SUGAR SNOW!

Why did I call my blog, "Here's another Sunday?  It's in memory of Bob's Uncle Ralph.  When we lived in Ohio and Aunt Emma and Uncle Ralph would babysit Debbie and David for us; they told us that every Sunday Uncle Ralph would sit down and write to his sons in the service.  Jerry went to Korea and Richard was in Vietnam.  That impressed me very much.  So, Here's another Sunday.

 

Photo by David Rindo



Jim Cantori has his name-"Thunder Snow" and I have "Sugar Snow".  Back in the dark ages at this time of year when I was a kid, we all helped our neighbors, the Tobins with the processing of maple syrup and sugar candy.  We donned our hip boots and warm clothing to go gather the sap. (sap-the juice from certain maple trees)   We carried the sap in a bucket to a big horse drawn wagon with a big vat on it.  All Mr. Tobin had to do was click his cheek (just like Santa) and the team would move on without any direction thru the muddy ruts.  What fun we had.  At night, we spent many hours in the sap house adding wood when needed for the cooking.  Our muddy, wet clothes were hung all over to dry out. We played a card game called 500.  Ever hear of that?  Many times the next day we would all have diarrhea from drinking to much sap.   The farmers hope for freezing cold nights and warm days so the sap will run.  On days when it's warming up and you see big fat snow flakes, you should now know that the farmers call it SUGAR SNOW!  

Monday was kinda a "blues" day; yah winter continues, do the wash, pay bills, etc.  So Bob and I kinda "blew off" the day by creating the first blog that I sent out.  We still have lots to learn so I am constantly going thur the screens to see what can be added.  The font choices are nothing to write home about; all quite similar.  The photos went in real easy, just like putting them into our newsletter.  Our big problem was getting it to mail out.  We struggled with that and finally gave up and decided to wait till another day as it was time to make supper already.   I ended up making a quick Stir Fry with rice as we are all tired of noodle dishes.  Bob didn't like it: ya can't win em all!
Tuesday: I had several phone calls to make and after I wanted to go downtown for groceries.  First stop was the library to renew my card which now has a 2 year expiration.  (They never told me that, no wonder it wouldn't work) 
I was all hot to trot to get groceries after watching the new TV show-"EXTREME COUPONING".  The people on the show are like hoarders and they get groceries for free.  That I can't figure out!  I did have 13 brand name coupons and saved about $25.00 with them and store sales.  I also had a coupon for 100 gas points if you used 10 brand name coupons...made that!   The store must do well with coupons. 
On Wednesday we had an appointment with our financial planner.  I begged off.  Our guy talks too much and I can't sit that long.  So I stayed home and went back to the BLOG.  I'm obsessed!  Alas, I figured out how to mail it--happy day!  I also paid bills, and started "Pasta E Fagioll" soup for supper.  After Bob came home, we figured how to send all the camping photos to our web master for the Chapter 12 camping group so she can update the photos on the HRRVC web site.  A camping friend has inspired me with all his knowledge on computers, he suggested we try the "Drop Box" program for the photos.  He also has a Blog and I have enjoyed reading his very much.

Thursday:    Bob had a Dr's appointment in Lockport.  After we went to visit Annalynn, Christianna and Debbie.  We enjoy having lunch with the girls so Bob went off to Ted's with our orders.  We had a great visit.  Annalynn showed us her new birthday bicycle.  She will be all set for the "Ride for Roswell" in June.  She also loaned us her set of DVDs on the serial "LOST".  We will enjoy that instead of regular TV.  The girls approved my Puff Pastry hors d'oeuvres that I tried for the engagement party coming up.  Debbie had offered to take me shopping at the Niagara Outlets Mall but with the storm predicted (again) I said I'd rather go another time.  That's a long ride home from there in good weather.  We did hit some slush covered roads just driving home from Lockport.
Bob finished his book on my e reader so now I can mark return on that.  Beats driving down to library.   Now he wants to get the DVD of The Hunt For Red October to see how different it is from book.  But our Blockbuster store has signs of bankruptcy; looks like it's one that is closing.
 
Friday:   



BOB SNOW BLOWING 6-12".

 This morning, you should see the blizzard that is happening!  We can't see the trees across the field.  Bob is waiting for it to quit to run the snow blower.  House cleaning time for me.



