Did I mention that Aunt B eats? Our good and gracious friends the J's came to visit us after church today.

We had a brunch consisting of BLT dip served with sesame and flax seed chips, Montgomery's cheddar cheese and assorted crackers, and water chestnuts wrapped in bacon drowning in a bath of sweet BBQ sauce.

We exchanged gifts and talked and talked and talked. We don't see each other much and so had a lot to catch up on. They were spending the evening with their son, his wife, and young daughter. We can't wait until they both are retired so they can spend more time with us Up North.

And again, a special Christmas gift- their friendship.

Aunt B Eats and Drinks. What a marvelous end of the year dinner. We ate Japanese cuisine cooked by RT and his wife HT.

Let's see, we had avocado and shrimp salad served in the avocado shell, pork and green onion shish kabobs, sushi with omelet and mushroom and sushi with tuna, fried asparagus wrapped in bacon, all kinds of interesting crackers and chips served with tofu dip, cheese ( not Japanese), fresh persimmon wedges, and for dessert a coconut custard with fresh mango topping. I also had two margaritas.

It was a wonderful get together with longtime friends, their children, and grandchildren. Lots of stories, lots of laughter, the dog offering everyone his hedgehog toy, a cozy fire, and the best of companionship. What more could one ask for on the last day of this year? It was another special Christmas gift.

Three more posts and I'll reach 100 before the new year. We've been invited to CT's for Japanese dinner prepared by her son RT. I'll report more later.

If you like a sweet wine, I found a good one. Now, I know this is a little late for your New Year's Eve celebration, but I think this is a really tasty, go-with-anything, table wine. It is definitely a step up from the usual Riesling wines you find at the grocery store.

It's called Lingenfelder and it's a 2004 Riesling, a product of Germany with the bird label. At our local Paradise Meats it cost $13.99. We had it with our Christmas dinner, chicken and ham, and it was a very pleasant accompaniment, not too sweet with a full body, no aftertaste.

Here's some info about the wine from the Vancouver Magazine , April 2001,
"Lingenfelder is a small family property in the Pfalz region. Winemaker Karl-Rainer Lingenfelder shows his confident, experimental side in this fresh, barely off-dry style. The light-bodied, aromatic mix of peach, ripe apple and honeyed citrus is kept simple, reflecting a philosophy of making wines with the least manipulation possible to retain natural character and complexity. Bird Label is Lingenfelder's only bottled wine using non-estate grapes, but an effective testimony to the 100-percent riesling recipe."

So, here is my new blog title- Aunt B drinks. Cheers!

Aunt B eats at Minerva's (restaurant in the yellow structure with rounded roof at the front of the building) in the Park Place Hotel. And I had my favorite- stuffed ravioli with mushroom sauce. I love it and I haven't found it any other place. So, I order it everytime I go there. I enjoy the rich mushroom sauce, ravioli stuffed with ricotta ( I think), and the garnish of grated cheese and freshly minced tomatoes. It is about $9.00 which is a little pricey for lunch. It doesn't come with salad or bread like you get on the dinner menu. We used our Two on the Town cards, so the bill was about $15.00 including Big Fred's perch lunch and my glass of chardonnay.

Since I like this ravioli so much, I'm hunting for a similar recipe. I think I have found it in an article about Traverse City in Midwest Living magazine, but haven't tried it yet. That will be for another posting.

Luckily, I brought a little of the mushroom sauce and ravioli home and I can savor the flavor one more time. Yum!

Big Fred got some amaaaazing cheese for Christmas. AS(soon to be AB) gave this gift. Mongomery's Cheddar cheese. Now let me tell you my tastebud review: it is creamy with occasional crystal chunks, it has an distinctly aged flavor and at first I thought it might be Stilton, only a sliver is needed with a mild cracker for a cheesy taste. It definitely can stand alone. I haven't tried it on eggs, so won't report on that combination.

