Political circus

Andy and I went to the circus yesterday right in our own home.  We rarely watch daytime TV, but at 10:00 am we started watching the inexplicable escapades of our elected politicians and it was riveting. We ignored everything including the dogs; I forgot to feed them. Finally, they were not having it any longer and I realized the mistake (in more ways than one.)

Today I assume will be just as jaw-dropping watching lives destroyed and careers being thrown to the wind.

At Many Branches we proceed getting the property ready for winter.  Trimming back the rosemary and boxwoods and the roses in hopes they make it through another winter.  We've discovered after many years you can actually kill Knock Out Roses.  They get old too and give up. While it is still warm we are getting the outdoor furniture put away.

I am thinking of pasta alfredo with shrimp today. It is quick and easy and we can have another look at what we have voted for as chaos ensues on in D.C.

Dinner is at the ready~

If you have a can of beans, olives, and lemons you have what is needed for the bottom of your baking dish.  Top it with white fish or in my case salmon with layers of sliced lemons and seasoning and pop it in the oven for a quick dinner with lots of flavors.  That's our dinner for tonight cooling in the fridge until I have a handle on how many and when the family arrives tonight.  Andy is off to OSU class and a visit to the OSU clinic.  He has what he had two years ago and needs antibiotics which is what they gave him for a bad cough (like walking pneumonia) last time.  Andy has a great immune system but this cough sounds really bad.

The pool closed yesterday and we are starting to take in the outdoor furniture.  However, we are dragging our feet because it looks and feels like early spring on Cooke Rd.  We have had steady gentle rains for three days and everything is lush and growing still. I have the back door open and the dogs are guarding it while they take their first nap of the day.

We are trying to get our plans in order for a Christmas visit to ski in Colorado. Well, I'm not skiing, but I am going to see our grandson graduate from Pike's Peak. That's just one event to plan for in the busy upcoming holidays.  Alyssa and her mother-in-law to be arrive for the weekend November 10th to shop with Beth for wedding gowns for Alyssa's destination wedding in Italy.  (We can't forget Alex's wedding in Cincinnati in April and she has her dress already.) All the Lechlers have a good time at weddings!

I have some alone time to cherish so I'm off to do some fun things since dinner is at the ready.

RUN

Head for the hills, I am using my new instant hot pot for the first time and it is not going well. I should know by this age not to go back to pressure cooking.  When my mother pulled out the pressure cooker we could not leave the house fast enough.  It jiggled and hissed us into submission just by resting quietly in the cupboard.  All Mother had to do was open that particular cupboard door and we were gone.  Now I have this monster in my own kitchen.  I finally moved the button to slow cooking, but I am not sure that is even working.  I should have waited for Pam and George to come the day before Thanksgiving to try this thing out.  Beth could probably figure it out but she is busier than a one-armed paper hanger.

Joe, Glenda,  Andy, and I had a lovely three day holiday together here at Many Branches.  It is so green one would think it was mid-spring and today it is raining again. The plants are in full bloom and still growing. Glenda, Joe and Andy were into football mode for ten or more hours on Saturday.  Joe and Andy attended the OSU game and watched a 100-year-old man dot the I in Script Ohio.  He was so happy to be doing the dotting that his daughter finally had to go get him and take him off the field.  I hope we are as healthy as he at 100 years old.

I hope your week is wonderful, and wish me luck with the roast that is doing God knows what in the instant pot.Note: The instant pot crock pot feature failed.  I had to finish the roast in the oven.  Obviously, I was not doing anything remotely right.  I will shelve it until help arrives.

Lynn's fruit market

It's a bit of a misnomer calling this a fruit market.  True they have fruit, but the array of beautiful things encompasses hot dogs, hamburgers, Kettle popcorn, pumpkins, pies, jelly, chutneys, peppers, corn, tomatoes...the list is endless and it is like a carnival with people picnicking on the knolls while enjoying lunch or dinner. We bought plenty and had lunch there.  Now we are home playing cards and relaxing.  We always like it when Joe, Andy's brother, and Glenda come to visit.  Later we are buying and planting fall flowers for the window boxes since the weather is still holding well.  The pool closes Tuesday.  Sad but true.

