Running Afoul of the Law

I love that word afoul.

a/foul (e foul') adv., adj. in a collision or a tangle - run (or fall) afoul of - to get into trouble with.

Yeah, that afoul.

If you were here yesterday you would have seen that "danger Will Robinson" logo wherever a picture should have been. It seems that I was speeding on the Photobucket site and had run off the road with my bandwidth. Here's the thing, I'm so stupid with computer stuff that I'm not really sure what bandwidth entails or how you rack it up. I'm going over to Photobucket in a minute and let them explain it to me.

I guess it's good in one regard, it means that people are reading and looking.

But I'm not the only one running afoul of the law. Those of you who have been here for awhile will remember that I have my own Official Blog Band. Yep! I saw them (actually their tour bus) parked on the side of the road out here in the middle of nowhere, while their manager and tour bus driver dashed inside of the gas station mini-mart looking for Moon Pies and Coca-Cola. I wrote down the name of the band because I was embarrassed that I didn't know who they were. I pride myself on knowing just about every piece of stray information out there.

It's TIN HORSE

I got home and searched for their website, wrote them and we negotiated an agreement that they'd be my Official Blog Band and in return I'd bake them pies! That's a deal. And I believe that I was the first blogger EVER to have their own band.

Anyway......the girls have run afoul of the law. I know your mind is racing about what kind of trouble musicians might get into, especially since their tour bus once belonged to Willie Nelson! Holy cow, just think what might be hidden in secret places on that bus.

When the girls and I entered in to our agreement I forgot to tell them that I keep bail money in my lingerie drawer because you JUST NEVER KNOW.

Luckily they didn't need the bail money, they weren't actually arrested just ticketed, for..... get this..... JAYWALKING! Seriously the police in Champaign/Urbana don't have enough to keep them busy with thousands of partying college students?

And, surprise, surprise, it was Caroline that got the ticket. Caroline is really sweet looking but I guess is there's a rebel just under the surface. HA. If you go to the link above they've created a video recreating the event.


Visiting with Tin Horse. Left to right: Andra, yours truly, Antje and Caroline-the-Jaywalker.

Please check out their website and the schedule of this year's tour, BUCKING THE SYSTEM because they're playing all over the midwest and the south. Uyou might have a chance to catch them in concert. After their shows they sell CD's and sign autographs. Please stop and visit with them and tell them the Farmer's Wife sent you.

UPDATE: Tin Horse is back from Louisiana and Mississippi and they've had not ONE but TWO more run-ins with the law. Read about it here.

BUSTED!!!

As you can see I've been BUSTED by Photobucket for speeding.

More about that later. I'm off to pay my ticket.

Monday Morning Staff Meeting

Good morning everyone. I hope you had a good weekend.

First, I'm going to apologize for the fact that I haven't any goodies for you this morning. Perhaps you've brought something to the meeting? Maybe you've baked up a batch of cinnamon rolls. That would be lovely. Anyway, no goodies on this end because this is what we woke up to yesterday morning.



What's that you ask? That's the view from the bathroom window. Here's the view from the patio door.



Yeah, that!!!!

This weather should have held off until Wednesday when it would have been more appropriate - April Fool's Day!

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Last week Vee had a jelly bean guessing contest and luckily I guessed the correct number of bags that it took to fill the old biscuit jar. Vee emailed me to inform me that I'd guessed correctly and she asked me to submit my favorite phrase or Bible verse to her. Hmmmmmm...... what was she up to?

I grabbed my grandmother's bible from the bookcase and found a page where she'd made notes in the margins.

It says, "Aunt Lillie's favorite prayer". For a little history on the subject, my great aunt Lillie was a Nazarene preacher who seemed to breath fire and brimstone. My mother would crawl out of the open church window to escape her sermons!

Fast forward to yesterday mail delivery. I received a package which was exciting because I hadn't ordered anything. That means it's a surprise! It was from Vee.



Look how lovely the item is wrapped. But what could it be?



She has taken Aunt Lillie's prayer and created this beautiful wall hanging. I don't know how she's done it but it's really nice, mounted on a sturdy board.



I've hung it in my bedroom, across from my bed. Every morning I can read my great Aunt Lillie's prayer.