Now, saying all of this from an unknowing viewpoint, here is the partial word on Mongomery's Cheddar from : www.teddingtoncheese.co.uk
"The making of real farmhouse cheddar is now restricted to a hand full of farms, and the traditional unpasteurised cheese is only made on three farms. Ours is made by the Montgomerys' who have been making the cheese at Manor farm for generations. Their cheese-maker Harold was making the cheese at the farm for forty years, and in the later years with his son Michael. Harold has recently retired, but fortunately his son Michael has continued with the help of a new cheese-maker called Stephen.

Montomerys' cheddar can be matured for 18 months to produce a full nutty flavour and a dry texture. However, at the Teddington Cheese we prefer to mature the cheese for 12 to 14 months where the full nutty flavour is accompanied by a slightly moister texture. On stripping away the cheese-cloth and cutting open the cheese the most amazing aroma fills the room and the first taste of each and every cheese is one of the highlights of being a cheese-monger. Cheddar is a very versatile cheese, which can be cooked, grated or eaten on its own. However the quality of Montgomery's cheddar ensures that it makes a statement when added to the cheeseboard, and is sure to impress those who have eaten nothing but block cheddar before."

What I do know (though I forgot) is that I tasted this cheese at my Epicurean Classic class this past fall. It was paired with Burton Bridge Brewery Empire India Pale Ale. I really liked both.

So, there you go. Another great gift. Thank you, AS.

With Christmas over, it's time for the Snowbirds (relatives and friends from the North who go to the warm climes) to head to Florida. They are looking forward to sunshine, warm temps., and golf everyday. I can't blame them, since it has rained here all day with gloomy gray clouds overhead.

I was talking to BF about going south for the winter, but we both decided that we would only leave home if it was to go visiting our family for a short while. I guess we are just home bodies. When we are retired and have the time we might change our minds, but for right now, we have no desire to go to Florida or Alabama or Texas. Give us a few years and we'll probably be wishing and praying to get out of here.

Bring on the snow. We have the new plow. We're ready! Bye, bye everyone, see you when the robins come home.

CT made me her world famous honey caramel corn. NB gave me a grand bottle of olive oil. I got a beautiful jewelry box, gilded vanity set, a gold dressup watch and matching bracelet, earmuffs and a scarf, a gorgeous necklace from AS, money, gift cards, candy, and gosh, I can't think of it all. We had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends. Mom came from the nursing home and really enjoyed the company. Even the weather was warm and sunny.

So, what could be the problem. Well, it is kind of a let down. I feel like I should take down the tree and put away the ornaments, but I just put them up. I COULDN'T BELIEVE THE VALENTINES JUNK IN THE STORES. Time is just moving too fast.

I'll have to think on a solution. I wonder what my relatives did to slow down the time? Maybe I'll eat some more of that yummy caramel corn.

Christmas Eve was a busy, fun time. I made potato soup for supper. We all enjoyed Meggie's visit cause she's sooo sweet. Later, we watched the 1951 version of Scrooge with NB and AS, and FB and I made a cheesecake from scratch for tomorrow's dinner.

Usually, Big Fred and I sit here alone on this evening. It is usually very quiet for us, but tonight was different and I loved the company. It is so nice to share the excitement. So many gifts under the tree. So many laughs and good natured teasing. I say, like Tiny Tim, God bless us everyone.
Merry Christmas !

I just put the first batch of Springerle cookies in the oven. If you don't like anise you won't like these cookies. They are a traditional German cookies and since Big F is German, I try to make this goodie each Christmas. And, I've had some urging from CT who wants some to dunk in her coffee.

Making springerles is quite a production because you have to hand press the wooden mold into the cookies dough and cut out each individual cookie. Then you dry them overnight to set the design. I guess you could say these cookies are a labor of love. At one time, I collected molds. I'm sure it would be a lot easier using a mold rolling pin, but I just have a 4 picture wooden mold.

