october's daybook . . .

I know I say this every month (well, most every month -- somehow I completely missed September), but I cannot believe how quickly this year is passing! Here it is already October, and I just realized I completely missed doing a September daybook. Ah well; time may be passing quickly, but these days, I'm moving more slowly within it, so perhaps I'll catch up?!? (If that's not convoluted logic, I don't know what is!)

Outside my window... it is a gorgeous, fall afternoon. I've got all three of the bedroom windows open and I'm enjoy the sweet, fragrant breeze and the birdsong!

I am thinking... what a wonderful and gracious husband I have. He took my camera down to our guild's quilt show to take pictures for me. Isn't that sweet? It really hurts my heart to not go, but this morning was not a good one, so it wasn't worth the risk. But he knew how important it was to me, so he went by himself.

I am thankful... for my darling husband, my children, and friends and family who've all been so loving, caring, and supportive. Especially now as the long, slow, and tedious healing process begins.

From the learning rooms... I've been taking the EQ7 Tutorials and I'm learning so many fantastic things about the software and its application. I've also been going back and brushing up on some of the more basic embroidery stitches, to use in some felt wool projects I'm working on.

In the kitchen... I have no idea. I haven't been down there since Thursday! Haha!! :)

I am wearing... a cast. Haven't you heard?! It's all the rage these days . . .

I am creating... Christmas projects. Shhhhh.

I am going... no where until 10/10, which is when my next doctor's appointment is. Ah, and when I'll randomly choose a winner for my fall giveaway!! But to check that out, you need to go HERE.

I am wondering... if my headache will go away, what will we do for supper tonight, how Todd's making out at the quilt show, why didn't they let him in at the discounted rate, if I'm going to be able to easily make it up/down the steps today . . . my wonderings are rambling. :)

I am reading... Living by the Book, by Howard G. and William D. Hendricks. Great, great read on the art and science of reading the Bible. I'm also reading Sisters of the Quilt: The Complete Trilogy, by Cindy Woodsmall, and have a series by Beverly Lewis ready and waiting in the wings of my Kindle. And I'm also flitting around in the new Pumpkin Cookbook by Gooseberry Patch. I never wont for things to read! I'm also reading through a 30-Day Husband Challenge in conjunction with a a 31-Days of Praying For Your Husband. Very powerful and thought-provoking stuff.

I am hoping... steps are not going to be the issue I've built them up to being in my mind and that my headache goes away soon.

I am looking forward to... Jocelyn coming over tomorrow to continue our movie day!

I am hearing... not a whole lot -- a plane just went by overhead . . . perhaps a crop-dusting plane. The birds are still making bird noises, especially a blue jay and one of the woodpeckers!

Around the house... it's quiet. It's just only me. :)

I am pondering... how much easier adjustments have been this time around, as opposed to last time. Of course, I had time to prepare and knew what was coming, and that's probably the difference. But I do feel much better and brighter, even though the pain is a little more intense this time 'round. Taking a shower last night was far easier than I thought it was going to be, for instance. And I think we've come up with a plan for managing the meds that makes life easier, too. I'm *so* glad we decided to stay at the RV, rather than trying to make a move back to an empty house. It would have been so depressing to me. I love being up here in the woods!

One of my favorite things... hope. I have a hope that's grounded in faith. :)

A few plans for the rest of the week... let's see, Joc is coming to spend the day tomorrow, and perhaps on Thursday? My friend Reda is bringing a meal tomorrow evening and coming early for a bit of a visit. As far as the rest of the week, I'm not sure what it holds. Some stitching, some movie-watching, and some visiting. As for the rest, we'll just have to take it as it comes and see what I can do with it!

Here is picture for thought I am sharing... My Grandpa Wadleigh's birthday was October 1, and so I can't help but think of him as we start this month off. This photo was taken perhaps in October of 1992; we had gotten together to celebrate his birthday. He was quite a character and I loved him dearly.

What fun memories!

Lots of great entries going up for The Simple Woman's Daybook . . . head on over there and be sure to check some of them out!

:)

what's in a name . . .

