Frasier – Page 2 – This Old House 2

Salty Dogs

Yesterday was one of those sweltering July days here in New England. The humidity is what gets me, bleh. I took Frasier and Sally down to Stella in hopes of a swim, but when we arrived – the low tide was the lowest I think I’ve ever seen it.. .and believe it or not – walking all the way across the cove to the other side would only get me less than waist deep. So, only wading – no swimming. We did that anyway.

Our beachfront consists of sand and muck and seaweed, oyster and clam shells. Lots of rocks too. Water shoes are necessary to get out into the water to swim. Frasier likes the water and will walk around in it shoulder deep – Sally? Not so much. She was in my arms when I snapped the pic below and she continued to “paddle” until we were back up on the grass. Here you can see the high tide mark – the dark coloring along the stone, steps and seawall. The difference between low tide and high tide in the cove, in a matter of hours!.. is 6 feet. That’s amazing to me.

M Jr. came down for supper and went clamming to enhance the meal..

K showed up after work too and together they began our next project – clearing the many rocks that have accumulated on our little tiny beachfront so that the water can push in more sand when we want to walk out to swim or sit in a chair there. There are two oyster beds on either side of our little stretch of “beach”. That’s where we’re putting the extra rocks – they fortify the oyster beds.

While Jr. was clamming, he pulled up this little guy – whom we tossed back in the ocean after taking a few pictures… His body is about the size of the palm of your hand, so he was a BIG hermit crab.

Little Sally is getting used to cottage life too – (who remembers Blueberries for Sal? One of my favorite childrens books) She’s got salty breeze-naps perfected.

Meanwhile, back in Tr*mpland, the mysterious ties and lies deepen. I don’t even know where to begin here, so I think…. I won’t. Drip Drip Drip…..

It’s a new day, all. Let’s make it a good one – thanks for stopping by.

The K-List

I think I’ve just stumbled upon a new post title concept. Finding appropriate titles can be challenging, especially those that reach all over the place. From here on, when you see the title “The K-List”, it will represent one of those ramblers, the kind of post that covers a bunch of stuff, the clutter that currently occupies my thoughts, and I promise at least one share of something cool I’ve also stumbled upon while out and about or cruising the ‘net. So perhaps when you see The K-List… grab a cup of coffee or tea if you’re so inclined to join me as I unload all the “stuff” here with you.

My husband and I embarked on a weight loss journey on January 1st of this year – We started with the nutrisystem plan and he stuck with it. I did not, because -all that processed food, loaded with gluten. I am not a celiac, but I have already proven to myself by trial and ERROR that gluten is not my best friend. When I eat it, as I occasionally still do because Cupcakes! Pizza! Fresh baked Bread!… I feel like crap the next day. Just really blah and the fibromyalgia flares. So that program did not work for me. I have lost -0- pounds since we began our quest – still have 15 to lose. M, however… has lost almost 60 pounds. Yes 60. He’s feeling fabulous, looks so much better, more comfortable in everything he does, I’m so very proud of him for his stick-to-it ability. I need to find some of that for myself.

Yesterday, out in the garden…. which looks quite pathetic lately due to all the rain.

My relationship with food is tricky. I LOVE FOOD – so many kinds of it. I don’t smoke and I don’t drink much. My go-to for comfort, for anxiety relief, for just pure enjoyment.. is good food. I love making good food for my people. Years ago that wasn’t an issue but now?…. because MENOPAUSE… I’ve got this darn spare tire around my middle and it feels gross.

There are so many worse things in life to be upset about though, so I will continue with my good intentions and the exercise I do manage to accomplish, and perhaps find a little more resolve to obtain my weight loss and better health goals.

We’ve been making frequent trips to the cottage in between the raindrops – Met with some of our new neighbors down there, what a lovely group of people. Father Jim lives nextdoor, and just his title made me a little nervous at first, because we all know I’m not particularly religious. We’ve come to know he is a very down to earth, warm, funny person, a wonderful neighbor, and his father is a real hoot! The cottages are fairly close together. We’re discovering residents for the most part are very friendly and like to socialize. Others prefer to keep to themselves, and that wish is respected.

