Rylie has gone Home

Yesterday we drove Gretchen and Rylie home to Minneapolis as dad (Josh ) is arriving today from Atlanta after being out in the swamps of the southern US since October diving into training for the Army.  I am told he lost a lot of weight and yet passed the course.  I hate having to share Rylie but I will not complain too much if it is to reunite her with daddy.

We drove home last night in pea soup fog for the last half.  Ron asked me to magnify the navigation screen so he could tell where the curves were.  For us "old foggies" it was like playing a video game with our car as the icon on the radio screen venturing down HWY 73.  Ron grew up on these back roads from Neilsville to Rapids and he would say things like, "Well it is a straight shot now," and the navigation would blare a right angle approaching before we could see the road sign.  Of course if there were any deer we would not have seen them either.  Someone needs to invent navigation which shows wildlife! (I laugh at the thought of employing DNR to APP  Bambi with "Find a Friend iPhones.)

Last night we came home to "Who needs a drink?',  and "Sons of Anarchy" Tivo'd, and frankly fell fast asleep after the popcorn.  The road trip was nerve wracking. . . as though "Sons of Anarchy" isn't!  We have to still finish the season. . .and see the "Survivor" finale. . . as Gretchen wants us to tape something about the Bachelorette.

The Ruds plan to return here by mid week.  I'd be ready if they come today.

So today we sit here with the New York Times (which I haven't opened), have already done my ninth day of consecutive "rowing" and I made egg salad sandwiches for brunch.  It is so quiet the only noise is the hum of the ionizer.  The snow is all gone thanks to yesterdays rain and fog and the flying squirrels were even un-hibernated last night as many peanuts were a float in in the feeders.  Today the gray squirrels, who don't hibernate;  are having a squirrel trapeze act as I type.  Did I mention the Packer kick off is just minutes away.  They hopefully will trounce on the Bears and my day will be happy cheesehead realized.  If the Bears win Ron will mope.  Ron is talking about Bloody Mary's with a win!

"Are you ready for Christmas Barb?"  I have figured everyone out but Ron.  He and Gretchen are working on an "Ideas from Colleen's Store."  which I was actually sent to with Grrrr (and Rylie) to "window shoppe." last week.  Then there are plans for a Birthday party with all in MSP and yesterday he took a look at accommodations in Maui for February.  I have only gotten him two sweaters!  I have only gotten him some cologne. . .but he has gone at this Christmas , birthday, and  vacation thing like "gangbusters."  Of course I am going "Be Surprised."  I need to think of something amazing for Ron.  Need to buy more Orville Redenbacher!

I am managing to get myself into trouble on Facebook speaking out about the senselessness of giving guns to psychotic or at least anti-social deviates.  I just do not think the United States is dealing with preventing further annihilation of innocent children and teachers by saying we will always have these social deviants among us.  I have always had guns in the home where I was raised and now too, but I could not kill even 20 squirrels in 20 minutes and I do not see why we promote violence in video games and let our children shoot to kill the video screen prn.  I do not think the government needs to get more involved with the right to bear arms but I do think parents have to become proactive.  We are not dealing with the problems when the people say,  "Guns don't shoot people. . .people shoot guns," and then continue with life as usual.

Why are we allowing ,"Training Day" to become the "copy cat" acting-out variation of real life.

Merry Wisconsin Christmas and a Happy Minnesota New Year!

Plans for the holidays are not coming together for the family just as happens every year.  I have Gretchen and Rylie to share the days.  We have snow to add to the ambience.  I have done some "gifting" . . . I just am not full of ideas.  And frankly my  holiday decorations are dishes, tablecloths, towels and snow globes.   Cards are all posted from the home of Rudolph the red nose reindeer. Guess  I am on track.  Hurray!

New Tricks Old Post

Recent events of a couple four star generals, married madams, mingling mistresses, & The FBI and my rambling mind all came together last noc. ( I don't have a lot of time on my hands these days...so call this pretty straightforward and simple!)

