TINY LITTLE HUGE ACCOMPLISHMENT for a sick person

FINALLY THE COUNTER TOP OVEN is sparkling clean inside and out.  As best as I can get it for now.  I could spend a couple more hours scouring the deep crevices with cleaner and a toothbrush to massage the ick out of the dark places, but don't think I will today.  She's pretty clean.  Looks great for an old appliance.

My energy level is very low.  I work a bit then sit a bit.  Work a bit then sit.  SO I need all the help I can get.  Short cuts appreciated.

A funny happened while I was cleaning the wire racks.  Sprayed them with oven cleaner and waited a day to hand wash them, but there was still baked on grease on them so I sprayed the racks again with oven cleaner and sat them on a patio table to keep them out of the house.  

Knowing I would wash them the next day, I left them outside.  A strong storm came with heavy rain washing the oven cleaner off of the wire bake racks.  They were powered washed in a way. They sparkled.  Grins.  I was spared the elbow grease this go round.

THIS WEEK, I'll see about tackling the large Kitchen oven.  

All the appliances need to sparkle as well.

HAPPY CLEANING,
~d👩

MAY I REMEMBER,  this is the day the Lord hath made.  I will rejoice and be glad in it.  Heal me Lord and I will be healed.  Save me Lord and I will be saved for you are my PRAISE!  

Tis Sunday and company is on their way to our place.  We have comfortable chairs to sit on while we visit in the Living room.  We can fix iced tea to drink or have coffee and/or bottled water.

Think we'll have lunch at a restaurant instead of fixing something in our defunct Kitchen that is being boxed up for our move.

Off to the shower I go.  Need to wash my hair and air dry.  Will posh up my face some with make-up. 

We took a short walk this morning in the cool of the day.  It's what I hope to do each morning until surgery where recovery time will be required.  Then I will hopefully continue the walking after I can manage it.  Health Nut Time.  I pray we can continue to become healthier people as we age. 

Yesterday, Hubby worked on our yard all day with beautiful results.  The yard looks like it needs to.  Lovely.  He worked so hard on this.  It shows.  We have some day lilies that will be popped out of the ground and relocated to the COTTAGE later this week.

In my mind's eye I can see where we need to go with the COTTAGE yard.  A new adventure.

I managed to haul some antique wooden valances and a few other things to the COTTAGE then do a load of laundry.  Back to the main house for supper and moving an antique Plantation Writing Desk to the main floor.  Is going down stairs easier than going up?  We still have to take care carrying heavy pieces of furniture.  This took some doing as we were both very tired from the day's events.  We managed and the desk is sitting in the Living room.  We have another desk that needs brought downstairs as well.  Some recliners, mattresses and box springs and a Tall Boy.

I'll continue carrying heavy boxes down the stairs and stacking them in the Dining room.  My goal this week is to have all the boxes stacked and ready to locate to a storage unit.  Pray I make it.  Then the journey begins of transporting these boxes to the storage unit.

One big sigh will take place when this is completed.

I'll practice sighing,
~d 

PRECIOUS SATURDAY

COOLER TEMPS!  Wondering what LIFE would be like if our SUMMER DAYS were all like today's weather.  Gray skies with cool temps in the low 70s.  The French doors in the Living room are open allowing the fresh air inside.  The outdoor sounds are amplified to where I can be entertained.

The lovely chirps of the singing birds mesmerizes me into thinking I could spend my time doing this all the time.  It's a way for me to relax.  A gentle breeze is blowing the leaves in the trees.  The large tree outside the screened-in porch is the focus of attention.  Off to the side of this mammoth tree stands what I call a baby tree.  I've named it MY TREE.  Watching it grow from last year when it was simply a sprout shooting up from the ground has been interesting.  After we move, I wonder if the new owners of the property will allow it to grow into a mature tree.

I told myself that after we move, I do not want to drive by the house for at least a year.  It will be hard to leave this place as I love it.  Why move then?  Our finances will be healthier if we do. Tending to the property is a great responsibility.  Hubby and I both have slowed to a pace that it will be better to not have so much property to tend to.  

Though I love the large lot this house sits on.  It doesn't seem possible that we have lived here 6 years already.    

Today, I am loading the car with things to take to the COTTAGE.  The Plantation Desk needs to be brought down from upstairs.  We'll do this after HUBBY wakes from his nap.  I'll drive over to the COTTAGE to unload some things and do a load of laundry.  I need to write out the bills, tidy the Kitchen at HOME and box up more things for relocating.

Company is coming tomorrow.  I'll need to be ready for them.

~d

THURSDAY

HUBBY IS OUTSIDE grooming the flowerbed that is overgrown with baby trees and much more.  The squirrels tend to bury acorns which produce small trees.  The little farmers come in so handy at times besides just watching them run up and down preexisting trees in the yard.  