When I visit Stella alone to mow the lawn or vacuum the cottage or water the plants (not necessary lately!!) I often bring Frasier and we walk the loop around the “island”. He has a bed and toys and bowls in the kitchen. He loves these trips, it’s almost as if I have a small child in tow again. * Ask me how much I look forward to having grandchildren to dote on some day. ** No pressure on my children!! OK maybe a little. ***But not yet! When you’re ready. Love you! (I can see the eye rolls from here)

*Frasier could use a little weight loss too. I keep saying he’s just fluffy, not fat.

Someone left an anonymous comment after my last post – it read simply “BooHoo”. My initial reaction was insult. But, you know… this is so true for all of us. Someone else’s issues aren’t my burden. When I read a comment like that I feel sorry for the person who left it…. a someone who can’t appreciate people who care about all of us.

I’m angry with the current administration because I feel we aren’t being told truths, the little guy is being walked all over, rights are being taken away, we’re going backwards regarding the environment, equal rights, tolerance, respect. The lies and bad behavior aren’t just my opinion, they are laid out before all of us coming right from the source. I’m not crying about it, I’m voicing my opinion, and contributing where I think it will help make a difference. My intentions and actions are always in favor of a better society for all of us. I am not -of a party-. My “party” didn’t lose. Our society is losing, daily, lately.

Sharing today a recipe I found in Southern Livings new Best Drives and Dives publication…

Missouri’s Pint Size Bakery Oatmeal Creme cookie recipe. I plan to make this for the next family picnic …. it is suggested that they be kept in the fridge until served.

Chewy Oatmeal Cookies
Cookies
1 c unsalted butter, softened
1 c firmly packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tbs light molasses
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt
2 large eggs
2 c unbleached all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
2 1/4 c uncooked regular oats
Parchment paper

Marshmallow Fluff Buttercream
1 c unsalted butter, softened
1/2 c powdered sugar
1/8 tsp salt
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1 7 oz jar marshmallow fluff

1. Prepare cookies: Preheat oven – 350 degrees. Beat first 6 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs, beating until blended. Combine flour, soda, and cinnamon. add to butter mixture, beating at low speed just until blended. Stir in oats.

2. Using a 1 oz scoop, scoop dough, 3 inches apart, onto parchment paper lined baking sheets. Chill 20 minutes or until firm.

3. Bake at 350 for 10 to 12 minutes or until a medium golden brown with soft centers. Cool on pans 5 minutes. Transfer cookies to wire racks; cool completely.

4. Prepare Marshmallow Fluff Buttercream. When cookies are cool, beat first 4 ingredients until creamy and smooth. Gradually add marshmallow fluff, beating just until blended. Spon about 2 tbs buttercream onto bottoms of 20 cookies. Top with remaining 20 cookies.

Makes 20 cookie sandwiches.

After mucking stalls this morning and on my way back from the manure dump, I passed one of our favorite spots on the farm to relax and enjoy the summer breezes… the hammocks on the hill. While it’s drizzly this morning yet again and there’s more rain in the forecast, I’m reminded there are always, always things to be grateful for. In this picture, the hay is tall and thick, the grass is green, and the hammocks are there to enjoy in the summer days to come.

*Recharge your soul with positive thinking. Start your day by affirming that life is good*

Till soon, friends –

Summer neighborhood

After barn chores and coop chores and a haircut for Frasier on the back deck, a wellness check at the vet in a nearby town for Frasier and Bailey, and a major cleanup effort when I arrived home to find a shelf in the fridge had broken while the husband was -lookin-for-somethin- and therefore the glass jars of pickles, vinegar, relish, jam, syrup.. had shattered all over the floor leaving every bit of every thing in the vicinity sticky and glass shardy and he-who-had-a-meeting couldn’t do a proper job cleaning it up so just do it, K? …

After that…

… I said Frasier?.. waddya say you and I go down to Stella and see what’s going on in our Summer ‘hood. I need fresh air, don’t you?

