Books by the old Leather Chair

  • Snow In The Summer
  • My Bible
  • The Power of Silence
  • What Comes Next and to Like It
  • Encore Provence
  • A Year in Provence

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Successful...

These 2 smaller stem pans were purchased
many years ago and have not used them for
20 years.

A normal size stem pan recipe
makes 2 smaller cakes.

Took out of oven, cooling and inverted
to continue cooling
was so pleased after so many years
all is fine.
Now soaking up
butter, sugar and rum sauce
cooling
and a sprinkling of powdered sugar
Maybe more powdered sugar
after totally cool.
Will place on a red plate
with doily underneath
and now
the question is
how do I wrap them
to deliver tomorrow ?

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

This Morning

Much loved, trusty old truck serviced and has been almost a year.
All is well except hose for window washer fluid plugged, hose good and in time will check it out.
Shared years ago how I bought this truck from a dealer I called in Nashville.  Shared exactly what
I wanted, no extras, my color, medium size and could not drive to big city.  Received call
and truck information was shared with me and told they would bring it to me with someone
following to witness sale and take driver back to big city.  Another conversation to be sure
they were bringing what I wanted.   Oh my, exactly my truck and on sale since end of year.
It was purchased and pleased every since except for 2 years it was given to my son for his
mechanic to drive (since I was in the city and did not need a truck) and at this time would have half the miles if I had kept it.

Next to bank to cash the really big check of $22.90 from my insurance company which stated
since I had all of my insurance with them and no wrecks for almost 40 years
this was a gift to me.   First time I ever received such a gift and probably is about .60 cents a year
for me :)   Thankful I am - also for the big $10 increase in my SS.   Another mistake because divorce never entered this ones mind, one check was written for 18 years in husbands name when I ran the financial end of business.   Remember sitting at that desk many hours over the years and even
worked from the hospital bed when my son was born.  Remember the nurse asking "why is an adding machine and checkbook being brought to you when you just gave birth to a baby :)
Loyal I was...

Next to Walmart for a few items and they did not have the suet for birds that I wanted.  What they had was too expensive and I can buy at farm store for much less.
Used my $5 coupon for lotion I like.  
Thrifty I am.
Also purchased some Rye grass seed to spread on areas that might wash in the next months.

Several times a year I stop at the pizza place.  It was almost noon and the weekly buffet has
excellent vegetarian pizza.  Always $5.99  in the past for all you can eat and I put 3 or 4 slices in a box.
Told it went up $2.00 at the cashiers and after warming when I returned home noticed no mushrooms like
in the past and something new had been added black beans.  It was still tasty but missed
the mushrooms.   Everything changing - even my pizza...

I wonder many times why I share, just like writing and family knows about my interesting
lifestyle....it probably is boring and repeating myself a lot lately
but will just keep writing.

The days by the woods continue to be cloudy, damp and cold.  Sun where are you?

My Beth sent this to me
and said it reminded her of me
and so right she is.
This is my home
and Peace resides here...

Monday, December 15, 2014

A Blessing This Early Morning

At dawn they arrive
2 trucks and 4 men.
I thought maybe a pick up truck
owner and helper
and was certainly wrong.

They cleaned gutters, burned huge brush pile,
surrounding cottage lawn and garden has been blown clean,
nailed up my Woodhaven sign that had come loose,
turned over bird bath so it would not freeze and
even took some things out of my car that were to
heavy for me to lift.

I will start having them next Spring to cut grass and mulch.

So many years I have done most of this and no longer am able.

Mornings I still pick up limbs, use blower and tidy all I can
and using a school boy occasionally is just not getting all done.

It was so reasonable and will not post cost.
They were doing so much, so fast I was getting uncomfortable
with what it might cost.

Never have I said this to someone in the past "is that enough"
but that is what I said and he replied yes
and have a Merry Christmas...

They must have been Angels....

Sunday, December 14, 2014

Easy, Quick and Tasty

Easy Clam Chowder
yesterday and will finish today
so good.

Chopped onion, celery and potatoes cooked

Add to 1 can of Clam Chowder
1 can of chopped clams, used a little liquid

Simmer altogether with a cup of half and half
or little more

ending with a splash of Sherry
and topping with crumbled bacon, cheese
and Parsley and Chives
still thriving in garden.

Wondered about adding a touch of hot sauce,
know my son would :)
as he adds to everything.

Next will try a seafood chowder
adding shrimp, oysters and cod.
My favorite
lobster not readily available

I made enough for 2 days
so good with some Gouda cheese crackers
I found at market.

 I may
make again and
add more of everything and serve
when family visits.


Thankful that I like my food more then eating out,
still love to cook and enjoy taking a recipe and changing.

Balisha
reading one of your entries
thank you for reminding me of
my favorite chowder.

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Less Is Alright As Time Changes

In years past
really big tree
decorations and
flowers everywhere.
Wreath on the door
and outdoor lights.

A little less for the last
couple of years.
No help available
and much in storage room
not able to bring downstairs.

Was disappointed that I could
not take wreaths down from high
wall in garage.
I tried :(

But that's alright
as this little guy
sits by the side door
on the screen porch
where most visiting
make an entrance.

Less
does not seem to bother me
this year.
In fact seems kind of nice...

Made another Rum cake this morning
and 2 more cakes to be made
over the weekend...

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

From My Little Corner Of The World

I looked back to see what was going on about a year ago.
Seems much looks the same.
Thinking of all special friends during this holiday season.
Potato soup is simmering, going out to get the mail
on this cold and windy day.
 
 
 
 
When days are cold
there are times
I sit in this chair
looking out the window at my bird feeders
and sometimes I feel the warmth of the sun.

Thinking of all of my special online friends
on this day,  you will never know how special you are to me
 with your visits
and comments.

Some times I have the thought
"what would I do with out  you,
my computer, camera and Miss Callie.
You have become a big part of my world
during these Winter Months.

Winter months bring time for reflection,
 deep thoughts and needed rest.
But cannot deny that I miss being outdoors
doing all the things I love to do.

So happy that tomorrow the days will begin
to be a little longer each day.

Today a special brunch with special friends
and their must have been 10 decorated Christmas trees.
The food was tremendous with 16 attending
and I always pick up a new recipe
this time for
a fruit compote that I will duplicate for
visiting family on Christmas Eve.

This family so special to me and always include me like I was part of their family.
One of the reasons I returned to the woods.
The oldest Delphe came in from Florida yesterday.
Hip replacement 4 months ago and 89 years old.
Lorene is 86 and cares for bedridden husband of 90 - around the clock.
They are amazing.....
Then this one
in these last of the 70 years...


Wishing you an Early Merry Christmas
and soon to arrive
the best New Year ever.

From One Woman
who lives at the edge of the woods...

Friday, December 5, 2014

A December Morning

Cold and light rain continues.

Polar Shift is playing on the Bose
A number of years since I played this relaxing music
purchased almost 40 years ago on a trip to Gatlinburg, Tn.
Checked Amazon to see if it is still available
so old - it is now used for a penny...

Inside the DVD
container
these words

"May this continent, the last
explored by humankind, be the
first one to be spared
by humankind."~~Jacques Yves Cousteau, 1973~~"

View from kitchen window
garden asleep under a blanket of leaves
Collard greens soaking
and ready to cook
must have something green to eat
and burned out on Kale and Broccoli.
Will top with chopped bacon and hard boiled egg.
Cooling
pumpkin bread
with cranberries, walnuts and raisins.



Trying to stay off of computer
 less.
It is so easy to become addicted
to something
which is not operating like it has in the past.

Once you begin
takes a while
but finally nice to be disciplined :)