Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 4:12 pm on December 24, 2020 Permalink  

  Christmas Eve Day 

  If everyone thought they were ready for Christmas during this mild December . . . not so.  The winds have been howling during this last week.  They were just getting geared up for December 23.  It began mild enough in the morning with rain, turning to sleet and then on to ice.  As the snow began in the forenoon, the winds from the north made sure none of it stayed in the same place, or perhaps it did the second or third time it was swirled around.

  During the night I literally prayed the roof of the porch I was sleeping under would stay put.  The awning that we have along the entire west side of the porch bucked and baulked.  Every window in the house was froze over.  What you can’t see, can’t hurt you.  My ears were on overdrive.  

  This morning the sun was out greeting all those who knew what laid ahead of them for the day . . . moving snow, moving hard snow.  Miraculously, the windows were clear of the majority of the ice.  If it had been Christmas morning and not Christmas Eve morning as I was just barely awake, I would have sworn Santa was clumping around the living room by the Christmas tree.  Naw, it was Dennis in his snowmobile boots coming to tell me he was heading out to play in the snow.  

  Our neighbor Randy had already made a path in our driveway.  I had not heard a thing.  I kept tabs on Dennis as I began my rituals in the house.  He and his snow blower were doing a great job of getting in where Randy’s rig was too large.  What I liked best was that Dennis was taking breaks in the patio porch and not letting himself get overheated or exhausted.

  It is now four in the afternoon and things have settled down for us.  The snow that needed to be moved has been and Dennis did a great job.  You would think as warm as the weather has been, the concrete would peek out from the bright sun today, but the layers that the horrific wind applied is hard.  I had a good run in the kitchen and am prepared for Christmas Day.  The oven tasks today were making two pies.  Dennis got to choose: apple and peach.  I bought two quarts of peaches that our store carries: Amish Wedding Old Fashioned canned fruit.  My quest was to have the pie not run all over the plate when cut.  Tomorrow, time will tell. I made my own pie filling and used a fairly large tin I had in the pantry.  Martha Stewart . . . don’t let me down.

  The next best thing would be for Harriet to come home.  She wanted out yesterday morning and with the winter weather, hopefully kept her sheltered somewhere and safe.  Dennis would be thrilled to see that little gray fur ball come marching through the snow for home.

  It is going to be a wonderful Christmas because my heart tells me so.

   
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  Noreen 2:45 pm on December 23, 2020 Permalink  

  Tables Turned 

  How quickly the tables can be turned.  Yesterday I took a walk with a quilted vest on and it was 42 degrees.  Hmm.

  Today in the forenoon, we had sprits of rain.  Now at 2:30, there isn’t a window in the home that can be looked out of.  The horrific winds are blowing the incoming snow in every direction, plastering the windows.  It feels like -4 outside.   What a change.  What a beginning of winter that was marked on the calendar this week.  When the wind gusts reach  30 mph from the northwest, it does cause me concern with a huge evergreen on the northwest corner of our home.  In years past, several such trees in our neighborhood have had the tops relocated.

  
  We knew winter weather would make its appearance, just not in one huge felt swoop.  Dennis is in the patio porch doing due diligence, watching and waiting.  Harriet went outside this morning and now the waiting begins for Dennis.  I hope she has found shelter and waits the storm out.  Those darn porch kitties can be heart breakers.

  Dennis had a few errands to run earlier this morning and it feels good that we are both safe and sound at home.  Putting it in God’s hands that all my family can also arrive safe and sound to their homes before nightfall.

   
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  Noreen 4:20 pm on December 22, 2020 Permalink  

  Me and Mine Were There 

  The week of Christmas was always a busy time.  Of course, there was food being thought of and prepared.  There was clothes that were being hemmed, pressed and being finished for the Sunday School programs on Christmas Eve.  The programs were a huge event.  

  The afternoons for a month of Saturdays prior to Christmas Eve, rehearsal was held at church.  All grades through 8th were included in the productions.  Actual booklets had been ordered for each teacher.  It was a story to tell from A to Z.  For those that had a speaking part, their portion had been copied, sent home with them early on with a note to encourage parents to have the child learn it from memory.  During these practices the church elders would be putting up two huge Christmas trees, one on each side of the alter.  They were marvelous.   The women of the Ladies Aid made beautiful ornaments of felt.  Those trees were lit with the huge bulbs that spread the illumination far.