"I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me."

Thanks so much Vee.

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Stay tuned because later this week I'm going to show you how to create a great little Easter project. The kids can be involved with this one. I do need to ask from some help. If anyone can tutor me on how to create a PDF that people can download, I'd appreciate it.

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I've received requests for my gumbo recipe. This is from a recipe card that I bought on our honeymoon in New Orleans 30 years ago. Enjoy.



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EDIT: You must go over to Living Life in Saint-Aignan. She's making a tartiflette! I never even knew they existed and after seeing her pictures I can't imagine how I lived without one. It's like au gratin potatoes on steroids. I am trying to figure out what a waxy potato is though.

The floor is now open. Anything exciting going on at your blog? What's on your agenda for the week?

The Way Back Machine

The time: Easter 1983
The place: Our kitchen, Bartlett, Illinois

Yes, dying Easter eggs is a very long and boring process to an almost three year old.

At least the Farmer looks happy.



It's a hard life when you're dealing with a new baby sister.

NOTE: Erica Laine- If you're reading this please send me another e-mail because I can't find the original one in my clogged up mailbox!!! (Erica was Evan's childhood friend.)

Happy Feet

Since you sat so well during the last video, I thought I'd post another one. I buying time while I unload my bag and do some laundry.

This is the midwestern version of "Where in the World is Matt?" You gotta love a midwesterner with spunk. This guy is known for dancing badly all over Iowa. If you watch the entire video you'll see Dyersburg (The Field of Dreams) and the Amana Colonies.



Here's Matt. I'm green with envy because he's been everywhere including Timbuktu. I forgot how happy this video makes me feel. Happy feet!



Perhaps I should get myself a real video camera and produce a video called "Where in the World is the Farmer's Wife?". I could be dancing in the laundry room or doing a jig while I lay floor tiles. Or maybe I could take you to all the kitschy tourist spots in Illinois.

Thanks for holding down the fort while I visited my mom.

Disorientation

It's been awhile since I've subjected you to one of my videos.

This is a walk around an old property across the road from where my son works. It's very disorienting to drive around certain areas that I haven't visited in awhile because it's like stepping in a time machine on fast forward.

I'm off to visit with my mom. We're going to have a pajama party. I'll be back on Saturday.



What cracks me up is that I apologize for the fact that it's windy. Hello!!! It's Illinois..... duh.

Behave yourselves tomorrow while I'm gone.

Come on in.....

there's a party going on.

These pictures were taken before the guests arrived. Afterwards I was running around like a nut and didn't get anymore pictures. That's OK because the party animals need to remain anonymous to protect their reputations. Besides, we wouldn't want their kids to know that their parents actually know how to have fun!

Just to the right of the front door is the living room where we had a table set up with the Hurricane glasses and ice.



Next to that is the liquid Hurricane. It sneaks up on you. I found this drink dispenser on sale at Target after Christmas one year. Unfortunately, it looks better than it works. The liquid comes out at barely a dribble.



I found these cute and colorful Mardi Gras mask decorations at the local party store. We hung them in the doorways and over the table.



We lit the voodoo candle. Anyone who has visited the French Quarter knows about the voodoo shops tucked on the side streets.



We place two banquet tables in our family room so that everyone can eat together.



I have a great book on napkin folding and this is my favorite - the Fleur de Lis, which is tucked inside of the wine glass. I'll have to do a video to show you how.



Colorful flowers from the local grocery store. On the table I've scattered Mardi Gras coins. The Farmer also brought home some edible flowers. Since I wasn't serving a salad I simply spread them on the table also.

Small orchids floating in water.



My neighbor Jacki and I agreed that we'd both love to have a job creating tablescapes. I'd love nothing more than to set tables and decorate them especially if I could have an unlimited budget.

Menu

File Gumbo
Shrimp Stew
Baby Eggplant Pirogues
Cajun Pasta
Grilled Red, Yellow & Orange Peppers
Andouille Sausage Kebabs
Chicken Kebabs
Shrimp Kebabs
Remoulade Sauce

and of course, Pecan Bread Pudding with Cream Anglaise

Thanks for stopping by today!

