Saturday, October 22, 2005

It's a damp, sometimes rainy Sat.  I'm not baking today -- have banana bread in the freezer.

They (Russell school) are taking down the newer playground equipment at Jefferson School. It is a big project & several men are there.  I'm sure it is a time free job by PTA volunteers.

I copies 2 recipes from Bon Appetit.  One a choc. cake & frosting that sounds delicious. The other Schmaltz balls for thickening gravy.  Don't' know if I'll have the chicken fat to make them.  Article by Alton Brown from the Food Channel & fun to watch if you can take his humor.  Sometimes I can't.  Dale watches it at times.

Watching Baseball Tonight on ESPN last nite, 3 of the 4 announcers pick the White Sox to win. One stock with the Astros.  I'm having a hard time deciding.  I'm an N.L. booster but -- ! One has to lose.

This past week I've been up at 5 AM.  Work up this A.M. at 5 AM, went to the bathroom & back to sleep til after 7 A.M.  It's a lazy day for me & that is why I started a letter.

Barb is still in her p.j.'s on the laptop.  Dale slept in & is taking it easy.  He got what he needed to automatically open the car doors so we should so be able to use the keys for that.

Yesterday we went to Jamestown.  Ate lunch at Red Lobster.  Did some shopping.  Found a top I liked.  Tried it on & bought it.  A Kathy Daniels red zippered top with a black scroll design stitched on.  The "stitched" should have gone before "scroll" -- or something like that.

Later.  We're watching the Wi-Purdue game.  As of the half they are tied.  Go Wisconsin!

I'm making "Almost Homemade Chicken Soup' using canned chicken broth, veggies & noodles & of course cubed chicken.  Barb wondered if I made a pie.  Tho't of it but we have leftover apple crisp to finish.  Next time I'll plan a soup & pie supper.

Wed, 8 A.M.

I'll write some more before I get dressed.  Last Sun. as I made my bed I turned the wrong way & felt a twinge in my back.  I've applied heat & exercise.  It's not bad enough to go to the chiropractor, but it is a little bothersome.

Millie called to tell me that John, Fe (Fay) & Gen went to see Millie last Sun. They gave her a wedding invitation, 3 pages telling about sponsors, attendants, etc.  Done in pink & white. Her father is dead & was mayor of their city.  Mother an M.D.  Large group of attendants. Following the ceremony the reception & it said dance, dance, dance so it must be an all nite affair.  John & Fe leave tomorrow the 27th & it's a 24 ur trip.  Gen thinks John is going on vacation.  Gen doesn't believe John is her son.  Millie can see how that can happen because he is so much like Ed.  And when he called me, he sounded like Ed.  They also went to Larry's cottage & Gen told Larry she planned to divorce Ed.

Sun. in church the pastor announced Rose Seeley's family wished members would visit Rose, esp. old friends.  That hit home as I've tho't I should visit Rose but haven't.  But I will. She is at the home on Water St. so I can walk over there.  But it's been a rainy week so I'll wait for a nicer day but I have to do this.  No more putting it off.

John is either 41 or will be in Nov.  That means my mother died 41 years ago.  She died in Jan & John was born in Nov.  Millie figures Fe is in her middle 30s.  She is an emergency room nurse.  Works 4 10 hr. days & has 3 days off.

I made lasagna last nite, using "no cook" noodles & it was very good.  Veggie lasagna with spinach.  When I had to cook the noodles they would always split on me & I didn't like that.

Better get going.

Thurs nite.

My back is OK & I'm thankful for that.

I was sorry that the Astros couldn't even win one game, but it is nice the White Sox finally won a World Series.  I didn't think it was a very interesting World Series.

Have you noticed how well Penn State & the Steelers are doing.  I guess "Papa Joe" as he is affectionately called still has "it" along with the help of a few good freshmen.  He doesn't usually use freshman.  I'm sure Cyndi is happy.  Is that how she spells her name.  Seems to be it was a different spelling.  We're hoping that we see the sun soon. Maybe this weekend.

Barb finished her puzzle & I started one.  A winter scene.  Barb's was a hard one.

Saturday, November 20, 2004

Imagine you folks are happy as Ohio State is beating Mich.  And lowly Penn State is beating Mich. State.  Maybe Wisc. will to go the Rose Bowl after all.

