There is just something rather special about

Morning dew & Sunshine

Happy 4th of July

Hand/Homemade Gifts

For years I have made THINGS for people that are in our lives in a non family way.

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This all started when I was a kid...

The mail carrier

We live in a small town, so 6 more for all the workers at the Post Office, yup even

the cleaner upper person.

The garage mechanic, the sanitation workers

The people that I purchase gasoline from

My Florist and her staff

Friends at a couple of place I do business on a regular basis

Used to give to the children’s bus drivers…

Not money, NOPE, stuff made from hand/or by Hand

Cookies, all kinds

Soup in a jar already to add liquid…enuff for a family

Remember the Constant Comet TEA?

Spiced Tea Mix

One year I made all sorts of spices, all grown from our garden.

Another time canned veggies, like when we had a GLUT of green beans or applesauce

Still want to do infused vinegars and oils with the herbs etc from the garden,

maybe next year…Do have the bottles, bought 6 years ago on SALE

WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOO

Hot Cocoa Mix

Everyone will love sipping on this rich hot chocolate!

For a hot cocoa twist, try different flavored coffee creamer.

5 cups powdered milk

2 cups powdered coffee creamer

1 1/2 cups cocoa powder, sifted *

3 cups powdered sugar 1/3 cup granulated sugar miniature marshmallows, optional

1. With a wire whisk, thoroughly mix dry ingredients together.

Stir in marshmallows.

Divide mix into containers.

2. Attach instructions to jar:

To use, fill mug one third full of cocoa mix and then stir in hot water.

* For a richer, darker cocoa mix, use Dutch cocoa.

Yields: 11 cups cocoa mix

Shades of Cub Scout days for sure!

This year something a tad different.

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE

1 Coffee Mug

4 tablespoons flour(that's plain flour, not self-rising)

4 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons baking cocoa

1 egg

3 tablespoons milk

3 tablespoons oil

3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional) some nuts (optional)

Small splash of vanilla

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well.

Add the egg and mixthoroughly.

Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.

Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla, and mix again.

Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes on high.

The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!

Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired. EAT!

(this can serve 2 if you want to share!)

And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world?

Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the

day or night!

December the ONTH!

The Popover recipe re configured…what a bust that was!

However the Apple Pies were YUMMY

With Thanksgiving just barely over we head to the BIG ONE.

Our Thanksgiving was fabulous.

What could be more enjoyable than having family together?

Hectic, sure is BUT man the fun HECTIC makes...

puts a spring in my step to be sure.

Food smells permeated the home, homemade ice cream,

Joe’s Green beans, Sweet Potato Goodness, special YUMMM there,

gravy and dressing; store bought frozen turkey.

Still love to watch the cranberries POP…such fun in the kitchen for sure.

The ICE CREAM MAKER of ALL TIMES!

Christmas Goose is in the freezer, NO not one of ours…

Old but a tried and true recipe

Perfect Ice Cream making causes a STIR at our HOME

The Store Bought Turkey

The tree has been picked out, now to ready the PROPER location in the home. Ah the smell of fresh pine…

HEAVE HO

Lovely LIVE Bird!

Slate preforming in front of the dogs

Gentle touches

Home Sweet Home

NOW

Time to get the inside decorated and begin to surreptitiously drag out from hiding places gifts to be wrapped.

‘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.

****

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.

***

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

***

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

****

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:

***

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

***

How to test for lead in wicks:

**

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!

Gnomon ancient Greek ~~~ "the one that knows".

Sundials

******* Yesterday morning, as I sat in my “Nook’ aka 'a morning room', I noticed something quite odd. There was “STUFF” hanging off the Gnomon.

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Ewwwwwwwwww what ever could that be? So I get my socks and shoes on camera in hand and investigate. What had appeared to be the synthetic stuff used for Halloween decorating, fake cob webs, was indeed a real cob web. Enhanced with delicate crystal orbs.

