Small Town Traffic and Sights on Country Road

Rained last night
the temperature at present very cool
like  50.
It is delightful to me and well aware heat will start returning tomorrow.

One of the joys of living in a rural area use to be not having much traffic on the road
Not the case lately as the roads were filled with vehicles on my trip to town yesterday morning..
I wondered "where have all the people come from and where are they going in such a hurry?"

It seems I am accomplishing less lately.
Use to be on the road for the town trips by 8:00, and now it is later.
As I hurry to leave my cottage and finally get on the road
I wonder why am I always in a hurry?
In past years I thought if I was on time for an appointment that I was late.
Always arrived 15 minutes early.
Now it seems I hurry and arrive just on time and with my mindset - I think I am late.

To do list was not completed and will try and leave at my early time one morning.
Did manage stop at one small market, purchased truck license, post office, fuel in truck and bank stop.

Returning home and down my country road the sides of the road are filled with Queen Ann's Lace - have tried growing them in my garden
for years with no success.  May try again....
For long stretches the wild orange lilies are lovelier then ever.

Fields of green lawn like wheat just weeks ago are  now golden and ready for harvest.
Came across a turtle in the middle of the road and stopped to take his picture thinking of his
beautiful colors.
He sure was dirty - looked like he had been in mud hole.

I am having thoughts of not cutting grass as you come down my gravel driveway or on the road in front of my property.   Want to encourage the wild flowers to grow.     I know that was my intention when I moved back to the country and seems I just started cutting and grooming and now it looks
like the city and I do not like it.

A new country eating place has opened on the winding road and the scent of the wood and the meat cooking over the coals is so enticing.
It lured me to stop and inspect their menu
Rarely eat like this at present time but sometime might pick up a plate of tenderloin to go.

I inquired if the side of cold slaw was home made and not purchased in a bag and mixed
I was told they grate the cabbage.   That is a plus from me as I remember my mother's slaw
and how she would grate the cabbage and chop other ingredients to put in it.   Lately I cannot
hold part of the cabbage to grate but she did in 80 plus years.   I do not think many people do
this anymore.

Special friends that read my sharing and my children and grandchildren - peaceful weekend wishes are sent out to you from one who lives at
the edge of the wood...

Images did not download in the order I wanted them too
but will not mess of this post redoing it :)

Coconut and Pineaple Pie

For several weeks I kept thinking of  the coconut and pineapple pie that is covered with meringue  that I use to bake.
All the ingredients were on hand.
Yesterday morning I baked the pie before breakfast.

Sure looks good as it cools and hope it is as tasty as it looks.
Did not have cornstarch in the pantry to make the mixture I add to meringue.
This was shared with me years ago.
This process gives you a meringue with more volume, does not weep and stays high.
It always results in a picture perfect looking pie.   Have used it on banana pudding also.

To make....

Bake your deep dish pie shell according to directions on package.

In double boiler place 2 cups of milk, 3/4 or 1 cup of sugar (1 cup seemed a little too sweet for me), 3 beaten egg yolks, 1/4 tsp salt
and 1 tsp vanilla.
Mix and stir or whisk continually until mixture thickens.   Usually takes about 10 minutes.

Add 1 small can of crushed pineapple - drained and 1 and 1/2 cups of coconut to the thickened
pudding like mixture.

Put in baked pie shell and add meringue.

For meringue  beat 3 egg whites and after they begin to form soft peaks I add 2 tbsp of sugar
and 1 tsp of vanilla.    Continue to beat until stiff peaks form and then place on pie.

Bake in 350 oven until golden brown.  Usually 10 to 15 minutes

You can use this same pudding mixture for banana pudding or add chocolate for that type of pie.

Sharing and My Granddaughter's Words

It was a good night and I smile at all the comments from those who read my sharing.  Thank you for all of your encouraging words.

The perfect day is going to be enjoyed or savored.  Smiling  as I remember my young granddaughter using this word during our lunch the other day.  She told me that her parents told her she needed to not eat so fast and "savor her food."

My perfect day is at home,
listeing to the sounds of nature,
spotting different birds,
times with hoe and sprinkling can in hand,
lunch sitting in the old rocking chair,
with camera near by and Callie sitting at my feet.

