chats on the farmhouse porch | Thoughts of Grace

Chatting on the Deck

“Chats on the Farmhouse Porch” is a group of friends
gathering to visit,
sip their favorite beverages,
nibble delicious treats
and share their likes and dislikes.

Patrice and Wendell have invited me to join the chatting.
Patrice provides the questions,
we answer.

Do you have a vegetable garden this year? Have you in previous years?

the Farmer plants a large vegetable garden every year.
Our squash is already producing buckets each picking
This is what he put out to sell on Tuesday night

What is your computer sitting on right now? Desk, dining room table, lap…

june11 001 This is how my corner of our home looks this evening.

Do you go shorter with your hair in the summer?

I’ve worn my hair long for 49 years.
Most of the time it is in a braided pony tail.

Are you an early top bed person, or a night owl?
NIGHT OWL! I have loved the quiet hours after everyone went to bed and I was all alone.

Tell me something funny. I’ll tell you something funny too. 🙂

My cats thinks this is a cat door.

Join Patrice on her porch here.

Published in:

chats on the farmhouse porch

on June 11, 2014 at 10:38 pm Comments (7)
Tags: braided pony tail, cat door?, Night owl, Vegetable gardens

Chats on the Deck

“Chats on the Farmhouse Porch” is a group of friends
gathering to visit,
sip their favorite beverages,
nibble delicious treats
and share their likes and dislikes.

Patrice and Wendell have invited me to join the chatting.
Patrice provides the questions,
we answer.

What’s your favorite method of travel?

Road trips in the RV are #1.

Trains #2, I want to see what I’m passing by

If you wear jewelry, are you more likely to wear silver or gold?

I don’t, but if I did it would be some of both

How often do you wear sunglasses?

I don’t my glasses are tinted, that works for me.

Which would be easier for you to leave undone (for a short period of time), dishes or laundry?

Laundry, it’s out of sight!

On a scale of 1-10 (1-hardly any+ 10- house is full), how much clutter have you collected?

If you walk in and look around it’s a ‘2’ you got me on a good day. I picked stuff up yesterday. If you start checking in the cupboards or drawers or the stash shed, please, don’t

I guess know you know the good, bad and ugly about me, if you’re want to learn what others are up to click here and join us on the porch.

Published in:

chats on the farmhouse porch

on April 1, 2014 at 1:00 pm Comments (7)

Chats on the Deck

“Chats on the Farmhouse Porch” is a group of friends
gathering to visit,
sip their favorite beverages,
nibble delicious treats
and share their likes and dislikes.

Patrice and Wendell have invited me to join the chatting.
Patrice provides the questions,
we answer.

What are your favorite condiments?

Hands down – Ketchup – my daughter-in-law always laughs at me.

What are you reading?

Reading – Case Histories by Kate Atkinson
Listening to – The Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club by Wanda Brunsetter

What was the last dessert you had?

SShhhh, don’t tell anyone – Last night – brownie mix with two cups of chopped pecans mixed up (no oil) and eaten with a spoon. I keep it in the fridge and nibble on it when I need a chocolate fix.

Wendell would like to know if you would build him a snowman. (If you don’t have snow, just pretend. He’s not detail oriented.)

I would build Wendell a green snowman with a crown of carrots sprinkled with molasses grain.

Tell me something fun or interesting.

Buster’s newest special spot to sleep, especially if I’m trying to type.
I think he likes getting nudged every time
I need to use the buttons along the right hand side of the keyboard.

Published in:

chats on the farmhouse porch

on March 18, 2014 at 12:39 pm Comments (5)
Tags: Chats on the Farmhouse porch

Chats on the Deck

“Chats on the Farmhouse Porch” is a group of friends
gathering to visit,
sip their favorite beverages,
nibble delicious treats
and share their likes and dislikes.

Patrice and Wendell have invited me to join the chatting.
Patrice provides the questions,
we answer.

My Buster doesn’t look as cozy as Opal, but this is where the Farmer found him.
Buster was sleeping on the Farmer’s childhood rocking chair
that is hanging upside-down from the freezer in the breezeway between the sheds.

Do you like avocados?

