Category: Uncategorized

Aftermath

  I just discovered we have internet service again.. .no power to the neighborhood yet,  but a generator keeps us up and running at This Old House… believe me, I’m not complaining.

  I  am still shocked over the devastation I am seeing again and again in news images caused by Hurricane Sandy, a small portion of it right here on Ct’s shoreline.   Having grown up on Staten Island, we are used to the water – we’ve always been surrounded by it and it has never been a menace.  Because of it’s close proximity we spent many a summer day with friends down at the Jersey Shore.  In some places it’s virtually gone.  Entire neighborhoods—block after block …  are gone.  You know what comes to mind?…. I hope Snooki and all her cohorts who made millions and millions off that very Jersey Shore will donate atleast a  small portion of their earnings to help that community rise from the ashes.   Literally… ashes.

   NYC is practically imobile… Hoboken, Brooklyn, Queens, Atlantic City… … just unreal, the disaster.  People are still stranded in their homes by floodwater, days later.  Drowning victims still being discovered… Powerlines are still dangerously grounded.   The death toll is now up over 150.   One  heartbreaking story… two little boys on Staten Island, Connor and Brandon Moore, were swept from their mothers arms when she attempted to get them out of her flooded SUV and onto higher ground.  Their bodies were just recovered, days later, in a marsh nearby. She was at the scene and had to identify their remains.  I cannot imagine the horror….and  I can’t stop thinking about her.   So many more stories…..

  This is a photo I took a few miles from here down on the water.   Lobster Landing sits in a parking lot by a dock.  The water has risen out of Long Island sound and has come up the road, days after Sandy has left.

 This is a backyard..notice the planting pot?
Normally there are benches here to sit and enjoy the view.
The water rose up and filled the backyards and basements of many homes
along the shore. This backyard is approximately 1/2 mile in from the sound.
My thoughts are with those who are struggling with horrific loss…
may they find strength and resilience in the days and months to come.

   I have not checked my e-mail yet, but I’ll assume my 24 Project participants have sent me your entries. I’ll post the project within the next day or so.  – thank you


Project 24 Reminder!

Remember… Halloween! October 31st – 12 midnight to 12 midnight
You’ve all got your assignment…
Read a few posts back for list of participants.. minus the few who have signed up since.
Take whatever strikes you.. just one pic.. in your environment at your time slot.
It can be an outdoor scene, a person doing something,
an inside shot, an outside shot..
your morning cup of coffee…
an event in town, etc. etc. etc. etc.
Give me a brief caption under the photo. No more than a sentence,
 but it can even be just two or three words… up to you.
Let me know the state you are located in too.
You can add town/city only if you want to.
Send it to me ASAP, and as soon as I have all entries I’ll post them.
karenthisoldhouse@hotmail.com
Thanks to all of you who are joining in.
I LOVE WHEN THAT HAPPENS 🙂 

We’re awaiting the arrival of Hurricane Sandy –

so far, very dark skies, heavy mist and small gusts of wind,
but she isn’t here yet.

Can you believe NYC has closed down their public transportation.. buses, subways, etc?
I grew up in NY, I don’t think that’s ever happened.
Our Governor is saying “We’ve never seen this kind of storm in our lifetime”.
Ugh.
I’m worried about the barn and horses, chickens and coop.

Wish us luck!

23

Our “Cookie” is 23 years old today!

MAX… is her birthday present!

Kristen – you’ve worked for so long and with such determination
to overcome obstacles – We’re so proud of you.
Cowgirl UP!

May you and Max ride many happy trails together for years to come –

 With much love, Mom & Dad xo

Yankee Candle

 Every fall we take the kids and sometimes a grandmother or two to Yankee Candle in Deerfield, Mass. for lunch at Chandlers and some  candle and ornament splurging and oohing and aahhing at the many many things you can drool over.  The kids each get to pick out a new candle fragrance and an ornament for the tree and sometimes we’d come home with a new house or shop for our Christmas Village.  Last year was no different… except… it was very… very… clear…. that we had pushed our luck and the “kids”… were past the joy of it all.   Way.

SO!  This year the Mr. and I went all by ourselves, yes we did. 
 I guess you could call it a date! 
Apple carmelized onion quiche – I gotta find a recipe.
I’d love to bring this Christmas Cow home and place it on the front lawn at This Old House.

This fella was busy checking stuff… see the big book next to him?
Hmmm.. looks familiar… doesn’t he?

