A Tribute To My Darking Penny

There's bad news in Maine this week.  My darling companion for the last 13 years has gone over the Rainbow Bridge.  She has been with me thru the good times and the bad times these many years.  Her loss was unexpected.   She was under the vet's care for possible sprained shoulder muscles from maybe slipping or losing her balance on a patch of ice.  I thought it was her age since she had slowed down so much in the last couple of weeks.  From trotting ahead of me during our walks, she was lagging behind her last days.  You know how we go to the doctor and perk up a bit, well she did the same and his findings were good steady heartbeat and good lungs but he wanted to do a complete workup and x-rays right after Christmas to rule out other hidden problems.
I guess she had us all fooled.  She was on anti-inflammatories and one day she seemed to get a bit better but then she was lagging again.  I checked her first thing one morning and she had [assed in her sleep.  No suffering, which is good, but I was devastated.
When one has a fur baby, they are the light of our lives.  We plan our days around them.  We love them  We cuddle them.  They are our shining lights.

Penny loved the snow and wandered thru it if it wasn't too deep.

When snow was deep, she had my son's Golden to break trail for her when we lived together.  He short legs struggled thru snow if it was deeper than 6 inches.

Her double coat kept her warm and toasty even during the coldest days.  We walked together in all weathers.  She was my anchor and reason to get out and do my daily walking exercise 4 times a day.

Oh, what fun we had.

Trips outdoors if wet or snowy meant a good rub down, especially the feet when we came into the lobby.  She knew the routine.  She would lay down and roll over so I could wipe down her chest and her feet. It was automatic for her.

I think those rubdowns felt mighty good to her.

Even blizzards did not keep us hidden indoors.

Here she is waiting for the elevator door to open after one of our walkies.

But I think our favorite walks were the ones in spring and summer when we could run in the grass and smell the flowers along the way.  Her nose was always working.

Here's Penny checking out the daffodils.

We have a pair of Canada Geese that come back each summer to raise a new brood of chicks.  This is Penny following the trail of the family as they headed back to the river.

Deep snow was tough going for a short-legged Corgi, but she loved the snow.

I will miss her.

She has made her last journey, this one over the Rainbow Bridge.  

Hugs Penny, I love you and miss you!

My New Microwave Oven

I mentioned to my son that my appliance took its last breath this week so he stopped at Wal-Mart, close by where he goes to the gym on Saturdays, and picked up one for me.

It has the turntable I wanted and the wattage (1000) which I think is best for most of my reheating needs.  The make is Hamilton Beach.

I christened it by heating up a bowl of chicken soup for my son for his lunch.  It works fine, tho I am keeping the carton in which it came in case I need to return it.

This is a bowl of Whoopie Pies I received from L.L.Bean, courtesy of my good friend Kathleen for my Christmas gift this year.  There were 20 pies in the box I received the other day with a few assorted flavors; classic, chocolate, peanut butter and mint.  I already bagged some of them to freeze since they freeze so well.  I am having my first one today as a snack

Thank you Kathleen.

Its a miserable and rainy day but its warm so that's a good thing.

Have a good day.  

My Microwave Oven Crashed

Yes, my microwave died on me.  It happened on my shopping day while I was out obviously.  I came home to heat up some delicious chicken soup for a very late lunch, and it made the loudest noises  I tried twice but it did the same and nothing heated.  Then a strange smell pervaded the kitchen so I unplugged the thing.  I need a new one.

It amazes me how much I rely on that kitchen appliance.  I dug out a small pan and heated my soup on top of the stove.  While out shopping, I had bought some hot chocolate mix, it being the season when a cup of warm cocoa works its magic, but will have to heat water on the stove.
I have a habit of zapping my cheddar cheese about 5 seconds twice to warm it before I eat it.  I can't do that now so I left some out to warm to room temp. last nite.  It was OK but not the best.
I also like to zap my half gallon of ice cream so I can remove it easier from the carton.  I just used a scoop dipped in very hot water for scooping last nite.  I missed my hot fudge that I zap for 30 seconds to put over my ice cream.  It would be a mess to do that in a pan on the stove so I eliminated that part of my snack.
Yes, not having a microwave to help is strange after having one all these years.