Here's some info about this yummy cookie from www.heiderberghaus.com:

"The history of the Springerle cookie goes back to the early middle ages. It seems that the Schwabian region of southern Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Elsass in France are the birthplace of this unusual treat. In the early years of the cookie's history each bakery had to carve their own wooden molds and so a 'one of a kind' variety of beautiful carved Springerle molds exists today. Traditionally these molds could be carved in any subject matter that the carver was thinking of or needed reaching from flower motives to animals to an endless variety of designs and occasions. The most elaborate and detailed carvings are highly sought collector items that now are exhibited in museums around the world. Even today families treasure their Springerle molds and pass them on from generation to generation. The themes underwent changes. In the 1400s religious scenes were preferred. In the 1700s the molds became smaller and corners were rounded off. The details were carved with delicate details. During the early 1800s molds presented a more dreamy style of happiness, friendship and romantic scenes. In the 1900s the designs of many of the family Springerle molds became fairly simple. Even today you can purchase new Springerle molds historically carved in wood. The usual mold is flat and square and has one, two, four, or eight hand carved pictures. The name Springerle may come from the way the cookie is baked and during the bakery process the dough will rise (spring) to almost double the heights. The Springerle is a charm for happiness. In the past it was custom to give Springerle cookies as gifts at Christmas and New Year. "

So, get the coffee ready, here comes the Springerles.

I don't know a thing about holly. Even though my Master Gardener certificate came today, we didn't learn about holly(llex). And so, I'm wondering why my holly has dried up. I took it out of the vase of water and put it outside in my pine wreath.

But, let me back up. I decided that I wouldn't buy ropes of Christmas greens and such, but thought I would buy some holly since I had never had it before. I went to a flower shop and bought a nice bunch, variegated with lots of bright red berries. I put it in a vase of water with a branch of spruce.

After a few days, I noticed that the holly was turning brown and the leaves were falling off. I don't know what I did wrong unless it was that I put it in water. Maybe I just bought an inferior bunch of holly. At any rate, I probably won't buy it again.

I found a nice fake pine garland at Goodwill for $1.99. It looks great and it won't dry up. I solved the greens problem.

HEY YOU GUYS!!, as Rita Moreno would yell on Electric Company. I know you are out there.

Respond to my postings. Just a word or two would satisfy me.

A BIG THANKS!

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See is a fabulous book. It has been a while since I read such a great book.

The story takes place in nineteenth-century China. It is about the pairing of Lily and Snow Flower as laotong or "old sames" This is a matching for a lifelong friendship. Both girls undergo footbinding and arranged marriages. They share hopes, loss, loneliness, and joys and tragedies of motherhood. Their lives take many twists and turns, and so does their friendship. They use the fan to write the secret language of nu shu to communicate out of the reach of men.

I predict that this will be made into a movie. I highly recommend this book! Another book bites the dust.

My sister-in-law responded to my blog. So, I told her I would dedicate a post to her.

First, let me say DB is an exceptional person. She is a world traveler, going to China many times. She is a student of qigong. DB takes in abused dogs. She is an artist and at one time was a museum curator. She has worked in a JD home, has panned for gold in Idaho, and worked for the Hopi. She writes poetry and played the clarinet in the high school band.

As you can tell, she is very talented. Love ya DB.

Merry Christmas to me and my driveway. Just wanted everyone to see my delightful present only picture it on a Jeep Wrangler. I would have much rather gone on a vacation, or spent money on the house or myself, or bought tons more presents. But, it works great and BF won't have to look or feel like the abominable snowman the next time the white stuff appears.

I just finished the new Tony Hillerman mystery The Shape Shifter. Joe Leaphorn, recently retired, is back pounding the long roads of the Navajo Res. The story involves a Navajo rug that was made during the Long Walk and is known to be disaster for anyone who deals with it. Supposedly, it burned up in a fire way back when Leaphorn was just starting out. The case is closed and the clues pretty cold, but somehow the rug shows up in a magazine feature, a law officier friend is missing, and the case is reopened. Leaphorn uses his Navajo reasoning to solve the crime.

