Yesterday...

Finally I feel that I've accomplished something in a day!  I got my husband up early and while he readied himself to join the living, I puttered around doing little chores. I searched, too, high and low, for two envelopes. One had two receipts in it and one was full of information for Medicare Complete. Both were Mom's, and I was beside myself that I couldn't locate them....and still haven't. I probably picked them up with my paid bills and put them in the pile to be filed. I was about to  check that when Mom rang the doorbell with a couple of checks to be written before the mail lady arrived.

By the time Mike was ready to leave, at noon, to finish some yard work at the Preacher's house, I was ready to sit and create.Before I could do that, though, I prepared the vegetables and the pot roast for the slow-cooker, and then made myself some lunch.  Ahhhh...with a full stomach, I was good to go.  I gathered my sewing 'stuff' and plunked myself down in 'my' corner of the couch. I turned on Pandora radio on my computer, and began working on some ornaments.....snowmen.

I cut out a couple of bodies and embroidered their faces on them.  Since I'm attempting to find something that will suit the ornament exchange with some primitive decorating friends, I took the snowmen to the kitchen and soaked them for a minute in the coffee that was left in the pot from the morning.  I guess that will all work fine, except those snowmen are just a tad smaller than I hoped they'd be.  Then I decided that I needed to change gears. I began cutting out and embroidering just the faces of snowmen instead.  That seemed to work better.  I dyed them with the coffee as well, and am much happier with those.  They're each placed on a wooden spoon handle, standing in a couple of glasses, on my kitchen window sill.

In the end, I'm not sure whether either group of dirty snow men will head to my 14 friends...but if they do, I'm more than a third of the way there. If not, they will go on my own 'prim' tree, or hang from a garland from the old mantle piece.  In that case, I've got to keep thinking, keep experimenting, keep producing ideas. Last night my hands were so stiff from all the hand sewing.  I do have a machine...two, in fact...but if you're going 'prim', then go all the way and do things the way they did it way back then.  But, at least, at the end of the day, I feel as if I accomplished something in the making of 3 bodies and 6 heads.

Oh! By the way, did I ever tell you that I finished those shutters?!  Yes...I did!  Now I'm waiting to get them hung!  Today's big project will take me to the hardware store for some hanging things, and some more paint...black and a quart of colonial red, if you please.  There's a ladder awaiting my attention....

Don't Mess With A Good Thing...

There are some recipes that shouldn't be toyed with, in my humble opinion. Oh, I know. How will you ever know if it works if you don't add a little of this, or a little of that, to a mixture? Well, my thinking is, 'Why do you have to know something else works, when you're original batch is proven?"

My favorite homemade cookie is a good, old-fashioned chocolate chip one.  It doesn't need to be marred by substituting peanut butter, for the butter, or butter for the Crisco, for that matter.  I don't want you to add raisins to the batch. I don't need the nuts, but don't mind too much if they are thrown in. There are some people who seem, lately, to think that pumpkin is the perfect addition to chocolate chip cookie dough. Not me. Don't mess with a good thing!

While I understand that some recipes are enhanced by the addition of spices or removal of some ingredient or another, and I know,too, that everyone's taste buds are different,  there are some things that can't be improved upon. Sometimes simpler is best.

It's Halloween

Halloween has always been a favorite of most kids, I think, but since we've been here in SC, it seems it's nearly as important to adults and children alike. There have been decorations in many yards for most of the month. TV has been blaring about parties and Trunk or Treat events for almost as long.  And of course, this evening, there will be all manner and sizes of ghouls and ghosts at the door.

I don't remember Halloween being quite so celebrated back home as it seems to be here. Yes, there were  parties in our classrooms, costumed youngsters parading around the school parking lot or gym, much to the delight of parents who rearranged lunch hours to attend.  There were scout troups and classes which adopted a store window to decorate with paints and soap, and then walks around town to see the artistic ventures. Trick or treating took place after school, before dark, for the younger set, and a bit later for the older kids.

 A few homes decorated their yards like graveyards or haunted houses, but for the most part, a few jack o lanterns invited kids to the door. In this neighborhood, there are orange lights lit, pumpkins with electric lit faces, skeletons appearing to rise from the ground, and inflatable goblins. Tonight we'll answer the knock to  people in cute little  princess dresses to sixteen year olds in black hoodies. One year when I opened the door, there was a woman who lives up the street, dressed in a black spotted cow costume...udder and all.  She gave me a good laugh!  And she'd done it just for me...no one else was visited that night by Moo!

