What kind of Tree do we get ?

     Jim and I are debating about what tree to get.  Do we get a fake one, a cut one or a live tree that we can plant in our yard.  I think we are going with the live tree.  That's what we got last year and we have it planted by out front gate.  Maybe we will keep buying them every year from now on and end up with a forest around us.  That would be great with me as Jim and I both love trees.  We can't get a large one as I do not have the room for it so I think this is the way to go.  When I get it decorated I will take a picture of it and post it on this site.  Hey, I know just the place for decorations.  Go to the 99 cent store.  I'm not kidding, they have the most beautiful ornaments I have ever seen and let's face it, the price is right.  Oh, now I'm really getting in the Christmas Spirit.  I want to buy candy canes to hang on the tree. I must get Jim and I our stocking and of course stocking for all our animals.  We have Tasha, Bella and Olivia our dogs.  Then we have Eleanor, Elviria, Edgar and Elvis our cats.  They are going to be excited about the tree also. ............ Oh No.... The cats Will be excited about the tree.  They will think it's a new toy for them to climb in.  OH NO.  Well I could put it in one of windows as they all have storage underneath so maybe it wouldn't be out where they could see it or have a chance to jump in it.  Oh dear, I have much to think about.  Well, we will just have to figure it out because I really want a tree. Wishing you lots of luck and joy in finding that perfect tree.   Tootles

Is it Over ?

     Thanksgiving that is.  I mean you do all this preparation.  You plan out what your going to have at the dinner.   You ask company to bring certain things.  The day before your cooking and getting ready for the big day.  The morning of , you start the last of the dishes to be served.  Then everything is done so you wait, and wait and finally they start to arrive.  Some of the guest have other places to go so you know they will be leaving soon.  Your busy in the kitchen serving and making sure everyone has plenty to eat and to top it all off the football game is in the background.  I can not tell you how much I detest football.  There is no other conversation going on because certain people are watching or I should say they are glued to the TV.  God forbid if someone gets in front of the set or in front of the person.  Frowns are glared, arms are jerked, there are crab apple voices which are slightly raised telling the unfortunate child, "To get out of the way". 
     No one is chatting.  Unless it's about a player of football.  No one is asking how are things going, unless it's about the play of the game.  The rest of us, who do not like football,  I guess it's just me, don't have a chance at visiting.  Then before you know it games are over, at least one of them so some of the company leave but never fear as there are several more games starting.  And of course they do start watching.  I stay in the kitchen as just the sound of the game going on is enough to ruin the day.  I don't allow it to do that as I am in control of my moods but it's just very sad I am unable to enjoy my family.  I really want to know how they are doing.  What's happening in their lives but I guess they don't care what's happening in mine.  I guess that is not nice to say, I really don't know if they do or not the point is we are not enjoying each other as we should, as a caring family.  Sometimes I feel I am the only one who feels this way.  I do know I am the only one in my family.  Did I mention I am not having Christmas at my house.  Ha!  I don't know what I will do but I will not have football in the back ground no matter what I decide to do.  Happy Holidays !   Tootles

Good Morning !

     Thanksgiving is almost upon us.   It's kind of an odd Holiday.  Supposedly we shared dinner with the Indians. Boy, if they only knew what was ahead.  Then you hear no, it wasn't quite like that.  I mean, come on, how can we celebrate after what happened to the Indians.  We destroyed their way of life and living.  We made fun of their ways and called them foolish.  Oh, dear Lord, what were we thinking.  If only we had not been so arrogant and full of ourselves and learned from them the beauty of life through their eyes.  I know some did and they tried to tell whoever but no one listened or even tried to hear.  Let's face it, it all had to do with money.  They wanted the land and didn't care how they got it.  You know I have been reading a lot of Amish books,(which I really love) and realize they have the right idea about living.  They are a close knit community and help each other.  Their beliefs are real.  Then when you think about it the Tribes in Africa were somewhat the same.  They had their own community with beliefs, rules and traditions.  So what happened to the rest of us ?  I know there are even more groups which have this going for them and it works.  I think that is the way America was suppose to be.  That is, when our Founding Fathers started it.  We were suppose to have freedom and could choose our way of life but with always a respect for our fellow man and his way of life.  So, I ask you, what has happened ? Why is it so hard to see you cannot allow the wealthy to continue to expand their bank accounts and the middle class lose theirs.  It's that same old line, "How much money is enough ?  Just some food for thought as this Holiday Season is approaching.   Tootles

Eleanor and Elviria at their Best !

 This is Eleanor.  She has a routine, in which, she goes out every morning, walks along the top of the fence, puts herself on top of the post then jumps down on the other side.  She runs around the orchard (they are peach trees, yum) then comes back around and into the house.  We have a cat and dog door, one and the same, which they use.  I, for one, would not have an animal without it.  Doesn't she look majestic, I especially love her paw sticking out.  She is very sweet, if not a bit sassy.  Does not really work well with others.  Just leave her alone, although she does allow you to watch her, not that she could stop you. Don't you love the fog hovering?

This sweet girl is Elviria.  She really is a sweetie. She is sitting at our breakfast table looking out at that same orchard, although all you see is the fence.  Elviria is the one who cleans all their faces. I am not kidding.  Her routine is in the evening, she comes and curls up on my lap, and we cuddle the evening away.  It doesn't matter if I am watching TV, reading on my Kindle, or sewing, she manages to curl up and still allow me to do other things. Ha!  What a kitty.

 This shows you how sweet Elviria is, on the left and Bella, (Puppers) our dog on the right.  They do sleep together and Elviria cleans Bella's face all the time.  They are quite the pair.  I don't think Bella always likes it but she does endure, it's almost as if she doesn't want to hurt Elviria's feelings. Ha!  How I do enjoy my animals.  I must get a pic of Olivia and Tasha our other dogs and Edgar (sparky) our other cat.  Three dogs and three cats is a bit much but we do love them all.

