It’s been such a great day of running errands on items than need to be in place as fall is fast approaching. We have a garage in the far back of the lot and of course my potting shed. Just to be on the safe side we always put down rodent pitch packs for the field mice to munch on as they try to find a great hiding spot before winter. Replacement furnace filters are now on board and we are on the list to have the furnace checked out. When I checked on the furnace filter stash, or lack thereof, in the basement it started a little cleaning here and a little cleaning there and before long everything had been picked up or moved and vacuumed under. Dennis came down and with his help we nailed it. Whew! How did I ever have time to hold down a W-2 Form job? Catch ya later.
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Noreen
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Noreen
The Best of Times
There’s something in the air and it is by no means football fever. One would be hard pressed not to realize the pig skin season is here because that is about all that is on the television.
Just as my blog is entitled “Me Myself and Memories,” I am looking inward and remembering what I think is so special about this time of year. These most recent days have taken me back to the farm where Orlin and I spent some great years. Looking back, those memories of being a young mother are among my happiest. I was a farm wife with a farm history raising two amazingly dirty little farm kids. They sure did clean up good.
The newness of the town boy striking out for farming complete with a herd of cows began to wear off and it was now second nature that all things great and small took place right on our Boon Lake Township farmyard. Of course it was a schedule that entailed some pretty grueling work. Cleaning out calf pens and hog pens with more manure than was possible to believe represented cash when the occupants of those pens could be taken off to the sales barn in Hutchinson. No matter what it took Orlin and I took care of the farm chores twelve months out of the year making sure that the work of the tillabe acres was addressed in the correct scheme of the calendar.
Isn’t grueling work what farming is just about? We made a lot of work fun for the family.
On this farm was a wonderful little area that had been a calf pasture in times gone by. We chose to spruce up the area and make the apples trees that were in the center of the pasture the center of a large garden. We had purposely left the fence in place on three sides of the area. Carrie was a toddler when we moved onto the farm and she knew she could roam at will knowing there were soda crackers and water right under the apple trees. By the time Carrie was two and a half, there was newborn Kevin for her to peek at from time to time as he napped under the apple trees on a make shift pallet. Orlin had made a hoop with netting over it for a safe and sound place. We tried to have specified nap times for them to be tucked into their beds but that didn’t always work out with what was needed outside or in the barns. We were very flexible. As Carrie and Kevin grew it was obvious that unscheduled naps had not harmed them. They were right at our elbows out in the garden, in the barns and sometimes in the muck.The fertilizer of the old calf pasture gave us garden produce that was just amazingly bountiful. My Mom shared fruit jars with me as her and Dad weren’t going through the same amount of canned goods as they used to with just the two of them. Orlin came home from the sales barn on several occasions with a huge cache of pint and quart jars. The first thing he always checked was to make sure the rims were not chipped so they could hold a good seal. The price was right and the fact that they needed to be hosed off outside first before being brought into the house was not a concern. We scrubbed hard as someone had cleaned out their basement that had been neglected for a long time.
When Orlin ordered an apple press we were in high cotton in one very sticky kitchen during pressing the apples and processing quarts and quarts of apple juice. Orlin had a grading process in regard to picking apples. The apples that were fairly perfect in size were set aside for the Gurney apple peeler and they would then be used in making apple sauce or apple butter. The gnarled apples went into the press — core and all.
The mash that remained was taken out to the chickens in their pen where they really had a feast.I don’t know if food processors were available in the mid 1960s, but we had the old wooden trough slaw cutter that had belonged to Orlin’s mother, Esther. It was about eight inches in width and three forths of the way there were a series of blades at a slight angle. An open wooden frame fit into the width of the slaw cutter and a cabbage head cut in half would be put cut side down into the frame at the end of the trough and then slide over the blades over and over for perfectly cut slaw as it fell into crock for Sauerkraut. As new farmers we were always on the end of caring and sharing people who helped us out with their hand-me-downs. We had been given a ten quart and a fifteen quart glazed crocks. As I washed the heads of cabbage and cleaned off the outer leaves, Orlin ran the slaw through the trough and Carrie and Kevin each had their wooden stompers to help pack the raw cabbage as Orlin filled them. The right amount of canning salt at intervals was added. In the dark canning cellar in the basement a large glass plate adorned the top of one of the crocks as the fermenting process began. Later it was processed into quart jars.
We were so proud of our canning cellar. All winter we ate out of it. Orlin was raised by thrifty parents just as I had been and we took what they had taught us and put it to our gain. Gunny sacks of red potatoes joined the row upon row of gleaming fruits jars.
If it could grow in our garden we canned it or froze it. Onions with the stems left on were tied and hung from the rafters. Our second crock was used to store raw carrots. With some of my earnings from the night shift working the corn huskers at the Green Giant Canning Factory in Glencoe, we bought two chest freezers from Sears and Roebuck. Corn and peas were frozen, green beans and carrots were canned. When we dug the potatoes we saved all the little ones and canned them for fried potatoes in the dead of winter. With pride when we hosted family dinners a pint jar of candied red apple rings were brought out to enjoy. From all of the poultry, beef and pork that we raised the freezers were filled to the brim.
