Tis the Pumpkin Season!!

This is the time of year where I'm really looking forward to all the good  things that can be made with pumpkin.  I could make Mom's pumpkin bread, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, impossible pumpkin pie cupcakes(recipe found on theBaking Bites Blog), hope that link worked, or I could make my favorite-- pumpkin pie!  Since the scuttlebut that I'm hearing is that canned pumpkin is hard to find, due to a poor growing season last year, I could make my own pumpkin puree from scratch.  I've done that before.  I remember one year, when I was much younger,  my hubbie and his friend went to pick up a few pumpkins for my friend and I at a farm stand, just so we had the experience of making  fresh puree. Since they drove his friend's pick-up they were sure they could fit a few pumpkins in for us. They were right!  They loaded the bed of the truck with hundreds of pounds of pumpkins!!!!  My friend took what she wanted(not nearly enough!)and our family got busy pureeing, carving, cooking and baking.  Good thing I was young.  That was a tiresome "adventure".  I'm so glad using canned is faster and just as good if not tastier.  If only the preparation could be this quick...from pumpkin to finished pie!  Watch my Swedish Chef in action!

The Search for sea glass

While we were in Maine I had a goal to accomplish and that was to find outstanding pieces of sea glass.  As the days went by very little was found and I was anticipating the day we were going to Back Beach.  I've heard great tales of wonderful pieces being found there.  In fact, a few years ago, Dad/Fred/Grampie, went exploring with his sister, Aunt Deb, and he came home with an outstanding piece of rare red sea glass!  She couldn't believe it!   I have it sitting in the china cabinet and I should take a picture to show all of you who haven't already seen it but it's late and it takes me forever to do some of these technical things to get a post published.  Well, the trip to the beach was eventful for a reason other than sea glass searching!  You can read about that under my Friday the 13th post.  Not a lot of glass was found that day.    Now I've written this "fluff" post just to be able to add a new one this week and to say  I did come across an awesome stash of well tumbled and colorful glass!  The only problem was it was in my sister-in-law's kitchen!!  I could only look at it and wish it was in mine.  Aren't they great looking?

Friday the 13th

Today has only 15 minutes left.  Many people fear this date and do anything to avoid having "bad luck".  Many don't care and just go about their day having "regular day" luck  and then you have some who just have "dumb luck".  Today was my day, my husband, sister in law, daughter and 3 granddaughter's day, to have "dumb luck".  What I mean is we were very "lucky" and very "dumb". 

This is what we all did today.  We went to Back Beach looking for sea glass washed up on the shore.  We had hiked out the sand bar to this island and made our way to the back side of it.  These 2 pictures show  some of us picking--without any "luck". It was a struggle to get around...over huge boulders through a deep thicket of raspberry bushes...but we made it!  We had to be alert to the time because the tide was going to be rolling in soon.

 

A whole lot sooner than we expected and fast!!!

 

 The sand bar we walked out on can be seen to the right and we figure the island is a little shy of a football field's length away.  Can you guess what happened?  I looked out from the island, right there between the trees, and saw the tide rolling back in...way too fast.  I called out to everyone saying "I think we are in trouble!" and we all scrambled down to water's edge and had to wade back across with water almost up to our waists at some points!!!  Let me tell you we were dumb and lucky.  A few minutes more and we would have spent the next 6 hours sitting and watching the lobstermen doing their job and waiting for the tide to go back out before we could leave the island! I took this picture about 5 minutes after we got back.  What an adventure.  One I don't want to repeat.  Back on the safe beach we squished and squished for another hour or so and did find some small treasures.  So we leave Maine with sea glass and a story!

On MY Mind...while on vacation

I saw that Colleen had posted this same thing early this morning. Because it takes me forever to figure out how to get a post done,  I started thinking about this a few days ago.  I felt a little quilty doing the same thing but she doesn't mind and  I remembered that family are really the only people reading/commenting on my blog.  Those family(daughters/sisters)that do read this can get a double portion of vacation by reading Colleen's post too!  (and please don't forget to comment. They make it worthwhile for me to do this.)

Am I begging too much???

Outside my kitchen window...I can see the ocean.  The sun is sparkling on it and the lobster buoys are bobbing and the trees are swaying in the slight breeze.  It's 61 degrees with a hi of 74 expected.

 

I'm thinking...the end of vacation is almost here.  I'm almost in a panic thinking I have to do more.  But really, all I have to do is relax, read and enjoy!

I'm thankful...for our very gracious hosts, Bill and Becky!  They have a beautiful cottage that makes it feel like you are at home and not camping out with only the bare necessities.  They live right next door all year and they both were very quick to help out(lobster cooking)and see that we had everything we needed.  I believe they have become our new friends!

