Keep Calm.....

This past fall I began to sell Thirty-One Gifts. What captured me was the opportunity to get great products that help me organize and m-a-t-c-h  everything in the bargain. Every month there is a great special that has allowed me to build my collection. I liked this idea so much that I called my consultant and asked her to sign me up.  It took a few weeks for us to get this taken care of, due to life's blessings and challenges, including the delivery of her brand new baby boy.

 In the meantime a new catalog came out and I got a brand new kit from that catalog. Our new catalog debuts on January 4th and I can't wait to celebrate the excitement of sharing the new products with my customers. January is full of resolutions and while that is all well and good, many of you know that I am still trying to get organized in my home. It takes more than the hour shown on the  Mission Organization program to get this done and change habits too.

For a peek at what I am so excited, take a look at my website:  mythirtyone.com/mardellgrayhek

Four More Days....

My spirits are brighter tonight at the prospect of the next four days. They will be filled with family gathered together for laughter and lots of food. Sometimes the holiday season can be difficult for some because of expectations that cannot be met. Family dynamics are complicated so gatherings are not always welcome.

 I am at a point in my life where some of the things that used to get under my skin over the holidays just don't get that chance anymore. I am very lucky but it took a long time to get to this place. I feel for those who cannot say that but encourage you to keep trying.

 Now, I am going to go get some rest because tomorrow I will begin making treats and cookies and pans of lasagna for the first of the extended family gatherings.

 I wish you a Merry Christmas and pray that this year brings peace. 

Such a Time of Sorrow.

I am trying to understand what happened today in Newton Connecticut where so many lives were taken by a madman. So many children who will not be receiving their Christmas presents or squeal with delight any longer at simple pleasures of life. How their voices will be missed by parents who have had their hearts torn away today. I feel such a pit of sadness in my heart, wondering what is happening in our world. We need to come together and make this world a much better place for everyone.

I pray that God will help us understand each other better and guide us to live together as He intended. I pray also for patience so that I may be kind to those who I don't think deserve my kindness. I pray for the courage to speak up when I see things that are not right and to make the world a better place.

I cannot say one word that will make it easier for those left behind tonight after the shootings this morning; I can simply pray that it never happens again.

Snow!

The snow fell today!
Excitement is building
The season is here
The Snow Village is growing
Round rocks for eyes
Chose carrots or buttons for a nose
Hats and Scarves
Make a family of snow
Keep your spirits up with cheerful people of snow!

Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone!
May your day be filled with a grateful heart
and a thankful nature toward those around you.
We are so blessed to have each other.

Get out the Vote!

I found this great picture on a Facebook post by the Mermaid of the Lake, sister bloggers whom I admire for all the positive things they write. Have you ever had a place to go online where you know you will feel positive just by reading their quote or thought for the day? These are the blogging friends I like to drop in with my morning cup of coffee.

Today is election day in our country. We are facing so many challenges, as the world beyond us. But, as a free country we have been blessed with the right to vote our conscience. If you have not voted yet today, please exercise that privilege and vote. The time it takes to do this is important to us all. And, if you don't vote, you missed your chance to discuss your feelings in the outcome of things that transpire over the next crucial four years.

Whether I cancel your vote or you cancel mine, the majority will decide and I honor that decision. Let us pull together, find common ground and get this country moving once more!

"The Fallen Leaves...."

This was taken two years ago
when the leaves were just turning!

The cleanup - phase one

Today I looked out my kitchen window only to look again and see that all the leaves had fallen from the maple tree! Every last one of them. Only last week I marveled at the wonders of the coral and scarlet mix so brilliant they looked translucent. A glorious gift only One could bestow on us. Autumn was at her finest last week and I truly appreciated it because I knew that too soon the wind would pick up and those leaves would be gone forever.
Raked up, composted and mulched into soil, the leaves that provided my own private curtain are gone.  Why is it that the beauty of the autumn colors is so much more fleeting than the brilliance of spring blossoms?

What a pile!

The nights are getting longer, days are getting chillier and home is where we stop to sip a hearty soup at the end of the day. My thoughts are turning toward Thanksgiving tonight and all the family gathered for a traditional feast. Pumpkins, pecans, chrysanthemums and of course turkey. Warm colors and hearty food to remind us of our harvests and of all the goodness saved with the long winter days in mind.

