The Needle in a Haystack

The Jury is In...

..Weeds... Burdock to be exact... and trust me...lots of it... suggestions to blow torch it..use a shovel... it would be different if this stuff grew in a wooded area... but it doesn't... it grows right by the back steps and the clothesline area.... I suppose it will be an ongoing battle... like with the mint...~sigh~

  We had some heavy duty serious rain today... Chris was traveling in central/ southern VA and it followed him all the way home... Jeremy called headed this way ( actually about 30 miles west of us) on a service call so I gave him a heads up... I am happy to report despite the torrential downpours both travelers made it to their destinations safely...

   Hubby came home to homemade stroganoff over rice, fresh green beans, cucumbers and homemade snickerdoodles..

...I sort of cheated on the snickerdoodles.. I usually make a huge batch of dough ala Better Homes and Garden Cookbook circa older then dirt... but the snickerdoodles where sort of a last moment thought... the poor guy would have driven in a downpour for about 3 hours and it was 30 minutes before he arrived home... so um...I had a coupon a couple weeks back for Pillsbury sugar cookie dough..it was double coupon day/on sale etc...so I paid maybe .64cents for the tube... today they became snickerdoodles.. ( I think my MIL gave me this idea a few years ago..not sure)..anyhow.. I rolled the dough in balls and then in cinnamon sugar and baked for about 12 minutes... viola...snickerdoodles in a rush... The comfort food did the trick and we are all comfy at home now with the only mishaps being a few broken limbs and the eggplants knocked off the stalk....

   I transplanted a few herbs into pots today.. cilantro, chives, marjoram   & thyme.  I weeded a bit int he garden and hoed a bit... fought the mint   prepared bee balm for a seeding in a new area closer to the house..all this before 8:00 because it was so  hot and humid  I was sweating already..( excuse me... southern girls don't "sweat" we  "glisten".)... I was glistening might fine by  8:00

  Breakfast was Pumpkin Bread and hot tea... ahh... feet propped up... most of the morning chores done and a new movie from the library..Little Women ( the Winnona Ryder version) and finishing up an embroidery project ... feet up happy as a clam at high tide until I had to go pick the boy up at 10:00ish . The Henderson's drove today so it was only a 10 mile round trip total... I absolutely love mornings like this... I did have a brief time of helping Josh navigate the antacid section of Walmart via cell phone but we handled that quite well and he was off to work and feeling much better ....I'm going to post my pumpkin bread recipe... and before you gasp..yes, I AM aware  that there is a lot of sweetener in this recipe..but it is the yummiest I have ever tasted.... This has been a favorite of the boys since we lived in Lillington.  The recipe was given to me by an Army mom..years before I knew my connections with this military business would be so strong....

PUMPKIN BREAD

1/2 cups  flour
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 cup  sugar ( I use succant)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup  pumpkin purée*  ( I used canned... doubled htis is 2 cups..there is only 15oz in the new cans..it worked out fine despite the missing oz)...
1/2 cup  veggie oil ( I have used olive oil but it does affect the taste)
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup water
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/2 cup  chopped walnuts Use any nut or choco chips...raisins.. I didn't use anything this time around

Method

1 Preheat oven to 350°F . Sift together the flour, salt, sugar, and baking soda.

2 Mix the pumpkin, oil, eggs, 1/4 cup of water, and spices together, then combine with the dry ingredients, but do not mix too thoroughly. Stir in the nuts.

3 Pour into a well-buttered 9x5x3 inch loaf pan. Bake 50-60 minutes until a thin skewer poked in the very center of the loaf comes out clean. Turn out of the pan and let cool on a rack.

Makes one loaf. Can easily double the recipe.

.... I finally got one of my "fluff" mysteries from Paper Back Swap  Motif For Murder by Laura Childs.  very easy read and entertaining.  I'm seriously considering doing my 5 year re-read of Louisa May Alcott books after watching Little Women today.  I have the whole collection including a few obscure ones. I don't think I have l Little Men... I'll have to check out Paper Back Swap for that one!

    The end of July... hard to believe... Only 19 more days until my surgery ( but whose counting)

...

..Glad all the weeds growing at End of the Road aren't ugly!!!!

Pray for the troops...and have a fine day all day long....
.

Would you help us identify this plant

..So these plants with giant leaves have taken over a big chunk of the back yard ( keep in mind we live on an old farmstead next to a heavy wooded area)... we have no clue of what they might be...

..the leaves can actually get much much bigger then this..it grows to perhaps 2 feet off the ground  in height...

