Announcement of Grand proportions

June 19, 2009

Drum Roll Please! Our first Grandchild

Vivienne was born

I have been remiss in posting…BUT

We are going to be first time Grandparents come mid June.

It seems obvious that the “TRIP” will linger from time to time until I finally get all the

photos that are fit to show on the Blog.

Until then I suppose the judicious thing is to again post as I began my Blog, on a day to or

every other day or so journal of life as I see it.

That being said

Let’s see what I conjure up for today!

The Baby Shower for those that do not do Face book…

It was [I heard someone say this:] elegant.

WHEW because I wanted, what Mom does not, the best for their child [ren]

I only took 149 pictures hee hee

Soon it begins

Family, Friends, Flowers, Food and FUN

OH YUMMMMMMMMMMM

Catching up on times past and times to come

some serious writing of helpful hints, or not to the Mom to be

What a range of beautiful colors

Some emotions show through, awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

A whirl wind of baby fashions

Mother - in - laws are always ready to be there

What makes Christmas?

Heck that is easy KIDS NO Matter the AGE …

While only 2 of the 4 here this year for Christmas…the Fun prevails

DO NOT TOUCH EACH Other SIT ON YOUR HANDS! Lord they dinna listen then Good thing it was FUN Kids are great no matter the age!

Merry Christmas

SIGH

Tiz been a time since I blogged… but that’s ok.

It is the season of busy things

Good busy

Enjoyable busy

Today I shall add personal thoughts to the already addressed Christmas cards.

Hard to believe I actually started this project Thanksgiving weekend.

But then making seven different cookies to share plus the Chocolate Microwave

Cake to give out did take time. I am not complaining I have enjoyed it all.

All of the gifts are wrapped, tee hee I speak about the ones that are wrap able.

More snickering

The traditional OFFICE PARTY is over, man I had a great time.

The College Bowl games have begun and all bets have been placed.

I usually spear head this venture, but this year I yielded to my Sweetie to be the

HEAD Bean Counter.

Time to kick back and listen to Christmas music…

Mannheim Steamroller - ‘Joy To The World’ How Mannheim Steamroller got its name: Chip Davis decided to call his band "Mannheim Steamroller," an amusing, "colloquial joke name" for an 18th-century musical technique known as the "Mannheim crescendo." The orchestral crescendo was pioneered by Johann Stamitz and the Mannheim Orchestra. The Mannheim sound built intensity by adding layers of sound, color, texture, other instruments—and, especially, volume. To Davis, it was like a steamroller. Hence, the name. I want to tell the WORLD my Sister in law totally ROCKS!

She sure surprised me with this fabulous gift! YUP I got to see Mannheim in concert…WOW and days after WOW Life is GOOD! The shopping she and I did was FAB as well, tee hee

Almost Turkey Day

OR Turkey day is for the BIRDS? HA HA

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Slowly the SIMMER begins. YUP the excitement of having the kids home, smells wafting upwards. Checking the grocery list thrice…

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Turkey will go in the oven tonight. Tomorrow morning before the kids arrive, the wondrous smells that evokes memories in us all. I bet the smells will drive the PUPS BONKERS.

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WOW, come to think of it, this is Lily and Houses first Thanksgiving.

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Jazz is finally settling down to a life with a real family…wonder if she will sense the difference, the excitement? Dear George, our elder dog, will be content to lie in the middle of any room where food MIGHT drop to the floor, while pools of drool surround his paws.

Amidst all of this, my car is ill…SIGH! By noon I will know why THAT light is on as well as if my muffler has a hole in it. I will be STUCK at the mechanics place until the verdict is pronounced.

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The bummer about that is: people no longer are allowed to watch what they do to your car. Insurance, accidents etc have disallowed curious arm chair mechanics like I to learn. I do not like that! It’s not like I am going to open a shop of my own up! Geesh Louise!

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Memories of less hectic times, YA memories of childhood… Dad taking me with him, while he hung out with his buddies that were mechanics. Looking back it was probably a treat from his weekly routine… Ummmmmmm ya think I was bugging Mom so I had to go with DAD? Probably likely actually… Those were great times…I really was no problem, that I RECALL! I did learn more than I thought…

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So instead of being impatient this morning, I will TRY to sneak a look to see what they are doing to my car. As well as amending the grocery list. Let’s see, 1. Diet Coke 2. Root Beer 3. Snacks for the WVU Football game Saturday 4. Fresh flowers for the girls rooms 5. LIFE IS GOOD! AND YES dear daughters, the Pepperoni Rolls are freshly out of the oven awaiting your arrival. The Home Made Ice cream is forthcoming as well! LIFE IS GOOD!

