country, not quite legal for this area, fireworks. This year more neighbors joined in and the shows ran longer into the night.
It was glorious.
C and I watched for so long, H finished her nightshift before C and I even had a chance to break into our own supply of grocery store fireworks we shoot off in our backyard.
Far less exciting, and far less illegal, but still good fun.
S even managed to join us right at the end for a few final big ones.
Since S and H both had to work, I didn't expect to get to celebrate with all three of my kids this year. It was a happy accident that it worked out so well after all.
Coffee Cup.
Jan. 6th, 2022 11:10 amC got this for me for Christmas.
Picture of coffee cup.
ETA: For when Twitter dies, I suppose I should describe the present. It is a coffee cup with the words How do I take my coffee? Seriously, very seriously
Picture of coffee cup.
ETA: For when Twitter dies, I suppose I should describe the present. It is a coffee cup with the words How do I take my coffee? Seriously, very seriously
New Year's Eve.
Jan. 1st, 2022 10:02 pmH came over after work to celebrate New Year's Eve with us. We managed a few fireworks. It was a bit too windy, but thanks to all the rain the grass was in no danger.
Per the usual, various neighbors had the good shoot up into the air kind.
After toasting midnight with sparkling cider, and setting off a few extra fireworks, the kids and I played Encore; a version S and I thought up while making keikla the day before. It went a little late, with H, S, and me battling it out over the category "songs about breaking up". S pulled it out in the end when my brain stopped working around 4am.
H decided to stay over.
Per the usual, various neighbors had the good shoot up into the air kind.
After toasting midnight with sparkling cider, and setting off a few extra fireworks, the kids and I played Encore; a version S and I thought up while making keikla the day before. It went a little late, with H, S, and me battling it out over the category "songs about breaking up". S pulled it out in the end when my brain stopped working around 4am.
H decided to stay over.
Fire in the Rain.
Dec. 31st, 2021 09:52 pmIt rained most of today. I used the small amount of not sopping wood to build a fire. I showed C how to use my hatchet to make very thin kindling. He was pleasantly surprised that I had my own hatchet. He and M had spent some time, a couple weeks back, cleaning and organizing some old axes and hatchets Opa had given us; some of them old enough to be M's Opa's.
Since Imgur is still broken, here is a link to my Twitter with the pretty fire picture. I have no idea why it looks pinkish purple.
Oh yeah, Happy New Year.
Since Imgur is still broken, here is a link to my Twitter with the pretty fire picture. I have no idea why it looks pinkish purple.
Oh yeah, Happy New Year.
The Christmas Coat.
Dec. 15th, 2021 08:48 pmSappy Christmas story someone shared in one of my Facebook groups. Even though I know this sort of story isn't real, it really hit me in the feels anyway.
A man was fumblin around one day in a women’s clothing store. He’d found his wife a Christmas coat and was headed for the door when he bumped into a little boy who looked like he was lost. The boy said, “Mister can you help me find out how much something costs? Here it is almost Christmas and the nights are gettin cold, winter time is on us and my mom don’t have a coat. I’ve been workin for the neighbors and saving for a time.” And in his tiny outstretched hand was a dollar and a dime.
His gaze went from that big eyed boy to that pretty Christmas coat, and he finally cleared away the lump that had gathered in his throat. He said “Son that’s just what this coat costs, we’re lucky that we found ‘er,” and he turned around and gave a wink to the lady at the counter. She put it in a pretty box and wrapped it up just so, and went off in the back and found a big red Christmas bow. The boy said “I thank you for your help sir, and I kindly thank you ma’am, I hope y’all are gonna have a big Christmas 'cause now I know I am!”
Well the man walked home busted except for the dollar and the dime, thinkin he’d just have to buy the coat another time. He told his wife that Christmas this year wouldn’t be much fun and he gently took her in his arms and told her what he’d done.
She said, “Why you old softie, I wouldn’t trade you for a farm, I’ve got two or three old coats and your love to keep me warm.“ She put that money in a matchbox and placed it beneath their tree, and said, “that is the grandest gift you’ve ever given me.”