I liked the story because I'm interested in weaving and infact learned most about it on the reservation. I was excited to get back into reading about Chinle and Shiprock and all of the other references that were so much of my life when I taught on the Navajo reservation at Teec Nos Pos. I enjoyed hearing the creation stories and remembered the culture that changed my worldview. I have my own stories about skinwalkers and shapechangers.

However, Hillerman's writing put me off. When I first started, I thought it sounded like it was written by a high school student. I had to stop a few times to reread because I was confused. Not by the clues and such, but somehow I was having trouble. Probably just me. I didn't like his other recent books, so maybe he is just pushing it to make money.

At any rate, Hillerman fans, you be the judge.

Ho Ho Ho! We put up the Christmas tree today. I loved it! We have Colorado Blue Spruce on the farm so Big Fred cut a 10 foot tree. It is the kind of tree with lots of gaps in it so the ornaments can hang down. A little strange at the top, but we pruned it back. Since we had so much snow, we brought it in the house and put a tarp under it to get it to defrost. BF cut off about 2 ft and put on the white lights.

Then it was my turn, I can't believe all of the old ornaments I have. Some from my mom, some I've collected, can't forget nB's canlid and milkweed pod ornament from kindergarten. I have an assortment of Santas that I was collecting for a while, and then the birds.

I had so much fun clipping on all of the birds. I have all kinds. They are really cheerful with their real feathers or metal curlicues. I have some pink and some gold ones my sister gave me from K-Mart, some are fat like mourning doves, some are perky songbirds, many are from Old World Christmas Ornaments, a carved goldfinch, a clear glass hummingbird, a cheeky bluejay, some are antique mercury glass with spun tails, and even a peacock. I thought I would add my bird's nests and it looked great.

As for the top, our old silvered topper doesn't fit since we did the major trimming, so we put a large glass ornament on it for the time being. Yuck! Got to get something new. Joyce , my sister, and I were just remembering that, as kids, we made a star out of cardboard and tinfoil.

But it's up and the presents are under. Big Fred helped and didn't say "humbug" one time. Ho HO HO!

I just found a new one called Home Organizing Idea Book-500 + Design Ideas for Organizing your home. I especially appreciate all advice on storing things because I have such a small house and if things are out of place,everything looks messy.

I did a check-by-check of each room since the book is divided into chapters by room. All was in pretty good order. I have new storage drawer and door units covering the full lenghth of the kneewall in the bedroom and floor to ceiling bookshelves in the quest bedroom(N's room). That is a lot of storage and I haven't completely filled them up. The book advises to put little used items into storage( nothing new) and so rather than put them in the basement, I think I will put them upstairs.

The bathroom is small, but usually pretty neat with a nice towel closet and under the sink storage. The best thing to do there is clean out outdated makeup. I don't own much in that area so it shouldn't take much effort.

My living room contains an amoire, a large closed bookcase, and a small cupboard. I would say that is sufficient storage. I couldn't fit something else in anyway. Again, it would be weeding out the books, accumulated papers, magazines, catalogues, and maybe finding some smallish baskets to put the sometimes used tapes in. I'm not much for knicknacks, but I do like to display my flower oil paintings. The book uses shelf/ledges for decorating and displaying treasures. I might think about adding another ledge to put my paintings on.

I'm always moving stuff around in the kitchen. I recently moved the plates to a drawer which is very convenient if I can remember that I put them down there and not up on the shelf in the cupboard. This idea book has great ideas for the kitchen.

The worst spot in the house is the entry. Booy, the pictures in the book are beautiful. Even the mudrooms made with kids in mind are great. I have followed the suggestions with racks to hang up coats, coatcloset dividers, and containers on the shelf to hold junk in the laundry closet. Unfortunately, the shoes are out, the slippers are out, the garbage to be taken out is out, the recycling bags are piling up, and it just isn't, as the book suggests, " a welcoming entry".