The Hit of the Party

I'm having some trouble with my photo software but hopefully I'll have the problem solved sometime this morning. While we're waiting for pics of the party I'll share the recipe for the hit of the evening, which was the dessert.

PECAN BREAD PUDDING with CREME ANGLAISE

1 TBSP. butter
4 eggs
1 cup light brown sugar
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
pinch of ground nutmet
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3 cups heavy cream
1 cup milk
6 cups day old French or Italian bread, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
3/4 cup chopped pecans
Creme Anglaise (recipe follows)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease the muffin tins with the butter. Whisk the eggs, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla together until well blended. Add the cream and milk and whisk. Fold in the bread cubes and the pecans. Cover the mixture with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours.

Spoon the bread mixture into the muffin tins. Place the muffin tins onto a baking sheet and bake for 30-35 minutes or until the center is firm.

CREME ANGLAISE

2 cups heavy cream
1 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
6 large egg yolks
1/2 cup granulated sugar

Heat the cream, milk and vanilla in a large, heavy bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Put the egg yolks and sugar in a heatproof mixing bowl and beat until the mixture is pale yellow in color and the sugar has dissolved. Add 1/2 cup of the heated milk/cream mixture to the egg mixture while sitrring with a whisk. Next add the egg mixture to the milk/cream whisking constantly. Be sure to stir in the corners of the pot and lower the heat slightly. Stir the mixture for 5-6 minutes or until the custard has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon.

Remove from the heat. Pour into a heatproof bowl and place this onto another bowl that's half-filled with ice and water. This will cool the custard. Stir occasionally to speed the cooling process. Store in the fridge until ready to use.

To serve: Place a bread pudding on a decorative plate and spoon the Creme Anglaise over the top and down the side. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint, if desired.

NOTE: I baked the pudding for a longer period of time because they didn't seem to be setting up in the 35 minutes suggested in the recipe. I also found it difficult to unmold them and they were very attractive. Thankfully the Creme Anglaise and mint sprigs hid a multitude of sins. It wouldn't matter what they looked like because my guests were crazy for them! The Creme Anglaise is a very light and thin custard. Don't think egg custard texture, it's more like a soft whipped cream. It was so delicious.

There were several guests who couldn't make the party at the last minute and the other guests were fighting over they extra bread puddings!

Let me know what you think if you try this recipe.

Thanks for visiting with me today because I always enjoy the company.

Monday Morning Staff Meeting

Good morning everyone! I hope everyone is feeling well and rested after the weekend.

Our dinner party was a great success and I'll be busy processing the photos this morning.

Before we tackle the agenda, we're going to grab something to eat. Last Thursday was St. Joseph's Day and although I'm not Italian, I was raised in an Italian neighborhood which meant that I enjoyed many St. Joseph Day feasts. One treat I remember vividly was the Zeppole, a type of Italian cream puff. The local Italian market had some beautiful Zeppole on sale and I picked up a boxful for us.



They are similar to a French doughnut but they are filled, usually with some cannoli type filling.



This is a cannoli Zeppole. Oh yeah!!!! Dig in. Don't worry about the calories. When fried, the dough is filled with holes. It's nothing but air. Oh yeah, I forgot they fill that air with cannoli filing.

Here's a recipe for Zeppole:

Recipe for Zeppole

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I forgot to draw for the recipients of the Blue Spruce seeds and Poisonwood BIble. I was supposed to do that last Thursday but the week got away from me. Better late than never.

The SEEDS go to: Amber

The book, POISONWOOD BIBLE, goes to 1 in College, 1 in Diapers.

Yikes, just the title of her blog makes me nervous.

Ladies - Contact me with your mailing addresses and I'll get these into the mail.

My e-mail address is: Abscissa63@aol.com

You can always find that address if you click on my complete profile on my sidebar. BJ - you had specifically asked about the e-mail address, so there you have it!

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I don't normally drink until the sun goes over the yardarm (an old Navy term) but you've asked for the recipes for Texas Tea and Hurricanes. Texas Tea is a version of Long Island Ice Tea and therefore it's one of those "tastes-good-but-really-sneaks-up-on-you" drinks. It was a big hit at the Texas barbecue party we hosted several years ago.