Dale's Dr's office called yesterday & wanted Dale to have a culture of his nail (infected) so he is to see a podiatrist just about now.  His insurance required it.  They want to get it cleared up so it won't go into his bloodstream.

I need to wrap Christmas gifts but it's been too warm, weatherwise, to get into it.  My bedroom is crowded with boxes to be wrapped.

Barb went to Jamestown today but she couldn't get what she wanted.  We won't go gain until the last Mon. or Tues of the month.  The day after Thanksgiving is too crowded, altho a lot of people are shopping earlier.

John called last nite & I visited with him & then talked to Gen.  It's pretty hard to have a conversation with her anymore.

We'll have Thanksgiving dinner around 4-5 pm, whichever hour is best for Larry & Kim.  I don't mind eating later as it isn't such a rush.

I don't recall my oldest son making a 3 plus average in high school, altho he was more than capable of doing that!!!  Tell Andy & Ed they are doing a good job & make the honor roll next time.

Tonite I'm trying a new recipe.  Flatten the chicken breasts, season them & stuff them with finely chopped broccoli & shredded cheddar.  Fold over, add chicken broth & bake covered. You could also add a slice of ham first.  I'll let you know how they come out.

It was a good meal -- Dale liked it.  I may try it one Thurs. nite when Lar & Kim are here. Easy to make.

I'm sure people in Wisc are holding their breath because of what Iowa is doing to Wi.  With one player hurt, it makes a big different as they can't seem to do anything.  Like against Mich. State.

I'm watching the World Poker Tour on the Travel Channel.  I don't know or understand poker at all, but it is fun to watch.  They can win a lot of money if they are the final winner.

The last 3 Sat. nites, Barb & I have played  game of Scrabble & she always beats me.  But tonite I prevented her from using all 7 letters.  She could have scored over 100 points but I prevented it. She still beat me but that's OK.  It's fun to play a game.

Sun. Nov. 21

It was scary today but Pittsburgh came out the winner over Cincy 19-14.  The QB couldn't do as much today.  Barb is happy as Buffalo is beating St. Louis.

Barb & I went grocery shopping after I got home from church.  The turkey is thawing in the fridge.  Lar stopped over & said Kim would make the pies.  I'll make the pumpkin pie (I like mine best.)  Kim will make the apple cranberry pie.

Tues A.M. the 23rd

Barb has been wrapping gifts & I'll start on Fri.  I'll use the D.R. table & will cover it with a plastic tablecloth so I won't scratch it.  The pkg. will be sent Mon the latest so it should be there for JoAnna's birthday.  We'll be putting the tree up soon.

Dale got a turkey from work so it is in the freezer for another time.

Tues pm.  When we were coming out of the Mall yesterday, Barb stopped to read a saying on the car -- "Friends don't let friends vote Republican".

Today (Wed), I cooked my sweet potatoes & fixed them so they're ready for Thurs.  Cleaned the turkey & cooked the giblets & have broth for the gravy.  Will use my good dishes & got them out on the table.  So I'm pretty well prepared.  Sometimes it's easier to plan a big meal than to plan supper.  Didn't know what to have tonite so I fixed macaroni & cheese & weiners & tossed salad.  I like it but I'm not sure about Dale liking it.  Barb ate it -- guess she didn't feel like doing anything.

I've been watching the Food Channel lately & have gotten a few hints.

In looking over Bon Appetit the Escarole Soup with Pasta & Meatballs sounds good.  But I might like to substitute spinach.  Plan to try it.

Back to the Food Channel -- noticed they made the stuffing in a frying pan -- sauteed the onion & celery & added the bread & broth & then baked it on the oven.   Plan to do that in the A.M.  They added more veggies but I'll stick to just celery, onions & seasoning.  There is also a blueberry pie recipe that I'd like to try.  It uses frozen B.berries.

It's 9:24 pm & guess what Dale is doing -- washing his white car.  He will put it in the garage he rents & use the Blazer.  He couldn't put it away dirty.  Luckily the weather is mild -- it is suppose to change by Fri A.M.  Colder & snow flurries but it will be 38 on Mon the 1st day of hunting when the hunters want it colder, & snow to track the deer.

