Happy Halloween

Just flying in to say

"Stay Safe" .  Wow, years ago I would never have thought of saying that .  It was more like "Have Fun".

The children in the area have a great opportunity every year to have a safe Trick or Treat evening by going to a designated area of a few blocks that are highly decorated and safely protected by the local sheriff's department .  Every year the local merchants collect candy for the event to ease the financial burden of expense for the designated neighborhood .  The event has been a huge hit for years .

"Have Fun" !

Mary

Outside Winter Preparation

This privacy Oleander hedge around my corner lot that I planted years ago had become so large/tall that I was having difficulty seeing the roadside when trying to exit my driveway .  By the way - the deer do not eat Oleander .

And, also it had become a safety hazard with cars driving around the corner .  So, I knew I would have to do something about it sooner or later. When I thought that I had found someone to help with the heavy duty yard work things did not work out as I thought they would .  Without going into the details he chopped them down way too low and really made a mess out of the project . Thereafter, another worker helped me out and they are all trimmed and looking more reasonable .  They will grow fast and I probably won't ever have to have them trimmed again .  I have had them pruned once before .

See, the huge trailer full of prunings ?  Two of these were hauled away to the dump .  The Oleander plants are now only about 4 feet tall !  But, neat and clean .

Looks a lot different  !  Now the gate and control mechanism box show that they need paint .  Always something .

Can you notice the nice blacktop coating on the entrance to my cement driveway ?  The neighbors across the way were having their asphalt driveway resurfaced with blacktop and I was able to ask the workers if they could do my little section of driveway entrance after they finished the big job and they did . Through the years I have always been able to get the blacktop done by what I call "being a tag along" .  I always pay them cash and it is usually very reasonable .   I have never planned it .  It just happens when I see a blacktop crew in the neighborhood .  Works for me !

The garden is looking very bland except for this beautiful Burning Bush plant .

Until next time.

Take Care.

Mary

It Has Been Over A Month

Since I have posted anything about my Precious Deaf Rescue Siamese Cat - - - Ivy .

I was beginning to think that she may never become a "snuggle bug" as I was hoping even with my sincere desire and undaunted efforts.  And, then there was a major turning point .  She had been  "flirting" with the idea of sitting close to me on the sofa .  Thereafter, during one evening while I was sitting in a large chair and using the computer, she jumped up onto the arm of the chair and casually slithered into the space between my body and the arm of the chair. To say that I was surprised would be a gross understatement .  She proceeded to get into a comfortable position and went to sleep staying there even after I got up .

In March this year when I brought her home from the Purebred Plus Cat Rescue she was a totally traumatized six and a half year old cat who would only hiss, bite and hide .  She did not want anything to do with anyone and certainly not the veterinarian at the rescue who tried to examine her through the wire cage carrier because of her angry biting attacks .  Even though she was a surrender cat from a one owner home, very little was known about her .  I had no idea until she was home with me that she was also deaf .

My heart is so very warmed with her response to love and a nurturing safe environment . Like most cats she is very entertaining with her unpredictable behavior of humorous antics like chasing in and out of boxes or jumping at what I thought was nothing but then realizing that it was simply a cat hair that she could see when the sun was shining on it in the air .  That was strange and new behavior to me .  At first I really thought she was "a crazy cat" .

She really likes lying on the back of the sofa or sitting on the windowsill watching and talking to the birds she can see flitting past her or maybe enjoying the sunshine from in her Catio .  Since she is required (by Cat Rescue) to be an indoor cat she seems to really enjoy her Catio . She can watch me when I am working in the garden as well as cars driving by and people taking their daily walks and sometimes with their dogs .  She will spend considerable time outside when the weather is nice .

 Blue eyed baby .  She is so very soft and most of the time very gentle, melting into my arms when I pick her up .

Resting her head on those sweet little paws !

Comfy and feeling secure with her environment on the sofa .  She also sits beside me every evening and sleeps on the bed at night .  What more could I want from her ?

A favorite photo of my Ivy .

Wishing you a Good New Week with Peace, Comfort and Happiness.

Mary

It Just Takes An Instant

And, life as we know it can change in ways we can't imagine .  And, that is what happened to a woman I have known from the days when I was an active member at the church across the street from where I live .  We both were in the knitting/crocheting group making Prayer Shawls for people experiencing a life challenge .

