Tap tap tap ….. is anyone out there?

 

There was a time some years ago when I blogged daily – it all started when we bought this ancient farm house and began the renovation. I thought some people might like to follow along and this was an easy way to share the journey.  So, this blog was born and back-in-the-day,  grew to  about 400 visitors to the blog daily.  I enjoy writing and it has been part of my career, so blogging was a good creative exercise for me. I also met some friends I still cherish to this day, fellow bloggers, some of whom still blog at least occasionally.  I’m not sure what I want to do with it now, but this morning I decided to visit this space and so here I am – and I hope all is well with you!

Our two grandchildren are now 8 and ten months old – they are such a joy in our lives and we feel so blessed that they live here on the farm with their parents.  The moms work part time, so I am their part time daycare and I get to spend some real quality time with them.  Another blessing.

Christmas was wonderful with these little babes and I am so proud of our kids as they grow into their roles as parents. They’re doing such a great job at it and that warms my heart 💗

I retired from my role as Editor of our local news publication  and have spent more time focused on the farm/barn needs and the grands.  We sold the seaside cottage because it become more work than enjoyment and this farm takes effort too. Looking back, I don’t regret the decision, it feels like it was the right thing to do.  I’d like to travel at least occasionally before I die, so that helps the plan. When you own a second place, it tethers you to feeling like you should spend all your free time there in that one place.

I’ve gone on more hikes with my  rescued dog and good buddy Kai, a better walking partner I have not ever had.  He’s not a puller, a gentleman for sure on leash.  That’s huge for me.    I wouldn’t ever be accused of being a gym rat – I don’t enjoy treadmilling it or spending an hour in a gym with 50 other people … but walking and hiking and seeing the beauty of the land and different scenery is something I can get behind and really enjoy.  So if you’re like minded, I highly recommend it.  No matter where you live, you’ll find interesting places to explore.  And when you enjoy the exercise you’re doing, you’re more likely to DO IT.   I love the phone app  Alltrails – an excellent tool for navigating trail systems just about anywhere.

 

I’ve been cooking a lot.. here are two tried and true recipes that are easy to put together and are definitely family approved.

Italian Beef Soup

 I bought a decent chuck roast to use in it. I also used Romano Cheese as throw on, not Parm. Plenty of leftovers – perfect for a winter supper.
(Serves 5 )
INGREDIENTS
4 lbs. Boneless Beef Chuck Pot Roast
2 tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
14 oz. Carrots, peeled and diced
5 oz. Celery, whole stalks
1 Onion (6oz.), peeled and cut in half
2 tsp. Salt, plus extra to season the meat
1 tsp. Black Pepper, plus extra to season the meat
4 cups Low Sodium Beef Broth
4 Cups Water
1 Cup Tomato Sauce
1 lb. small Pasta, I use ditalini
Grated Cheese to Garnish, I use Pecorino Romano
METHOD
Season both sides of the meat with salt and pepper. Heat up the olive in a large soup pot. Put the meat in the pot and sear for about 4 to 5 minutes on both sides and remove from the pot. Add in the onion, celery, carrots and season with salt and pepper. Cook on a low flame for about 5 to 8 minutes.
Add in the broth, water and tomato sauce. Be sure to scrape the bits off the bottom of the pan with your wooden spoon. Add the meat back to the pot. Put the lid on the pot, only leaving a small part open to let some of the steam out.
At three hours mark take the beef out. Using two forks, shred the beef.
Add the beef back to the pot and simmer for a half hour. In the meantime, boil your pasta.
Serve the soup with the pasta and garnish with grated Pecorino.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Thumbprint cookies – Google Allrecipes thumbprint cookies for the recipe. These are so good.  I used blueberry preserves this time but any jam will do!
Some of the best advice I’ve ever gotten were four simple words…
Let go or be dragged. 
        It’s time to head out into the winter chill to feed horses, goats and chickens and muck stalls.   Been doing it for 40 or so years and while my body complains a bit, the work also fortifies me,  body and soul.  Hard to explain and my husband often says “I don’t know how you do it, over and over and over again”  especially when the weather is yuck.  My connection with the animals is why I do it…. and  if you know, you know.
     Wishing you, me and everyone we hold dear a healthy, happy 2024 and beyond – If  I’ve still got any readers here and you’re still blogging,  leave your blog address in the comments so I can visit you later on today.
 Till soon –

17 thoughts on “Tap tap tap ….. is anyone out there?”