  Christmas Eve night the church would be lit with candles and the Christmas trees.  The overhead lights were at a minimum.  The classes of Sunday School kids were lined up in the basement for the full on entrance into the church proper.  The curls that the moms had spent time on glistened from the lights.  The boys couldn’t resist making sure the foreign feeling ties and bowties were staying in place.  

  The organ played as the children marched in with their teacher and perhaps a helper for the smaller ones. The full on force of the organ seemed to magically make the church vibrate.  The productions were always a hit and unbeknown to the parents and grandparents in the audience the slip-ups occurred but were covered over.  The Baby Jesus in his bed in the manger was the grand finale.  Priceless.

  The children were not the only ones that spent time preparing for Christmas Eve.  The members of the church council had also been meeting prior.  The Sunday School children exited the church in the same manner they had marched in.  At the double doors of the church proper each child was given a fairly large paper bag filled with an array of nuts, mostly peanuts, candy of various types and an apple and an Orange.  Each bag had been twisted shut with hardy hands.  After the Sunday School children were back in the basement finding their coats, gloves and hats, the congregation was ushered out pew by pew.  Every child that had been in the audience also received a bag of goodies regardless if they were an infant or of high school age.  The entire time the organ was rattling the rafters with one of the much loved Christmas hymns.  

  For one of those years of participating, our family of four made the trip to the church in Buffalo Lake, which was only a four mile journey.  The trip into town didn’t mess up too much the long green Victorian dress trimmed with white eyelets for Carrie.  Kevin had on his three piece suit complete with tie.  I always had a lot of satisfaction sewing for the kids.  Hmm.  Carrie’s dress was in her cedar chest that had belonged to Grandma Schafer.  Kevin’s suit is still in my cedar chest in the attic.  

  Hmm.  What fun going down memory lane this afternoon.  What may have been some 47 years ago still has special meaning today.  If someone were to wipe out my memories, I don’t know who I would be today.

   
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  Noreen 3:11 pm on December 21, 2020 Permalink  

  A Test 

  It is a test to see how secure your replacement windows are when the wind is from the north, gusting at 40 mph.  A whisper would make the lace valances wiggle.  Nothing is moving inside of our home.  Now on the outside, if it isn’t nailed down it has blown away.

  Because we have a bit going on this Christmas weekend, the schedule within our home needs to be juggled.  After I came home from PT, the beds needed to be stripped.  Let the bubbles in the laundry begin.  Perfect timing to catch those late date dust bunnies when the flannels have been disturbed. 

  In between the cycles of the washer and dryer, I did some reading in the west porch.  Leaves were doing their dances straight down the center of our street.  Not a variance in a single leaf . . . right down the enter line as if a huge lawn rake was chasing them.  

  It may have crossed your mind that all that happens of late here on Stauffer Avenue is housework . . . ya, that is about it some days.  Though there is no snow on the ground and up to date it has not been bitter cold . . . the outside work was done to perfection thinking we would have snow by now.  For myself, I like to keep moving.  Moving is the best tip that both my chiropractor and my physical therapist have always instilled in me.  Arthritis loves a body that is complacent by sitting for long periods of time.  If you are really quiet, you can almost hear the clicking sounds of calcification knitting tight handholds around the joints.  

  This afternoon, I did give Dennis his list for our Christmas shopping in our hometown.  He needed to pick up a new electrical plugin from Fleet and Farm . . . in white.  The next stop was at the lumberyard to pick up a 1″ x 12″ x 48″ oak board that will be used in the west porch for the extra shelf we put up.  Hey . . . we shopped!  We shopped locally.  I had estimated $20.00 for the board.  Dennis came home and said I was off on the price.  It was $21.38 with tax.  He couldn’t believe I had been so close in the estimate.  Just a good guess. The lumberyard fellow was happy for the company when Dennis stopped in.  Not a lot going on locally for his yard.  It is for sale . . . no nibbles.  Dennis is already planning plans on getting the board sanded, getting it ready to be finished with polyurethane.  A good project now that we are officially in the winter season.