During the night the weather was rainy and turned to a light ice covering on the deck and the steps. Needless to say walking was slow. My expression is , “it was slicker than Owl snot”, but then that is me. The gnomon is the part of a sundial that casts the shadow. Gnomon is an ancient Greek word meaning "indicator", "one who discerns," or "that which reveals."

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Gnomon ,(NO mon) is also a mathematical term that describes the part of a parallelogram that remains when a similar parallelogram is removed from one of its corners.

Several years ago my Sweetie gave me a Armillary Sundial. This past summer I took it to a welder friend so he could make a stand for it so the deer would not knock over. It needs a good cleaning of the rust and a re paint. That will happen in the spring.

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The armillary dial is an extension of the equatorial dial, with two rings representing the celestial equator and the meridian.

I did not know this but thought it quite interesting. ******************************* Anaximander (610 BC-546 BC) is credited with introducing this Babylonian instrument to the Greeks. The Chinese also used the gnomon, mentioned in the 2nd century Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art as being used much earlier by the Duke of Zhou (11th century BC). How Sundials Work ********** The sun will always rise in the morning and set at night, making sundials remain one of the most reliable methods of telling time. ************* Most sundial designs indicate apparent solar time. Minor design variations can measure standard and daylight saving time, as well. **************** The History ************ If you want to make one Check this Site: Then I prepared a most excellent Brunch for my Sweetie. ************** Swedish Waffles (Våfflor) More Recipes Like This Swedish Breakfast Recipes Ingredients: Metric Units 1 2/3 c whipping cream 1 2/3 c flour 1 1/4 c water, ice cold (or soda water) 8 Tbsp butter (1 stick), melted Directions:Combine all ingredients, mix gently until just combined. Cook on a waffle iron. When done, place on a rack. Stack just prior to serving. ******************************** Serve with raspberry or cloudberry jam and whipped cream. Submitted by Gretchen Grant Contributed on: Tuesday March 28th, 2006 ********* Remember my Sweetie got me the Cloudberry Jam when he was in Canada? Well I did not use it instead I used A Walnut Buckwheat Honey concoction for the topping and left a jar of our homemade [not by us but by a wonderful friend JJ] Maple syrup to round out the waffles. To this I served bacon and sausage and fried eggs with Juice available. After typing this post I think Hot Chocolate would have been added…but then you will have the re thinks!

*************** I will use the Cloudberry Jam over the Holidays when the kids are in… ;) ********** I was so on a roll cooking again [the out of town trips make it more a challenge to cook with regularity] I made a new Chicken soup. I showed my Sweetie 2 recipes and this is what he chose. He did an excellent job I might add. I did some substituting of ingredients,

of course. No leeks at grocery until tomorrow so I used shallots. Had apples, but not Granny Smith, had no Calvados so I used some Apple Jack. ********** French Creamed Chicken and Noodle Soup Recipe courtesy Michele Urvater ************* 2 tablespoons butter 1 leek, including 1-inch of green, cleaned and finely diced 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled and finely diced 2 tablespoons Calvados 1 tablespoon cider vinegar 3 cups chicken broth 1 cup authentic apple cider 12 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breast 2 cups fine egg noodles (dry) 1/2 cup heavy cream 1/4 cup grated Gruyere (optional) Salt and freshly ground black pepper Snipped chives, for garnish *********** Heat butter in a saucepan. Add leeks and Granny Smith apple, cover and simmer until tender, for about 5 minutes. Add the Calvados and reduce until almost evaporated. Stir in the cider vinegar, broth, and apple cider then bring to a simmer. Add the chicken and egg noodles to the broth cover and cook until the chicken is cooked through, about 5 minutes. Skim off any fat, which is floating to the surface, stir in the heavy cream, optional Gruyere and season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Garnish with chives.Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes Yield: 4 servings ********************* Copyright © 2006 Television Food Network, G.P., All Rights Reserved

