Don't see this everyday...

...normally, the girls (Hobbes and Scotchie) don't get this close. Their "other cat" locater sensors must have malfunctioned.

Thanksgiving Casserole...after the turkey sandwiches, but before the soup...

I'm sure somebody thought of this before me, but I've never seen a recipe anywhere. I started making these about 20 years ago. It varies from year to year, of course. Just construct a casserole of leftovers from your Thanksgiving dinner: turkey, mashed potatos, stuffing, peas/green beans/carrots; a little left-over gravy to moisten.

Sprinkle crumbed corn bread on top, if you have some. Bake at 350-degrees for 40 minutes to heat it thru. Tonight we had little portions, along with a simple green salad---almost healthy again....well, we did finish the pumpkin pie....

Cranbubbles!

I. Love. Red. Always have. Cooking your own cranberry sauce for the holidays is a satisfying and fun way to enjoy the color red.

1 package cranberries

1 cup water

1 cup sugar

Simmer all together gently in a big shiny pan with the nice bright light over it, so you can enjoy all the red. Take a picture, if you like. When the skins of the berries are all popped (hence the name cranbubbles) you're almost done. Just cool to room temp., then store til needed in the 'fridge.

I like to replace a bit of the water with equal part lemon juice. Just makes it better. A Happy kick-off to the Holiday Season to All!

Crystal Rainbow

We have some of those crystals you hang up in a window and get colors on the walls. So naturally, eventually I got around to trying to photograph one: turned out fairly well.

I love old brick buildings.

Here are two from downtown Lena.

Don't usually see one of these standing around...

...here in Ill. Outside of town, on a very quiet gravel road, we saw a little burro and it's goaty little companion. So I took the official photo, for the record. You just never know what you will find out there to record. (p.s. this is one of those "click on the image for a better view)

Silver Sun

This made me think of some outpost in the frozen north. The sun was so completely veiled, it seemed more like the moon. Hubs' was fascinated with the old building, located in the heart of Lena's business district, next to the railroad tracks, which are still active. Likely, a style of old freight house.