 

I was wondering how did the " middle aged delinquents" pull this off over the internet (?) and then I read in the Daily Wisconsin Rapids Tribune (AP, because without this the paper is still worthless), . . . "any computer savvy teenage knows if you set up a second gmail, yahoo, &/or  a AOL email account all you have to do is just read drafts in your shared email account which you both (all) have "the login" too!

 

Well, I was never a JD so the thought of setting up a second email staggers my imagination and exceeds my ability. . .

It took me a few months to figure bkk121@gmail.com and make RJK121@ the same.com was do able.  I still think I am brilliant as the 1-2-1 is a variation of both birthdays.  

 

But to set up a second e-mail tickles my "giggle" button and not my "illicit affair desire" button.  And telling Ron we could privately communicated by building a new email account (perhaps calling it OldBabesWho@yahoo.com) sounds like an alert to the FBI or at least a division of the pornograhy department.  (I won't be getting a second email any time soon.)

 

But wait a minute and stop this bus(!!!) then it came to me that a lot of my "couple" friends do have just one email  (mary.george@hotmail.com).

So now I am thinking I am really behind the trend and envy you all for all the fun you must be having reading hot & steamy drafts. Guess I was less congratulatory then, than now as I say, "Great Job. . .Keep it up!" as I remain young enuf to learn a new trick and boring enuf to not put it to practice.

 

P.S.  I won't be checking any drafts any time soon @ RJK121!

 

 

Truly,

 

Barbara

ArGo and Airstreams

Argo By Ben Affleck, The Trailer

Flashback to San Antonio, November 27th 1979 and we are the proud parents of brand new Meaghan Marie and the hospital where she was born is under siege as the world knows the exiled Shah of Iran has been given asylum within its walls.

At the time it only meant inconvenience as I had to return for several days to follow up with some new born lab testing.  Grandma Mary and Greg came along.  Sitting in the waiting room I attempted to show off Greg's superior 21 month old brilliance and said, "Gregory what does the clock say?"
He loudly squwaked, "GOBBLE, GOBBLE."

This weekend when I soloed to "ArGo" I now realize I was the stupid one in the waiting room on that long, long ago and far, far away November day.  "Argo" was without a doubt the most riveting movie I have seen and although it may be because I remember where I was when Kennedy was shot and where I was when the Gulf War was launched. Until Saturday October 20th 2012, I also didn't know what was happening when I was attempting to balance two children, my mother and the 1979 Wilford Hall hospital security.
(I do remember when the Iranian delegation found out they were being housed in the hospital locked-down psychiatric unit they immediately requested to be moved.  Their next location would be nearer the Lackland  AFB commissary.) 

This past weekend when Ron ventured to northern Wisconsin with his posse " to be a "Boy Scout" of his usual "Eagle Scout" caliber and "tote that barge (dock) and lift that bail (posts)," I, the solo movie-goer which I will do on occasion; went to see what I had never really thought about again and learn what I never knew before.

RJ left with my blessing (and a fine body) and bottle of fine spirits and my strict instructions to not come home injured or in firmed.  He fulfilled my request and I had a lovely invite to dine  e'spanol . . .complete with Margaritas and fireside chattering.

RJ, made my day when he arrived back in time to see the Packers win which made his day!. It turned out we both had had adventures.  Ron saw an old dilapidated Airstream this side of Wausau which he was ashamed & embarrassed for. . I saw one in "ArGo" which housed John Goodman which I wasn't.)

What a fine Sunday it turned out to be. I had made comfort food served for Ron with lots of ketchup. Ron briefly found the leaf blower, the hot tub is still hot and then a ride along country roads with the iPod blaring Dylan and the hand warmers on high. Scared up a ruffled grouse.

