ruby crowned kinglette

love, dad

it's december 4th, and i am honoring my father's memory. and his presence too, still, after thirty years he is very much a part of who my family is.  amazing, the way people stay long after they are gone. i will always wonder what our lives would have been like had he been here to share them with us. different to be sure. but, i do know he would have been proud.

that is why this project intrigues me so much.  there was discussion at the nearly-empty-except-for-the-wine-glasses thanksgiving table about why documenting family history is so important.  since i don't come from a family with a whole lot of documentation, of heirlooms or stories, i think these kinds of projects and treasures they produce are such wonderful ideas.  although life's events and peoples histories can be reconstructed from sources found, wouldn't it be so much more wonderful to sit down and listen to the people you love, to honor them by asking of their stories before it is too late?

so... i am here today, not regretful, but feeling the still large presence of a man who passed away thirty years ago today.  i wish i knew more of his stories... because i know they would have been good ones.  

we had pie

joanne's pumpkin pie, to be exact.

now it seems that i was a bit selfish earlier and didn't post a recipe - and this pie is so good that you should have the recipe.  so good.

so, so good.

 

joanne’s pumpkin pie

1        10” baked shell

1        envelope gelatin – unflavored
1/4     cup cold water

3        eggs – separated
1/2     cup sugar
1 1/4  cup canned pumpkin – unseasoned
1/2     cup sour cream
1/2     teaspoon salt
1        teaspoon cinnamon
1/4     teaspoon ground cloves
1/4     teaspoon nutmeg
1/4     teaspoon ginger

1/4     cup sugar

1        cup cream – whipped
1        cup sifted powdered sugar
1        teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2    cup chopped pecans

note:  i usually double by half the whipping cream mixture to be certain there will be enough to cover top of pie.

beat egg yolks in 1/2 cup sugar until lemon colored.  add pumpkin, sour cream, salt and spices.  cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until boils, continue boiling for 2 minutes.

remove from heat – stir in softened gelatin.  stir until dissolved.  cool.

beat egg whites until frothy.  add 1/4 cup sugar gradually and beat until stiff.  fold into pumpkin mixture when it has cooled.

whip cream slightly.  gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla.  mix well.

spoon half of the pumpkin mixture into shell.  add 1/2 of cream mixture. repeat.

sprinkle with chopped pecans.

goodbye my sweet friend

i will miss you terribly...

my favorite little niece and her friend

sweet isn't it?  i laughed and laughed and then felt like i had to go wash my face.

happy birthday mister, take two

it's chet's birthday... 14 years old today, making him 72 in human years....    he went to the vet because of an ear infection and skin issues (always the skin issues). he also managed to pee a little on the vet and pooped a little in the waiting room but didn't seem to feel too badly about it; thankfully, i am way past feeling embarrassed by it either. the vet thought he was doing pretty well overall, and gave him many little cookies so it was a good day all around.

i took this photo last week.  it was after i had made three trips in from the car, after i had found the camera, and after i had mounted it to the tripod and took about 18 pictures.  he is not, by any definition, a watchdog. he is a cuddly dog.

happy birthday chet, here is to several more.

thanksgiving day

i made another one
just like the other one.
i can't wait to dig in
happy thanksgivin'.

have a spectacular holiday all you who celebrate thanksgiving. and to everyone else, have a wonderful thursday!

-s

it must feel like all trick and no treat...

from now on i am going to be in the costume making business... that is until georgia decides differently...

this is from martha stewart.  when i cut the template out it was HUGE - and gigi?  not so big.  everytime i adjusted the pattern it still seemed so big... so i kept scaling it down... (haha, pun not intended...)

and now?  it seems she is somewhat jammed up inside the belly of the beast.
she's none too pleased about it either.

happy halloween everyone.  and you too gigi, hope you have fun.

this is not the view from my house...

my mom has been out of town for a couple of weeks, she got home monday.  my sister and her newborn have been visiting for a few weeks and she goes home today.  wednesday, my sister - who is leaving on vacation for a couple weeks but home now - and i had dinner with the other two... it was nice. family is good, i love them and am glad we like each other - mostly...

i am taking my vacation vicariously through my family this year... not exactly the same*, but it is better than none at all.

this is the view, at sunset on wednesday, from my mom's house.  it is a good thing i don't live there, i might never, ever, stop looking at the trees and the water, or hoping for that next wonderful bird to fly by, perch and wait for me to identify it.

*living vicariously is...... horse shit.

the family keeps growing and growing

another month, another baby...

introducing audrianna francine, born just over six days ago... she has her mother's lower lip and her father's coloring, a pretty nice set of lungs and beautiful long fingers i am already jealous of, a little dimple on her left cheek and grandparents that will no doubt spoil her with all things sweet and lovely.

congratulations to my wonderful cousin for a job very very well done!

and, reminding you that this is a crafty sort of site, audrianna will be surrounded by a little love from me too...

this is the denise schmidt 'hop skip jump' quilt i made a couple months ago and then a skirt and bumper to match...  roman shades are next.

the jig is up

i learned a little something last night....

the party responsible for stealing my apples?  it's that one, up there!
last night while finishing my book for book club, chet trotted into the house with an apple in his mouth and then proceeded to eat it, TWICE!... i let him have the first one, i took the second one away.

so, there you have it. i am now down to three apples, not even enough for a pie.  i am not sure i would have made a pie, but now i know i can't.  it is hard to garden when your dog loves all things vegetable - and fruit.