Pardon the lens being fuzz..it is so humid here I had to keep wiping the lens ...at first we thought it might be rhubarb  but the leaves don't look quite the same and the stalks aren't super red... just red tinted.... we sure would hate to chomp down on something and keel over!!

  we went after it with a weed whacker... but its up to taking over a good 1/8th acre of land...any ideas???

July 29th

.. no Cary trip today as Christopher was sick most of the night... I suppose it could have been a stomach bug but I am raking my brain at the recent produce purchases to rule out salmonella.  He's a raw veggie eater .. not sure what it was but although a bit weak..he seems to be better... I made some of Beth's delicious chicken soup ( Josh, you missed a good meal sweetie) that brought color back to Christopher's cheeks and was just down right good.

... I spent the day taking care of some outside things in the morning before the temps peaked over 90 and the humidity was at least 75% I hung a load of towels on the line that refused to get dry.  I think I'll look around for a wooden drying wrack for really humid or wet days.  we do have a dryer but cutting back on the usage is part of our "go green go independent" movement.
  After most of the morning chores were done I settled in to watch the 3rd part of  The Thornbirds ( free from the library) and did a bit of embroidery.  A nice pot of tea and my mug completed the morning.

  Christopher had a lunch of cinnamon toast and chamomile tea  and it seemed like a pretty good lunch for me to only with a cucumber added...

  Afternoon chores..more laundry and the last part of The Thornbirds... I had forgotten so much about the mini series... I had wee babies at the time and I am sure breast feeding, diapers, potty training and pacifie  finding took attention more then TV.

 .. I found a very cool site today that lists Pick Your Own Farms in every state.  I knew about the blueberry farm up the road but hadn't been in awhile... since blueberries are on the grocery list for next week so I'll head up there Friday morning to gather some for the week and some for the freezer. 

...The picture today?... Ummm.. Jeremy and Josh...singing karaoke  ( don't ask)... heather sent it to me... interesting eh?

  Pray for the troops...and have a fine day...all day long

The Planting of the Crepe... MInts? .... and The Nearings

..my turn to drive to basketball.  While the boys went through the work out i took a bit of a walk, read  and did a bit of embroidery. Talked to Josh whose first day at the PD after Iraq was today...and Jamie..who is keeping a full work load and finishing up school... Jeremy chimed in after I got home while he was wandering around Fayetteville looking for his service call and then he was headed to class... they all made me tired just thinking of their days!

 .. Made a batch of sun tea and contemplated our " Go Green " strategy for the week. I've been reading a very very interesting book Living the Good Life by Helen and Scott Nearing  I first read this book in the late 70's .  I think I have read it possibly every 5 years since. When I get too focused on consumerism and the have more mentality , this book tends to be a great reality check for me.  I highly recommend it.   Back when The Mother Earth News was run by John Schuttleworth, the Nearings wrote a monthly column that was so interesting to sustainable living... they passed away in the 80's I believe at ripe old ages.  You'll be inspired..

... We did plant the crepe myrtle down at the fence edge.... Chis thought a pictorial might be in order

.......Awesome!

...We are trying to figure out why our chocolate mint(?) smells like mint.... but looks like Lemon Balm....
hmmmm..  Pictures tomorrow...

..and finally... no... not a Jeremy picture.... can you guess what I am doing with this piece of wet cardboard?

...answer coming tomorrow......

until then... pray for the troops...and have a fine day....all day long!!

Our Sat Travels.. Self Sufficency and Worship

.. so I thought you all would like to know what my choice was for our Sat. outing....

... It started out local with a trip to the Habitat Home Store. It has been there for a bit but we had never taken  the time to see what they offered.  We are in the midst of MAJOR remodel around here so we were interested to see if they had anything we might need..  We were a bit disappointed.  When the time comes for windows for the addition and the new front door we might visit again... other then that we were disappointed... the paints and finishes were about the same price  I know the money goes to a good cause,and we would be willing to pay the same price for equal quality goods... unfortunately they weren't. at least we know...

.. the next stop was to be at an herb farm near Zebulon that sustains on only two acres.  They also offered plants for sell and we are interested in different lavenders for next year so we ambled our way through the back roads to find it..We are strong supporters of  Local Harvest but in this case the info was not updated..when we got there a chain was up and not a soul in sight.

 We were a bit disappointed until we drove a few feet up the road to turn around and found this:
..this was a charming place!  Privately owned yet open to the public free of charge .... if you can find it... located on Pearces Rd between Bunn and Zebulon.  A very interesting history and a lots of benches to sit and enjoy the water and feed the ducks
  we were able to walk around a bit and see the old water mill
.. the temps and humidity were just right !
..we wished there had been a place close enough to pick up some french bread cheese and grapes for a bit of early morning picnic ..the place was so peaceful!