Did you know soda now comes in these funky bottles? They’re made of aluminum can material.
I like the glass bottles myself.  These are just.. weird, and don’t hold much.

This is what I brought home… some new fragrances!
Whoopie pie!!!…Peppermint Bark! (yum) Red Berry & Cedar and
an old favorite, Christmas Wreath…

…one more!…
Chocolate Layer Cake… so good smelling, you want to eat it.

It was a good day. 
Can I tell you something, though?  I missed having my kids there..
even the whining and rolling eyeballs mixed with heavy,  bored  teenage sighs.
It’s a good thing – the spreading of wings and broadening of horizons…
the flutter and flight that leads further away from the nest. 
So I’ll encourage and let go, 
all the while hoping that they’ll return with their own desire
on occasion to take part in the traditions and comforts
we’ve provided over the years.  
*life* 

heavy sigh and eye roll.. this time.. mine.

Savoring

…. every moment of this beautiful fall color we’re enjoying in New England.  Hurricane Sandy is going to threaten the East Coast at the end of the weekend, and that means what remains of our glorious red and gold leaves will surely and at best be a wet blanket of fragrant leaf confetti on the ground come Monday.

Great things happening here… so many volunteers coming together to make this
a community meeting and learning place for generations to come.
I passed by one early morning this week and the light was just luminous.

As I began morning chores today I witnessed this…
the sun comes up at the front of This Old House and showers
the ridgeline at the back of the property with golden red light…

Nature gives us such a bounty of treasures….
and Nature can taketh away.
Let’s hope Sandy is gentle.  
If you’re as disgusted with Ann Coulter as I am,
read this … a beautiful response from an inspirational young man.
One final thought  for today…
Ever notice?…
you get one bad pistachio, and the whole experience is ruined?
Just sayin.

*Update and Reminder*

Charla and Chelsea are doing really well in their foster homes…
 thank you to all who have contributed –
Charla
Chelsea
Now for the Reminder…
Remember Project 24?
You asked for a reminder, so here it is….
Click on link above if you need a refresher course on what you’ve signed up for…
Here are the times you gave me.
There are still a few slots left, feel free to join in if you haven’t already.
October 31, 2012 (halloween!)
12 midnight – _______________________
1am – Ms. A – Sarcastic Granny
2am – Mark – Marks Rants and Raves
3am – __________________________
4am ____________________________
5am – Sandra – Thistle Cove Farm
6am – Kate – Chronicles of a Country Girl
7am –  ME
8am – Jodi – Pleasant Home
9am – Saara – Finland!
10am – Cheyenne – Little Prairie Baby
11am – Cait Throop
12 noon – Diane – Lavender Dreamer
1pm – Lynn R.
2pm – Beth – Be yourself….
3pm – Tim Gannon
4pm. – Joey – Catch Joy as it Flies By
5pm – Connie – Hartwood Roses
6pm – Denise – Autumn Sky Ranch
7pm – Hilary – Crasy as a Loom
8pm – Tia – Cottage by the Sea
9pm – _________________________
10pm – Sandy – Doris the Great
11pm – __________________________
Five spots left, any takers???


Savory Bean and Kale Soup

 I made this Better Homes and Gardens hearty soup for my family last night and it was a big hit. Every time I put something together that’s healthy and they actually LIKE it, apparently I have a habit of saying “It’s GOOD for you too!” And so now that line becomes a  sarcastic chorus from all three of my ungrateful kinfolk  as soon as one of them says – Hey, this is pretty good. 

 B H & G put this in their slow cooker recipe files, but I threw it in a big soup pot instead.

Savory Bean and Kale Soup

3 14 1/2 ounce cans vegetable broth

1 15 ounce can tomato puree

1 15 ounce can small white beans or Great Northern beans, rinsed and drained ( I put two cans in )

1/2 cup uncooked converted rice  (I threw in a little more rice)

1/2  cup finely chopped onion (1 medium)

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon dried basil, crushed

1/4 teaspoon salt  – I felt it needed more

1/4  teaspoon ground black pepper

8 cups coarsely chopped fresh kale leaves  – that’s too much for my picky family, but it is GOOD FOR YOU!

Finely shredded Parmesan cheese (optional – but in my opinion, necessary)

Directions – slow cooker version
1. In a 3-1/2- or 4-quart slow cooker combine broth, tomato puree, beans, rice, onion, garlic, basil, salt, and pepper.

2. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 5 to 7 hours or on high-heat setting for 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 hours.

My way  As I said, I threw everything but the Kale and Parmesan in a big soup pot and simmered it for a few hours, careful to check it now and then so as not to over boil. It takes a while for the northern beans and converted rice to soften and cook.  I put the Kale in for the last few minutes of simmering…and I put about a half cup of Parmesan cheese in the soup, mixed it up and served with crusty baguette bread dipped right in it.  YUM.

Coventry Regional Farmers Market and the Nathan Hale Homestead… ..and a war thrown in for good measure.

 We spent a glorious fall  Sunday afternoon taking in the swirling leaves and munching on freshly made still warm cider donuts as we inhaled the intoxicating woodsmoke scented air at the Nathan Hale Homestead here in Connecticut.  If you live within a two hour drive, it’s so worth the trip. Yankee Magazine voted the Coventry Regional Farmers Market  the best farmers market in New England and now I know why.  So many regional farmers, bee keepers, soap makers, bread bakers, musicians, artisans, and today…. a revolutionary war reenactment that was spectacular to watch.  Next weekend is  the last until next season,  here’s a link for more information.

The battle field for the reenactment of the Revolutionary war

 Preparing to fight…

the camp…

war horses….

Where there’s smoke there’s fire…

In this photo below you can see how close combat actually was…
basically they just shot each other until there was either a retreat or
no one left standing from the losing side.
For more information on the Revolutionary War, click  this LINK..

A little info about our State Hero Nathan Hale and the homestead,  found on it’s website……

The Nathan Hale Homestead was the home of the family of State Hero, Nathan Hale. Constructed in 1776, the current house is the second dwelling built on the property. Nathan’s father, Richard Hale, was a prosperous livestock farmer and built the house for his large family. Ardent patriots, six of Richard’s eight sons served in the patriot army. One son, Capt.

 Nathan Hale was caught and hanged as a spy at age 21 by the British in September of 1776. He is famous for his alleged last words, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.”

 Following the American Revolution, three Hale sons died from wounds received in the war. Their widows and children moved to the family homestead, so that an average of 12-20 people lived in the house at any one time.

The Homestead is a pristine example of a Georgian-style home. Although sold out of the Hale family in the 1820s, the house has remained virtually intact. The house was first restored by George Dudley Seymour, who saved the house in the early 20th century. Recent paint analysis has resulted in the repainting of the house interior in historic colors. The house is furnished with Hale-family pieces and period antiques and is based on the family inventories. The house was deeded to Connecticut Landmarks in the 1940s. Much of the acreage associated with the Hale farm, is now the Nathan Hale State Forest.

After touring the house and spying on the war in progress…
we wandered through the farmers market… oh, the heavenly food…
French Crepes!!!…
Fresh produce!

Cider sugar donuts hot off the fryer!!
I’m willing to bet you’ve never had better…

Hey, even Redcoats get hungry, don’t ya know.
These guys had an awesome folksy sound…
envision Wagon Wheel… do you know what I’m referring to?
One of my favorite songs around a campfire.
They call themselves Poor Old Shine.
I’d hire them for a wedding, I kid you not.
..and if you’re still with me here…
Look at the face we came across on our way out…
I think his mom said his name was Doodle, but with my hearing impairment
I’m pretty sure I heard that wrong.
You tell me… does he look like a Doodle to you?
 Hey..Doodle?.. I’d take you home in a heartbeat if only I could.

Charla & Chelsea have left the building!

 Last night I met  Lorin and Lilian at the Durham Veterinary Hospital as they claimed Charla and Chelsea, who were well enough to go home and begin treatment and recovery with their foster moms.  These two women are amazing.. the road to recovery  is intensive round the clock treatment of their skin condition, but the Parvo has been tackled, and they are already eating and starting to put on weight.  Chelsea almost lost her battle, but she got through the worst and survived. Both pups still have sores and raw, agitated skin… but they’ll be fine with the right care.  Sadly, their littermate died at the hands of the initial vet that was in charge of their care.  An article is in the news this morning… see link.
(thanks, Joey, for bringing this article to my attention)
  A big thank you to those of you who are contributing to their care, (see widget on left).  Every little bit counts, as it will cost about $5,000. to bring them back to full health.  Once they are healthy, they will be available for adoption.
Charla
Chelsea