Bab's Pastie Pie (#1 Rule:   Raid your freezer)

1.  Brown one finely chopped onion, olive oil, tender cubed steak and your favorite sausage.  I used Italian cuz  I wasn't spoiling this Sunday with a 10 mile trek to the store...both ways uphill!)
Lots of garlic. . sliced or crushed. (I am not much of a jarred garlic user.)
2. Chop carrots, sweet potatoes, potatoes, rutabaggie ( Iron Range thing, of course) add to the pot with tomato paste to your liking. Seasoning with pepper, cumin, nutmeg, thyme. . .I am avoiding Na Cl these days. (Sausage sneaks it in!) Dust with flour.
3.  Add frozen vegetables from the frosted-over side of your freezer like, peas, pearl onions, etc.  I couldn't find mushrooms or corn. If I had found them I would not have been able to cover with the top crust.  This got really domed! Looked a bit like the movie "Encounters."
Smear unwhipped whipping cream over the top
4.   Place it on a baking sheet cuz "mess potential is huge."  Yes, it is a good idea to pierce the top crust!
Bake in store boughten refrigerated pie crust for an hour @ 375.
 I hit the convection button cuz occasionally I want to impress myself and appear to look to my imaginary audience like I know what I am doing.  (I DON"T)

Yep, It was a Pastie Pie Vision!

September 15th 2012

Birthday for Mel & Also my 100th Blog

Yesterday we took Melvin to dinner and celebrated his NINETY FOURTH birthday.  He commented, "I am really old," as he blew the candle out on his favorite; pecan pie al a mode.

Mel has a lot of favorites when it comes to desserts.  He took the double death chocolate cake home.

Ron invited Mel to the Packer's Game here Sunday. Ron and Mel have seen another season of Wisconsin Rapids Rafters Baseball and it just seems natural to now enjoy football.  Television has been a big part of Mel's life this year too.  Melvin got a new TV to replace the console model of the seventies.  Actually, he now has a screen which you can see...besides all this news, he is predicting a Romney win.

Melvin broadly smiled and said, "It will be interesting."

Football Sunday here this weekend!  I enjoy making a Sunday chicken cuz "my" men so enjoy eating. There is no pressure as my guests are easily pleased. I will add my grandfather's wild rice dressing, my friend Jean's cranberry sauce and Colleen's cranberry relish (if I remember to call them) as we live in cranberry country, sweet potatoes and possibly a rutabaggie. . . I made two Triple Layer Pumpkin Pies last weekend for the Duluthians so I will have to pull out my Julia Child...or buy chocolate.  I love having a back-up plan! I anticipate a trip to Rudolph and the Wisconsin State Cheese Store is do able.

Barring any commentary on politics I did enjoy the Republican Convention over what I have seen of the Democrats.  But keep in mind there was football on the screen last night so the coverage at 4457 isn't equal . . . The jury is still out on our "vote" verdict.  Presently, however; I would guess I am sleeping with a republican. (Maybe.)

What has been the biggest change for us this year is what Ron did to the places we own in Duluth.
! !!!He sold one (actually gladly gave it away) and he is letting yours truly remodel the other! !!!  The dust is still settling on the 'Sale of the Century in Congdon Park.'  It ended a lot of chapters for us in The Kirschling Book of Lifelong Misadventures  Does however end with  "And they all lived happily ever after."
(Hope the IRS agrees!)

With no lack of style and a lot of humorous antidotes the place which remains, I have 'carte blanche' to  remodel and will included a new non leaking toilet, soon to be metal roof, all new composite decks, docks, a "crossover" boat which will not be delivered until spring and (saving the best for last) Dish Network arrived this summer!

I gave RJ permission to "Dish," and Ron is in "plasma heaven!" Ron installed thousands of channels in Duluth.  He can now watch and record to his heart's desire. He can "drink scotch whiskey all night long". . . watch the sunrise over the Island Lake Bridge and he can do this in surroundings which include no labor for him. I am required to remodeling with licensed contractors so he gets to relax."  It is a great deal for all.  He has never taken any pride in accomplishments gained with "man tools." Divorce was almost the result of tearing the indoor-outdoor carpet out of the sauna this August.".  In his defense he needed a shovel as the carpet was so rotten.  I got stung by a yellow jacket retrieving the equipment.  Taking one for the team saved the marriage.

