Those Autumn Leaves....

Here in SC we are just beginning to see the first signs of color on some of the trees. It will be a few weeks before the blazing glory that they usually show.  It is so pretty here that I often wonder why so many people flock to the north of us to see the display of color. We did it,too, one year...and while the views from the mountain roads looking out over the valleys was indeed awesome, I feel the same way right here in our area when those colors come.

We've got a maple tree in the diciduous stand behind the house. It gives us the most beautiful, brilliant gold every year. There are several varieties of oaks and dogwoods, as well as the sweet gum trees with their 5 pointed leaves, and all never fail to offer their vibrant gifts. Combined with the dark greens of the pines and cedars, it's never a disappointment.

When I grew up on eastern Long Island, NY, there were always leaves to rake. There must have been a certain Tom Sawyer game going on between parents and children to get us to rake, but we never caught on, if there was. We would rake the crisp, colored leaves into large piles, and then tear across the yard, taking turns destroying the crunchy mountains with our bodies. We'd pick up huge handsful of the leaves and toss them high into the air.

Eventually, all of the leaves would be raked out into the road in front of Grandma's house where we lived. Once the piles made it to the street, we were cautioned not to jump into those piles. For reasons of safety from passing cars, of course, but also because those piles would be burned and no one wanted to have to sweep them up again for that purpose.  One early evening, the leaves would be ignited, and we kids would get to toss the horse chestnuts into the fire where they would pop and snap when the heat reached a certain point. The chestnuts were enclosed in a thick covering that had 1/2 inch 'stickers' on the outside. They weren't really sharp thorns, but they looked like they would be, and we collected bags full just so we could send them flying into the leaf fire. I never knew anyone to eat that sort of chestnut, althought it might have been an edible item. I tasted one when I was pretty young, and it was just fresh from the tree...green and bitter. That was it for me. I never ate another chestnut of any kind after that day.

From the time I was a youngster to this day, I've always loved the coming of Fall. The air seems clearer, the stars brighter, the days cooler, the sun more brilliant. The show-offy leaves a-turning, the rising woodsmoke on the night air and the brisk walks through the crispy, fallen, musty-smelling leaves, makes Fall one of my favorite times of the year...and this year reinforces that for me!

A Chilly Day Means A Chili Day

The other day was so chilly that I just could not get warm. I had vowed not to turn on the heat yet, so I put on my sweat shirt over a turtleneck, my sweat pants and warm socks. I felt a little silly to think this Yankee girl was so cold when the temperature was in the low 60's in the South. My blood must have thinned since we moved south. 

To take the chill off in the house, I decided to make an apple pie, which I did. It's a good thing I chose to do it then, too, as the apples would be good for nothing in a few more days.  Then I determined that I'd make chicken chili for dinner with corn bread.  I'm not a very fussy cook, but I can make an edible, and occaisionally 'delicious' meal.  So, I got out 3 cans of white beans, a can of Mexican style stewed tomatoes, a couple of whole chicken legs, a handful of green and red and yellow bell pepper strips from our frozen supply and an onion.  I cooked the chicken, then sauteed the chopped onion and peppers. After the chicken was cooked and cooled, I stripped it from the bones, and put it into the pot with the sauteed vegetables, immediately adding all the cans of beans and the tomatoes, which I chopped into small pieces. I stirred the combination and put it over a low burner to simmer.  It was ready to eat as soon as it had heated through.

I'd been telling my mother for some time that I would be making chicken chili 'soon.'  She repeatedly said that she didn't like chicken chili. I asked if she'd ever had it, and she didn't know, but the thought didn't 'enthuse' her, she said.  So, I filled a small bowl with the thick soup and marched across the street to her house, determined to get her to taste it.  Mom doesn't see much anymore, except a small periferal area. I told her I'd brought something for her to taste. She asked what it was, and I said, "Just taste it."  So she did, and said, "Mmmm that's good. What is it?"  I told her "chicken chili." Do you like it?" I asked.  She said, with a mischievous look, "I don't like chicken chili, do I?"  I gently punched her arm and said, with a grin,  "no, I guess you don't. Shall I take the rest back home?"  She said, "No, I'll eat if for supper."   Score one for me!  I decided that I'm going to do that with a lot of other foods that Mom says she doesn't like. It's kind of like feeding children, I guess. You have to introduce them to something before you tell them what it is!

The chili was hot and filling and very satisfying, especially with the cornbread, which I baked in my black iron skillet in the oven. (I'm convinced that the cast iron frying pan makes anything cooked in it taste better!)  The pie was 'pretty good' too, if I do say so myself!

