Sunday, August 7, 2005

Another beautiful weekend.  I'm watching a Judy Garland music on TCM.  The Mets are on ESPN tonite.

Dale is on vacation this coming week.  Nothing special planned.

The sunflowers are beginning to bloom & the bees loves them, as well as the zinneas & marigolds.  I've never seen so many bees & have to be careful when watering the pots.

Fri the ones working for the gas co. left their "digger" on our front lawn as the work isn't completed.  Bright orange in color.  What an addition to our landscape!!!

Last Sat I made blueberry bread & it is so good.  Barb wanted a blueberry pie & she wanted me to make the crust with oil instead of Crisco.  I have a recipe so I tired it, but I don't like the results.  The filling is good but from now on I'll use my favorite crust recipe, the regular one.  This pie had the cream cheese layer & blueberries on top.  Then I made a blueberry sauce for on top of all & it is really flavorful.

Back to the movie -- Fred Astaire is in the movie.  I really enjoyed seeing a musical again.

Mon. A.M. the 9th

Our red rose bush has roses similar to American beauties.  I cut some & put them in bud vases & enjoy their beauty in the house.  Can look out at them thru the kitchen window. They have a little blight but Barb sprays them.  I might have been overwatering them.

Lar said he planted the single flower rose as they don't get the blight  But once they open they don't last.  It is not hard to care for them.

I never realized bees feeding on the sunflower could be so fascinating.  So much fund to watch them cluster around the flower.  We have 4 more to bloom.

Dale turned his mattress & I washed the matt. pad & sheets.  Now his bed is made & I have a load of towels to wash.  3 loads this A.M.  How much easier today than in my mother's day.  At least when we were kids she had the wringer washer.  No driers then.  Clothes lines.  I don't hang clothes out anymore.  Just rugs, etc. which I want to do this week when I wash the floor.

Barb is at Lynn's & Dale has gone to Jamestown.  Barb thinks Dale isn't doing enough trimming outside.  But this is his vacation & if he cares to do nothing that is fine with me. Tomorrow he will help me turn my mattress as I can't do it alone anymore.  That doesn't take any time.  As to working outside, the grass is all brown & you can't do much with the work the gas co. is doing.  That should soon be finished.  They are working on Dan Niezmik's property today.  Can't do any lawn work until the fall rains come.  The co. is suppose to see, etc. what they dug up.

Fri. A.M. the 12th

I'm home from having my hair done, took a load from the washer to the drier & put towels to wash.

Yesterday Dale washed the outside of the house.  Get the dust off after digging, etc.  The new gas meter is on the outside of the house -- in plain sight to Barb and Dale's dismay.

This is the weekend Lar & Kim are going to Niagara on the Lake with another couple.  They'll leave after lunch.  Betsy (your age) will have Torey for the weekend.  Torey loves to make the rounds of the neighbor hood, begging for food & it's always welcomed for him.  But he got "the runs" -- probably spoiled food.   So last nite Torey couldn't have "people food" as Kim wants it cleared up so Betsy won't have a problem.  The vet said to feed him ground beef & rice.  Kim said I could put a little chicken on top so he was satisfied.  He couldn't have ice cream but kept looking for it.  A couple of Beggin strips helped.  She spent $90.00 on Torey for flea medicine & something else.

Barb is experimenting with her laptop  She got onto TIME & showed me a page she copied. She's had trouble with her password for some sites.

Time for A.M. coffee.  I did smile when you told me about Andy's latest adventure.  Oh the thrill of being parents!  I'm still hearing things that happened like holding your breath to get a reaction.  Courtesy of Larry.  Do you remember!!!

I just read an article on the laptop about the Mets' Beltran & Cameron's collision on S.D. outfield.  Very interesting what the laptop, etc. can do.

Tuesday, May 5, 2005

Last week I got a letter from John & it surprised me.  Told me about Fe (pronounced Fay) his Philipino girlfriend & sent pictures of their trip to Aruba.  John looks very happy.  He wears glasses now & in one picture you could be brothers, except he carries more weight & has a fuller face.  He took Gen to a day care center but she didn't like it.  He is still keeping the farm up & 2 of his buddies help him.  He has planted 2000 Christmas trees in back of the house that was his grandparents.  It will be several years before they are grown.  Gen would have a fit if she knew they were together in Aruba.  Now John has freedom & is better off.

I called Millie east Sat.  That was the day of the family birthday party.  She is feeling fine again.  Allan, knowing she had lost her appetite, bro't her chicken soup, turkey soup, spag. & meat balls & chili -- he had made them all.  He is 63 & retired.  Is pres. of the "Friends of the Library" (they live in Westfield) & has sponsored several parties to make money.  One in their backyard & it was a beer tasting party & Allan had made finger food to go with it.