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Fall's This and That

I can't believe there are Christmas decorations in the stores already.  That is part of what makes me sad each autumn, there is no time to enjoy each season or event except maybe summer. Summer is slow and lazy and fully enjoyed. Autumn also brings on the pressure of Thanksgiving and Christmas and all it entails.  I think this Christmas we are going to Adam in Colorado.  He is graduating from Pike's Peak with an Associate's degree. Thanksgiving, however, I am looking forward to because everyone is gathering here and there is lots of help and no pressure except in my own mind. Pam and George come the day before to help wrangle the turkeys, chop, eat, chop, assemble and drink, then we go out to dinner that night because we are sick of the food we messed with all day long. It is always fun.

Joe and Glenda are coming here Thursday for a few days and Joe and Andy are going to the OSU game.  I've made a series of salads and soups for the visit and we will go to dinner one night, not sure which one.  I look forward to the coffee cakes they usually bring.  I hope for a raspberry coconut one again from North College Hill Bakery.

Alyssa is coming home November 10th with her future mother-in-law for the weekend and they, with friends and Beth, are bridal dress shopping.  I will sit this one out.  I think I can enjoy it all from home with pictures and details. I know she has several appointments in various bridal shops and there will be limited room. They will have a good time for sure.

Fall at Many Branches

Fall wardrobe must

I am hoping I can find this outfit for my new fall wardrobe.

Apple crisp

I have never been an apple crisp girl, but today has changed my way of thinking.  Actually, Honey Crisp Apples have made me rethink that common dessert. It is so fast to put together and an hour in the oven and the house smells like home.  When I  opened the oven door I became a convert.  Then, with a dollop of vanilla ice cream I went in...did not wait for Andy to oooh and ahhh over it after his class at OSU, nope. Could not wait.  It was just a small dish, however, so probably doesn't count.

 Yesterday was Matt's birthday and today is Nate's and Andy's is the 16th.  September is a busy month. Posy had 17 teeth pulled yesterday.  I don't know how many teeth a dog has, but I could not believe it when the vet called me.  She also had two growths taken off while she was under, so she is now feeling perky and entitled...but then she is on some good meds. Dogs heal fast.  She is 12 years old but acts like a teenager.  Winston is next for the vet dental business but his appointment is the last of October. I bet if I get another dog, everyone quakes when they hear that, I will be brushing teeth from day one whether he or she likes it or not. We Lechler humans are at the dentist pretty often in the last couple of months too.

I made a big pot of chili today.  It is so good.  You know sometimes you hit it just right throwing in this and that and other times you have to tie the guy down to get him to eat it.  Joe and Glenda are coming back a week from tomorrow for another few days.  Andy and Joe will go to the OSU game and band show.  They will get chili as well.  I want to make a trip to the Amish while they are here to stock up.

All is well at Many Branches.  We called to have the pool closed.  It's early for us, but the leaves, the leaves.  I hate saying goodbye to summer. Sigh. Apple crisp helps though.

Posy at the dentist

What, no breakfast this morning?  For any of us?

It is early this morning and we have hidden the water bowls and the food for Posy is going to the Vet dentist for some well -needed mouth operations. Winston will be next. The dogs are alert that something is going on and they have the jitters.

 Today is to warm back up but everything is soggy wet after two days of steady rain.  The plants are going crazy and the grass is beautiful.  It looks like Ireland in Columbus.

This is September birthday week at the Lechlers: Nate, Matt who is in Chicago on business, and Andy who has class on Mondays and Wednesday at OSU. Nothing is planned but we probably won't be going to Ritzy's to stand in line for burgers and fries.  (Actually, they were good and the milk shakes like they used to be, but not good enough to stand in the rain on any day.)

I have the last of the corn to deal with today and the wonderful Honey Crisp apples calling my name.  They are so good sliced with scoops of Kroger honey crunchy peanut butter on them.  There were no peaches at the market this time, but the peach guy said next Saturday he would have one last late crop batch for us all.

Posy is looking worried.  An hour to go and she is giddy.  Silly girl, she has no idea the agony that awaits.

Blue chair

Fall has arrived at the Lechler house:  first sweater day, first cabin socks day, and bringing in the blue chair day. The yard and plants are greener than ever sopping up the rain and really showing off at this late stage of the season.