Monday afternoon a neighboring manufactured home caught fire (cause unknown) and in rapid time the fire engulfed her manufactured home and little farm of goats, llamas, chickens, dogs and cats .  This person who has a "huge heart" has had many challenges in her life (too many to recount) and it was just two year ago that she was able to buy the little one acre farm out in the rural area .  She has an adopted son who she adopted as an infant and has nurtured him through all the issues of being a special needs child even though he was not expected to live .  And, he is doing well!

She and her young son are now homeless !  And no longer can derive income from the farm .  Spinning beautiful yarns (for sale) from her llamas was one of her many income producing activities .

Fortunately, the church and community are sheltering her with love, support and assistance in rebuilding her home/farm and life.  But, nonetheless,  this is such a horrifying event in her life .

-What a tender loving photo of her nurturing a goat -

With all the atrocious global and at home events which seem to be increasing in severity and magnitude it is so important to look out for one another and help where we can .  There is a Go Fund Me Account - Rebuilding the Rosenhart Farm - to provide some additional support to help her "get on her feet" .  I wasn't going to post the Go Fund Me info and then I thought, "why not" .

It is a gorgeous day here in the California Foothills .  Give a hug to someone, today - OK .

Mary

It Doesn't Get Much Better

Than Yummy Warm Banana Nut Bread from the oven early in the morning .  Along with the first cup of freshly brewed coffee .

Can you see the shiny surface on the bread ?  I had some demerara sugar for another recipe and decided to sprinkle a little on the loafs before placing in the oven .  Demerara Sugar has a fairly large grain and a pale amber color.  I find that it gives a nice little crunch to the bite .

Did you know that there are many types of sugar ?  I knew there were a few but I did not know that there are MANY .

What is the difference between sugars ?

According to Kitchn website, If you think sugar is just sweet, think again. Sugars like muscovado, demerara, and turbinado have flavor depths and aromatic heights that blow plain ol’ granulated sugar out of the water.

While most of these sugars are classified as “raw,” they’re still typically refined to some extent in order to be used in cooking. Look for them in the natural foods section at your grocery store or in the baking section at natural foods markets. Also, keep your eyes open when traveling abroad. Other countries often have interesting kinds of sugars that we can’t find here in the USA.

• Demerara – This is a type of cane sugar with a fairly large grain and a pale amber color. It has a pleasant toffee flavor and can be used in place of brown sugar.

• Sucanat – Made from crystallized pure cane sugar, this truly unrefined sugar retains a higher proportion of molasses than other types of cane sugars. It has an intense, rather burnt taste that can be jarring in lighter baking recipes but is fantastic in things like spice cakes and ginger cookies.

• Muscovado – Another cane sugar, this one has a very moist texture and a strong molasses flavor. It can be found in different strengths, as you can see visually in the image above and read about here. It’s excellent in savory dishes like barbecue sauces and marinades.

• Jaggery – This sugar is typically made from palm, coconut, or java plants and comes compressed into a pattycake or cone. It has an earthy sweet flavor that we like over oatmeal and in some fruit crumbles.

• Piloncilo – Similar to jaggery, this uniquely Mexican sugar is the secret ingredient in many salsas, soups, and mole sauces. It has a strong and almost-smoky molasses flavor.

• Turbinado – Less processed than brown sugar, turbinado is made from the first pressing of sugar cane and retains some natural molasses. It has a light caramel flavor that makes it a good replacement for regular white sugar.

The demerara sugar I used on the Banana Nut Bread was bought to use for a Fig and Almond Cake .   I used blueberries because I didn't have time and the figs were no longer available from my fig tree.

This recipe also includes almond flour which I have not used before .

This cake has a different texture and I really liked it .  And, especially with a little whipped cream on top.

Life has been very hectic lately .  I am trying to get a lot done before the cooler weather begins .

I hope your week is going well .

Mary

Into The Oven It Goes

With a refrigerator and pantry filled with yummy ingredients for some cooking and baking I have to start cooking today so my fresh food does not "Go Bad On Me".  So, this nostalgic Bean Pot is the first recipe I prepared .  The recipe is from a cookbook that I worked on as a Fundraiser when I was an Active Master Gardener in 1996.  I was asked to be the editor which turned into a much larger job then just editing. 