  But we did press on..into the town of Bunn... we thought this sign was hysterical....
..anyhow... outside of Bunn there is another farm  that usually specializes in strawberries but has other crops too... since we were close we decided to make a stop.
...we picked up some wax beans and spring onions.... and couldn't pass up the photo op.

... we drove the back roads to Henderson, enjoying the scenery and conversation....we still had not bought a single plant for a new flower/herb bed we have going in by the new deck.  We also wanted a tree to plant in honor of our anniversary that sort of got swept under the rug with health issues and IED attacks... where did we end up?????

  we found lantana that I have been eyeballing for awhile, zinnias for a pot on the new table we bought for the deck...and a crepe myrtle.  all excellent choices.

... we were getting a bit hungry so...... where else would we stop???????

..and we found the perfect chairs for the new deck.... just not at a perfect price.... we are in the process of scrounging for building plans...if you know of any please pass them on...OR if your local and know of a woodworker who would be willing to make them for less then 130.00 each ( they can be unfinished) pass that on too... we are in love with these chairs .. these happen to be rockers.... very very comfy

..This morning we did a bit of work/ fellowship.  Sometimes it is good to remember we are not locked into a church service when there is a need to serve.  There was product donated to the troops by an organization called Give2theTroops . There were hundreds of boxes that had to be moved from point A to point B at 8:30 Sunday morning.  Since Chris was not teaching  or doing music anywhere we heartily agreed to pitch in... I am happy to say the product is all safe and sound awaiting to be packed and shipped to the troops on foreign soil  or placed into boxes for the VA hospitals or Wounded Warriors.. If any of you have a service person who would like a box, please let me know... we love to send out packages to anyone serving!

  Finally, I'm going to post a link to a website we have been pouring over the last couple of day.  Path to Freedom is a sustainable working farm in the city on 1/5 acre.... makes us look really bad out here on our 10!  We're learning!

 Pray for the troops...and have a fine day... all day long!!!

Its Friday

...Yeah!

What a Capital Idea

.... I go back and forth on immigration issues... really I do... while some of my blood has a blueish tinge from my Mayflower ancestry , there is still those wonderful Irish from the potato boats that against all odds settled and became a work horse of society in the late 1800's early 1900's and beyond...

  ..............but I have an idea... for everyone who says they are ashamed to be an American, they can no longer stand our nation.... or the nation disgusts them.... why don't we have them trade places with a person who desires the freedom and prosperity of this Great Nation to risk swimming filthy snake infested waters... or crossing deserts in scorching heat and living in total fear of deportation just to get a taste of it...

    it seems like it would be a win /win situation...

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

July Days~~

..they are full of surprises... scorching heat in the day and wicked storms in the evening.... " Fear not..it is I"... even still when the trees of the woods by the house start tossing and turning... I retreat inside.  My dearest will sit out under the shelter of the porch and watch...   Last night we lost power for a bit.  As the storm eased Chris and I got in the car and began our tradition of following the power line to see where the break is. Usually its the line that runs across the back side of the property. The small house on the " sort of main road...which is off of the equally sort of main road...that is off the real main road" and our property which no longer has the old farm on it ( that deserves a blog post all its own) were the only two places out here when electricity was run.  So.. after 60 plus years  the trees have grown up a tad... some of those pines and self pruning red oaks have a nasty habit of debranching right on that line.. the electric company came manned with chain saws a few years ago and we haven't had as much trouble.  This time we followed the trunk line into town and could not find the trouble. we were sure we were in for a long evening of candle light but the power was out less then an hour! It reminded me I do NOT have things as in place as I should for hurricane season. Its on my to-do's for this weekend..

...Look what greeted me on the porch yesterday morning"
I thought it was grounds for Chris coming home from work but he didn't see it that way... Mr ( or Mrs) Spider is now living in the corner... we have our boundaries set... I'll not go anywhere near the corner..he/she will not come near the door..

.. Lots of library runs as we go through a bit of TV withdrawal... Seriously it has worked out great.  Yesterday I watched Miss Potter  and I LOVED it... I have several Potter books and am now thinking about perhaps a little bunny love around here. 

.. Enjoying deliciousness from the garden.
..fresh basil..tomatoes and little salt & pepper.. yum...

.. Now, C & I were suppose to go on vacation this week..but because of my up coming surgery we opted to stay home... However, we decided a little tiny get away is in order and my love has allowed me to choose what we do... I feel like a kid in a candy shop... so many choices!!  C really doesn't like many of the things I like to do so usually... we just don't do them... but he PROMISED not to stand there with a bored look on his face as he indulges me in girlishness

Here are some of the choices so far.