  2. Thank you for publishing today. I am not a blogger, rather a “listener.” Listening to the words of a blog in my mind makes me establish a connection with the writer. Please continue to post.
    The Italian Beef Soup looks delicious…we will give it a try.

  3. I am still here, but if i had the full life you have I would not be. Your babies are so beautiful and sorry to hear the cottage is gone, but agree it was a good idea. I can tell you that you will not beleive how quickly you will find your self my age, 79, hubby 87 and our great grands are teens, our kids are seniors, all past 55 and here we are.
    I enjoyed catching up with how things have been, enjoy your wonderful life while you can. back when you were blogging, I think you followed my
    blog https://snapperone.blogspot.com but now I think you would rather brows https://fourpawsetc.blogspot.com/ because you can see my 80 pound baby that is 10 and has been here 3 years now. lots of critters on that blog.. my sons dogs and cats and our Beau

  4. Look at your sweet sweet babies! Grandchildren are so good! The best my friend. You sound great and I think of you fondly always. The blogging days of years ago were fun and it is good to write. I miss it, yet I haven’t visited mine in a while. I’m sad to hear about Stella, but entirely get it. Life needs to be what you need, not necessarily always what you think you want. That’s probably a sentence more for me than for you, but maybe all of us? Love you sweet girl.

    1. Oh Deb, exactly that! You can’t always get what you want… .but if you try sometimes.. you just might find….. you get what you need. (Are you singing it now? I AM! lol) Love you, too, dear friend.. I hope all is well in your world. Bummer there isn’t a blog post for me to read over at your place.

  5. I love to read about your doings, farmwork, house, animals. And what a blessing to have two grandchildren, at your own place, to help take care of. Beautifull they both are! We have a small farm too, in Holland, with animals and a huge veggie garden. And we were also blessed with two healthy grandsons, last fall. So, half planet between us … and such similar lives. 😉

    And I lóve that last picture … what a beautiful & peaceful place you have created! Wish you all the best for 2024 and lots of fun with the little ones!

    1. Well thank you for the kind words! Congrats to you for your two grandsons, they are such a gift, aren’t they? A whole new world, grandparenthood. Holland! I’ll visit your blog, thank you for stopping by 🙂

  6. Hi Karen! Not a blogger but I’ve really enjoyed reading yours over the years and I would find myself regularly checking here to see if you would ever return. Happy to see that you have!
    I also have my first grandbaby…. a little girl now 6 months old. Unfortunately, they are several states away, so I envy the close proximity of your two!
    Hope you continue with periodic updates on your going-one!

    1. Congrats on your granddaughter! And thank you for stopping in, I do think I’ll continue to post periodically, I’ve missed the sharing!

  7. Hey there! SO happy to see you here. I hadn’t checked my blog since Oct, and then just posted myself. I much prefer the blog but so few that I used to know, do it at all anymore. IG has it’s place , but for me mostly for DIY and recipes. It’s still my journal for me.

    Your recipe looks fabulous. I will definitely try.

    I was surprised you sold the cottage, but understand. I always wanted a family place like that- not too far away, close enough for weekends for extended family. My two are not having kids,no so no grandchildren, so no need for that someday dream.
    I’m still plugging away at the purge and helping the daughter of my oldest friend who recently passed. Often I am just curled up with a book or crafting in studio. Happy New year!

    1. You create such an oasis in your own home, I’m sure that feels like a peaceful retreat when your kids visit! I’ll come visit your blog!…. I don’t have a functioning blog roll with this newer platform… blogger was easier in that respect.

  8. Hi Karen!

    Happy New Year!
    I have missed you so much! It’s awesome to “see” you again.
    Your family is growing by leaps and bounds and those babies are as cute as can be. Love those blue eyes.
    Welcome back.

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