books and bulbs

I just finished The Wife by Shalini Bowland.  It was so good.  I read it in two days, it's a gripper. I have read nearly all of her books but this one stands out. (Just finished her book The Secret Mother, very good too.)

I think I am past my fall slump.  Everything looks brighter and better as the days roll on.  I made a nice stew for the guys today.  We went to Sam's yesterday, so I have lots of supplies.  Sam's had so much merchandise that it was difficult to get down the newly narrowed aisles. I thought we were to stay 6 feet apart.  I don't think that is possible with those narrow aisles. Sam's had aisles and aisles of Christmas minutia but Andy kept his eyes out for daffodil bulbs. Andy bought three big bags of bulbs to be planted now for next spring's enjoyment.  We bought and planted a big bag last year and the flowers were glorious and lasted longer than usual.  So it is three new bags for blooms galore next spring. (They are a good buy in case you have the urge to plant.  It makes them about 16 cents apiece and Oakland Parks' is about 22 cents each.)

So many birthdays in September happening in this family. Time hurries by and pop there is another one to celebrate.

I hope you are all feeling perky today.

Big smiles around Many Branches

For eight days we have been in agony since our pool sprung a leak and we did not know where it was.  Visions of the backhoe's filled my nightmares. A pool god came by today from American Leak Detection (they do every kind of leak) and within an hour he rose from the deep end in his wet suit and declared the leak was from the light in the pool at the deep end.  No digging, not thousands of dollars, just a little putty, and a little money. Our prayers were answered and we have peace until the next thing breaks in our land of breakage which happens every couple of decades. We are nearly there once the ceiling in the library is fixed and the pergola is repaired and painted, but none of these rates a fit of depression and fear. Silly, I know, but I like things tidy and I like to keep up with upkeep so everything runs smoothly and looks good too. I want to have company again someday before I am too old to hobble around in the kitchen.

So I am back in the cooking mood.  I have one of those slim pork roasts marinating in the Hidden Valley zesty seasoning mix.  I have left-over white rice to turn into fried rice for the side and an anti-pasta salad which I keep going in the fridge.  I am now popping bits of it in nearly everything. It gives a nice little kick to rice and couscous.

Bella is our only dog and I long for another Yorkie. If you hear of one in the Columbus area, please let me know.  I am in need of another dog to love. I don't want any other kind because she is intimidated by other dogs and I want to keep her happy.  She is ten years old and deserves to be content and to feel safe. 

I am downright giddy right now with all the good news. So, talk to you later. I have to get in that pool before it closes for the season. 

Many Branches squirrels love tomatoes

 Yes, when the squirrels are not throwing ripe tomatoes at me from the highest trees, they are throwing themselves at the plants to get the high up tomatoes launching themselves into the conservatory windows. What next?  We are up to eight major breaks easing up on the all-time record of one Christmas vacation when 10 major items broke.  The pool, I hope is the last thing, pray for us, the new (to us) repair people come tomorrow after eight days of NO help from the company we have been loyal to for 18 years. 

This is a turbulent time for many reasons. My problems are minor but they seem really disturbing to me.  I need to get a grip.

Well, this is a cheerful little post don't you think?  It was meant to brighten your day. lol  Sorry.

BLT with limited T's.

I am spoiling those in the family who eat normal food today. Andy's favorite BLT was first on the menu for the morning. We had it with our one lonely yellow tomato...tomatoes did not grow well for us this summer.  They miss the old garden, but I don't. Sometime today I will fix shrimp alfredo pasta and that will be it for the day. It is a glorious day as was yesterday.  It is difficult to be sad on a day like this, so I refuse to let anything bother me today.

We are very healthy but it seems we have many doctors' appointments this week. Andy has the most, I have but one. We have not seen a doctor for months if not a year. How lucky is that?

Television is awful, as usual.  It is supposed to get better this time of year with new shows etc.  Have all the actors and directors died?  Oh, that's right, they are busy with politics.  DO YOUR OWN JOBS. We don't care what you think.

I think this Labor Day weekend is the first in years that we have not had a family get together...I may have missed having it last year, but before that we gathered. It just seems strange. We missed several events this year and we are still going to be missing more.  Getting married has been a problem for almost a year.  Some have moved places and dates more than three times. I hope it works out for them.  Pictures will have to do.

Enjoy this glorious day.

