Wednesday, October 31, 2012

A poem....

                                                  Black and Gold

                                    Everything is black and gold,

                                    Black and gold tonight:

                                    Yellow pumpkins, yellow moon,

                                    Yellow candlelight;

                                                Jet-black cat with golden eyes,

                                                Shadows black as ink,

                                                Firelight blinking in the dark

                                                With a yellow blink.

                                  Black and gold, black and gold,

                                  Nothing in between----

                                  When the world turns black and gold,

                                  Then it's Halloween!

                                                                             Nancy Byrd Turner

Enjoy this day!

Thank you for reading.  I enjoy your comments.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Just for fun....

Quite a number of years ago, we made our yearly visit to an out-of-town friend and her family.  On her counter was this:

It was filled with seasoned popcorn!  I was really taken by it, and returned home to find out if I would be able to locate one here!  Luckily, someone told me of an employee at the local high school who worked on pottery pieces for her hobby!  I don't keep seasoned popcorn in mine.

It is ready with treats to hand out on Wednesday night!

There are some books that I enjoy during this Halloween season.

For children.

These books are always popular, though, regardless of the season.

More for children.

Then, there are these books:

Martha and Gooseberry Patch

Mummies!

Happy pumpkins!

You may have wrapped a hot dog to create mummies!  They have been a big hit with the Munchkins! 

The pitcher was a gift from a student in my school-teaching days.  I was lucky enough to find the mugs at Dollywood in a special seasonal gift shop there!  Not for the dishwasher, however!  I have used black permanent marker to replace the eyes, nose, and mouth on a few of them.:-)

It is very difficult to watch the news of this storm.  Many of you who follow this blog are affected in some way by it.  I send you my thoughts and prayers as you have prepared the best you could, and now you must be ready to take what comes your way.  I will be relieved to hear from each of you as soon as you are able to let us know how you are.

Thank you for reading.  I appreciate  your comments.


Monday, October 29, 2012

Results!

I hope everyone has had a good week-end.  I know there are some followers of this blog who are in the path of this storm, Sandy, that is heading up the east coast.  It is my hope that you will all be able to stay safe, and that the storm might not be as severe as all signs indicate it could be.

I believe I've mentioned Chili Cook-offs and Dessert contests on the blog before.:-)  The Husband and I serve as judges at times.  Most recently, however, we were not permitted to be judges because we were entered in the competition!

Too much light.:-(

Isn't it pretty?:-)  This is the trophy that was awarded to the person whose dessert was judged first place!  It came home with us! 

The dessert!

These are Oreo Bon Bons, and they disappeared very quickly!  It's a good thing that the judges have their sample at an early point in the event.:-) 

You have probably heard of this "delicacy" before.  They are made from a 1# package of Oreo cookies, crumbled in the food processor, and one 8-ounce package of cream cheese, softened.  After mixing these two ingredients together, chill the mixture for an hour or so.  This will simplify the process of shaping into balls.  Then, it will be a good idea to place them in the freezer for another hour or so.  That will make it easier to coat them with the melted chocolate.  Whatever kind of chocolate you find on the super market shelves is what you will have to use.  While my package indicated it was "melting chocolate," it would have helped had it flowed onto the bon bons more easily.  It almost became a sculpting process!  Anyway, they are really tasty and just about melt in your mouth!

I was in a rush to take the picture of our table.  It was almost time to begin serving, and I needed to be sure to be out of the way behind the table.:-)

Trying to be festive.:-)

The blue bucket with the 5 on it is where those attending dropped money to determine "People's Choice."  We had oyster crackers in the large pumpkin bowl and grated cheese in the smaller one.  The money generated from this event helps the church camp that is located not too far away.

Oh, yes. In the background is the crutch I have been using to hobble around.:-)  I am happy to report that my ankle is recovering!  I don't think there will be any complications with it, thankfully!

Are you ready for Halloween?   Some of you have already had great parties!  No parties on the calendar around here, though there are some "trimmings" I will share with you next.

Thank you for reading.  I really enjoy your comments.

