The Great Hallowe'en Extravaganza of 2015!

Somewhere around 14 years ago, Bruce and Cade started going on special Father/Son hunting trips to Eastern Montana. They ALWAYS went over Fall break (which ALWAYS encompassed Cade's birthday weekend- so I would have to buy and wrap some small gift, some candies, a special dessert, and birthday candles and implore Bruce not to forget to make a fuss on Cade's actual birthday day- but that's another story) and they were ALWAYS  gone at least 3-4 days and it was ALWAYS just about 2 wks. before Hallowe'en. 

(2006- Cade is barely 17)

This was, also, the same time that Cass had gone off to Gonzaga to college, and so, Chelsey and I found ourselves alone for the weekend. We would decorate the house for Hallowe'en, and then, rent a scary Hallowe'en movie to watch while eating a Town Pump pizza- illuminated only by our Hallowe'en lights! One time, I remember getting so spooked, we didn't leave each others side until the next morning! LOL!

 (2006- Hwy 200 house)

 It was such a success, we looked forward to doing it, year after year. We added a few new traditions, as time went by. Chelsey would pick out a favorite dessert- usually cheesecake bars, or later, when those were nowhere to be found, she would get banana Zingers. Somewhere along the line, we added putting together a Halloween puzzle, and doing some crafts.

When she left for college, she was close enough to home, that we were able to continue our tradition! Even upon graduation, Chelsey served with the Americorps in Spokane, and she popped home for our annual get together.

It was when she left for medical school in Birmingham, AL that I thought I would die. I was so sad- the closer it got to Hallowe'en, the more nostalgic I became... and then, Chelsey came up with a wonderful idea! We rented identical movies, made pizza, sat on the couch at the same time (1400 miles apart) counted to 3, and pushed the play button on our DVD's, while we chatted on our phones to each other! And the tradition continued!  And one year, Chelsey actually bought herself a plane ticket, and flew home so we could be together for our weekend! It was THAT important.

 (2009)

Fast forward to 2015. Chelsey is a Pediatric Neuro-Psychologist in Oncology and Cardiology at Seattle Children's Hospital. She worked a full day at the hospital last Thurs., jumped into her car, and made the 7 hr. drive home. She didn't come in until 2 am. Friday morning!!! But from that time on, we never wasted a minute!!!

 We started out by taking advantage of a lovely day, and doing our Fall traditional picnic at the Power Park in Thompson Falls.

This is a GORGEOUS little park set by the river. We've been coming here for our Fall picnics ever since we moved to TF 29 yrs. ago! And I don't really think it's changed in all that time!

It's always crisp and cold, and we're, generally, the only people in the park.

Of course, Kaya came, too. ;)

After eating, we walked the loop trail- ablaze with color! So much beauty!

 

 There are a few places where I've taken a photo of the kids EVERY time they come to the park... this year was no exception.

At home, we started working on our craft projects.
The first was making cheesecloth ghosts!

For having NO clue what we were doing, I think they turned out pretty well!

(Chelsey's ghost)

Another craft was leaf lanterns

Hard to tell in this photo, but they are really pretty! especially when lit up!

At some point, over the weekend, we did our nails for Hallowe'en!

Chelsey put on spiders!

Mine are a graveyard!

We worked on a GREAT Hallowe'en puzzle, and finished it on Sunday morning!
And of course, we watched scary movies, and ate homemade pizza and cheesy bread!

Sunday morning, we visited Bruce at the check station

before saying good-bye to Chelsey

Another Hallowe'en extravaganza over-
another memory made and cherished.
Traditions tend to be VERY important in our family...
and this is why.

The old bean pot

When Bruce and I were first married, Aug. 18, 1979, someone gave us this stoneware casserole dish. It was the PERFECT size for the two of us, and I concocted many dishes in it- mushroom rice casserole, tuna noodle casserole, etc. but one of our favorites was using it for Beanie Wienies. 

:)

(Which is simply your favorite baked bean recipe with hot dogs cut in half, and stuffed in the beans to bake). It didn't start becoming too small until Chelsey was born. By that time, Cass was getting bigger, and eating a bit more, and the bean pot got pushed farther and farther back in the cupboard.

 Years passed. Incredibly good years, filled with laughter and love and family- Growth and change and bittersweet moments. Indescribably sweet and precious AND BUSY!

And then, we come to today.

Today was a perfect Fall day. Crisp and cool, with high temperatures in the mid 60's. I wanted to make something simple for dinner- something different- something we hadn't had in awhile, and I suddenly thought of ... Beanie Wienies! And, then, I thought about that old casserole dish we'd moved from home to home over the last 36 years.

The kids are gone- 

They've got homes of their own, as it should be.

And we're back to the beginning again. Just Bruce and me. 

And an old stoneware bean pot that's the PERFECT size for the two of us.

Soul Cakes

It's no secret that I love Hallowe'en! :)

I love the season, the colors, the cooler temperatures, and that slight haze in the air. I love the cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, pumpkin baked goods! the sweet, syrupy, apple goodies! cornbread and cider, and squash! I love the stories, the sense that perchance, conceivably, just MAYBE magic is real... and the assurance that SOMEday, I really WILL see a witch flying across the full moon. I love bonfires, and burning leaves, and working outside in a sweater putting things away because Winter is coming. I love cornshocks, and pumpkins, and purple Mums. 

