We have a week of temperatures in the 50s, and our first frost warning.  We’re supposed to have SNOW on Wednesday, and the forecaster seemed to think the highest accumulation would be over the town where we live!  It’s only supposed to be an inch and a half, but still, it’s SNOW!  (I can hear the people in Denver, and through out Kansas, laughing, given the snow they had last week.

I saw an egret and a heron this morning as we came home from exercise.  They’ll be gone soon.  I wonder if they fly in flocks as the geese do.  Dear Husband reminded me that the sand hill cranes fly in flocks, so he suspects the herons and egrets do, too.I brought in four pots of plants that I want to winter over.  I suspect they may be shocked to go from the upper 40s to the upper sixties, but I wasn’t up to carrying them to the garage, and then carrying them in.  Three of the pots hold geraniums, and the fourth is a pot of spearmint.  I’m not sure how the spearmint will do inside, but it seems worth the try.

There are three pots of iris, and one of thyme that I’ll winter over in the garage.  They did well last year.  I think I’ll let the chrysanthemums in the pots go.

It’s time for some Fall cleaning, inside and out.  Our favorite landscaper will come to put the gardens to bed.  I can’t do the time on my knees any more,and he has wonderful tools to make the job go faster.  I need to take down curtains in the garage to be washed and ironed.  I can clean the inside windows once I start that, and I’ll arrange for outside windows to be done, too.

I’m FINALLY going to use EZ-off on the tops of the gas burners on the stovetop.  It’s a job that I have intended to get to for ages, and now it the time to get it done.

And I hope to pull some grapevine down to top off Cousin It, a wonderful grapevine Christmas tree that my sister, Frankie (and her husband) made for me.  We wrapped it a couple of years ago, and it’s settled.  I’d like to fluff it up a bit, and get the lights wrapped around it again. (Thank you, Frankie!)

And so its goes….we get ready for colder weather.

We had another of those amazing days today.  Tuesday, when we were bumming around, we saw a sign for “Windy City Soaring.”  Dear Husband was immediately interested, and we looked them up on-line.  This is an association which gives rides in gliders, the planes that have no propellers or motors.

We headed out to the farmland west of Chicago for the headquarters of the group, and asked if it would be possible for the two of us to have a ride.  Gliders come in one seat or two seat versions.  Since neither of us is a pilot, we would need to go up with an experienced flier.  Both the front and back seat are equipped with the controls needed to fly the plane.  The pilot explained what we were seeing and then told us not to worry, we wouldn’t do any of the flying.

Dear Husband went up first, not because I was afraid, but because I wanted to see how it was done before I tried it.  It was about 10:00 in the morning.  The tow-plane started up, and moved into position so that the tow line was straight and taut between the planes and then they were off.  Toward the edge of the field there was a  fountain of leaves in the air as the tow-plane lifted into the air, and then it was just a matter of watching as they circled up into the sky.

It was cloudy this morning, and I lost the glider in the clouds for a few minutes, but could watch for the rest of the flight.  They were up for about 25 – 30 minutes, longer than I expected.  When they came down, DH was smiling, and had obviously enjoyed the flight.  Unfortunately, I had to wait for a bit.  Someone had booked the 10:30 appointment.  I got to watch them go through the same pre-flight experience and take off.

When the glider came down, it was my turn.  I got into the plane, (like stepping into a bathtub) and was secured in the seat with straps much like a baby in a car seat.  Once they were satisfied that I was secure and the equipment was working, we took off.  It was a little bumpy over the field, but we were up in the air right away.

Dear Husband had been towed to almost 3000 feet in the air.  We were towed to roughly 2500 feet. Those clouds that I mentioned had continued to move in, and the pilot was concerned about  the lack of visibility,  so I had a shorter ride.  It was fabulous!  There were no thermals to provide lift, so we circled around as we lost height.  I enjoyed flying over harvested and un-harvested fields, over farm houses, creeks, roads and train tracks,  farmland churches and cemeteries.  I’m eager to go again, but it will probably have to wait until next summer.  We’ll choose a clear day, so that we can stay up longer.