Autumn weather brings out the cook in me. I enjoy making hearty meals that come with the cooler weather...meatloaf, stews, roasts, thick soups and chilis. I like to bake pies and cookies, cakes too, but not so much.  Looks like I'll be nudging the Chef husband to move over at the stove and counter for awhile!

A New Day...

Well, folks...cookie day got skipped...again!  As often happens in life, a number of other things jumped in to my good intentions and stole away my time. Taking care of a dozen phone calls in regard to Mom's rental homes, contractors who have not met time constraints and arrival dates (by weeks!), and a number of other annoying little things.

One of those calls was  to a lab who did routine bloodwork in June. As always, I paid at the time of service , and I'm  now being billed for the same work. When I spoke to "Michelle", who was located in the billing office in another state,  she gave me a couple of excuses as to why the bill had been sent out.
"Payment hasn't yet been received."   My reply..."I paid the same day, as I do each time, at the front desk of the lab."  Michelle responded, "Oh, I see. Your check was no good, so it wasn't ever applied to your account."  Me: "Michelle, my check was perfectly fine. I had $700 plus in my checking account at the time, and there would be absolutely no reason for that check to be 'no good.'   Michelle: "Well, it was held to be put through a second time, and it wasn't any good."   Me, still politely: "I'm sorry, but that is not correct. I have never received a notice from the bank stating there was insufficient funds or a bounced check. I have not received a fee for such a check, and besides, I have overdraft protection at my bank. Something must be wrong on the billing end, because that check was good." Michelle: "Well, it's never gone through your bank, so you still owe this." 

After a few more minutes of this nonsense, I told her I'd check with my bank. I first checked my monthly statements. No check. I went to the bank and the teller tried to find my check there, but could not locate it. Therefore, I must assume that my payment was never put through the system.  Now I must make another call to that billing office. I will ask for my check to be returned or tell her to put it through, as it is still a good check. I KNOW she will tell me that the check has been destroyed. How do I know this?  Because I have been through this exact scenerio once before...last year.  I'm more than a little annoyed about this inefficiency, and I will begin to look for another lab. I do remember that day in June...the regular woman who works there at the desk was out to lunch, and my time with the 'fill in' was longer than necessary, as she couldn't figure out how to get into the computer without calling three people to get a password for access. From there, she couldn't figure out the billing program. I suspect that is where the trouble began. I wonder why they'd put a substitute at the desk, to receive payments who doesn't know how to operate their system?

So anyway,...the cookies didn't get made that day, but it's going to happen!  Yes, Ben...they will be homemade cookies. Yes, my husband will be happy...and yes, you're all still invited to stop in!

Cookie Day

It's 65 degrees in my living room right now. Some windows are open in the sun room and the bedroom, but everything else is closed up because it's down-right chilly outside.  I think it's a day for cookie baking...among other things.

The oven will warm out the house, so I think I'll do them fairly early.  As the day progresses, the temperatures will rise, and then I won't want to bake. Besides, there are outside things I want to get done today.

So, shall I make chocolate chip cookies or should it be brownies or oatmeal or lemon bars?  I must make one choice...I don't want to be in the kitchen all day!  If I eat breakfast first, which I must because I'm currently famished, I probably won't want to make the cookies anymore.

But I'll do it anyway...because I haven't baked anything in ages.  Mike will be pleased to wake up to the fragrance of something yummy, and he'll be happy to do some real damage to a batch of homemade treats!  I surely do not need them to add to my 'hippie' status, but if they're there, I can tell you truthfully that I'll be eating some (translataion, "too many")  of them.

Well, enough procrastination...here I go!  Breakfast first, then cookies. Come on over if you can smell them baking!  I'd gladly share the joy of adding to your  hips!

Beautiful Autumn....

Dear Autumn,

May  I say that you are very much appreciated this year?  Your gifts of comfortable days and cool nights are such a joy after being shut up in the house because of Summer's offerings of unbearable heat!  You've come with much-needed rain, and you're beginning to dress the trees in lovely attire.

I know that you're no where near finished with your presents...or your presence!  It is my hope that you will visit with us for many weeks to come, before Old Man Winter arrives with his frosty attitudes.  Oh! Don't get me wrong...I love him, but he can be a bit over-bearing in his personality traits. I'm blessed that he doesn't stick around for too long. I haven't got the patience for him that I once had.

Spring will be visiting in her due time, also. She's always welcome, though she can be a bit of a bluster at times.  I think she must be related to Mr. Winter, as she occaisionally brings too much of something, but never too many blossoms! 