I'm hoping my Husband will spare some trees by planting the seedlings in containers so I can take these with me when we leave the property.  The soil is fertile around this place which means growing a garden would have been a huge plus.  As we have lived here, we have not tended to a vegetable garden.  That's not saying very much is it?  We gardened our beloved Irises.  

Our next yard, though it is small, will have a small vegetable garden.  Patio containers will be used along with some vegetables planted in the ground.  

AFTER having such blistering hot days, the temp has cooled since we had rain.  The day is a excellent one to be outside working the flowerbeds over.  I think I will go out and pull some weeds.  The flowerbed by the screened in porch has been taken over by small trees and weeds. It's 73 degrees right now which is wonderful conditions for working outside when 67 years old verses 100 degrees.  I can't do the heat anymore.  

I decided to open the French doors to let some fresh air inside as I type.  This is one of the things I so enjoy when the weather is less threatening.  I can hear the sounds about town as if they are next door.  A train just blew her whistle as I listen to the rumbling of the wheels going through town.  Birds are singing which is a sweet sound for someone who enjoys their melodies.  Cool weather with gray skies on a day like today makes for a lovely afternoon at HOME.  I can get to work.    

Though it was hotter yesterday, as I was walking around Kansas City, I noticed it was easier for me to walk since losing 50 pounds.  I will continue working on losing weight in a healthy manner.  Staying physically active and being particular about food intake will help with reducing and I will have results not only in my weight, but in getting results with things done around the HOME.  

HUBBY talks about when we are over to the COTTAGE living that he will be better able to take care of the lawn and flowerbeds as there will be far less to manage.  Our age and health issues have given fodder to being more challenged with taking care of the property.  I cannot be so judgmental when looking at how others have taken care of their properties as I truly do not know what they are going through.  I do know that if I work a little each day that progress takes place and I can enjoy the results.

Have a blessed LIFE.  

Living LIFE on the PRAIRIE,

~d 👵

  

  

Jibber Jabber

Waking up in the early hours of the morning, I saw deep orange light streaming through the bedroom window.  It was such a beautiful shade of color that I wished I had taken a photograph.  Early morning light this colorful is an unusual sight from my bedroom.  It streamed onto the floor beside the bed I was resting in.

Being drowsy didn't stop me from wishing I had a camera handy.  Drifted back to sleep while telling myself I wasn't ready for the day to start.  Woke again to see even more light streaming into our bedroom.  Very pleasant.

Needing the extra rest, I laid in bed with the covers wrapped around my entire body all the way up to my chin and around my face listening to birds chirping.  Reminded me of Spring Time. Husband cracked one of the bedroom windows to let some fresh air into the room so the birds sounded as if they were on the window sill.

Though it is bitter cold outside, the birds chirp as if it's Spring.  A nice gesture.  A wonderful cheery sound.  Helps me remember that we are one day closer to Spring.  SPRING.  I don't want to wish away my LIFE, but I am not a big FAN of bitter cold weather.  

Near by Church Bells were chiming to announce that it's just about time for Services in the neighborhood.  I don't attend this particular Church, but enjoy when I can hear the bells on Sunday morning. 

Usually during the week when the weather is nice, I sit by a opened Family room window where I hear the Church bells from a different church that's across Town.  Ringing on the hour and half hour every day until dark.  A small Town feature that adds a great deal of charm to our American Village. 

This particular sound I don't mind.  Our chiming charm.

Coveting warmer Weather.
Our week long weather is suppose to be in the 40's and I covet this.  Looking forward to this.  The below freezing temps are not my cup of tea.  I grow weary and have to make up excuses as to why I like Winter.....sigh.  I encouraged myself this week by telling myself that I can continue to do indoor cleaning and organizing when it is so cold outside.  Organizing is sorely needed and I am still in over my head sorting through papers in tubs, thinning through clothing and taking action to downsize the clutter inside our PRAIRIE PALACE.  OMGOSH....it is a handful.  I stare in disbelief that there is still so much to do before I can legally say it is finished.  Ahhhhhh.  The time has to come.

LIVING IN CLUTTER is not peaceful or relaxing to me.  This work I am forging through is a work indeed.

Another four big bags of clothing went to the Thrift Shop this past Friday.  Sigh.  More to do.  I had loaded these bags in the back of the auto, drove to Manhattan to run some errands and have Lunch with Husband, dropped the bags off before driving HOME across the Flint Hills to return to our humble abode nestled in this small American Town.  

Knowing that these items are no longer my responsibility to harbor made me somewhat satisfied that they were out of the house.

