Chats on the Porch

Looks like we are ready to start the 2nd year of chatting on the porch with Patrice, oh and Wendell of course, from Everyday Ruralty.  

Here are this week's questions:

1.  Do you have any special plans for this fall?

It is my favorite season and normally I take at least a week or more off to enjoy the fall scenery.  But this year I have heavy work committments this fall so sadly, nothing special is planned.

2.  Do you collect anything?

I collect cook books and since I was about 5 years old I collected frogs.  It was a "thing" between a beloved uncle and myself.  I am now completely over run with frog stuff and despite my urgings to everyone to stop, they just keep coming. 

3.  Have you done any canning or freezing this season?

I have never.  Each year I say I'm going to make one batch of jam and pickled beets.  It still hasn't happened :)

4.  Do you have a friend who lives far away? Where do they live?

I have a sweet friend in California :)   That's far!

5.  When in a store, restaurant, or other business, do you ever complain or praise to the management?

I really try not to complain unless it is really horroble or offensive.  I have done it a time or two but then I feel terrible and guilty.  But if I do get exceptionally great service I always mention it.  I work in government so I hear complaints regularly, but if people like things they rarely say it.  So because of that I try to comment on positive things as often as possible.

P.S.  Only one more work day for me and then 5 days off in a row!   I can hardly contain my excitement!!!!

Farmhouse party!

What's more fun than a party?  .......nothing I can think of.

Patrice from Everyday Ruralty is celebrating her one year anniversary of the Farmhouse Chats.  (and I hear Wendell is helping out with the festivities)

While I haven't been participating in all the chats for the entire year, I have enjoyed it.

She is celebrating all week with lots of fun and surprises.  And some nifty giveaways too.

QUESTION FOR TODAY1. What food would you bring with you to the party? Bring enough to share!

 

Well, I think I would bring a big carrot cake with gobs of cream cheese icing.  Wendell always has a hankering for carrots and I have a sweet tooth so this seems like the perfect thing to bring to the party. 

 

 

 

Stop by Patrice's blog and help her celebrate.

Chats on the porch

It's time for another weekly chat with Patrice at Everyday Ruralty.  It sounds like she and Wendell are having a party next week.  Sounds fun doesn't it!!

A party sounds fun right now.  I've got my sad, droopy face on tonight.  Big Sis Jane is flying home tomorrow :(   Ten days went way to quickly.  And yes, there was a big ugly sob ridden good-bye scene at the beach tonight.  We are pathetic!

Anyway, enough of that.  Lets get on with the questions this week

 

1. What's your favorite room in your home?

Well, there isn't a room in my house that doesn't need a total makeover.   So, I would have to say the sunporch.  I spend lots of time out there reading and relaxing. 

2.   If you could go anywhere on a vacation, all expense paid, where would it be?

I have always wanted to go to Italy and Greece.  It has been #1 on my "someday" list.   Plus you know I love martini's - with 3 olives.  Bet I could get unlimited olives in Greece.....

3.    Were you a girl scout or in any similar program?

No and I'm not sure why.  Perhaps Mom didn't want me peddling cookies door to door :)

4.    What's your favorite frozen treat?

Lately I would have to say chocolate peanut butter ice cream.

5.   Are you NASCAR or the elderly lady with the pillbox hat when you drive?

NASCAR, all the way. On the way to the beach tonight I got behind a hay wagon and I thought I was going to have a stroke!  lol

Don't forget to visit Patrice and the other participants in the Chats.

Chats on the Porch

Again this week I am joining the Farmhouse Chats hosted by  Patrice at Everyday Ruralty.

I abandoned my Sis at the beach tonight.  I battled a headache all day and just couldn't drag myself out to the cottage.  Instead I took a nap.  I feel a little better now so here we go with Patrice's questions

1.  Do you exercise?
Hahahaha,  NO.  I know I should and have tried to get into an exercise routine many many times, but it just fails. 

2.   What's your favorite type of party or get together?
Any kind of get together with family and friends is fine by me.  Good friends, food, laughter - perfect.

3.   What's your favorite kind of melon?
Cantaloupe I suppose.  I even had a tasty cantaloupe and cracked pepper salad recently.  Sounds strange but tasted wonderful.

4.  Do you ever go to a farmers' market?
I love Farmer's Markets.  Everything looks so fresh and colorful.  The trouble is things look so yummy I often buy more than I can eat. 