  Dennis picked up his friend, Dwayne, this afternoon.  The plan was to get cups of coffee at the gas station and then take Dwayne for a road trip around the community.  Dwayne made it through the heart valve operation as well as getting a pacemaker.  This happened several weeks ago.  Dennis was sure Dwayne would appreciate getting out of their apartment for a bit.  It will be some time before Dwayne is to drive a vehicle.  Two lifelong friends sharing space and yacking the entire time.  Good thinking on Dennis’ part.

   
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  Noreen 3:52 pm on December 20, 2020 Permalink  

  Brisk Walk 

  This afternoon it was going to either be a nap in my chair covered to my chin with an afghan, or a brisk walk.  I opted for the walk.  No ice or snow under the shoes made for a no-brainer. 

  I stopped at the end of Stauffer to visit June.  She invited me in for coffee.  We had not visited since the middle of November.  The covid does have her concerned and rightfully so.  I had taken a mask with, but she said that wouldn’t be needed.  June is an avid reader during the winter.  I pick up my books from the rack of free ones at the library so I don’t need to be concerned about getting the books back during the allotted time.  I can usually get into the drift of any book during the first 100 pages.  If the plot has not won me over by that time, the book doesn’t make it to page 101.  June’s daughter, from the metro, brings June books that she has purchased and has read.  After June and I are finished with books, we swap them back and forth to each other.  Its works well.  

  After last Thursday I had closed down the sewing studio determined to take a break before starting something new.  Hmm.  I really miss going down and stitching a bit each day.  I will tough it out until after Christmas.  The project I will tackle next is for granddaughter Megan.  I was in denial.  When I realized that Megan was a Junior and not a Sophomore in high school, I went into planning 101.  I do want to make her a blanket/quilt to take with her to college.  I have talked about this with Carrie.  Once I start this, I know the sewing studio would have tell-tale signs of which I do not want Megan to pick-up on.  Twiddle the thumbs Grammie and read a book!  Christmas is in five days.

  The clouds have settled into this gloomy afternoon that remains . . .  still calling for a nap.  Dennis can have a good 8 hours of sleep during the night, get up with a cup of coffee in hand going out to the patio porch and catch a nap within the first hour of him being out there.  There may be a nap in the afternoon.  How can I tell?  The rocking chair is no longer in motion.  When Dennis heads to bed at 11:00 in the evening, I can tell by his breathing, he is asleep within five minutes.  I wish that were true for myself.  Any napping during the day and I am paying for it at night, when I would enjoy falling asleep within minutes of getting into my awaiting bed.  Such is life.

  Lots of commotion this week with Christmas Eve being within days.  My hope has been about making it a quiet week with preparations having been such that there is no fast and furious rush.  Time will tell if I pull it off.

   
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  Noreen 4:47 pm on December 19, 2020 Permalink  

  Fear Not 

  Fear not we are going to have winter . . . just not right now.  Any day such as this one is rare for the 19th of December.  Windows were cracked on each end of the house today.  

  Today was a day that makes me very content and happy.  I was cleaning in my home.  It is a treat to sit back this late afternoon and know that it’s a good thing.  I have been using Swiffers for some time on our laminate flooring.  Nothing beats getting the fine dander from two older people than a vacuum.  My score card is the bright sun setting in the west and having it shine across the living room floor.  While all the vac equipment was out, Dennis took the hose outside our back door and vacuumed out the dryer vent.  We aced the “local effort” today.  

  I got in a bit of reading time in the west porch and Dennis went to visit his friends at one of the apartment houses.  There is only one unit in town that has a common area.  Five or six can social distance and catch up on the news of the town.  Dennis didn’t have much to report when he came home.  No one is going anywhere and they had expected him to share the latest and greatest.  Not today!