TEXAS TEA

2 oz. tequila
2 oz. rum
2 oz. vodka
2 oz. gin
2 oz. triple sec
2 oz. sweet sour mix
Coke

Fill a 1 gallon pitcher with ice. Pour in all the ingredients except Coke into the pitcher. Add enough Coke for color and taste. Stir. Pour into a glass filled with ice.

Hurricanes are the signature drink at Pat O'Brien's in New Orleans. It's served in a tall tulip shaped glass. It taste like fruit juice but beware, it's not called a hurricane for nothing.

HURRICANE

2 oz. rum
1 oz. vodka
1/2 oz. grenadine
3 oz. orange juice
3 oz. pineapple juice
crushed ice

Mix all together. Serve in a Hurricane glass. Garnish with orange slice and a cherry.

Here's a quick way to upscale a drink recipe for a crowd. Whatever the ounces, that's the proportion. For example, 2 oz. would be 2 parts, a part can be say, a cup. It would be 2 cups of rum, 1 cup of vodka, 1/2 cup of grenadine...etc.

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One year ago yesterday I was shoveling a snowdrift.....



out of my car!! Read about it here.

That's all for today. The dishes are all done but now the all need to be put away. Oh, my kingdom for a butler's pantry. I may just carve one out in the garage.

You're on deck. What's on your mind today?

The Way Back Machine

The time: ??
The place: La Fox, Illinois

There's a question mark on the time of this photo because the style of dress would indicate that we're back in the 1800's.

The man looks as if he was someone of importance, a mayor perhaps, or some type of community official.

In fact, this photo was taken a couple years ago at Garfield Farm Inn and Museum in La Fox, Illinois. And the man is an official of sorts, he's Jerry Johnson, the Executive Director of Garfield Farm.

For those who live in northern Illinois, or others looking for a fun weekend trip, be sure to check out the calendar of events.

There's a prairie walk on April 18th - $6 - Reservations required. (630) 584-8485

May 17th is the Rare Breeds Show. $6-$3. This is a wonderful day in the country with lots of rare livestock breeds on display. Here's the Baby Southdown Sheep that was at the show a couple of years ago. It took all my will power not to bring one of these fur babies home.


Southdown Babydoll Sheep

Upcoming there are also beekeeping lecture, farm camps, prairie festival and more.

We need to support these living history organizations. They do such wonderful and interesting work. Those of you who are home schoolers will find that these activities provide wonderful learning opportunities.

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Thanks to everyone who wished me well on the dinner party. It was great. More about that later.

Countdown

I'm cooking......

and setting tables.

Talk to you tomorrow.

Wish you were here.

Seriously, if you leave now you can be here by 7.

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If you're looking for something interesting to read, my sister is talking about how to plant ground cherries. She's going to have to do more talking when these ripen.....she's going to have to bake me one of those ground cherry pies!

Entertaining Disasters

Things are moving along in preparation for our dinner party on Saturday night. Several of the couples will not be able to attend due to the fact that we needed to postpone for a week while I continued to recuperate from pneumonia. As things stand there will be 16 guests instead of 20. It doesn't matter to me whether I'm cooking for 16 or 20. The dinnerware/flatware situation is not quite as complicated.

Over the years I've picked up all kinds of extra plates, bowls and serving pieces from Goodwill. I've got plenty of cabinets to store them but someday I was a real butler's pantry to keep everything in one spot.

At one point in my life I was scared to entertain. I'd be a nervous wreck. My old friend Annie was the most terrific hostess and she gave me some good advice. First she said, "Look, these people are getting out of their houses for the evening and they don't have to cook, so it's going to be pretty hard to disappoint them." True.

Then she said that the big secret was just to be organized and prepared. If you do much of the work ahead of time you're much better off. That's true too.


Photo from my archives.

What I do is make lists and a timetable. There's a grocery list, a copy of my menu and the recipes. I check the recipes and see if there's anything in common and how much is needed. For example, for this party I'm making several recipes that call for dice green bell pepper. So what I do is diced up all the pepper the day before and put it in a container in the fridge.

I prepare certain dishes ahead of time and heat them after the guests arrive, or prepare them shortly before their arrival and keep things warmed in the oven.