He agreed whole heartedly so we hopped back in Emma (my Jeep) and off we went. Do you name your cars? When I moved to CT from NY my plate was Ema and a number. I have kept that plate ever since (30 years now) and therefore, the car I drive is Ema. (pronounced Emma).

Emma and Stella amongst the Forsythia… a sight for sore eyes.

As soon as we got there we met with a neighbor, a lovely older woman who has been summering at her cottage for over 60 years, since the age of 6. I gave her a little tour of our progress and she was over the moon – as was I at the prospect of such a lovely person just up the hill, on the other side of Father Jim’s place.

Once inside, I took note of the cluttered sitting area in the cottage and moved all the stuff, because I hadn’t already done enough to my aching back so I knew I should push it just a little more for good measure. I think it looks better now, more balanced, less cluttered. If you’re wondering why I placed an off-white rug in a summer cottage space where there will indeed be sandy feet traffic regularly, I don’t have a reasonable answer.

Then I finished setting up my husbands sand jar collection… for many years when a friend would travel he would ask if they would bring back a bit of sand or rock, etc. from their destination. We’ve done the same when we vacation. The collection is quite exotic now, none of the exotic locations having come from our excursions.. with sands from Ireland, Bermuda, Australia, India, Greece, Cuba, Hawaii, the Hoover Dam, Bali, etc… and the collection sat in a big box in the basement for all this time. I’m thinking I should have nicknamed Stella “The Sand Box” now that she’s given the collection a home.

So after shuffling all that stuff around, I almost sat for a moment to enjoy the view out the window, when I caught a glimpse of my rear in a mirror… and remembered right quick why the walk was the most important goal of the day. (*sigh)

As we walked the lane there were daffodils everywhere….

At the rock jetty Frasier did a little wade-in….. which he quickly surmised was foolish given the frigid water and new haircut status.

Along with the daffodils were a lot of these in the woods…

I believe these are Lesser Celandine…

More daffs….

and as we rounded the last bend heading back to the cottage,

we met another neighbor who lives there year round..

another warm and welcoming person who’s gardens

are beautiful…

Speaking of gardens…

this weekend we top soiled, hayed and seeded the little lawn

and planted the road side border –

All shade loving plants as this side of the house

is full shade with just a little diffuse sun

Astilbe, Hosta, two hydrangea bushes,

coral bells.

I’m back home now, contemplating dinner…

reminding myself of that rear reflection in the mirror earlier today.

The Struggle Is Real.

Seaside Gardening

Today was glorious… reached the 60’s! I got the itch to stick my hands in the soil and where better to do it than Stella. First stop was my favorite local garden center – where I proceeded to spend a ridiculous amount of money on perennials, all of which I can assure you I absolutely needed. I have not quite assured the husband of this, but he hasn’t had dinner yet, it’s still early.

What did I get? I had to keep in mind these perennials needed to be zone 6 hardy, salt tolerant, some had to like full sun, some had to like shade, some had to like a mix of both. I got four Rosa Rugosa in white, for the cliff on the side of our seawall that once had happy scrubbery that used to live under an ugly overhanging deck we ripped out. There’s a big dirt pocket there now and Rosa Rugosa are hardy “beach rose” variety – complete with some NASTY THORN issues – WOW. I decided right quick I was not going to attempt to plant those prickly bastards, no… on THIS subject I am a delicate wall flower and the planting of the prickers will be left to THE BOYZ.