Earlier in January, we purchased smaller plastic storage boxes to downsize the larger boxes I have Hallmark Christmas Ornaments in.  In my younger day, the large boxes were handy, but as I age I need the boxes to be smaller for easier handling.  My strength in my wrist isn't as strong as in years gone by.  Also, I don't want these ornaments to be stored in the garage as hard as the weather is on items stored in the elements.  The little hallway closet cannot handle big boxes.  I need all the help I can get.

Learning where to store special things in this old stone house has been laborious to say the least. Each house has a personality to it and as the Tenants we have to go with the flow to figure out where to go with our treasures as well as the necessities.  Amen.  

Working to catch up with the laundry has been an act of LOVE.  I got so far behind on it while de-cluttering.  I seem to always get behind on laundry if I'm busy doing other things. Not complaining....just being real.  Usually if I stay on top of the laundry little else gets completed. That's just the way i iz.  

Our extra blankets are now in a pile on the bedroom floor.  Needing to launder all the extra bedding so they are once again fresh.  Afterwards I will neatly fold them and store them in one of the closets.

HUBby is recovering nicely from Cancer surgeries and treatments.  He has returned to work.  He tires easily, but he is back to work!  As Spring draws closer....the Kitchen will be worked on again.  Praise the LORD!!!  I have been Brain Storming where to position Kitchen items inside the cabinets so I have a very stream-lined Kitchen to work with.  Organized and easy access. 

The Collection of jarred Candles have been placed into the cabinet above the fridge.  Had to get the step ladder out for this.  This cabinet isn't easily reached so I wanted to put things up there that are seldom used.  My stash is all together and waiting for when needed.  I usually burn a candle in the Kitchen.  Depending on the Season depends on the fragrance.  

Next my meatloaf pans and pie plates went into the cabinet above where the Micro-wave will be installed.  Shopping about for a white micro-wave.  Doing my homework and pricing them.  

Placed my white cookware/bakeware in the cabinet below where the counter-top miniature oven sits.  Other metal pots 'n pans will go there as well.

Still thinking on where to go with EVERYTHING.  

When Husband gets the upper cabinets built and installed, I think I'll place my Blue Garland Dishes that I've had for over 35 years there along with other serving dishes.  Right now the Blue Garland is in the Dining room China Cabinet.  Will be switching out and placing The Blue Willow in my Mom's antique China Cabinet that I inherited when she moved into their apartment.  

I get excited dreaming about a finished Kitchen.  Amen.  It has to happen this year.  Has to.  Please. Please. Please.    

Time to take my Christmas Cards down from the shutter where they have been this Holiday Season.  I thought I would do this on New Year's Day and as I did this I would pray for those that sent me a card.  Didn't get it done.  Better do this before the month gets away.

Here Kitty Kitty.  MEOW.  I love cats, I do....just don't want their poo smell coming into my home.  Think we'll dump our used coffee grounds out in the front flower bed by the front porch.  Too many kitties think this area is a community toilet for their daily use.  This has been a problem before.  It smells and I don't want that.  Too close to the front door of our HOME.

Today, the sun is shining and the weather is in the 50's.  57 right now.  Better go for a walk.  I remember my friend in her 80's Mary would walk a mile a day and said this was her time to pray.  I miss her.  She died a few years back.  She was a fine example of a loving and sweet Christian Lady.  Blessed to know her.  

Blessed to have you as a Blogger Pal.
May you have a Blessed Day,
d  

  

  

A Three Pot Day

The Kansas morning temperature was recorded to be a negative 14 degrees F. with a windchill factor of negative 28 degrees F.  Way too cold to be out in it for very long.  My Husband commutes into Manhattan across the Flint Hills of Kansas to where if there were auto difficulties, it would be dangerous.  Life threatening.  Frost bite.  We'll not debate about Global WARMING today.

He stayed HOME and working from the computer for a three pot day.  That's three pots of fresh coffee through out this bitter cold day.  May the power stay on...it's WINTER for sure.  

DOWNTON ABBEY was televised in the United States Sunday night on PBS Masterpiece Theater.  We do not receive PBS.  Have missed it.  By the miracle of ROKU, we can now watch PBS.  Downton Abbey is available the day after the broadcast.  grins.  Makes me smile.  I am a Downton Abbey Fan.   

Quality television returns.

It is now 1922.  Matthew has died in an auto crash after the birth of his first child and Mary is grieving.  The Children's Nanny West is evil.  Mary stands to inherit a Fortune and the Kitchen Help have an electric Mixer~Beater to figure out.  Carson has a secret that he'd just assume remain in the past.  The Roaring Twenties are upon them.  Scandal is sure to happen.

A January day at our Prairie Palace.  
Spring time is being coveted,
d

Blue Haired Ladies

HELLO DEAR ONES!