I love Hallowe'en.

I spent today, trying to use up our apples. I baked 6 apple breads to freeze, and one apple crisp for Bruce's dessert. And while chopping apples, I was thinking about my heritage, and Samhain (pronounced Sow en) Our family is very Welsh, with a bit of German, French and Irish tossed in. In other words, we're descended from the Celts. The Celts' new year started on Nov. 1st, but on their New Year's eve, they believed that the veil between the living and the dead was thin, and spirits were able to roam the Earth causing mischief. 

 The Celts would dress up as spirits, so the dead would think they were one of their own! And the poor would, then, go "souling"- in other words, they would go from house to house and pray for the souls of the people living there. The occupants of the house would give them "soul cakes"- one cake for each soul prayed for! The original trick-or-treat!

 

This intrigued me. I wanted to know WHAT a soul cake was- so, I googled it! and lo! and behold! I found a recipe. ;)  SO- I tried it! And now YOU can, too!

Ingredients Nutrition

Servings 12 Units US

• 1 cup butter, two sticks American
• 3 ³⁄₄ cups sifted flour
• 1 cup fine sugar
• ¹⁄₄ teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ginger
• 1 teaspoon allspice
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons cider vinegar
• 4 -6 tablespoons milk
• powdered sugar, to sprinkle on top

 Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Cut the butter into the flour with a pastry blender or a large fork.
3. Blend in the sugar, nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon and allspice; beat eggs, vinegar, and milk together.
4. Mix with the flour mixture until a stiff dough is formed.
5. Knead thoroughly and roll out 1/4-inch thick.
6. Cut into 3-inch rounds and place on greased baking sheets. Prick several times with a fork and bake for 20-25 minutes.
7. Sprinkle lightly with powdered sugar while still warm.
   
   They are not cake-y... more.... like a shortbread cookie. Lightly sweet- a bit dry, but fantastic with coffee! I love the ginger/cinnamon/nutmeg/allspice flavor!

I'm actually very pleased with myself! and I feel oddly connected to my ancestors- To think, I'm replicating a recipe originally made in 500 A.D.!!!

Happy Souling!

A trip to Noxon in October

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower". ~Albert Camus

I got to attend a birthday party at a park in Noxon, yesterday. Although it was a cold, cloudy day with occasional drizzles, the drive there and back was breathtaking! 

 

(again- do me a favor, and click on each individual photo to enlarge them)

 

 

My mother used to say that in October, the mountains pulled on their patchwork quilts to stay warm. It's certainly what it looks like- the patches of brilliant Aspen and Tamarack yellow and orange, the red of Mountain Maples.

 

It reminded me of a poem...

“October's Party
October gave a party;
The leaves by hundreds came -
The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples,
And leaves of every name.
The Sunshine spread a carpet,
And everything was grand,
Miss Weather led the dancing,
Professor Wind the band.”
― George Cooper

I am in total agreement with  L.M. Montgomery, (author of Anne of Green Gables)

 “I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”

For Ayn

It's a grey day today. October's flawless blue skies are covered with heavy, thick clouds. Is it an extension of my feelings? or does it contribute to the melancholy I feel? Regardless, it seems apropos.

Last night, I found out I'd lost, yet ANOTHER good friend- and to make things even odder, she, also, lost her life due to a fall. Apparently, she fell, suffered a brain hemorrhage and was in a coma for several days. Ayn Cabaniss died yesterday morning, Oct. 18, 2015. 

 

Ayn was several years younger than I. She was my college room mate, my Sophomore year at Hillsdale College in Michigan. Ayn was the youngest of three children born and raised in the South. She had a lovely, slow accent that I can still hear when I close my eyes. She was SUPER intelligent, spunky, and out spoken. She served the Peace Corps in Samoa, and traveled all over the World. She had a heart for animals, and rescued many, many, many souls. She was brave, and courageous, and insightful, and she loved her three boys.

Last Spring, we'd made plans to meet up again- It had been 10 1/2 yrs since we'd last spent time together. Ayn was going to be in our area for some reason... We made up a spare bedroom for her- but then, it just didn't happen. Her plans changed. I was busy. We said we'd have to make an effort to see each other over the Summer, but then, that didn't happen either. 

 

So, therein lies the lesson.

 Everyday Life is insidious. It steadfastly proceeds in an inconspicuous or seemingly harmless way but actually has a grave effect. It fosters lost opportunities in the guise of comfort and propagates regrets.   

Having lost 3 friends in 3 months, I think  Muhammad Ali has it right. 

“Don't count the days, make the days count.”

Carpe Diem. 

Seize the day.

Live each day as if you were dying- because you are.

Stop taking Life for granted. 

Live and love and push yourself to DO those things important to you.

NOW.

My favorite season

One thing I truly miss, by being retired, is my drive into school every day. I never tired of traveling Blue Slide because every day the scenery would change... just a bit, as the seasons ebbed and flowed into each other.  So, I was excited to have a few workshops in and around Trout Creek and Noxon last week, and I made sure I took my camera along. 