I'm wearing...a t-shirt, slacks and sparkly Chinese slippers.  I just finished the laundry.  Yep, I even have a washer and dryer here!  

I'm remembering...all the good times we've not only had this vacation but also the ones over all the years we've made it here to Maine.  Time spent with all the family, amazing places we've visited, the girls falling in love with this area.  

I'm reading...Chill Factor by Sandra Brown.  Colleen gave it to me.  It seems like fast reading.  I finished 2 or 3 so far buy not the one I said I would in my last "on my mind" post....The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.  I  don't know why other than I don't want to think too hard about  what I'm reading.

I'm creating...more memories.  The big lobster feed, blueberry picking, beautiful Roque Bluffs State Park with its sandy beach and ICY water, our drives to nowhere to see what we would find, watching the kids searching for the best stones at Jasper Beach and I could go on and on...

Song playing over and over in my head...nothing at the moment.  I finally stopped hearing Burning Ring of Fire sung by Johnny Cash...oh wait, I mean by Mitchell(grandson) and sometimes by all of us as we were driving around Maine.

I'm hoping...we ALL can do this again next year.  

From the kitchen...I've had my tea and blueberry bagel this morning.  I think we all are eating here tonight--making spaghetti.  This kitchen has dished up some blueberry pancakes and blueberries and cream and some great dinners(so say the grandchildren)from E-Mealz

Around the house/cottage...this is a very comfortable place-just like a home.  I have a living room, dining area, full kitchen with microwave and dishwasher, 2 bedrooms and the master is huge compared to what I have at home, very nice bath, laundry room and a large screened in porch with a view of the ocean.  

One of my favorite things...sitting on the rocky shore with the binoculars and my book and just taking in God's awesome creation!!

Some plans for the rest of the week...mine are pretty much the same as Colleen's.  Today I think I'll take my book out to the water and read a while.  Dinner here with the family and then heading out to the shore to view the Perseid Meteor shower.  Fred and I went out last night and saw a few.  I hope tonight we'll see more.  Tomorrow at low tide(very early in the AM)we are going to a beach with my sister-in-law and hunt for sea glass.  This is what I've been waiting for!!!  I'll be packing later tomorrow and then we will check out Saturday morning before we attend the Lobster Festival.  Saturday afternoon we'll head out and arrive home Sunday.

A picture to share...here we are last week sitting out watching the tide and enjoying each other.  This is what vacation is all about...Family and Fun

This Time Next Week...

This is where I will be, with my husband.

MAINE

We will really arrive there this Friday.  I'm very excited!  I'm looking forward to a lot of reading and bird watching.

On My Mind

I seem to be hard up for blog post ideas. 

My camera is out of commission and I really like to add some kind of picture when I post.

So today I'm grabbing an idea Colleen(daughter #1) has used a few times.

ON MY MIND....

Outside my window...dusk has arrived with the last view of Mt. Beacon for today.  Today it was visible because the humidity wasn't as high.  The trees looked green instead of  gray/misty.

I'm thinking...that tonight I just might get a better night's sleep for the first time in 4 days.  My back has been bothering me a lot and I've not been able to get comfortable at all.  Last night I had to prop my self up and sleep on my back.  Boy!  That is very hard for me to do.  Laying on my side, all curled up is the best!

I'm thankful for...this is easy....my FAMILY!  I'm blessed to have a wonderful husband, 4 beautiful girls, my step-daughter, Mom, sister's, brother's, son-in-laws, 8 beautiful and handsome grandchildren, nieces, nephews, in-laws and out-laws and so on and so on!!!

 

I'm wearing...my hot weather at home "uniform".  A tank top(green and old) and a pair of shorts and sandals. I've had the green top with a matching blue one and red one for many years.  They just don't wear out.

I'm remembering...that I have to cancel my hair appt. for this week.  I don't need it since I finally let Kate cut my hair!  She did a wonderful job.   I really like it!   Kate is my youngest and works as a cosmetologist.

 

I'm creating...absolutely nothing but this post!  I have a wooden coat rack ready to be spraypainted but it's just too hot and humid to work on it.

 

I am going...on vacation next week!!!  We're headed to the coast of Maine, Prospect Harbor to be exact, for 2 weeks.  Two of my daughters will be there too with their husbands and children.  We'll also be seeing my sister-in-law and brother-in-law who have built a cute little cottage there.

I am reading...I just finished "The Guest List" by Fern Michaels.  It's a 'fluffy' mystery/love story.  I have a lot of books to choose from that are in the library room at work.  My next read will be "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" by Stieg Larsson.