Grandmother is the formal term, but through the years, hundreds of adaptations have found their way into the mouths of babes. From 'Granny' to 'Bibi' to 'Mimsy' and back again; the possibilities are endless.

I have a friend whose children call her mom, their grandma, "Sweetie." The reason is not because that's what they were told to call her, but it's because that's what they always heard their grandpa call her. They thought that was her name! Aside from being a darling, darling grandma-name, it's quite a testimony to their grandpa, as well!

I was the first grandchild to both sets of my grandparents. Lots of times, the first grandchild sets the pace. I called my mom's folks "Grandma & Grandpa" and my dad's folks, "Grandma Willie & Pop pop." Naturally, all the siblings and cousins that followed, followed suit. Of course, that's what I was *taught* to call them.

Sometimes, no matter what you've tried to teach your babies, they say what they want to say. I'm sure that's how tags like "Mawmaw" and "Meemaw" and "Gramma" and "Nana" possibly came about.

Sometimes Grandmas have preferences . . . for example, I know one grandma who goes by "Gigi". But in her mind, that's G.G. for Gorgeous Grandma!

Anyway, all this grandma talk because, well . . . I am one. And about to be again! And therein lies the crux. Sawyer is the firstborn, and is well on his way to talking, and he will set the names for each one of his grandparents! And since he's got a couple of each, as will Everett, I got to thinking . . .

Wouldn't it be nice to have one of those grandma names that is just unique to me?

So I started playing around with names . . .

Grandma
Grandma Denise (mouthful)
Grandma Neese
Grandma Neesey
NEESEY!

So, provided Sawyer goes for it, Todd and I will be Paw-paw and Neesey.

Neesey. It's just who I am!

:)

grandpa's fudge . . .

I took a little flack for posting this picture in my Holiday Traditions, Part 1 post, without posting a recipe! So I decided that would be a great blog entry for today. But with it comes a little history . . .

When my grandpa retired from the Department of Agriculture, my grandma retired from the kitchen. Mostly because he had moved into it! He loved to experiment with recipes, and often made a recipe over and over until he'd gotten it just the way he liked it. I do believe that it is from grandpa that I get my penchant for cookbooks and kitchen gadgets!

The fudge recipe was one that he worked with and tweaked for quite some time before he got it just how he liked it. I can remember him making a batch in his kitchen, not being quite happy with the way it set, and starting a whole new batch. I was so happy to be there that day. I was his chief taste tester -- it all tasted good to me!

When I was ready to make the fudge on my own, I pulled out the Better Homes & Gardens cook book I'd seen him pull out, and proceeded. I could never, never get my fudge quite right. It was good, but it just wasn't grandpa's. It wasn't until after he passed away that I got a copy of his 'tweaked' recipe, as he'd dictated it to my sister. Ah, what a world of difference it made!

Grandpa's Fudge

2 squares (2 oz.) bittersweet baker's chocolate
1 tablespoon Karo syrup light
3/4 cup whole milk (do not substitute skim)
2 cups sugar
pinch of salt
1 tablespoon butter
1 full teaspoon vanilla
1 cup chopped nuts - walnuts, pecans, etc. (optional)

Butter the sides and bottom of a heavy 3-quart saucepan. Over low heat, melt chocolate. Add karo syrup and milk. Stir until well blended. Increase heat to medium and add sugar, stirring until sugar completely dissolves. Increase heat to medium high and bring to boil, stirring frequently. When mix begins to boil, add candy thermometer. Boil mix until temperature registers 236 degrees Fahrenheit (softball stage). Stir occasionally. At 236 degrees, remove from heat and allow temperature to cool to 160 degrees. Do not disturb during the cooling process! At 160 degrees, add butter and vanilla. Remove thermometer and add nuts. Beat until candy just loses its gloss. Quickly pour into a 8"X8" pan and smooth. Score while warm.

* * * * *

I admit that it took me a couple of tries before I got the end part right -- beating it until it lost its gloss, and getting it into the pan and smoothed out before it set! But, just like the old days, I didn't mind the practice it took to make perfect -- and neither did my children!

Bon appetit!

:)