Now, tell me, isn't this just the most beautiful pic you have ever seen.  What a classy Elviria.  Although I am a little mad at Eleanor, as she is the one who broke the little branch off of the flowers.  I stuck it in the soil but as you can see it's not standing at attention.  It's like she is saying," I swear I'm not the one who did it."
     On a different note, I have been summoned for jury duty.  Why is it when you first get this in the mail, you feel so mad.  Well, not really mad but you certainly do not feel, you just one the lottery. Ha.  I have to call in Friday, so will keep you posted and let you know what happens.  Tootles

Almost gone !

This is what I have left.  I think I might hold out and make a pie for Thanksgiving.  We will see.  I already made the crust it's in the freezer so I can do this anytime.  What fun it is to smell all of that cooking in your kitchen but it's not so good on the waist line so that is why I thought I would hold off a little.
     It's cooler weather and I love it.  I know, I'm sure I will be complaining in another month about it.  We really are never satisfied.  Tootles

Apple Orchard Pictures

 Is this not the most adorable home.  Don't you just want to go inside, make a fire, put the kettle on for tea and grab a blanket and a good book and curl up.  Oh, how I like the thought of that. 
     The smell in the air is pine at it's best.  You just automatically take a deep breath the minute you get out of your car.  The air is cool and crisp and you are so glad you decided to come.  I looked all around me and there are several building that you can tell have been there for a long time.  The boards are very wide and very dark.  It's almost like you have gone back in time to a much simpler life.  A time we all would like to experience.  That friendly neighborhood that helped each other and always knew just what you needed, even before you knew.  Don't you just love this yard.  Give me this any day.  Who wants the manicured yard that no one is to step in.  This is simple and charming.

 This is the other side of the home.  I didn't tell you the name of this farm or I should say Orchard........Noble Orchards, Jim and Laurie Noble at 7050 Pentz Road in Paradise, CA.  As we were leaving they put in our hand and said,  "Hope you can join us for our  Harvest Party Celebration our 89th Season, Tuesday, November 9th, 2010 form 2-7pm. 

     Can you imagine 89 years.  Boy, the stories that house and barn could tell.  It's a great place to go especially to take the kids and let them see what a farm, orchard looks like.  It's not showy, or fancy.  Like I said yesterday it's the real deal and I am so glad I ask the right questions and a fellow swimmer let me in on the nugget in Paradise.

Just look at this barn.  Now I wish I would have taken more pictures for you.  Hey, I just might have to go up there again and when I do, I will take a lot more pictures and share. 
     Enjoy, and I hope you are thinking about those apple pies you need to make for the Holidays.  You can always make some now just to get in practice for Thanksgiving and Hey, Christmas is just around the corner.
     I wonder if I can find the chocolate farm.  Can you imagine an orchard of chocolate drops hanging on the tree.  Maybe.  It could happen.  I just might be the one to go looking for it.  Ha!  Tootles

Happy Sunday to all of you !

     I have enjoyed this week-end.  First Saturday morning .....Well, I should start Friday morning.  I got a big tip from one of my fellow swimmers, at "In Motion Fitness".  We were talking about food, as usual and she told me about how she makes apple butter in her slow cooker (you know, the crock pot, why they thought they had to rename it, I will never know).  Well, I wanted to go do it right then. You know how that is, you do not want to wait for anybody, anytime or anything but I had no apples.  The great thing was she told me about this really cute farm (if a farm could really be called cute, that is), it's up in Paradise, CA.  Yes it is a real town and has it ever grown since I was a teen, I guess so as it's almost 50 years, any who, this place is the real deal.  We found it off Pentz Rd.  You drive in the driveway and it's a little one lane road which goes beside a rock house.  There is parking in the front yard which we decide to take because we have never been there before.  We start walking down the one lane and can see a barn which is open at this end.  There are shelves, and boxes and boxes of apples.  Many, many kinds.  Also they are selling Olive Oil that is local and some sauces.  I pick up the Olive Oil and get black berry sauce.  We are moseying (hey, we are on a farm) over where one lady is giving slices of apples to try.  Jim and I do so and after the granny smith, red delicious, she gives us gala.....wow that was real good.  We buy half a bushel, they smell wonderful.  Off we go with our loot and head for home.  Then Saturday morning I get up slice apples, slice apples, and then slice apples.  I made one big apple pie with a crumb topping, 5 small pies.  I had no more pie plates so just used the crust.  Rolled out the dough in a circle, added the apples in center with sugar and spices on and lapped the dough around them in a circle.  Hey, it worked fine.  I think that is how I am going to make them from now on.  Before all of this I put about 15 apples, sliced in the crock pot and 11 or so hours later I had apple butter.  I couldn't finish the apple butter on Sat as our electricity went out so just halted the crock pot and started it up again on Sunday Morning.  Let me tell you it is wonderful.  Here is all you do.......
     Peel and slice about 15 apples, add to crock pot.  Mix 3 to 4 cups of sugar (depending on apple sweetness), 2 tablespoons cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon cloves, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.  Stir.  Put crock pot on high for 1 hour, then stir and put on low for 11 to 12 hours.  Then the last hour leave lid off and stir with wire wisk to mash up apples.  I used a potato masher.  It will have become dark and thick and that is just what you want.  Put in sterilized jars, leave 1/2 an inch from top, place lids on and waalaa your done.  Apple butter is great over vanilla ice cream, add to pancake mix (about 1/2 cup) serve with pork chops.  Just use it like you would jam.  Believe me you will think of things yourself, it's delicious.  Tootles