5.  Would you prefer a series of day trips, or a week's vacation?
Since Mom's illness, day trips seem to be the most practical.  However I am in desperate need of a good relaxing week anywhere sooner than later!   A quiet spot and a few books for a week would be heaven.

Tonight on my way home from work I grabbed the latest Rug Hooking Magazine.  I'm going to flip pages for inspiration. 

Not much progress on the red flower rug.  Just more of the same background.

Chats on the Porch

It has been too long since I have joined the Farmhouse Chats on Patrice's Porch.  This seems like a great week to jump back in.  I wish I had a carrot for Wendell but I'm hoping he will accept an apple instead.

I'm hoping Patrice's porch is covered as we have had torrential rain all day.  But sitting in a nice covered porch with a mug of coffee, listening to the rain fall will be just fine.

Here are this weeks questions.

1. What's your favorite day of the week? Why?

Well, usually it depends on what is on my calendar at work.  Any day with too many meetings scheduled is not a good day.  But in general I would have to say Thursday is my favorite.  Mom has adult day care, which she seems to enjoy and I usually get to go out to lunch (without having to cut up someone's food)

2.   Do you have a blog? Please tell us the name of it and how long you've had it.

Well, obviously this is my blog :)  I started it in July 2009.  I'm glad Patrice asked this question, so maybe I won't forget my anniversary next month.

3.   What's the last book you read? If you're not a reader, please tell us about the last movie you saw.

I just started reading The Hunger Games.  I'm not too far into it yet, but hopefully this weekend I will get lots of reading time.

4.   Do you ever doodle with a pen or pencil while something else is going on?

All the time now.  Last year I took a workshop on Zentangle.  I love it.  When I am sitting in work meetings for hours, the entire border around my agenda's are covered in zentangle doodles.

5.  Tell me about your bathroom towels. What color are they? Do they all match?

I have a bit of a thing for shower curtains.  I change it every couple of months and then coordinate the towels.  Currently there is a bamboo thing going on and beige and white towels. 

Don't forget to go visit our Hostess for these chats - Patrice from Everyday Ruralty

Chattin' on the Porch

With Patrice, of course.  But before we get into her questions I would like to report that my desk is still looking good.  I haven't let the paper creep back in.

I am slowly getting my head above water at the office.  Tonight was the first time I picked up my rug hooking for about a week.  I just couldn't get into it and I have lost interest in my current project.  But it is almost done so I will power through.  I took a quick pic tonight but when I downloaded it, there was a huge shadow over it - - Me.  I'll show you next time.

Well, I better get to the questions, as Dancing With The Stars is about to start.  My guilty pleasure.

Questions

1.  What was your favorite book as a child?

  That's a hard one.  I was a big reader as a child. Well, most of my life until I took up rug hooking.  I read whatever I could get my hands on, but I do remember enjoying The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.

2.  Dark chocolate, Milk Chocolate, or White Chocolate?

Yes, yes, yes.   Dark chocolate with red wine.  Milk chocolate with anything.  White chocolate with coffee.

3.  What's your biggest "pet peeve" when it comes to your kitchen?

When people do not re-close the food packaging properly.  This drives me insane.  You buy a bag of cookies and someone just rips it open and leaves it.  The next day the cookies are all soft.  Or when they don't re-wrap the cheese.  Or when people go behind you are turn to oven or burners up or down while YOU are cooking.   Geez, don't get me started on kitchen pet peeves.

4.   Do you use any type of water filter in your home? (Whole house, faucet mount, or pitcher)

Nope.  We have great water.

5.   What's the herb you use the most in cooking?

My family's taste are pretty bland meat and potatoes stuff.  So sometimes I sneak in basic chives or parsley.   When cooking just for me - - anything goes.

Thanks Patrice for another Chat on the Farmhouse Porch.  If you have a few minutes, stop in and say hi to Patrice and this weeks participants.

Chatting with Patrice

Today feels like a good day to visit and have a chat with Patrice over at Everyday Ruralty. 

It has been awhile since I participated in the Farmhouse Porch Chats and it is a fun way to learn more about fellow bloggers and even find a few new fun blogs. 