  Dennis asked what I wanted for supper.  I didn’t have to blink an eye.  I am hungry for a cheese burger with fried onions and french fries.  It has been months since I indulged in fast food. It’ll be easy on the kitchen tonight.  I was thinking of going through the drive-through at McDonald’s.  Dennis had a better idea . . . phoning in to the Eagles Club here in town and picking it up at their back door.  I am sure they would appreciate the business rather than the conglomerate of  McDonald’s. This will be a treat of a supper.

  The forecast for the next week looks to be a continuation of this great weather.  I like it a lot.  To get this far into the winter season and not have to wear a heavy coat is fantastic.  With shoulders and arms that are wanky when it comes to poking them into jackets that are bulky, I prefer wearing warm quilted vests.  Time will tell when my luck runs out.

  Enjoy!  There is much to bring a smile.  There is much to be thankful for and there is little that each of us needs to make this a great Christmas week coming up.  Fear not . . . less is more.

   
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  Noreen 4:10 pm on December 18, 2020 Permalink  

  My Bones 

  My bones tell me there may be some moisture coming.  There is talk of either rain/sleet or some snowflakes.  The skies do have a bit of a purple tinge to them.  I do believe taking Turmeric in a supplement form has helped with some of the arthritic weather indicators. 

  The little red pickup is tucked back into its garage.  Picking it up in New Ulm was a good thing and driving it home on dry road surfaces was another good thing.  I can just about bet . . . Dennis sitting back in the seat that recognizes his butt, lighting up a cigarette while driving . . . was his idea of perfect.  The car is rigged that sirens go off in the event a cigarette is lit.  Now that should be standard on cars . . . don’t I wish.

  This afternoon, I took a plate of goodies to several neighbors.  Having the good neighbors that we do, how could I not!

  The radio station has been encouraging shopping in hometown businesses.  I hate to say it, but we have not had any shopping to do.  We are getting together with family for the pure joy of seeing them, poking at them in fun and maybe visit a memory or two.  It was put out there this year, that with covid having hit everyone in regard to resources in one form or another, do something for those under your own roof and let the purchases for others pass this year.

  Tonight is a wieners and cold salad evening for supper. Neither one of us has done anything to amount to a hill of beans.  I know the cookie jar has been visited as the lid is askew.  Guess who!

  The weekend is ahead and my hope is that everyone feels that they are ahead of any type of stress they have put upon themselves in preparation of next week.  The stable was a humble place for our Lord and Savior to make an appearance and so are our plans for those who appear at our home next week.

   
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  Noreen 5:02 pm on December 17, 2020 Permalink  

  Forgotten 

  I had forgotten how sticky things can get when one is making candy with sugar and syrup.  I was determined to step out of my comfort zone with treats this Christmas.  All I had to loose was perhaps 5 lbs of sugar and a lot of stirring over boiling goodies.

  The cocoa fudge did turn out and it tastes just like what my Grandma Laura would make.  It is a grainy surgery finish.  Back then, cocoa was the thing to bake and cook with.  I don’t think chocolate chips were abundantly available, more so the bar of bitter sweet chocolate to shave off what was needed.  Indeed a flavor from times back.

  I had some evaporated milk left from the 12 oz can, so today I tried my hand at milk chocolate chips and marshmallow cream out of a jar.  It’s too soon to tell.  Getting my sticky dishes cleaned up is always a good thing to do.  Hot sudsy water does soak its way through the worst of it, you just can’t rush it.  

  It’s always sad to learn when an old friend and neighbor passes away.  Martin Duesterhoff was such a good person.  He lived just a bit up the gravel road to the southeast.  He and his wife Fern never had children.  The entire community had him as a fellow that could be counted on.  Martin passed away at age 96.  

  I went down into the basement today and the fact that it got a good cleaning yesterday, gave me the best feeling.  It’s all tidy!  The sewing machine is taking a vacation until after Christmas.  I have no doubt I will keep busy as well.  Tomorrow, after a quick visit to the VA clinic here in town, we will be heading to New Ulm to pick up the little red pickup from the spa treatment.  Exciting to say the least.  

  Hmm.  It’s supper time.  I did pull out a pan of refrigerator rolls from the oven.  They should go well with some chicken tenders, fried potatoes and green peas.  A supper fit for this candy-making queen . .  oh I am sure Dennis will enjoy it as well.