October Super Storm....

As October ends amid storms let's pray for our fellow American family on the East coast. What a widespread force nature is! We often take for granted the power nature has over us yet these past few days she has gotten our attention.

Please Lord, help those who cry out for help in this storm. The devastation is no less than that left by an attack of terror. The walls of waves, the funneling of water in the darkest holes...the frightened men, women and children who look for protection need the help that only You can provide. Cleanup has begun and in the aftermath we pray that You will comfort those affected and will bring a new day for these people as they work to re-build their lives.

Making Those Pickles!

It has been a longer growing season and I am tempted to make another batch of dill pickles. Here is a recipe for brine I have used for many many years. It is simple so be prepared, making pickles is so much easier than many have thought and so much better than the jars on the shelves at the grocers.

Pickles

4" pickling cukes (allow about a pound per jar)

Dill - big bushel of dill including stems and blossoms
Garlic - enough for 1-3 per jar

Place sprig of dill in each jar along with a clove or two of garlic. Add cucumbers, a bit more dill and  another clove of garlic, packing the jars full.

Brine for Dill Pickles a recipe from Jean Harper

6 cups water

2 cups white distilled vinegar that is 4-5% acetic acid (no homemade vinegar please)

1/2 cup pickling salt

Bring water, vinegar and salt to a boil in a nonreactive pan (aluminum, stainless steel, enamelware or glass)

Pour hot brine over cucumbers, dill and garlic
Run knife along inside edge of jars to remove any bubbles that may be in the brine.
Wipe edges with clean cloth.
Place hot lid each on jar, then follow with lid ring,

Process in hot water bath for 15 minutes. Remove jars to a table covered with folded towels. It will be a joy when you hear that first 'ping' or two, telling you your jars have sealed.

* If you have never canned before, please check with your local county extension office for the latest instructions for canning and preserving fruits and vegetables. Also check out Ball's website to learn this traditional home art.

Mardell (PinkGranny)

Dill Pickles Dill Pickles and More....Dill Pickles

I have been making pickles for more than 30 years. It is a lot of work at times but it is fun work that makes you feel like you've accomplished something when you stand back and look at the lovely rows of colorful jars on the pantry shelf. Friends and family clamor for a jar to take home and it is satisfying to share the fruits of this labor.

My daughter Erin helped me make this batch. She could have made them by herself in the time it took me to prepare the multitude of garlic cloves needed to make these Kosher Dills. I could not keep up with her swift hand at the sink scrubbing cukes and filling  jars. 

The camaraderie in the kitchen is one of the best parts of the project. Time spent well with team work and bits of conversation as the process unfolds. "Did we make a double batch of brine?"  "How many cloves of garlic per jar?" "What time is soccer practice again?"  Setting the timer for processing and setting to the next batch jars and lids keeps things moving. 

Garlic and Dill add complexity to these treats. We traditionally open the first jar for Thanksgiving dinner. I think I am counting down the dates already! 

Travels to Fort Spokane

Welcome to Fort Spokane! We traveled to Fort Spokane early this month.
This trek provided us with a glimpse into a past that is rich with history of frontier life.

We took the path around this building and discovered it is the old guardhouse of the fort.
The building, now a museum gives insight to life of the soldiers who served with uniforms they wore,
the weapons they used and a glimpse of the hard life these soldiers lived. 

I can imagine the view of the parade grounds that formed in front of this building while on the inside
there are two very small cells. The cots are still there as are the locks on the doors.
There is a small envelope sized door at the bottom of each door, just the right size to shove in the daily grub. 

 In later years this fort served as a boarding house for Native American children. There is a wealth of information on the history of the Agency Indian Schools and the daily life of the children who were so far from their homes. 

Remains of Bachelor Officer Quarters 

A closer look shows the remainder of the fireplace within the structure.

This structure appears to be a duplex as there are two separate quarters under one roof. Judging from the size of the other structures though it would surprise me if this building housed only two officers.


This self guided tour is worth the time it takes to explore and enjoy the natural area it surrounds.
We were joined on our walk by a deer walking parallel to us about 500 yards away.
She was as interested in us as we were in her. Her peaceful presence just added to our walk back in time.