We have had a great shower of rain – the weather man says perhaps a half inch before it is all done. Tonight we were asked to nephew Brett’s for a bite. What a treat. It was a brisket that had been marinated and begun the cooking process of 4 a.m. this morning. It was so tender and so delicious. This was one great tasting tender piece of meat. With that being said the salsa processing was just winding down. Lots of dirty kettles and the top of the kitchen stove — well I was relieved I did not have to clean it. The count was 99 quarts of salsa. As we were leaving there was a 5 quart kettle on the stove for a batch of Margarita mix yet to be cooked down and processed. I love that the younger generation is still working the garden produce to this extent. Good going Brett and gang.
Updates from September, 2013 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts
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Noreen
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Noreen
Life is good on Stauffer. Sometimes when all else fails it takes a step back and just breathe. I take care of what I can and then sometimes I realize that I just don’t have the energy or passion to have everything fixed — right at this moment. That item gets kicked and rolled around in the dust until it is at the bottom of the list. If and when I feel it is important I’ll kick the tires and decide — and not before. Right now I am on to some fun while this great weather holds. It would be sweet if we had some rain but as per Colorado — be careful what you wish for. Catch ya later.
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Noreen
This is what we have been waiting for all season — a breeze on a comfortable day. No way can I stay indoors when it is this nice out. Dennis is at the grill and my job is to steam some garden fresh green beans. Oh come on — a few mashed potatoes can’t hurt. Grandson Nicholas says “Grammie you make the best creamy mash potatoes.”
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Noreen
First sign of changing seasons is the occasional leaf that has been knocked loose from its perch and flutters to the Koi pond. Dennis has his net handy and ready to keep the water as clean as possible for as long as possible. Not ignoring signs such as the leaves, we have begun work on some heavier items on the list. The circa 60s Ford has had an oil change and grease job and the Lincoln just got new brakes today. Check lists go hand in hand with preparation for the “s” word. It all keeps us older ones on Stauffer Avenue on our toes.
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Noreen
Can’t Have One Without the Other
My Button Tree
As I mentioned yesterday I was working on wedding gifts that will find their homes in good fashion later this fall. I do now have two of them completed.
What I want to share is one of my resources when it comes to putting the finishing touches on certain projects. Wall hangings beg for a bit of extra and where else would I go but to my button tree.
The button tree found it’s way to my home during this last late winter. I was astounded. I was speechless. I was thrilled just like a child that found treats under the Christmas tree. Who knew button trees were in season? As a child might sit under the lights of the Christmas tree in awe and wonder, I sit and twirl the button tree and I feel no need to suppress the gasps of sheer delight when one unique button after another is discovered.
The final results of my quilted wall hanging would be lacking if I could not pick and pull from the button tree.
Thanks be for those that know this special resource will not go unused.
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Noreen
We are invited to three late year wedding…
We are invited to three, late-year weddings within Dennis’ family. All three have already set up their homes so it’s kind of a tough call as to what they need.I looked into the sites where they are registered and it’s all a bit more than Dennis and I bargain for in money. We have already attended the bridal showers so my best bet was to get busy in my sewing and craft area of the basement.
We will have for them each a Christmas quilted project for their homes for their first Christmas as
Mr. and Mrs. -
Noreen
Our 2013 Tomato Crop
2013 Tomato Crop
This photo is 50% of our entire crop of tomatoes this year. We made sure we had healthy plants and found the best spot possible and we watered and waited. We waited and watered. Blossoms came and went. We have one more possible tomato yet to harvest. Perhaps we had no bees. Perhaps we need to fertilize our soil. Perhaps we need to be thankful we have a great farmer’s market in the town square three times a week. The size of the tomato would make a tennis ball look huge. Oh well – nothing ventured, nothing gained.
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Noreen
Do You See What I See
Reflections
I know my retirement life agrees with me because of what I see in the world around me. It may seem silly to some but to me it is a world of wonderment in the most simple of things. This photo is what caught my eye today as some of the hot sun rays shone into the house. The circular reflection off of the door handle was enhanced further by the sun beams hitting a small crystal hanging in the window.
So much to enjoy and so much to see. I am thrilled that my eyes are truly open.
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Noreen
It’s a great day for the last holiday of the summer to bring in the Fall season and — the last day of summer vacation for a lot of school children. I hope it was enjoyed by all.
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Noreen
Today was just a great day to sit in the backyard and watch clouds go by. Every once in awhile I found myself doing an out loud smile. At age five when Megan was staying over Little Einsteins was a hit on the Disney channel. Nicholas at age five is giving us a play by play of the Vikings and Titans game. In days gone by Megan was enchanted by the mail slot in our west porch and playing post office was her new favorite pass time. We drew pictures and stuffed envelops for deliveries to all the stuffed animals. Yesterday Nicholas thought a good craft project would be making some foot stools with lumber in Grandpa Dennis’ garage. Bless his heart. I know Nicholas could execute the stools but Dennis would have no idea what tools Nicholas would need. Megan is a wiz at the computer games of skill. She offered to let me play a set but I lost points big time. This is an amazing sign of changing times and it’s only been four years between Megan’s age five and Nicholas’ age five.
The kids and I spent some time in the basement over the time they stayed with us and it just tickled me when Nicholas brought out the box of Lock Blocks, circa 1960’s. I do believe these were the fore runners for Lego’s. Us girls were doing some drawing and out of the blue comes Nicholas, “What am I suppose to do with these? There are no gears or wheels to build anything with.” It was a hard sell but we did build some pretty good looking structures. Though over the days I did hear the chant “BGE – BGE” (best grandparents ever). We have been left in the dust as to what the kids have so easily picked up on and what they’ve been exposed to. Dennis and I will continue to hang on by our toenails to stay in sync but I realize the kids will have to bring us up to speed often times in the future.