ABC - Pumpkin Pie Recipe

This is my son, Ben's favorite recipe for pumpkin pie. Simple, quick and delish! Just click on the link. The highlight might not show too well - click on the words "recipe for pumpkin pie" and you will go to the link.

Autumn Blog Challenges - past...

I didn't start this Autumn Blog Challenge (ABC) until Sept. 19th, so I thought I would just answer the previous prompts all in one post! Happy reading.

 

September 1 – Why have you decided to participate in the Autumn Blog Challenge (the ABC)?

I really like blogging - I love writing - I love journaling. Sometimes though, I get writer's block and need a prompt to get me through the day.

 

September 2 – What is your favorite thing about Autumn?

The color. I love the color. I'm thankful every year for my eyesight - which is hindered due to a drunk driving accident I was in as a child. I DO NOT take my eyesight for granted.

 

September 3 – What toys do you remember playing with as a child?

A doll I named Nancy, my Winnie-the-Pooh, Uncle Wiggly board game and Bonkers board game. I also had Hollie Hobbie Colorforms! They were awesome. The board was shaped like her house and then when you put a lamp behind it, the windows lit up!

 

September 4 – Have you ever met a celebrity?  If not, which one would you like to meet?

I met LeRoy Butler from the Green Bay Packers - actually I met several of the Green Bay Packers. I also met Paul Poberezny - the creator of the EAA Museum in Oshkosh, Wis.  I had the awesome blessing of meeting and talking with (and having them sign my Bible by their favorite Bible verse) the Christian band, Sidewalk Prophets!

 

September 5 – Write about a favorite play or concert you’ve attended.

The best (and my favorite) concert I attended was a Duran Duran concert in 1984.

 

September 6 – Make a list of books you want to read next year.

I'm a librarian, so there are way too many for me to list! I do want to read a Janet Evonovich book though - I haven't yet!

 

September 7 – Where were you when…?  Describe what you remember.

I don't remember - My memory has the amazing ability to block out all things traumatic. It's because of my childhood - so much trauma and dysfunction... my mind protects me with situational amnesia.

September 8 – What is your favorite, “go to” cooking recipe?

Hot dogs and rice!

 

September 9 – Who was your favorite teacher?

Mrs. Dorothy Weber from 1st grade. Ms. Ronnenberg from Creative Writing in high school. Mr. Woznicki from 9th grade English - just because he was so flippin' cute!

 

September 10 – What was your favorite subject in school?

Art, English Lit. and Creative Writing.

 

September 11 – What was your least favorite subject in school?

Accounting and Algebra - in both classes I got a D- just because I tried so hard. I should have flunked, but I did try - I even went in before and after school!!!  It just didn't click!

 

September 12 – What was your high school reunion like? If you haven’t been yet, do you plan on going?

I think I've been to 2-3 of them - the first one was alright - typically clique-y yet. The next one... a bit better and yet still the same. The third one... I went to for about 30 min. and left. I don't know if I'll attend another. I see who I want to anyway and we are all on facebook.

 

September 13 – What do you think about our current educational system?

We homeschool our children. I know that there are wonderful teachers out there - I just wish that every child could have them as their own teacher.  I'm a bit concerned about what I see in the young adults that come through the library where I'm employed...

 

September 14 – When has being right been wrong?

One of my sons told a lie - just before his birthday party. I had to discipline him... I cancelled the birthday party. He took his punishment with grace and dignity.  Discipline is right. Lies are a problem.  Then we found out from his sibling that the birthday boy didn't lie - the sibling did.  By this time the party was cancelled and there wasn't time to "re-do".  We used it as a learning experience to stand up for yourself. Say something! When there is a misunderstanding - speak up!  It was also a painful lesson for the son that told the lie - he saw what his lie could do.  It was a hard lesson for both sons and us! However, they both learned that I will keep my word when it came to following through with discipline.  We really did not have any problems (that I know of) with lying after that!

September 15 – I am a people person except for people….

... that are outspoken and angry sounding when they are "sharing" their beliefs. I wish they would just shut-up! I tend to stick up for the underdog and get angry when others are so closed minded that they can't see straight.

 

September 16 – Do you think we’ve made our lives more complicated by trying to make thing more convenient?

No, but I do think that we've poisoned our food supply.

 

September 17 – What did/do you want to be when you grew/grow up?

I had to answer this one for the SBC. In that post, I mentioned that I didn't have any dreams of what I would be when I grew up.  In about 4th grade I wanted to be an architect, but w/o any parental encouragement that one fizzled out. Then, in high school, I discovered writing. I wanted to work for a magazine agency in New York, but then I fell in love and didn't go. As much as I wanted to be in NY, I'm very happy to not be there. As much as I wanted to write for a publication, I'm very happy to be where I am. As much as I THOUGHT I wanted something else, I am so happy and content to be where I am now.

 

September 18 – What was the most profound thing to happen in your life today?

Let see, that would have been yesterday, actually! LOL Nothing profound. I had to go to the doctor due to some intestinal pain. It could be endometrioma tissues closing in on my intestines; or it could be "hot-spots" due to gluten allergy; or it could be polyps; or anything else that I don't want to think about. Future appointments are made.  However, can I please just say that on Monday, September 17th I was given notice that I will be promoted in January!!??!! YAY! I will be the new Audio/Visual Librarian in January. I will be going full-time! It will be nice to have the money to pay off my medical bills. Thank you Lord.

