Easy reading

Yesterday at the doctor's office, I picked up a magazine that looked interesting. Back Fence magazine immediately reminded of one of my favorite magazines that we receive courtesy of our insurance company back in TN, Tennessee Home & Farm magazine. I was always glad to see the articles, recipes, and lists of local events across the state contained within its covers arrive in our mailbox. While there will be no splurges to subscribe to my new find just yet, I can at least peruse the website and share it here with you. Victoria, another long-time favorite that is now back in print, and a gift subscription to Family Circle from my sister will have to suffice for the time being. I think that they will.

Beans in a Pod

Nowadays you hear a lot about iPods, but have you heard of coffee pods? I had not either until we moved to OH. OBT is now a member of the POD club at work. Thankfully these pods are not hard to find. Both Kroger and Wal-mart reputedly carry them.

I am already having to learn the layout of the stores in town since our move. It's nice to know that I won't have to search high or low to find pods too.

Cause for Excitement

Ever since hearing on Complete andUnabridged , a blog well worth checking out if you are interested in classic literature, that Masterpiece Theatre Classic 2009 season has been announced, I am excited. Since reading "Hard Times" and "The Life of Our Lord", I am a Dickens' fan and hope to read more of his works in future. "The Incomplete Charles Dickens" will include "Oliver Twist", "David Copperfield", "Little Dorrit", and "The Old Curiousity Shop". There will be a new host to replace Gillian Anderson and other new and old classics.

What's the weather like?

Is it snowing? Is it snowing?

Yes, it is. Yes, it is.

Snowing just a little. Snowing just a little.

Yes, it is. Yes, it is.

Is it snowing? Is it snowing?

Off and on? Off and on?

Yes, it's really snowing. Yes, it's really snowing

Where we live, where we live.

(sung to the tune of "Frere Jacques")

Thanksgiving 2008

We spent the day here at home - just the five of us. Many miles on the road made us choose to stay home right now. OBT and I cooked, and by early afternoon Thanksgiving dinner was ready. The fried apple pies (a modified version of Paula Deen's recipe) and cranberry sauce (courtesy of the Ocean Spray bag and Amber) were the favorites this year - both new recipes to try. This is how I like to spend the holidays - with my loved ones. Cooking with my family and enjoying that rare day when we can stay home and relax. Thank you, Lord, for days like that.

Sarah and Leora read poems before we ate.

Thanksgiving Time

When all the leaves are off the boughs,

And nuts and apples gathered in,

And cornstalks waiting for the cows,

And pumpkins safe in barn and bin,

Then Mother says, "My children dear,

The fields are brown, and autumn flies;

Thanksgiving Day is very near,

And we must make Thanksgiving pies!"

The Pilgrims Came

The Pilgrims came across the sea,

And never thought of you and me;

And yet it's very strange the way

We think of them Thanksgiving Day.

We tell their story old and true

Of how they sailed across the blue,

And found a new land to be free

And built their homes quite near the sea.

The people think that they were sad,

And grave; I'm sure that they were glad -

They made Thanksgiving Day - that's fun -

We thank the Pilgrims everyone!

With much to be thankful for, we remember the Giver of good gifts - now and always.

You never know

Our old house had a built-in microwave. Our new house had no microwave. OBT insisted that we get one even though I said that I could do without. So off we go to get a microwave. After bringing it home and taking it out of the box, it found a new home on the countertop by the kitchen sink. One night Sarah was checking it out, and this is what happened next.

Sarah: Momma, what does this button with the potato on it mean?

Lepidoptera: That button is for baking potatoes in the microwave.

Sarah: And it can make beer too!

Lepidoptera (wondering what this means): What does it say? Spell the word where you see that.

Sarah: B-E-V-E-R-A-G-E.

Lepidoptera: Honey, that spells beverage.

Sarah: What's a beverage?

Lepidoptera: It's something you can drink. That means the microwave can make hot chocolate or hot tea.

Sarah: Oh (as in "I see").

Butterflies and backyards

My mom gave me "The Life Cycles of Butterflies" book earlier this year, and L, LP, and I were looking at it last week. I noticed that there was a website for the authors and decided to take a look at it. Butterfly Nature is a site that will appeal to those interested in butterflies and also nature photography. There is a Kids Page with coloring pages, a word search, and other activities. Lots of butterfly pictures in various stages of development and don't forget to check out the pictures from their backyard butterfly garden. Wouldn't I like to have a garden like this in my backyard some day!

Back at our other house we had planted several butterfly bushes (some transplants from the originals), and they attracted lots of butterflies - Monarchs, Tiger Swallowtails, Frittilaries, Hummingbird Moths, Skippers - just to name some of the regulars. I am hoping that we can plant them here too. I would like to add at least one new plant to our yard every year. In the past OBT has bought me plants for Mother's Day, and if this tradition continues, little by little our goal will be achieved. Coneflower is one that I would like to try. Maybe next year will be the year for that.

I will miss the things that we planted at our old house but am also looking forward to seeing what pops up here in the Spring. We may have some surprises lying dormant and just waiting to be discovered when the weather warms up. We already know that there is a hickory tree and a crabapple in our new backyard. Whether the hickory be shagbark, shellbark, bitternut, or otherwise I do not know yet, but I am going to try to find out. Several oaks are here too. There's more to learn and more to see - right in our own backyard.