The years went by like years will do when people are in love; their marriage was a golden bond that was forged by God above. Then one day came some bitter news that filled his heart with fright, the doctor told the old man’s wife that she was going to lose her sight. He said, “there’s an operation we can do, but it puts me on the spot 'cause it’s a quite complex procedure and it’s going to cost a lot.”
The old man said, “doctor I’m a failure I’ve made no preparation we don’t have the money for that kind of an operation.“ The doctor got the strangest look and he sat there for a while and then he slowly nodded and he broke out in a smile. He said, “Why sir you can’t fool me, you’re a very wealthy man. You long ago invested in the world’s best savings plan. I’ll see she gets the best of care, she’s going to be just fine, and the total cost to you old friend, is a dollar and a dime.”
The old man stared in disbelief, then he recognized that smile, the one he’d seen those years ago on a loving thoughtful child. The doctor said, “What you gave to me that day was more than just a coat, you gave me the gift of giving and you gave my mother hope. My mother’d been mistreated, neglected and abused, but she gave life just one more chance, and it was all because of you. Now every year she takes that coat, and lays it beneath our tree; it represents to us the things that Christmas ought to be. She says that when we leave this world for a better home someday, the only things that we’ll take with us are the things we gave away.
A man was fumblin around one day in a women’s clothing store. He’d found his wife a Christmas coat and was headed for the door when he bumped into a little boy who looked like he was lost. The boy said, “Mister can you help me find out how much something costs? Here it is almost Christmas and the nights are gettin cold, winter time is on us and my mom don’t have a coat. I’ve been workin for the neighbors and saving for a time.” And in his tiny outstretched hand was a dollar and a dime.
His gaze went from that big eyed boy to that pretty Christmas coat, and he finally cleared away the lump that had gathered in his throat. He said “Son that’s just what this coat costs, we’re lucky that we found ‘er,” and he turned around and gave a wink to the lady at the counter. She put it in a pretty box and wrapped it up just so, and went off in the back and found a big red Christmas bow. The boy said “I thank you for your help sir, and I kindly thank you ma’am, I hope y’all are gonna have a big Christmas 'cause now I know I am!”
Well the man walked home busted except for the dollar and the dime, thinkin he’d just have to buy the coat another time. He told his wife that Christmas this year wouldn’t be much fun and he gently took her in his arms and told her what he’d done.
She said, “Why you old softie, I wouldn’t trade you for a farm, I’ve got two or three old coats and your love to keep me warm.“ She put that money in a matchbox and placed it beneath their tree, and said, “that is the grandest gift you’ve ever given me.”
The years went by like years will do when people are in love; their marriage was a golden bond that was forged by God above. Then one day came some bitter news that filled his heart with fright, the doctor told the old man’s wife that she was going to lose her sight. He said, “there’s an operation we can do, but it puts me on the spot 'cause it’s a quite complex procedure and it’s going to cost a lot.”
The old man said, “doctor I’m a failure I’ve made no preparation we don’t have the money for that kind of an operation.“ The doctor got the strangest look and he sat there for a while and then he slowly nodded and he broke out in a smile. He said, “Why sir you can’t fool me, you’re a very wealthy man. You long ago invested in the world’s best savings plan. I’ll see she gets the best of care, she’s going to be just fine, and the total cost to you old friend, is a dollar and a dime.”
The old man stared in disbelief, then he recognized that smile, the one he’d seen those years ago on a loving thoughtful child. The doctor said, “What you gave to me that day was more than just a coat, you gave me the gift of giving and you gave my mother hope. My mother’d been mistreated, neglected and abused, but she gave life just one more chance, and it was all because of you. Now every year she takes that coat, and lays it beneath our tree; it represents to us the things that Christmas ought to be. She says that when we leave this world for a better home someday, the only things that we’ll take with us are the things we gave away.
Holiday Checklist.
Dec. 2nd, 2021 04:01 pmM, C, S, and I, dropped off toys at a Toys for Tots collection location this morning. It was the small window of time S had free in her exceedingly busy schedule.
