Saturday, June 30, 2018

COUNTRY COOKING IN MY NEIGHBOR

Yesterday I made homemade chicken pot pie.  It is simple, fun to make, and very tasty and has plenty for several meals.  We had it last night and again tonight.  I made it mid day and then warmed it up for our dinner last night.  Tonight I just sliced some pieces and put the plates in the microwave.  It was great to have these delicious leftovers as I was outside as was Roy lots today.
It was hot but we paced ourselves and took breaks in the air conditioning and drank lots of water and lemonade.  In fact the lemonade was homemade also with lemons, water, honey, ice and a teaspoon of infused lavender.  Very refreshing.





Monday, June 25, 2018

   

HOW THE MIND DOTH WORK!!!

This morning I just did not feel right, not myself, not rested, not ready to go with my plans for the day.  So my thought was to not sew today as I am sewing a little more difficult item and want to take it slow and do it well.  So the sewing was going to sit today as I was not feeling just right.  Instead I headed outside in the heat and humidity to do the much needed weeding of my cactus garden.  It is not a large large area but large enough that it took me one and a half hours.  It has yucca and prickly pair and also some sedums at each end and a little evergreen at one end.  Such a pretty garden, with bird baths and some wine bottles on a tree my husband made for me.  

It was hard work and I had four large buckets of grass and weeds.  All the weeding made my hands sore, but I will sew tomorrow I told myself.  The buckets of weeds were hauled away and the hoe put up.  I washed off my gloves and shoes.  Looking back at my garden, it was a "sticky" job but now it was looking really "sharp" again.  I know that is a funny pun, but I could not resist.  

Now looking back at this mornings thoughts about how I was feeling, my conclusion is that I was not feeling good because I was not thinking right.  Why would this person who has asthma and was told to not work too long outdoors in the humidity and heat, do this.  Maybe because I like how "sharp" it looks again.  Maybe because I just needed to be outside.  And, actually with my sore hands, I was still able to do some baking, knit a little and embroider a little.  So it did turn out to be a good day.

   


COUNTRY DAYS WITH KATIE.....


Today as I stood with one of my many handmade aprons on, in my lovely country kitchen, I was very joyful.  I looked into the dining room and in the windows as in the kitchen windows were homegrown herbs hanging to dry.  One the one corner of the kitchen counter were young dill plants that I had to strip the  dill weed from so it could dry.  While doing all this, I was drinking tea from a sweet old tea cup, and listening to the birds singing outside.  I was rolling out dough with my FRENCH rolling pin, flour from my large old jars with red lids, and it goes on and on.   It was almost a COUNTRY LIVING MAGAZINE moment.  I was making a black raspberry constata.  They were picked from our little patch at the edge of the backyard lawn just entering the woods.  

Now with all that lovely nostalgia, I must say, I also appreciate my wonderful stove with a bread proof setting for the oven, my wonderful food processor that I made my tart and pie crust in, and my air fryer that I will use again tonight for dinner items.  Then later I will use my Keurig for a nice special cup of coffee after dinner.  

It is a balance as is all of life.  So as I balance out my hobbies and jobs around home; my time in this retirement stage of my life; I stand in my country kitchen saying I am a grateful 70 year old woman.  My hope for you is that you find what makes you happy also and always make time to do it even if you are not retired.

Sunday, June 17, 2018

EVERYONE NEEDS A "MOM"

Our local Humane Society covers six counties in Northeast Missouri, thus called NEMO Humane Society.  It does a great job, limited funds, old building site with being there 40 years now.  They have  given help and homes to many animals through those years and done the best they can with what they have.  I am one recipient of their service.  My Daisy Mae Foxhound came from there when she was rescued from death in a drainage ditch as a young puppy.  She came home with me when she was eight weeks old.  Such a joy.  Then Hemingway to follow after my loss of dear Daisy Mae.  Hemingway was followed by Mr. Molesley.  Vincent came through a friend who could not keep this puppy they had five days, but he was on his way to the NEMO Humane Society.  Recently, actually last week, we got little ten year old Chico, a chihuahua.  NEMOHS notified me that this little guy, aged but great, less some teeth, needed a good older person home as we had lost his mom, an older lady.  He is a blessing to us and our other crew of guys...now numbering four.  But they are little!