Ron was disappointed not to go to the driving range yesterday but plans are to make a five o'clock ish tee time today. Golf clubs are his only acceptable "man tools"!

He and Greg are reading through their "Top Ten Book Selections" for their second year now. Greg is hoping dad adds Gone Girl, by Gillian Flynn (Greg had worked with Gillian at EW and speaks very fondly of her.) next year because Greg has already read this and Greg would have a head-start(I sent my copy of Gone Girl to "another" Gone Girl so next year we will again support author Gillian Flynn!)

Between episodes at the cabin of "Lizzard Lick"  Greg has put me on an assortment of books by Ruth Reichl which means I can now read Gourmet Magazine with new enthusiasm and almost  say "sommelier" if we ever return to Napa.

It was a fast, furious and ferociousness Summer of 2012. Lots more news to follow but for now I have to get permission from the off spring to brag them up and/or tell their news.  I will go through all the proper channels. . . Keep in touch.

Steely Dan and Pumpkin PIe

Music to read By "Click This"

I am not a dessert girl.. . . My seazter Martha (of St. Charles, MO) is and  encouraged me to bake this and it was AMAZING.  I made a few mistakes and ended up ordering new pie tins from Williams Sonoma ($38.00 and  I will be baking a lot of pies. . .NOT.) with two inch depth cuz my tinfoil ones were worthless ...even doubled!!! It didn't help that the finished pie (before baking) weighed in at two pounds of sloppy soup. And it did help to remember to place the unbaked pie in the bottom of my already in the preheated oven, broiling pan or it would have been a burnt oven mess: I would have sadly ended my Triple Layer Pumpkin Pie Adventure of 2012 before it started and you would not be reading my wisdom (LOL) now!

Make a Mental Note: Moving a loaded tinfoil pie plate into a hot oven will make you look like Lucille Ball and /or Ethel Mertz minus the laugh meter.   (The dog doesn't count)                                                  

                                                       

MARTHA SMITH'S  TRIPLE LAYER PUMPKIN PIE (Yes, Martha Smith is my sister)

(COMMENCE)

In a bowl combine:

1.  1 pkg 8 oz Cream Cheese (SOFTENING SURE HELPS THE PROCESS)

2.  1/3 C Sugar (I like the super fine Baker's Sugar)

3.  1 slightly beaten Egg

4.  1 t. Vanilla

and pour this in to an unbaked pie crust (From the dairy section works for me) and chill (refrigerate if it isn't below 40 degrees on your squirrel less porch today) while you move on to. . .

(PREHEAT YOUR OVEN TO 350*)

Step 2.

Combine and/or mix:

1 can (15 oz.) Pumpkin

+2 slightly beaten Eggs

+1 C Half and Half  ( I am guessing Evaporated Milk may work here too.)

+3/4 C Sugar

+1 T (tablespoon) Pumpkin Spice. Or +, +, +, +...  (Did you know Pumpkin Spice is Cinnamon (4 tsp), Ginger (2 tsp), Allspice (1 tsp) (Anybody know what's in Allspice?) +  Nutmeg (1 tsp) ? and there are 3 tsps in one T. . .you do the math)

Pour this over  "thee chilled above layer" and bake in 350* (preheated) oven for 55 minutes.)

Third layer is the

(+ or - CRISPY) STRUDEL

2 tsp Pumpkin Spice

1/2 C Brown Sugar

1/4 C Flour

1/4 C Old Fashioned Rolled Oats (Oatmeal if you are under 40 y/o)

1/4 C Butter salted or unsalted.  (If you are under 30 y/o: Butter is made from cream . . .not sunflowers or cannola oil.)

Sprinkle this over the baked pie and return to oven (350*) for another 20 minutes or until you think it is toasty.

Bon Appetite!

(If you don't bake then Bon Jour?)