Sunday, October 28, 2012

A quote....

Ralph Waldo Emerson is not an unfamiliar name to us.  I have made a slight adaptation to this following quote, attributed to him.

"Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful, for beauty is God's handwriting - a wayside sacrament.  Welcome it in every face, in every sky, in every flower, and thank God for it as a cup of  blessing."

Have a blessed Sunday!

Thank  you for reading.  I appreciate your comments.

Saturday, October 27, 2012

It's a tough job.....

.....but someone has to do it!:-)

The Husband and I were judges for a Chili Cook-off and Dessert contest recently to benefit one of the camps in our United Methodist Conference. 





The participants did a bit of table decorating, though we were called to begin our judging before we could get pictures of all the tables. 

Chili entries.

There were six chili entries, with one of them being chicken chili.  There was another person who was serving as a judge, and it was interesting how we all seemed to come to the same conclusion!

Desserts!  
There were five desserts entered.  The winner was the most delicious Carrot Cake we had ever tasted.  One bite of dessert is usually enough to determine whether it is a good one.

We will be participating/judging some others in the next few weeks, so there may be other posts about this.  Hopefully I will be able to get some good pictures of table decor. 

I hope you are having a good week-end and that Hurricane Sandy isn't causing you any problems!

Thank you for reading.  I appreciate your comments.

Friday, October 26, 2012

More from the week-end....

Happy Friday to everyone!  Are you glad the week-end is practically here?  I'm still thinking about the LAST week-end.:-) 

I mentioned in an earlier post that I had, on two occasions, left the camera behind when we were heading toward Emory and Henry for various Homecoming activities.  I finally remembered it on the third trip, and I took these pictures.

The entrance.

This is on one side of the entrance.  A matching wall is on the other side.

On the lamp post.

This flag alternates with a flag showing the college seal on the row of lamp posts on campus.

Autumn colors.

More colors.

The colors were lovely, making it a perfect week-end to see fall leaves.  In the last picture above, the chapel is on the right, the administration building visible a distance away in the center of the picture, and the library is on the left.  In the top picture, the building to the right is the science building.

We chose a different route to return home from this trip.  The scenery was really beautiful, and I tried to take some pictures to show you what it was like.  I fear the pictures will not do it justice.





I think it is easy to see that we are surrounded by hilly terrain.:-)

One of the week's developments has to do with one of my most "graceful acts."  I turned my right foot on Wednesday morning as I was heading out to retrieve the newspaper, a trip I make daily.  The pain is improved, though it has some swelling and discoloration.  The Husband has been a very good care giver. 

We helped with a special event that helps fund the camp that is supported by our United Methodist Church Conference.  What did we do?  That will be the focus of the NEXT post!  I hope you will return.

Thank you for reading.  I appreciate your comments.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Our tax dollars....

The weather has been really nice here, and The Husband and I decided to take a picnic supper to a nearby park one afternoon.  We walked along the walking trail (a half-mile) and enjoyed being out in the nice weather. 

The beginning of the trail.

Fall's beauty along the trail.

This is a county-operated park, so it is good to see how our tax dollars are working to give us a place to enjoy nature.

The dock.

When we first arrived, someone was sitting on the dock reading.  By the time we left, a photographer had come to take a picture of a family, using the dock for the setting.

Beach volleyball, anyone?

There were no players on this particular afternoon.

Picnic pavilion

Play equipment

The pavilion may be reserved by groups for special events, and children would enjoy the playground.  There is lots of sun as it is moving to set in the west.

It was great to take the time to enjoy being outdoors on this day, and I hope you have been able to enjoy good weather where you are.

There are other pictures of fall scenes I want to share with you in another post.  I hope you will return.

Thank you for reading.  I appreciate your comments.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Something cute....

On the week-end, we stopped off to visit with Munchomom, Machoman, and the Munchkins.  We made it in time to attend church where Machoman is minister. 

There was a silent auction to raise funds for an individual mission trip to Africa.  The items in the auction were decorated gourds, or gourd-type creations. 

See what's inside!

Bright and colorful!

