The Return of Halloween at 514

The first time I met Everett it was close to Halloween. I was walking the dogs and he came out of his house down the road and we introduced ourselves. As we talked he told me he didn't like Halloween. He explained that this was something he changed his mind about as he got older. I was a bit taken aback. Halloween had always been such a traditional holiday in my childhood and my teaching years.

 

He explained to me he didn't like the focus on evil. It is true that as the years went by Halloween did take on a life of its own with scary movies, scarier costumes, haunted houses, and Scarywood. I didn't think too much about it until the next Halloween rolled around and we were married. I made a shift in my seasonal decor from jack-o-lanterns and witches to harvest pumpkins and scarecrows for Everett. I put on my Halloween costume when I arrived at school.

Because of the location of our house we never got trick-or-treaters. Then we moved back to my hometown and on the street where I grew up, the street every house handed out candy on Halloween. The first year we just went out during the trick-or-treat time. Another year we had dinner in the SheShed. Everett then decided it didn't bother him as much so I handed out candy. Not last year.

Last Halloween was the last day Everett was ever home. Little did I know when I drove him to the ER that he would not return. That day he was taken by ambulance to Kootenai Health for a serious infection. That day a year ago started a journey of  illness, isolation in the Covid Unit (even though he was asymptomatic), and further long days in the hospital.

Today Halloween will return to 514. I won't wear a costume or cover the outside of the house with creepy decorations. I will just greet the costumed children, smile, and hand out candy like my days of childhood. I think Everett would now say, "Not too shabby"

Honoring Dad on His Birthday, A Blog Post From the Archives

I love this blog post I wrote to honor Dad on his birthday in 2012. The first picture shows the house I live in now when it was put up for sale the first time. Boy, has it changed. 

Dad Loved October

Today my dad would have been eighty-two years old. He died sixteen years ago . As I was organizing and reorganizing  pictures today I kept remembering Dad.

Dad loved October. Bowling season had begun. He got to enjoy the World Series, NFL games, and college football games in his easy chair with a can of beer. The weather was cooler to golf. He could watch the Kellogg Wildcats play from the porch of Dirty Ernie's. He could watch the leaves turn on Cameron Ave.

Sunsets were always beautiful in October as Dad sat on the front porch. He enjoyed all the leaves turning red, yellow, and orange.  He also  loved to burn leaves in the street. Although he didn't always like doing yard work, he seemed to like raking leaves and putting them in big piles. When he got a shredder he ran the corn husks through, then put them in the compost to enrich the soil for the next year. He stood around while his friend Donnie showed him how to trim raspberry bushes in October.

He always got out his flannel shirts and changed to a warmer hat. He loved a full moon and would belt out the lyrics to "Shine On... Shine On Harvest Moon." When we were small he would walk us up to Joe and Henry's for a root beer and took us around trick-or-treating hoping to get a cool one at some friend's house. When I was older him and Mom would come to Moscow to cheer on the Vandals. 

October meant canned goods from his mother in Spokane, roasts and homemade soups on Sunday, and later apples from the orchard below my house. He was so excited when the orchard owner told him he could take what he wanted. He drove his Chevy Lumina down the orchard road and loaded up.

October was that time before his knees started to hurt, his gout flared up, the roads got slick, and the sidewalk had to be shoveled. In early evening he could see his world from the front porch and later enjoy the warm light inside as he called it a night.

The Journey to Elizabeth Park

 I have always been told that the road from the cemetery in Kellogg ends up in Elizabeth Park if you head east. I don't know why, but I have never gone further than the spot I take Riley for his run. As kids Mom and Dad probably thought we would have to climb a mountain pass and travel on a narrow road so we just drove there from the main road. 

For those of you not familiar with Shoshone County, Elizabeth Park is neighborhood out of the Kellogg city limits that has a mixture of houses and a park surrounded by a circle of houses. 

Today I decided to use my pioneer spirit and keep going on the dirt road and see how far it was to Elizabeth Park. 

The drive I have taken is always beautiful, but as I traveled further east today I was surrounded by trees and a rutty, muddy road. In about six minutes I saw house lights, vehicles , and a better road. There I was at Elizabeth Park.

Tomorrow I am going to start from Elizabeth Park and head west. Enjoy the photo journey on the dirt road today to Elizabeth Park. Here are a few more photos of our journey today.

The Tastes of Fall: Keepers from the Recipe Box

 Fall always reminds me of certain flavors, certain smells, and certain dishes I make every year.  I love homey desserts and crockpot soups when the days shorten and there is a chill in the air. 

