FAMILY TRADITIONS

Sam's comments...4 days and counting!

Happy belated Thanksgiving to everyone.  Sorry we haven't posted anything in several days.  We have been busy, out of town, and without our computer. 

We went to Bob's brother's house for Thanksgiving breakfast.  This is a tradition.  I think we have done it every year for the past 24 except for one or two when we ventured away from the family and were in Mexico. We would always call it..."The decaf and drygoods breakfast".  That's because Sue would always buy these pretty but dry sweets from some bakery and serve us decaf coffee.  Anyway, it is a family joke.  In 2000, Sue decided to save one of the croissants.  She brings it out every year.  We can't believe it is still in one piece.  Also, the year we went to Mexico was 1998.  Since we weren't going to be at breakfast, we thought it was fitting to send a letter that could be read at the breakfast table.  So every year since, we also have the reading of the letter.  Jim and Sue's two girls alternate the reading each year.  They are now 21 and 20.  We continue to laugh over the letter and drygoods.  Family traditions are fun!

After breakfast, we drove south about an one to have dinner with Sam's sister and family.  There were 14 for dinner with an additional 13 that came over later.  We were able to see a lot of Sam's sisters, nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.  Two of Sam's nieces were home from the military.  This was a different Thanksgiving for us because we normally do all of the cooking.

It took forever for the turkey to cook, but as you can see, it looks very tasty.  Of course, we had way too much food.  A good time was had by all!

DETROIT SCIENCE CENTER - ACCIDENTAL MUMMIES OF GUANAJUATO

Sam's comments...9 days and counting!

We are now in the single digits for countdown.  Bob is almost finished with all of the packing/moving project.  We were hoping to close before Thanksgiving; however, the buyers are going VA and they want at least 5 days to prepare the closing documents.  Perhaps we will close on November 30th.  It is a wait and see game.

Today Bob and I went to the Detroit Science Center and viewed the special exhibit of the Accidental Mummies of Guanajuato.  Guanajuato is a city and a state in Mexico.  The city of Guanajuato is about an hour from where we stay in San Miguel de Allende.  Bob and I have visited Guanajuato, but we never made it to the Mummy Museum.

Today's exhibit was wonderful.  When we first walked in, there was a cemetery with the crypts all numbered.  It looked just like a cemetery we have seen, photographed, and have spent a great deal of time in San Miguel de Allende.  The hand writing on the crypts, the flowers, both fresh and dead, and the piped in sound of the birds chirping made me feel like I was standing in San Miguel.  It was very interesting.

The area that had the mummies on display had each mummy in a glass case.  Next to each display was a short write up about the person.  It gave you the person's first name, approximate age at death, and a little history of their life largely based upon their bone structure.  At one time, each mummy was a person.  So each mummy has a story.  Some of the mummies were clothed as when they were placed in the crypt.  The whole idea is fascinating.  Science is truly amazing.  We are certainly happy that we had a chance to see the exhibit.

ANOTHER LITTLE VISITOR

Sam's comments...12 days and counting!

Yesterday afternoon I looked out our bedroom window and saw this baby deer in our backyard along with some geese.  After I took the picture and closed the door, the geese flew away.  When they flew, the deer ran into a neighbor's yard.  A few minutes later, the deer was back.  I also saw two other deer across the stream but wasn't able to get a picture.  Just a little nature finding safety.  It is deer hunting season afterall!

HE'S BACK!

Sam's comments...14 days and counting!

Today I decided to stay home and catch up on some of our medical insurance information while Bob went off to do some more packing and moving (I think I got the better end of the deal).  Dealing with Blue Cross Blue Shield and our health provider can take up a lot of time.  It never fails that the health provider doesn't code things properly.  Therefore, the insurance company doesn't pay claims that should be covered.  It is so hard because the individuals I deal with on the phone are so nice.  I know they are probably overworked and underpaid.  I don't know how one does it working full time.  When I was working I really didn't have to follow it because basically everything was covered.  Now that we are retired, we are self pay.  I watch things like a hawk!

Speaking of animals, my little pesky squirrel was back again today.  Enjoy the photos.

ANOTHER ITEM OFF THE LIST!