I also got Canadian blue hosta because right now I really like Canada.. a lot!… not only do they appear to be more civil and kind than us, I have a big crush on their Prime Minister. The hosta is for the side of the house(shade) – and there’s Alium giganteum, American cranberry and Blue Fortune Anise Hyssop – (what a mouthful but a simple plant, really)…. Those items are for the full sun Fire Pit Garden. Coral bells in two varieties were planted along the side of the yard that has what looks like a 575 year old split rail fence shared with Father Jim. I was very careful while planting not to sneeze in the fence’s vicinity for fear that it would topple. We want to start out on the right foot with the Father.

We planted these shrubs in the fall to ~~hide~~ protect! the guestimated 575 year old fence. The Coral bells, if happy there, should fill out that bed nicely.

Once the planting was done, Frasier and I sat down at waters edge and just breathed it all in.

Meanwhile… back at the ranch, the Mr. has been planting Onions. 575 of them. I kid you not.

People let me tell ya ’bout my best friend

Can anyone tell me where that line came from? It should apply to our canine companions, truly wo(man)’s best friend. So much we could learn from them, should learn from them. They live in the moment, they forgive as quickly as the offense took place, they love unconditionally, they accept everything as it is, they don’t judge, their needs are so very simple. Uncomplicated beings. If only we could all follow suit. Alas, we are far too complex a creature.

I am lucky enough to work from home, whether it’s on the farm out back or in this house as it’s domestic engineer or at this computer editing, editing, editing. My coworkers are my dogs. Right now as I sit here typing, they surround me contented that I am near, the rat-tat-tat of the keyboard lulling them to sleep. Their presence in my daily life is a treasure and I know many of you feel the same for your canine family members.

While I may feel a little lost in this empty nest at times…. these characters keep me grounded with their expressions, their pure joys, their contentment at living in the moment in the company of the peoples that they love. There are some that say dogs don’t feel or understand love. I say they’ve never lived with a dog, never truly loved a dog. Because if they did, then they would know a whole new language and perhaps gain a new respect for these beings we are so lucky to have in our presence. Is there any mistaking the look on that face above… he knows by the jangle of the car keys in my hand that I am going out on an errand and he is staying behind.

I’ve got a dog biscuit recipe to share with you today – the person who gave the recipe to me calls them Newf bars because she has a giant newfoundland named Carbon who loves them.

Home Made Newf Bars for Dogs

6 cups oatmeal

4 eggs

1/3 cup honey

1 cup milk

2 mashed bananas (optional)

2 cups whole wheat flour

1/4 cup oil

1/4 cup molasses

1 large can solid pack pumpkin (also optional)

Preheat oven to 325. Grease cookie sheet that has lip. Dump all ingredients in large bowl. Mix the whole mess together using your hands (easiest- and tip: remove rings beforehand). Pat onto greased cookie sheet and bake for 1 hour. Turn off oven, crack door open and allow cookies to cool in the oven. Break into whatever size you want. These freeze really well too.

When opposites occupy one household

First.. thank you to all who commented on my Fibro post the other day – your input is so appreciated as I navigate this -thing-. I’m changing my diet to stay away from gluten, dairy and pork, I’m going to lose that damned 15 lbs and I am continuing to work out, even when it hurts. I’m talking a magnesium supplement and I am going to try like heck to get more sleep and less stress.

Speaking of which…. the post title. *sigh I love my husband, he’s got many good qualities. We all have some crap qualities too, and with luck and effort we manage to find balance and happiness most of the time with our chosen partners. When it comes to politics, we in this house are polar opposites on some very important things. And yet we agree on others. He is a dyed in the wool Republican, I am unaffiliated. I believe the party system divides us further, and what this nation does not need is further division. ( Man, the headlines lately. Not even going there, we’re all sick over it.)

