New Year's Eve in the country

New Year's Eve in the country is a bit different from New Year's Eve in town. It's quieter, although there will probably be some fireworks in the distance. It's also less crowded and, well, darker. So, we're going to have a fire in our fire pit next to the river.

The plan is to roast hot dogs for supper. Then, we'll toast marshmallows for s'mores. I found peppermint marshmallows just before Christmas, and the thought of mint chocolate s'mores just makes me smile. I have my toolkit ready, with chocolate bars, graham crackers and marshmallows all set for the evening.

We don't plan to stay up until midnight. I've tested this theory before--the new year will get here just fine without my supervision.

Smart (aleck) Appliances

Our washing machine is relatively new and I think it's a bit too big for it's britches. It is a front loader and does a fairly good job of getting our clothes clean. BUT, it has a tendency to string me along with it's "oh no, really, I'm almost done" timer. It has been telling me there's just 2 minutes to go for something like the past ten minutes.

It also won't let me open the door until it's good and ready. Okay, fine, the front load system means that water could leak out if I open the door before the cycle finishes, but I'm a grown-up. Let me make that decision for myself!

My dishwasher lets me open the door whenever I want, but it gets even by hiding forks under the rack. And don't get me started on the refrigerator that beeps if I leave that door open too long.

It's Monday. Can you tell?

Christmas traditions

One of my family's Christmas morning traditions is a special breakfast.  I may have written about it before, but it can withstand repeating. 

The tradition of mush, also known as scrapple, goes back over a hundred years in our family.  We boil a fresh ham and save the broth.  Plain yellow cornmeal is added to the hot broth until it's too thick to stir.  

On Christmas morning, I slice the mush and pan fry it.  It's almost like having French fries for breakfast.  It's delicious and I love carrying on a long line of mush eaters.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas

Christmas Traditions

Our family traditions include a gathering at my aunt's house.  We have a meal, sometimes brunch, sometimes a fancy dinner, but always delicious.  

The meal is followed by a reading of the Christmas story by the Cousin-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named.  When the children were little he read it from a children's book, but now he reads the account from the Bible.

After that we open presents.  It's a great time, especially because the gifts are always thoughtful and often there are some handmade gifts included.  

My family is pretty awesome.

Abby the Ginormous Dog

Our dog, Abby, is a rescue dog. She was abandoned outside our vet's office and was in need of a home in the country with lots of room to run. We needed a wonderful dog. Perfect match!

Because Abby wasn't raised with livestock as a puppy, she refuses to live with the goats. She will patrol the pasture and we haven't seen a coyote since she got there. But she's more of a people dog than a goat dog. She treats our family as her "herd" and always stays close when strangers are on the property.

Yesterday afternoon, we went for a walk and Abby went with us. She lumbers along, mostly bringing up the rear and watching our backs. Once we got around to the goat pasture, she checked them out and waited for us to head back to the house. She is such a gentle companion and makes me feel so safe. Love ya, Abby!

Cookie Baking Day

Today we baked Christmas cookies!  I have a pretty standard list of cookies that we make for Christmas each year.  We make peanut butter cookies shaped like mice, mint chocolate cookies and an almond shortbread type cookie. 

I also make "haystacks", from chow mein noodles and melted butterscotch chips.  My grandmother used to make them and they are delicious.

My sister-in-law, Lori, joined us and got us organized very quickly.  She's an experienced cookie chef so we were in good hands.  She put the children to work right away.  (That's my silly girl making a face at me.)

The house smells yummy right now.  Any cookie baking around your place?