Abandoned Road

Closed Road

This is a picture of a road that was blocked off about 15 years ago. No one drives on it anymore. It was a through way side street that for some reason, the city decided to block from traffic. Not exactly sure why but it makes for a nice walk in the morning.

As you can see, nature is taking it back. This was taken on January 1st, 2017 and it was a quiet and crisp morning. I'm walking a lot every day to prep for spring running. I'm hoping to once again, "Run like the wind".

A road without cars will turn back into it's original field.

New Year Touching Base

Christmas Breads

Mayne Farm's Tree

At Christmas, I baked some breads for our Neighbors. They looked so pretty I thought I'd snap some pictures. They contained little pockets of sugar and cinnamon and were delicious.

The tree is up the road on Mayne's farm. It is beautiful in the Spring and this shot was taken on January 1, 2017. If I remember, I'll snap a shot when it's in full bloom.

Still Nicotine gum free but the emotions are sometimes out of control. I can cry at just about anything. I heard a song on the radio yesterday that brought open the flood gates. I'm not sure why but without the nicotine, I am extremely sensitive. I count to 10 and then it passes.

Crazy but I'm going to push through it.

Enjoy your week!

Merry Christmas

Christmas on a Farm

Good Day to all on this fine Christmas Morning. Our weather is rainy today and no snow in the forecast.

I'm looking forward to this year to end and the new one to begin.

67 Retirement Age

My 5 year Old Self - Before Work. Look how Happy!

67 is the new 65 retirement age. I have 12 years to go. I also read that to maximize your social security benefits, you should wait to the age of 70. What? Go back - I want full benefits, maximized at 65 - NOT 70!

I have been working full time since the age of 18 . I've actually been working since the age of 12 - babysitting then at 16 I worked at McDonalds. So - by the time I'm 67, my total working years will have been 55 years. It's a wonder I can still think for myself. I've been giving myself to "The Man" for more than my whole life.

My plan from now until then is to figure out how to make 67 into 57. We should retire Earlier Not Later. At 70, my knees won't do me any good. I have about 3-4 years on them now.

Just some thoughts I've had lately. I need to retire - now comes the "How" part. The Farm will be the income so get with the act old self and do it!

End of Year is Near

Luffa - 6 Made it But Read Below

Garden in Fall 2016

Begging Ducks at the Office

First Snow

Close Up

First picture is of the Luffa. I was so excited that I had 6 quite large luffa. Problem is, the first frost forced me to pick them prematurely. They needed to dry on the vines and completely air out. Meaning all of the moisture needed to naturally extract. BUT because frost freezes, the luffa will rot on the vine. So - brought them in hoping to dry them indoors. It didn't happen. I only received one out of all the beautiful gourds. All the others rotted. I even baked the 2 largest in the oven on a low temp for 4 hours but nope - they rotted too. Maybe next year.

Garden is long put to bed but I captured a fall picture.  I like the sassafras in the background. They really have a pretty color combo.

While lunching at the office this fall, there is a large pond with ducks and geese. I fed the ducks once and when I walk the path to the lunch area, they come a waddling and beg for crackers. They are the cutest things ever and so tame and friendly. During this shot, there were 8 or 9 of them. So close I could touch their heads. I went through an entire box of saltines taking my lunches outside. So worth it. They are adorable.

Snow pictures from last Sunday's first snow fall. It was so pretty I took a walk around our condo complex and snapped some shots.

Christmas and the end of the year is around the corner. Time is flying by. Enjoyed it while you can.

Peace

Buy Local

Saw this on the web - needed to add.

Christmas is upon us - buy local.

Thanksgiving Weekend

Winter fast approaching

My apologies for not posting for over 4 weeks. Time got away from me.

Bobby and I hosted Thanksgiving at our house! I love doing dinner parties and hope to make a habit of it. I made the following in two days:

Pumpkin pie - from the home grown pumpkins
Apple pie
Rice Krispie squares
Turkey with sausage stuffing
Sweet Pototoes
Regular mashed potatoes
Corn
Baby Brussel Sprouts - from the garden - picked that morning :)
Baby carrots in lime and honey sauce
Pop and Fresh bisquits - Bobby's request
Cranberry Relish - the can stuff -  again, Bobby's request

I'm missing something and it's not coming to me. I know I spent hours in the kitchen. I so enjoy the meal prep and getting out the pretty dishes and setting it all up. Then - once folks start eating - it's all over in 15 minutes. Two days of work - over - just like that.

Happy Holiday weekend!