stopping in for a quick visit...

 A short hello on this hot, humid, summertime day, time feels short,
for this week is, gulp:

COLLEGE ORIENTATION!

Today was the first day - my son and I headed out early, but by 10 AM they had parents and students in separate lectures, so I didn't see him all day. Now he's spending the night to experience the dorms with his bio-chemistry friends-to-be. Don't get me started...why yes, I was tearing up standing in the registration line.

With that said, I'll be taking off throwback Thursday this week, but wanted to leave you with a few snapshots of what you'd see if you stopped by for a visit...

blue larkspur drying
on the cupboard door, 

evidence of much-needed rain!

do you see the 
baby birds way in the back?

a visit to a local antique store;
I loved so many things!

friendly, local bookends!

And this I share because everyone needs a good laugh! 

When I renewed my driver's license recently, I answered the usual questions:

1 - would you please step up for an eye exam?

2 - do you have proof of legal name?

3-  do you want to be an organ donor?

4-  can I have your height and weight?

and lastly...are you ready?

5-  are you going to continue to color your hair brown?

Do you see my expression?

Do you see my head tilting slightly as if I misunderstood?

Do you see my eyes narrowing as I begin to be insulted?

Do you hear the way I answer,

dragging
out

every

 word...

I DON'T COLOR MY HAIR

Exhibit 1 - 2019

Exhibit 2 - 2022

Now friends, I never tell my age, but I have a 21-year old daughter and an 18-year old son, so you can make an approximate guess.

When I was growing up I remember my mom coloring her hair: oh, the mess, the drips, the stained towels, and I said I would never do it. I consider myself pretty lucky (I see gray, and trust me, I've earned every one of them) but it could be so much grayer. Now underneath, it is a lovely shade of dark brown...sigh, if only that were on top!

Anyway, the licence registrar looked at me as if she didn't believe me...a short stare-down ensued, and then we moved on.

So there friends, is your giggle for the day...you just never know what question may come your way!

a throwback Thursday, that's almost a forgetful Friday!

Where do the days go? Whoever said, "Time flies" couldn't have been more right...the days turn into weeks, the weeks into months, and the months into years. I simply can't keep up...my Throwback Thursday is being posted at 11:00 at night; it's nearly Friday!

I'll give you a quick look around the farm, and then on to this week's recipe!

I added solar lights to the chicken run...
why not let them enjoy a little summertime
sparkle, too?

looking through the double front doors at dusk...
lately there have been such wonderful,
cool breezes from the North.

Janice (you can find her here) inspires me with
her monthly Cupboardscapes,
so this little lady is on my rescued blue cupboard,
she makes me laugh!

and she's paired with some mini American flags

flowers are blooming indoors,

and out!

delicate spiderwebs almost seem surrounded
by water-drop diamonds,

they just seem magical to me.

Throwback Thursday...

Delmonico Potatoes

Another old recipe that seems to get its name
from an 18th century New York restaurant.

I've written it just as it was on the recipe card...any changes have been noted with an asterisk.

8 potatoes*

1 c. evaporated milk

8-oz. extra sharp Cheddar cheese, diced*

1/8 t. salt

3/4 t. dry mustard

1/4 t. nutmeg

1 c. milk

Garnish: paprika

Cover potatoes with water and bring to a boil; cook until almost done.* Drain and cool slightly. Slice and place in a greased casserole dish.*

Combine remaining ingredients; cooking and stirring is necessary or it will stick and scorch. Cook until cheese is melted; pour over potatoes. Sprinkle with paprika. Cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, remove and let stand at room temperature for one hour. Bake at 325 degrees for one hour, until bubbling.

Clarification:

8 potatoes, almost done -
I peeled and boiled 8, approximately 4-inch potatoes

8-oz. extra sharp Cheddar cheese, diced -
I used extra sharp shredded Chedder cheese

cook until almost done - 

potatoes were boiled 8 minutes

slice and place in a greased casserole dish -

mine were sliced about 1 /4 of an inch, and placed in a 2-quart casserole dish

These potatoes are an old-fashioned version of potatoes au gratin...when making them again, I'd slice each potato thinner, add a bit of salt & pepper seasoning, and then toss in some crumbled bacon (bacon makes everything better!) 

Bailey says Happy Friday, I hope it's a good weekend for you!

throwback Thursday...

 A cool breeze from the north, fresh herbs from the garden, and the sound of rain on a metal roof...these are the blessings of midsummer. July in our part of the world is casting a drowsy spell...fields are filled with tiger lillies and blackeyed-Susans, we hear the distant rumble of thunder as a storm passes by, and evenings filled are with the magical dancing of fireflies.  

It's nearly impossible to take it all in. Sometimes my brain seems very noisy and cluttered...but it's days like this that I try to quiet my brain a little and just enjoy the moment.

Our 4th of July celebration included fireworks at a nearbly 250-acre park where my son is working this summer. He was invited to park in the company lot and the view was incredible. This has always been one of my favorite things - to be in a big field on the Fourth of July, a picnic basket filled with food, just waiting for dusk. The fireworks were incredible, and I'm sure I've never been that close to them before where I looked overhead the entire time!

I've been cleaning one of our little barns, and snapped a couple of photos to share...they caught my eye and made me smile; the "make do" attitude of the farmer making repairs many years ago:

a 1950's Folders Coffee tin,

 

and a 1948 Farm licence plate

You know me...I love anything old and those beauties will stay exactly where I found them. ❤

This week's
Throwback Thursday Recipe...Zucchini Chocolate Chip Cookies!

  

I found this recipe in my mother-in-law's old recipe box,
and after all, since it's zucchini season, it looked perfect! 

1 c. zucchini, grated

1 t. baking soda

3 c. all-purpose flour

1/2 t. salt

1/2 t. ground cloves

1 t. cinnamon

1 c. sugar

1/2 c. shortening

1 egg, beaten

1 c. nuts*

1 c. raisins*

Grate enough fresh zucchini to equal one cup; set aside. Combine baking soda, flour, salt, cloves, and cinnamon; whisk well to combine, then set aside. In a separate bowl, cream together sugar and shortening; blend in egg. Stir in nuts and raisins. Combine with dry ingredients and stir to combine.

Drop by tablespoonfuls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.  Yield: about 3 dozen.

*Because I am a chocoholic, I swapped out nuts and raisins for chocolate chips!

To me, it was just like enjoying zucchini bread only in cookie form...another recipe for your garden bounty.

Sending good wishes from our little corner of the world to yours...