Sam's comments...14 days and counting!

Yesterday morning we got up and going because we both had our annual physicals with the doctor. The doctor's office called me the night before and asked if I could come in at 10:00 a.m., with my husband instead of my 9:00 a.m., scheduled appointment. It wasn't an issue so I said, "certainly". When the doctor came in, he apologized about changing my appointment and gave me a $10 gift card to a local store. WOW...he certainly exceeded my expectations.  We both had good check-ups...good to go for another year!

While I was getting ready yesterday morning, I saw our pesky squirrel in an ornamental pear tree. We have seen him for several days and several years.  Each day he makes his way up in the tree, finds his spot and munches away. If it weren't for the leaves on the ground, you could see his entire pile of pits. I can't believe how much he eats. He can spend a couple hours a day at any given time in that tree.  Whenever I try and get a picture, he stops eating and stares.

This past Saturday morning, I woke up with a dry throat and a small cough. It didn't improve on Sunday. On Monday, I layed low most of the day. I got a fairly good night sleep Monday night. Yesterday morning wasn't too bad. It wasn't until later in the day that I had more coughing and a severe tickle in my throat. Being around a smoker and packing up years of stuff with many layers of dust hasn't helped it.  The doctor said since I didn't have a fever, he was concerned...just drink plenty of fluids and get lots of rest.  I wonder if wine counts as fluids?

PACKING AND MOVING!

Sam's comments...16 days and counting!

This past weekend we were busy packing and moving a lot of stuff at Bob's mom's home.  On Friday evening, they rented a storage unit.  Saturday morning we started loading two pick-up trucks.  This really isn't the picture of the pick-up trucks we used, but it certainly felt like it.  Don't ask me why they didn't rent a U-haul truck and perhaps do it in one or two loads.  No, it was done in at least 5 loads on Saturday and probably at least 5 loads on Sunday.  So, that was 10 truck loads/truck or a total of 20 truck loads.  Don't forget all the travel time and gas that was wasted.  Guess what...we still aren't done!  The inside of the house has some miscellaneous stuff...all the heavy items are gone.  However, the garage is still FULL!!  We were very lucky that the weather co-operated on Saturday...64 degrees and sunny.  On Sunday it was in the mid 50's...cooler and no sun.

At present, Bob is at the dentist's office getting his permanent crown.  Oh yes, did I mention that last weekend when we were in Ohio visiting our friends, Bob chipped his front tooth biting on a cracker.  In Bob's defense, the cracker was hard and crunchy.  He decided to use his front teeth because he didn't want to damage the temporary crown.  Always something!

ANOTHER ITEM CROSSED OFF THE LIST

Sam's comments...19 days and counting!

Well, my amazing husband has crossed another item off our/his to do list.  Today, Bob testified in Federal Court.  He actually retired about 2 1/2 years ago.  This is a case that started in 2006.  Long story short...the case was dismissed only to come alive again after an appeal!  Yesterday he drove about 160 miles to and from court only to sit there and not be called.  He returned this morning (160 miles) and finished his duty.  So, now he can say that he re-retired on Friday the 13th.  A day he will remember!!  He now remembers why he retired in the first place.  Life is crazy.

We can't believe we only have 19 days remaining.  Hopefully, this weekend we will continue to pack up his mom's stuff and move it into storage.  Bob's brother rented a storage unit today.  Onward and upward...we must get it done!  The good thing is the weather is supposed to co-operate for the next 5 days.  We need to get it done now!  Our goal is to have the house project done by Sunday, November 22nd, so we can then concentrate on our home and what needs to be done before we leave.

Keep your fingers crossed!

SOLD SIGN!!

Sam's comments...21 days and counting!

Today the realtor placed a sold sign on Bob's mom's home.  We haven't closed yet; however, a deal has been reached and all agreements have been signed, sealed, and delivered.  The inspection and appraisal was done last week.  The family is completing some of the items that the inspector suggested...about $1500 worth of items.  We fully anticipate that closing will be before the end of the month.

