Merry Christmas From Nebraska

We have had a white Christmas here.  There was quite a snow storm last week withe 8 in. snowfall.  It's been very cold since so, no melting.

Beer, Brats and Begonias

Jim and I went to the Beer, Brats and Begonia event put on by the Garden Gallery.  It's a quaint little business here in Elkhorn, Nebraska. The Garden Gallery is in and around her 100+ year old home.  She has lots of plants, hand made things, antiques and art work.  http://the-garden-gallery.blogspot.com/

The Adirondack Chairs were very nice, over $200.  The folks seated in the center said they were very comfortable.  I asked if they were hard to get up from.  She said she hadn't tried yet.  Then the guy said, "no reason to get up", as he took a swig of his beer.  On the left of the picture are some very heavy duty bright green tomato cages, $23 each. 

                                             I've seen how to make these, love.

 These things were in the garage, the junky stuff that I just love too.

Here are the Begonias!

                                                                           
                                                                                  BEER!

                                                                  Brats, they sure smelled good.  I asked Jim if he wanted one and he passed.  When we got home I was telling the neighbor girl she should go down there as they had free brats and bottled water.  Jim said, "it was free?".  Typical response from my humble and self sufficient husband.  He wouldn't presume something is free.

 This is the little room at the back of the garage w/ a side door entrance.  If you look, you can see that there's another little room at the back of this room...to the right.  Guess what's in there.  Come on, guess.

 You're right, an outhouse!  More junk to buy and an outhouse!  Gosh, I love old towns, especially this one that I'm from.

This is their back fence by the alley.  To the left are Greenhouses.  She also had a hippy singing folk songs for the afternoon.

I really enjoyed my time there, she's a creative person to develop this sort of a place for business, don't you think?

Spring, Estate Sale and Lily

Here is our first poppy. 

We have June flowers here in Nebraska.  Everything is well over a month ahead of schedule.  I doubt that I'll see this again in my life time, who knows?  Meanwhile, I'm really grateful for all of the early flowers and lush conditions.  It's God's way of saying, there is still beauty in spite of the toll that real life is taking on me right now.

One of my blessings right now is my 24 yr. old son Nathan.  He went to an Estate Sale with me yesterday in this fabulous 70's house.  He's 6'4" and is standing by a $3,500 Grandfather Clock in the house.  Isn't it (and Nathan) magnificent?  Check out the wallpaper!

Here's another shot of the entry w/ that wallpaper and the antique blue painted closet doors.  I don't know why...if I'm trying to escape reality but, I love going back in time in the decor of some of these Estate Sale homes.

No, I didn't buy this but, thought it was neat.

I love these people, who ever they were, The estate sale folks spoke of them in past tense.  She was a  GOP delegate for the 1960 election so, there was lots of Nixon stuff in another room, JFK things too.  But, look at her sweet bedroom.  Don't you think that it was just GRAND when she had it decorated years ago?

I didn't buy this either but, it has his name on it.  The man was a medical doctor.  I imagined him taking this with coffee in it to the hospital each day.   People were so self sufficient 40 years ago and there wasn't a designer coffee shop in the hospital lobby.

For $3.50 I bought these vintage cooking booklets. The one that I really wanted was the 500 Thrifty Sandwiches.  It's didn't let me down w/ such recipes as:  Ham and Peanut Butter, Ham and Raisin, Liver Sandwiches, Lamb, Liver and Raisin, Liver and Bacon, Egg and Liver, Egg and Caviar, Baked Bean Sandwiches, Tongue Sandwich, Creamed Egg and Asparagus, Hot Sardine Sandwiches.  I'm going to stop, I'm getting nauseated.  

For $1 I got a lot of  mini staples and these staplers and such.  I LOVE the 70's stapler.  It's colors are perfect and the abstract fish is neat.

Last but not least, the obligatory photo of one of our dogs.  This is Lily sleeping with her tongue showing.  She's a Dogue de Bordeaux mix.  Love her!