I finally got 3 boxes of Schwans chicken thru Sheila.  He said he would stop at the house last Sat. but he didn't.  Hope he does sometime.

We went to Erie & I thin kit will be my last trip.  Too much walking & I like to stay near Barb so it is hard to shop for what is on my list.  Jamestown is better for me.  We wish a Target would come in the area somewhere.

I was ironing last week & my iron quit.  Dale looked at it & fixed it so I won't need to get a new one.

My 2nd blueberry pie came out better -- the crust around the edge wasn't as thick.  I cut it away as I should have done with the 1st one.  Now I have to get the cut out in the top crust centered so it looks better.  It is a good recipe & taste good.

We are looking forward to tomorrow.  Why?  Warmer weather & sunshine are on the way!  Oh happy day.  The furnace has been running to keep us warm when it's in the 30's outside.

The doorbell rang this A.M. & it was the new Schwan man -- they got someone to take the route.  He'll come every other Tues.

Sat. nite we are invited to Lar & Kim's camp to celebrate Mother's Day.  It should be in the hi 60's, so we can be outside.

We went to the library yesterday & I got 4 books.  2 by Fern Michaels, 1 by Karen Robards, 1 by Mary Baloch.

I got an invitation to Ted & Pat Benson's 50th wedding anniversary party in June.  I think it is the 50th of his ordination as well.  In June sometime.

Thurs. May 4

Yesterday I decided to try to finish my second book.  So at 7 A.M. (Dale's early week) I started reading for an hour.  When I looked at the clock it was close to 8:15.  I shut the book & did dishes & then got dressed, etc.  Read some more & finished the book.  Started dinner rolls & finished them after lunch.  Baked a pie shell for the banana cream pie I made this A.M.  A new recipe I got in the Sun. paper.  You fold whipping cream into the custard.  It looks good.

Barb was up early yesterday so she could be at Lynn's at 11:30 to help Scott (who didn't go to school) write a book report on Tom Sawyer which is due tomorrow.  She had to go to Bert's first.  Lynn said she'd see that Scott read the book, but she never did.  She tanked Barb many times for helping Scott.  I asked her if she will be helping him thru the high school years.  They are pushing the kids so they'll do well on the 8th grade tests.  My high school subjects must seem like pap in regard to what they learn today.

Yesterday aft. I started the 3rd book & finished it this A.M.  No TV last night.  I really admire authors who can write books that make one want to read til it's finished.  I just wish I could spread my reading time out.  One more book to go.  I'll have to try to save it for a couple of days.

It warmed up today & was so nice.

Lar tilled the garden for Barb.

Will enclose John's letter & a picture.

Saturday, July 7, 2001

I'm on the porch with a cup of coffee & a freshly made roll & PB oatmeal c.c. cooky.  Have to sample my baking.  I'm awake early so I was up at 6 A.M., baked my rolls & cookies & made banana bread.  Then Barb & I went to the Mall, after I was showered & dressed & I returned a blouse at Bon Ton (didn't like how it looked ) & did a little shopping at KMart.  Now I'm taking the rest of the day off.  We are going to Nickel Inn tonite for Kim's birthday dinner.  It was put off when Lar got sick & they had plans for last weekend.

The store on rd & Conewango is now G.O.P headquarters & it is being remodeled.  Taken out the large window, filled in & now there are 4 smaller ones.  Entrance centers on 3rd & Conge--.  Improved the look of the bldg.

Careys put up a fence (long time ago) between their yard & the school yard.  A while ago they took it down.  Kim wanted it & Lar wouldn't ask for it.  So last Thurs. Kim did & Mr. Carey said "sure".  It's a picket fence & she wants to put it up by the greenhouse at the apt.  She's fixed up a little patio there.  But it entailed more work as Mr. C. had more stuff he wanted to get rid of & Kim's friend was having a garage sale today.  Yesterday aft. she was over & helped to assemble the stuff in their garage.  2 sewing machines, some exercise stuff & I don't know what else.  Kim said one of her friends would like a sewing machine.  They were here at 7:30 to put the stuff in Lar's truck.  I went over to give Lar a roll & cookies for a snack & I was in my nightie, housecoat & slippers.  Felt a little embarrassed but I wanted to finish my chores before a shower.  Kim said they have a lot more junk in the attic & I'm sure Lar will be called on to help get rid of it.

