A Taste For Memories

It's that time of year again.

And although Halloween is Friday, don't be fooled into thinking
this copper kettle is filled with Witch's Brew.

JB is busy making plans for what will be our third year of Apple Butter.

And as expected, some who have been involved in past years
have decided not to be a part this year. Can't say I blame them--it is a lot of work!

We're slated for the last weekend before Thanksgiving
and we have a new couple to break in this year... and the city-girl daughter!

It has all the makings of wonderful memories.

A Smile is Contagious

I've been given the “You Make Me Smile Award” by Don. It was really a nice surprise to find I was thought of , much less awarded!



I understand this award was created by Bridget at Miles to Go Before We Sleep, and is touching many people and sharing smiles across the Blogosphere!

So, in the true spirit of the award, I'm passing this one to 10 people who make me smile.


Old Horsetail Snake is always good for a smile, if not a giggle. Reading his blog is what inspired me to start my own!

Fluid Pudding was also one of the first blogs I read on a regular basis. Her daily antics with children and creativity are proof that a little insanity is definitely a good thing.

Throughly Modern Millie has an unwaivering optimistic attitude. She occasionally posts some great recipes, too.

Peaceable Imperatrix shares the importance of flexibility and family teamwork.

The End of Motherhood is a source of comfort to those who have experienced the empty nest.

Smart at Love empowers and offers a much-needed objective viewpoint on relationships.

Blackbird is just so eccentric... and eccentric people are always entertaining.

Jen on the Edge reminds me of my previous life with two little girls.

Slouching Mom who always tells a good story.

(Un)relaxed Dad opens his home with tales of his little one (and the one on the way).

Whew! That was tough to choose 10 because there are so many, many good blogs out there. But do please make a point of visiting these, if you haven't already.

You Never Know What You'll Find When You Clean

I didn't realize I hadn't posted yesterday till Momo called this evening and pointed it out.

I was busy most of the day cleaning house so I could do Biology homework. I decided I couldn't concentrate or even begin to study until I had rid the house of the accumulation of dog hair. Blue is a long-haired dog, and according to the amount of dog hair I retrieved from the floor and carpet, should be bald about now.


Anyway--I always move the sofa to get the tumbleweed-like dog hair that tries to hide from the vacuum, and out came this lizard! I ran for the camera and snapped this picture. I then decided I could get a much better look with the zoom lens, and when I left the room, he did as well.



I found him in the kitchen this evening when I was making a Banana Cream Pie (gotta get that potassium any way we can). I hollered for JB and then the lizard ran under the stove!

I saw this as a perfect opportunity to go dump my accumulation of vegetable peelings in the com poster and check on the garden and see how the cantaloupes were doing.

Thomas was perched on the deck railing when I went out. He's is looking a bit sad these days. Could it be because a lack of rain has caused his catnip to almost dry up completely?

The lack of rain has really lessened the blooms on the crepe myrtles as well. The picture below is from '05. Can you tell the difference?


While I was outside exploring, the lizard came out to bask in the sunlight on the kitchen floor and JB scooped him up and set him free outdoors.
I was really glad to hear that. I was beginning to fear I could couldn't go barefoot in my own house anymore because of creepy crawly things that may dart across the floor.

See How They Run...

Looks like Haji is feeling empowered since he has learned he can make the deer scatter.

It reminds me of when I first introduced city-dog Elijah Blue to rural living. He, too, was empowered when he learned he could scare cows. (Not to worry, JB had a come-to-Jesus meeting with him shortly thereafter and the cow chasing was nipped in the bud.)

As far as Haji chasing deer, he'll never catch them. But in the meantime, maybe he'll end up saving some of my plants.

No Doorman Here

After too many years of city living with 6 foot privacy fences and views of neighboring rooftops, I have come to really enjoy my privacy. JB says a bit too much at times.

I have visions of an electronic gate, complete with an intercom system at the cattleguard. I'd be sort of like a modern day Carlton the doorman, either allowing or denying passage.

In the interim, Pop has been kind enough to make this sign for me.

Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Imperatix asked me five questions, and here are the answers:


1. From your posts, you’re very happy to live in the country. Is there anything you miss from living “closer in”?

I miss convenience (not convenience stores!) I'm about a 40 minute drive from variety of any type.

If I shop locally, someone else has limited the selection available to "take it or leave it." You settle on what's there, or mentally weigh out the 40 minute drive to get what you'd rather have. Not that I'm picky or anything, but I'm not a WalMart kind of person. It'll do in a pinch. I'd rather decide what I need or want or what will work--not somebody else.



2. I know you’ve got several pets; do you consider yourself more of a cat person or a dog person?

I must prefer dogs since I brought my dog with me, but let the cats go with the house. Did you know that scientists have proven that most dogs have the mentality of a two-year-old child?

I had 5 cats when I lived in Texas. But I also had 2 little girls when I lived in Texas. When you have little girls you invariably have kittens. Which leads to cats, and then, more kittens.







3. Have you always lived in the South?

Uncle Sam decided I should live in Indiana at one point in my life. He also decided I should live in Texas, too. I guess when it was my decision, I have always chosen Virginia.




4. You’re always sharing fun recipes on your blog.When you cook, do you mostly follow recipes, or follow the inspiration of the ingredients?

I read cookbooks like fine literature. I have many! I browse and more often than not, look for something I can make with what I have on hand, or look for something that I have a taste for--whatever that may be.

I read from the index, not the table of contents to settle on a challenge. Sometimes I veer off and throw in something to shake things up a bit.
I love flavor.




5. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry, and why is it your favorite?

I worked for a family-owned jewelry store in Texas and saw so much jewelry!
I prefer the unique unusual pieces.



I have worn this spider, off and on for about 10-12 years and have never seen another one like it.

I never want anything that everybody else is wearing.








So, if you want to play along and now be interviewed
by me, please leave me a comment or send an email
saying: "Interview me."
* I will respond by asking you five questions. I get
to pick the questions.
* You will update your weblog with the answers to the
questions.
* You will include this explanation and an offer to
interview someone else in the same post.
* Then others comment asking to be interviewed, you
will ask them five questions and so on.

Find Out What Works

Just when you think you have everything all figured out, someone throws in a curve ball.

During a recent visit to Momo & Pop's that very thing occurred.

Momo and I were visiting in the living room when I detected a scrubbing sound coming from the bathroom.

"What's Pop scrubbing?" I asked.

Of course this simple question was met with facial contortions and snorts.

Within minutes, Pop emerged from the bathroom announcing the sink and tub had been scrubbed clean. He added the toilet was clean as well.

Well, Momo shot up in amazement and went to inspect Pop's handiwork.

The plot thickens.

Turns out, Momo had mentioned how the sink and tub had hard water stains, etc. and needed to be replaced.



Pop, on the other hand, knew for sure he had SOMETHING that would get them clean (so they would not have to be replaced).

Looks like he rummaged around in his shop until he found something that he knew would do the job.




I guess all Pop needed was the proper motivation.

Playing Fetch

How does an almost blind dog play fetch? He listens well and travels a known path.

Suck It Up & Get It Done

I faced the music, so to speak, yesterday and did placement tests so I could make my third attempt at completing my college education. The results were as I had expected. The majority of my classes will transfer. But I still have to do 4 maths. I hate math.

My other half told me math would increase my capacity to learn. No doubt. Anything that you have absolutely no interest in--when tackled--is a real brain challenge. We're programmed with our likes and dislikes. We know what excites us and what disgusts us. And the bulk of the time, we are the boss and make the decisions. Maybe I'm put out because someone else is running the show and telling me what classes I must have in order to complete my degree.

I'm not even sure why, at this point in my life, I feel compelled to finish. I just feel like this is what I need to do.

Inspired by a sense of outrage, Jane Stillwater, a 64-year-old self-described "flower child, 4o years later" ate peanut butter sandwiches for months to save for a ticket to Kuwait. She then convinced a small Texas newspaper to help her secure press accreditation and boarded a troop transport to Baghdad.