Ponderings about Thanksgiving

Here are some updated pictures of Goldie and Slate.

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I first posted about them [Goldie & Slate] October 6th of this year. CLICK HERE!

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Here we are with a little over a week before one of my favorite Holidays. Seems the reality settled in with the first snow dusting that we had the other day.

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For sure I am pleased all of the wood has been split and stacked as well as covered. We have yet to have a fire inside, not quite cold enough YET. I chuckle inwardly as I will see the neatly pile diminish and leave voids of interest come spring.

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Time to dig out the Christmas and New Year Cards…

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Once again attempt to get them addressed during the Thanksgiving weekend.

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HA that has always been a goal, who knows this year I might attain it.

Well it is a delicious thought.

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Speaking of delicious… what foods come to mind that take you back years?

Those are the memories.

One that my Mother delighted in making was: Creamed peas in a Timbale.

Gosh have not thought about that in years.

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A timbale is a disc-shaped - mould for various sorts of food.

Mom used upside down glass custard cups...she used the left over raw pie dough,

and then she would prick the dough with the tines of a fork. That way there was

no waste.

The name is derived from 'thimble'.

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While thinking about this almost lost memory I found this recipe.

Sure sounds yummy.

I think we will add this to a meal on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, because one

of our children requested Popovers. ;) Someone else has a memory.

What fun it was to sit in front of the glass oven and watch the POP of the OVERS!

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Food historians generally agree popovers are an American recipe.

They descended from 17th century batter puddings made in England.

Yorkshire pudding is the most famous example of these.

"Popover. A light, hollow muffin made from an egg batter similar to that used in making Yorkshire pudding. The name comes from the fact that the batter rises and swells of the muffin tin while baking...In American Food (1974), Evan Jones writes: Settlers from Maine who founded Portland, Oregon, Americanized the pudding from Yorkshire by cooking the batter in custard cups lubricated with drippings from the roasting beef (or sometimes pork); another modification was the use of garlic, and, frequently, herbs. The result is called Portland popover pudding, individual balloons of crusty meat-flavored pastry." Most popovers, however, are not flavored but merely set in buttered muffin tins. They are served a breakfast or with meats at lunch and dinner."---Encyclopedia of American Food and Drink, John F. Mariani [Lebhar-Friedman:New York] 1999 (p. 249)

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Henderson's Popover recipe [1876]

Popover recipe from 1877:

Minted Green Pea Timbales

1 tablespoon salt

4 cups peas

2 1/2 tablespoons mint, chopped, plus sprigs for garnish

1/4 teaspoon granulated sugar

1/4 teaspoon pepper

3 egg whites

1/2 cup whipped cream Sour cream or crème fraîche

Dissolve all but 1/4 teaspoon salt in large pot of boiling water.

Add peas.

Blanch 2 minutes.

Drain and rinse under cold water.

Chill and drain thoroughly.

Puree in blender or food processor the peas, mint, and sugar remaining salt and pepper until

smooth. Continue to puree while adding egg whites 1 at a time.

Pour in cream. Blend until combined.

Divide mixture among 6 greased 1/2 cup ramekins or custard cups.

Set ramekins in baking pan.

Add boiling water to pan to halfway up sides of ramekins.

Cover with foil and vent.

Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center pulls

clean.

Let set a few minutes. Run sharp knife around edges and invert onto serving dish.

Garnish with mint sprig and dollop of sour cream or crème fraîche

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Ponderings on the wonth of Nov… ;)

November is the eleventh month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of four Gregorian months with the length of 30 days. November retained its name (from the Latin novem meaning "nine") when January and February were added to the Roman calendar.

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The weather outside was magnificent. The wind gently blew more leaves to the ground. The squirrels were using the tree branches like trampolines. You do know it is never wise to be under a NUT tree in the fall?