The Fall Penney's catalog came this week & I've been looking at it.  See a few things I might like but am in no hurry.  Seems like I remember you said you shopped at Target.  If it is possible, I'd love to go there.  Erie has one & Kim likes to shop there.  It seems like we go to the Mall & don't ever get to Target. 

Yesterday & today are so beautiful.  Blue skies, fluffy white clouds & clear air.  My kind of summer day, & I'm enjoying taking it easy.

Barb is watering her plants & Mr. Carey asked her what she used to feed her plants.   Miracle Gro is the answer.  He said they look great & they do.  On the steps, on each side of the rails, she has dahlias & they are starting to bloom & look so great.  In the back yard she has lupine & they are beautiful.

I better water my hanging basket so more later.

I made a blueberry pie & Lar said it was good, only Kim makes better pies!  I said that's fine -- the wife comes first now.  Anyway I'm including the recipe in case you like blueberries.

I'm watching "mute" TV.  Cleveland vs. St. Louis.  Will root for Cleveland.  Can't stand all the controversy of the All Star game, managers, choices, etc.

Sun. aft.

Just finished making a Turkey salad for supper.  Whenever turkey breast is on sale, I get one.  Last week was cool so we had turkey Thurs. nite.  Fri Barb wanted pizza so we didn't have left overs.  Last nite we went out.  Barb, Lar & I had fish fry as it is available on Fri & Sat.  It was delicious.  Golden crust & nice white meat & it was a huge piece.  Dale had big size Prime Rib & he couldn't eat it all so Torey got leftovers.  Kim had broccoli fettuccine.  Nickel Inn & it was crowded with many large groups.  To get back to the leftover turkey -- was trying to plan a weekly menu & decided to use the turkey in a salad & still have some for sandwiches for Mon. lunch.

Soon strawberries are at an end but Barb picked 2 qts yesterday.  She likes to make a strawberry smoothie & Dale likes them on ice cream. 

Kim said Mr. Carey had added more stuff to the collection.  Some went into a bag & sold very cheap.  Another bag & any leftovers went to the Salvation Army & it included moth eaten draperies.  She made about 50.00.

As soon as we got home last nite, about 9:20 pm, the TV went on as it was a nite Nascar race.  And Earnhardt Jr. wont it -- that was so nice as it was where his dad died.  I went to bed & didn't see the end which was a good deal.  It would be hard to get to sleep after all that emotion.

Rose Seeley is back at Warren Hosp. Transitional Care Unit.  I suppose for therapy & getting ready to go home.  She's had some tough times.

Saw this quote in the Buff. paper.  "I adore seafood, especially saltwater taffy."  Milton Berle.

Tues the 10th -- the day I clean my bedroom & the bathroom.  Now I'm cleaned up & ready to watch "Murder She Wrote" & will finish my letter.  It's a showery day but I hope to mail t his after 11 AM & also a card to Rose.

I have a 1000 pc. puzzle on the card table.  I'll ad a piece now & then while watching the All Star game in Seattle.  Watched the Home Run Derby last nite & was glad it was won by the N.L.  Hope they can win tonite.

Sunday, August 31, 1997

Just a little note to enclose an obit. for Mr. Sandblade & a note on Pa. libraries.

Dad saw the Dr. on Wed - I went with.  He wants Dad to have an upper G.I. to find out why he has trouble swallowing.  It will be Wed at 89 A.M.  I mentioned a pain in my left leg - calf area & he wants me to have an ultra sound to find out why.  That is Wed. at 1 pm.  Fri aft. I have an eye exam.  Every thing comes at once & the next week we have company.  But I've decided on a menu.  Dad has lost 15 lbs in 3 months & that concerned the Dr.

Dale is still working on the car - everything has to be perfect.  Fred told him not to drive it for a month so the paint can "set" property.

I'm watching the Steelers-Dallas game.  Go Pittsburgh!

We saw the Met vs. Baltimore Sat. on Fox.  What a game for Met lovers to see. It was great.  I'm going to root for L.A. to win the Nat. League.  L. A. against Orioles!  Andy won't like that.

Labor Day Lar & Kim will come for a picnic supper.  Burgers on the grill & a blueberry pie.  Barb's request. Got them at Farmer's kt.  Most likely the last of the season.l  She wants a double crust, old fashion pie.

We'll be sending Andy's birthday gift soon.

We've had a lot of cool & cloudy weather.  Over 3" of rain in Aug.  We didn't have any in July.  The grass has come back & it grew a lot this past week.

I've hit a snag - no more news.

Mon. A.M.    My pie was a bit "juicy" but delicious, esp. the crust which I got out of the Wi. cook book you gave me.  I'll enclose recipe - similar to the one you use, JoAnna.