Winter Storm

Christmas eve

Today we had a lot to accomplish. We awoke earlier than usual and set out for a quick grocery stop before heading home to start up the smoker in preparation of the turkey for tomorrows Christmas meal. The cool windy day made it for a difficult smoke. I finally called it quits after about 4 hours and finished of the turkey in the oven. I only smoked the turkey for about an hour and then placed it in a pan to catch the drippings to make dressing. So far the plans has worked well. I called my Dad to wish him Happy Birthday and we are also in the path of a winter storm coming down the pipe for tomorrow night. I don't mind the snow but usually when it happens my line of work gets a little busy. People, especially elderly people don't have the sense to stay home and out of the snow. In preparation of the snow I placed a couple of extra supports under the awning of our patio. The last time we got several inches of the white stuff, it buckled the frame in a couple of places. I also found out why my rain gauge hasn't been working for about a month. A spider made a home in the gauge and his web kept the gauge from working. Overall the day has been a productive one.

GEMINIDS

 

 

12-12-12

Just before I left from work today, Needles text me and told me I had a package to pick up from the post office. I wasn't expecting a package but when she stated it was from the bank I got a little concerned. I stopped by the post office on the way through town. A young lady and her children that my brothers family is friend with was in the post office shipping packages to China when her little girl spied me and ran over to me with her arms out stretched wanting me to pick her up. I gladly hoisted her up to my hip and watched her smile in between licks of the candy cane she was well into finishing. The mother, lets call her "J" spun around to see what strangers arms her child was running into. We both smiled as we both came to the realization that her child thought I was my twin brother Rudy. Before long it was time for them to go and I smiled and waved them goodbye. I thought what an awesome thing to come home to from work. I stepped up to the counter and told the post office worker what I was there for and proceeded through the formalities of signing and presenting I.D. I then was presented the large yellow envelope with my name and address on the label. I drove home with curiosity welling up inside. Upon opening the envelope I discovered that the mortgage on my house was paid in full and also a $8.84 refund. I was ecstatic and called the bank just to be sure as I had couple more payments in my book and wanted confirmation. The gentleman on the phone asked me for my mortgage number. After a little clicking noises in the background he came back to say Merry Christmas it is paid in full. Yahoo! It has been 15 years and I thought this day would never come. 12-12-12 you have been a good day for me indeed.

Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving is one of adjustment. We have been going down to the farm the evening before Thanksgiving for some 15 years but this year required a bit of a change due to recent events. We are all picking up with our new rolls and making the best of it. We arrived at the farm around 6:30am Thanksgiving morning and got the turkey ready to go into the oven just after 7:00am. While the turkey was percolating, I attacked cleaning the refrigerator and Needles waged war on the kitchen floor. After the cleaning session we settled in until the Uncles rolled in with their contributions to the upcoming feast. Right at noon we pulled the turkey from the oven and the smell exploded like a bomb into the kitchen air. It was hard to finished the sides while we awaited the bird to rest before diving into it. We all made our rounds and filled our plates. The turkey was accompanied by dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, homemade rolls and cranberry salad. Dessert was home made squash pie with cool whip and vanilla ice cream. We all ate our fill and then found something to do to keep the sleepiness at bay. After the clean up and packing up some food to bring home we headed home arriving just after 5pm. It was along day but it was nice to get together with the family for the holiday. Hope you also had a Happy Thanksgiving.

Weekend Guests

This weekend Cynical and Ragged came to visit. After they arrive Friday night Needles made homemade tomato soup with dill bread and for dessert blueberry crisp ala mode. It was all very good and we settled in to the living room and got to catch up on current events. Saturday morning we had a trip to Vincennes scheduled so after breakfast and getting ready we were on the road. We made it over to the yarn shop as requested by the ladies. After the ladies got to peruse the yarn we headed down the road to Windy Knolls Winery. I picked up a raspberry wine along with a peach and pomegranate. Ragged also picked the peach, pomegranate and also a blueberry. After our purchases we made our way into town for some lunch. We decided on Quickies and then a stop off at the coffee shop for some salted caramel mochas. Following lunch and  coffee we made a stop at Pop Around the Clock. On our way home we dropped in on Rudy and Brandos for a visit. We headed home about Supper time where Needles had chili in the crock pot. With our bellies full of chili we retired to the living room for a movie and conversation. Cynical fell out early and before long it was midnight and time for bed. This morning we had breakfast and enjoyed the warm yet windy morning. All too quickly our guests decide it was time to head home. We enjoyed our time together and hope to visit with them again soon.

It's Over...

 

Last night the American people spoke with their votes and made sure that this country with all of it's diversity and opportunity will continue to move forward and not look back.

The Theatre...