We are so divided on some big issues, that we have vowed not to talk politics with each other, period. How far do you think that got us? It’s just about impossible, and leads to some pretty heated discussions. Neither of us is going to change the others mind, so the arguing is futile. And yet. Have you ever looked at your significant other with disgust and thought…. how can he/she possibly think that way? I’m sure my husband has the same thoughts about me on occasion. What is most damaging is when the person you have chosen to share your life with treats your ideas as if they are ridiculous and without any value or berates your intelligence just because your views are different than his/hers. I try not to do that, but I don’t always succeed. Neither does my other half. Wouldn’t it be awesome if those in the BIG HOUSE could figure out how to debate and find solutions for the BIG STUFF without doing the same. And yet…

The Dog Days Of Summer are here… nothing like the A/C to keep those dogs cool.

Three little eggs in the nest made in a wreath on my front door. One hatched so far…

Hoping you are all finding peace of mind in the lazy days of Summer and may there we Peace on this restless earth once and for all………..

Just Sayin-

Porch Sitting and Community gathering and OH, what a SUCKY MOVIE, but a few good books

I wish for every person to have a place to call home where there is a porch to sit and contemplate, to rest, to find respite from the troubles of the world. It need not be fancy – it need not be decorated with fine furnishings and fancy trinkets. Heck, where I come from a folding chair out in the driveway or in the open-door garage would suffice as you watched the action out on the street or watered the postage stamp “lawn”. (That always cracked me up – a neighbor just two doors down had a lawn about 20 x 20 with a sidewalk down the middle – and don’t ya know that lawn was perfectly edged and fertilized and watered, always. ) I’ve talked about porches before, forgive me for singing their praise here again. I just feel right now especially.. we all need a porch sit.

This is my backyard view, can you see the hummer at the feeder?

Thank you to the few who braved comments in my previous posts. I don’t ever swear that I will agree with you and I almost always have more to say. But.. I am grateful for your comments when they are genuine and not with malice. I think we accomplish that most often, even if we don’t walk away in agreement. I wish that for the world too… and the porches.

Saturday was the second farm market of my four market season. The turnout was terrific and the vision of neighbors, children, strangers, vendors and volunteers coming together, sharing good conversation, browsing the “stuff” and just enjoying something that is NOT the stuff of headlines.. well, it was so good for my soul. If you’ve got these kind of community markets or town picnics, etc. in your area, don’t pass them up. They are an affirmation of all that is GOOD out there, so be a part of it when you can. Join in, support your locals, talk to your neighbors, strangers, children, vendors, volunteers, etc. etc. etc.

Our sons went to school together and this guy is just always with a smile

on his face and a willingness to lend a hand. We need more of that.

Mike and I watched BY THE SEA last night – Don’t waste your time on this movie. Directed by and starrring Angelina and Brad Pitt, it was terrible. Briefest summary – nothing but glamour shots of two shallow people dressed to the nines with very little substance underneath. We kept watching because we thought – surely there’s more to it than this…. but.. there wasn’t. When they finally reveal something that is indeed a tragedy for some people, you don’t even care, these guys are so shallow. And.. someone please throw her a cheeseburger, with bacon.. every day for the next six months. I had high hopes, because although there didn’t seem to be much chemistry in their Mr. and Mrs. Smith roles, Angie did such a great job with her first to directorial movies, I thought this would be a hit too. This one was so bad I don’t know what she was thinking other than an opportunity to wear what she perceives as fabulous cloths while she sulks around in beautiful malta. Clearly she failed at directing herself.

Are you a reader? I am at a loss when I don’t have something to read on my bedside table. Hard to fall asleep without reading at least a little bit before lights out. I just read Anderson Coopers new book, a correspondence between he and his mother (you may have seen the interview on TV)… and I have to tell you… I like him a lot, I like her very very little.. to be blunt, what a flake. Just received both Nobodys Fool and Everyones Fool from Amazon, looking forward to diving into those as I’ve heard they are a good read. I need to leave the TV off for a while, too disgusted with no answers …nothing ruins sleep better than the nightly news as of late…

… Off.. to the porch.

Snow and a tale of two sisters…

Ah, the lovely snow we’ve accumulated in a sudden storm that was going to be “just an inch or two”… they said. “not much at all”… they said.