Yesterday spent time making butternut squash soup.
The squash had been in the fruit bowl for a long time
and needed to be used.   Have never mastered an easy
way to cut and now cut in a number of pieces, simmer
in water and then separate the tough peel from the flesh.
With an addition of onion, carrots, celery, small potato,
garlic, topped with my basil and chopped crisp bacon.
It was a perfect lunch and evening meal and will be

finished off today - along with a coconut and pineapple pie I may be making...

I have started putting a bouquet of my herbs on the table and love the scent.

Sharing a note my oldest granddaughter sent to me.
Thank you, my Jess....

So in my words, here you are....

At this time, you have found your inner peace and it is in the woods, with your hands in the dirt, and nature springing up around you. You are comfortable with who you are and where life has taken you. You appreciate and love your home and garden - it brings you joy and relaxes you. Even though your body may throw obstacles in the way, you are strong and will persevere through the difficult times. You have found such happiness in the blogging world and sharpening your writing skills has kept your mind sharp and clear. It allows us, your family and blogging community, to see the inner workings of your life. I think you feel at peace and accomplished. Your family grows around you and you love and care for all of us so much. You are spiritual and faithful, kind and caring, compassionate and humble. I think you are in a great place in your life, at Wood Haven.

I can't wait to see you :)

All my love,
Jessica

Life

My little ones are delighted with each birthday,
not grandma..
The oldest has a birthday next week.
School is out and they were in the country yesterday.
They make me smile.
I needed to smile since I have been in a lot of pain
lately from arthritis, also had a bad fall 5 days
ago.
Standing on one foot to wipe it off after being in yard,
knocked rocking chair and small table off of front
porch and landed hurting my hip, arm and neck.
  A miracle I did not break something but am
just real sore.
Difficult to tell what is arthritis or pain from fall.

I know to pace myself, rest before I am tired,
not think of the past or the future
and just enjoy the moments as they unfold.
Today - I will practice what I know.
 I will take pleasure in the fact that there
was a light shower last night.
One Woman will be in her garden as every plant
seems to sparkle with the rain drops,
and much weeding to be done.
May make some butternut squash this morning.
Sounds like my kind of day.....

My special little one it seems like yesterday you started playing soccer
and now you are winning trophies.

Early  "Happy Birthday" wishes are going over the miles to your home.


SORRY....

Trying to do something on my blog
did not know what I was doing
and deleted all my favorite blogs.
Wonder if it is in a trash bag somewhere?

New Blooms, Busy Bees and Corn Field

   Daylilies are blooming, bees are everywhere.   The thought never entered my mind that someday I would look out my bedroom window and see a corn field so very close.

                                                                                                      ...

Chef plus Master Farmer and Stuffed Green Peppers

Just finished reading the new issue of  Country Gardens magazine.
An interesting  article on farm fresh food.

The Capitol Grill at the  The Hermitage Hotel in Nashville has one of the best chefs in the United States according to Gourmet magazine.

Have such fond memories of visiting this restaurant about 13 years ago with part of my family.  It was a treat that my son gave to each us.

What was so interesting to me is Tyler Brown who is the chef, grows many of the vegetables he prepares on some land about 5 miles from the hotel.

Glen Leven Farm which is part of a trust had some idle land and that is where he grows his vegetables.

It would be a treat to once again enjoy a meal at this upscale hotel in Nashville.    Also would like to find the exact location of Glen Leven.

Very hot here at the edge of the woods.    Another 90 plus degree day expected.   I cannot work outside past 10:30.

Some green peppers I spotted at the market several days ago brought back memories of stuffed peppers that I use to make many years ago.   So just finished a tasty lunch of the peppers prepared with ground beef, brown rice, onions and tomato sauce that had been simmered until done and then put in green peppers.   An addition of a little more tomato sauce with some of my herbs on top with cheddar cheese baked in the oven for 25 minutes - was the first thing in days that tasted good to me.     My last carton of corn and green beans came out of the freezer to finish this meal.

Quick Garden Tour

I was not going to write this morning
another busy day.
Another hot day and while watering garden
noticed such progress for this time of year.
Egyptian Onions I ordered last year are doing

as predicted and forming onions on top.
Soon have yellow squash on my two vines.
A green tomato spotted
and the potato that had sprouted in my bin
I planted and is growing.
Hollyhocks must be over 6 foot high and blooming.

I smile at this progress as
another day begins.....