Thanksgiving is over & I'm having a piece of pumpkin pie.  Larry & Dale chose to have pump. pie so I had a piece of Kim's apple cranberry pie.  And Thanksgiving wouldn't be complete without a piece of pump. pie.  I took a piece of Kim's pie for Dale & Lar will finish it at home. I like eating later as then I don't have to rush around.  The turkey was good.  Dale won't come home for lunch Fri -- he doesn't want to lose his parking place.  He'll have turkey sandwiches.

Bon Ton opens at 5 A.M. tomorrow.  Kim plans to go at 6 A.M.  Barb wants to go after I get my hair done.  I got a 10.00 coupon off & it has to be used by 11 A.M.  Barb will use it.

Tomorrow I'll know what to have for supper.  Leftovers.

Kim said Father Baker, retired Episcopal pastor, is not expected to live.  They live up the street now, just before Gustafson's.  I was surprised to hear that - his illness.

Saturday, October 11, 2003

Thanks so much for the pictures about Andy's group & the dance.  It was so much fun to study them & I'm glad you put names down.  Andy & his date make a nice couple.  Has Andy ever changed!  He's a big one -- football hero!

I'm watching the Yankees at Boston.  They had a "big rhubarb" & Zimmer runs out on the field & Pedro M. pushes him down.  He should know better & stay sitting on the bench. He is 72.


The ordination service was very impressive.  About a dozen pastors -- Jim S. & Diane were there & I got to talk to them.  Diane looks good & so does Jim.  He is getting quite gray. The Episcopalian Bishop assisted as well as Pastor Beth's husband.  They are both very nice.  About a dozen pastors, 3 of them women & 2 assisted in the service.  Of course the Bishop of our Synod presided.  During communion you could drink the wine from the cup or have intinction, which I did.  Kept the bread in my hand, held it out to the wind giver & she dipped it in the wine & put it in my mouth.  All very new for our people. I'm sure new methods will be introduced when we have a young pastor & I'm sure she has a lot of ideas.  Just hope she will take them gradually.

Barb wants to know if you or JoAnna have read David McCullough's John Adams?  It is Bert's book & she lent it to Barb & Barb is enjoying it a lot.

Late Fri. aft. Dale started digging by the side of the garage facing the house. He wants to put the TV cable in so when he works in the garage he can watch TV or as in the summer when he is suntanning he can hear it.  He got the cable in, working at it all day, but has to get it connected now.

Fri. we went up to the Mall & I got a new bathrobe, nightie & girdle.  I really need a new dress but I can't find anything suitable.  The styles seem to be very different this season -- nothing for an old lady.  And I don't like to order from the catalog.

Barb took the picture (Andy's) to show Marisa & Scott.  And I plan to show them to Sheila. They have a 3rd girl working with them now.

I finished my pumpkin puzzle & have the new one set to start.  I haven't put this one together before.

Got the Nov. Bon Appetit & the Pumpkin Cheesecake with gingersnap crust sounds interesting.  I'll copy it down.  Also a lemon pie.

Sun A.M. before church.

Bet there was a lot of celebrating last nite when Wisc. beat OSU.  Watched the end of the first half when I realized the Cubs would win.  One more win & they are in the World Series. Can you believe it?  Bet Roland is happy.  They say once a Cub fan, always a Cub fan.

Mon. the 13th

Larry bro't over his rototiller for Barb to use on the garden.  She added lime & leaves to the soil to enrich it thru the winter.  Our leaves haven't started to fall so she got 3 bags full at Johanson's.

We get our favorite cheese at BiLo's & we're down to the last pkg.  So when we shopped at Quality I got some cheddar cheese, not realizing it was extra strong.  Barb suggested I make a cheese sauce for broccoli and it was very tasty.  Didn't have too strong a flavor.

I ordered a blouse from the Penney's catalog but it won't be available until Nov. 1st.  Hope they won't be out of it.  Guess I waited too long.

Barb finished the sweater she made for me & she is anxious to start one for herself.  She doesn't like to shop at Walmart's but she stopped there last Fri & found yarn she liked.

I got our library newsletter today & I'll send it to you.  It tells how the library got started & it is very interesting.

Tues A.M.

What do you hear from Mardi P?  Can't remember her married name.  Wonder if they still like the Seattle area.