Our pilot timed it just right.  Ten minutes after I landed, and paid our bill, the first rain drops came down, and DH saw lightening to the west.    Scot can be my pilot any day!

I was talking with My-Sister-The-Nurse on Saturday and told her that I had cooked a brisket last week.  Of course, she wanted to know what Dear Husband and I were going to do with all that beef.

We’ve cut back on our beef consumption, but every now and then one of us just gets a taste for comfort food that features beef and I head for the kitchen.

I’m not sure how big the brisket was.  I’d frozen it in two pieces but I cooked all of it.  My guess is that it was two-and-a-half to three-and-a-half pounds.  I really wanted to use it up before it developed freezer burn.

I sliced a mammoth onion pole to pole and set the wedges of onion in the crock pot.  I set the beef, now cut into four chunks, on top of the onion, added beef broth, at least two bay leaves and seasoned with salt and pepper.  You could add fresh thyme sprigs, tied together with kitchen string, if you like the taste of thyme.  I cooked the meat all day long on low, until it could be shredded with a fork.

That evening we had brisket with gravy, mashed potatoes, cauliflower with sauteed bread crumbs, and green beans.  I know…heavy on starch and fat, but every now and then your mouth says it’s the right thing.

A couple of nights later we used the next third of the beef in a barbecue with my Mother’s barbecue sauce.  It’s made with ketchup, green pepper, onion, celery, brown sugar, vinegar,  and Dijon (I think).  I put pickling spice in a tea ball and submerge it in the sauce, which cooks on low for thirty minutes.  We normally put a diffuser under the pan to keep from decorating the kitchen.  I realize that this the perfect season for it to look like there is blood everywhere, but prospective buyers of the house might be turned off.  If you don’t have a diffuser, or if yours is packed away as mine is, partially cover the pan with a lid, and stir the sauce occasionally.

Today I’m using the last of the beef and broth to make a beef barley soup.  I have never cooked barley!  You need to cook barley for an hour, so while it was busy absorbing all that water, I chopped celery, onion and carrots and sweated them in oil with a little minced garlic.  I put a large sieve in the top of the stockpot and drained all the broth into the pan, straining out the onion and beef and most of the cooled fat.  I discarded the onion and most of the fat, shredded the beef into small pieces and added it to the broth.  Dear Husband likes a lot of broth, so I added a bit more to the pot along with the veggies, two bay leaves and a twist of black pepper.  When the veggies are fork tender, I’ll add the barley and let it simmer a bit longer.

We really like soup, so if this turns out well, I’d be likely to try it again.  What could be easier!?

And that’s my story of the week in brisket.

This past month while I’ve been away from the blog, I’ve done a lot of little things.

Scraps on a Mission is winding down.  The quilts will be given away early in November.  As of today, we have 57 quilts, ranging in size from 40 x 40 to 80 x 70.  That’s more than we made last year, with fewer quilters!  I’m very proud of these ladies for all they have accomplished.

I made a baby quilt for a lady who lost her home to fire.  She was expecting her first baby in September, and had nothing.  Then I made a quilt for my newest great great nephew.  This little boy will be having heart surgery in December, and I wanted him to be wrapped in my love.  I’m working on some quilted gifts, and a quilt for my newest great great niece!

Our house has not sold.  We may take it off the market for a bit.  I’m not eager to have people coming through during the holidays, even if we aren’t doing major celebrations.  It will go back up for sale next spring.

Dear Husband  had to take his boat out of the water, three weeks before the sailing season ended.  The diesel motor was slipping into gear, and it’s not safe for him to be out in such a busy boating area and not be able to fall back on the motor if needed.  So, it’s on dry land, and they will look into the repairs once all the boats have been lifted out.  Happily, I get the benefit of DH’s company, so I’m a happy camper! 🙂

I had my annual physical last Thursday.  While there are things I need to work on, the physical itself was a good one.  I have a series of tests lined up during the month, but I’m confident that I will have a reasonably good bill of health.