WVU won against U Conn -West Virginia 35, Connecticut 13

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It was over when... Jock Sanders scored his third TD of the third quarter to give WVU a 28-13 lead.Gameball goes to... Pat White. The WVU quarterback ran for two TDs (109 rushing yards) and threw for one (121 passing yards).Stat of the game... 4,000-5,000. White surpassed the 4,000 career rushing yards and 5,000 career passing yards milestones. http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/clubhouse?teamId=277

October 18 began Bow for Deer. Remember to wear ORANGE…specifically BLAZE orange because Hunting goes through December 31, depending on bow, muzzleloader, antlerless etc.

~~ Here is one proud Bow Hunter… WTG James!

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Before the game began and again at halftime…I was outside enjoying leaves and the relocation of many of them.

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Yup lots of nuts in the woods. Today as well offers some fabulous weather, the sun is already shedding its luxurious glow to the leaves. The ground around the house is now devoid of leaves. They have been placed in all of the flower beds. The grass looks like spring green velvet. There are occasional BUMPS of orbs that punctuate ones walk around the area.

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The word walnut derives from Old English wealhhnutu, literally "foreign nut", wealh meaning "foreign" (wealh is akin to the terms Welsh and Vlach; see *Walha and History of the term Vlach).[1] The walnut was so called because it was introduced from Gaul and Italy. The previous Latin name for the walnut was nux Gallica, "Gallic nut".

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History Of Walnuts by: Pat Malcolm

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The first historical accounts of walnut trees growing under civilized cultivation was in ancient Babylon (Iraq) about 2000 B.C.; however, walnuts have evidently been attached to mankind much earlier by excavations from cave fossils as suggested by archeologists.

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More Information Here!

Friday Sky Watch with Tom

Happy Birthday Mom

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April 17, 1911

New Blooms ~

My sister in law gave me an Amaryllis this year [Christmas gift] as she has done in the past. Always they bloom and always it is exciting. BUT

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I must be doing something BETTER this year because it is putting forth another bud… Whooooooooooo Hooooooooooooooooooooo!

Pictures and information in these postings; ONE! TWO! THREE!

More flowers about the home at the moment as well. Valentine’s Day was fabulous, as usual. My Sweetie CLAIMS his fingers are sore … He says opening 29 cards did it… ;)

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I told him my tongue had paper cuts from sealing all of the cards, so we can have a good laugh about that…

Daisies, our Wedding flowers…Is he not the awesomest guy ever?

I found this adorable bear wearing a hat just like the ones my Sweeties wears and likes…PLUS the bear in Jeans and Adorable sneakers…;)

His flowers are in the cute Saucy vase…tee hee a vase with an ATTITUDE?

He got me a TuneStik – the most versatile iPod accessory in DLO history. How kewl is that? I got him a holder for his MILLIONS of TV remotes that hangs off of his recliner and two boxes of Truffles…

Alas I will not be making dinner for my Sweetie until possible next week. THE SPECIAL DINNER that is, he will be fed do not fear.

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I have managed to get a nasty cold that is now lingering in my head. It has already made some inroads to the throat as well. As of right now it feels like a World Cup Soccer team is playing with all its might inside my head… Cold and flu medications are being taken and “Just in case” The Love Rub is available. That is Vicks Vapor rub for the nastiest of chest colds.

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The Perfect remedy!

My voice sounds like I am a teenager just getting an adult voice…

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HA how funny a pre pubescent adolescent HA HA HA

‘Tiz the Season ~

I believe this SNOW got me in the Spirit of the Season ~ still need more SPIRIT…

The other day I changed out old candles for new. That was sorta the beginning I think.

We have these candelabras that had belonged to my in-laws I always liked them. I always wondered why they had them, since they appear to be a set of Menorah’s. It is to late to ask why they had them, bottom line I like the look of them and they grace our dining room. Everyday as I pass them I remember little things about my in-laws. *********************** Sooooooooooooo seeing the new candles etc started me thinking… *********** Uncle Henry might have liked this post… So here’s to family that celebrates different holidays ~~~ you are still in our hearts and minds. ************** One picture is of replicating the first night of Chanukah the other is how we traditionally use ours. ************************************************************ Since Chanukah is first here is some neat information [Dec. 5 - Dec. 12, 2007]

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Blessing the Chanukah Lights:

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Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech Ha-Olam Asher Kidshanu B'mitzvotav V'tzivanu L'hadlik Ner Shel Hanukah.