I love avocados and guacamole.
I think my favorite way to eat avocados
is on a bacon and tomato sandwich,
bread toasted, no lettuce and add a little mustard, please.

Have you ever gone on a roller coaster?

Small ones when I was a kid,
I don’t have any desire to ride a roller coaster now.

Do you do cross stitch, needlepoint, crewel work, or needle punch?
I’ve done all but needle punch.
Counted cross stitch is by far my favorite.

Do you cook with gas or electric?

I cook with propane.
The downside of using propane is that it blackens the pan bottoms.

Tell me something good, pleasant, or uplifting. Please.
Spring IS Coming!

Published in:

on March 5, 2014 at 12:19 am Comments (2)

Chats on the Deck

“Chats on the Farmhouse Porch” is a group of friends
gathering to visit,
sip their favorite beverages,
nibble delicious treats
and share their likes and dislikes.

Patrice and Wendell have invited me to join the chatting.
Patrice provides the questions,
we answer.

1. Have you been watching the Olympics?

No, really not interested.

2. Does the grey winter affect your moods?

No, the cooler/cold weather is better for me than the heat.

3. When was the last time you held a baby?

About 2-3 months ago

4. Do you do a thorough spring cleaning each year?

Again, NO, I don’t know if I’ve ever done a real spring clean.

5. Please tell Wendell a bedtime story. He asked. I said I’d ask you.If you don’t feel that creative, tell him a favorite book you think he might like. please:)

Just for Wendell, but the rest of you may listen.

This little horsie brought carrots at the market.
This little horsie washed them clean at home.
This little horsie made carrot soup.
This little horsie licked the bowl clean.
This little horsie slept all night with his belly full.
Ah, Home Sweet Home.

Do you want to hear more stories? Click here.

Published in:

chats on the farmhouse porch

on February 19, 2014 at 5:08 am Comments (4)

Chatting on the Porch — Randomness

“Chats on the Farmhouse Porch” is a group of friends
gathering to visit,
sip their favorite beverages,
nibble delicious treats
and share their likes and dislikes.

Patrice and Wendell have invited me to join the chatting.
Patrice provides the questions,
we answer.

How many animals do you have?
Two fur balls, Grey – Busterford Jones, male and female Grissabel.
My daughter named them from the musical ‘Cats’.

Have you begun Christmas plans, travel, decorations, crafts, menu, etc.?

My side of the family will get together the Saturday after Christmas at my son’s home for a traditional turkey dinner. Our family’s Christmas date is not decided. We drew names for gifts last month.

Do you celebrate Harvest Season or Halloween?

Harvest Season if any celebrating goes on.

How do you heat your house?

‘Catalytic safety heater’ is the name on the front of the heater in our RV. We turned it on for the first time last night. I sit in front of it (that is where there is room for my chair), the Farmer sits at the table, I cook – he freezes. We have to use a fan to circulate the heat. 🙂

Do you like dishes with white centers or centers with patterns?

I love dishes! When I was young I wanted all white federalist dinnerware, I never got it. I still like a simpler pattern for dinner, but fun stuff for the rest of the time.

Are you interested in reading more answers? Click here.

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on October 15, 2013 at 5:43 pm Comments (2)

Chatting on the Porch – Potluck

“Chats on the Farmhouse Porch” is a group of friends
gathering to visit,
sip their favorite beverages,
nibble delicious treats
and share their likes and dislikes.

Patrice and Wendell have invited me to join the chatting.
Patrice provides the questions,
we answer.

What’s the one thing you feel is the biggest waste of your time during an average week?

Yep, the internet, I have cut back, but still find time has flown while surfing.
Maybe I should let Grissabel sleep longer.

When was the last time you baked a pie?

I can’t remember. I did bake a cobbler in August, it didn’t turn out very good.

What do you want to spend time doing that you aren’t right now?

My next chores are dicing green peppers to freeze and folding a putting away laundry – I rather knit.

What do you do with old clothes?

Donate or toss. I hadn’t heard of fabric recycling.

If we were having lunch on the porch today, what would you bring for the potluck styled lunch?

Oh, my, with quiche and apple pie; I’d bring sour cream peach scones with fresh sliced peaches and mock devonshire cream, and fresh sliced tomatoes from the garden. What time do we arrive?

