Archive for ‘April, 2008’

a Country mile

So, just after I posted about how cold it was here in Ohio, we had the most beautiful “spring-like” weekend with temps in the 60’s and sunshine and I was back in shorts!

Overnight, the grass looks a little greener, there are buds on some of the bushes and LOOK!

Daffodil Buds

Daffodil Buds

Daffodils poking their heads up! And the air feels soft with that hint of warm that feels like spring morning.

Too nice to be inside and considering the amount of food and wine consumed – between friends of many years duration (I am not supposed to say “old” friends…) – anyway, we decided long walks were in order. We have been walking around the “block”.

Country

…I’d like to say a country mile – except it is a country “square mile”. Not that exactly either as part of the “block” winds around and would be more like 5 miles so we cut short the 3rd mile leg and walk back along the railroad tracks.

Country

There is something that feels adventurous about walking on the railroad tracks – like we are being a bit “bad” – breaking some rule…

On the road, we walk in the middle as there is very little traffic – not that many houses and the fields are too wet for the farmers to be working so it is mostly just the two of us.

Barn and Tractor

From the Winnebago

My “parking spot” at my friends’ home is in front of the shop-garage that is separate from the main house and garage. On previous trips I’ve been on the grass between the house and shop but the ground is too soft this time. The Winnebago just fits without getting in the way of the garage. Sitting directly North-South and between the buildings – I have the advantage of sunrise and sunset from this spot.

My friends’ home has both a beautiful front porch, an open back deck and screened-in gazebo. The gazebo and back deck look out over the back yard which includes a pond. A woodsy band of trees buffer the yard from the neighboring fields and railroad tracks.

Ohio Front Porch

Ohio Gazebo

Ohio Gazebo

Ohio Gazebo

But my “musing”, “From the Front Porch” writing and posts – since leaving Florida, they have been coming “From the Winnebago”….

morning

The recliner chair with a little side table and warm task light make a cozy spot to be still, to think, to listen, to write. And a bonus is that in the morning I have the sunrise out the east facing window opposite my chair.

morning

morning

Biscuits 101

Ha! – I’m north of the Mason-Dixon Line by a good ways and I made a wonderful batch of biscuits. (see biscuit failure post)

Ok, I did not make them – I particpated…as in watching, photographing and generally playing the student to my college professor friend as she made them. AND…she gave me the recipe… Being extremely confident and pretty much of the mind that there is not much I can’t do, I feel sure that I’ll be able to duplicate this success. It might be a while before I try so I’m posting this recording of the lesson, just to keep my head in the game!

Biscuit baking lesson

Ready for the oven – they are rising already! …yeah, that’s a bottle AND GLASS of wine sitting there by the biscuits. We don’t do much at the house without wine. We pretty much live by the frig magnet that says “I always cook with wine…sometimes I put it in the food”. I say “pretty much” because in the week I’ve been here, NONE of the wine has gone in the food…

Biscuit baking lesson

Tall, lightly browned – gorgeous!!!

Biscuit baking lesson

The humble instructor.

THE RECIPE

2 cups sifted flour

3 t baking powder (measure heavy)
½ t salt
5 T shortening
2/3 cup buttermilk

Sift flour, baking powder and salt together. Cut in shortening, then add milk and work into soft dough. Knead lightly on floured board, roll to ½ inch thick. Cut and place on baking sheet. Bake at 450 for 12 minutes or until light brown.

Somewhere down the road – literally, I’ll report on my own, unsupervised effort…

Oh! – These were delicious. We had them with creamed chicken over top – yum!

Sunset

Sunset night before last…I have relied on photos recently and I will again – a tough, rough, sad evening last night… As always, playing with light and color … helps.

rural Ohio sunset:

Rural OH Sunset

Rural OH Sunset

Rural OH Sunset

Rural OH Sunset

Rural OH Sunset

Kisses from Karl

Kisses

Hello sweety…

Kisses

Kisses…

Kisses

Karl likes to “french”…

Friend

My good friend – in addition to friendship of 35 some years duration – we were in high school band together – she lets my dog give her kisses!