THIS MORNING in my small Kansas Flint Hills Town on the Prairie, is almost like an early Spring day as the temps were in the low 40s and the air was damp like I remember Texas being.  Snow is suppose to fall on Saturday.  Officially the FIRST DAY OF WINTER!  Let it snow.

YESTERDAY I took a chance and made a hair appointment at MASTER's CUTS.  Haven't been able to get an appointment with my regular Stylist....so what's a desperate woman with bushy hair suppose to do?  SO... I became a walk-in at the MALL and the young man that cut my hair did a super job.  Was so pleased.  He had TEAL COLORED hair himself and facial piercings.  Very nice personality.  We chatted about the hair dye he uses.  Apparently he likes COLOR.  I told him about two of my Aunts that were BLUE HAIRED LADIES back in the day when natural colored hair was what was desired.  We chuckled.

I ordered replacement glasses before the year runs out.  Sipped PT Coffee with my SWEETHEART at the new Furniture Store in the Mall.

Zipped through the LONG JOHN SILVER's for LUNCH on our way to Hubby's Medical Appointment to get a full body scan.  Overall the day was unrushed and I loved it.  Traveled HOME to pick Lil Miss up from School.  Got the mail and a newspaper.   Took a short nap on the sofa. 

Tonight I am attending a CANDLE LIGHT DINNER! I know I will be having Peach Cobbler.  Gotta take a soaking bath, locate my RED outfit.  The laundry is swirling in the machine and coffees on.

WHAT DID I DO TODAY TO MAKE HOME A MORE INVITING ONE???  I made the bed and placed a CHRISTMAS SPREAD on it!  Getting so adventurous in my OLD AGE!  GRINS.

In those more serious moments as I sat and prayed today, I know that there is much going on in the world that's displeasing to a HOLY GOD.  When I tend to sink lower than I need to be....the thought to speak out loud praises to my GOD erupt.  The blues vanish.  He is worthy to be praised.

CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS TO YOU,
d

Home Happenings

Frosty c o l d today.   Grey Kansas skies blatantly set off the stark naked tree branches that are reaching upwards towards the face of the atmosphere.  Daunting winds are producing sound we hear howling through the window screens.  Cold is here.  

Cold Kansas weather to make Hot Chocolate evenings more enticing.  

Our TODAY plans were changed as the toilet wouldn't flush properly and when plunged.....water shot up into the bathroom sink about a foot high.  EXCITING pre-coffee activity in the house.  

My dear Husband wakes me in the mornings to hand deliver my Synthroid meds with a glass of water.  This morning he told me that I could sleep in (!!!) AND he would take LIL MISS to school as he was going to work from HOME today due to this sewage issue.  That's a three exclamation mark statement as I am ready to rest.  THANKSGIVING preparations took a energy toll on me.  Sleeping in mid-week was welcomed.   

He took care of our small town sewage issues by visiting with the City Utility Superintendent. The relining of sewage lines has caused drainage problems throughout the Town.  

Seems to have straightened up.  Toilet is flushing.  Laundry is washing.  Coffee is perking.

I need to SHOP THE HOUSE (as my daughter puts it) for a little gift for one of my friends that is celebrating her December Birthday tonight.  I wasn't able to go to town for a gift on Monday or Tuesday.  Plans were changed there as well.  Lil Miss took a sidewalk tumble after school on Monday and instead of going to Manhattan to shop we stayed in the Family room with ice packs on her face and hands.  She's healing nicely.  We were blessed that she wasn't hurt anymore than she was.  

Tuesday was a PLAY IN THE YARD after-school-kind-of-day because the temps hit 70 degrees.  I drank my coffee outside and watched while Lil Miss and the neighbor girl named Heaven played with fallen leaves, drug sticks about the yard and climbed short trees.  Small Town LIVIN' made easy.

Last night my Husband hung a Christmas wreath that I had FORGOTTEN we had.  Daughter came across it and reminded me that there was a gorgeous wreath in the garage.  I purchased it at a ridiculously low price at a AFTER Christmas 2012 Sale at Hobby Lobby.  I am so HAPPY to have this new wreath.  Discovering her again was LIKE CHRISTMAS!  grins.

HOME BEAUTIFUL.  Last January, I had grandiose ideas of having our home decorated to the max for Christmas 2013.  Things became complicated as my dear Husband was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer that led to two surgeries.  A big Cancer ABLATION Treatment will take place in a few short days.  He is far more important than having a PICTURE PERFECT Home Tour for the Holidays.  I rest my case.  Peace.

I have no big plans to decorate for Christmas this year as I am exhausted.  