So after all of that, the book says that if you are not good at keeping things orderly in the open, you should have doors on storage. O.K., I can do that. In fact, the entry looks nice when the two closet doors are closed. Of course, all the shoes and coats look like the photos in the book when they are placed in an orderly fashion.

At any rate, I really enjoyed looking through this book. I give it a 500+ rating.

Ines of My Soul by Isabel Allende is historical fiction based on the life of Ines Suarez a conquistadora who helped conquer Chile. The story is definitely amazing. Inez, in Spain, is a seamstress who marries a shiftless, but great lover, who disappears to the New World. Inez goes hunting for him and meets up with Pedro de Valdivia who goes on, with her help, to conquer Peru.

This story is about the role women played from battle to dowsing in the conquest of civilizations in S. America. Actually, very interesting even with an epic poem. Allende created a bibliography of her research while writing this book and notes that, "the feats of Inez Suarez noted by the chroniclers of her era were nearly ignored by historians for four hundred years".

One thing I didn't like(even though it has to be a major part of the book) is all of the battles. I guess it wouldn't be a conquest without them. I think I liked Daughter of Fortune better.

Friday, we were blasted with snow again. Now I know it is December and I live UpNorth, but I'm getting so I have little patience with winter like there is anything I can do about it.

But, here is/are my biggest gripe (s). I can't believe people. The snow is falling at a steady rate at high noon. The traffic is backed up at the intersections in town, the roads are ice covered, the main highway leading out of town is closed and the drivers? People don't have their lights on, their mirrors are covered with snow, and many vehicles are covered with snow so the back window is useless. Of course, let's add to the mess the people who speed around the traffic going 2 mph and are in the ditch a few miles up the way (har, they deserve it). Then there's the poor shmuck that doesn't have snowtires and is fishtailing it up the hills with a crawling line of cars behind them.

The good news is that we made it home the twenty miles safe and sound. The bad news is that our plowtruck died with one tire freezing up so Big Fred had to finish plowing the driveway with his little snowblower. Merry Christmas- we are getting a new plow for our Jeep. The old truck will be put out to pasture in the backyard after 18 years of service. So I really shouldn't gripe about that.

But, I still should do something about my bad attitude toward winter and the crazy drivers.

Northern Michigan news flash! Bozo Boy and Strongwoman are engaged. And all because of a Coach purse in a Goodwill bag. NB and AS are planning a spring 2008 wedding.

After all the wedding planning I have helped with (and loved), all of the advice, after all of the hostess positions, after all of the flower arrangements and favors, after all of the negotiating- soothing hurt feelings and tempers, I am going to be the one in the mother-of-the groom seat. Keep your mouth shut and wear beige? No way! Am I excited? You damn betcha!
For more details: http://www.naivehelga.blogspot.com/

This book is a really fast read. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen is a book I could hardly put down. As the back jacket notes, "one starts to breathe its air." I went to the circus when I was about five and brought home a chameleon. It was an exotic pet for those days. I read the biography of P.T. Barnum when I was in 5th grade. I really find the circus life fascinating, but I never wanted to run off and join it. After reading this book, I know why.

Jacob Jankowski, the main character, is ninety-two or ninety- three and in a nursing home. The circus has come to town next door to his residence. One of the old geezers at Jacob's table starts telling everyone that he watered the elephants, but Mr. J. calls him a liar. Mr. J isn't quite sure where he is or what he remembers.

He goes back and forth remembering how,as a young man, he came to the circus and how he met Marlena and Rosie. The setting for the circus is in the 30's when the depression had hit the country, including the circus. The story is about the performers, the freaks, Uncle Al- the boss, the clowns, the job of being the vet for the animals, and Rosie the elephant that would save them. But, mostly it is about the circus secrets.

The ending is a surprise and will be left unmentioned. I can still here the sounds of the midway and smell the popcorn.