Join us for a pretend potluck here.

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on September 17, 2013 at 12:10 pm Comments (14)

Chatting on the Deck- about Lessons, Eating, Changes, Gazing & Shopping

“Chats on the Farmhouse Porch” is a group of friends
gathering to visit,
sip their favorite beverages,
nibble delicious treats
and share their likes and dislikes.

Patrice and Wendell have invited me to join the chatting.
Patrice provides the questions,
we answer.

Did you ever take piano lessons, as a child or adult?

Yes, during high school, I remember practicing every afternoon after school 5 days a week . I can just pick out a little with my right hand.

How many times do you eat out each month?

More times than I want to admit.

If you could snap you fingers and change on thing about your appearance, what would that be? (Temporary or permanent)

Oh, to never have to think about my weight again.

Do you like looking at art or photography? Do you go to any place that displays them?

I love looking at all the wonderful photographs I find on many blogs.

This one of my favorite pictures found on a blog.

Do you have new things for your fall/ winter wardrobe?

Looking for new shoes, so hard to find. My feet are tired so I have to pamper them.

Chat with us here.

Published in:

chats on the farmhouse porch

on September 10, 2013 at 11:55 am Comments (14)

Chatting on the Deck – Juice and Jingles

“Chats on the Farmhouse Porch” is a group of friends
gathering to visit,
sip their favorite beverages,
nibble delicious treats
and share their likes and dislikes.

Patrice and Wendell have invited me to join the chatting.
Patrice provides the questions,
we answer.

Are you looking forward to fall?

YES, I love the fall. Our beautiful undressing Maple tree.

What are the three best colors for you to wear, and the three worst?

This is hard, I have a very limited wardrobe. I like purple, teal, and black. Orange and pinks don’t do anything for me.

What is your favorite kind of juice? If you are not into juice, you can tell us your favorite flavor of soda, tea, coffee, Tang, mud, etc.

I like Tomato juice and Orange Juice.

Have you ever been in the hospital (at least an overnight)? You don’t need to share the ailment, but tell us what the longest time is.

When I was 19, I was in the hospital for 6 weeks, less a day to go to church.

Do jingles, songs from ads, and TV or movie themes stick in your head? Do you find yourself singing them? (This question means that I’m trying to find out if I’m the only crazy person who sings quirky stuff!)

That is easy, at random times, without any prompting, I break out with: “I’m an Oscar Meyer Wiener!” I could not resist adding this commercial, Oscar Meyer Wiener, 1965.

Isn’t it fun to chat? Join us here.

Published in:

chats on the farmhouse porch

on July 31, 2013 at 12:02 pm Comments (6)
Tags: Maple tree, Oscar Meyer Wiener

Chatting on the Deck – Recipe and Games

“Chats on the Farmhouse Porch” is a group of friends
gathering to visit,
sip their favorite beverages,
nibble delicious treats
and share their likes and dislikes.

Patrice and Wendell have invited me to join the chatting.
Patrice provides the questions,
we answer.

Have you cooked any interesting dishes lately?

I recently tried a recipe from Raley’s Something Extra magazine, Garlic and Herb Potato Stacks. I’ve spent 20 minutes trying to find the recipe on line so I wouldn’t have to type it, no luck. I feel like complaining about the unfriendly search program for recipes, but won’t.

1 pound Yukon gold potatoes (about 2-inches in diameter)
3/4 pound red potatoes (about 2-inches in diameter)
3/4 cup finely shredded Rumiano Dry Jack Cheese divided
1/4 cup melted butte
2 tbsp.chopped fresh herbs(rosemary, thyme and sage ( I used dry Italian seasoning )
1 tbsp. spicy brown mustard
3/4 tsp. Mccormick Smokehouse pepper
1/2 tsp sea salt
4 cloves garlic minced

Preheat oven 400 degres F and spray muffin cups with nonstick cooking spray ( I just layered in a baking dish.)
Cut potatoes in thin slices.
Place in large bowl with 1/2 cup cheese, butter, herbs, mustard, pepper, salt, and garlic
Mix well with fingers (thi is the fun part) so all sides of potatoes are covered
Stack in muffin tins or baking dish
Scrape bowl to get all the goodies spoon over potatoes
Top with remaining cheese
Bake for 20 minutes, then tent with foil and bake for 20-25 more minutes until tender when pierced with sharp knife.

