Karen – Page 6 – This Old House 2

FALLing

Man, it’s beautiful out there! New England in her Sunday best – Even in the rain – we’re getting some of that big weather much of the country is getting apparently. I’ve been walking a lot with my favorite hiking/walking buddy – he’s been so good for this weary soul.

My son and fiance had their engagement photo session here on the farm recently – here are just a few of my favorites…

Their wedding will take place next June along the CT River in an old factory with gorgeous windows and wood floors, an old fashioned train will bring guests to the venue – stay tuned!

The Mr. and I took a quick ( like eight hours start to finish) trip to Vermont last weekend and I got my apple and cider fix –

Some art projects I’ve been working on… beaded horse shoes (old mule shoes found here on the property… and a new painting on the easel. The shoe I “sold” for a donation to a farm animal rescue here in CT called Shut the Door Farm – and the painting might just serve the same purpose once it’s done. I love making things, but when they actually serve a worthy cause, it’s that much more rewarding.

With this season comes a desire to dig out more recipes, comfort foods, holiday fare, and I love every minute of it except for the cleanup. Every rose has it’s thorns 🙂 And speaking of roses….

Check out this recipe – made it for company yesterday and it was AWESOME! and fun to make – not complicated, I promise!

Apple Rose Pastry

And here’s another fantastic easy fall recipe…

Creamy Roasted garlic Butternut Squash Pasta

I hope all is well in your neck of the woods – wishing you all good things in this season of thanks giving. ❤

Catching up…

I miss my blog friends! Go grab a coffee or a tea or water, which is better for you anyway – we’ve got ground to cover! I finally have a little time to sit down and read some of your blogs, that’s next, and I sure hope I find you are all well and staying sane. I stay away from the news more often than not in recent months, just hate to see all the division that continues, all the fake news that flourishes, makes one long for simpler times. And so I’m trying to make my times… well, simpler.

The kids living nearby on the outskirts of this farm in their own homes is truly a blessing. We all stay out of each other’s way enough so that we’re not tripping over one another or wishing to move elsewhere, and yet we chip in together to keep this place running and enjoyable for all. The farm animals are always a source of joy, and also a source of work!

We all benefit from the chicken coop and the gardens – this year the raspberries and blueberries were more than abundant, we’ve got a freezer full. Potatoes and onions are also stored in crates downstairs – (the purple potatoes are DIVINE!) and we discovered this year all the produce loves to live and grow on the hill behind the house, better than the two garden plots we have down AT the house. So.. that’s where we will garden from now on, up on the sunny hillside.

Kai, our newest rescue dog, is doing super! He went from two years of feral living to completely well behaved house dog in a matter of months, smart as a whip, and just a joy to be around. We take many walks together, kai and I… and sometimes my kids with their dogs too. Speaking of which – my son’s rottie, Leo, has grown into a bull, a big mush, a little bit of a bully, a LOT of dog to be sure, but a love just the same. At just a year old, he’s still growing, too.

Stella by the Sea – Welp, as much as we said we were going to spend a lot more time down there, like maybe even LIVE there a few weekends at least this summer, it just didn’t happen. The farm and work demands keep us busy throughout the year, but my mom does get to live down there for short spirts of time and we all congregate for dinners, swims, kayaking, the occasional lounging around. Soon it will be time to pack it all in and close up Stella till next year. I dread the emptying of the refrigerator – just sayin.

The Mr. and I did manage to get away in the first week of August, to one of our most favorite places, Martha’s Vineyard. We rented a cottage on South Water Street in Edgartown, an older home with loads of Vineyard Charm. It was just the two of us, which is unusual, but the slowed pace and not having any particular agenda was nice. We both came back feeling rested, a much needed reprieve.

With this season comes a renewed interest in fall recipes… this one I haven’t tried yet but I think I’ll give it a go for the Thanksgiving table instead of the traditional Pumpkin Pie, which some of us don’t even like. (I do!)