One of Bob's goals was to have the house sold and everything packed up before we depart for the winter.  It is has been a chore, and it only was possible because of how hard Bob works at it.  He has a way of manipulating and intimidating everyone, or as Bob would say, "he's a politician".  So far, the process has been about six weeks.  Our realtor emailed us last night to let us know that he just closed on his 176th home for 2009.  He expects to reach over 200 by the end of the year.  Truly amazing in this market and economy.  Remember, Michigan has the highest unemployment rate in the country at 15.2%.

Besides working on this project, Bob gave a deposition two weeks ago and will testify in Federal Court tomorrow.  He was returned to active duty...WORK!!  Don't get excited he is just finishing a case he started in 2006.  Bob will definitely be happy to have this week behind him.  Then it will be back to the "house project".  There is still a lot of packing to be done.  Say a prayer and keep your fingers crossed that everything goes as planned.

THYME WITH GREAT FRIENDS!

Sam's comments...24 days and counting!

Sorry I have been deliquent in posting to the blog.  We have had a few busy days, and we were out of town.  At noon on Friday we left to visit our friends, Jim and Karen, in Canton, Ohio.  It is about a 3 1/2 hour drive to Canton.  It was a nice day to take a drive.  Too bad all of the fall colors were done. 

When we get together with Jim and Karen, it is a weekend of eating and drinking.  Both couples like to cook and drink wine.  On Friday night, Bob made Champaign Scallops for an appetizer.  They were absolutely delicious.  Jim made an herb infused chicken with a tarregon sauce.  For the sides, I made oven risotto with mushrooms, spinach, and asparagus, and a bibb lettuce salad with pears, candied walnuts, red onion, and blue cheese crumbles with a cranberry orange vinegarette.  Yummy!  Bob said that was the best chicken he has ever tasted.

On Saturday morning, we went to visit their daughter and son-in-law.  They live about 35 minutes away and just recently purchased their first home and celebrated their first wedding anniversary.  So of course we had to go see or tax dollars at work since they qualify for Obama's $8,000 tax credit.  They do have a very lovely home in a nice subdivision.  There are many walking paths around several ponds.  All six of us went for a nice walk.  It was another sunny day.

For Saturday night dinner, we decided to do a grilled stuffed pork loin.  The loin was stuffed with apples, dried cranberries, apple cider, apple vinegar, and miscellaneous spices.  Jim made the loin, and I made two different types of acorn squash.  One was your basic oven roasted squash with butter and brown sugar.  The other I cut into rings (oops..Bob cut the squash for me).  I roasted the rings in the oven and then glazed them with a mixture of honey, ginger, garlic, rice wine vinegar, and soy sauce.  Karen made a salad.  We also had some corn bread that we purchased at the store.  The meal was wonderful.  I don't think we have ever jointly cooked a meal we didn't enjoy.  For dessert, Karen made some delicious sauteed apples with a sauce and served it over vanilla ice cream.  Jim prepared "warmed frangelico" for both Karen and me.  It was absolutely amazing.  The aroma of the hazel nuts was awesome.  After all of this and a DVD movie,  The Taking of Pelham 123, it was time for the sack.  As you can see, Cody, the family dog, was also relaxing.

Sunday morning once again proved to be a beautiful day.  We enjoyed a cup of coffee on their patio, chatted, had some breakfast, packed our bags, and headed home.  We were on the road by 10:00 a.m.  On our way home, we counted 14 dead deer on the side of the road and one live deer.  As we were merging from one highway to another, we saw that the traffic was slowing.  We were just about three miles from the Michigan border.  There were a couple of sheriff motorcycles, and some regular motorcycles, and more motorcycles, and more motorcycles.  Then a couple more sheriff motorcycles, and more motorcycles.  I counted about 500 motorcycles.  There were every color, make, and model.  The drivers and riders were of all sizes, shapes, males, females, etc.  It was odd because most of them were not wearing helmets.  In the state of Ohio, they are not required by law to wear helmets; however, in Michigan they are required.  The entire "gang" exited just before the Michigan border.  It was a beautiful day for a ride.  I didn' have my camera handy, so I wasn't able to get any pictures.

All in all, we had a wonderful weekend with great friends.  We won't be seeing them for at least six months.  This should give all of us plenty of time to come up with some more great recipes.