We decide upon a signature cocktail for the evening and I make up a big batch. For a Texas Barbecue I made Texas Tea which is similar to Long Island Ice Tea. This time around I'm serving cajun/creole and I'm mixing a large batch of Hurricanes.

No matter how organized you are disasters have a way of happening at the worst times. We had about 30 guests arriving for my daughters graduation party when the oven decided not to work. Yikes! I had two large pans of lasagne that needed to be baked. My plan B was to fire up the grill and cook them over coals. Luckily the cranky oven finally decided to work.

We've had some other classic disasters, including the first Christmas in our first home. We'd invited the family over and were so proud to show off our new house. Unbeknownst to us when they built the house a large rock was inside the sewer pipe leading to the street. After three weeks of flushing, toilet paper had packed itself around the rock and the pressure busted the pipe. We were busy inside and had no idea the pipe had burst.

OMIGOSH...our guests arrived in late afternoon to the sight of sewage and toilet paper floating around our yard! Talk about mortified.

The one thing about entertaining disasters is that they give you some great stories to tell for years to come.

I'm sure you've had some disaster doozies and I'd love to hear about them.

Spring burn

Driving home from the pharmacy I came across a controlled burn.

This is not common practice across the country but around here it's a sign of spring. We intentionally burn open fields, prairies and woodland undergrowth.

The burn destroys old grasses that would hold back new growth and the heat actually breaks open seeds. Crew members walk along and start the edge of the dried grass on fire.



The fire burns quickly but not long enough or with enough heat to start the trees on fire.



Other crew members follow behind to keep an eye on the situation.



It dies out quickly and looks like this:



Don't worry. If I come back to this location in a couple of weeks there will be bright green shoots popping up.



Some of the burns can be very dramatic and dangerous looking. Here's a community burn from a couple of years ago. The residents of a subdivision did a burn of a prairie adjacent to their properties.



Residents walk the perimeter with wet brooms to keep down the stray sparks. It soon burns itself out. It's safer to do this than to risk the entire area burning uncontrolled in super dry situations or lightning strikes.

Do you burn in your neck of the woods?
It's looks really dangerous but

Field Trip - The Sap is Running

It's that time of year, the sap is running and it's time to make maple syrup.

The county had a demonstration at one of the forest preserves last weekend. I didn't dare attend but I knew a friend of mine would be going. She home schools her kids and this was a great learning opporutnity. She agreed to snap some pictures and take notes.

Certain atmospheric conditions cause the sap to start running up the tree from the roots. Sugar was stored in the roots last fall and when the tree gets the signal that spring is starting the sap moves up to help with leaf production. (This brings back memories of science class. Zylem and floem?)

The nighttime temperatures must be close to freezing and the day temps above freezing. The sap begins to flow. In order to place a tap without damage to the tree, it must be at least 30 inches around. Using a drill you make a small hole about waist high.

Here one of the children practices drilling a hole on a log that's laying at ground level. He looks like he's doing a good job.



A small spout is placed into the hole. The modern spouts have a small lip that forces the sap downward and a hook on which to hang a bucket. The lid is to keep leaves and debris from falling in.



The sap runs into the bucket. You'll notice that it's crystal clear. Drawing off the sap does not damage the tree in any way. The amount running out of one tap is very small in comparison with what the tree produces. The larger trees can support two taps.



There are different ways to boil down the sap to produce syrup. There are very expensive evaporators and home made versions. This is very basic. They've stacked concrete blocks, built a fire in the center and placed a grate on top. The raw sap is in the large pail.



They've placed three aluminum baking pans on top of the grate and ladled the sap into the pans. This simmers and releases the moisture. If the fire is too hot the mixture will scorch and burn. You want a cooking vessel that is low and flat, allowing for a large surface area to dispel the moisture.

The mixture was constantly stirred.



Real maple syrup is just delicious. It's the only thing my stepfather would allow in his house! Why is it so expensive? It takes over 4 gallons of sap to make just one gallon of syrup. In addition, the season is very short, usually only a few weeks. When the tree begins to bud out the process halts. Once the buds are produced the sap will produce bad tasting syrup.

How about you? Do you like real maple syrup? Have you ever seen a tree being tapped?