People need to grow up

These next two notices you probably won't believe, but one came from a former student and I believe it for sure because it was an ad from his restaurant where he works.  The first was "Hair salon had to remove job ad for 'happy’ stylist because it is 'discriminatory' against unhappy people". The second from my former student in Florida reported that they now advertise for an energetic employee which translates into a YOUNG applicant. We have become way too touchy in this society and it gets worse instead of better. It is as though a license has been granted to the crazy to do whatever they have been itching to do for years.

I am always in a slump in September and this year is no exception. Luckily, I caught a break for nine days of happily entertaining family for a few days. Luckily, too, the slump fades in time and I will back to normal. It must be the changing of seasons into less pleasant weather...or the end to a glorious summer.

I have a fish/corn chowder at the ready for the day ahead. There is a pleasant chill in the air this morning and so soup fits the bill.

Note: An English friend told me about a show on television called The Repair Shop. I found it just now on Netflix. It is interesting. Several masters of restoration are gathered in this shop and people bring in antiques to be repaired. They are true masters and the stories told about these items are intriguing. You also can enjoy the pleasure of seeing these items being beautifully brought back to life.

cooking

David, our son, has from the beginning of his marriage taken on the cooking in his family. He watches my Facebook for inspiration but I learn from him when he comes up from Florida too. The roast from my last post was his new lead and also Bob Evans ready made mashed potatoes which I am trying out today is another.  I could have made potato pancakes with green onions but opted for potato soup since I usually have a pot of soup at the ready for in and out eaters. So far it is going well.  The mashed potatoes are good in a pinch and the family size certainly feeds eight people.  It looks small but it is compacted and when heated, not bad at all if you are in a  hurry for a side...or to make soup in a hurry. David also had me buy a can of Campbell's gravy for when we were having the roast with mashed potatoes.  I did not like the gravy.  Now that was one sequin too many.  I did not like it, but Andy did. David can eat anything and never gains an ounce.  He is 57 and has the metabolism of a squirrel. As I write I think of new things to put in the potato soup so the volume, as Ina Garten says, is turned up and the soup is becoming deluxe, easy, and delicious.

I was up at 1:00 this morning and then went back to bed about 7:00.  My sleeping is screwed up of late and the dog is confused now. So, as the soup simmers I am going to read Jo Jo Moyer's Wind Fallen. (Don't bother with that one.)

Have a good day on this the first day of September... one like no other.

I'm baccck

After nine days and nights of guests (and their dogs), I am frazzled and still in my robe at this hour of the day. It was so much fun but it will wear a person out even if you are young. David, our son, was the last to go into the night and he must be about home around now. (It will take him 15 hours of driving.) So, I have been a slug all day.  We celebrated his birthday and had a nice meal with Matt and Stacy and the girls.  David made these fantastic pork roasts that had only 4 kinds of seasoning and they left the platter like they were on fire.  Luckily we had two more to do and David fixed those for us to have after he left. It seems impossible with only a little seasoning, but you will not go wrong if you try this recipe which I will put on tomorrow.  I am done for today. (I haven't posted for a few days but will make it up once I get settled again.)
You can google Natasha's Kitchen too...she has good recipes and this is just one.  David raved so much and it was so simple I could not get into it until it flew off the serving platter and I had a taste.

Ingredients

• 1 tsp sea salt or to taste
• 1/2 tsp black pepper freshly ground
• 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 2 Tbsp olive oil (extra light) or vegetable oil, or avocado oil*
• 1 1/2 lb Pork Tenderloin

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

1. How to make Roasted Pork Tenderloin: Preheat oven to 400˚F with the rack in the middle.
2. Trim tenderloin of fat and any silver skin and pat dry with a paper towel. Pierce pork loin all over with a fork and rub with 1 Tbsp oil.
3. Combine your seasonings and sprinkle onto the tenderloin then use your hands to rub the spices into the tenderloin until evenly coated.
4. Heat 1 Tbsp oil over med-high heat in a large oven-safe pan (cast iron or a dutch oven will work). Once oil is hot, add pork and brown on all sides (6 minutes total).
5. Place in the oven and bake uncovered at 400˚F for 13-15 min, flipping the tenderloin over halfway through baking. Bake until center of pork registers at least 150˚F then transfer to a cutting board and let meat rest 5-10 min. Slice into rings and serve. We did not let it get to 150; I think it would be dry then. You want it just roasted through and done. You know how to do a pork roast.  Good luck. It is so easy.

i HAVE TO TELL YOU, MY HIDDEN RANCH SPICY SEASONING MIX IS VERY GOOD ON PORK OR OTHER TYPES OF MEAT. YOU CAN GET IT IN BIG PLASTIC JARS AT SAM'S ALONG WITH THEIR REGULAR HIDDEN VALLEY RANCH DRESSING SEASONING. (I do wish they would stop putting product

in plastic.  We will cover the planet with that stuff.)