Chico is not quite ten pounds, grey haired and no fault of his, had to get a new home as his mom was elderly and had had a recent fall.  She could no long care for herself let alone Chico.  Apparently no family could take or would take him, but the staff knew that they could find him an appropriate home.  After researching what they had sent me, we went down to the shelter and signed up to be his "forever" home.

He could not come home for a few days as he had to spend time at the vet getting all shots and getting neutered at age 10.  Wow, I was concerned for this little guy, but he seems to be doing fine.  He also has that Chihuahua attitude of being a BIG DOG and holds his own with my yorkie, maltese, and Italian greyhound.  He has been welcomed in and continues to heal from his surgery.  I know in my heart that he continues to heal from his lack of his only known mom.  My job and gift is to become that new mom for him.  It seems to be going well as he likes lots of lap time, pets and hugs.  He follows me around and plays some with the other dogs.  He is enjoying his big yard and has learned to go in and out the dog door.  He is sleeping better at night and eating some better.  

Like people, it does matter our history as to our future.  He had a good past history and I believe it is making it easier for him to adjust to another chance at a new home and continued good life.  My other dogs did not have a good past history, with abandonment, neglect and mistreatment.  However, with all four of them, they seem to be such grateful little guys to have a good home.

If you can find it in your ability to share some of your life and resources with a needy animal, I just want you to know that they do appreciate it .  They show it in so many ways, maybe even a kiss and tail wag.

Friday, June 8, 2018

SOME DAYS ARE JUST "CONTEMPLATIVE"

Country life is "my" way to live, but maybe not for everyone.  As I see people hustling around when I do go to town, I wonder if they ever stop to smell the roses, peonies or even daisies.  Today on CBS I saw a story about Forest meditation.  Being aware of the surrounding, being out in nature, listening and looking, resting in it all, taking it in.  I am so blessed to have that daily in my life.  

During these times, I do photography, and so many hobbies.  I also enjoy my gardens and playing with my dogs.  Reading in the lovely screened porch is good.  However, with all of that, it is a need to get out in the little forest by our house or go over to the farm and walk in the many many acres of trees and creek.  Watching the birds, the blooms, well, is that healing.

Even with all of this, there are days like today where I sit for quite a bit in the morning, by myself with my dogs at my sides, and simply contemplate my life, past, present, and future.  Believing this is also a healthy endeavor, I am reminded by news this a.m. of another famous person killing themselves.  Sad and a great lose, and why.  Did they contemplate their lives and were unhappy with themselves.  Were there no people to care about them or for them to really talk with.  Busyness can overtake people, and they soon lose themselves in it.  

I never wish to get lost in busyness, but I know after my long morning of contemplating, it can encourage, sadden, and reward you.  But now it is time to get moving.  Not to be busy, but to be active and enjoy my outside country life. 

Encouragement for you to take off your shoes and walk in the grass, place them in a creek, a pond, or even a wishing fountain in a park.  Look up at the trees, the birds, butterflies and the clouds.  Contemplate, be full of your world.  It is not politics, crooks, and all sadness.  There is so much joy in a summer breeze, a blooming flower, etc.
So as I get going and also think about how I can encourage my so many family members and friends who are hurting today or for days, making them depressed;  I beg you to not let it all get you down.  Our world is a wonderful place.  Get a copy of Louis Armstrong's famous song about our wonderful world...oh, yeah!

Friday, June 1, 2018

WELCOME  JUNE,  2018

June 1 in NE Missouri was very warm, actually, beating its record at 100 in our area.  Wow, but it made for a great swimming day to welcome in summertime.
My three little guys went in the pool with me.  It is just a simple but large above ground pool, now about five years old, but it is wonderful in my country living to have this pool to enjoy, especially in weather like this.  

In July we will have a pool party for Hemingway's birthday and his dog friends so I have been getting our other two boys, Vincent and Mr. Molesley more used to the pool.  My Hemingway just loves it, jumps and dives and swims all around.   It has taken more with the other two, especially Vincent who has been timid in many things.  I am so proud of how they are doing.  It is very enjoyable.  They make me smile.