Thanks for coming along on this little field trip.

Back to School

After finishing his shift as a toucan outside of a local eatery, this kid went online and signed up for community college.



And that's a good thing!

Cabin Fever and Wanderlust

As we've discussed in the last few days this has been a very long winter. A week on a cruise ship didn't seem to do much to dissipate the extreme sense of cabin fever I've been feeling. I'm not working outside the home and that amplifies the feeling that the walls are closing in on me.

This leads to wanderlust. I know I can't be the only person who longs to simply jump in the car and get outta Dodge. I'm eyeing the back of my Equinox as a spot for a memory foam mattress and pillows for sleeping. I've taken to reading blogs written by "full-timers" which is the RV term for people who live on the road full-time. I love to follow the adventures of Joy and Phil as they travel across the country.

My mom and stepdad lived in a very small fifth wheel for over three years. Those walls started to close in on my mom after awhile and it's true that cabin fever can be even worse in an RV. But I'd love to just hit the road for awhile.

The Farmer and I are not yet retired and these kinds of thoughts are just dreams but dreaming is fun and free! It's an exercise in "what if". What if we drove out to the Flint Hills and stopped for pie at a roadside diner? What if we drove to a place where we could camp on the beach? It's free entertainment that's for sure.

One day I was driving through Big Rock and spotted this adorable teardrop trailer at the RV dealership.


T@B Teardrop Travel Trailer

It's small but easily towed and can be moved into position by two people using handles on the front. There's a small kitchenette inside and a seating area that transforms into a queen size bed. No bathroom though. You'd need to use the campground facilities.

But still, it's so stinking cute.

On my way to the doctor's office the other day I spotted this vintage motorhome.



It's really small and old (like me).



It looks like a cartoon version of a motorhome. When I looked closer at the next picture I noticed there's a ladder leading up to the roof. Do you think you can sunbathe up there?



My imagination worked overtime on this one. I dreamed of red gingham curtains on the windows, perhaps with white pom-pom fringe. The small kitchen cabinet would be filled with colorful Melmac dishes and I'd wear rhinestone encrusted cat's eye sunglasses while driving off into the sunset.

Crazy, huh? It's just fun to imagine different scenarios. It helps me make it through a day when the most exciting thing on my agenda is doing a load of towels.

How about you? Have you ever wanted to just hit the road? Where would you go? Would it be in a luxury motorcoach or something cute and funky?

Monday Morning Staff Meeting

Good morning everyone! I'm feeling so much better but I've vowed not to overdo things. Thanks for all your kind wishes and thoughts.

I figured it's OK to be in the same room with you and therefore I've dispensed with the remote video feed.

Let's get this meeting underway.

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Just a reminder that our friends Kari & Kijsa are having a Pillow Parade tomorrow. Take pics of your cute or special pillows and post them for the parade. Personally, I don't think I have any cute pillows. I'm sure they're not interested in seeing my "crunchy" pillows. I'm addicted to buckwheat hulls pillows. The Farmer calls them "crunchy" pillows. I'm so addicted that I take them on vacation with me. That makes for quite a sight when I'm walking through the airport with my pillow.

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Next on my agenda is Sam's Club. There's good and bad news. I commend them for making the decision to support local businesses by offering locally produced merchandise. I'm all for local commerce, but the business they've included in their bakery department is Hahn's Bakery. DRAT!!!! It's taken me two years to break the Hahn's habit. I've re-trained my car to avoid the street they're located on and I was doing really, really good until I walked into Sam's Club and saw this:



Smack your grandmammy - this is the most delicious and evil concoction on the planet. It's more addicting than *cocaine*. I am serious! Just look at it. You're really lucky that I'm going to share with you because in the past I would have eaten it all myself.

The bottom layer is really yummy and moist yellow cake.



You'll notice it's a very thin layer compared with ......



THE CRUMB LAYER. It's thick, thick, thick and delicious. It's got just the right amount of cinnamon, sugar, flour and butter. This is stinking heaven! Am I the only one that loves crumb cake?

Okay, everybody gets a smallish piece because this is pretty rich. If I give you a larger piece you'll just be paying attention the crumb cake and not to me.