This grandmother, with no formal journalistic training, reports from Baghdad via blog. (You can see all posts here.) Her local city councilman had this to say,"Having know her for many years and seen her do things that nobody else would think of taking on... she's a pretty irrepressible force of humor and passion."

I can't think of any better compliment.

Momo and Pop's 54 Year Secret

Momo shared her secret with me. I have done my best to encourage her to respond personally, but she is hesitant, for whatever reason.

Nonetheless, there are those of you who have expressed an interest. So I am relaying the information as it was expressed to me.

Momo says most of the time she loves Pop dearly...
" And then there's other times", she said rubbing her thumb and index finger together, "I'd just like to squish him like a bug".

(Turns out, we all have that type of marriage, don't we?)

Easter Monday or HAPPY DAY

I was often teased that I'd use any excuse to celebrate. I guess it's the "Pollyanna" in me (let's find a reason to be happy).

When you have small children in the home, you relish the giggles and smiles. You want them to be happy, so you spend the largest majority of your time and energy preoccupied with that concept. I remember once making a "Happy Day" cake for my girls, with the full understanding that sometimes you just can't wait for the next birthday.

I feel like my two daughters should have quite a few good childhood memories, and a varied assortment of family traditions. My own childhood memories and family traditions still provide a wealth of information for me... good feelings, points to ponder and amusement.. like that groovy Easter pic yesterday.

I don't know how they plan to use all this information, but I have faith they will figure that out. When they were growing up, our family time was consumed with all things adolescent girls deem life sustaining... the sleepovers, band and orchestra concerts, tennis and softball, ballet and jazz.... I was counting on raising well-rounded thinking young women.

See, that's the thing. We always hope that we have provided enough information, afforded enough opportunities, established the best morals and integrity...

That's how you show gratitude for the gift of a child, right?

We're Celebrating At My House

No new recipes (but I have a few good ones in reserve, if you're interested). We dined on leftover meatloaf. I was just too damn pre-occupied with leftover situations from the weekend and beyond to delve into the cookbooks for something more exciting. Sorry.

I have a wonderful Southern Living meatloaf recipe (which rivals my other half's mother--although that was never my intent!) and I'd be more then happy to share. I just never thought of meatloaf as something special. It's more like a "what's at the bottom of the heap" recipe.

I'd much rather have something with some real flavor. Plus, with all I've read lately, I really don't feel good about any recipe that calls for red meat. I think I'd much rather have some brain food (fish). I'm ready for some Shrrimp Scampi or a shrimp stir-fry with a dab of my pear honey.

Anyway, I decorated for Easter.

The other half could care less, but--he'll work around it, if it makes me happy.

This little chickie ensemble used to take Jeni Rae days to get arranged just right.

Why Ask Why?

We enjoyed a dinner of Taco Stufffed Pasta Shells last night while watching back-to-back episodes of house makeover shows. What is it about these shows that provide so much interest for women?

What I should be asking is why is a comfortable home so important to women when it is obvious that most husbands could survive (and be happy) in a tent?

I see this as yet another example of God's sense of humor.

Life is All About Choices

This is just too good NOT to share it.

The Blue Thong Society is the alter-ego of the Red Hat Society. Do yourself a favor and take a look.

I have toyed with the idea of a hat, but I think part of me still believes that wearing a hat has something to do with baldness and I'm not sure I want to deal with all that.

I don't do thongs--can't deal with it (unless its a shoe!) I do like the idea of "no visible panty lines" and have spent a large portion of my life fighting that dilemma.

I just LOVE choices!!

Roadtrip!

This single word can either create squeals of anticipation or the moaning and groaning of dread.

I'm sure when Ms. Astronaut was planning her roadtrip, it made perfect sense and was carefully planned.

I look forward to hearing just what prompted her to chase after a woman who may have been involved with a man that she is somewhat involved with...

Also, how do you think she feels about her trip--and her well-laid plans-- now that it's all said and done.

Hindsight inevitably affords us the opportunity to view events from a fresh perspective.

Have You No Shame?