Here are some of my favorite fall recipes:

Libby's Pumpkin Roll

I have been making this dessert for years. It took me a few tries to get the cake rolled up the right way, but finally I learned how to do it. I like the dessert also because it freezes well. https://www.verybestbaking.com/libbys/recipes/libby-s-pumpkin-roll/

Caramel Apple Skillet Cake

I prepared this cake a year ago and it was a big hit. I am going to add it to my fall dessert recipes again this year.  https://houseofyumm.com/caramel-apple-skillet-cake/

Zucchini Oatmeal Cake

This cake works for breakfast, snacks or a dessert. Just eat it all day!

Zucchini Oatmeal Cake

Bake this in a 10 or 12-cup Bundt cake pan or in a 9x13x2-inch pan.

Cook Time: 70 minutes

Total Time: 70 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup quick-cooking oats
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 1/2 sticks butter (6 ounces)
• 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar, packed
• 3 large eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
• ½ teaspoon almond extract
• 3/4 cup sour cream
• 2 cups shredded zucchini
• 3/4 cup sliced almonds

Preparation:

Grease and flour a 10- to 12-cup bundt cake pan. Heat oven to 325°.

In a bowl, combine the flour, oats, baking powder, soda, salt, and spices; set aside. In a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer, cream butter and brown sugar until light. Beat in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition; beat in the vanilla. Slowly beat in the dry ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk and ending with the dry ingredients. Stir in shredded zucchini and nuts. Spoon into the prepared baking pan.

Bake for 65 to 75 minutes, or until golden brown and a cake tester or toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on a rack for 10 minutes; invert onto a serving plate to cool completely. Glaze or dust with powdered sugar or make a cream cheese glaze.

When the weather cools I love making soups. I also love making soups in the crock pots because the house if filled with the savory smells all day and when the day is over, dinner is ready. Here are two of my favorite crock pot soup recipes. 

Best Crockpot Minestrone

This is a favorite because you can improvise and toss in leftover vegetables or other ingredients.

https://www.familyfreshmeals.com/2014/11/the-best-crockpot-minestrone-soup.html

Crockpot Beef Barley Soup

This is a delicious soup to enjoy after a day out in the chilly weather. 

https://www.thechunkychef.com/slow-cooker-beef-barley-soup-recipe/

I hope you have a chance to try one of these recipes on a chilly day in front of the fire or around the table with family and friends. 

Update on Embracing Autumn

 I did a post titled "Embracing Autumn on September 13th. I created a list of things that help me embrace autumn. You can find that post here: 

https://gatheringaroundthetable.blogspot.com/2021/09/things-to-do-to-embrace-autumn.html

I revisited that post today to see how I was doing and to remind me of what elseI want to do to embrace autumn. 

I have taken photos at the cemetery, but not up the river yet.

I have captured photos of autumn sunsets.

I have eaten a caramel apple. Actually more than one! The best way for me to eat a caramel apple is with slices and caramel.

I have lit my favorite Sweater Weather candle numerous times.

I have made chili in the crockpot.

I have put mums on the porch and the window box.

I still have a few more items on the original list to enjoy, but there are many days of autumn left. Other things I have done to embrace autumn include building a fire in the fire pit outside, taking pictures of fallen leaves, and enjoying brisk walks with Riley. 

How are you embraced autumn?

A Perfect Retreat

The back door of my cabin with a place to grill and eat.

 Last week I spent four days at Sanctuary Farm south of Alberton, Montana. Sanctuary Farm is a working farm and my cabin was surrounded by chickens, roosters, one peacock, and goats in the woods. The owners turned a huge shop into a vacation rental. They also rent out a Yurt. I was only planning on staying three days, but as soon as I arrived I knew I wanted to stay longer.

Riley made himself at home.

Why would I go on a retreat? I love my sweet small home, my beautiful gardens, and my She Shed. Sometimes it is good to get away to read, write, think, and pray. I wasn't concerned about weeding or watering. I could just take a nap when I wanted, walk around the area if I wanted, and visit with the owners, their son, little kittens, and their dog Lucy. It was just what I needed.

The breakfast sandwich was bacon, eggs, and cheddar cheese placed between two sourdough waffles with syrup on the side.

The owner Liz is a chef. She sells breakfast sandwiches for renters. My oh my... the sandwich was a perfect way to start the day. Riley didn't know what to think of the chickens and decided he wasn't a bird dog. All he wanted to do was take walks off the property where he could run free. 

The name is perfect. It really is a sanctuary. I hope to return.