My dear friend, MaJa had the privilege of being his daughter-in-law.
I went to be there for her.
It was said that Jakob lead an amazing life. Wounded in the war, captured while on his way to receive medical help, and as a prisoner was used by the Germans as an interpreter as Jakob was fluent in both German and Russian.
He outlived one wife, and was married to his second until his death.
The preacher commented on the fact that it was lucky for Jakob that God has promised us mansions in heaven as Jakob had so many children, grand-children and great-grand-children that will follow him there one day.
What a glorious thought
At 89 years old, Jakob was fraile and laboured to breath during his last days here on earth.
We were told that just before he died, his countenance changed ... one said that he looked 20 years younger ... he then smiled, waved and was gone.
This account gives me goose pimples ...
he was smiling and waving not at those at his bedside,
but to those that came to greet him on the other side.
The leaves are falling and many have been dried by the sun already. Hubby used his fancy machine and blew them into what wildly resembles neat piles. The piles go far in helping in the relative ease of picking them up ... one day.
Here is a great shot of my lens cover ... and some leaves all in a row
This tree was given to us a few years ago. Not sure what kind of tree it is, but its bark peels away as it grows. I rather like it.
Another friend gave us these three maple trees years and years ago when they were just twigs. I L-O-V-E how they display this brilliant colour variation every year.
Amongst the beauty always lurks some villainous bramble. I'll have to remember to scale it back with shears before it takes over.
Mattie, one of our dogs, must have dug under the fence in search of some furry creature living in the ditch. I wonder if she was successful in her attempt in finding him.
And finally the first barrel of fallen leaves. Lots of work, but the rewards are rich compost in the spring.
Half a dozen times a day I enter our food 'storage room' and then it dawned on me ... I don't think that I have shown you around in there. If I have, please forgive me.
No, this is not the remains of our Y2K storage. In fact I didn't really add much when the year 2000 was about to roll around. I have always 'stocked' up. I watch sales, use Costco, and well, it works for me to have food on hand. You never know when a crowd it going to stay for a meal.
I do can a bit ... that's Concord Grape Juice in the jars ... but don't have much time to do what I used to. I didn't take any pictures of my appliances ... they are white and large ... but I have a box freezer, upright freezer and second refrigerator in my storage room as well.
As you see by the disarray of 'stuff', I didn't PLAN on showing you my storage room today. No tidying up done here ... forgive the mess.
These chrome shelves from Costco were a bit of an investment shock to purchase, but they are well worth their weight in gold. Great looking, on lockable wheels, and easy to clean.
Canned goods are purchased generally in bulk. I love the boxes that some items come in. The cans roll down as the supply is depleted.
I arrange my cereal boxes in order of purchase. My family has long been trained to 'take from the left' ... like reading a book ... and NOT to take out of order to get at their favourite type.
I use ice cream buckets from a local dairy to store some items ... hair cutting supplies, clothes pins etc ... and save yogurt containers for a variety of uses.
Ice cream buckets line up on a shelf for easy display of lunch add-ons. Notice the Halloween candy purchased November 1st at half price ... SCORE.
My new enameled Kitchen Aid cast iron casserole. Also microwave popcorn packets fit nicely in dollar store plastic bins.
Costo spices lined in a row.
Small Rubbermaid totes store the kids toys. Although not played with now ... my youngest is 19 for crying out loud ... one day I WILL have grand kids!
And finally, one of the most important tips that I can give. Invest in a Shapie felt pen and label each can, box or bag that crosses your food storage room threshold. Many items don't have a visable expiry date and yet your own date with stand out to remind you when to use by.
Hubby and I were invited to dinner at a friend's place Saturday night. I offered to bring something, ... she requested dessert.
Dessert! Not really my specialty, but ...
In haste I scrambled to my favourite food web site ... All Recipes and found a recipe that was sure to wow.
I made a few variations ... Tip: Always read the comments that others make on the recipes ... and it turned out to be a blue ribbon winner. A zillion calories, but sometimes you just have to indulge.
2 (1.4 ounce) bars chocolate covered English toffee, chopped (No toffee in the house, so I substituted chopped-up butterscotch chips and added chocolate shavings)
Directions
Arrange ½ of the cake chunks on the bottom of a trifle dish or glass bowl. Drizzle ½ of the coffee over cake.
Beat sugar, chocolate syrup, and cream cheese in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth.
In another bowl beat the whipping cream at medium speed until light and fluffy.
Fold whipping cream into 'frosting' mixture.
Spread half this mixture over cake.
Sprinkle with chocolate-covered toffee candy.
Arrange remaining cake chunks on top. Drizzle with coffee. Spread remaining frosting over cake.
Sprinkle with toffee candy.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, but no longer than 24 hours to set dessert and blend flavors.
Today I decided to convert many of my recipe card, scrap paper, and computer printed recipes to My Demy. It takes time, but it is so worth it. If you didn't get a chance to see my post on my new kitchen gadget, check it out here.
So for tonight I was inspired to make Quick Chicken Pot Pie which was on a tattered and stained recipe card. It was a family favourite when my kids were growing up, and I pleased the family again tonight by making it.
It's simple to make and simple comfort food.
Chicken Pot Pie - Serves 6
Carrot and potato simmering away
Add chopped onions to carrots & potato
Meanwhile cook the chicken
Cut butter into the dry ingredients
Add milk and stir to make soft dough
Add condensed soup, stir and add to casserole dish
Pinch off dough and 'plop' on top to cover
Bake ... but don't burn top :o)
Quick Chicken Pot Pie
1 medium carrot
1 medium potato
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1/2 cup frozen peas
1 small onion
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1 can mushroom or cream of chicken soup
2 cups cooked chicken - chopped
1. Chop carrot and potato and cook in small amount of salted water until tender — about 10 minutes
2. Add peas and onions and cook a few more minutes
3. Do not drain, add mushroom soup and meat. Heat through
4. Pour into greased casserole
5. Spoon biscuit mixture evenly over top
6. Bake uncovered at 425 F for 20 – 25 minutes
Biscuit Topping
2 cups flour
2 tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp cream of tarter
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1/2 cup butter or margarine, cold
1 cup cold milk
1. Mix together first 5 ingredients
2. Cut in butter. Stir in milk