One year ago yesterday, I started this blog. In honor of this milestone, I'm sharing a bit more...
my cafepress shop.

The tees are not getting the rave reviews I had anticipated, but I'm having fun.

Find these and more at http://www.cafepress.com/mizmellonline

A Ray of Sushine

According to urban legend, two people looking at the same glass can see something entirely different.

As much as we’ve heard this, it’s still a fine example of how our perspective can mar or enhance or day to day living.

Some folks will refer to themselves as postive or optimistic, while other as quick to confess they are "realists..." as if being one way or the other was a permanent characteristic!

The fact remains that we are all capable of changing our perception if we simply make the effort.

On Holiday

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change... "

We realize this more during the holiday season--especially during the aftermath of the wild rush that is Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Interaction with in-laws and out-laws and relatives can wear you out. Everyone sleeps hard during the holidays... when they finally sleep.

The sleeping patterns of 5 individuals were made abundantly clear this season. Someone was up all the time, I think. Middle of the night trips to the kitchen or bathroom usually involved running into someone else who was either already up, getting up or going back to bed. It made for hot topics of conversation over coffee the next morning. We survived.

Adaptability is a virtue, indeed. My children have been blessed with this. They arrived suitcases in tow, to spend the holidays with their mother and this man she married 5 years ago. The house was quickly transformed into a "girly" house complete with the smells of scented lotions and the giggles and guffaws of two young women enthused over no work or school for a few days. Both pointed out that they were "on holiday."

I like the sound of that. The girls get but a small amount of time off and I am so proud they chose to spend it here. I think I'm most pleased by the comfort level they express in their day to day actions... here in an old house we have made home.

There's a level of respect we all have for one another and for the tight quarters we share over Christmas. An eyebrow may occasionally be raised, looks may pass between one or two--but no harsh words or opinions. I think we all realize we are what we are and we've got what we've got. This is family. What are you going to do with family?

You bend for family. You maintain a certain level of discretion. You let things slide and look at the bigger picture.

But most of all you love them unconditionally.

Erma Saves the Day

Everything is fine... really fine.

I finally got the dreaded freezer defrosted... and partially restocked in anticipation of the holiday traffic. House still needs a good thorough cleaning, but I have been moving in 50 different directions with the sewing and the shopping and the partially done remodeling. (sigh)

I always say that life is a tradeoff. Why do I always forget it, too??

I know everything does not have to be perfect, but I strive for perfection anyway. Insanity, pure insanity.

After a rushed day Friday, my other half calls to say he's taking off early. I get home just 15 minutes or so ahead of him and put away the groceries. When he arrives he announces he'd like to have company for dinner. Of course, I totally flip out, because after all--the house is a wreck! We all know the bathroom should sparkle and the kitchen floor should be smooth as glass before you have company over. That's when I thought of Erma Bombeck.

One of the things she regretted during her last days was her lack of spontaneity. She said she wished she had worried less about grass stains and spent more time sitting in the grass.

"If I had my life to live over again I would have waxed less and listened more. I would have cried and laughed less while watching television . . . and more while watching real life. But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute of it . . . look at it and really see it . . . try it on . . . live it . . . exhaust it . . . and never give that minute back until there was nothing left of it. . . . "

Old Erma was pretty wise... I've decided I'm taking a cue from her this entire holiday season.

109 Quarts Later...

The last jar was sealed and tucked under the thickest towels I could find at just before 10pm last night.

The "morning after" in this particular instance is all about rings, lids and sticky stuff. Although I must admit, the men were much neater that I had originally feared. And much more willing to do whatever was necessary to guarantee the success of this venture.

Actually, everyone was very even-tempered and helpful. Almost like they were all on valium or something. Okay, there was an occasional glass of wine... but really no more than a glass or two. And that was only after the work was done.

I was very impressed with the clean up efforts by the men. When I looked out into the backyard this morning, I wasn't horrified as I expected to be. The kettle had been rinsed and there weren't 85 million coffee cups or a hundred plates on the table under the awning.

The weekend went well. We re-connected with old friends, made some new ones, and have a lot of apple butter.