The theme followed the story of Jonah and the Whale.  This whale was done by a teenager, and her mother carved the tiny pumpkin inside to represent Jonah.  I bid on this one and was able to bring it with me.  The picture was taken at Munchomom's house, and that is where I left it so it can be enjoyed by them.:-)  I was most impressed by the carving of the tiny pumpkin! 

The next post will focus on some "time to smell the roses.":-)

Thank you for reading.  i really appreciate your comments.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

More progress....

I have posted earlier about the new fire station that is being built in our neighborhood. 

An end view

From the back

It is easy to see from the pictures that this will be a very nice fire station!  We have a volunteer fire department, and I believe they will be happy with this facility.  The construction crew is working hard.  I'm not aware of the completion date they hope they will make.

There are several things going on here this week.  I am trying to decide on a chili recipe for a chili cook-off, as well as a dessert to make to enter into the dessert contest.  Then, there is the UMW training that I will be doing on the week-end.  I must see that I have everything in order for that.  The Husband likes to say that we should take time to smell the roses.:-)  The buds on the Knock Out Rose (that was pictured in the previous post) have burst into bloom, so it will be easy to take time for that.:-)

So - you can see that there are several possibilities for the blog in the next several days.  I hope you will return.

Thank you for reading.  I appreciate your comments.

Monday, October 22, 2012

Last week....

Happy beginning of another week to everyone!  I hope it will be off to a good start for you!

Last week, I took these pictures of some "signs of the season" around our place.

Do you see the berries?

White mums.

I love this color!

About to bloom.

Still buds on the Knock Out Rose!

One of the poplar trees in the back.

The week-end has been marvelous!  I am fortunate enough to have lived long enough to be able to celebrate my 50th college reunion, and Homecoming was this past week-end.  There were many of my friends from those days who were present, and it was a wonderful time to reminisce and catch up on developments through the years.  We attend Homecoming every year, not just for special reunions, but this was the first time in 50 years that I had seen some of those who attended.

I will have to confess that on one occasion, I left the camera back at the room where we were staying. Another time, I left the camera in the car!  Those who know me are not at all surprised by that.:-)  However, I attempted to correct myself a bit, and I finally remembered to bring it along.:-)

On our return trip, however, I once more forgot to bring the camera with me in the passenger's seat from the trunk of the car!  I am really a "lost cause!":-)  There was finally a place for us to stop, I got the camera, and I did manage to take a few pictures from the moving car.  Hopefully some of them will be worthy of appearing on a post another day. 

I want to tell you how very much I appreciate you following along!  Thank you for reading, and I really enjoy your comments.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Words....

From a little book by Colleen Reece and Anita Donihue, I take these words. 

                  "If there be words of kindness

                                  words of praise

                    words of encouragement

                              speak them now.

                  Listen to your heart and respond.

               Someone, somewhere, is waiting for your words."

The book - "A Teacher's Heart,"  holding a place on my bookshelf for many years!

Have a blessed Sunday!


Saturday, October 20, 2012

Colors of fall....

The fall season differs in all parts of the country.  There are times when we have been disappointed in the colors of the leaves, the time they reach their "peak," the weather conditions during this time - various factors affect how we enjoy the season. 

Recently out with The Husband driving, I tried to take a few pictures of some scenery.  As I have mentioned in a previous post, many of our roads have no shoulders, so pulling to the side and stopping just isn't an option.  These pictures were taken while the car was moving.




Do you see the berries?

The last picture was taken of a tree in our church parking lot.  There are red berries on it, although they are not too noticeable in the picture.

Are you taking time to enjoy the beauty around you?   The Husband reminds all of us to "stop and smell the roses" along the way.:-)  Enjoy your week-end!

Thank you for reading.  I appreciate your comments.

Friday, October 19, 2012

Anywhere I hang my hat....

I'm sure you are able to finish that line from a long ago song - "Anywhere I hang my hat is home."  If that is true, we have some unusual residents at our place!

Spotted hanging on the bedpost!

On yet another bedpost!

And yet ANOTHER bedpost!

