Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Special Delivery

Our precious granddaughter and our new great-granddaughter Ensley Kate.
We are blessed beyond words.....
 
 
 
 


Monday, November 26, 2018

Sleepy Days

Just as predicted, cold weather is upon us.
I requested the help of two kitties in helping with a little decorating, so far this is the response.
It appears I am on my own.
 
 

 

Monday, November 19, 2018

Turkey Talk

I came across this Johnson Brothers Barnyard King plate at one of the local antique shops several years ago.
One plate all by itself, I could only imagine what an entire dinner service would have looked like.
Each Thanksgiving it takes center-stage on my buffet, the colors on this picture do not do the piece justice, all hand-engraved and made in England.
Barnyard King, what could be a more fitting name.

From our home to yours.....A Happy Thanksgiving.



Sunday, November 18, 2018

A Little Bit Of Brit



Settling in for a night of English television programs.
Our local Public Broadcasting Corporation airs three British shows back to back on Sunday evenings, I would be happier with them spread out throughout the week, but I'll take whatever I can get.
Especially when the main character in Poldark is the handsome Irish actor Aiden Turner.
 *drool*
 
 

Saturday, November 17, 2018

Sunshine Returns

 


“It was one of those sumptuous days when the world is full of autumn muskiness and tangy, crisp perfection: vivid blue sky, deep green fields, leaves in a thousand luminous hues. It is a truly astounding sight when every tree in a landscape becomes individual, when each winding back highway and plump hillside is suddenly and infinitely splashed with every sharp shade that nature can bestow - flaming scarlet, lustrous gold, throbbing vermilion, fiery orange.”
        ~ Bill Bryson

Thursday, November 15, 2018

Nesting



Several of our western counties were blanketed with snow today, luckily we were not included.
There's a cold, blustery north wind blowing, and rain has saturated the ground for the past three days.
Birds are hunkered down in their nests, the ones who are brave enough to venture out, are flying sideways.
The cats are happily sleeping, they have started putting on their winter bellies, as with the rest of the household.
*sigh*
 
 

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

Hobbit Days



Goodness the weather has turned cold and damp.
The wind has howled, and temperatures dropping to a wintry mix later tomorrow.
The town is full of sickness, colds, flu and lots of pneumonia, I've been trying to stay home as much as possible, since I tend to be one of those 'susceptible to bronchitis' types.

I made a hearty homemade beef stew today, chocked full of vegetables, with an aromatic tomato base, and spices.
It's a Southern recipe, easy, and delicious.
 
 

Always best accompanied by a skillet of buttermilk cornbread. Or a hearty loaf of crusty bread.



Nothing fancy, just basic Beef and Vegetable Stew.
One and a half pound of stew beef, or hamburger meat
A large onion chopped
Two ribs of sliced celery
Cut up potatoes
Sliced carrots
A large can of whole peeled tomatoes chopped up in bite sized pieces
Can of chili beans with the sauce
Can of sliced green beans
Can of peas
Can of corn if I have it.
Beef or vegetable stock
Chili powder
Bay leaves (2)
Garlic powder
Parsley fresh
Salt and Pepper to taste
Most anything you like to throw in the pot....sometimes I add cabbage.

Southern Cornbread
1 1/4 cups of buttermilk or milk
1/4 cup of vegetable oil or solid shortening (melt if solid shortening)
2 cups of buttermilk cornmeal mix
1 ounce of melted butter
1 beaten egg
Oven temp 425 degrees

Place a cast iron skillet, or cake pan with a small amount of shortening inside the oven until the shortening melts and pan is hot.
Add mixture, bake for 15 / 20 minutes until golden brown