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Blessed is Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe, by whose mitzvot we are sanctified and who commands us to kindle the lights of Hanukah

******* ***Special Note from a friend of mine:

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“When we are not praying, we use the term Adoshem instead of Adenoi to denote the difference between prayer and reading a prayer. Adenoi means G-d which Jewish people don't spell out in ordinary writing.”

Often Menorah A ceremonial seven-branched candelabrum of the Jewish Temple symbolizing the seven days of the Creation.

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A menorah has seven candles, and is said to represent "the bush that burned, but was not consumed," seen by Moses in the wilderness. The seven candles represent the seven days of creation. The menorah was a ceremonial object found in the ancient Holy Temple.

********* The traditional Hanukkah "menorah," more properly called a hanukiah or chanukkiyah, has nine candles, representing the 8 days the oil for the temple menorah miraculously lasted (when there was really only enough oil to last for one day). The ninth, called the shamash (and found either in the center or on one end), is used to light the other eight. Jewish law says that the eight candles should not be used as a source of light but rather only to commemorate the miracle, so the ninth is there to supplement the others.

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Here is a little account of the Birth of this Holiday and its celebration. It also tells about the "Magic" of Hanukkah. Read below and enjoy.

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The holiday originated when Judah the Maccabee and his followers reclaimed the temple in the village of Modi'in from Syrian King Antiochus IV. The temple was cleansed and prepared for rededication. The Hebrew word Hanukkah means "dedication." When the sacred temple Menorah (candelabra) was relit, there was only enough sacred oil to burn for one day. Yet, according to tradition, the oil miraculously lasted eight days until more purified oil could be found.

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A lesser-known story from the Apocrypha tells of the beautiful widow Judith who plied enemy Assyrian General Holofernes with cheese and wine until he fell into a drunken stupor. Judith beheaded the general in his sleep, and his soldiers fled in fear, thus saving her people from the Assyrians. This story is the subject of much renowned artwork.

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In remembrance, a candle is lit each of the eight days of Hanukkah. Children receive gifts of gelt (in remembrance of the coins minted by the new independent Maccabee state) or money and play games of dreidel (a spinning four-sided top.) The tradition of receiving a gift on each of the eight days of Hanukkah is fairly recent. Since Christians exchange gifts at Christmas, Jews have come to exchange gifts other than coins at Hanukkah, which comes at the same time of the year.

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Symbolic FoodsThe traditional foods consumed during the Hanukkah holiday are symbolic of the events being celebrated. Most are fried in oil, symbolic of the oil that lasted eight days. Others contain cheese to celebrate Judith's victory. Loukoumades are deep-fried puffs dipped in honey or sugar to represent the cakes the Maccabees ate, along with Soofganiyot (also Sufganiyot) and zelebi. Pancakes are a traditional dish, serving as a reminder of the food hurriedly prepared for the Maccabees as they went into battle, along with the oil they are fried in as a reminder of the miraculous oil.

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Latkes were originally symbolic of the cheesecakes served by the widow Judith, and later evolved to the potato/vegetable fried latkes most known today. Many cheese and dairy dishes are consumed in memory of brave Judith.

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A newer tradition in the United States is the baking of butter cookies or pretzels in the shape of Hanukkah symbols while relating the stories. Children delight in helping and learn as they create, too.

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~Potato Latkes~

6 to 8 medium potatoes - peeled, grated & drained well

3 eggs

1 medium onion, chopped or grated

1/2 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. pepper

4 Tbsp matzo meal

shortening or vegetable oil for frying

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Beat eggs then mix in the grated potatoes (use grater, coarse side), chopped onion, salt, pepper, and matzo meal. Drain remaining liquid. Heat shortening in a fry pan, medium fire. Drop in the mixture by 1 or 2 tablespoonfuls. Flatten. Fry on both sides, adding more shortening as needed. Flip often until well done, with a browned, crispy surface. Serve hot. Top with applesauce and/or sour cream.

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Sfganiyout - Chanukah Jelly Doughnuts~

2 pkgs. yeast

1/3 c. sugar

3/4 c. water

1/4 c. orange juice

1/3 c. margarine

1/2 tsp. salt

4 or 5 cups. flour

3 egg yolks

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Mix water, sugar, juice, and yeast. Let stand 10 minutes. Melt margarine and add to yeast mix. Beat in eggs and salt. Add flour, mixing by hand to form a soft dough. Let rise 1 1/2 hours. *Roll dough 1/4 inch thick and cut circles (approximately 2 inches). Let circles rise 1/2 hour. Deep fry at 400 degrees about 3 minutes, turning once. Pipe in jelly and roll in sugar.