 

Full of Joy

November is one of my very favorite months.

There is still a touch of autumn. We can still enjoy wonderful temperatures. Scarves, long-sleeved t-shirts and God's colors are still around.

The great (low) humidity levels mean GREAT curls! The sky is a wonderful clear blue that we can't see during summer.

November is not nearly as busy as September & October. November is a wonderful way to wind down the summer months and begin to relax. November is a great reprieve before the holiday rush.  My Mom would call it my "Putzy-down-time".  She is so right.  November is the beginning of my time to putter around the house. The gardens are done. The canning is done.  My wool socks come out of hiding and the blanket throws are refluffed and tossed on the couch and chairs. 

I can snuggle down deep into the corners with my Sophie girl curled in the crooks of my knees. Her nose buried under the blanket trying to stay warm.  Leo Kitty comes a pattering around, looking for a warm snuggle and a cozy spot to hide.

November is pie month at our house. More pies are baked in November than at any other time in our family.  Would you like a slice of pie and a cuppa warm creamy something?  We often enjoy that together as a family.  One pie lasting only a day in our house.

I am content and full of joy.

It's The Most Wonderful Time, Of The Year

Ah-haaa! You started singing the Christmas song didn't you? 

I meant Autumn. I love Autumn!  I love the smells of the leaves and fires burning.  The sounds of the leaves falling and crunching under my shoes as I walk.  I can hear the chipmunk scurry along. The sky is so much clearer and more blue than during the hazy humid days of summer.

Pumpkins, golden fields, crisp mornings, hikes on the trails that don't make me sweat profusely.

Great hair days on which my curls are just WONDERFUL and well-behaved.

Cinnamon apple smells and tastes. Cobblers, ciders, punch, apple donuts with cinnamon sugar sprinkles.

Farmers' Markets with bulging baskets, boxes, trunks and truck beds.  Flea markets with baked goods from the Amish.

My husband's birthday. My oldest son's birthday. Thanksgiving.

Such joy, peace and serenity.

Hiking ~ 2006 to present

We first started taking you hiking in 2006. We went to Door County and hiked down the cliffside to the water below. We even took along our Golden Retriever, Jazzy. She loved it as much as the rest of us! When we arrived at the water's edge, we found a huge teepee made out of drift wood logs. The teepee was approximately 15' tall and at least 15' at the base. It was awesome! We all sat inside of it. We've tried to find it since, but no such luck.

Today, we went hiking at Devil's Lake, Wisconsin. We hiked the East Bluff Trail. This time we took our Golden Retriever, Sophie. Jazzy wasn't far from our thoughts, however. We knew that she wouldn't have been able to make the hike. We used up all of Jazzy's Fun Energy since 2006 and had to put her down. However, today we thought of her and knew that, had she been younger, she would have had fun hiking with us. But, to the present, Sophie did a wonderful job. Many people, I'd say 98% of the people that came across us hiking, would stop to say hello to Sophie. They'd ask if she had enough water. They'd give her a pet, call her a good girl or say, "Hey buddy, you're up here too?" She did well with the other dogs - actually, I think all of the dogs were so worn out that they didn't have enough energy to even sniff butts!! One little cutie white fluffy poodle type was being carried. I said to Sophie, "Don't get any ideas, I'm not carrying you." The other owner just laughed and laughed. Sophie wanted to go first and picked the trail for us most of the way. There was one time where we were on a switch-back and she thought she could just jump down and get to me. In doing so, she almost slipped off of a huge boulder.

The trail we took today was absolutely beautiful. There happened to be lots of people hiking today, but it wasn't annonyingly crowded on the trails. We even saw a blind man and his family making their way on the trail. I imagine most of the people were on the beaches and in the picnic areas. Being a holiday weekend - Memorial Day combined with great weather, it's no wonder that Wisconsin most popular State Park was jam-packed full today!

Going up to Door County last week, we bought an annual State Park sticker so we could hike at Penninsula State Park both last week and again in October when we go on vacation. We decided to use our State Park sticker every weekend that we can this year, to get our money's worth. However, I think we will be using it mostly at Devil's Lake and then Penninsula the most. We'd like to get you to Governor Dodge this year. That's a favorite because it also has waterfalls. There is one more state park that I know of, with waterfalls, but it's waaay up near Superior - an 8 hour drive; we'd need to spend the night somewhere to get in some hiking.

Both of you are so funny! You've both asked for ibuprofen since we've gotten home. Sophie's feet were so hot!! We got out her little pool and let her cool off - it was funny when she sat and cooled off her pooky - could almost hear her body go. psssssssssshooo as she cooled down. But Dad and I are good, once we got some cold iced drinks at the Kwik Trip in Baraboo, we were good to go.

We all had a really good time. Hiking is one of the things that we all like to do. Whether we are in Wisconsin, Montana or California, hiking has always been our favorite activity. Thank you boys for the wonderful day! Remember to thank Dad for driving!

Last weekend we went to Door County to find our autumn cottage. We hiked at Penninsula State Park. That was alot of fun too. We went on the Eagle Trail. Sophie did really good there. I really like that trail because of the rocky climb and the cool temperature. Also, it goes down to the water! Since Rick just got his Temps the day before, we had him do all the driving in the Park. He did a great job and got some good practice in!