   
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  Noreen 5:15 pm on December 16, 2020 Permalink  

  Fuzz and Threads 

  I have rounded the corner of my Victorian Santa quilt top.  The majority of the stitching is complete.  What does that leave . . . getting out the old canaster Filter Queen Vac.  I do try to keep the waste bin in use as I sew.  Just as many threads that hit the cylindrical target there seem to be just as many that cling to my clothes, shoes and get snipped at the ironing board.

  Many years ago Calvin and Lois gave me a jute area rug.  I do have it in the sewing studio under my feet at the ironing board.  The jute has a way of allowing the extra threads to weave themselves into the nap.  The best way to vacuum it is to go over and over it until there is a windrow of fuzz and then put the vacuum wand directly on top of it.  Job done.

  The basement is ready for the next barrage of stitching.  That will be sometime after Christmas.  Preparing for that time, I went to Old Alley Quilt Shop after the cleaning stint.  There was not enough of any green fabric in my stashes for the border around the top as well as the backing.  My friend Lori was the only one working in the quilt shop today, and as luck would have it, I was the only one in the shop for quite some time.  It gave us a chance to catch up with each other.  We have bonded for quite a few years over the choices in the store.  As I said, after Christmas, the Victorian Santa stands a pretty good chance of being finished.

  I spied a fudge candy recipe that one of my cousins had posted on Facebook.  As I type, the fudge is in a buttered dish, cooling, AND . . . setting up.  It has the old fashioned powdered cocoa and it looks as if when it does set up, it will be a strong chocolate flavor.  It was a chance I wanted to take.   Is there such a thing as a failure . . . no.  If it doesn’t set up, I already know what Lena would have in mind: roll that mixture up into a small ball, roll it in finely crushed nuts and call it “a new take on sweets.”

  For supper, it is chili straight from the freezer, heating on the stove for supper.  Easy suppers are my sweet spot.

   
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  Noreen 4:10 pm on December 15, 2020 Permalink  

  Good Stauffer Session 

  Good progress on the PT session.  It’s great not to feel each step I take in the buttocks.  Mike knows his stuff.

  I can tell you that Dennis’ belt buckles are secure and will no longer tumble from their shelves when the cabinet door is opened.  The tightened ribbon across each row is holding them secure.  Whew!  By the Grace of God we have kept the large pane of glass in the cabinet’s door safe.

  The Nativity set is sitting proud on the shelf that Dennis and I managed to put up yesterday.  On a trip to Mankato we will pick up a length of oak so the three shelves will match.  I do have ideas for adding some background for the set.  I think having it done on the spur of the moment . . . I am very pleased that it can be enjoyed and it is on a sturdy shelf.

  We are planning on there being 8 of us for Christmas.  Both Dennis and I agree that we are open to whatever may come down the pike in regards to health issues or weather issues.   No one needs to be in harms way for an event of one afternoon.  With that understanding I just had to try to make some Divinity today.  I do recall a time decades ago, I was going to whip up a batch and ended up burning up my small hand-held mixer.   Since then I have been given a gently used Kitchen-Aid, it was time to see if I could pull off a batch of Divinity.  I read many recipes and decided on the Betty Crocker.  That cookbook has been a mainstay for me since my sister Elvera gave it to me in 1962.  It looks its age but like many of us, we wear out age well.

  It took me a time to rummage into my basement pantry.  Out came my mom Lena’s collection of cooking thermometers.  When my boiling sugar and syrup mixture reached 260 degrees we had the “hard boil stage!”  Some of the nougats are shaped a little better than another, but the hot whipped mixture of sugar, syrup and beaten egg whites and my buttered fingers taking each nougats off one at a time . . . it worked.  Cross that off my list of things I wanted to try.  Never mind!  I have a hiding spot until Christmas.  Dennis gets one or maybe two and the rest will disappear where only I know where.

  Our little home on Stauffer is in the Christmas spirit.  After all . . . where two are gathered . . . that’s all it takes.  Catch you all tomorrow.