Spring is Sprung

Just like most places in the U.S., spring has come early to Nebraska.  People say, "it's still March, we could have snow!".  But, the forecast is for highs of 70's for the next week.  I'll take it.

Here's our dog Lily riding to the Dog Park last Sunday.  We think she's the most interesting dog, loads of personality.  Curious about her mix we got a Dog DNA test and sent her DNA in to be analyzed.  We got a big surprise.  She's sort of a rare breed, her one parent was a Dogue de Bordeaux, also called a French Mastiff or Bordeaux Bulldog.  The other parent was a Border Collie/Australian Shepherd.  She actually does a LOT of herding.    We fostered her for a Rescue Group last year and I got attached to her so quickly that we just had to keep her.  

Are you all enjoying your Spring?  We are, went for a one hour walk this evening.  Lovely out!

Burns Night. I love me some Haggis!

January 25 is Burns Night in Scotland.  My best friend is from Scotland, only here for 3 yrs. now.  This delicious plate is compliments from Helen.    Robert Burns is the man we acknowledge on this day.  I love my friend and her traditions.

Best Christmas Ever...and 3 New Foster Puppies.

We spent Christmas Eve. at my mom's down the street from us. My nephew Brandon brought his girlfriend's family.  This photo is of her sister and family.  Don't you love my Nathan over to the right there?  He still has his "No Shave November" beard.  I told him it's December.  He said that it keeps his face warm.  Makes sense as he's a Jimmy John's bicycle delivery guy...in NEBRASKA!

 Christmas Morning was MARVELOUS w/ our little grands here.  Dorothy is 2 (left) and Della is 4.  The fellow talking to Della is my 19 yr. old son Zach.  How do you like our tv/fireplace?  I told Greg (23 yr. old step son) that we have a real fireplace (same room), he snapped back, "this is better".  Hilarious, I love that kid so much.

 SOMEBODY got in to Nana Cindy's lotion by the bed and made her hair all pretty with it.

 The Doctor Kit that Santa (us) gave the girls was a big hit.  Here they are w/ their Mom and Dad.

 My mom and dad came over for brunch and then board games.  The sun was blinding my mom (we have no window coverings facing the meadow to the west) so, she got her sunglasses.  This game was a lot of fun, Fact or Crap. My husband Jim is to the far right.  He wins nearly every game we play (MENSA) but I won this game by a landslide.

 New foster puppies.  They just turned 6 weeks old.  Tinker, Evans and Chance.  Below is Chance.

 Chance is on his back here, Tinker and Evans are playing.

There is nothing like having puppies.  These guys are THE most people oriented ones that we've ever had.  They look in your eyes and love to be held.  Gonna be big though.  Hope you're all having a good weekend.  As for me, I'm seeking serenity.

The ALL TIME best bread ever! Seriously, I can't stop baking.

I am in the pits.  Dark dark days in my personal life.  So, what do I do?  I Bake!  I've make 12 loaves of this bread in the past 3 days.  Good thing we have an extra freezer.  Guess what everyone is getting for Christmas.  Yes, bread.  Hey, at least I'm not eating them all.  Weird thing though, tonight I was at a meeting and talked w/ someone after the meeting who has similar "darkness" going on.  Guess what she did all weekend?  Yep, she baked.  Also, her husband piped up and said, "And she made big delicious meals each night too".  Guess her stuff is darker.  Pray for us.  Meanwhile I'm Baking On! Simple Whole Wheat Bread

Rated: Submitted By: Nita Crabb Photo By: LynnInHK Prep Time: 20 Minutes Cook Time: 30 Minutes Ready In: 3 Hours Servings: 36

"This honey wheat bread is proof that wonderful flavor, texture and aroma can be had if you just follow a straightforward game plan."