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General information on candles:

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Trim wicks to ¼" before burning and keep wicks trimmed to ¼" at all times, during your burning session.

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How to test for lead in wicks:

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There is an easy way to test whether or not a candle is using a lead core wick. Take a normal piece of white paper to the candle store with you. Rub the paper on the tip of an un-burnt candle’s wick. If it leaves a light gray pencil-like mark, it is using a lead core.

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For removing candle wax please see Stain Removal Guide

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Historians place the use of candles back to ancient times when the people of Crete and Egypt burned a form of candles to provide artificial light during darkness and for all forms of major celebrations. Basically it is fair to say that humans have been burning candles since someone figured out how to transform animal fat into tallow that would burn

*************************** For many centuries, candles were considered expensive items in Europe. Beginning with the sixteenth century, however, living standards improved and candles could be found in ordinary households. Candles were usually sold by the pound and in bundles of eight, ten, or twelve candles. Everyday candles were made of animal fat (tallow), usually from sheep or cows. Typically, these candles were a dark yellowish color and it is presumed that they gave off an unpleasant smell.

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I thought this was really interesting: Michel Eugène Chevreul

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A chemist named Michel Eugene Chevreul made an important discovery. He realized that tallow was not one substance but a composition of two fatty acids, stearic acid and oleic acid, combined with glycerine to form a neutral, non-flammable material. By removing the glycerine from the tallow mixture, Chevreul invented a new substance called "stearine." Stearine (also called "stearin") was harder than tallow and burned brighter and longer. This led to the development of better candles.

Ha HA then there is Candling. A method used in embryology to study the growth and development of an embryo inside an egg. The method uses a bright light source behind the egg to show details through the shell, and is so called because the original sources of light used were candles. The technique of using light to examine eggs is used in the egg industry to assess the patency of edible eggs.

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If you got through all of this post I will be surprised ;)

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Twas a long one...

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Oh Well!

Lastly I found this interesting site:

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A Candle Clock and MORE interesting STUFF!

Soon Thursdays Gathering

I like Thanksgiving because it is just about family… no pressure on gifts… just being with family and friends. It can’t get much better than that in my opinion. *** Here it is Tuesday already. The day begins with allowing the bread to rise before I transform it in to a favorite food of our children. Pepperoni Rolls. Today’s weather is to be in the high 60’s so the bread will quickly rise. We will be making these little gems to be eaten just out of the oven and more to send back with the children.

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What better thing can there be but having fresh baked bread from the oven? The smells that permeate the home is fabulous. *** The term "pepperoni roll" is also used in some parts of the U.S. to refer to a stromboli made with pepperoni.

************* The great thing about the Pepperoni Roll is that they DO NOT have to be refrigerated and can be enjoyed anywhere you go! They are great for camping, school lunches for the kids, a day at the beach, traveling, or tailgating to name a few.

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The pepperoni roll is a snack popular in West Virginia and some nearby regions of the Appalachian Mountains. Ubiquitous in West Virginia (particularly in convenience stores), but traditionally little known elsewhere, it is arguably the food most closely associated with the state (a competitor for this distinction is the ramp). Fairmont, West Virginia, claims the title of ‘Pepperoni Roll Capital of the World.'

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A popular legend holds that the pepperoni roll was invented in the 1920s by Giuseppe Argiro, owner of the Country Club Bakery in Fairmont. Some historians have disputed this claim. However, it seems highly likely that the dish originated among the coal miners of north-central West Virginia in the first half of the twentieth century. The pepperoni roll bears a resemblance to the pasty and sausage roll, which originated in the mining communities of Great Britain, as well as to the Italian calzone. All these foods allow a miner on a break from a tiring and dirty job to eat a full meal with a minimum of fuss. Pepperoni and other Italian foods became popular in north-central West Virginia in the early 20th century, when the booming mines and railroads attracted many immigrants from Italy.

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Recipies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not “NESSIE”, but for sure an interesting view of a fallen tree!