 I think I'll get some take out food for our dinner tonight. Invariably the cooking gets interrupted, and often the devouring of it, as well.  It's ok....it's only once a year, and I love seeing the kids with all their excitement over their costumes and over-flowing treat bags! I guess I'd better get out my witch's hat. I'll put on my black sweater and skirt and the tall chapeau, and hand out the goodies! 

                                           The church we were members of focused on missions
                                          during the month of October. The kids were encouraged
                                          to choose a country, and learn as much about it as
                                          they could, and then dress in a costume depicting that
                                          place. Here, my children are representing Africa, Japan,
                                          Spain, China and India...1979

However you choose to celebrate, have fun, Kids...of all ages.... and please, stay safe!

Rejoice with Those

This portion of a verse in the Bible has been playing over and over in my mind for more than a week now. You see, a friend and church-mate was operated on not quite two weeks ago. She'd had a non-cancerous brain tumor which could have had devastating results, but didn't.  There is nothing that can make you rejoice in your heart more than seeing God answer your prayers. Robin woke from her surgery, waving her hand around, and rejoicing in God's goodness to her. Knowing that surgery was a success for her caused me to rejoice with her!

To see her attend church 6 days after surgery filled me, as well as our church family, with thanksgiving!  We so often pray for things to happen, and we expect God to work. He never disappoints us, but often does things differently from what we might have asked. You see, He knows ALL things....we have only tunnel vision. He knows what's best.... we see only what we want.  In this case, we got what we prayed for, and as we see Robin recuperating quickly, we are filled with joy and gratitude!

Last night we took a meal to the family, to make things a little easier on them all.  Her husband is at home for a bit of time while she heals, and he's capable of cooking. But, why not help where we can?  We shared a nice visit with them all before leaving them to have their dinner, which was a bit delayed by our visit. We left the home with renewed joy in the fact that other than one foot that doesn't want to respond to the brain's command, Robin is good as new! I have every hope that, in time, the foot will stop being stubborn, and do what it is meant to do. 

In the meantime, we lift our prayers in thanks for all that has taken place in this matter. We rejoice with those who rejoice.... and we continue to ask for complete healing in the future. Thank you, Lord!

There's Thrifty and Then There's.....

my husband.

My husband is of Scotch-Irish descent. Now, I don't know if it's true of all Scots, but this character always says, "I'm too Scotch" whenever he thinks a price is too high, and he will do his utmost not to waste a thing ...other than time and storage space. He saves all the mayonnaise jars, assorted other jars of various sizes, coffee cans with lids, plastic coffee cans with lids, and any other container that he can get away with. Well...you get the picture. When I get tired of tripping over garbage bags full of them in the garage, I strongly suggest, at the risk of starting a war the likes of which would make WWII look like a playground scuffle, that he might take some of them to the dump on his next trip. Then I suggest that it might be a good idea to make that trip soon.

Now, please understand that I am of the ilk to save some things...but not everything. I was reared by parents born in Depression times, and I was taught not to waste. I'm fairly good at it, but even I couldn't believe my eyes today.  Picture this. My beloved marched into the sunroom where I was happily listening to music by Selah while I worked on making some Christmas cards.  In one hand he held a pair of his work boots. In the other hand he held a mismatched pair of sneakers.  He asked me to applaud. I asked why. He told me that these were making their way to the garbage.  WHAT?!!  Did my ears deceive me?!!  My husband is throwing away not one pair, but TWO pairs of shoes?!  I asked if the mates to the mismatched sneakers had already made their way to the refuse bin, and he told me that they hadn't. They still had wear left in them, soles in tact (unlike the flapping ones on the pair that was on the way out.)  His intention was to wear them in the yard....one white one with black trim, New Balance brand, the other white with what used to be Navy trim, by the brand of Fila.  Pardon me... I must correct myself. Neither is white anymore...but one is rustier white than the other from the red clay, and I must say that neither shoe is in very much better shape than the sad things he threw away.

When I picked up my jaw from the floor and composed myself after a rib-splitting fit of laughter, I calmly told him that this little experience would make a terrific blog subject...and asked his permission to share this story, just in case he might find some embarressment in wearing an odd pair of shoes. He leaned back in the wing chair and asked me, "No...I don't mind. Why would I mind?"  I said, "Well, I just thought you might not want me to share this with the world."  His response was, "Go ahead. I'm never gonna meet any of them." 

