This is the first of this years canning session.  I haven't put up any tomatoes for years.  So many other things have been put first in the forefront... traveling, reading, watching the clouds go by, cutting the grass, surfing the web (aw so many excuses) or doing nothing.

This year I decided to get on the band wagon and give it a go again.  With our shortened summer no one to weed the crops - none were planted.  I bought these at a small roadside vendor.  He was happy - so was I.  No bending over to pic, not having to worry abt having enough  - just what I needed right then, right now.  Love that part and that I could help in the economy by purchasing from some small grower who needed to make a living.   Besides, there is just something abt pulling off the road on "fruit stand road" and buying freshly picked veggies.  It's easier on me and mine rather than go to the farmers market.  The farmers market is something you have to get to EARLY in the day so as not to get overwhelmed by so many vendors (which one should I buy from). Well, some days being somewhere EARLY in the day just isn't something I am up for.  Besides, at the roadside they load it in the car for you. 

A new favorite

Our latest favorite cookie mix is one from a company we came familiar with not too long ago -   The Prepared Pantry.  It's a small company located in Rigby, Idaho.  They mostly are a shipper of prepackaged baking mixes and cooking gadgets thru their online store.

 But they have a local retail store that anyone can shop at.  I have gotten good use of my most treasured gifts ever - the Kitchen Aid - making up the most wonderful items (cookies and bread so far.)

Dejavu in the snow

This week I am in Winnemucca, NV working... We drove thru a snowstorm to get there. It was dejavu of our trip to Seattle. We made it safely though. The next day is to Elko. We ate at the Martin Hotel which is a Basque resturant - LOVEd the food. Chuck & Kalyn you would have liked it. I know you would have. Happy Valentines everyone. love you

I spent the day making cookies to take to Seattle with me. If only we can stay away from them till we get where we are going. We are making a stop in Walla Walla, WA to visit our long time friends Lynn & Judy and of course leave some cookies there. We all used to live in Sandy and would spend the holidays making and baking special moments to share with family and friends. I miss those days. But this year I do it with Judy in my heart and look forward to our visit in just 1 wk.

One cookie I won't get to this year is the family fave of Springerle. We normally make these as they were something Walt's Mom made religiously when she was alive. We continued the tradition but this year I have been working so much that I just made some that were less labor intensive.

Fall Tasks

Fall has been keeping us busy this year. When checking on Connie's place, I found some rolls of sod that had been left behind after a construction project was completed. I snagged 5 rolls and C was able to fill in a spot in the yard that needed some help.

One of Walt's TO DO's is make sure all of the vehicles are ready for winter.. He checked the oil, the washer fluids and the antifreeze. Filled those that needed anything and in general just did what a lot of guys do - just look at the engine cause he thinks it's the manly thing to do. Besides, anymore, it's the only thing you can do - LOOK. Some of them are so complicated work on even if you can find what it is you need to fix.
We've been blessed with HUGE tomatoes in the past month. Only problem, we can't eat enough and this size don't last long just sitting around. I have made lots of sauce with some and we've had lots of tomato sandwiches. YUM. But I'm affraid with all the FREEZING temps we've had in the past couple of days, we are at the end of the toms. Till next year....
I can't believe that there are still sweet peas growing in the yard. They are one of my favorites as well as my Dad's and my sister-in-law Brenda's. If only our computer had scratch and sniff. They smell so good.

Birthday BBQ

Since I was enjoying my actual bday in the country, Keri thru a birthday bash when we got back. The loggers were back in town for the weekend as was Chris. Many friends were there, Mel & Shouanna

Keri's Mom & Dad - Gay & Walt Fisher

The Cabin Crew from Twin Falls

Kids enjoying themselves

of course, that same good looking STUD MUFFIN cooking again....

This time there was a cake, singing and laughter... What more could you ask for!?!! I had it all..

LIVEing LOVEing and EATing

S'mores

I had a s'more today right out of the microwave! It was an indulgence I wanted today.

Marathon Baker

We got a starter for an Amish Friendship cake recently and thought we'd try it out. Well, after 2 wks of starter growing we now have made 18 cakes (made in loaf pans). One could keep going with the batter you reserve as a starter x 4 to give to friends or make yourself more cakes. Colleen opted to make the cakes herself equaling a marathon baking session. She finally had had enough and threw the remaining starters down the drain. hehehe Good thing the cake is good.

Bonding Moments

Today I helped out my sister in law(Kate) learn some new to her things on their computer. I also helped her learn how to download pics she's taken on their camera that is new to them too. We went to Costco to buy a whole bunch of fresh & frozen fruits, some oatmeal and a couple of books off the Oprah Book Club list. The Secret & The New Earth. Kate has really been listening to Oprah abt going GREEN in their every day lives as well as eating more healthy. We also bought pedometers as she and I are going to go walking together even though we live 300 mi apart. We'll see how long we can stick with a walking regime. Tonight we put aside our thoughts of being healthy and went for an old family recipe "cheese spatzles". They are home made noodle dumplings latered with shredded swiss cheese topped with fried (in BUTTER) onions. YUMMM It' a family favorite though.