Company is coming...

We are getting excited.  The washer guy is fixing one of the big load washers so I don't have to do laundry in a tea cup of water.  Eric and crew are coming to do the outdoor area, and the handyman is coming this evening to dirty up our clean house.  He is finally going to finish the powder room I HOPE.  There is more to do of course, but this will make the most dust and grit and work for me, so that's what he is going to do tonight...if he comes at all. We are having company!!! Three humans and two more dogs.  Captain Wagstaff (Beth's son) and his wife Carly, and our son David.  I think David was meaning to surprise us, but Mike let it out of the bag this morning. David always brings his dog and Carly and Brooks are moving to Oregon with his important new military assignment and they will have to bring their dog too.

I have begun cooking.  So far I have made a large anti-pasta salad (one dish of it will have pasta, and one without.) I have made a large batch of beef tortellini soup.  And, though I am totally over baking in any form, the guys have sweets on their minds. I have to make a list of what I need because it has been so long since I did the sweet bakes.  A cheesecake may be the answer, however, for I have the stuff that is needed.  Groan.  I miss the patisseries in Paris, that's what the French do...they make the main meal and buy the dessert. Then I have to make some of my crack breakfast treat for David to take home to Johnna.  She would love the Mrs. Field's chocolate chip cookies, but nooooo.  I can't do it. Maybe.

On Sunday we are all getting together for a roasted pork noon lunch with roasted potatoes and corn on the cob. So, I will be cooking big time in the next few day.  (Oh, I don't think Sam's  roasted cauliflower bites are good enough to buy again.  They need to flavor them up some.  They look good and hold together well, but there is little flavor inside.  Save your money for something tastier.)

Corn , cherries, and the beer joint

This time of year reminds me of the corn cob parties we used to have at the Spook House in August.  This is when our boys were small.  We would go to McConnelsville
on a Friday night and wait for Joe, Glenda, and their three girls to arrive for either a cherry-picking or a corn on the cob session, or both.  The spook house was an escape from the pressures of life.  It was and is across the road from the river and we found such happiness there.  It was like filling the car with gas and by Sunday afternoon we were filled up with goodness and ready for the week ahead. When we arrived Mother would have caldrons of boiling salted water outside in the yard.  Nice fires, newspaper-covered tables set up, and then all we needed was the corn.  Andy worked with a man who gave us as much corn on the cob that we wanted.  So we filled the station wagon with boys and corn and headed to the river house. Soon Joe and Glenda and the girls would arrive for the week end and the boiling began.  We cooked the corn, let what we didn't eat cool to handle, and we took it off the cob and filled small sandwich bags with the corn.  We put it in the fridge until Sunday.  That done I believe we went cherry picking on Saturday.  Seems like we combined that and if not we had individual visits to complete these processes.  We would go to the cherry fields and we simply could not stand to leave one juicy cherry on the trees.  We over picked, over ate, and over bought cherries.  They were glorious.  The kids had to pit the cherries and we made them keep their noses to the grind stone believe me.  After the work was done we cleaned up and went down the road to the Colonial Inn.  They had a dance floor, a jukebox, beer and the most audacious handmade French fries in the world, it seemed to us.  Juicy cheeseburgers were on the menu and dancing was required. Our kids had good lives even if they don't remember every aspect.  Life was and is so good to us.  Thank you Mom and Dad for preparing the way for us.

When I was teaching I took my entire class (around 30 kids) to the Spook House for a brouhaha week end.  The children enjoyed every minute of it.  We arrived first on Friday with a few girls and then everyone arrived on Saturday. We grilled and cooked and they all found things to enjoy but in the afternoon it started a gentle rain so I got the idea to take the class to the beer joint to eat and dance.  So off we went to the Colonial Inn.  We spent the entire afternoon playing pool, dancing, and enjoying French fries.  How did I get away with that?  We had the preacher with us.  Jill's father who was always good for a laugh thought that the beer parlor was a perfect solution for a rainy day.  My God, I could not get away with that now days.  As the children bedded down with giggles and whispers some on the wrap-around porch, some upstairs, some all over the house one, unfortunately, was in the house.  He had eaten so many hot dogs that he became sick and tried to outrun the upheaval by running room to room towards outdoors throwing up from one room to the next... and don't you know suddenly everyone was asleep (adults included) so guess who had clean up to do after a long busy day?