C'mon. It's not like we can't afford another pair of sneakers. It's not like he'd wear them, either, if I bought him a brand new pair. He'd wait 'til all 'the wear' has left these, and then he'd move the new ones into the 'good wear' group and  demote another old pair to the yardwork set. It's a losing battle. I took my wedding vows very seriously, and truth be known, I wouldn't want to be without this goofy guy...quirks and all.

Sometimes I wonder if  his age is catching up with him, but then I remember how he's been 'Scotch' since before I met him, and also quite good at making me laugh.  Just as long as he doesn't take off to work at the preacher's house or the church wearing those gardening mis-mates, I guess I won't have him committed....yet.  However, I can't vouch for the neighbors when they see him in those things!

Local History...

East Hampton, New York is situated on the eastern end of Long Island, surrounded by ocean and bay beaches. It is steeped with American history...since it's beginning in the mid-1600's. The architecture speaks of the Englishmen who settled there, first around what is now known as Town Pond.

In those days, there were animals who were kept nearby, who watered at the pond.  It is an idyllic and serene area...or would have been in that day. (Today the traffic there is busy, as it is the entrances to the Main Street and the commercial area.) 

I have heard and read, though I don't know if it is factual, that punishments in those days might be a good dunking in the pond on the dunking stool.  Such a device was constructed of a long pole with a seat on the end, which was lowered into the water by strong men on the other end of the pole, which was supported in the center-area by a  horizontal cross pole.  I'm sure the whole procedure was embarrassing to those on the water end of the stick. Probably the entire town came out to witness the carrying out of the sentence. 

The use of stocks, too, was a method of punishment. Offenders would be placed in a sort of wooden yoke, attached between two posts. The head would go into a center half circle, and the hands would be stuck into the openings beside the head, and then another board with the other half circle would come down over the neck and wrists, and be locked, so that the criminal would be standing, trapped, for all to see....or perhaps to be pelted with rocks, dirt, vegetables or eggs.  If that wasn't enough, the stocks were built in such a way that when one was in them, the body was bent at the waist. It would not be so comfortable for the back or legs, I would imagine!

There are tales of shipwrecks and Captain Kidd's treasure off the shores of East Hampton. There are stories which took place during the Revolutionary War and of colorful characters who lived in East Hampton since it's settlement.  There are accounts of famous people, artists and actors, and others, who took up residence in the lovely little seaside community. So much history to learn of, to read of, to know that is a part of my own heritage.

But, I know so little. It is a shame, I think, that the school does not teach a local history class for all the students who live in the area.  Some wouldn't be interested, any more than they are interested in learning about things that happened in foreign countries throughout time, and yet they are forced to learn World History.  I think it would be a terrific service to the children of East Hampton, especially those whose families go back to the beginning, as mine did, to offer them the chance to know the area that their ancestors played a part settling. For those students whose families are newer to the area, wouldn't it be nice for them to learn, too, all that has gone before them?

Maybe I'll write a letter to the school board and suggest  the formation of such a class, and then ask if I might sit in on it!

Mexican Food

Yesterday morning, I took Mom to an appointment.  As is sometimes the case, she treated me to lunch, following her 'date'.  We chose "Fiesta" this time. It was a perfect choice for me since I hadn't been there in a good while, and Mike isn't really excited about the place. He never gets what he thinks he's ordered, so he's often disappointed.

I'm never disappointed in Fiesta's food. It's abundant, it's tasty, and it is not at all pricey. I always end up taking half of it, or more, home in a styrofoam box. Yesterday I ordered the 'lunch fajita' for  $6.99 and took enough home that I ate it for dinner, as well, and was sufficiently fed at both times.  The dinner fajita is a larger version of the same things...a choice between chicken or beef strips, mixed with peppers, onions and spices,three small tortillas, refried beans, shredded lettuce and tomatoes, quacamole and sour cream. Add a little salsa from the dip bowl they bring with corn tortilla chips when you first sit down, and you can say you've been well-fed! 

I've always liked tacos, tortillas with anything (meat or cheese or vegetables or any combo of the afore-mentioned), chili. I don't like things too spicey, but do prefer just enough 'bite' to know that you've got something different from the norm.  We make these types of meals at home, but somehow, it's not the same as the taste you get at Fiesta or other places like it. 

I will keep trying, though! Do you have a favorite Mexican food? Or maybe you don't like it at all? If you don't, let me know....I'll eat your share!