I'm back! Of course, I want to talk about a book I just finished. No, it didn't take me months to read it-time just slips by. Teacher Man by Frank McCourt is a great book especially for teachers. Mr. McCourt doesn't mince words infact he "lets it rip" with all of the bad words that teachers would love to say and many times do- under their breath.

McCourt tells about the day by day trials and errors of being a high school teacher in New York City. I had to laugh about the fact that he was nearly fired in the first two days of his career. He definitely used unusual methods to capture the attention of his students. His students wrote excuse notes for historical figures including Adam and Eve.

This book wasn't nearly as good as Angela's Ashes or "Tis, but then, how do you match a Pulitzer Prize winner?

I miss you MamaK. I know something happened with your blog, but I've been thinking about you, and wonder where you are and what you are doing. I believe we are all connected by invisible threads. It is so amazing how someone can enter one's life even though it's through cyberspace. I know that a writing like this can be a great release of emotions. It can be a view into a person's soul. It can be a forum for questioning and relating. At any rate, I hope you are well Mama, I hope your children are doing well, and I hope you know that I am thinking about you. LOL.

I can't believe the difference the time makes. I'm talking about the time change. I woke up this morning and felt like my body and the universe were as one. Could it be true? I really wish they would quit changing the time around. It gets me all " discomboobulated".

Of course, the up-lifting feeling may be from the fact that I got a good night's rest, the sun is up at 7:07 a.m. , the sky is baby blue with pink wispy clouds, it is suppose to be a balmy 60 Degrees, and I don't have to go to work (retired). Well, I'll see how I feel tomorrow. I hope this lasts, because it is terrific!

Yes, a Pileated Woodpecker stopped by our birdfeeder on Friday. He wrestled with a large chunk of woodpecker suet on the feeder, flew to a nearby tree to crack the suet apart, came back to the feeder, and then flew to our garden trellis. The sun was starting to shine and the red crest on his head was truly a sight. It is the first time we have ever seen this type of woodpecker in our yard.

It was about 18 in. long and very impressive. Pileated woodpeckers are relatively shy and prefer woodland areas. We have seen them at our neighbor's who live on a wooded pond and often when we drive through areas with lots of dead trees. But, this was our firsttime visitor. He was probably coming to tell us that it is going to snow again tomorrow. No matter, he was really cool.

My recipe box is a joyful possession. It holds memories of some very special people.

Here's a favorite from my mom's best friend- Ruth's Molasses Cookies. I use to make this recipe of soft cookies for my 104 year old grandpa.

Next, NB's recipe for One Egg Omelet. It was his own recipe that he could cook anytime when he was first learning to cook. It is complete with illustrations. No wonder he turned out to be a great cook.

And here's a whole sloo of recipes, nicely typed, that I got as a Christmas present from my friend and co-world traveling partner, Rebecca. Her recipes include Popeye's Special ( early vegetarian), Mule biscuits, and Biscochitos (5 doz.). I've lost track of her, but not all of our adventures together.

Ah, my ex-sister-in-law, she was the first to give me recipes for entertaining. It is for Cheese Balls.

Oh, yes, BBowden's recipe for Beer Batter and MARiver's Orange Humus. There's Aunt Ann's Angel Delight, how appropriate, she collected angels. Of course, I went through a whole period of collecting zucchini recipes. I ended up with a whole cookbook of zucchini recipes.

There's, my sister, Joyce's Lasagna. And then, there's my version of Spinach Lasagna I took from the Richard Simmon's show.

I saved the best for last, G'ma Koberg's Waffle recipe written out neatly in Big Fred's mom's handwriting. We have had waffles using this recipe many times and it has become a family tradition.

So, those are the highlights of my recipe box. I love the ones written out. I wish I had some from my own Grandma, but she usually told me the recipe which included directions like- a pinch of this or that. I guess all memories don't have to be written down, but I sure cherish the ones I have in my recipe box.