Song playing over and over in my head...'John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt'!  Why, you ask?  Because Kate was watching the show "Psych" and for those who watch it, you will know that Shawn always introduces his friend Gus by using some silly name.  Yep, JJJS for this episode.  Therefore, I had to break into song when she told me.

I am still hoping...that I can resurrect my camera so I can use it on vacation! 

Noticing that...I need another manicure and pedicure.  Maybe I can fit it in before we leave.  I just read that lavender is the "color" for nails this hot summer.  I'm going to try it.

 From the kitchen...well I just snacked on a few Fritos.  That really wasn't a good idea at this time of night.  We had taco salad for dinner.

Around the house... the carpet on the stairs and down the upstairs hall has been ripped up and we are waiting for the carpet installer to come Thursday.  Out with the old, 70's yellow gold and brown shag and in with the new, a dark tan berber or so I'm told.  I didn't have a say in the color or style but it sounds good to me.(we rent)

One of my favorite things...the simple silver hoop earrings my husband bought me many years ago.  I can wear them to work or for just bumming around.  Love them! 

Some plans for the rest of the week...the usual...groceries, errands house stuff.  I'm really hoping I'll be picking up my new glasses and sunglasses by Friday.  Pink and Sparkly!   Black and grey zebra pattern!  Oh yeah!!

A picture I'd like to share...I don't have one.  This computer doesn't have my pictures on it and I'm not geek enough to go find them and save them on the laptop.  Maybe I can leave you with this, stolen from Colleen's pictures taken just a few weeks ago with some of the grandchildren, cousins and my mother.

 GOOD NIGHT!

 

CHOCOLATE MATH

This was fun and surprising.  I found this in a magazine this week and did my math.  If you haven't done yours...try it especially if you are a chocolate lover.
   1.)  Pick the number of times a week that you would like to have chocolate.

   2.)  Multiply this number by 2.

   3.)  Add 5.

   4.)  Multiply that number by 50.

   5.)  If you have already had your birthday this year, add 1760.  If you haven't, add 1759.

   6.)  Now subtract the four-digit year that you were born.

   7.)  You should have a three-digit number.  The first digit of this figure is your original number(i.e., how many times you want to eat chocolate each week.)

   8,)  The next two numbers are....your age!!

This works every time for every person.  Who can explain this to me?  Maybe a geek son-in-law!

Flea Market Treasure

We did go to the flea market last Saturday morning.  I hemmed and hawed as to whether or not I really wanted to go.  Not really having much disposable cash was my main reason to stay away but....the draw of finding a real bargain called me more!  We were out of the house and at the airport by 8AM.  Many people were already leaving with their assorted treasures!  I've been told by my "experts"(2 people who go all the time)that being there by 6AM is the best time to find things before they get picked over.  Sounds kind of hard to believe considering how many vendors are there and how much is available.  I only bought 1 old postcard.  My cousin's husband is a collector so I thought I'd see what the draw is.  I went to one of many postcard vendors and was guided to cards from my mother's hometown and surrounding area.  Not really a lot available but about 5 cards in I found a postcard, postmarked 1918, addressed to an old family friend and written by my mother's adopted mother and mentioning mom's father!!!  Unbelievable!!!  I called Mom and read it to her and she confirmed the information.  I think maybe the postcard "bug" has bitten me!  I'm going to be on the lookout for more family finds this summer but I realize I most likely won't be this lucky again.

82 feels like 85 at 10:25

10:25 PM  on a Wednesday evening in May shouldn't feel like a steamy day in late August!!  Factor in the humidity and you have uncomfortable!  I don't do heat and humidity well.  Do you?  I feel like the Wicked Witch of the West...."I'm melting, I'm mellllttiinngg!!  Relief is in sight.  By Saturday it will be dryer and much cooler, down in the 70's.  Just perfect for a visit to my favorite flea market!

I'll have to make a list and check it twice before I head out.  It's so huge one can easily become overwhelmed.  One thing I'll be looking for are chairs to go with my kitchen table

They don't all have to match, just fit under the table.  Of course spray paint will be purchased if necessary to jazz them up.  Hmmm, what else should I be looking for?  Jewelry(aurora borealis), linens, footstool(ottoman), a piece of art, chenille bedspread, an arm chair for the bedroom.   Yikes!!  That's quite a list.

I'm a Winner!!!

WOW!!!  I won a necklace in a giveaway over at the blog Better After.  I couldn't believe it!  I've entered a number of giveaways and contests but to no avail....until last night.   The giveaway was sponsored by Timeless Treasures, a shop with unique jewelry, much of it hand stamped.  I'm just so excited....I can't wait to receive it.  This is what it looks like.  Do you like it?