Pumpkin Tiramisu from Taste of Home

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, divided
2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
1 cup strong brewed coffee, room temperature
2 packages (3 ounces each) ladyfingers, split
1 carton (16 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed
Additional pumpkin pie spice

Directions

1. In a large bowl, beat cream until stiff peaks form; set aside. In another bowl, beat the cream cheese, pumpkin, brown sugar, 1 teaspoon pie spice and 1 teaspoon vanilla until blended. Fold in whipped cream.
2. In a small bowl, combine coffee and remaining pie spice and vanilla; brush over ladyfingers. In a 3-qt. trifle dish, layer a fourth of the ladyfingers, angling some up the sides of the dish if desired. Top with a fourth of the pumpkin mixture and whipped topping. Repeat layers three times. Sprinkle with additional pie spice.
3. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, about 4 hours.

Wishing you all good things this fall, Lord knows we all deserve it! – Till soon, my dear blog friends –

Who rescued who

Life with Kai

He continues to teach me as much as I’m teaching him… patience and learning to be more quiet within being the most important. I’ve stepped up my walking game for his needs and in turn I’m taking better care of me, too.

He’s still shy, he still questions trust. Sometimes he’ll play with a toy for a few seconds and then spook because he’s not sure that’s OK to do. ( of course it is) we are still always on leash outside of the fenced yard because I don’t know if he would bolt if spooked. He is very well mannered on leash. He licks my face when we are driving somewhere, a little thanks in dog language? He perches on the center console in my batmobile , my wingman on those excursions. He wades chest deep or swims through shallow waters out to sandbars at my heels, trusting.

Progress and so much love .

Who rescued who? Hard to say

Every girl’s crazy ’bout a sharp dressed man….

If you’re as old as I am, I’m willing to bet you’re humming that toon by ZZ Top right about now, aren’t ya…

Isn’t he handsome? ♥

Kai and I continue to get to know each other… a few times a week I take just him and leave the others home… to Stella by the Sea where we walk the cottage community admiring the gardens, the shells on the beach, all the new smells. He watches my every move wherever we go, currently staring at me as he lies in his favorite dog bed, the others all around my desk area in their favorites too. He got his first bath yesterday and he looks and smells glorious. I’ve had my moments where I’ve thought – What the F did you do, Karen?!….adopting a dog that needs so much patience….. but those thoughts are quickly washed away by the feelings of joy when he comes right up to me with his silly grin, when he jumps in the car with the anticipation of the experience of wind in his face, the walk after the ride. The loving gazes that to me say.. thank you...

My son and his fiance were in a wedding last weekend, and I just loved the whole vibe – a young and truly beautiful crowd, the joy apparent, much dancing and whooping in celebration – As it should be. We have begun the planning for his wedding for next June – so much to think about, and so much fun to be had. Love is in the air… and one can’t help but get wrapped up in it and remember those young years full of plans and promise…. ( no matter how that may have ended up, LOL)

We’ve begun harvesting from our gardens – the kitchen garden is producing peas and basil , I’ve got pesto in the freezer already- the zinnia rows and Tomatoes are not yet blooming…

Up in the orchard the raspberry bushes have lots of berry beginnings, blueberries too… apple and peach trees will bear fruit, potato plants are huge, and I picked the first yellow squash harvest this morning.

We had heavy rains last night and usually at this time of year that means mushrooms in the woods, so I took a gator ride out back and down into it – I don’t dare pick to eat, because I’m not educated in the edibles and poisonous. But they sure are pretty to behold….

Leaving a recipe here that I haven’t tried yet, but it’s easy to throw together and a combination of things I love, so I’ll give it a go soon – maybe even later today.

Lemon Chiffon Blueberry Dessert

And some sage advice…

Till Soon, friends…

a Fly By….

It’s been months, has it? I remember a time when blogging was a daily occurrence here on these “pages”. Lately I just haven’t felt the therapeutic urge to keep up with it. I don’t keep track of traffic on this blog, so I’m not even sure it’s read very much, but I do miss those of you who have been reading my blathering and the friendships we’ve formed online, and I’m glad some of you are on instagram and FB where we still get to share with each other.

Some updates in case anyone would like them – Politically, I have taken a step back and OH, how good that feels. Kinda horrified by what all went down in the past four years, and the obvious cracks (craters, canyons) in the system overall, the divide that I’m sure still exists and I had no idea was so HUGE to begin with. I haven’t seen as much of it lately though, perhaps the very real and very vital notion that we really do all need to come together if we are to survive as a nation and not tank like the Roman Empire. Never would I have believed what went down was even possible. So, I’m not overly confident about our ability to right the ship and move forward but I’m gonna try. And by trying I mean Hope, really hard .