 

Tonight Needles and I went to the big city and watched a play. We intended on going last weekend but Needles coming down with a bit of a bug, we decided to postpone. After supper at the Chinese Buffet we made a run by Impressed where we both enjoyed a salted caramel mocha before the play. I think when we got done with our warm beverage, we both could have flown there. The entertainment for the night was the play Dracula put on by a local group called the Old Town Players. The performance was very good with periods of just good. It seemed that the players talent was wide ranging. Some of the actors lines and emotions were somewhat easy to loose yourself in the story with the occasional slap back into reality by a deadpan delivery. Overall the play was very entertaining and I think Needles and I are going to try to make this a Halloween tradition. The past few years the Halloween plays have been The House on Haunted Hill and Frankenstein. Just the thing to finish off the season of ghosts and goblins. Happy belated Halloween.

Fall Vacation

 

Needles and I just got back from our Fall vacation. Click on the link on the right to go to my Travel Blog for details.

Weekend In Review

 

This weekend was kind of an active one. Needles made an appointment for the car to get a new set of shoes so Saturday morning  I followed her and we dropped the car off at the Dodge dealer. While they were working on the car, we did a little shopping. I wanted to stop in at Lowe's and pick up a new sink for the bathroom as the old one was in very bad shape. Of course putting in the new sink was not without it challenges. The opening cut for the old sink was almost too large for the new sink so I had to cut some cleats to set the lip of the new sink on and seal the gap with caulk. After fighting the old sink out and getting the new one back in, a job that should have taken maybe an hour took almost a couple. On our way back home we stopped in at the park and took a few pictures of the changing trees. While in the big city we picked up a few bunches of mumms and got those planted in the front of the house. I will say since we took out the old bushes and planted the mumms, the front of the house looks more cheery. Today I changed the oil in the Jeep but other than that we just stayed inside, watched T.V. and sipped coffee most of the day. Hope you had a nice weekend also.

Just a few pics.

 

 

Projects

I have been working on a few projects since the weather has cooled off. I worked on painting and resealing the widows for a couple days and then moved on the the eaves. The paint on the eaves of the house has been pretty rough for several years and every year I have been putting it off. This year I finally got to it. I worked on them off and on for about 2 weeks. I finally finished them up and then moved on to do some work on the front porch. The ceiling on the porch needed scraped and painted. I finished it up last Thursday and today I painted the floor of the front porch and removed the bushes that has gotten way too big and looking sparse in foliage. The front porch is going to need another coat and then I will be moving on to the back patio. I hope to keep this going until the weather keeps me from doing things outside. I might have to start a few projects inside.

East Bridge Arts and Music Festival

Here is a few pictures from the East Bridge Art and Music Festival in Owensboro, Ky.

Art Booths

 Big Blue

 Chalk Art

 

The new river front.

 

This weekend Needles and I were hosted by Cynical and Ragged. We arrived in Owenboro on Friday around 5:30pm. When we arrived we visited with each other for a bit before it was time for Cynical and I to go pick up some local take out pizza. The pizza was very good and we sat in the livingroom and discussed  and caught up on what was going on in our lives. Before long it was time for bed. The next morning we had a very noce breakfast and then we were off to the festival. We arrived a little early which was nice to be able to wander through the art booths without bumping elbows with other patrons. There were some very talented people with booths and unfortunatley the storm the night before made the setup disasterous for some. Ragged did a little shopping and Needles found herself a hand dyed goody bag. After that we were able walk the Blue Bridge. They had shut down traffic across the bridge from 10am to 3pm. When we made it back we walked up the new riverfront and got to see all the improvements to the area. After the festival we went over to visit with some family and see a new member of the family. After that we returned home for a lunch of grilled burgers with sides. It was all very good and we filled our bellies. We returned to the riverfront area to pick up some coffee at a local coffee bar and walk the riverfront at sunset. It was a nice way to end the day. Sunday morning we had breakfast and settled in on the screen porch and enjoyed the cooler temps. We spent the last few hours together talking, eatting and then having to say goodbye. We always enjoy visiting with Cynical and Ragged and can't wait for the time that they will make the trek to our neck of the woods.  

Perseid Meteor Shower

Getting Life Back Together.

Life goes on and day by day the healing continues. We  go through the motions with an empty spot in our hearts hoping that one day it will scare over and not hurt so much. Last weekend we had our first family get together since our loss and I think it went pretty well. I smoked a couple of racks of pork ribs and made some baked beans. We had corn on the cobb and green beans. For dessert we had chocolate chip ice cream. All the Uncles showed up and it was nice to get back to life as we knew it...sort of. I think we are all in agreement to try to get together at least once a month and have a family meal and visit.  This weekend we have been taking it easy since we have been on the go so much. Today I grilled steaks and Needles made up some potato and herb packets so we put them on the grill. It all turned out pretty tasty. Since the temps have dropped a little we opened up the windows and let fresh air blow through the house. Since Needles finished up her Masters degree I purchased a Bouy Bell wind chime for her. With the windows open you can hear them chiming into the house occasionally.  I am glad to be able to give the air conditioner a bit of a break. I am sure the electric bill will reflect the break in the hot weather. For now I guess we are content in setting around  and soaking in the Olympics on TV.