So, lets jump right in to this weeks questions

1.  Tell me a fond memory of an elderly person.

It is hard to pick just one.  I always loved going fishing with my grandfather.  We would stop at an old abandoned property and dig our own worms.  Yes, its hard to believe but I not only touched the worms, but even baited my own hook.  Then we would go to our favorite fishing hole for an hour or so.  The location was top secret.  A real fisherman never shares the location of a great spot. 

2.  What is your favorite flavor of jam or jelly?

First, its definately jam over jelly.  Strawberry is my favorite.  I like it a little on the runny side, with no big lumps - the sweeter the better.

3. What goes through your mind when you drive by one of those whopping, huge houses that look like something in a magazine?

We have a lot of large fancy houses in our town.  Many of them have been converted to apartments over the years which is sad.   I have a few favorites that I dream about buywing when I win the lottery.  I have them all designed and decorated in my head.  I imagine myself lounging in the Grand Room, sipping wine and eating bon bons   Hahahaha

4. What is your favorite way to relax?

Sitting in the corner hooking on a new project or sitting in a large white adirondack chair, overlooking the water with a refreshing beverage,  or sitting on the porch of a little cabin tucked away from all the crazy.....  Gee, don't get me started - I could go on and on here.

5. What is your favorite kind of pasta?

I like a nice cheese tortellini in a creamy tomato sauce.  Mmmm, good idea for tonights supper.

Make sure to visit Patrice and see who else has stopped by to chat this week.

A chat with Wendell

I'm going to join in again with Everyday Ruralty's Chats on the Porch.  Our usual hostess Patrice is taking a little break and has handed off responsibility to her handsome and charming friend, Wendell the horse. 

Here are the questions this week.

1. What's your favorite kind of chili?

I happen to think I make the best chili.  Nothing fancy, but lots of meat, tomatoes, beans, mushrooms and spicy.  And then add a little more spice :)

2.   What do you usually do when you feel a cold coming on?

I thought I was coming down with a cold last night.  I made tea with honey and went to bed early.  I don't really have any special home-style remedy but if you have any - let me know.

3.   Rice, potatoes, or pasta?

Potatoes, potatoes, potatoes - any way

4.   What kind of camera do you use?

I use a Canon Rebel SLR.  I'm dreaming of added a wide angle lens this year.

5.  Are you a night owl or an early bird?

I've always been a night owl.  However, as I get older I do appreciate the quiet of early mornings.

First Chat of the Year

I'm joining in with Patrice over at Everyday Ruralty for another chat session.  It's always a fun way to  share and learn a little more about each other.

But first an update.  The foot is a little better today but still sore.  I haven't done much today and that seemed to help.  It's not bruised or swollen, so still kind of a mystery.

There is also the theory that it is psychological.  I am signed up to participate in a January weight loss/fitness challenge at work.  I wonder if my foot decided to save me from all the trouble ?   LOL  Probably not !  

The first weigh-in is Thursday morning so my strategy has been to eat like a demon for the past two weeks so I can have a heavy weigh-in for week one and then look like a star for week two.   I have been attacking the rest of the junk food in the house today.  The only flaw in my plan . . . . . .  I may have forgotten that it isn't as easy to take off the pounds as it is to put them on - especially when you are 40-something.   Dang it - there is always a glitch in my plans :)

Anyway, now on to Patrice's questions

1. What's your favorite kind of tree?

There are lots of beautiful flowering trees but the blooms never last long enough for me.  So I will say that my favorite is a red maple.  And the leaves are just as pretty on the ground as they are on the tree.

2.     How did you celebrate the New Year?

Sadly, I stayed home and fell asleep on the sofa sometime before 10pm.  Hopefully next year I will have a much more exciting answer to this question.

3.   Do you have any family traditions for the New Year?

Hmmm, another boring answer here.  I don't think we have any special New Years traditions except that everyone gets a small gift on the morning of January 1.  This year everyone got socks.  (We really didn't put a lot of thought into this year eh)

4.    I'm so glad I____________ in 2011.

I'm so glad for many things in my life.  I can't narrow it down to just one

5.     Did you have a nickname as a child?

My grandfather called me "The Baby".  The name stuck for years.  A few years ago my cousin told me her entire family always referred to me as "Baby Kim"

There are just  a few precious hours left of vacation.  Back to work tomorrow (big sigh)

Chatting on Patrice's Porch

Today I thought I would join Patrice for Chats on the Farmhouse Porch.  Each week Patrice posts some get-to-know-each-other questions.   