Remember I wrote about Mac Young who was killed in an accident.  Sons Craig & Robert. Well Mary Young has met a nice man -- she is so nice & always looks so good.  I'm glad for her -- Mac did everything for her & she was really lost for awhile.  Mary works for lawyer Mark Ristau.

Every Tues. A.M. a group of ladies meet at church to quilt (one is given to a baby at baptism), to knit lap robes and such.  Barb started a sweater & didn't like the yarn, so she ripped it & I bro't the yarn to church this A.M. as they can reuse the yarn.  Irma Thelin was there & she said Robert preached in Ridgway last Sun. & wore Dad's cross for the first time. Irma still mentioned how pleased Roger is to wear Dad's cassock & cross.  It was such an easy thing & appreciated so much.

Have dinner rolls set to go in the oven in a few minutes.  Also set Danish which I'll finish tomorrow A.M.

Heard from Millie today & she is happy as next spring she hopes to move into a retirement home in Falmouth, Ma.  She is 6th on the list.  Larry bot a 2nd home there so at times she will see them & she will be close to Linda.  Gen isn't very happy to hear this news.  The place is on 7 1/2 acres & they plan a lot of things -- going to Boston, concerts  etc.  She can walk to a church, library, bank, grocery store.  The only extra will be telephone & cable. She's already talked to a real estate salesman.  She's really excited about this & glad to give up her house & all that owning involves   I'm happy for her.  Where she is, is on a slant & she has to walk to get her mail or paper.  It's not that far but with ice & snow in the winter, then it is difficult.  She says now I'm going to have a life.  Millie loves people & gets along with people very well.

Oct 15th - I'm 83 years old.  Imagine that.

I found a recipe for apple bread.  It came out good & both Dale & Barb liked it.

Lar called yesterday & asked if I'd like to go out to eat on my birthday so we're going to Chiodo's at 6:30 p.m.  This A.M. I baked my Danish.  When I put the garbage in the garage, the new neighbor was raking leaves so I went over & spoke to her.  When I got back in the house I saw the rolls sitting there, so I went back out & gave her 8 rolls as a welcome to the neighborhood.  Dale took one for an aft. snack & Barb took one for Scott & one for her so I had about 8 left.  Naturally I sampled 2!

Thanks for the cards.  I can't recall what I mentioned wanting for Christmas.  But I'll be on the lookout for a pkg.

I just didn't feel good & my legs just gave away.  Some morning I haven't felt up to par but I'm just about back to normal.  I have lost weight as I didn't have much of an appetite, but it's improving.

I also made a choc. cake this A.M.  Had meat out for meatballs & spag. so I fixed the meatballs & they will be ready for Fri. supper.  Baked them in the oven -- easier that way.

Dale hates to drive over the 5th Ave bridge but Barb uses it all the time.

When I mentioned Andy's scowl in the picture, both Lar & Dale said "that's the football player coming out."

I have the same trouble matching navy & black socks even with the over head light on in the laundry area.  Even hard to match black to black.

Thurs. when Lar & Kim come, I plan to have a turkey breast, mashed pot., sweet pot., fruit salad & maybe green beans.  Cake & ice cream for dessert.  My birthday choice.

A piece of the house siding came loose -- the top ones aren't nailed down.  It was Tues & Dale's nite to work til 8 pm so I called Lar & he came over & fixed it.  With the hard winds we were to have I didn't want to put it off.  I'm lucky I can count on my children.

I'm not sure of Roger T's age but he is retired so maybe late 60's.

Thurs the 16th

The interim pastor started weekly communion & it went over well.  Lar & Kim tho't Roger T. must be in his early 70s.  We had a nice dinner last nite.  Your gift came yesterday but I waited to open gifts tonite.  The turkey breast smells good.

We had a good dinner.  I made a choc. cake from scratch & it is really good.  None of it will be thrown away.  Thank you for the sweater -- it fits nicely & I like the color.  A good choice. Thanks so much.  Kim & Lar paid for my dinner last nite & gave me a gift certificate for my hair.  I'll put it toward my next perm.  Kim thoguht the shop was so nice.  Barb gave me a light blue short sleeve pullover sweater.  I'm a lucky Mom.

I'm watching N.Y. vs. Boston & rooting for Boston.  Was surprised this A.M. to find out Fla. won.  I went to bed with the Cubs ahead.