Ears

Shocking

~~~~~~~~~~ It has been Covered NOW

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

by my Ultimate Sweetie

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So here is the deal…our Parlor was re modeled about 5 years ago, the floors at over a hundred years needed a boost. When it was deduced the old oak floor would not go through a saw /Planer EASILY, replacement oak floors were the answer.

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A planer will clean up rough faces and create a uniform thickness.

The expense of replacing the blades was prohibitive. While the floorboards were taken up with care, as they can be used for other projects. We found out just why playing marbles on that floor never worked.

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YUP only one joist was solid, ummmmmmmmm, so while replacing those we decided to add a small furnace under the old part of the house. {Only crawl space, no basement} Seemed the perfect time to do the wiring. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ya with me so far?

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We decided to have the bottom part of the outlets be governed from a wall switch. So upon entry or exiting the table lamps would we controlled from one place. The top of the outlet would be independent upon the needs of what ever was needed for that particular area. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ OK, So one day ALL OF A SUDDEN, the outlet on the exterior of the house decided to not work. This was at that time attributed to the Ghosts…rather easy to blame them ey?

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The mystery continued until this late summer that furnace decided to trip the circuit breaker…easy quick fix until determining what exactly was wrong a piece of cake. Use another outlet that was in perfect condition and close to run the furnace until the problem was properly traced. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ With me still?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was not the GHOSTS. Shocking discovery on the last outlet tested was that the EARS had not been tended to properly! Ya see of hot to hot occurs, then the circuit/receptacles will not work. DUH!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Remedy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Pull Out Outlet Unscrew top and bottom screws from outlet, and gently pull out outlet by these top and bottom "ears." Again, be careful not to touch any wire. Now that you can see the outlet in the light, check once more with the voltage tester to make sure that the black wires are not live.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Switch ummmmmmmmmmmmm Which brings to mind Switched on Bach…to hear an excerpt Click on this link.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [First Movement (Allegro) of Brandenburg Concerto Number 3.] Switched-On Bach is a musical album by Wendy Carlos (then Walter Carlos) on CBS Records, released in 1968. It played a key role in popularising music performed on electronic synthesizers, and resulted in a huge increase in interest in them, and particularly in Moog synthesizers.

Patina, patina

Balusters and Copper Tops

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Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr 37 degrees outside... and 43 inside…YUP need to call the furnace repair Doctor!

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ It is so lovely to walk about with no workers to interrupt my thoughts and working outside. I am looking at the new Copper Tops on the Deck posts. They look like wild slim psychedelic mushrooms.

@@@@@@@@@ September 16, 2007

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ Balusters as it relates to the porches We have been told our home is of the Victorian style. We think it is just a simple farm home.

@@@@ ~~1840 to 1900

@@ What, exactly, is a Victorian? Many people use the term to describe an architectural style. However, Victorian is not really a style but a period in history. The Victorian era dates from about 1840 to 1900. During this time, industrialization brought many innovations in architecture. There are a variety of Victorian styles, each with its own distinctive features.

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ After doing minimal research I conclude our home has few frills. But the frills it has suits the home and us. Folk Victorian houses usually have these features: Square, symmetrical shape Brackets under the eaves Porches with spindlework or flat, jigsaw cut trim Some Folk Victorian homes have: Carpenter gothic details Low-pitched, pyramid shaped roof Front gable and side wings

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Patina means: The natural weathering of copper is the result of the corrosive attack of airborne sulfur compounds. This leads to a gradual change in the surface color. the final color is different and depends on the location and local weather. Salt, moisture, sunlight and orientation can effect the final color. In general, copper changes in hues from a natural salmon through a progression of russet browns, grays and finally to a blue-green or green-gray patina.

