Tell them about my blog, maybe give them a smile...

...point them to Shorpy's; they'll be entertained for weeks! Hubsy's practically retired to investigate this wonderful website full of history, photography, architecture, by-gone times, rail road stuff!!

Demonstration Break #2

A savvy pet owner we know shows us the proper way to "sit just like a cat".

The Great Scott Brown(ie) Celebration dessert.

Start with a brown plate, of course. Next time, I will melt the chocolate pieces to produce a lake of chocolate. I used Pillsbury Holiday Funfetti brownie mix, with a side of Extreme Moose Tracks Chocolate ice cream. I only made one, just for Hubs', since I have started moving the dial on my scale "down", finally, so am inspired to keep up the good work. Hubsy has put on 5 lbs. this winter, bringing him to a horrifying 151 lbs!

He's back!

The marsh hawk was back today, parked for a few moments in the big pine tree outside my window. Then, about noon, we saw him (or one of his colleagues) at the train station. He's just looking for something to eat, and lookin' darn cute doin' it.

Fresh from the garden in January...

...these carrots were harvested from the outdoor garden just moments before the photo. Hubs' is now a follower of Eliot Coleman's Four Season Harvest techniques. He used a "low tunnel" over the carrots, so they are protected from the cold temperature. I simply sauteed them in a little butter, salt and pepper.

Other Peoples' Business Break....

In my opinion, it takes a lot of home-owner chutzpah to paint or side a house with a bold, rich, bright color. This home is on a route I frequent, so I see this place year-'round; on a cloudy January post-holiday morning it still looks OK. The people who live here keep the yard looking nice. In addition, they have lots of flowers in season, as well as appropriate holiday decoration.
Picture Independence Day at this address....

Hungry Goldies...

This is my view from the office window; we placed the feeder just inches from the glass, so I can see the birds close-up. At this time of the year, the goldfinches go thru better than a feeder-full a week. As spring approaches, I see their feathers turn back to bright yellow (males). But not yet....(this photo was taken earlier in the fall, but the same birds are still hangin' out with us today)

Cat Endorsed Method for use of Cat Carrier....

As demonstrated by the Spokes-Kitty of the Worldwide Order of Pampered PussyCats...or, you know, Penny.

Back, by popular demand....

...the marsh hawk, from early in the fall, who perched in the yard for a few moments, then swooped over to the sunflowers to catch one of the feeding goldfinches.

This may be the "best" shot of the 2009 for me.

Ellie has her Friend with her, now...

...Piper of Tamahay, RIP.

Hubs' sister, Piper of Tamahay is failing fast...

I opened the blog with a post on a very special lady, my sister-in-law. At that time, it happened that we had visited her as she was treated at St. Mary's in Rochester, MN. Her condition never improved much. ..... all those years ago, Hubsy seemed to bring technicolor into my life...I imagine his sister brought the same to all she touched. "Her breathing has slowed" is what they tell me, now. She was a great teacher, in Park Rapids MN. A Pioneer, as well. An advocate for abandoned animals, a strong horse-woman. Well, Ellie ( a favorite pet dog) is likely looking forward to her company again. I'm honored she is my sister-in-law". I imagine that on the other side of the River, Reeds, Sillimans, Beslers and so on are assembling since they know she is coming soon.

Almost too much grey....

...just ask the Junco--good grief! the juncos are Wintering Here in The South--come about April, they will disappear to the North with nest building on their birdie-brains!!!

Christmas Bowling Alley...

...our dining/livingroom areas flow together; a long room. Hubs' family Holiday dinners were

served at that table as far back as the 1930's, not

in the same home. As we await some arrivals, we

sample some eggnog, laced with scotch, your aproned blogstress included.

New Year's Eve Apple Cobbler

The recipe came from my favorite source for yummy recipes: Southern Living Magazine; January 2004 issue, an article called "Easy-as-Pie Cobblers" by Shannon Sliter Satterwhite.
She called the cake Cinnamon Apple Bake. Oven temp: 350 degrees, time about an hour.
2 (20 oz.) cans sliced apples, undrained. (I used 2 cans Comstock Apple cranberry pie filling)
1 to 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 cup packed light brown sugar ( I used about 3/4 cup dark brown sugar)
1 (9 oz.) box yellow cake mix--or about 1/2 a regular size cake mix. Save rest for next time.
1/2 cup butter, melted.

So, spread the apples in the bottom of a lightly buttered 9 X 13 baking dish; sprinkle evenly
with the cinnamon and brown sugar. Top evenly with the dry cake mix, right from the package.
Drizzle as evenly as possible with the melted butter. By this time the oven is about ready, so in it goes!!