Frost is on the Pumpkin

Alas winter is creeping in slowly and Fall is fading away just as the leaves are.  Beautiful colors this Fall, and now we see the birds flocking and making the most gorgeous patterns in the sky.  I shall miss their singing but also I look forward now to feeding them and watching their antics and beautiful colors against the winter snows.

We accomplished so much this past week in Pa.  Ed our farmer friend used his machinery to load up our trailer with manure and we spread it all around on the gardens for a good start for next years garden.  Lime has to go on still which I will do next time up.  Less trips up now that the weather is turning colder so I must get all I can in each trip.  Still have those bulbs to plant here in NJ and in Pa.  Harvested loads of carrots which were the biggest I have ever had. 

Pop really helped me out yesterday as my days have been filled with so many things to do and company coming last night.  I didnt get home until 5:30pm and left 9 am in the morning.  We had our long time neighbor friends in for the evening and the fireplace going .  Bill and Ginny come about once a month and we visit them about the same.  Bill is an artist a very accomplished one and gave me a wonderful picture he drew of a Shaman (Old Woman) some time ago.  Last night he surprized me with a Young Indian boy called a Jingle Boy which matches the Shaman woman.  I am thrilled with it. I have the Shaman woman hanging up in Pa and this one will go there also as soon as I have it framed to match the other one.

Stay warm friends and I will keep you posted of the latest events more often. 

Only Pumpkin I grew this year

Kind of cold out there tonight and Pop is in Pa. where I hear there is a good possibility of 2 inches of snow.  He must be wrapped up in his blanket watching T.V. about now and the fireplace cracklin away.  We are having a vacation from each other which we both enjoy so much and havent been able to do for a long while.  Pop’s eyes are in better shape now that he had the cataract taken care of.  Next month he has the other one done.  He has been the best sport about not driving , it’s time he gets away on his own and feels more independent.  He doesnt think  he will be able to hunt this year because of the operation so close to hunting season, but you bet he will be up there sitting on the porch or even walking through the woods.  He has done this for so many years that I can hardly imagine he wouldn t get up there and snoop around.

I have started taking Yoga classes with Linda  and we meet in Mendham every Thursday.  It is so great to be able to do this again with a class.   Sharing it with others makes it so much nicer.  We are planning a trip to the apple farm tomorrow after class if all goes well.  Want to do up some applesauce and apples for pie making.  Today I cut up my only pumpkin, cooked and packed it and roasted the seeds.  They came out so tender and good.  I’ve done up peaches when they were in season, jam and peaches.  Right now on my sink is a big jar of sauerkraut fermenting.  In about 3 days I will test and taste..  I love it right out of the jar.  Also soaked and roasted Pecans and Walnuts today,  cleaned out all the cabinets in the kitchen and drawers so I guess I will sleep well tonight.

Also took my first class this season of Eurythmy which is a form of movement that heals, calms and strengthens ones body mind and spirit.  I find it so powerful.  I explained my condition these past weeks , which has been depression and my Instructor gave me exercises in movement to do which really centers me.  I love this class as I do most all the things I engage in.

I went to a Bee Meeting last night and the speaker was a young man who just took  1st prize in making Mead.  Mead is an alcohol made of honey.  We had a tasting of it after the meeting and the only one I really liked was the one made with cherries.  That was delicious.  I can only sip a little as it’s alcohol content is quite high.  I am getting ready for this coming Spring and have put my order in for Bees.  This time I will start with two hives of  bees.  They will be picked up for me and delivered to a neighboring town which is great.  I have flowers already planted for next year for them and am planning on putting more in , in the Springtime.  Havc to get a day to work a long stretch and plant 100 bulbs of crocus.  They are the first to come up and the bees collect lots of honey from them.  They are so hungry in the Spring after a long winter it will be a welcome treat.  Anytime you have a little patch of ground to work with plant some flowers for the bees.  They are becoming so rare and are having a difficult time living in our mess that we have created.  Bee balm, anise hyssop, coneflower, crocus, are some of the seeds that would be helpful and also herbs, especially Thyme and Rosemary, they are medicines for them.

N.J. has granted the BeeKeeping club 22,661 dollars to develop a traveling display informing peoples the importance of the Bees.  Look for it in about a year or so.  There are two phases to it.  I will be working with them on this project as I love the bees and want to help in any way i can.  Will keep you posted.

 

 

 

and tonight I am feeling very very tired.  I should sleep well .

 

 

Summer’s Wind-up

There is so much to share with you and so many pictures that I will have to limit this Post to the most important.  To go back to August .

Our Goodbyes to a wonderful summer visit.

And now I have to guess what came next.  Without seeing the pictures first I will just wing it and see what comes up next.

