Shades of White

In School Days

Now That the Tree Is Gone

I saw this from my sun porch window and took the photo from the deck. Maybe I will not miss that big old tree as much as I thought I would. Are you wearying of my cat and landscape pictures? I've been busy housekeeping, homemaking, homeschooling, and caring for my family. Yesterday we did a quick garage cleaning so that we could get the porch swing and umbrella table inside. We also made room for my hubby's car. In another month, he will be done working across the state. Instead, he will be working out of our home. November is almost gone. Tempus fugit!

Best Friends

Full Beaver Moon

Frosty Moon Harvest

Shades of White

I love a snow covered world!

He's fluffy again.

Black and White

Snowflake (puzzled): "Hm, someone is sitting in my chair." (Purr, purr.)

India Ink: "Humph!"

Fluffy Boy??

A.M.

And...

P.M.

Um. Did my little guy fall into the creek? Maybe chased by something?? Eew. Burrs and mud and...oh, ick. A big towel and a cat brush and a wood stove should make life a little better.

Snoozing in the sun porch. I'm glad the big guy made it home. I hope he will be O.K. Poor thing.

A Gaping Hole

The tree was a large soft maple growing near the house. Someday a good wind storm could have landed it on our home, and so the decision was made to take it down.

Oh, but I already miss that great big tree, shading my sun porch in summer and dropping its leaves to let the sun's rays into the house in winter! How can we ever replace it? It will take decades before another tree can do it's job equally as well!

Alack and alas!

Jean

Crock Pot Dressing

This came from my husband's great-aunt. Of all the dressings I've made, this is the one we like the most--and it comes out nice every time. Enjoy!

Saute:
1 cup melted butter
2 cups celery, sliced
2 cups chopped onion
2 (4 oz.) cans mushroom pieces

In a large bowl place:
14 oz. bag of seasoned stuffing (some bags are 16oz. and I've used those as well)
Sauted ingredients
3 to 3 1/2 cups of chicken broth (I use Swanson's and prefer the full 3.5 cups--2 of the 14 oz. cans work)
2 eggs, beaten

Place in crock pot for 45 minutes on high; turn to low for 4 to 8 hours. All day if you wish. No salt needed. Makes approximately 8 cups or 11 3/4-cup servings. (I do not like it to go all day--4 to 6 hours is good, but I'm certain each crock pot will be different.)

(The seasoned stuffing I've used most frequently is Pepperidge Farm Herb Seasoned Stuffing; it is one of the few brands available in my small-town grocery store.)

'Tis the Season...

Wisconsin is getting colder. Last night I had proof that winter was soon to arrive. You see, I noticed part way through the night that if I wanted to stay warm when I rolled over, I had to search for the warm spot. Any deviation, and my body was left lying on a COLD BED.

And then there was the cat.

I was roused by a whiskered face trying to find a way under the covers. I didn't argue. I lifted the duvet, and he settled next to me purring.

If he tries to take my warm spot when I roll over, however, it is going to be all out war. I'm bigger than he is--but he has claws. Hm. Who do you think will win?

:-) Jean

Overlooking the Stream Pasture

An Ordered World

It is a beautiful morning here in my corner of Wisconsin--cold, crisp, clear. As I drove home last night, Orion was rising on the eastern horizon, Mars, glistening like a large butterscotch star, was nestled near Castor and Pollux in Gemini, and the Hyades was a V-shaped diamond cluster below the Pleiades' soft blur. If it had not been so late, I'm sure I would have pulled my telescope out for a while.

This morning I glanced out my southwest window to see if the skies were clear enough for Venus to be seen. Yes. In all her splendor.

I would like my world to run like the precision of the stars. I'd like my house to be clean, my meals to be healthy and lovely, my routines to get done peacefully, and my time with family and friends to be relaxed. It does not seem, however, that I will ever live in that perfect world while I am walking this earth. So I set priorities and let the rest slide.

Come and visit me. We will sit before the fire and ignore the piles of laundry in the living room. O.K?

Jean

A Cheerful Greeting

Following the Cow Paths