One of the ladies who rides the shopping bus every week made gifts for the regulars.  I will post a photo.  It was one hanging dish towel with a spare.  She makes them a bit different than I do but it was much appreciated.

Its not seasonal so  they can be used anytime of the year which is always nice.  Thank you Alice.

I have been remiss myself.  I usually make some little gift for folks every year but this year I am not in the mood and with my knee giving me problems since Sept., I just cannot sit at my sewing machine in comfort so I haven't even begun to sew anything.  I thought of making Xmas coasters this year but time will tell.  This may be the year I only give cards and for the locals some Christmas cookies, candy and fudge.

Its a lovely sunny day here in southern Maine but cold, in the low to mid 30'sF expected.  Its always a good day when the sun shines and there's no snow falling, nor rain.

Have a good day.

Our Cotton Candy Town Today

We don't often get snow before Thanksgiving, but we're getting it this week.  This morning we awoke to more snow, this time thick and sticking.  I took my camera and got some shots.

This one is taken thru a screen so it looks more like a cross-stitch canvas.

Here's one with a little color as the Coca Cola truck drives over the bridge.

They tell us we'll have 4-8 inches its done tonite and a bit more tomorrow.  That on top of the original 4 inches the day before.  

Thank goodness our senior bus was on schedule today so we could go and get the last minute items we needed for the week. Usually if there is any snow, they cancel, but the office knew many of us were depending on this Tuesday special run to pick up last minute foodstuff.   I learned my lesson.  Next year I will get my needs before the last week before T-Day so I'm not caught short again.  Now I am all set for the big day so all is well.

Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving filled with good food and safe travel.

Snowball Cookies in Time for Christmas

The season is closing in and recipes are needed for Christmas.  I know we haven't had Turkey Day yet but for me, its time to test, test, test before the Holidays.  I can send some home with my family on T-Day.
 I found this recipe online and tried it today.  Had them tested by two other neighbors besides myself.  We three pronounce them tasty.

Oven Preheated to 350*F
Cooking time 15 Mins.
Makes 24 Cookies

SNOW BALL COOKIES

1 Cup Flour
1 stick Unsalted Butter, room temp.
1 Cup Pecans, finely chopped
3 T. Sugar
1 teaspoon Vanilla

Topping:  3/4 C Confectioners Sugar

Combine the first 5 ingredients in a bowl.

Stir it all together at first.  I like to use a wooden spoon.

With your hands work everything together til smoothly combined.

Separate into two even balls.
Wrap in clear wrap and refrigerate for 30 mins. to cool.
Form into one-inch balls.
Place on parchment-lined half baking sheets, 12 per tray.

Bake at 350*F for 15 mins.  Remove from oven.  Let cool for 5 mins.
They are fragile, so move them carefully.
Roll in confectioners sugar.
Let them cool another 5-10 mins. then roll again in the confectioners sugar to give them a snowy aspect.

These only have pecans in them but you can also add some mini-chocolate chips to give them a different flavor.

These are rolled in sugar twice.

You get 24 cookies.

Happy Holidays.

I am assured they are tasty and a good item for Christmas baking.

I found this recipe at Jenny Can Cook on youtube.  I like her site.  Lots of easy recipes.  I also got her Lemon Brownie recipe which I will try at a later date.

Halloween 2018

Its another Holiday under my belt.  We celebrated at our building by putting up tables in our foyer and covering them with candies for the local children.
We got about 2 dozen kids and had them really fill up their bags and lanterns.

If you are wondering "Who is this witch?" then I'll tell you.  Its me.  With pock marks on my face and black eye shadow to help with the look of a witch.

Here's some of the treats.  We got even more candy added when more tenants joined the group.

A couple of our tenants.

Our table to the right as you enter the lobby.  One of the ladies always dresses the table for every Holiday and season.

The wall on the left as you enter the lobby.

 A few of our tenants waiting to see what comes thru the door and with more candy on the mail shelf if its needed later.

The gentleman seated is our senior tenant at 96.  He still goes out every day, drives well (I've ridden with him) and he doesn't even use a cane.  I wish I were as energetic as he.

One of our visitors, a Princess.

The tenant in the black shirt in the center is the one I go shopping on the bus with each week.

Later in the evening we got a knight in shining armor.

More kids in costume.  The gal in blue is a doctor in blues.