Bloom Into Spring - NECKLACE -

Valentine Tea Party

I took Avery to the Mount Gulian Historic Site here in Beacon for a Valentine Tea Party. Adults were not invited unless they had a child with them! Most all of the girls were wearing party dresses and they were so well behaved. Avery even carried her purse full of treasures.


I wanted to capture Avery drinking and enjoying her tea(all 3 cups) and she caught me with that sideways glance. Picture taking didn't stop her though. She wanted even more. I had to stop her or our shopping trip, which we went on later, would have included many potty breaks!!


We started off with tea breads, biscuits and jam. Avery thinks the jam was peach and I have to agree. Very tasty. Next, they served crustless sandwiches. There were tuna, egg salad, ham and cheese and....cucumber and cream cheese. Avery didn't care for the cucumber one but I did. I helped her out and finished it.


The children went downstairs where tables were set up for a craft. They made a few of the tissue paper flowers before coming up for the "dainty desserts". We both forgot to bring the flowers home! Avery wasn't upset about it. She knew she could make them at home. During dessert there was a raffle for a number of goodies little girls love....stuffed animals, hair supplies, craft items, colored pencils and paper, etc. I didn't know this was going to take place or I wouldn't have gone there without a bit of money. Really, not even a penny!! The Mom sitting across from us had her daughter purchase a ticket and give it to Avery. That was very nice of them. Avery wasn't a winner but she was ok with it. I was very proud of how polite and well behaved she was. As we left the party she told me that she really enjoyed herself but we had to hurry because she needed to get back to the house. Too much tea!!!

Blogging Frustration

Yep, this is me! Most everytime I sit down and think I'm going to add to my blog, this is what I end up wanting to do!! Kate(darling daughter #4) keeps asking me why can't I remember what to do. I have no answer other than I'm old. I'm surprising myself tonight that I was able to find this image and get it on my page. Couldn't do it last night though. My "oldness" keeps me from being a part of some of the sites where you can post your before and after projects, or photos etc. That Mr. McLinky thing throws me for a loop on those sites. The giveaways I would like to enter ask me to grab the button and put it on my blog and then do this and do that and do something else. AAAAAGGGGGHHHHH! I'll get it someday I'm sure. If I didn't lead a pretty quiet life, you know, get up, go to work, come home, make dinner, clean up, go to bed, get up......I might have more to blog about. I do know that the more I blog, the easier it will get and I'll be able to remember better what I have to do to make this something someone else might want to read. Well, thank you for listening and if you have any cheat sheets tucked away somewhere that might help me, you can fax them to 1-866-air-head!!

Biscotti Recipe

Since many of my friends on Facebook requested the recipe for the biscotti I made, I'll post it here for all of you. I found the picture of the biscotti on tastespotting.com which took me to the blog
visionsofsugarplum.com for the recipe. Thank you Emily for posting it.

Chunky Monkey Biscotti

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
1/2 cup mashed ripe banana
2 large eggs
1/2 cup chunky peanut butter
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
melted chocolate for dipping, optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a large cookie sheet with cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt; whisk in sugar and chocolate chips until combined. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together banana, eggs, peanut butter and vanilla until well combined. Stir in dry ingredients until well combined. Divide dough and shape into three (9 x 2 1/3 inch) logs on cookie sheet.

Bake for 30 minutes; cool 5 minutes before transferring logs to wire racks to cool an additional 15 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and cut rolls diagonally into 1/2 inch thick slices. Place, cut sides down on baking sheet. Reduce oven temperature to 300 degrees; bake 10 minutes. Turn cookies over; bake an additional 15 minutes (cookies will be sllightly soft in center but will harden as they coool). Remove from baking sheet; cool completely on wire racks.

Dip in melted chocolate if desired.

The only change I made was I made two bigger logs which, when cut, turned out to be about a 5 inch long cookie.

Enjoy!!

Baking on a Sunday Afternoon

I haven't baked in a while which could be a good thing or a bad thing. If I don't bake, I don't eat it and if I do bake.....well, you know what happens! Today was quiet and a bit rainy so I decided to make something from the website tastespotting.com. I must have found it through someone's blog while browsing. Tastespotting is a mouth watering photo collection of recipes(I found that description on Google!). Wait until you browse through it! Awesome photography too. These are the ingredients that turn into this. Chunky Monkey Biscotti. I knew I had to make them when I saw the picture. I dipped the bottom into melted chocolate instead of just one end. I wanted that chocolate experience to last for the whole biscotti, not just for the first few bites.