Many of my recipes are in the book as well as many, many, many other Master Gardener's recipes .  It was a lot of "Blood, Sweat and Tears" but it turned out great and was a BIG fundraiser .

My Master Gardener friend who asked me to work on the cookbook is an Artist and the book is quite lovely with her beautiful professional art contributions .  Many long hours were spent getting it ready to go to press, mostly by the two of us .  Thankfully, we had lots of help when the time came for assembly of the cookbook .

This is the cover and each chapter has a great illustration along with many little illustrations throughout the book .  I wish you could see it .  I have often thought about blogging about the project and I will try to do that.  I already have a lot of photos to show you -  that will give you an idea of the magnitude of the project .

And, this next photo is of the Big Bean Pot as it came out of the oven .

Through the years I had made this more times than I can count .  And, I always get a hunger for it when the season turns to Autumn and the cooler days are upon us .

Next, I prepared a new recipe to me .  It is quick to make and is called Bacon and Mushroom Skillet Chicken .

It really tastes good and I will make some wide egg noodles to serve it on .

A couple days ago, I prepared White Chicken Enchiladas that turned out very good, also .  So,  I think you can tell that my freezer is getting stocked with yummy food .  I have a pile of recipes that sound good to me and I want to make them .

I have been working very hard in the garden as well as my house .  Finally, I have been getting some help with heavy duty work outside. I am so grateful !  Along with all of the activity I have been having a lot of severe pain in my back .  For many years, I have also had scoliosis and it is getting worse and causing a lot of pain in my upper left back as the curvature is increasing .  More days than not I am having to take small dosage of pain pills and my heating pad has become a constant companion at the end of the day .  It could be worse !

Happy Weekend .

Mary

One Thousand Dollar - Water Bill

No.   Not Me.    But, My Neighbor .

(google image)

I know it is not the least bit funny but maybe this is the way my neighbor feels about it .  

About ten years ago my neighbors bought the property next door with the intent of remodeling the little house that was build in the mid 1800's .  The property is quite large and there are also some small out buildings .  They did a fantastic job of making the property a lovely improvement along with retaining the ambience of time gone by. It is their vacation retreat and they spend a lot of time here with their grandchildren and families . Their primary residence is about a three hour drive which makes their travels very manageable.  OK , you got it .  They are not always here . 

This little blip in their life all started when they received a phone call from the Water Company telling them that the dial on their water meter was Spinning .  Come to find out - the waterline  UNDER THEIR HOUSE had broken !!!  And, of course that started a lot of activity on many fronts to get their home back in order .  When the little house was remodeled they spared no activity and lovely hardwood floors were installed .

The only way the broken waterline could be repaired was to cut a large hole in the floor to get access !  But, there is usually "a little silver lining" if we look for it.  It so happens that the broken pipe was under the floor of the utility room (home of the washer/dryer) which has a tile floor and NOT a hardwood floor !

Because of the excessive amount of surface water which doesn't drain well with our clay/rock soil , it took days of the use of a large fan to aid in minimizing the water .  And, luckily we had some warm (not hot) but warm days that helped a lot .  The most significant issue  other than the water bill is the prevention of an environment for GROWTH OF MOLD !

Something like this can sure ruin a person's day ! 😧

And, the WATER BILL is yet to be determined ?  He wrote a letter and called .  But, no response as of yet.

A Little Update -  I am feeling a lot better, thank goodness . Some major events like updating my Estate Planning - - - fancy name for end of life documents, are now in order .   And, there are a lot of legal documents ! Far more than in the past by law. Even though I have had a Will and Living Trust for many years with several updates, dealing with attorneys and legalize became extremely difficult for me because of lack of family involvement and selection of available trustworthy people (when you have outlived your close friends) for Medical, Personal and Financial decisions . 

My To Do list still has more for me to do as soon as I can . But, the tasks are not as stressful or out of the ordinary of routine living.  For the most part they are tasks related to major house maintenance like roof and exterior painting .  Oh, and the ongoing "sorting and purging" deep house and garage cleaning !!!   I sure don't want to be feathered on the TV show, "Buried Alive" - do I ?

It is such a good feeling to be out of that "high stress feeling" that is so unhealthy and difficult to live with.  It sure challenges "Mind, Body, Spirit" living !

I hope you are enjoying your day.

Mary