Tonight after church Beth, Mike, Andy and I are going to the re-new burger place on High Street.  It was once the old A&W, then went into the burger joint, then closed and luckily they have re-opened for a second try.  I think the great economy has made this possible.  All of the malls are flourishing, the stores are filled, and the restaurants, in general, are on spot.  Columbus is an eating out town where many restaurants try the area out first to see if their business will fly. So tonight is burger and fries night after church. NOTE: I could not believe the crowd at this place called Ritzy's after church the lines wrapped around the little place in the rain!  It was ludicrous. There were lines even after we had seated and eaten.  The new owners were stunned.  They said the had a soft opening to try it out Wednesday with no ads and still the lines wrapped the building. I am happy for them, an older couple with two grown sons.

Saturday night as we were falling asleep  a big tree fell across Cooke Rd.  I think it hit a car and there were saws going for nearly a half an hour.  The police cut it up but it is piled almost in the road for our neighbors to deal with today.  I hope it did not hit a car, but a girl kept running up and down the road--it was a mess and made me sit up at the loud noise.  There is big equipment on the sides of Cooke because of the gas lines going in, so I thought a car had hit a piece of equipment.  Well, it's over. But they should close Cooke Road while all this mess is going on--but no.  People see the red flashing lights before they come down the hill, but do they choose a different route? NO.   They are like robots and seem to feel there is no other route to get to their destination. Not a dull moment on Cooke.

Tomorrow things dry out and temperatures drop, but they will rise again.  Summer will not give up easily.

Perfect

We enjoyed hosting the Labor Day party on Sunday.  I guess there were 25 people in for a couple of big meals.  The pool got a real work out because it was a perfect sunny day with a slight breeze.  Some who did not like the heat ate inside with tables already set in anticipation of the heat.  Others moved umbrellas around to suit their position for eating or for the pool.

Joe and Glenda who stayed four days left with the group and David, our son, left with his dog to Florida.  Last I heard he is making his way through Georgia. So he is really making great time. 

Andy and I are slugs today although I did wash the sheets in three bedrooms and got ours on.  I do love a fresh bed.  We are enjoying left overs too.  The sweet and sour meatballs and the mini ribs are super reheated.  Andy is into the mac and cheese with pepperoni topped with the meatballs.  What a combo.  No one is watching, so what the heck?  The pool float is calling me again, but I am afraid I will sink the float with all the meatballs I consumed.  I am surprised they were not carried out by the guests who enjoy left-overs for a week after one of the parties or so I am told.

Posy has a dental operation on Monday at the Vet.  She is our oldest dog but spry and happy unless you try to move her from a cushion or a seat where she is stretched out, then RUN.

During the party, the ladies who do birthdays decided for Beth's 50th she and I will travel to Cincinnati where there is plenty to do over a week-end.  With all the weddings in the making, staying close to home is a better idea.

Nate spent the long week-end in Oregon visiting a friend.  That about sums it up for the Lechlers.

Whooooppppeeee! It starts today

David left Florida at 4:00 this morning with his dog. Sigh.  four dogs, 30 people...it has been before and it worked out. I just go with the flow.  What is ready is ready and what is not I have good, very good, family helpers who take over, with thanks, once they get here.  Then I become a guest of sorts. Beth is such a help as well.  She is so kind and accommodating.

Today for lunch when Joe and Glenda arrive we will dine on corn chowder with bacon and a green salad with chopped vegetables.  I have a pork roast in the crockpot with potatoes, carrots, celery and whatever else is begging to be used today. That will be dinner and for David's arrival around 8:00.

Friday has not sorted itself out, but the fridge and freezers are bulging.  I think mac and cheese with pepperoni is a good dish to have when there is coming and goings, so yes, I think that serves the bill for dinner with a salad. (I have plenty of those.) Lunch can be a frittata, that's always welcome and easy.

Dinner is out with the birthday man at a Chinese restaurant, 8 people I think. That's Saturday night.

Sunday is party day and eating all day with games, cards, swimming and chat.  I haven't had a party since December 23rd, so I am interested and happy to see everyone.