Shall see how it all goes as I get rested and the month passes.  Christmas music is refreshing so I will turn music on and play throughout this Season.  Might surprise my Hubby with a small Christmas tree in the Family room that he will come HOME to after he gets out of the Hospital and Motel.  After this Cancer treatment, it will be close to his CHRISTMAS EVE BIRTHDAY that I know he will rejoice he is having.  He will be 59.  I am REJOICING!  He is still my Husband.  He is still alive.

While our Children and Grandchildren were HOME for the THANKSGIVING Holiday, we sang him HAPPY BIRTHDAY before we said our good-byes.  It was difficult for me to sing as the tears were welling up in my eyes.  It's been two years since we were all together.  Two years.  

This Christmas, God is still on the throne and prayer changes things.

The pretty Christmas Wreath Husband hung is on the Family room wall that was bare for now until framed family pictures ornate the white beaded board wall.  Husband drove a nail into the wall and hung zee wreath.  There she'll stay until after the Christmas Holiday is over.  

I've started to gather family pics that will hang on this wall in 2014.  HOPEFULLY.  Slowly it is coming together.  

Usually the front door gets a Christmas wreath hung on her.  The Nativity Scene is displayed.  A Christmas tree or two are set up and decked out.  Christmas music is played.  Christmas Lights are viewed.  Programs attended.  Cards sent out.  Presents given.  Seasonal food prepared and eaten.  Praises to God made.  Celebrating Jesus's Birthday in LOVE.

This year as long as there is breath in my lungs, I will sing PRAISES to God and wish the LORD JESUS a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY.  If I can only think it, I will think it.  Write it.  Type it.  Believe it.  REJOICING.  

Thank you for stopping by.  Home Happenings helps me collect my thoughts and record some of what is going on.  Simplicity in our Prairie Palace.  Loving LIFE on the Prairie.

REJOICING.
REJOICING,
d  

My Children Are Grown

As I sit here and meditate upon those words, My Children Are Grown...I have no idea where I will go with this post.  Writer's block or Mom in deep thought.

I no way look or think as I once did as a young momma with babies.  I have matured or some would say morphed.  I'd like to say that I grew older, wiser and more aware.  More informed.  My life would have little meaning without my God, Husband, Home and my Family.

My children are grown with children of their own.  All are a blessing.  I'm thankful for each one.  

This week-end our neighbors had an auction.  We went over to see the Walnut Victorian Bed that was going to be auctioned off and I decided to walk away.  Not bid on it.  It was a Children's bed too short for our long bodies.  Neighbor Delores had beautiful and clean furniture.  She no longer lives in our lil town, but in an apartment in Topeka with her husband.  The house that she raised her children in is for sale and her belongings are now in other's hands.  All auctioned away.  

I thought of her children as I looked at her belongings displayed on tables about the back yard and wondered if this was an emotional process for them.  Their childhood home is up for sale.  The house where they grew up is no longer the same.

I remember visiting with Delores and she told me that her husband did not want to buy this ole stone house back in the fifties.  Ranch Houses were the rage at the time.  She got her way and they lived there for close to 60 years.  The first time I saw this house as I was driving by, I admired her and thought gosh, she's a pretty house.  I had no idea that I would be living across the street from her.  Surprise.

As I looked at Delores's things,  I know that Delores no longer can remember as she once did.  

Her mind has quieted to the past.  I'm not sure she would recall the house she lived in for so many years.  All the decorating she did was her pride and joy.  Daughter said that Delores was so proud of her home that she showed her the entire house while decorated for Christmas a few years ago.  Daughter was saddened by the auction as Delores's beautiful furniture was all on the front lawn.

I decided that there really wasn't a thing I needed.  If I change my mind, I will shop an antique store or thrift.  

The wind was blowing so hard as others bought the belongings.  From inside my house, I could hear the auctioneer's faint voice as the bids went forth.  

I hope that someday I will have a Victorian Bedroom set.  Until that happens, if it does, I have to live life the best way I can.  

God, I thank you for the blessings you have given me.  
Thank you.

With Thanksgiving coming, my home needs cleaned and tidied.  Preparations made.  My Husband continues to recover from Thyroid surgery and we plan to go forward with radioactive ablation sometime in December.  My children and their families are planning on coming Home for the Holiday.  I pray that we all have a pleasant and safe time.  I hope we have many more Thanksgiving Holidays together, but for now this is the one that counts.  It is what we have.

Friends, Thank you for stopping by.
I wish you well,
d

Bobo's

Here I sit.  TIRED, but oh so HAPPY to be HOME where I'm blogging and putt-sing around shuffling odds n' ins in the Dining room.  Working at making room usable for Thanksgiving Time while my Husband recovers from his second thyroid surgery.  