Poor Frasier gets snowballs stuck to his fur…

I’m debating pulling out the clippers this afternoon.

My new neighbor, who lives in the cabin on the hill behind This Old House, is on her way home from Pennsylvania right now with not one, but TWO puppies she adopted from one of our rescues down there. It’s a beautiful thing… these two sisters will get to grow up together here in Connecticut, right up there on the hill. Their mom was a lab and their dad is unknown. Mom was pulled from a kill shelter, pregnant… and cared for by our friend, an ACO who helps with our adoption events. Mom wasn’t particularly fond of being a mom in the beginning, and these girls and their siblings had to be bottle fed for a while until she figured things out. Or accepted her new roll?… Anyway.. she will be spayed and these two girls are the last in the litter to be adopted. All is well that ends well.

I hope I get to hug them a little later today…………….

Mom asked for Snow, and other “stuff”

So my mom asked why I haven’t posted snow pictures here on the blog of our farm, etc…. I told her they’re all on Facebook and if she’d only just come around to the thought of a simple facebook page commitment, she’d get to enjoy all those pictures like everyone else… not to mention pics of her family and friends (some older than she!)… who embraced Facebook for that very reason. I tried setting her up, and it lasted for fifteen seconds. That’s no exaggeration, maybe 20 seconds to be safely accurate. A minor hissy fit ensued and the page was taken down. About 25 of her friends/family even friended her in that 20 seconds, welcoming her to the 21st century!… and yet.

So, mom, these snow pictures are for you, and then on to some other “stuff” to share, like recipes and a sneak peek at my rocking horse restoration project. Oh, how I have loved this project.

So… SNOW….

Frasier for good measure….

A great lemon bar recipe for those of you who like to bake, and love lemon like we do.. These are delicious. However, I attempted them with a gluten free flour to use in the crust.. the Crust.. was Dust. So, don’t do that. Follow the recipe given in the link HERE .

One of my family’s favorite soups will be served for dinner tonight – a perfect winter eve’s comfort food… although, it does involve Velveeta (is that even a real food? I don’t dare read the ingredients list). Because I only serve this a few times a winter season, we’ll look the other way, OK? Recipe HERE *not my photo

A sneak peek at the rocking horse restoration – before and after to come soon… almost done!

I’m too lazy this morning to figure out how to rotate the image.. but you get the picture… stay tuned!

-CLICK –

At 50 I’m still learning, still growing up ( and out, just ask my jeans)… but this, I know, is true – you’re never to old for personal growth.. just have to be open to it. For me that means letting go of a few things and owning up to a few others.

Who among us hasn’t experienced anguish, stress, anger, disappointment, anxiety, loss, regret, embarrassment, pain – both emotional and physical. It’s part of the experience of living, can’t be avoided. The key is to roll with it, not let it consume you, not let it waste the “precious”…… the time we have to enjoy the things that mean the most. What that is to each of us is probably very similar even in it’s differences. It’s the little things, the things we might easily put aside if we let the negatives consume us, that can enrich us the most and help us find balance.

One of my pure joys – I take a lot of pictures. Remember the little boy in the movie Sixth Sense and his famous line….. “I see dead people”. If you’re a shutterbug, you know what I mean when I say… ” I see Pictures” … everywhere I go. Meaning, I see things I want to capture, hold on to, stash in the memory file because I love them so…. in the slant of light on fallen leaves… in the regal stance of my dog on a stump in the field…. in the red hues of the trees behind my red horse. You get the picture…

….because she looooooooves her cat.

… I get to walk this lane daily… in all seasons its a beautiful thing…

…these halloween geeks.. I love them so.

So go.. take pictures mentally or physically, see the beauty in all that is around you. It’s there in the steam off your morning coffee… in the light slanting through your windows, in the crayon scribble masterpiece your toddler left on the newly painted wall, in the smile from a stranger just because… in the “thank you” your father mouthed as you turned to leave. – CLICK –