Author: Rene

When we use the words, “I’m stuck,” we’re telling my two-year old granddaughter that we are feeding one of the twins, burping, changing, rocking to sleep, thus unable to attend to her needs. Sometimes it’s useful to be stuck, sometimes it is not. Yesterday, I was truly stuck – in the car wash.

It was a new experience. Being mid-wash on the rails of a behemoth facility with chamois cloths hemming you in is interesting. Had I known I’d be in there for ten minutes I would have taken a Power Nap. I could have begun addressing Christmas cards, filing my nails, or cleaning out my satchel. Instead I sat there wondering if and when I would be released, unable to make a phone call because an inoperable car wash is still very noisy.

Off I go to get myself stuck again with a more pleasurable form – baby duty.

Perusing the Pinterest choices for ideas, I came across this “lovely” item, billed as the “hot new idea” for charcuterie boards. Who would even want to touch this odd display?

”I want that cracker on the bottom,” would be my first comment. After that, the roof would cave in, the dip and pepperoni mushing to the bottom thus decapitating the snowman made of marshmallows?

You won’t be pawing through this presentation at my house so you’re safe to visit! Looking forward to the festivities and joy of the season.

Look who wandered through the backyard looking for deals yesterday! A herd romped through our property to the neighbor’s house – well, two bucks and five does. How many are in a herd?

We knew someone was traipsing through the backyard as one of our saplings has been mowed over. It was what I call a “coyote day.” That’s my term for the grey, dreary days when a coyote could sneak around undisturbed, and often did when they were more prevalent. I even opened the draperies in the kitchen early morning because I anticipated a possible wildlife sighting, not to get any warmth from the sun which was hiding all day.

It was a perfect “Black Friday” shopping day.

The pie crust probably only took five minutes – I forgot to time it. I did manage to splatter the pumpkin filling all over the countertop, coffee maker, blinds and backsplash. Also, the traditional “Five Minute Fudge” I have made successfully hundreds of times did not set properly, although it was quite tasty.

There is a five-minute rule floating around here somewhere? Oh, I see more pumpkin splatter now that the early morning light is directed towards the sink. Great! I was wondering what I would do with my free time today? One thing is certain and that is the breakfast fare. Pumpkin pie!

Thanks for the thanks, faithful readers. “Onward ever, ceasing never.”

The pumpkin pie is ready, the turkey rests in wait,
Piling up our blessings on this very special date.

Remembering our loved ones, those gone, those far and near,
Toasting to the memories with family so dear.

Wishing strength and joy to soothe the weary souls,
Prayers for peace to fill the hearts with empty holes.

We find that even in this world, torn with war and strife,
Goodness can be found in every corner of our life.

While we dine and feast on food prepared with care and love,
Take a moment, raise your eyes, and thank the Lord above.

Pumpkin pie, I love mine. Specifically, I love my pie crust. It’s the 8th grade Home Ec recipe copied and saved for eternity in my little index box. Flour, water, shortening and salt. No sugar. No milk. Nothing too grand, but homemade and perfectly suited to my liking of “crust pliability.”

Now, I could never do a cooking or baking show – well, I could, and it would be rather humorous for viewers looking for actual tips and hints and recipes – but I think I could throw together a good 15-minute pie crust demo. Maybe become a TikTok sensation for the holidays?

Now that I think about it, I’m going to do a “Name that Tune” challenge today. “Make that pie crust” in five minutes or less. I’ll report on Friday, but I’ll start the challenge with ingredients secured in the cupboard, just for that highly anticipated outcome.

Happy prepping, turkey traditionalists and steak-break-the mold peeps.

Today’s post. It’s Thanksgiving week. Thaw the turkey, bake the pies, clean the kitchen, make your “gratefulness” list. TTFN.

Perhaps you, too, were a lucky recipient of damp sheets when you were a youngster? You were allowed to iron those same sheets that were going to be slept on and wrinkled that very night! Even as a kid I did not understand the purpose of that task. However, I did love smelling those line-dried linens and the fresh start of crisply-ironed sheets.

Looking forward to doing laundry today and considering placing a clothesline in the backyard. With this temperate weather I could enjoy the solar and wind benefits! Perhaps the installation could be considered a tax deduction?

I have my baby book, complete with my date of birth, height and weight, and first word. That’s it. The baby books for the siblings who followed were blank. One could say it gave them an air of mystique, not knowing any of those vital facts.

Of course, being the eldest, there are mostly only photos of me in infancy and early childhood, a rare photo here and there of my brother, a few with my sister. When my youngest sister arrived on the scene, I was of the age to use a camera fairly successfully. Thus, some of her childhood is documented in color.

My children’s baby books are detailed and completed filled. They have scrapbooks loaded with precious memories. I don’t think they’ve ever looked at them.

Truly, my mother was accurate in her assessment of the value of a baby book.

Waking from a fabulous dream, albeit one where my wallet was stolen – an occurrence which has happened to me at least three times and is fodder for another day – I took my morning stroll to retrieve the outdated mode of communication from the bottom of the driveway.

There, staring at me from the yard, in the gently breaking dawn, was a beautiful doe. We just watched each other, with me hoping there was enough green grass for her to munch on so she would leave the trees alone. (So far the septic field has provided the feast in good supply.) It made me wonder who else has been watching when I head down the pavement in the total darkness with my phone flashlight?

I used to be more of a night owl than morning person, and I still prefer that feeling of being the only one awake while everyone else slept. It felt like I was “on watch” and could relax once the morning came. (That’s got to be fodder for a therapist?) However, changing tides of grandparenthood have me rising early and getting my fanny in bed at a decent hour.

The darkness is now my early morning friend and we enjoy each other’s company, cup of coffee in hand.