These are kids from across the street from us.

We had lots of candy leftover so we all chose what we'd like and the rest was put out on the mail bench for anyone to enjoy since not all our tenants participated in giving out candy.

The end of the evening was spent in our social room upstairs where we all shared in pizza and sodas.  The pizza was from an Italian family take-out, Amato's, in business locally for over 50 years, and delicious as all get out.  I think they make the best pizza around so I was a happy camper.

The day turned out pretty good.  And best of all, it was pretty good in Boston, too, in the 40s and low 50sF for the Championship Parade for the Boston Red Sox winning the World Series last week.  I'm just glad I could watch it on TV and not have to fight the crowds in Boston though the fans all seemed happy as clams to be there in the crowds.

Have a good day.

Blue from Jurassic World

Ok, Ok, so I'm in my second childhood.  I admit it.  I watch sports now which I haven't done for decades.  Go Red Sox!
I also love Dinosaur movies.  But then I have always loved them since I was a kid.  I enjoyed Jurassic World, one of the most current features.  Blue, a velociraptor raised by the hero of the movie and helping humans to some extent, won me over.
So I went online shopping.  I found Blue at Amazon.

She's a small model with a mouth that opens and closes.

Here's a view with my hand so you can see the size.  Not large, but just enough to place on my  bedroom windowsill  beside my gargoyle, GammaRamma.

In Lithuanian folklore, gargoyles were placed on rooftops in Lithuania to keep evil from entering the homes.  Now with Blue joining in, I am sure to be safe.

Silly me, but its all in fun and I just enjoy my life right now.  

Hope you are all well and you are enjoying fall weather.  We in Maine have finally dropped in temps with days in the 40s and 50s and nites in the 30s.  There was even a bit of snow on the ground in a nearby town.  

Our entrance here is decorated for Halloween and my apt. door is also.  I love to change things for the Holidays and seasons. 

Have some Happy Holidays everyone.

Halloween Decor This Year

I like to decorate a little for the Holidays as they come due.  This month is Halloween.  I found an adorable doormat at ltdcommodities.com online.  Its made very well.  Heavy rubber framing so it lies flat and still on the floor.   The interchangeable inserts come in seasonal themes; Halloween, Fall Harvest (great for Thanksgiving), Christmas, Spring, and Fourth of July.

I really like the quality.

I also decorated my front door with a wall hanging and a witch on a broom.

The wall hanging I made and the witch I bought at Dollar Tree for a buck.   I have a few wall hangings so I will change them every several days.

We will be having a Halloween party among the residents.  I bought a witch's hat and I have my Halloween vest so with a bit of makeup, I should look pretty much like a witch on that nite.  We give out lots of candy to the kids for a few hours, and then we will retire to our community room where we will have pizza ourselves.  Sounds like a good evening to me.

I made some pizzals last week.  They are not the cookies pizzelles, but instead, small pizza dough fried like they do fried dough at the fairs and carnivals.  These are much lighter, thank goodness.  This time I sprinkled them with powdered sugar.  Mmmmmm, great!

I really enjoyed the powdered sugar on them.

My Red Sox played the Yankees again last nite.  We are both in the playoffs.  We won the first game, the Yankees won the 2nd game, and last nite we won the 3rd game 16-1.  I just hope my favorite team saved some of that energy and zest to win the 3rd game tonite which will take this series against the Yankees.  We are American League teams.   I may be a new fan this year, but I am hoping for a World Series.  I think Houston (Natl League) may be the team to beat this year.  They won the Series last year.

Temps here are in the 60s and its sunny.  A lovely fall day.  My windows are open to the breezes.  

Have a good day.

Firefighters Flushing Hoses

I thought I would share a few pictures of the views I have when one of the fire departments in our area, consisting of about a 50-mile radius, come to the reservoir to flush their hoses.

They come here to flush their hoses clean and refill their pumper trucks in preparation for their work.

That's quite a blast of water over the reservoir.

Its been raining off and on today so they have not put up a marquee this time.  Sometimes they do with chairs and food to share because this job can take quite a few hours to finish.
Some days more than one fire company works its hoses and pumpers here.

Now that the Canada Geese have gone for the winter, its good to see some action happening on the riverbank besides the occasional fisherman.

Have a good day.