I’ve crocheted squares for the Charity Crochet Exchange, and will continue to make basic squares for them for a while.  I’m not the speediest crocheter, but I can crank out a 6″ square in less than an hour.  It’s pleasant to sit with DH and watch TV and make these squares.

We’ve had a beautiful fall. Trees are just beginning to change here.  We’ve seen the golds, and now a little of the dark reds are showing up.  DH cries every time the trees drop more leaves.  I think I may help him rake this year.

Happy Fall to all of you!

I’ve been away from my blog for about a month and a half, but I’m back to tell you that I’ve had a FABULOUS DAY!  First, It’s  my birthday.  I’ve heard from friends and family, and that always makes the day special, but Dear Husband and I spent the day out bumming around and I had a wonderful time.

We headed west out of the Chicago suburbs on Route 30, stopping for lunch in Sugar Grove at the Fireside Grille.  Actually it was more like stopping for “dinner.”  DH had their famous BBQ ribs, and I had beef Stroganoff.  I don’t have to cook dinner tonight! lol

We continued west to the tiny town of Waterman, looking for Waterman Road.  NONE of the streets are named “Waterman Road.”  I was surprised when after two quick trips through town DH stopped at a Casey’s to ask for directions.  IN town, that road is called “Elm Street.”  We found our way north to Honey Hill, an apple picking farm.

We didn’t actually pick apples today, although the weather was perfect for it.  We stopped at the farm store, and I went wild!  SO many fun things to buy.  I came home with seedless Red Raspberry Jam, Apple CInnamon Jelly, Strawberry Rhubarb Jam, and Apricot Jam.  I have enough jam to last me to next season, but one flavor sounded better than the next!

I have a tiny cook book specifically for squash and pumpkins.  I want to add more squash into our diet, and there were some pretty good recipes to be had.  I have a set of four coasters with wonderful Christmas scenes, and a BLT dip I need to take to my sister’s house!

Of course, there are apple donuts, and a Dutch apple pie.  I know….more sugar than we need, but it’s my birthday!!!  OH…..and we brought home about a peck of Cortland apples.  I’ll be baking during the next couple of weeks.  How about cinnamon apple slices to go with roast pork, too?

On our way back east, we stopped at a shop that had so much scent in the air you could have cut it into slices and sold it.  Candles, scenters, things to hold scenters, pierced tin, country decorations, bee skeps, signs…just anything you might want to give a country look to your holiday decorations, or your home.  I want to return with my sisters.  I know they’d enjoy this shop.  1803 Candles, in Hinkley, Illinois.

A little further on we passed Windy City Soaring, and stopped to get some information.  Of course, today is Tuesday, and they pretty much confine their operations to weekends.  Luckily, they posted a website and phone number, so DH looked them up on line.  I think we will be making arrangements for him to soar later this month for his birthday. 🙂

As we traveled through the farm land we could see the corn and soybean harvest underway.  The beans must have gone in very early because they are really dry, and the majority of corn has very little green left.  We were VERY close to a big John Deere harvester as they made a turn back into a soybean field, and they are just amazing.  We think that the cutting reel must be easily 16 feet across.  There are trucks positioned around the field to pick up the harvest and take it to the grainery, so that the harvester never needs to leave the field.  I may need to add to my Bucket List:  Watch the harvest at the family farm in Iowa.

Of course, you know that the best part of the day was just bumming around with Dear Husband.  I love the time we spend together, even when it isn’t anything of note.  It’s been a lovely day!

Early this morning I woke to the sound of rain on the roof.  It takes a pretty good storm to hear that rain because of the dead air above our bedroom and below the roof.  The forecast had only called for a 30% chance of rain today, so I thought it might be just a passing little storm.