He did well with his surgery.  He's resting right now.  Surgeon said the left lobe was more difficult to remove.  It is slowly sinking in that he had cancer.   

Life is returning to 'normal' if there is such a thang.  Hubby is upstairs resting before I fix SOUP with crackers for Lunch.  Better make that a pre-made Chicken Pot Pie.  I need EASY, so I can have a Coffee Break.  

~BOBO's in Topeka KS~

 ~NOT This Bobo~

~Barbara (Bobo) Sears Rockefeller~

Doesn't her hair look like Marilyn Monroe's?

We returned HOME from the Topeka Hospital late yesterday afternoon.  First, it took a while before prescriptions were filled at the pharmacy.  Seemed to be a mix-up.  We went to eat at BOBO's and had a hamburger which at their Car Hop place that's been in business since 1948 is a Steak Burger with French Fries.  Later, we had a Red Button HOT Coffee with three creams in it while sitting at SONIC waiting for Hubby's meds to be filled.

Thought it to be better to sit in the car than drive in Topeka's busy traffic.

In the morning while Husband was waiting to see the Doctor, he napped and I went shopping early in the morning with a HY-VEE coupon-in-hand...buy a HAM and get a FREE TURKEY.  Picked a nice size Ham and then picked an 'almost' 14 pound Turkey.  

Turkey will be baked this week-end and the HAM is going in a CROCKPOT just about now.

This gives me some ideas for Thanksgiving.

I noticed that the ones shopping early in the morning so they could get FIRST PICK FREE TURKEY were the older Homemakers.  Because you stay HOME as a Homemaker doesn't mean you will do completely without.  You may be the one that gets the bargains because you have flexibility with your hours and will GET the worm.  That saying, 'The Early Bird Gets The Worm' went through my head as I walked into the SUPER-SIZED Grocery Store.  The thought that we are BLESSED in this country with so many stores to shop.  Stores of all kinds.  Stores of various sizes....big, small, in between.  

I don't want a worm, but the BARGAINS are a welcomed thing.  A MUCH NEEDED THING.  Women....BE ENCOURAGED.  If you are LIVING on ONE Paycheck, the Bargains can and will come your way.  The Lord's Blessings are why.  

I also purchased a ROAST and will be preparing it the way Heloise suggested by marinading it over night in vinegar.  Discard vinegar then pour two cups of STRONG COFFEE and water over it to add FLAVOR.

~COFFEE POT ROAST~

Heloise called it Peking Roast

Starting with a 3 to 5 pound roast, use a large knife to cut slits completely through the meat so they look like little tunnels.  Insert slivers of garlic and onion into the slits.  Can do without garlic and onion.   

Put the beef in a bowl and pour one cup of vinegar over it making sure that the vinegar runs down into the slits.  Place this in your refrigerator for twenty-four to forty-eight hours.

When ready to cook the roast, discard the vinegar solution and place meat in a heavy pot (iron if possible) and brown in oil until nearly burned on both sides.  Then pour two cups of strong black coffee over the roast.  Add two cups of water and cover.  

If liquid boils down NEVER add more than one cup of additional water at a time.  Make sure the lid is on tight.

Cook this slowly at a simmer for six hours on top of stove.  (Will try the CROCK-POT.)

Do NOT season with anything else until twenty minutes before serving and then add salt and pepper.  

That's it.

Looking forward to my QUIET TIME TODAY.

May you have a blessed and pleasant day.  

Thank you for stopping by and saying hi,

d

Haunting Home Happenings

Hubby as a Kansas Flint Hills Cowboy.

Ready to hand out candy.

At the last minute I decided to spruce myself up and go to TOWN to see the lil ones parade on Main Street collecting candy on the last day of the month.  It had rained earlier in the day and the temps were chilly.  Wasn't sure if we'd have any HALLOWEEN Trick or Treaters.  

This is the 7th Halloween we have been in our 'SMALL TOWN AMERICA' on the Prairie stone house we call HOME these days.  

Spraying some perfume on, I teased my hair, sat a tiara on my head, rubbed blue eye shadow on my eyelids, painted dark lipstick on, drew a beauty mark on my face, slipped into my old red 'n black checked housecoat and headed out the door.  

With camera in hand, I grabbed my polka dot umbrella.   

Oh...I looked so awful.

A very worn-out 

outdated beauty Queen.

I looked just awful. 

 

 The one day out of the year I am alright with being seen  
in my housecoat in PUBLIC.  

Halloween.

After all... I have make-up on.

I parked the car on Main Street and walked over to my Beautician/Stylist and asked her if she could fixxxx my hair.  grins.  Can't do a thang with it!  She was busy passing candy out to the Tricker Treaters, but told me I looked awesome.  ha.  ha.  ha.  I wanted to believe her.