Difficult Days

The last few weeks have been very stressful. Needles and I have just been trying to get through them taking them a day at a time. We are healing but the wound left in our hearts is still raw. We appreciate all of our friends and family members that have helped us in getting through this difficult time. We love all of you.

Ramblin (Brian)

Old & New

Out with the old.

I

In with the new.

Tonight I just ordered a new laptop. This will be my 3rd laptop in about 8 years. The first one Needles and I shared it so when I got my second laptop, Needles took over the first one. The second laptop lasted me a good 6 years which is like 35 in dog years, not sure what that has to do with it but none the less, it has been a good machine. Lately my little laptop has been giving me problems and with the photo and video editing I have been doing, it just doesn't operate very quickly in it's tasks. I held off on ordering one because I knew when the new one comes, this old one will be set aside and never used effectively making it a door stop. I will miss my little laptop with the missing cushion on the left mouse button and the paint that is wore through to the plastic on the mouse pad and just above the right speaker where I rest my hand. Maybe in the future I will repurpose it for something else I am getting interested in but I have to decide which I needed worse. A laptop or a telescope. Maybe someday. 

Rain and Hail

We finally got rain....along with a little hail. Needles and I went out and played in the rain like idiots. I just hope this is the end of the heat and the start for some wet weather. 

Here is a few of our tomatoes still on the vine.

Cherry tomatoes. 

Happy Birthday To Me.

Thirty nine years ago today, I was born. Not just me but my twin brother also. This morning Needles and I slept in a little but was up and at em just after 9am. We fixed breakfast and shortly after that was a call from my parents wishing me a happy birthday. In the middle of the mid day heat we decided to do some grocery shopping. Nothing like a good frustrating visit to Wally World on your birthday and it's 105 outside to get you good and pissy. Between the people having a family reunion blocking the aisles, the couple chatting up the cashier while we stand there waiting to get checked out and finally the people I got behind on the road home. Let me just say that turn signals are totally optional around here. When we got home we unloaded our groceries and I finally got to cool down. My SIL called earlier and invited Needles and I out to supper at The Trace Inn. They picked us up around 5pm and of to the park we went. It was almost grilled chicken salads all around. Afterwards a quick trip to the Dairy Dee scored Needles some Choco Dees. This evening has been dedicated to staying cool and a little black berry picking. Tomorrow we are going to L's to have lunch. Hope you have a good weekend.

PS. A neat fact that I discovered today. On June 30th 1973 there was a total solar eclipse. Interesting.

ISS & Moon

ISS

Crab Leg Sunday

Sunday and the crab legs went into the pot. After a quick boil they were on my plate with a side of the Spanish rice I prepared the other day. It was very good and now I am officially out of seafood. That's OK I got a T bone marinating in the fridge for tonight.

Last night I got bored so I decide to make a peach cobbler. My Mom's recipe. It's already a third got and it goes excellent with ice cream.  

Saturday Shrimp

The seafood extravaganza continues while Needles is away on her adventure. I decided on grilled shrimp marinated in olive oil, a bit of brown sugar, soy sauce and lime juice. They turned out awesome. For sides I had Spanish rice and baked beans with a few slightly grilled sweet peppers. I think this was my favorite meals so far. Tomorrow crab legs.

Bachelor Weekend.

Needles is off to a knitting/ girls weekend in Asheville, N.C. so for the last couple of days I have been having to fend for myself. Since Needles doesn't like seafood very much, I thought it would be a prefect time to do a couple of things that I have been wanting to do for awhile. Number one, cook seafood and number two, eat seafood. It's kind of a nice and works out well that number one leads right into number two as it would be hard to do them in reverse. Thursday was my first night and on the menu was crab cakes. A quick fry in a skillet. I had buttered garlic toast, sweet peppers as sides with a cold glass of tea and home made cocktail sauce.

For Friday night I had something special. Lobster tails! I have never cooked lobster so for a first time I think they turned out pretty good. I just wish we had fresh lobster and not the frozen stuff. For sides I had asparagus, golden hominy and lemon butter.

I still have some shrimp and some crab legs in the on deck circle so we will see over the next couple of days which is next. 

Good Mail

Today in the mail I received the two orders I have been waiting for. The first was a couple of pounds of coffee I ordered from Mud House Coffee. I ordered the Gaileys Breakfast Blend and Kenya AA one of their best sellers. Also I ordered a pair of head phones from Skull Candy. They were having all their 2011 and 2012 stock half price so I grabbed a pair of Uprock. So far it has been a nice weekend. Let's hope it keeps it up.

Venus Transit

Venus Transit Across The Sun.

Memorial Day.

There is no words that can convey the profound pride, honor and sadness for the men and women, soldiers, Americans that have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Perhaps the only words that fits the occasion in a simplistic, feeble attempt is thank you.