The amazing thing is that all the processing for canning and freezing and butchering took place in a kitchen that was ten feet by twelve feet, using a gas four-burner kitchen range.As you can tell I could go on and on as this is my season for precious memories. And at some time I know more of these times will surface as I do visit these sweet times often. How could this wonderful lifestyle not endure? Sometimes when things are almost too good to be true, it begins to look greener on the other side of the fence. Additional land was acquired to be rented, resources were extended for bigger and newer machinery and the wonderful life suffered and then it was gone. That time of my life is gone, but not so in my heart. It still remains the best of times with Orlin, Carrie and Kevin.
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Noreen
In case you have not picked up on this during my previous posts, I will just put it out there: I so enjoy my life here on Stauffer Ave. No big bells or whistles just a lot of singing birds in the huge trees. This part of town was a pasture in times past. Most of the homes on Stauffer, including our home, have been moved in from other locations. The trees are old and large and they shelter us with much shade. Dennis and I are living a fairly simple life style in our 720 square foot home.
A good friend Perry Schroeder has been keeping us supplied with tomatoes. I have told Perry that I do share them farther if it is more than Dennis and I can put away. An egg basket full of the red jewels is a lot for Dennis and I when they are delivered on frequent intervals. Across Stauffer Avenue live Marie and Pasquel an elderly couple with ethnic ties to Mexico. Neither speak a lot of English but they do fairly well and younger family members come and go to help them. In the mornings when Dennis and I are on the back patio with coffee, Pasquel is sitting on the back steps and more times then not we give each other a wave. When I take Pasquel tomatoes he always takes my hand in both of his and he looks me right in the eyes and says “Thanks.” Priceless.
Several years ago when we bought a stackable washer and drier to be installed in the first floor bathroom, we were left with an gently used older set that would no longer be needed in the basement. When I saw that Pasquel and Marie had family over at their home I walked over and ask if anyone in their family could make use of them. Oh my gosh, the washer and drier left our property almost before I could walk back home. There were lots of hand shakes and smiles. The next night we had a feast of tasty Mexican food brought over from great neighbors.
Stauffer Avenue is a gravel street on the northeast edge of St. James and I am sure it is the most sought after place to live in St. James, but of course I am biased. Dennis and I are living the small town dream. We know our neighbors, we work with our neighbors and we lend an extra hand when we can. On our north property line neighbor Jan and I tend to take a whack at solving the world’s problems as we visit over the picket fence. Is there any wonder why I so love my life here on Stauffer Avenue? Catch ya later.
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Noreen
We did get a wonderful shower of rain that measured .6 in the gauge. The air is heavy today and it has been very dark out. After a good workout at the Super 8 pool nothing hit the spot like an egg, bacon and toast brunch. My sewing area needed a good clean up and now the fuzz is gone and the top of the tables are ready to receive the next project.
As this was a great day that the Lord has given us, I opted for a cup of coffee on the back patio and spending a little time kicking back with Dennis as we reminisced about times gone by. Tomorrow will be plenty of time to make new plans for the busy work that I so dearly love. Catch ya later.
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Noreen
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.
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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
Things Have Come Together
Today is a red letter day in my book as the last of the three wedding gifts I have been working on are now completed. As I was nearing the end of the fabrication process Dennis and I did a road trip to the Old Alley Quilt Shop in Sherburn, MN. You can’t very well give a wall hanging as a gift if you don’t include a hanger for it to be hung from. Old Alley is 25 miles to the south of us and as we traveled it gave us a chance to check out the crops as they are beginning to show signs of the impending harvest.Several years ago Kevin gave me a twisted wire hanger that he had acquired when a fellow had stopped in to his shop hoping that Kevin would be able to handle and sell his wares for him. Kevin bought one and allowed the fellow to know his print shop would not be a good fit for quilting supplies.
I have used that hanger over and over and I knew that this light weight product would be a perfect fit for my wall hangings and also remembering Old Alley had a great supply of various sizes.The last of the three wall hangings got a bit of a different treatment as I found some wonderful beads and pearls that just begged to be used. How could we have a Christmas tree featured without a gold star and a small gold cross at the top? In a world of selling crafts, would I ever recoup my time in dollars and cents? No. But it sure is fun to see what I can come up with to put a unique spin on items. Once the basic items such as the top design, the batting and the backing are settled upon, all I need to do is have a cup of coffee and sit and gaze upon my shelves in the basement and wait for the ideas to pop.
If the grandkids think my basement is fun to craft in they have no idea how much fun and personal satisfaction I get every time I get busy. Dennis loves to get together with his buds every afternoon while my time is being spent stitching away, and just like today, sporting a band aid on a finger where the needle dared to puncture the skin. Sure can’t have tell tale spots on a finished projected. Sharing the finished projects are sometimes a tug on the heart strings, but I am truly sharing what brings me so much enjoyment.
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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.