Saturday:

I'm making a big dinner as we expect a visit from David & Donna today.  We need to go over our trip to the Americade in June at Lake George.  They also want to show us the scrapbooks gifts they made on their Apple computer of the play "Alice In Wonderland".  Chesa, Bella and Louie were cast members.  Donna wants to show us her new Ipad too. 

Sunday:
An easy day, we went shopping, had Clor's bar b que chicken for dinner, read my book and watched Underover Boss.   Most all the icicles fell off the eaves, which is good.  

Until next Sunday, hope everyone has a good week. 



 

Here's another Monday-2.21.2011

Here’s Another Monday! And it’s President’s Day!  The schools, banks, court house, post office etc are all closed. 

Wonder what will make this a good day?   I’ve had my coffee and let the dog out and was greeted with 2” of new fluffy white stuff.   We had 4” – 6” predicted so I am glad we didn’t get that much.  At least we had the melt down last week so there is room to snow blow the new snow.

Okay, I thought I needed a Blog.  What goes in a blog?  It’s challenging to learn new stuff.  Not sure where to go to get out of this.  Oh, I figured out how to do a “re-status post” on facebook this week.  I was so surprised when it worked!  I hope I can do this blog.  This week, Bob figured out how to save a TV program and view it later.  We were watching a movie when Undercover Boss came on last night, so he programed the TV so we can watch Undercover Boss tonight.  Cool for old farts, ahe?  Oh yes, I also put a book (Tom Clancy-Red October) on my Sony e-reader for Bob.  He is having one heck of a time…pages turn when he doesn’t want them to, he gets hung up on the dictionary, etc.  I keep hearing opps!   There is a true learning curve with them. 

Yesterday I worked on some scrapbooking. I’m making a 7” X 7” album for my sister of her new grandson, Owen Lee. I prepared about 8 pages with background paper and some decos.  I want to scrap his first full year and then mail it to my sister as a surprise.  It’s going pretty good, Betsy commented on the pages being pretty.   I e mailed my nephew (William) for more photos at the 3 month stage.  Hope he has time to continue sending some.

I baked a little this past weekend also.  I had to use up some supplies that didn’t get used for Christmas.  I had some toffee chips that I made into cookies.  They came out quite crisp.  But then I had trouble with my oven timer.  I set it for 9 minutes and it went off to quickly, so I reset it.  Then the next tray the timer showed a number 8 before I did anything.  No matter what I PUSHED, I couldn’t correct it.  I called Bob to bring the manual.  He had to unplug the unit and reprogram everything from start to finish.  Then it worked again.  It had a gimp in it’s get along, I guess.



PUFF PASTRY: ALMOND HEART NAPOLEONS

 During the week, Betsy had printed a new recipe using Puff Pastry.  “ALMOND HEART NAPOLEONS”  After going to the store, and getting all the supplies, I was anxious to make it up.  By then Betsy had lost interest.  So I went ahead and baked them while I had the oven going.  I had to get the dough out of freezer and let it sit at room temp for 40 minutes.   Then unroll the dough and cut hearts with a cookie cutter.  I used two different sizes.  They baked good.  Next step is to cut them in half horizontally.  Then make up instant vanilla pudding and put on bottom half of heart.  Then make an icing glaze for the top, decorated with a chocolate stripe.  About half way thru putting the icing on, the chocolate cooled, and it hardened.  So I tried to reheat to melt it.  No luck!  I ended up putting the chocolate into glaze and made a few hearts with all chocolate icing.   They are yummy!  But a lot of fussing so I told my testers that next time we go to Tim Horton’s for a Boston Cream!  Ha!
 

NEW BIRD FEEDER WITH EXTRA PERCH

 

THIS IS THE HANGING ONE,
 SEED BLOWS OUT ALL THE TIME!



About two weeks ago Bob and I went shopping for a new birdfeeder.  Due to all the storms and snow, we thought our feathered friends needed help finding food.  We found two nice units, one is a hanging type and the other was for a post mounting.  Bob put a larger piece of wood under the post one so the larger birds could perch too.   We put them in the back yard.  So far, one Cardinal, One Blue Jay and one woodpecker has come which is kinda disappointing, as most of the time we only see the little sparrows.  Maybe it’s too early for the colored birds yet.

Well, today is wash day so best I get my breakfast and get started.  About a week ago, we bought some real good oranges off a truck that came up from Indian River, Fl. which was at Clor’s Meat Market.  I squeeze two oranges a day and the juice is so sweet.

Have a good day! 

Golden Gram