The farm and cottage are beautiful this year – everything that grows has flourished in abundance due to I’m guessing the best weather conditions, and our efforts as well. We are currently haying the fields, first cut, a little late but better late than never, right? There are more pine cones on the pine trees, the pollen allergy season was insane, there are more blooms everywhere, it seems.

The farm animals are all doing well – the horses, the goats, the chickens, new batch and old, the dogs. Every now and then I curse all the work it takes to keep them all fat and happy and their living quarters clean. The husband curses the expense, to be blunt. But.. the rewards are great if this is your thing… and it’s always always been my thing – the animals, the land, nature. I made sure when I was a young person that I got myself to a place where it could eventually be a reality – and here we are.

We have adopted another dog, I’ve named him Kai. ( sounds like Rye) The meaning is the Ocean or Recovery depending on whether you’re in Hawaii or Japan. It’s fitting for this semi feral 2 year old dog who lived as a yard dog with his mother and sister down South. Rescued after they were dumped by owner at a kill shelter. He’s a love, but he doesn’t trust – was given no rules or structure or socialization. So, we will be patient and give him the time and attention he needs. He loves the water! As I do… we will be a good walking/hiking team and water enthusiasts together.

I’ve continued painting, and it’s been so good for my soul. This is my latest finished piece, and it will live at my sister’s house. The Edgartown Light on Martha’s Vineyard, a place my guy and I love and walk to on our early morning strolls when we visit the Vineyard. I’ve blogged about it – a place I could call home easily, has always felt like home when I’m there.

Have you cartooned yourself with the Voila AI Artist app? Really fun! I’m getting a kick out of all the ones I’ve seen friends post on FB and Instagram. Forget botox…. Cartoon yourself!

See what I mean? Adorable!

Some inspiration for you before I close this post. If you’re reading this, thank you for stopping by! Leave a comment, let me know how things are going in your neck of the woods –

Barn swallow nest over the kitchen window sill. Such an artist! Beautiful nest.

Till soon, friends –

Hello again, dear friend

It’s a miserable raw damp day to be doing anything outside here in New England, which is exactly what I was thinking when I saw my favorite harbinger of better days ahead and the warmth of the coming season….. Elizabeth Hird’s crocus.

She scattered them in the lawn by our garage many moons ago. I should introduce her – She was an educator, Traveler, an Artist, a great philanthropist and a Gardener. The tall stand of pines on one side of our (her) house and the cedar grove on the other were all planted by the Hird/Rausches with the help of the neighbor boy some 50 years ago. He was paid a nickel a tree and delighted in the work. Those stands of trees are like sentinels to this farm, I mourn the loss of any that come down in heavy storms. Alas there have been a few.

The ancient lilacs in my kitchen garden, the old pear tree that still bears tons of fruit each spring even though it is completely hollow through its trunk… they are all reminders of Ms. Hird and her husband Basil Rausch.

She never knew me but I remember her. I was a teenager who visited my aunts farm up the road each summer here on Roast Meat Hill. I would see her occasionally around town wearing her signature wide brim hat, or gardening by the roadside as we plodded by on horseback to visit friends down the way.

Every year when I see those crocus I say – Hello Elizabeth … It’s so good to see you again

Don’t send your son out for chicks

… because he’ll come back with more than he was supposed to, just like his mama. And I have no one to blame but myself for that nonsense.

Every year I say – that’s it, this is a pain in the ass, I’m not raising chicks anymore, I’ll just buy a few pullets.

Welp.

Meanwhile over at the EggPlant…

Says Daenerys …… “And what fresh hell do we have over on the porch, KAREN? …. as if we can’t see that telltale amber glow of the heat lamp from over here. ”

I’ve got a yummy St. Patrick’s Day recipe for my Reuben loving friends…

Reuben Dutch Baby

by Diane Morrisey – Follow her on instagram or facebook for awesome recipes with equally awesome photographs.