  A night in Chapel Hill with dinner at a laid back cafe... quick trip to the planetarium and a few used book stores with coffee and a sweet roll the next morning for breakfast

A trek to Raleigh with a carriage ride around the city with dinner at a Tuscan cafe ..breakfast at the original Krispy Kreme with the walking tour of historic downtown Raleigh...

 A jaunt up to South Boston Va to do a bit of antiquing  and a look around the town..

.. camping on the lake ( might be a harder sell then the others as C doesn't do heat)

Friday night at the Wake Co. Speedway and then breakfast at Pullen Park with a ride on the paddle boats ( yes, a bit quirky I know..)

 Friday night seeing Robin & Linda Williams of Prairie Home Companion and then a cafe dinner...

Perhaps simply a good steak on the grill and the new Batman movie ( which I KNOW would be C's first choice)...

..... I'm sure there are more.... a stroll and picnic around Duke Gardens..the Butterfly House in Durham... an afternoon and a latte at Half Price Books and a Gabby burger at Players Retreat....

~sigh~  so many choices...

    I'll keep you posted on what we decided...

Until then... pray for the troops...and have a fine day....all day long!!

Sunday Fellowship and the Perfect Hamburger

This morning we worshiped with the good folks at The Church of the Apostles in Raleigh, NC  what a blessing!  We have visited there in the past and had the privilege of hearing Patrick, one of the shepherds, but never Nathan. he spoke on the Foundation of the Church.    you can listen to Nathan's sermon online if you click the link above.  As always the music was excellent. 

..They sang a couple of our favorite songs..In Christ Alone and Chris's favorite The Church's One Foundation.

After service we headed over to Mom & Dad Barclay's with Chris's brother Josh and his wife Laura along with not born yet until Nov 15th with the  mystery name nephew  We hadn't had a good visit with them for quite some time and they were in a bit of a rush today too, but at least we got to hug them and know they are OK.

... Now my Dad in Law is one smart cookie...and today his talents shone as he taught us how to make the perfect hamburger ( I actually think he snarfed the idea from the Michigan contingent but I'll give him the credit) so... I'll part with a pictorial on how to make the perfect burger...Pray for the troops... and have a fine day...all day long

(  Yep..that's a dessert plate)

Ready for the grill!

The Gold Star Moms with Monk and...More

..the last few days have been busy here at End of the Road... except we haven't spent much time here..

  Thursday was basketball conditioning in Cary and then a VERY quick trip to drop off lunches to the Oxford Housing Authority for their summer reading program.  When I dropped Nick off I was blessed with a tasty treat from Sarah( Nick's sister) ..made by AnnaBeth (Nick's other sister).. A berry cobbler.. It made for a delicious finale' to Chris's new grill obsession.

..Thanks AnnaBeth!

..I extended the Blog Silence yesterday  in agreement with Joshua.. It was 3 months to the day when the IED hit and so we spent time in the morning watching Lance's memorial service on thecomputer and hugging a bit... he was spending the afternoon /evening with some of his buddies and visiting the grave.It seemed right not to talk.

...but speaking of Josh, he's going to be a homeowner... He has found the absolute perfect house and the approval came through..now the paper work etc begins... Good Job Josh!

..Of course he had to have the resident contractor( DAD  )  to do a major walk through with him

  Yesterday after time with Josh, Monk & I had the honor of traveling with My friend Patti to the VA in Fayetteville to attend a tea sponsored by the Gold Star Moms ( mother's of fallen soldiers). We had such a lovely time. I was able to meet a mother whose child fell in the Grenada conflict.. He was one of 19. These moms are the epitome  of grace  and give honor to the memory to their children.  They fell in LOVE with Monk...

.. We had a great time with the residents and passed out crocheted goodies and handmade quilts..
..The folks there loved them!
..After that it was over to the Family Assistance Center to deliver cookies and drinks.. this is where many wounded warriors come to have some down time between appts or to gather assistance for various things.  Monk ran into this dear soldier who was reclined out watching the BIRDS on a flat screen TV... BAD MONK... half way through the movie and he spills the beans...... it was the Love Birds... but they all loved hanging with Monk anyhow...
... THEN... it was off to the Officers Club...Shh.... Monk is just a Non-Com

..but Monk fits in anywhere... that's just how he rolls...

..then a truly nice ride home with Patti and a wonderful meal grilled out by my sweetie...

  I had a meeting today but had to cancel... sometimes its just nice to be at home and relax... spend time with those you love and catch up a bit...

.....and I'll leave you with another picture of Jeremy.... because I never post pics of him on my blog...
Pray for the troops...and have a fine day...all day long..