INGREDIENTS:

3 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C) 2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast 1/3 cup honey 5 cups bread flour

3 tablespoons butter, melted 1/3 cup honey 1 tablespoon salt 3 1/2 cups whole wheat flour 2 tablespoons butter, melted

DIRECTIONS:

1.	In a large bowl, mix warm water, yeast, and 1/3 cup honey. Add 5 cups white bread flour, and stir to combine. Let set for 30 minutes, or until big and bubbly.
2.	Mix in 3 tablespoons melted butter, 1/3 cup honey, and salt. Stir in 2 cups whole wheat flour. Flour a flat surface and knead with whole wheat flour until not real sticky - just pulling away from the counter, but still sticky to touch. This may take an additional 2 to 4 cups of whole wheat flour. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to coat the surface of the dough. Cover with a dishtowel. Let rise in a warm place until doubled.
3.	Punch down, and divide into 3 loaves. Place in greased 9 x 5 inch loaf pans, and allow to rise until dough has topped the pans by one inch.
4.	Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 25 to 30 minutes; do not overbake. Lightly brush the tops of loaves with 2 tablespoons melted butter or margarine when done to prevent crust from getting hard. Cool completely

   

Inadvertantly Funny Store Name

Hello all!  We've had a super busy summer and I am still out here.  I read and love all of your blogs!  We were in Tabor, Iowa gassing up and I saw this funny name of a Drug Store, funny to me anyway.

Stoner  Drug, yep!

And then, here is one from Central Nebraska.

The Love Mortuary

We had gone over to the tiny town of Riverton, Iowa to see a former foster puppy, Chuck.  He was my first and all time favorite.  Well, that is until we got this fat Third-hand dog to foster (we were her known 3rd home) named Lily.  I loved Lily so much, I couldn't imagine her being away from us.  So we adopted her!
Chuck is BIG and very active now.  A far cry from the sick little puppy he was when we had him last year.

And then, here is our Lily, who cost me $130 yesterday on account of a split nail.  AND, we were good dog owners and just had her nails cut two weeks previously.

I love my WeeWee (Lily) but, she's not wee...she's 82.5# as of yesterday.  

So, more later, sooner than later I hope!

Dumped Puppies Betsy and Tacy

We live by Omaha, if you haven't heard, it's flooding.  Large sections of I80 are closed as the Interstate is underwater!  Unbelievable!  We can only cross the Missouri River at downtown Omaha and at Sioux City Iowa (which is 2.5 hrs. north of here).  Anyhoo, there has been some opportunistic dumping of puppies and kittens by Hwy75 which  is now a very slow/bumper to bumper road.  At least these little creatures are getting picked up and saved.  

We normally foster larger dogs so, it was a treat to have these two.  Betsy (black) and Tacy (black and white) are a Chijuajua/Rat Terrier mix.  I adored these two.  

 They were 8 wks. old when we got them and TERRIFIED of people.  But, when we'd bring the big dogs to them, they went nuts....loved the big dogs.  After two weeks they are adopted or almost adopted.  In the time we had them, they grew to love people and wanted to be on our laps all of the time...well, IF they weren't exploring the back yard.  Not to worry, there are no hawks around right now.

Jim said, "we should've named Tacy "Bessy" instead.  She looks like a little Holstein cow".  I sure do miss them.  So, our newest foster is an 8 month old Doberman puppy.  And he is huge...but a big clumsy puppy.  We're actually watching him while that foster family is on vacation in Colorado.  They took their family dog and the other dog which is also a foster.  But, this guy is way to young and needy.  I really had no idea that Dobermans were this huge.  Well, time to go and love him up!

Summer and It's Real Meaning.

Nowadays, our free time is tending to and nurturing a foster dog here and there.  The black one int he back is Brodie, he belongs to my friend Helen.  We had him for two weeks whilst she and her husband were back in Scotland.  She's a recent transplant.  I was happy when she came back after 2 weeks and was happy to be home.  Brodie is a 2 yr. old lab/pointer.  The puppy in front is my all time favorite foster, Sophie.  Sophie is 12 weeks in this picture.  She may go to her forever home in the next couple of days.  I heard she was full pitbull, uh NO.  She's boxer and horse or Great Dane.

