We used to laugh when folks posted pictures of food on Social Media.  But, hey, this is photo-worthy.  And January is a tough time to be talking about gardening in the mountains.  

 

So I'm going to tell you about this fabulous pizza we made.  The red onions, eggplant, and arugula came out of our garden last year.  We also put our rosemary in the crust.  

 

Jon's pizza dough is in the recipe section under bread, just add your own toppings.

 

 

HAPPY JANUARY!!!

 

 

 

A couple days ago we stuffed mushrooms with a lovely quinoa mixture, and had a bunch leftover.  So last night I cooked one of our very own butternut squashes, and stuffed it with the quinoa mix.  Wow, was it good.  

 

If you want the recipe, here it is:  cut a butternut in half and scoop out the seeds and discard, or save them to plant in the spring.  Cook the squash cut side down for 40 minutes at 350 degrees.  Then turn them right side up and stuff with your favorite savory mixture of rice, quinoa, or whatever grain you like, and cook another 10 minutes.  We grated a little Parmesan cheese on top.  Hey, curry something would be a really good stuffing too;  maybe next time.

 

 

HAPPY COOKING!!!

 

Our weather has been perfect for walking, nearly every day!!!  

 

This is the view as we start down Crabapple Lane toward the sign.  See the street sign on that little corner?   We turn that corner, and continue down to the creek.  Then we go up Clifford's Hill to our first rest stop.  Continuing on, we eventually get to the top of Five Forks.  And that is why I took this picture.  

 

It is always amazing to me to look out toward the top of our mountain, and see how far away it looks.  The top of the mountain is the half way point, and it's downhill from there.  Even though we have been walking this loop for 18 years, it still amazes me.  

 

We are amazing.  ;)

 

HAPPY ALMOST DECEMBER!!!

 

I saw this the other day, and copied it to share.  I think it's great advise, and the picture makes me smile too.  

 

This is my wish for you:  to be close to people who feel like sunshine.  

 

 

HAPPY DAYS AHEAD!!!

 

This one is at Meeks Park, but if you look up anywhere, you will see the Red Maples starting to bloom.  They look fuzzy from a distance.

 

I love seeing the branches full of red blossoms poking up into the blue sky.  Lets me know that Spring is almost here!!!

 

HAPPY ALMOST SPRING!!!

 

I have been chilled for about 4 days now.  We get out and walk and that usually warms me up, and makes me feel better.  Then, I ran across this picture, and it warmed me up without having to do anything!!!

 

I hope you're staying warm.

 

HAPPY WINTER!!!

 

Wow!!!  This weather is SO pretty!!!  Saturday's high temperature was 70;  granted, that reading was taken in the sun, but still.... I hope you are getting out and breathing this beautiful fresh air.  That is just one of the many reasons we moved to the mountains, right?

 

I took this picture at the start of my walk.  I walked up to the house at the top and back down the road and up the trail.  8700 steps.  Got some good bloggery stuff, too.  Check back tomorrow.

 

HAPPY HIKING!!!

 

HMMMMM...  What to do with all those blueberries?  A bunch of folks have come over to pick them;  thank you!!!  Even the bear picked some!!  But we still have a LOT!!!  They should be finished by the end of July, until next year.  In the meantime, we are eating blueberries everyday.  In salads, in scones, just out of the bowl. Love them.  

 

For a special treat, we make blueberry pie; it takes 6 cups of berries.  We use a single pie recipe, and turn it into 3 small pies.  That way, we get to have pie, but not too much.  And two of our friends get to have some too.  
 

I'll put the recipe in the recipe section.  It's under the neighbors sharing section.  You can add a recipe too, if you like.  Or send it to me by email, and I'll add it.  I think it's called ghost writing.  
 

HAPPY SUMMER!!!

 

Well, since this all started, I've made over 100 masks.  When I ran out of elastic, I used sturdy yarn for the ear parts, then ties made of fabric.  
 

Most of them went to Union General Hospital.  Our friend Dan Simpson works in one of the labs there, and delivered the masks to his coworkers.  I've sent them to my sisters and friends in Virginia, to friends in Florida and Raleigh, NC.  And we wear ours every time we go shopping.  
 

Lately I've heard that we can increase the effectiveness by covering our masks with nylon stockings.  Just cut an 8 inch section of queen size panty hose, slide the tube over your head down to your neck, then pull it up over the mask.  They said it makes a very big difference in how tight the mask fits to your face keeping out the particles of germs that are making people sick;  plus, the nylon adds an extra layer of filtration.
 

I must say it gets easier each time, but I still feel like a bandit.  Oh well, we all do what we have to, to keep ourselves and others safe and healthy.  Let me know if you need a mask.  I'm happy to help if I can.  
 

 STAY SAFE!!!

 

Yep, it's true. This my mom and she's 95 years old.  We should all look this good at 95!!!

 

She certainly didn't look this good last month.  She spent 9 days in hospital, followed by nearly a month in rehab to regain her strength.  At 5 foot nothing and 95 pounds she's quite a powerhouse.  Not everybody could have recovered from that one.  We all had our doubts for a bit.  It definitely took its toll, but she's back!!!!!!

 

Julie took this picture just 5 days after she moved to Sweet Memories.  It is the memory care section of Kings Grant House in Virginia Beach, just 5 minutes from Julie, and 15 minutes from Betsy.  There are about 20 residents and lots of excellent caregivers.  We know that Momma will be safe there and well cared for;  and we're hoping for happy.

 

The reason I'm sharing this is to thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.  It was a difficult decision for daughters to make.  But I'm proud to say that we understand things now, that we never imagined we would ever need to know.  

 

But this we know:  Getting old isn't for sissies.  It is hard work to keep your body healthy, but worth the effort.  

                            Patience and kindness are virtues that we should all practice, cause someday we might need them.

                            Love is stronger than everything. 

 

When you love somebody so much, it's easy to work at making them happy, whatever it takes.  Sometimes it requires listening to the same stories over and over, sometimes it means answering the same question again and again.  Sometimes you have to sing, recite childhood poetry, or just sit and watch them sleep.  But we do it for love; she did it for us all those years ago.  Now it's our turn to show her how much we love her. 

 

I know that Momma is proud of us, even if she can't remember.  She did a good job raising us.      

 

 

THANKS FOR CARING!!!