Well, let's not focus on that right now. YOU are here...and oh, so welcome! I will leave all others out of sight and out of mind for the time-being, and I'll focus completely upon your being here!  The time we spend together in the out of doors is precious to me. Those gentle breezes are so refreshing, even on the warmest of sunny days. I will treasure every moment of your visit, drinking in the clear air, the sound of crisp leaves, and the taste of every harvest fruit and vegetable that came along with you.  Please know that I don't like to play favorites, but for now, that's exactly what I'm doing!

I look forward to the reminder of your time here, so please don't hurry away! We've much to do together, so stay around awhile, if you will. There's plenty of time later for the others.

Autumn, I LOVE you!!

~Me

Monday, Monday...

My goodness~ I don't know where the time has gone!  It's been a few days now since I've done any blogging. What's been keeping me from this little spot?  Read on, and I'll let you know.

I've been doing  a little Fall decorating.....rummaging through the garage for my berry vines, gourds, pumpkins, leaves and Autumn flowers. There are touches in the living room, the kitchen, the sunroom and the half-bath.  Somehow, even though the weather is still hovering in the upper 80's, it feels cozier in the house. I took part in a primitive decorating site's Fall ornament exchange, and was blessed with some bowl fillers (now in my wooden bowl), a couple of fabric crows, a large calico acorn and a little black cat. It was fun making, sending and receiving these little Fall touches to put around the house. 

We'll be doing a Christmas 'ornie' exchange too....as well as a secret Santa exchange.  What a fun group this bunch of ladies is!  I've already started my ornaments for Christmas. I'll share photos of them after they've been received by the girls. I don't want to ruin the surprise!

Aside from making some of the ornaments, I've been working on a lot of cards. My friend loves them and asked me if I'd share her table at her church's craft sale in early Dec. So, I'm working hard to do those. Since I'm trying to make some of my Christmas gifts too, I've got to keep at it.

At the beginning of the weekend, after four mornings of rain, I got the shutters out of the garage. Those babies have been standing around for years, awaiting a bolt of some sort of creative lightening to strike me. Well, without having that bolt hit me, I've decided to clean,sand and paint them in a 'distressed' manner, and I'll hang them on the wall, each side of the two windows in the kitchen. (The windows look into the sunroom)  I think I'll paint them black, and scuff 'em up really well....so that they look as old and used as they really are.  "Why don't I put them up as they are?" you might ask. Well, I would, because they are perfect the way they are except  they are white, and so are my kitchen walls. Therefore they must be painted. Knowing me, they will be painted red over the black, and then scuffed up.... let's see how well I know myself~

I've been whining to myself that I should have gone back to my home town this month...only 900 miles from here...one way.  My daughter had surgery the other day for removal of a pilonidal cyst.  These are nasty buggers that attach and grow on the tailbone. The are quite painful, as are the 'boil like eruptions' on the buttock that signifies that there might be a cyst inside.  Anyway, I knew from my son's surgery for the same ailment many years ago, that it's really not a big deal surgery, and that her sister was planning to care for her. So, I didn't go. Then I got the 'guilts', thinking, 'What kind of Mom doesn't go to her daughter when she's having surgery?"  One who's been socked with extra expenses this year, and who is living on limited budget...that's who.  Still, the guilts.

As it turns out, it was probably a good thing we didn't head for New York. The van decided, out of the blue, that it didn't want to start on Friday afternoon. Our beloved friend and mechanic came by after work to look at it, and after an hour and a half of dismantling the panels under the dashboard inside the van, he was finally able to get to the faulty part.  Since he had to work on Saturday, he towed it to his shop, and we've been carless ever since. Well...until said friend/mechanic came by last night with his own car for a loaner. We are blessed with great friends!

I had better get back to my stitching or I'll still be making Christmas ornaments in April! 

Facebook...

Why is it that when something is working well they have to mess around with things?  Facebook members, including myself, are in an uproar over the new changes.  There are things that can be done to change a few things back, but it's often more complicated than learning the new stuff, which is very complicated. 

I'm rather bewildered when they do these things...and apparently, I'm not alone in that.  I guess they've never heard, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."    Ah well...I'll either muddle my way through changing back, or learn to live with the new things.  There's not much sense in complaining about it, although I did send FB a nice note in their feedback box.  I believe they are getting a lot of those notes, some not so nice, considering what I saw on our recent news program. Until Facebook understands that people are fed up with all this change they do continually, they will lose some large numbers of members, I'm hearing.

Well, it is what it is....and sometimes we make our own problems.