DINNER WITH FAMILY IS ALWAYS A TREAT

Sam's comments...28 days and counting!

Last night we enjoyed a wonderful evening with our nephew and niece, Jer and Trish, along with their daughter Ali,  We try and get together with them a couple of times a year.  Usually once at our home and once at theirs.  Trish fixed a wonderful dinner last evening.  We had roasted pork tenderloin with a hint of cumin and fruit chutney, scalloped potaotes, acorn squash stuffed with wild rice and cranberries, corn and green beans.  And of course, dessert, which was spice cake with cream cheese icing.

They have a very warm and cozy bungalow.  Trish has done an excellent job making it a very comfortable place.  They also share the home with two dogs and a cat.  One of the dogs is a Chug puppy.  A Chug is a cross between a Chihuahua and a Pug.  The dog's name is Gabby.  We call her "Diabla"..."She Devil".  Judge for yourself!

It is always nice to be treated to dinner.  There was also a full moon last night; however, my picture didn't turn out.  A good time was had by all.

SALT DOUGH CRAFTS

Sam's comments...29 days and counting!

Today is election day and a very slow day at the polls.  It is normally slow on an off year.  We are voting for a mayor, city council, and school board members.  Not a lot of hoopla.  One of our neighboring cities...Detroit...is having a big election.  It will also be interesting to see what happens in New Jersey and Virginia's governor races.  Enough about politics!

Anyway, the kids in the neighborhood didn't have school today because of the new prescinct in the local elementary school.  One of the mothers, Lydia, decided to do a craft for a few of the kids and at the last minute invited me to join them.  She made some Salt Dough.  As a child, I don't remember making things with salt dough at school or at home.  My mom worked in a factory and wasn't a creative (arts and crafts) type person.  So, I stopped by and made a few items:  holly, champagne glass, a tart, and a sun.  Lydia is going to bake these crafts and then on Thursday, the kids are going to paint/decorate them because they only have a half day of school.  Teachers have some afternoon conference.  I don't remember having so much time off school as a child either.  I either have a very poor memory or things are different today.  I certainly hope these crafts look better on Thursday after adding some paint.  Next time I'll be prepared and be more creative.  Another new experience...it's great to be retired!

In case you are interested, here is the recipe for Salt Dough:

1 cup table salt
2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup water (perhaps a little less)
1 - 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil

Mix the ingredients using less than the cup of water.  Knead the dough on a flat surface, adding a few more drops of water as needed (but not making it too moist and not too dry).  Cover in plastic for 30 minutes before using. 

Once the dough is made, you can divide it up into small portions to roll into 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick pieces with a rolling pin or make the decorations freehand. Use cookie cutters to cut out a variety of shapes, and place the shapes on wax paper and then on a cookie sheet.  If you want to make hanging ornaments, pierce the dough through with a toothpick while it's wet.  If you want to attach pieces together, use a dab of water as your glue.

Bake them in the oven at 250 degrees F until hard about 3-4 hours. Baking time varies depending on oven and dough thickness.  Make sure the dough is completely baked. You can cover the dough with aluminum foil if it starts to darken before completely baked through.

Allow them to cool for 2-3 hours.  Paint them and then use a clear varnish to seal them.

Salt Dough Project Suggestions and Tips:

You can store prepared salt dough in a sealed container in the refrigerator for a day or two before using.

Add color to the dough by mixing food coloring or paint into the water before adding it to the flour/salt mix. Alternatively, you can paint the finished baked dough with acrylic paint.

Painted objects should be sealed on all sides with polyurethane spray or clear varnish to make them lasting gifts or keepsakes. •

DEER BY MY DEAR

Sam's comments...30 days and counting!

One of the joys of living on 2 1/4 acres is the wild life.  We never know what we will see next.  In the past we have seen:  families of red fox, ducks, herrons, geese, rabbits, squirrels, ground hogs, skunks, hawks, raccoons, coyotes, possums, muskrats, deer, birds of all type, and many other little creatures.

Today, Bob was looking out the window and spotted 3 deer.  He is always the one to spot the various wild life.  I guess he is the "hunter" of the family.  He went out and took some pictures, and we thought we would share them with you.  Aren't they cute. Enjoy.