This is the last of  the beautiful display of Phlox on the patio.

Peter entering the Zoo and being greeted by a Peacock.

We had 3 wonderful days with Peter as our guest.  The Zoo of course was the most enjoyed by him, also we had a great hike in the reservation following the “red ” trail and finding grapevines to swing on.  We made homemade currant jelly together and Pop made Peter a little sling shot, which I hope is being used properly.

Here is Peter falling from the grapevine.  After many swings and a few planned falls we headed for home.  A happy but tired Peter ate his supper and went to bed early, having a good nights sleep.  Next day home to Mom and Dad and family and his visiting Sister Becky. 

This was a happy August with the family and we always look forward to their visits in the country every year.  God willing we will see you all next year again for more good times and laughs.  Love you All

Nan and Pop

MID SUMMER ACTIVITIES

This has been a very rainy season indeed, since may and now into August we have had our share of rain which of course sets the veggie garden back a bit as it does need and want the sunshine.  Despite it though string beans are coming along and the corn is getting high.  Part of the Mercer family will be joining us in Pa in about a week or so .  I do hope there will be more for them to forage for. 

Have not seen a single honey bee this year in Pa.  Seems the bumble bees are taking over their job as are the beautiful butterflies.  Hummingbirds are still with us for a bit longer and there are plenty of frogs and toads this year a very good sign.  Lots of ants also, which I am told means there is a very healthy forest adjacent to us.  That is good news.

Pop has healed from his accident with cutting of a tree down.  His leg is healing nicely after putting a pretty big gash in it .  He tripped OVER the tree he felled , thank God he couldnt run fast enough or he would have been under the falling tree.  It caused enough excitement for a year or more.  His blackened ear is back to it’s normal color and the cut behind it healed.  Pop can get into the darndest things.  He is a tough one though and always come out okay.  Lets hope we learn our boundaries in these later years and act accordingly.  It’s tough to give up the young Spirit when it is so much a part of us. 

Well here goes, I will try and put some pictures in that I forgot to “blog” so it may be harder than I think. 

Keep cool and will be keeping you up to date more often. 

Nan and Pop

It seems impossible to get the pic’s in here except if I put them in blog which I didnt do with the last ones.  Better luck next time.

Special Visit from Becky

 

This is my solo trip and I succeeded in getting it all together.  Hopefully when a week passes by I will still remember how to do this.  This is our wonderful day together with part of the Mercer family and Beckys visit to New Jersey.  We are picking the first peaches from our tree in the back yard in N.J.  The rest of the pics are each other and the fun we are having shows on our faces.   Will be blogging more often so stay tuned.  Nan and Pop

Latest news on the family and our outing.

Us and the kids having fun in the country, playing badminton and injoying the pond and the new bench Josh and Grandpa created.  Beth helped cooking by making rice pudding and manicotti Josh created a awesome smoothie.  Pop created a fiasco with cutting of trees down, will go into detail sometime later when it will be more laughable.

seasonal flowers

new experience with Becky.  I am learning how to blog pictures.  Awesome folks, now you will be bombarded with our latest pictures.  Please be patient and in the near future I will create a new blog and pictures as soon as I get the hang of this.  Have a good day .

A NEW YEARS BEGINNING

Let us all keep a positive, loving attitude for the beginnings of a new year, and support the things that are meaningful to each of us.  With a passion for Good to continue and have the upper hand in this world it will take each and every one of us to participate in.

Finding the important and interesting tasks that each of us are capable of means a better place in this world.  Doing them makes it even more special.  Mine happens to be working with the soil, plants, insects and loving and keeping sacred the gifts that have been given me.  I too still have to keep a watchful eye that I keep on the path and give my all to it. It means the future benefits for the generations already struggling with the faults we have created.  I would like to share a picture of the little piece of land the Lord has bequeath to me to keep in good shape and lovingly tend it.  If I am successful in finding a way to insert it I will be more than happy to share it , if not I will keep on trying.  At my age these new things do not come easy, but I am not about to give up.  Here goes.   Enjoy and if you dont see it , imagine in your minds eye a beautiful country setting and enjoy.   love    Nan and Pop

Christmas Greetings

Would you believe I just typed out our whole Christmas Happenings and lost them.  Here goes again. 

Christmas Eve found us driving in the torrential rains to Linda’s and Jim’s house.  Arriving there we were greeted with a warm and loving welcome and a beautiful Christmas tree and presents all wrapped so beautiful under the tree.  Shortly after Steve and Jenn and Rylan came and of course the fuss started over Rylan.  As soon as one was done oggling over him another came and so it goes.  Pop says this is foolish.  We are probably all stimulating him much too much.  Perhaps so?  We just love him so. 