The weather and ailments were going to be off limits, but.. it's snowing out! It snowed last night and we woke up to needing the windshield scraper. I had to warm up the car to get the snow off. Visibility was poor and the roads were wet. At times this afternoon, it was coming down pretty heavily.

Gee, I haven't even taken the air-conditioner out of the upstairs bedroom window. I have two large ivy plants to bring in and the picnic table is still out on the patio. Luckily, BF has the snowplow in order incase we need to plow the driveway.

The forecast is for snow, blowing snow, rain and gusting winds, snow accumulations of 1-3 inches for the next few days. Let's see, at this rate we will have winter for eight months. How depressing! I wonder where I left my garden trowel?

Another great book- Sudden Country by Karen Fisher. This is a "can't put down" story of life on the Oregon trail. Wow- such ungodly hazards and stamina.

The main character, Lucy, leaves her comfortable home to go west following her second husband's dream. The story takes you back to her first husband and her joy of being in love. As she travels along the trail, it is taken for granted that she will do whatever needs to be done for her family with little regard for her personal well-being. The author does a terrific job of showing how Lucy loses her identity and faith as she faces the horrors of life going farther and farther into the unknown.

The story also follows the life of James McLaren as a trapper for the Hudson's Bay Company. His Nez Perce wife leaves him and his children die of smallpox. He is a driver and scout for the wagon train as it journeys west

Both main characters live in sorrow, loss of worth and loss of hope. The lives intertwine and the story leads one to believe that Lucy and James, who find each other and love, will live happily ever after.

This story is based on the times of Indian Wars, massacres, immigrants and Native Americans. The book was a finalist for the Pen/Faulkner Award. The New York Public Library named it ONE OF THE YEAR'S BOOKS TO REMEMBER. I agree! I really enjoyed reading it.

Aunt B Eats at LuLu's in downtown Bellaire. This upbeat restaurant has high silver-tin ceilings, unique lighting, and an impressive menu.

I had a really tasty salad that would be easy to replicate at home. In fact, RS and I split it and had plenty. It was something like a Greek salad, but with only a few greens (unlike the picture). Here's how it looked-garden greens with vinaigrette dressing and a few slices of beets, feta cheese, purple olives (not sure what kind), tabouli, and then hummus. These were all placed in wedges around the bowl. It was served with a grilled pita cut into four wedges and placed around the outside of the low serving bowl. It also reminded me of eating Ethiopian food with all of the food to dip with the bread.

The soup was a tasty ginger squash-yummy. No time for dessert because we were off to a massage at Shanty Creek. I know, tough life.

Pumpkin bread. I'm hungry for pumpkin bread and it is the season. But, I can't find the recipe card in my recipe box.

Of course, I have a shelf of cookbooks, but I had a recipe that I really liked. Not too much cloves or allspice. Maybe the recipe is the one on the can. Where, oh, where?

You know Aunt B loves to eat and I try to find pictures that are similar to the menu item. Sometimes the pictures actually look better than the original gastronomic delight.

Such is the case with my posting of Pad Thai at Fusion- when actually it is Thai Drunken noodles as eaten and photographed by Simon. So, lucky you, Simon, for eating in all of those places. I wish I could eat out for a living.

Tell me when you visit Northern Michigan and I'll show you my favorites food spots. We do have some highly recognized restaurants, food products, and wineries. And check out Simon's-http://plateoftheday.com/.

The other night , we observed the strangest skies. In the west was a mass of gold clouds from the horizon to nearly overhead. Below was pink and turquoise sky. It had stopped raining.

On the east was dark black clouds and a giant rainbow. The rainbow was in Aunt D's horse pasture and the other end went right over Mom's house.

I guess I should have raced to find the pot of gold. I always feel rainbows are good luck whether money is involved or not. I'm like a little kid the way I ooh and ahh. Rainbows remain magical to me.