I really like this tangy, cheesy scalloped like potatoes

PS After I clicked publish I thought – Google – presto! here is the link with picture

http://www.raleys.com/www/apps/recipes/recipe.jsp?recipeid=2339909

What question would you like to ask Wendell?

Are you staying cool this summer/does Patrice put ice in your water bucket?

Have you had any thoughts of Christmas yet?

Yes, I bought some stamped pillow cases to embroider for ________. In case they read my blog.

Do you make jams and jellies?

I haven’t in a long time, we don’t eat much jam since the kidlets are gone. One of my favories is strawberry fig jam, made with figs and strawberry jello, simple and yummy.

Do you have any board games that you enjoy?

I prefer card games. We’re playing ‘May I’ a variation of rummy and some cribbage.

I’ve been enjoying a bit of cooler summer, but weather man says will heat up again to over 100 degrees by the weekend.
Stay cool.

Join us here.

Published in:

chats on the farmhouse porch

on July 17, 2013 at 12:35 pm Comments (6)
Tags: strawberry fig jam

Chatting on the Deck – Bacon, Peaches & Pottery

“Chats on the Farmhouse Porch” is a group of friends
gathering to visit,
sip their favorite beverages,
nibble delicious treats
and share their likes and dislikes.

Patrice and Wendell have invited me to join the chatting.
Patrice provides the questions,
we answer.

Bacon or sausage? If vegetarian, what do you have for breakfast?

BACON crispy, I even like Bacon, tomato, avocado sandwiches for breakfast.

Do you take time to “smell the roses”?

Yes, I have always thought taking time for myself is an important thing. Sometimes it seemed selfish, but usually afterward I was better for it.

What’s your favorite stone fruit? (Peaches,nectarines,plums, apricots, and cherries are i n the stone fruit family.)

White freestone peaches

What is the thing people notice most about your personality? ( quiet- outgoing- polite-funny-etc.)

I’m not sure, but I think it would be – consistency

Is there a hobby that you have wanted to do, but haven’t started yet?

Pottery, learning to make a mug or bowl would be fun.

Wendell, what size bowl do you want for your carrots?

visit with others here.

Published in:

chats on the farmhouse porch

on July 10, 2013 at 1:53 am Comments (9)

Chatting on the Deck

“Chats on the Farmhouse Porch” is a group of friends
gathering to visit,
sip their favorite beverages,
nibble delicious treats
and share their likes and dislikes.

Patrice and Wendell have invited me to join the chatting.
Patrice provides the questions,
we answer.

How many times a week do you have a green or veggie salad?

a couple times a week, I don’t take the time to cutting up veggies
Beginnings of this seasons harvest

Do you pray? (You may skip this if you do not wish to answer.)

yes, daily

What season is your birthday? You do not need to give us the date.

Summer – August, my favorite season is fall.

Do you have dinner guests often, every now and then or not at all? Wendell says he can be there for dinner as quick as a wink!

not as often as we use to due to space issues

Could you describe yourself as a DIY- Do It Yourselfer?

I am a do it myself knitter.

Join us by clicking here

Published in:

chats on the farmhouse porch

on June 12, 2013 at 11:19 am Comments (2)

Chatting on the Porch

“Chats on the Farmhouse Porch” is a group of friends
gathering to visit,
sip their favorite beverages,
nibble delicious treats
and share their likes and dislikes.

Patrice and Wendell have invited me to join the chatting.
Patrice provides the questions,
we answer.

When it comes to vegetables, which do you use more often- canned frozen, or fresh?

We use a lot of fresh vegetables, think Wholefoods. In summertime, the Farmer’s garden, Love the fresh tomatoes! There are certain brands of canned veggies I buy, I don’t buy the cheapest canned, ugh.

Do you sew?

Yes, I’ve been sewing since high school. I’ve made clothes for the whole family and quilts for just about everyone.. All the children, boys and girls, could use a sewing machine. The Girls are using their skills for income these days.You can see Emily’s site here and Margaret’s here . Mary is more into spinning and knitting than sewing, her blog reflects those talents. Nope, not proud at all.