It's a bit of an odd year. Some trees are turning color early, and others are barely turning color at all. (to do the photos justice, please click on the photo to open it to original size!)

And to top it off, we STILL have too much smoke in the air,

although, it varies from one day to the next.

(same photo, just one day apart! Frankly, I love the muted tones in the top shot- but that's just me, apparently)

 At home, we're just starting to get color.

 

Our Oak, usually so far behind the maples, has decided to try to keep up this year.

The Maple in front is further along than the Maple in back...

And the Canadian Red looks to be on fire when the sun shines through the leaves!

(open the photo! You'll see what I mean!)

Today, I had to travel Blue Slide towards Thompson Falls! Another spectacular experience!

I'm sure I'm a menace on the road... slowing down, stopping in the middle of the road-  I actually keep my camera on, with the lens cap off, and the windows rolled down, so I can capture the view in a moments' notice!

And I've earned my share of "looks" from people standing in their yards while I stop in front of their home and start snapping away! LOL!

 

It's worth it to me.  I will look at these photos for years to come, and relive the beauty of Fall in Western Montana.

Be prepared. I'm SURE to take MORE! ;)

(and PLEASE! click on the photos to open them up to original size- it makes SUCH a difference)

Making a decision

We're encompased by fire in my little oasis. The smoke is thick... seriously, as if you could-cut-it-with-a-knife thick. Whenever you venture outside, you end up, literally, chewing the smoke, and coming back inside with your clothes smelling like you've spent the night around a campfire. Our mountains have disappeared, and the surrounding trees are hazy.

It feels like the End Days, have arrived! or if Atlas has shrugged in an effort to rid himself of his human burden (an endeavor I wouldn't blame him for, one bit!) 

I'm constantly being fussed at by concerned friends, newscasts, newspapers, and radio to STAY INSIDE! Air quality is graphed as maroon... which apparently means it's as unhealthy as it can get. I understand. I'm an intelligent woman- regardless what some may tell you! ;) 

And yet......

I was recently shocked and devastated by the news of a friend's tragic death. Colleen was a retired teacher around my age whom I'd met online when she admired some of my photos posted on Wunderground. (here's the link if you're interested: http://www.wunderground.com/wximage/silvyr/) Colleen and I shared a love of horses. She had just retired, when I met her, and was in the process of building her dream home in Montana. And she accomplished this! and lived for several years in a lovely log cabin, furnished with Western decor. 

 But, the second part of her vision, was to own and ride her own horse. Colleen wanted to be a Montana cowgirl! With this in mind, I tried to steer her towards a safe, steady, reliable mount, but Colleen was not to be swayed, and she purchased a young, unbroken Paint mare, whom she named Shadow. I was not onboard... and I told all who would listen (read here Bruce and Chelsey) that I was afraid she'd never be able to ride the animal! But as time went by, I became aware of the fact that Shadow gave Colleen much more than just a horse to ride. With Shadow, Colleen was ushered into the "horsey" world.  She was able to talk about HER horse, and discuss training techniques, and what halters to buy, and shared her concern over how cold it was in the Winter, and did her horse need a blanket? etc.  And meanwhile, she was spending money on training... a lot of training... and Shadow turned into an amazing, gentle, steady mare.

On Aug. 6th, Shadow's trainer had Colleen out to the stable and started working with her on how to do ground work, etc.- the very first step toward realizing Colleen's goal of riding Shadow! And the next morning, a friend came to pick her up, and found her laying on the bathroom floor- dead. 

Dead. 

Taken way before her time... taken at a point in her life where she was so close to achieving a lifelong dream... a freak accident with a permanent ending.

 Just. Like. That. 

 And so... as I looked out at the smokey landscape I started thinking about what I would regret if I broke my neck tomorrow. Would I have wished to stay inside, twiddling my thumbs, cleaning, organizing, and getting mundane chores finished? OR would I have wished that I'd jumped on my horse, and taken her for a ride through the woods? Would I wish I hadn't chanced inhaling smoke?  Would I wish I'd waited until the smoke cleared from the valleys- (which could, and probably will, be months from now). Would I regret playing it safe inside my house?

(this photo was taken a year ago- note: no smoke!).

When I decided to retire, it was with the intention of grabbing hold of life with both hands, and taking it for a ride! My predominant vision being that I had things to do, and places to go, and I felt I was running out of time to accomplish it all. Colleens' death just exacerbated that feeling.  And so- Maggie and I took a gentle ride- no exertion which would leave us both breathing heavily- just a stroll through the woods, where we took note of the changing colors of underbrush (the ferns are turning yellow already!) and listened to birdsong, and discussed the possibility of seeing wildlife.  And it may have been stupid... or at the least, not entirely prudent... (although, I need to remind everyone that I do not smoke, nor do I have asthma, or any health problems) 

AND YET... 

I'll bet you, I'll remember this day, and this ride and be grateful for it on my deathbed, whenever that may be.

 AND,

 I bet.... Colleen would have chosen this, too, in her final moments.