Before I was dressed and ready to start my toast we had a brilliant flash of lightening.  I counted not quite to ten, I think, and then the longest peal of thunder rolled through the valley and SHOOK THE HOUSE.  It actually shook for several seconds.  Our house is extremely well built.  To hear it rattle was shocking.  I actually wondered if there might have been a terrorist attack at Fermi.

The rain abated, and I had breakfast and then got started in the studio pinning a quilt.  The wind picked up and the trees were whipping around and the heavens opened a second time.  We have finally had a wonderful day of rain.  Well, not an entire day, but most of it.  I was saved from having to schlep the hose around.  I could see the gardens perking up.

I love rainy days!

Cop Car….do NOT ask what KIND of little birds!

I was sitting at the sewing machine yesterday, looking out the window over the garden that surrounds the front sidewalk, and this really big bug flew by.  Wait…..it’s not a bug, it’s a HUMMINGBIRD!!!

I have a buddlea  shrub in the gardens, a butterfly bush.  It’s one of those with the raspberry colored pannicles. There were several hummers checking it out.  The birds were a medium sage green.   I couldn’t really see their wings because they were beating so fast.  I’ve seen pictures of ruby-throated hummingbirds, but I didn’t see any red on these birds.  When they were finished with the butterfly bush, they moved on to the red bud tree, just checking to see if there was anything else that interested them.

The butterfly bush also provided me the chance to see the first monarch butterfly of the summer!

Later, working at the kitchen sink, I discovered that hummingbirds and gold finches were swarming over the herb garden.  They both were checking out the purple cone flowers, and the hummers liked the basil.  The catnip was filled with finches, something drabber than the goldfinches.

I wouldn’t be offended if you called me “a country mouse.”  I do love the view out my windows!

I haven’t posted for some time because I’ve been busy working on projects in my studio.  I had three lap quilts to finish for Scraps on a Mission, and I cut out the pieces for two baby quilts.  I also sewed the blocks together for the last of the five twin-sized quilts that will be given to a women’s shelter from our Scraps on a Mission group.

One of the baby quilts is for a woman who has lost everything.  Her home has burned down, her dad has died, and now she is preparing to bring a little boy into the world in September.  It seemed to me that the least I could do was to make a baby quilt for that little  guy.  The picture of the quilt at the top of this page is what I made for them last week.

At breakfast yesterday with a friend who is in my charity quilting group, I described the quilt, and she suggested that we also send one of the cowboy fabric quilts that we’ve made.  The little blue quilt is just 40″ x 40″, but we can send a larger one he can use as he grows.  Another member of the group, upon hearing the story, said that SHE had a quilt that we could send!  I love the generosity that has just risen up for this woman we don’t even know.

Twenty years ago the title of this post would have been “The Dreaded Dentist,”  but I’ve been working with a woman the past 23 years who has helped me get over some of the fear I have of dental work.  My periodontist has asked for the complete set of x-rays so that he can determine if I have had any bone loss.  I decided to ask the dentist to do the x-rays because we have worked on techniques to put me at ease that the periodontist doesn’t do.

I arrived at the office at 6:40, twenty minutes early.  I wasn’t sure how bad rush hour traffic would be, and whether I might have to wait on commuter trains.  The dentist arrived about five minutes to seven, and we got started on time.  She had to take EIGHTEEN x-rays.  The new office assistant was developing them as they were taken.  Unfortunately, she didn’t realize that the films had to be put through the machine in a carrier.  So, the machine ate them. (sigh)  I had to take four or five of them a second time, but they were the ones in the front, which bother me the least.

I waited for half an hour for the doc to be able to read all the x-rays.  That was almost worse than actively taking the  x-rays, but finally I was free to go home.

There was a message on my answering machine.  Doc was looking at the films and wants to take three of them again.  She feels the camera angle can be improved to show there isn’t anything bad going on.  (sigh)  I’ll have to go back.

I want to record that I behaved myself in the dentist’s office today.  I was pleasant, and easy to work with.  But, I really would like to get things like this over with in one try.