Do you have a common fear, such as the fear of heights, spiders, snakes, small spaces, flying, etc?

Just riding with someone else driving, I talked about this before.

Is there anything you recommend for cutting the grocery bill?

Shop the perimeter of the store, cheaper and healthier.

Tell me about something that made you happy over the past week.

Seeing a picture our 7 year old grandson, Anthony, painted with water colors, I couldn’t believe he had done it. It is beautiful.His mother was asked, ” Are you sure that his teacher did not paint this?” She answered “That was my first thought (chuckle) but it was him. His teacher had a picture on the board and told the class to do “such and such stroke” with “such and such color”. The rest was Anthony”

Do you want to easedrop? click here

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on June 4, 2013 at 4:23 pm Comments (7)

Chatting on the Deck

“Chats on the Farmhouse Porch” is a group of friends
gathering to visit,
sip their favorite beverages,
nibble delicious treats
and share their likes and dislikes.

Patrice and Wendell have invited me to join the chatting.
Patrice provides the questions,
we answer.

QUESTIONS

When you were a child, what age did you think was “OLD”?

Early grammar school, I thought my grandparents were old, but at that time they must have been about 50. Any one balding was old, an uncle started balding in his 20’s, so I don’t think I was a good judge of age. I’m still not good at guessing someone’s age.

How often do you have dessert?

Two or three times a week, I do keep some dark chocolate around for emergencies.

What’s your favorite kind of exercise?

Does knitting qualify?

Do you watch movies on TV, movies from a rental or the library, or movies online?

Very seldom do I watch a movie.

Tell me something you remember about your grand mother’s/grand father’s house? I’m thinking of something you saw all of the time, like a picture, clock, statue, teapot. or some thing that was always there.

My Grandparent Ripley’s home – I can see the anniversary clock, turning back and forth, Lava soap in the bathroom, bees in the spare bedroom wall, buzzing all night long, pipe tobacco smoke, I liked Grandpa’s, and the buffet in the dining room, I asked for it as my keepsake, I love it. Now it resides at our son’s home, his name is Daniel Ripley, it just seemed like that is where it belonged. Most of all, the smiles and hugs and love that greeted us when we arrived and when we left sent us on our journeys. (I looked for a picture of the buffet, no luck – next time at Dan’s house I’ll take one for me.)

Join us on the porch

Published in:

on May 29, 2013 at 5:00 pm Comments (4)

Chatting on the Deck

“Chats on the Farmhouse Porch” is a group of friends
gathering to visit,
sip their favorite beverages,
nibble delicious treats
and share their likes and dislikes.

Patrice and Wendell have invited me to join the chatting.
Patrice provides the questions,
we answer.

QUESTIONS

Are you a heavy sleep, light sleeper, or somewhere in between?

I’m a heavy sleeper, most of the time I never know if/when the Farmer gets out of bed and I rarely hear the radio come on.

Are you currently reading anything interesting?

I just read ‘Love Anthony’ by Lisa Genova. Loved it! Topic autism, parts of the story are Anthony’s words.

Do you like to enter contests?

Not often, sometimes I comment on a blog contest – twice I’ve won.

Are you good about taking time to do things you enjoy?

Yes, see post Ten on Tuesday. Picnics.

What’s your favorite food to cook on the grill, or enjoy at a BBQ?

My Dad, missed greatly, BBQ-ed the best steaks and chicken, I can almost taste them.

To visit with other friends click here.

Published in:

on May 22, 2013 at 11:21 am Comments (4)
Tags: Lisa Genova, Love Anthony

Thoughts of Grace

My thoughts as I walk this path…

Chatting on the Deck

Chats on the Deck

Chats on the Deck

Chats on the Deck

Chats on the Deck

Chatting on the Porch — Randomness

Chatting on the Porch – Potluck

Chatting on the Deck- about Lessons, Eating, Changes, Gazing & Shopping

Chatting on the Deck – Juice and Jingles

Chatting on the Deck – Recipe and Games

Chatting on the Deck – Bacon, Peaches & Pottery

Chatting on the Deck

Chatting on the Porch

Chatting on the Deck

Chatting on the Deck

Leslie

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