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What is copper? Copper is a non-ferrous metal. Unlike stainless steel, copper will oxidize and patina, moving from a lustrous orange-gold, to a deep brown over time. As a consequence, it exhibits great depth and luster. It has been used for hundreds of years in Europe as a material to clad table tops and similar items. The copper that we utilize begins as a sheet product and is formed and pressed onto a substrate to achieve workable countertop surfaces. Our manufacturing process is proprietary, utilizing state of the art manufacturing technologies along with quality hand craftsmanship to yield a uniquely beautiful end product. A full patina does take some time to develop ( typically, a year or more).

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ HA Corina Corina came to mind! Corina Corina, Girl where you been so long

Corina Corina, where you been so long

I've been worried about you baby

Why won't you please come home

I got a bird that whistles I got a bird that sings

Got a bird that whistles I got a bird that sings

But I ain't got Corina and life don't mean a thing

Corina Corina Ah you're on my mind

Corina Corina you're on my mind

I think about you girl and I can't keep from crying

Oh things are getting closer!

MAYBE today the insider painter of our bed and bathroom will be able to begin painting the floor. OH JOY! In our home circa late 1800’s the floors upstairs were painted. In order to maintain some credence to the age and appropriateness, we have chosen to maintain that look and or appeal as it were. By the early 1800's more parquet patterns were in use, but only in the richest of homes and rooms. Wooden plank flooring remained the norm and were usually painted, and in the better homes laid in a tongue and grove configuration. More modest houses would have random width boards simply face nailed to the joists. With the advent of tongue and groove milling, the floors could be laid in a more level fashion before they were painted. This still required a lot of labor to install as well as to maintain. Of course if you had these types of floors you probably had some servants that did the work! NOW there is a concept! Servants? HA! http://university.floormall.com/hardwood-flooring-101.php At any hoot, we are doing the floors of these two rooms. We had years ago painted one of the rooms down stairs and have since replaced the wood with newer oak flooring as the joists were beyond repair. The old floors were too dry and did not withstand being even the best sanding equipment. Now the upside to the old uneven floors was that one could play marbles and NEVER win! ???? My hope and wish that these two rooms would be ready for occupancy by this weekend is CLOSE to happening. But as they say Close only counts in Horseshoes and hand grenades. [It's a baseball saying that first started around 1935. The full quote is: “Close doesn't count in baseball. Close only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades.” http://www.mindlesscrap.com/stumpme/03-02.htm A HUGE THANK YOU for my Sweetie and both of our sons as they got all the trim ready for these two rooms so the Painting goes on. Boring as it was, it is FINI. Well that part is! Also JUST for my Sweetie…a GUSHY MOMENT…tee hee, bet he thought I forgot! ;) “Life has taught us that love does not consist in gazing at each other but in looking outward together in the same direction.” Antoine De Saint-Exupery

Do you know Watt?

Or Sunday morning musings! Neat things we learn in the average day of stuff. Here it is and it works! Spray a LIGHT coat of PAM® Cooking Spray, regular flavor, [no need to use the EVOO or the garlic scented] ;) on the metal end of the light bulb. Wipe it with a paper towel before inserting. This allows it to screw in easier PLUS, it will minimize any tendency for the light bulb, the metal part, to become likely to become stuck in removing it. The moisture in humid areas, such as the kitchen and the bathroom are more likely locations for this to happen. Broken Light Bulb Removal: Use a small potato. Make sure light switch is turned off. Place potato against broken light base and unscrew counterclockwise. It really works! Remember to turn electricity off! Also throw the potato away. ***A watt is a unit of power equal to one joule of energy per second. The watt was named for the Scottish engineer and inventor James Watt (1736-1819). WAVE. A wave is an energy-carrying disturbance that moves through space. Some examples of waves are waves in water, sound waves, and light waves.

Let’s Raze the roof

Nothing lasts forever. Natural slate is famously long-lived. Nonetheless, many old houses are at the point where their original slate roofs have reached the end of their useful lives. Losing the character and patina of an old slate roof is always regrettable. There is still some trace of the design that was originally there. If those slates could talk… Now the quiet here is about to be permeated with people, scaffolding, hammer, nails and the like as our 120-year-old Slate roof is finally replaced. A sad day, but a much-needed repair! We have re paired and replaced until we can no longer, find people that know what they are doing. Our prior slate roofers have either left the area and are now to old to make the needed repairs. A sad state of affairs to be sure! A lost ART!