Being Thankful

 Another Thanksgiving has come and gone, and it was superb. I have so much to be thankful for: family, friends, and good health, among many other blessings. I celebrated with as much zest as I could muster, creating memories to be treasured. Enjoying grandson time, I played both freeze tag and indoor soccer without breaking any bones, always a positive. The day was actually pretty close to perfect.

Jane brought out the fine china and crystal as we feasted on turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, yams, green salad, and a scrumptiously juicy apple pie for dessert.

Glen Ellen, CA

As I drove back to Sonoma County the next day,  Mother Nature provided a display of magnificent reds,oranges and yellows... and again at Dillon Beach on Saturday as she painting the evening sky with her expert brush. Breathtaking!

Almost as glorious as the sunset were the steaks we barbecued for yet another delectable meal. I'm not stepping on the scale for a few days!

 Now, back home, I am enjoying the quiet yet savoring the recollections of this Thanksgiving. Yes, another good one...

May the Force Be With You

Since spring is my favorite season, I like to bring a little of that season's glory into my home during the much darker days of late fall and winter.

Step 1

With that in mind,  I visit my favorite nursery and plunk out some cash for a handful of paper whites. Once home, I gingerly arrange them in a very tall vase (with about 2 inches of water and pebbles in the bottom) which I then place in a sunny spot to initiate the forcing process. The roots begin to appear almost immediately. 

Step 2

 And voila! In a couple of weeks, I see spring holding court in my living room. The aroma is delightful, filling the room with a delicately soft sweetness.



Step 3

So, bring on the wind, frost, and rain. I am busy making my own private spring. See, you really can fool Mother Nature!



Imagine



Lt. William Horn



On this Veterans Day I cannot help but reflect on my dad's service to our country during World War II. We never spoke about it; I never asked any questions. Now it is too late. He's gone.

My thoughts go, as well, to all veterans who have served over the years, often thanklessly, and to those who are serving today. I am grateful for their sacrifices and wish that war didn't exist.

Imagine.

B-17 Flying Fortress
My Dad's Plane

Check out other Sepia Saturday photos.

A Comfort Food Moment

The calendar has been telling me for quite some time that summer has taken a hike, but Mother Nature has still been in a summery mood, so much so that I~ being a lover of fresh air~ have been able to  have the sliding doors and some windows open in the early evening. 

Cleo

Winnie

Those days are over. Now the furnace is back in business, sandals are no longer on my feet, I'm dressing in several layers, and the pug ladies are all decked out in their woolly sweaters.So, what does that mean? Mac 'n' cheese, of course! I made my first batch yesterday, and it did not disappoint.

I am reminded of how much I enjoy the changing of the seasons and the trappings that go with each one.  So, I am loving the falling leaves, the crisp air that makes the tip of my nose go numb, and the stick-to-my-ribs comfort food: heavy stews, tomato soup with grilled cheese sandwiches, and...mac 'n' cheese.

Forever Festive

The day before Halloween has always been filled with excitement as final touches are made on costumes and goodie bags are readied to be passed out to the neighborhood children. The scene is much different these days since those giggling young ones have now moved away and have wee trick-or-treaters of their own. The neighborhood is quiet and serene, unaware that in other areas of town, door bells are ringing like mad as costumed children scurry from house to house hoping to stuff their paper bags with candy.

This, however, does not deter me from celebrating. I still decorate inside and out: pumpkins on the porch, spooky wreathes on doors, lit pumpkins in the foyer, and my jack-o-lantern pail, perhaps my favorite Halloween treasure, outside on the picnic table. Even the kitchen has its own jolly pumpkin.

                                                                                    

                         

Sweets, always a temptation for me, find their way into my cupboards. Of course! True, there are no trick-or-treaters to prepare for, but I do put together and deliver goodie bags to the handful of family youngsters still here in town. I have to buy the treats at the last minute because, due to a tremendous lack of will power on my part, the treats seem to, um, vanish. 

For example, last night, just knowing that there were Tootsie Pops lurking in the kitchen, was more than I could stand; I ate four. Not too bad. Today I hit the cookies. I ate three. Again, not too bad.  I mean, I didn't eat them ALL.

Now the treat bags are filled with their sweets and tied with orange raffia, ready for delivery on Halloween...tomorrow.

That means that I am alone with all these sugary delights for the entire evening.

Uh-oh.

Confession of a Prospective Hoarder

My name is Janice, and I am a collectaholic. As if I didn't have enough collections already happening in my life, I have begun yet another: Schilling spice tins. I recently passed the word as my birthday approached, and I was lucky enough to get an impressive start on this lastest passion. How they perk up my tired kitchen!

In the Mood

Well, I'm trying to be... in the mood, that is. The pumpkin pie scented candle that I received for my birthday has been lit for the first time and is smelling like I have a wonderful treat baking in the oven. I am still feeling somewhat cheated by the lack of summer; but the dark clouds, heavy rain, and threats of thunder have forced me to forget about the summer that didn't really happen. So, facing reality, I have brought in all the outdoor cushions, covered the deck umbrella, put a new filter in the furnace, and unclogged the storm drains.

The saddest task, however, has been picking all the unripened tomatoes...now covered with rain and not seeing red any time soon. There they sit on the kitchen counter in a forlornly green group, wishing that they could have had the opportunity to ripen blissfully on the vine as in years past.

Oh well, it is what it is! And the coming of autumn, even without the glorious warmth of a summer to remember, is a time of great joy. I love the colors: rich golds, sunny oranges, and brilliant reds. It is indeed a time to celebrate.

So I am getting with the spirit of the season. A pumpkin collection decorates the front porch; and Beulah Witch, my annual bosom buddy, is hanging merrily on my front door to herald autumn's arrival. Yep, I'm in the mood. Sweaters. Soup. Stew. Yes.

Maybe there will be a summer in 2012.