We had a most delicous dinner, prepared and served  by Jim and Linda.  As always there was plenty and it was all so good.  Afterwards we gave out our gifts and all seemed very pleased, espcially Rylan focusing on some new toys and unaware of all the precious clothes that Grandma and Uncle Nick gave to him. 

Conversation and fun  with Rylan ensued as the day progressed with Grandma finding every bit of time to spend it with Rylan.  They tease her but she doesnt care , she has waited so long for a Grandchild and now she is in heaven.  You deserve it Linda.

As it was getting late we left for home in the rain again but the ride was pleasant as we lived over the day and its wonderful memories we have.

Next day, Christmas day we started out for Pat and Dave’s and family on a sunny beautiful day.  Arriving there late because  Pop forgot his pills and we had to go back, we were greeted by all the  family plus the in-laws.  Rudy the dog was in the basement as the energy was high enough without his being involved.

We had another delicous dinner and we devided up between dining room and living room to eat.  It all worked so well, everyone had a tray or table to sit at and ummy food.  After dinner the noise and excitement started over with everyone giving out their presents and the ohhhs and Ahhs when someone was delighted with their gifts.   Liz with her boots and Peter with is Ben 10 or something or other.  Cant remember the name but then I go through this all the time lately.   Have to focus more on things and not blame it on old age.

We then had dessert and conversation and watched old movies of the children when they were young.  It was such fun and so many laughs.  Thanks to Becky and liz  for showing them.  Peter played his guitar and Uncle Nick tuned it for him. 
We all had a wonderful time and now we bathe in the memories that are so precious of a wonderful Christmas spent together with family and one in which was more centered on each other than on the materialistic gettings that Christmas has become.

Thank you family for making it a special memorable Christmas that we can savor for many long years ahead.

Happy New Year is coming and may it be a

Happy, Healthy and Blessed year for each and everyone of you.

We love you dearly

Nan and Pop

Sleigh Riding and Snowballs Tonight

The magic of a snowy wintery night is here in full array,ahh how beautiful and full of memories when I was a young girl.

My Dad had a huge toboggan and all the neighbors and their children would take turns coming down an entire neighborhood area as we lived at the bottom of a hill that ran at least a mile long.  Sometimes we would overturn and all flop all over the snow and each other and the laughing could be heard all over the neighborhood.  Others who werent so brave to come out or couldnt would watch from their windows and they too would have an evening of laughs.  Afterwards someone would always invite us all in for hot cocoa and cookies and we all went home with red cheeks , full bellies and a heart full of happy thoughts. 

There were other times when the snow wasnt so deep that we would walk through the forest to the little brook and sit down and put our ice skates on and skate off to the big pond about 1/2 a mile down.  The pond was usually full of grownups and children all having fun on the ice, some with two runners, some with hockey skates and others with fancy white figure skates, and some too that just slipped slided across the pond.We would stay until there was just a peek of light showing and then hurry through the forest to get home before it was dark, our feet frozen and hands too.  When we got home we would hold our hands over the radiator in the living room and as they thawed you could hear us crying because of the pain, but next day we were back on the ice again and so it went all winter whenever there was frozen ice.

Now it is time for Christmas , only a week away and we are in the thick of a big snowstorm which brings back all those memories.  What will the children do with the snow in this era?  I hardly see any outdoors.  Only the garbage men collecting the trash and the mailman trudging through the snow covered walkways delivering all of our Christmas mail.  Ah , how much they are missing. 

I love looking out at the trees all laden with snow and see the birds sitting on the boughs , the cardinal so bright red and the bluejays seem more beautiful than ever.  The little chickadees looking for food and the ever pesky squirrel who robs all our garbage before it can be collected.  Love him anyway.

Looking forward to meeting with the families again this Christmas,  each year being different than the last.  Looks as if we wont all be able to get together at once this year but then perhaps if everyone is agreeable they will all meet at our house for the New Years Eve celebration, to start the new year out all together.  How about it?  I might even lure some out into the snow and have a snowball fight .

Pop and I are taking it easy this year, only a little make believe tree that flashes in and out from our window and a few candles decorate our home.  Christmas celebrations are not what they used to be and we have to get accustomed to new ways and fads.  Dont get us wrong, I am missing them but I am also very happy to rest from all that busyiness.  Thank you my wonderful daughters of releiving me of the task.  It comes a time when it does get a bit too much.

This year we have a little one among our celebration which makes it all the more special.  How the family is growing, who knows how large it will get and how long we will be blessed to be around and enjoy all of them. 

We are thankful for our family, our togetherness and the new ones that are coming into the family each year.  Blessings to you all and we wish you all

                                       A VERY  MERRY CHRISTMAS