Thunderation

Thunderation what is going on? If my sources are correct the regulations are starting to get on my nanny. The big capacity washing machine started trying to get out of the basement, then a bolt snapped and the noise was horrific.  I called the repair man and he looked at it and said it could be fixed for $400. or I could buy a new one.  I was flabbergasted because I know for a fact that the new washers only allow very little water into the tub to wash clothes.  I witnessed this at Matt's house when I was doing their laundry.  I asked Matt how to get more water into the tub and he said you can't.  It is now a government regulation that allows you what they think you need to do a load of wash. These are people who can't get a bill passed and they worry about my washing machine? The repair man said there is only one washer to buy that does not have that regulation built-in and that is an $1100. appliance. (It has queen in the name and I never have heard of it.  I will ask him again when he comes Thursday and let you know in case you are in a hurry to buy one.) OH, It's Speed Queen made by Maytag and yes you can fill it with water as you like. Bless their hearts.

Then there are the new cars that turn off at every stop and turn back on to go.  You can turn that off...EVERY time you start the car.  Just an extra annoyance as if the road does not present enough headaches.

One of my high school classmates from McConnelsville died of the virus last night, so it has hit that little town.  The family has no idea how she got it and she has a big family. That is half of my classmates dead now, a new benchmark. Sarah was 82.

Well, this is a cheerful little post. I am ashamed of my whining.  Forgive me please.

On a happy note I am salad making crazy.  I make some form of this salad every other day.  It is fun to see what works in a cluster of savory healthy items.  Today I added pasta for a twist.  I have the most interesting array of jars of okra, baby sweet corn, sweet cauliflower...on and on. I love Amazon and the Amish stores' products. Amazon is the  safer place to shop than the other venue. Now I will be even more careful where I go since I lost a friend to the virus.  

Sam's has a new frozen item.  Cauliflower bites and they are good with a touch of siracha to spice them up a little.  We had them last night with fish sticks and roasted tomatoes.  Now that's a combination that works.

Six years old

I have very few memories of life before six years old when this picture was taken.  I remember being arranged and ready for my close up when I thought I should do something interesting for this picture, so I contorted my fingers...why? Only a six-year-old could answer that one.  I cleaned up real well but did not look that good on a daily basis sometimes I resembled a ragamuffin because I took care of myself after all.  My mother could not sew; she could make glorious quilts, but she could not sew garments.  Once she made a red coat for my sister, who was eleven years older than I, and when she wore it to school kids made fun of her.  She came home madder than a wet hen, took off the coat and threw it into the fireplace and burned it to a crisp.  I am sure that hurt mother's feelings, but at that time neither my sister nor I paid any attention to parent's feelings. Mother had a friend who sewed beautifully. She could have worked in a fashion house but was stuck in Roseville as were many talented people. Mother had her sew for me whenever she had some extra change and the clothes were glorious. In seventh grade, I was asked to model a pink corduroy dress for a fashion show. (That made my nemesis Leanna really mad.  I paid for that one.) I remember a sky blue silk dress with pearl buttons, and a beautiful white blouse with puff sleeves and a long black skirt for a play in sixth grade. She also made the dress in this picture. Once when peek-a-boo skirts were popular she made one for me with a pink peasant blouse.  It was such a cute outfit.  I wish I had pictures of these beautifully made clothes and a way to thank that long-gone woman.

Every year before school started we would go to Zanesville to one of the elegant department stores to buy some dresses for school.  I looked forward to that. I would get three or four but that was it for the entire year. The total cost was probably three dollars.  It was a loooong time ago.

I never had a bike and still do not know how to ride one.  Dad thought it was too dangerous.  I was admonished to never get on a bike, so naturally, I did, with two other people.  I was in the back of this threesome rolling down a hill going, of course, very fast and I tried to stop it with my shoes tearing the back out of one having caught it in the spokes.  Yowl.  How would I lie myself out of this one?  "How did you tear your shoe," dad asked.  "I caught it on a nail," was my reply.  And that was it.  Nothing more was said...ever. Of course, dad knew it was not true because his friend saw the entire thing and ratted on me, but Dad never brought it up again. I am sorry about that lapse in judgment but there were so many of them.