Here's Sophie by my groovy lower oven.  I love her so much, I hope her new family would let me dog sit if they ever travel!

We are Family Reunion nuts.  This photo is from a small town in Nebraska called Creston.  It was the Rolfs/Glandt Reunion.  There was a 7th generation kid there.  Mostly pretty old people but, ohhhhhh the stories!  And pictures.  I took a scanner and got quite a few.  We meet every other year so, will scan some more.  We're committed to getting as many photos copied and stories recorded.  For instance, Wilhemina Rolfs Glandt had 14 children.  Seven lived to adulthood.  The 5 little boys are buried up there and the two little girls are buried by Omaha. Interesting to me, and a few others I guess so, we'll keep doing it.

Seven of us traveled to Creston for this Reunion.  My Mom and Dad, me and my 18 yr. old son, my brother's 28 yr. old son, my sister and her 8 yr. old daughter.   Oh how we love road trips.  On the way home, Brandon (my nephew) got this to nosh on.

If you read the Ingrediends on the Tijuana Mama it says "Mechanically Separated Chicken, Pork...did that make for some hilarious guesses.Three days ago was another Family Reunion in Our garage.  This one was for the Koch Family in Nebraska.  Again, another fun and interesting day.  We pulled out all of the vintage tablecloths for this one, good idea, huh?  Well more later.

Bye, bye Gall Bladder!

Happy Days!  My gall bladder is gone and I am feeling so much lighter.  After a year of pain, confusion and fatigue, I'm suddenly made new!  I'm typical for our family, not self aware and a high pain tolerance.  We just keep on keepin' on and end up in the ER on account of an acute attack of something.  Sigh.  I'm healing from the surgery and am grateful for  the life I can have ahead of me.  A life of balance, single tasking, awareness and doing the next right thing.
I heard something funny on the radio the other day.  A mother had called in to some political show talking about all of the taxes taken from her and given to others.  In her case, she wished she had the $ to do with as she pleased, to give it to her choice of charity.  Her daughter turned up pregnant in the girl's Soph. year of college and this mother said that she went and got three jobs to deal with it.  But, I thought she said three "dogs"!  In my mind I thought, perfect.  Having three dogs would keep my $ and attention tied up and my pregnant adult child would be responsible for herself and the baby if she decided against adoption.  Well, that's not what that mother meant at all.  She meant she had to have those jobs to help her daughter and grandchild.

I smiled as I thought of my own circumstance.  We have a young alcoholic in our family who has left quite a lot of destruction in his path w/ his addiction.  Before Al Anon, I was killing myself trying to make things right.  Eventually I realized I had loads of love and nurturing to give and it was like poison to my alcoholic son.  What was best for my son was for him to be responsible for his own life and consequences.  So, to do what I love most, I started fostering dogs.  I give the sympathy and care to a truly needy creature that is helped w/ my attention.  Thank God for growth.

BRING ON THE PUPPIES!

Our Latest Foster Dog, Halle

Halle was our latest foster pup.  She's a 6 month old Rotti and we were her temporary foster home.  Somehow, we had her several months, but we didn't complain.

She was completely unsocialized when we got her. She was quite a bully about finding her place in the pack.  But, I guess that's typical of Rottweilers.  She was also frightened of people.  After a few weeks, she was perfectly socialized and we grew to love her.  These photos are from the day we took her to the Omaha Dog Park.

Lot's of greeting going on!  Halle was especially interested in this puppy, probably because she's a puppy too.

And more greeting!

When we were fixin' to leave, we had to retrieve Halle from this group, every Rottweiler at the park was there...and a Doberman.  Interesting to me, how like breeds do associate with each other at the dog park.
Last but not least, Halle w/ two of her new masters, she was adopted last week.  We miss her but, they are the perfect home for her and were so excited!

And, tomorrow I get my lousy gall bladder out.  I look forward to feeling like a healthy human being again!