There's coffee, tea, hot chocolate, juice and milk in the back of the room. Dig in!

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The other day Vee asked me if I had a good stack of books and movies to get me through my recovery. Yes, I do! I got this trade paperback copy of Team of Rivals by Pulitzer Prize winning author Doris Kearns Goodwin. This ought to keep me busy for awhile. It's a book about Abraham Lincoln that is 750 pages long with 121 pages of notes! The research involved in this effort is mind boggling.



I did manage to finish Poisonwood Bible in the throes of my illness. As someone mentioned it probably wasn't the best choice to read while ill but I did enjoy it and I'm not a lover of fiction. When I went to file it away on the bookshelves I discovered that I have another copy! I do this occasionally when shopping at Goodwill. I can't remember which books I've already purchased and for 79 cents I take the chance that I've already got a copy.

Are you interested? I'm going to give away the extra copy. If you'd like to read The Poisonwood Bible, leave a comment to that effect..

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I cracked open a new package of printer paper and look what was included inside.



Seeds! Five blue spruce seeds to plant your own tree.

The directions are as follows:

1. Soak seeds in water for 24 hours.
2. Fill pot with 4 inches of soil.
3. Plant seeds 1/8 inch deep.
4. Keep soil moist and in lighted area.
5. Seedlings will start to grow within 2 weeks.



They forgot to add - WAIT 30 YEARS.

Look, I'm too old to be waiting for blue spruce trees to grow. Are you younger or more optimistic than me? Leave me a comment and these seeds could be yours!

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The floor is now open for your agenda items. What's on your mind? What have you been doing with yourself? Would you like to share something with the group?

Next...........

The Way Back Machine

Once again it's time for a visit in the Way Back Machine.



The time: Mid 1950's
The place: Near Cumberland, Wisconsin

What's that you say? You've seen this one before? You're absolutely right. I've featured this photo of my grandfather's retirement home once before. This is where he and Grandma Blanche lived during the summer months. During the winter they lived in a small trailer on the Gulf coast of Florida.

This was a one-room schoolhouse that my grandpa converted into a home. There were two bedrooms, a kitchen, a large living room with fireplace, a bathroom and the most important feature of all - a school bell.

We would take turns ringing that school bell until Blanche would beg for mercy. Her brother Clarence, who lived across the road, would call and ask that the kids quit ringing the bell.

As I remember there were LOTS of Norwegian bachelor farmers living in the area. I don't know why they couldn't find wives.

Here's the front of the old schoolhouse. This is an unusual photo because it was taken in winter and they rarely spent time up north in the winter.



If you look above the doorway it says "Pine Hill" and the date 1928 (or 1923). I wonder if this brick structure replaced an earlier wooden building.

Here's why I'm featuring the schoolhouse a second time. Heidi, the Milk Man's Wife, has offered to help me locate the place. She lives just a bit south of Cumberland and she's promised to help my sister and I locate the spot so that we can visit it on our trip up north this spring.

I can't imagine that it's not still standing because it was one solid building. It would be fun to take photos from the same spots, just to see how things have changed. I'm sure there are still plenty of birch trees around. I wonder if the Nelson home is still standing across the road.

Time changes everything. We'll see.

Awesome Mind Reading Readers

My readers are an awesome bunch. They worry, they provide good information and believe it or not, they read minds!

No sooner did I post the request for Spring...... than I got a postcard in the mail from my friend and reader in Seattle, Martina!



It's a postcard from the Alki Point Lighthouse in Seattle, Washington. I love lighthouses and this is a beauty. It looks like a church. The Farmer and I just visited the tallest working lighthouse in the world, in Mazatlan, Mexico. (Gibraltar is taller but it's no longer functional".

She says, "Hope you see signs of spring soon. - Martina"



See, I told you! Martina is a mind reader.

Even the stamp makes me feel good. Look at the beautiful colors.



It's not a watermelon, it's a guava. I don't think I've ever eaten a guava but I think I'm going to give it a try after seeing this artwork. Even the cancellation marks look artistic.

Thanks Martina! I wanted to let you know that I still have your recipe for carrot cake and I'm going to try it soon.

Thanks everyone for visiting with me today. I appreciate your support and your friendship.