This year I sat on a city bench and watched the costumed children walk by merchants and collect their candy.  There were quite a few tykes dressed as black kitty cats.  Meow.  They were adorable.  A few Pumpkins, Super-Heros, a variety of modern day Characters, Princesses, and Goblins too scary to mention.  My GRAND daughter was dressed as a Cinderella Musketeer.  All in PINK. 

Plenty of CANDY.  We only had twelve Tricker Treaters at HOME.  I will have to hide the candy from myself to keep out of the chocolate.  There are a lot of neat things you can do with left over Halloween Candy.  Will have to think up something. 

~LOOK AT THIS CUTE PIC~

As I was on the computer last night, I caught a glimpse of my beautiful OLDER (he he hee) sister dressed as a Halloween Witch.  She should have been a Make-Up Artist.  She missed her calling.  I was actually jealous of how good she looked.

Before

 After

HOW'd she do that?

In Her Beautifully Remodeled Kitchen.

Leaves are falling as I type.  Autumn is definitely here. November first, no doubt.  In a few days one of my Sons will turn 36.  Gosh, that's hard for me to believe.  36.  Very much a grown man in his own right.  36 and going through a divorce.  That breaks my heart.  In prayer about this.

Today my Hubby stayed home from work.  Had a very rough night coughing.  He caught cold and is on meds.  Not sure he will be up to surgery next week if this cold stays on and I will need to be well to take care of him after he does have surgery.  

Will continue preparing our HOME as if he will be recovering here post surgery.  Will still need to be ready. 

I continue to migrate my dishes from metal racks in the Dining room into the Kitchen Cabinets that are ready.  It is a slow process and I'm even slower.  My poor Dining room looks like a warehouse and will for quite some time. Truthfully, the Kitchen will not be finished before Spring gets here. That's just the way it is.  Hubby cannot work on it while healing up from Cancer Surgeries and glowing from Radioactive Ablation.

~My White Every Day Dishes~

  

After Hubby recovers from Cancer Treatment, 

the cabinet doors will be built, primed and painted white

then attached to all of the cabinets with hardware.

It truly is more important to hug my Husband and pretend everything is normal as we scurry about as if the house is in order.  It isn't and I find myself having to remind myself that LIFE GOES ON even if the KITCHEN is a mess.  It is far more important to be ALIVE while we are.... than to be constantly upset that the house is torn up.  A LIFE LESSON.

Christmas will be here soon and we will want to rejoice during the Holiday festivities of the SEASON. Celebrating the LORD's BIRTHDAY with Christmas Songs and white Birthday Cake.  Lighting some candles and sippin' Wassail.

I'm not sure I will even put a Christmas Tree up this year.  SIGH.  Shall see.  It may be a last minute decision.  My SPIRIT wants to, but my flesh is weak.  

Still...I think I will tease my hair again, spray some perfume on, place a tiara on my head, paint some lipstick on and slip into my red n' black checked housecoat when Santa comes to TOWN.  I am a Beauty Queen.  grins.   

Worn out and outdated.

Blessings to you and I hope your week-end is a pleasant one.  Now I must carry on as if I have energy and time to think,
d

Home Happening and Something To Cluck About

Yesterday, I peacefully sat in the car and watched  the soft grey colored Doves land in front of my parked car to peck at the walnuts that had fallen down into the street.  There were 7 Doves.  One after another the Doves flew down to the paved ground to get a meal.  

I've heard that Doves mate for life.  One of the Doves must be single.

It was comical to see them chase one another when getting too close to the walnut they were pecking at.  As if they were scolding each other.

Today, two chickens were running about in the neighbor's yard as I drove past their place on my way home from school.  They caught my eye.  I'm not sure why they have free range in Town.  Ha.  I chuckled, because yesterday I drove past my old house in Manhattan and the neighbors there had a chicken coop in their front yard with the same type of hen cooped up.  A chicken coop in their front yard.  It looked a bit odd in Town.  I can see having chicken coops in the country or on a large plot of ground, but not in the small front yard in a residential neighborhood.

We now live in a different community.  Still, there are chickens?  If they show up in my yard, does that give me the right to capture them to eat?  Hum.  It's not Thanksgiving yet.  Chicken is good anytime in my books.  grins.  Though I am a Kansas Native....I am not Country-enuff to ring a chicken's neck and proceed to pluck the feathers off to make headway to cook the chicken for a Sunday Dinner.  

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner.  It's times like this that I know that I am too 'city-fied' to be a pioneer anything.

The temps are in the 40s and it's Sweater Season.  Our radiators are turned on early this Season.  Early Winter coming?  The snow on Friday did not stick to the ground.  Thankfully.  We still have our Mums standing tall in the flower beds.