A local dress shop, where I am at times known to shop, is down-sizing and relocating.  A huge sale has been underway at their older location, with many bargains to be had.  The proprietor of the dress shop has a real flare for decorating the shop, and there are lots of things that had been stored through the years this location has been opened.  So - down came these witch hats!  I wonder if the previous wearers of these hats are out looking for them!  I guess we should be on the lookout for anything unusual that might be flying by!:-)  I am happy to be able to add the hats to my rather scanty assortment of decorations for this particular time of year.

I will go on record to say that this is about the most perfect fall season we remember!  The next post will feature some of our area.  Maybe you'll be able to see why I make that remark.

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.


Thursday, October 18, 2012

How about a breakfast treat?

This is a recipe that I actually printed off the Internet last year, and they are a wonderful breakfast treat!

After.  
Oops! Forgot to get a before!:-)  This is the pan just as they came out of the oven.  If you are a fan of scones, I think you will want to try them.  Cookiemadness.net is where this came from, posted by Anna.

PUMPKIN SCONES
2 cups all-purpose flour
7 Tablespoons granualted sugar
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoonn salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
6 Tablespoons cold butter
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
3 Tablespoons half-and-half
1 large egg

- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
- Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and spices in a large bowl or in bowl of food processor. Cut butter into the dry ingredients until mixture is crumbly.
- Whisk pumpkin, half and half, and egg together in a mixing bowl.  Pour the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture and shape into a ball.
- Pat out dough onto a lightly floured surface and form it into a 1-inch thick 9x3-inch rectangle. Use a large knife or a pizza cutter to slice the dough twice through the width, making three equal portions.  Cut those three slices diagonally so that you have 6 triangular slices of dough.  Place on prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 14-16 minutes. Scones should begin to turn light brown.  Place on wire rack to cool.

I cut the dough into four equal portions rather than the three mentioned, making 8 slices rather than 6.
Also, the recipe includes a glaze as well as an icing.  I didn't add these to the scones as we are not fans of such sweet toppings on scones.  This was the first time I have made these, and I think I will sprinkle some sugar on top of them before baking the next time I make them.  I also might enjoy some raisins in them.:-)

GLAZE
1 cup powdered sugar plus another 1 Tablespoon powdered sugar
2 Tablespoons milk
- Mix the powdered sugar and 2 Tablespoons milk together until smooth.  When scones are cool, use a brush to paint plain glaze over the top of each scone.  This should give you more than enough glaze!

SPICED ICING
2 Tablespoons melted butter
1 cup powdered sugar
1 Tablespoons milk
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 pinch ginger
1 pinch ground cloves
- When the glaze has set, make the icing.  Melt the butter in bowl.  Gradually add the sugar and stir until moistened with butter.  Add the ilk and stir to get a drizzling consistency.  Stir in the spices.  Drizzle this decoratively over the glazed scones.

Wouldn't these be a good treat for a Halloween morning breakfast?:-)

A recent shopping trip resulted in some good bargains.  Some of them will appear in the next post!

Thank you so much for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Construction progress....

We continue to have a really lovely fall here.  Still no frost and none is predicted in the next several days. 

The nice weather has been good for construction projects around here.  I shared the beginning of this one with you several weeks ago.

Approaching the bridge.    

This is the route we take when leaving our community to go on various errands.  You can see that it is a two-lane road with no shoulders, that it is curvy, and that it heads up a hill.

Sorry the wording is blurred.

This is the bridge that is being improved.  The work is being done to take the curve out of the road. 

A big machine!

Isn't this a strange-appearing machine?  There is progress being made!  Sometimes the crew is there on week-ends working.  

The archway made by the trees.

I had this picture on the blog a few months ago showing the green trees making a cool archway as we reach the top of the hill.  There is a BIG drop-off on the right side going down to the creek that the bridge showed earlier crosses.  We really have to keep our attention on what we are doing when we are driving on this road.

We are still enjoying pumpkin here.  There will be another treat with pumpkin in the next post.  Stay tuned.:-)

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.