M and I picked up a small living Christmas tree. It took going to two stores to find a price point and tree size that worked for us. M suggested we plant it in the front yard when it's done being a Christmas tree so we can put lights on it in future years.
M and I picked up a small living Christmas tree. It took going to two stores to find a price point and tree size that worked for us. M suggested we plant it in the front yard when it's done being a Christmas tree so we can put lights on it in future years.
My Apple Pie.
Nov. 23rd, 2021 05:43 pm6 cups peeled and thinly sliced apples - fuji (or some other decently tasting apple, NOT Granny Smith).
1/2 cup sugar.
1/4 cup flour for thickening.
Dash salt.
1/2 tsp cinnamon.
Mix above ingredients together in big bowl, transfer to sauce pan, heat approx 20 mins on stove at medium low (4 on my stove).
Take off heat, mix in 1 TBSP lemon juice.
Put into uncooked pie crust, dot with butter (2 or 3 TBSP).
Lattice top crust*.
Preheat oven to 450.
Cook at 450 for 10 mins.
Reduce heat to 350, cook for additional 45 mins (approximately, judge by how the crust looks). Sprinkle granulated sugar on crust and bake an extra 5 mins.
*If desired, foil edges of crust, remove foil for last 25 mins.
ETA: This year (2021), I used the 10in pie pan. I left off the aluminum foil. I used 5ish cups of apples, mixing in a couple gala with the fuji. I forgot the butter till the pie had already baked 45 mins at 350, so I put butter in all the lattice holes, added sugar in the top crust, and baked it for an extra 10 mins. Best pie to date.
1/2 cup sugar.
1/4 cup flour for thickening.
Dash salt.
1/2 tsp cinnamon.
Mix above ingredients together in big bowl, transfer to sauce pan, heat approx 20 mins on stove at medium low (4 on my stove).
Take off heat, mix in 1 TBSP lemon juice.
Put into uncooked pie crust, dot with butter (2 or 3 TBSP).
Lattice top crust*.
Preheat oven to 450.
Cook at 450 for 10 mins.
Reduce heat to 350, cook for additional 45 mins (approximately, judge by how the crust looks). Sprinkle granulated sugar on crust and bake an extra 5 mins.
*If desired, foil edges of crust, remove foil for last 25 mins.
ETA: This year (2021), I used the 10in pie pan. I left off the aluminum foil. I used 5ish cups of apples, mixing in a couple gala with the fuji. I forgot the butter till the pie had already baked 45 mins at 350, so I put butter in all the lattice holes, added sugar in the top crust, and baked it for an extra 10 mins. Best pie to date.
Chicks are big enough I'm trying to find a viable place for them to live outside.
Girls still have jobs.
M still does not.
In-laws claim they are making it out for Thanksgiving.
Winco has announced their buy $100 worth of groceries get a free turkey deal.
I'm doing a better job of keeping up with Huevember than I did with Inktober.
S and I have decided to bake pies the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, since she has class Wednesday. We'll see if we can rope H in to help, assuming she doesn't have to work.
Girls still have jobs.
M still does not.
In-laws claim they are making it out for Thanksgiving.
Winco has announced their buy $100 worth of groceries get a free turkey deal.
I'm doing a better job of keeping up with Huevember than I did with Inktober.
S and I have decided to bake pies the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, since she has class Wednesday. We'll see if we can rope H in to help, assuming she doesn't have to work.
Independence Day.
Jul. 5th, 2021 10:32 amWe celebrated Independence Day with barbecue, fireworks, and family. M grilled burgers and hotdogs, our neighbors were in great form with illegal fireworks while we used smaller ones in the yard, and H came by after work to join us in the celebration.
Memorial Day.
May. 31st, 2021 09:58 pmI think I have a new Memorial Day tradition:
Jesse Kelly's Memorial Day Podcast.
He says he does one every year.
Jesse Kelly's Memorial Day Podcast.
He says he does one every year.
