Talking turkey

As most of you know, we live in the middle of the woods.  Wildlife is a way of life.  Just the way we like it.  Last week Jim told me about seeing over 20 wild turkeys strolling down our drive.  That is way cool - but why don't I ever get to see these things?  And where are the photos to back up his claim?

Fast forward a week.   Yesterday Jim was looking out the window and yelled for me to come look.  He was counting as I ran into the kitchen.  Sure enough we had a parade.  Single file those turkeys strutted down our drive.  They walked out of the woods like they were in a beauty pagent walking out on a runway.  It was one of the greatest sights to see.  I have to rely on Jim's expert eye that we had a Tom and Hens and babies.... I just know they were turkeys and we counted at least 30.

And now I know why he didn't have photos to prove it... there was no time to grab a camera.  So you will have to do what I did.... trust me!

A well planned mistake

The funeral home where Jim works wanted him to work a service yesterday.  He told them no because I had told him we had plans.  Tessa and Bill were having a fish fry and we were providing a lot of the fish.  So first thing yesterday morning I doctored up some beans and put them in the crock pot to cook.  Then I tried a new recipe that I found on Pinterest - Apple Pie Cookies.  Then, because I have a cooking compulsion, I also made lemon bars.

The fish fry was at 4:30, but we headed out early so we could stop in at a few antique stores (no, we didn't buy anything) and then get there early so we would have penty of time to visit.  The drive to their house along 179 was very pleasant on this warm sunny day.  As we drove up their drive, James came running out of the house with the biggest grin on his face - like he knew a joke that we didn't know.  We weren't even out of the car when he yelled "You have the wrong day!  The wrong day, Grandma!"   Oh no!  There is nothing like being a day early for a party.

This turned out to one of my best mistakes in a  long time.  We were able to catch the whole family in the bustle of cleaning house - dirt swept into piles on the floor, James taking trash out, Anna dusting... all sorts of cleaning going on.  It warmed my heart to know I am not the only one who goes into a cleaning frenzy when I know guests are coming.  I've been known to invite people over just because I know it will make me clean.  I offered to help, but Tessa declined to let me (just as I knew she would).

So we stood in the way of everybody trying to do their chores and bothered them with chit chat.  We had a great time and scarfed up the apple pie cookies before the afternoon was over.  So now I have officially brought only two dishes of food and fish to this party.  There is nothing like two parties in two day!

A cure for insomnia

A cure for insomnia

I wonder how HGTV would feel if they knew they are a cure for my insomnia.  You see, I have a lot of sleepless nights these days.  I've done about everything I can to find my happy place and go to it - without success.  Until now.  Don't get me wrong.  I love HGTV.  Brothers vs. Brothers, Flip or Flop, Love It or List It, and Fixer-Upper (my personal favorite). I watch them all of the time when I am cooking or sewing.  But late at night when the demons visit, my solution is a dose of HGTV reruns and a glass of wine.  Yep.  A powerful combo.  The voice of HGTV and the repitition of their shows and the tannins in the wine (just one small glass) finally lull me into sleep.

Now a cure for snoring.  Not mine.  His.  Because he doesn't complain about mine.  Who knows why.....