Yesterday, Husband's Surgeon telephoned to visit with him about the path report.  Husband had Thyroid Surgery a week ago to remove the right side with a large, solid nodule that was causing him discomfort and pain.  His neck would pop and ache.  Years of clearing his throat.  Nausea had started.  Sweating episodes that soaked the bed sheets.  After a series of test, he made the decision to have the nodule taken out which meant that part of the thyroid had to go.  The nodule was taking up most of that side of the thyroid.

It was CANCEROUS and Hubby will return to surgery in a few weeks to have the rest of his thyroid removed followed up by Radioactive Ablation.  We will be the radioactive couple with a glow.  We both have had Thyroid Cancer. 

Our regular Physician was decent to telephone as well to ask how Hubby was doing after Surgery.  He had received the Path Report and was surprised that he had Thyroid Cancer.  After our Physician gets done with us, he will be a better informed doc.  We have as a married couple caused a stir.  Both having had Thyroid Cancer and operated on by the same surgeon.  gulp.

When officially told, "You have cancer."  how do you think you react?  It won't be how you thought you would if you were to be told.  I can assure you of that.  We, as Humans seem to have a built-in mechanism that tells us that we want to survive and that we can outrun everything that is going to hurt us.  A way to get away before harm and destruction grabs us.

With God's help, we pull through.

As I sit and type, the wind is picking up.  It's a peaceful sound hearing the rustling leaves blow past the window that I sit by.

Thanks for stopping by.

God bless and hope you are well.
Sending my love,
d

P.S.
Fried Chicken shore do sound good just about now.

~Autumn Home Happenings and Fall is Good~

AUTUMN Blessings to you.  Here we are at the last day of September with October knocking on my door.  A Wreath hangs on it.  Two BRIGHT yellow Mums rest inside urns on the Porch.  They BRIGHTEN my day when I see them.  I need brightened.

With Kitchen remodeling in the works and Hubby scheduled for thyroid surgery in a few weeks, I know it is for the best to not go over board on the HARVEST DECORATIONS.
So I won't.  Easy going. 

Appreciate PRAYERS for my dear Husband.  He has a large, hard mass in his thyroid that has to go.  I am praying that he gets through this and will be well.  Thyroid cancer altered my health three years ago and there are challenges to this day from it.  Thankful to be alive.  It's Hubby's turn for surgery.  I need my Husband more than words can describe.  I HATE CANCER.  Know what I mean.  

HOME HAVEN will just have a few HARVEST decorations and that will have to do.  I'm all right with that.  As I do my Autumn cleaning in preparation for the HOLIDAYS, I am thankful for my Home and my Family.  My Husband.  His job.  Food on the table.  A LIFE in a small Town. 

The Parlour Coffee Table has a Seasonal Centerpiece on it.  I've had this arrangement for a few years now and I so enjoy it.  Same with the Wreath on the front door.  I bought these maybe 4 years ago.  Haven't tired of them yet.  When the AUTUMN colors are displayed, it puts me in a special AUTUMN MOOD.  



Hoping to get a few REAL PUMPKINS to display on the porch.  A $1 THRIFT BUY Ceramic Pumpkin is sitting by the television.  Last year after Christmas I bought a HARVEST GARLAND for 75% off.  On the CHEAP.     

Thinking about HALLOWEEN CANDY that I want to get for the young children that come knocking on my door for Halloween.  Think I'll buy candy bars and call it good. 

In the MEAN TIME...Hubby got all of the Kitchen Floor Tile laid!!!  Soon he'll grout.  I caught him laying down on the job.  Can you believe it?  

He's priming the cabinets.  Soon they will be painted a nice white.  We'll be dancing on these tiles before Christmas. 

SAMPLE OF TILE

  

~AUTUMN CLEANING~

 A different picture hangs in the Parlour

above the desk where photos of the grandchildren sit.  

The picture was a THRIFT BUY for $28.00. 

The desk was $38.00.

  

~Messy to Marvelous~

My end table seems to catch all my junk.

I'm part slob.  Enough.

Replaced the Brass Lamp with a $4.99 THRIFT BUY Lamp.

The Medal Lamp sits on a Silver plated tray.

 

 

~Hello...are you there?~

 I am and I'm cleaning.

Placed the telephone on a silver plated tray 

with a silver plated cup to hold pens and pencils.

 Earlier in the Season, we saw a Blue Moon 
and for the first time in my 'ole life I believe I could see the face 
of a man in the moon.

Our camera didn't capture all the beauty,
but it was inspiring to see.

Vibrant colors for the HARVEST SEASON.

So glad you stopped by.
Love hearing from you.
Blessings,
d