Questions

1. Where is your favorite place to think, reflect, or pray?

I think my favorite spot to think is near the water.  It doesn't matter if it's the ocean, lake or a river.  I just feel better when I can look out at the water.  The sounds of the water lapping up on the rocks is just so soothing to me.  It always makes me feel better.  Someday I'm going to retire on a beach.

2.    Did you believe in Santa as a kid?

YES.  Even though I was terrified to sit on his knee, I did believe.  You know those pictures you see with the little kids screaming in fear on Santa's lap - - that was me.  LOL  I still remember my cousin Michael telling me he wasn't real.  I ran to my grandfather crying and sobbing, begging him to tell me that Michael was lying.  Grandpa was NOT impressed with him.    When Michael and his wife had their first child, I held her in the hospital and told her in a few years I was going to tell her what her Daddy told me.  Michael roared laughing and told his wife from now on to refer to me as "Crazy Aunt Kim" around the baby so she wouldn't believe anything I said.  Can you imagine??  He told me I can tell her on her 18th birthday.  I have 7 years to wait.

3.   What's your favorite kind of Christmas cookie? You can add a recipe if you have time.

Hmmm, all cookies are good, but I look forward to the coconut cherry surprise balls and gingerbread.  I also make a mean nutmeg log.

4.    Did you grow up around any of your grandparents?

My Father's parents were gone but I saw my Mom's parents every day growing up.  I think they were my most important influences in life.  I was the only grandchild so I spent a lot of time with them.  They each taught me things that have carried me through life.

5.     What's your favorite winter sport-skiing, skating,sledding, other(?) ? If you are in a warm place, what is your favorite winter sport to watch when the Winter Olympics are televised?

I skated a lot as a child and we lived near a great sledding hill.  Not a big fan of climbing back up the hill though. (haha)   I tried skiing twice.  (Once for a guy)  It is not for me.  I still don't understand why sensible people would strap sticks to their feet and hurl themselves down a mountain. . . . . . . . Lol

Since we are being honest here - I'll confess - I'm the kind of winter sport girl who gets dressed up in a cute ski / skate outfit and then sits by the roaring fire with a drink and a plate of food.    Love the outfits - hate the winter activity.   

Meet Me On Monday

Blogging  is a funny thing...we tell our most intimate thoughts for all to read  and yet most of the time I find myself sitting and wondering, "who is  this person!?"  I know them...but yet I don't know them!  I want  to know who the person is behind all those words so I thought of a great  way for all of us to "meet" each other!

Every Sunday Never Growing Old will post five get to know you  questions that you can copy and paste into your own Monday post and we  can all learn a little more about each and every one of us!!

1.  I really need to clean my __________?

My closet.  It is a disaster.  I can never find anything, especially in the morning when I am not the brightest.  In case you are wondering - this photo is NOT my closet.  Well, only in my dreams.  

2. What food makes you think of Christmas ?

Gumdrop cake.  I love it.  When I was a kid I would only pick out the gumdrops and leave the cake part.  Then someone gave us a recipe for cream cheese gumdrop cake.  Mmmmmm.   And family legend says we only use a very few green gumdrops.  I don't know why but it was Grandma's rule and she was a good cook so I listened to her.  But everytime I make one I wonder why . . . . ??   Has anyone else ever heard of that ??

3. If you could choose to stay a certain age forever, what age would it be ?

Now that's a tough one.   Sure, I used to be thinner, prettier, no gray hair or teeny wrinkles but I am smarter now and I know more so I would not trade a few gray hairs for that.   I don't want to get stuck.  I want to keep changing and growing and evolving.  I know I could kick my 30 year old ass in a number of categories now.  :)

4. What was your first paying job ?

At the age of 16 I got a part time - after school job as a cashier at a Department Store.   Luckily I didn't experience the "Black Friday" phenomenon back then.  The closest to that craziness I witnessed was grown women rolling around on the floor in a heap fighting over Cabbage Dolls.  Yes it was the early 80's.   Sad !

5. Have you read the Twilight Series ?

No.  I think I am the only person left who hasn't read it.  I have the first two books but they sit on my bookshelf in a pile of other un-read books.

If you get a chance, check out some of the other participants in todays Meet Me on Monday linky.  Click on the link on my sidebar.