4 large eggs
½ cup milk
1 tsp Dijon mustard
½ cup all-purpose flour
Kosher salt
4 ounces coarsely grated Swiss cheese, divided
½ tsp freshly ground black pepper, plus more
2 tbls unsalted butter
8 ounces thinly sliced pastrami or corn beef, divided
Sauerkraut (for serving)

Preheat oven to 425F and Place a 10″ cast iron skillet in there to heat up.
Whisk eggs, milk and mustard in a medium bowl until smooth. Whisking constantly, gradually add flour, whisking until smooth; season with salt.
Stir in half of cheese and black pepper.

Carefully remove preheated skillet from oven and add butter; swirl skillet to coat.
Drape half of pastrami into skillet (it’s okay if it bends and folds over itself); season with salt and pepper. Pour egg mixture over. Return skillet to oven and bake until Dutch baby is puffed and golden brown, 12–15 minutes.

Remove skillet from oven and heat broiler. Drape remaining pastrami over Dutch baby; top with remaining 2 oz. cheese. Broil until cheese is melted, about 3 minutes.

Top with sauerkraut and grainy mustard before serving.

I’ve completed another painting, and I’m amazed at how prolific my painting has been during the pandemic because often I put down the brushes for years and years. (speaking of pandemic.. my mom and his mom are now fully vaccinated, yay! I still have anxiety about getting the vaccine but we are registered and hopefully will get appointments to do so soon. But still… ugh. Not a fan with the unknowns, long term affects, blah blah blah. )

Anyway.. this painting is of Wasque on Chappequidick, Martha’s Vineyard in Autumn… a still-wild beach my husband and I like to visit. You get the feel that it could be 200 years ago when out there, untouched by tourism, at least not very much.

A few funnies and then on with the farm chores of the day…

Seriously, though…

Till soon, friends –

My Valentine to You

Have I told you lately how much I appreciate your dropping by now and then? I have come to know some wonderful salt of the earth people (my favorite kind) on this blog forum and that is a Valentine all on it’s own.

Lots to catch up on… How about that non-impeachment joke of an event? Without going into a diatribe about how thoroughly disgusted I continue to be, this sums it up pretty well…

Anyway.. Onward.

We’ve had snow and the typical cold raw grey New England winter days… and my back and neck remind me I’ve been doing barn chores in this weather for oooh… about 40 years now, give or take a few….

Above is Leah, our showgirl-come- home, and she loves being a home horse with less responsibility 🙂

Below is our old boy, Max… glaucoma clouds one eye. He and I match with about the same amount of greys and no fondness for makeup- thankfully I don’t have his chin hairs.

The EggPlant during a recent snowfall…. I have 8 new chicks of colorful varieties coming soon!….

Our daughter’s house in the field nextdoor….

My son and his fiance have a new baby… their first… and he’s of the canine variety – Meet Leo, a 4 month old rottie – I get to babysit a few times a week when the boy is at work.

When your mom becomes a grand and suddenly has that McDonalds money you were always asking for….

Some Valentine Wisdom……

And finally — whoever Emma Knight is… she is definitely of my people❤

Till soon, Friends…

Let go or be dragged….

You know what I love about being 55 years old? A few valuable pieces of knowledge become fully ingrained. People who are not interested in the truth and integrity of a thing especially when it doesn’t coordinate with their own prejudices or enrichment are not worthy of your wasted energy in trying to shed light. They’re not looking for light, they like dwelling in anger or hate or chaos, maybe mean is in their makeup and their brand of broken is not yours to fix. For whatever reasons, that’s their comfort zone even though it is detrimental to their own well being. This is no place to allow any time suck of your own.

Also, those people who didn’t value your presence in their life on any real level, those who you allowed to erode your sense of self worth in a relationship, a job force, a club, a friendship , whether in a monumental or peripheral relationship even in the school yard all those years ago if that applies to you…. anywhere on your life’s journey? It’s a beautiful thing to discover and know fully in your heart you were the decent human in that equation all along, and you still are. You cultivated a good human in yourself, and they are still who they showed you to be all those moons ago. Believe people when they show you who they are.

Anger has no place in a healthy heart – let go or be dragged, and pity those who can’t see beyond their own existence to value the good relationships they could forge, and for a better world for all, including themselves. (!)

Onward