Bird watching has been a part of our daily routine. What bird did you see today? That's one of our important rituals. We have eagles, hummingbirds, cardinals, bluejays, finches, woodpeckers, bluebirds, cowbirds, starlings, and many more. All fun to watch.

Well, it has been raining here for a week and we have a group of birds on their migration path. This evening we saw a bluebird on our birdfeeder and a group of white-crowned sparrows.

The biggest news was that Big Fred saw twenty-five, I repeat, 25, sandhill cranes. He stopped and counted them. We have been watching for these birds and were amazed when we saw a group of seven. I even saw and heard a pair fly over the house one day. But, to see such a large number is a miracle.

We try to keep track of the birds we have seen each year. BF saw them on his birthday. What a fabulous present!

Birthday Pie for the birthday boy, Big Fred. In our family, you get your favorite pie or cake or dessert for your birthday. His is banana cream or coconut cream pie.

I usually ask our neighbor, who is famous for her great pies, to make one or both for Fred's birthday. Then we got the American Pie Co. in town so I have purchased yummy pies.

But, this year-drum roll- I'm making the pie. This is mostly because I have time. Besides, what do I give a person who is asked what they want and they say a 650 Triumph with a sidecar? I'll stick with pie. Happy Birfday, Big Fred.

While reading the latest edition of Smithsonian, I came across the fascinating article titled "Fabric of Their Lives". This article is about the new exhibit of quilts made by ladies of Gee's Bend, Alabama. The quilt show opened at the Museum of fine Arts in Houston. Such fabulous quilts, truly works of art. Art critic Mark Stevens of the New York magazine said that they "just might deserve a place among the great works of twentieth-century abstract art. The article is about the quilts and the lives of the women who made them. Very inspiring.

I am part of q quilting family, so I know the work and pride that goes into the finished product. My mom has made me many quilts that I use, not store. She made quilts for each of her grandchildren, wedding presents, for charity, and for her own use. Her quilts are what we call "tied off" rather than quilted. They are made to be used. I have also made quilts although I wouldn't say mine are a work of art or anywhere near it. My grandmother and aunts all are great quilters too.

I am just in awe of the way the ladies of Alabama have made their quilts. And I'm pleased that they have been recognized for their talent. Check out the article, and if you are anywhere near this exhibit, go .

As Halloween approaches, I get more and more annoyed with all of the "Stuff" in the stores. However, I did get(at the library) the October issue of Martha Stewart Living, and it has all kinds of really great decorating ideas and recipes. I especially liked the "to do with kids candy making" and the boo-tiful ghost cake on page 116.

I know people have a thing about Martha, and I don't really appreciate her jail history, but come on, look at the great ideas that are in her latest mag. She does bring out the creativity.

I just might try the cake and the pumpkin carving. At least make a pumpkin pie.

Yes, I do more than, shop, read, and eat. But let me tell you about Fusion. Aunt B Eats at Fusion in downtown Frankfort. This restaurant features Chinese and Japanese, Korean, Thai, and Vietnamese cuisine. I didn't go far out since it was lunch and had Pad Thai with chicken. It was attractively served with a crab appetizer and came with soup (egg drop). Way too much to eat, so I brought it home. The menu lists premium wines, eclectic cocktails and imported beers. The most intriguing dessert was the 1 carb creme brulee. Too full. It will have to wait until next time.

Not only do I love to eat, but I love to shop in Kitchen stores. One of my favorite shops is Crystal Crate and Cargo. It's even better when you get a gift certificate from Christmas that hasn't been spent yet. So, I did some browsing. The store features Mario Batalli products, Emile Henry cookware, Wusthof knives, all kinds of dodads and gadgets, gourmet mixes, mustards, noodles, rice, and local products like chocolate covered cherries.

I've had my eye on recycled glass bowls, plates, glasses, and accessories. I ended up buying beautiful green glass bowls. Of course, it would have to be useful and compliment the many green plates (Jadite), forest green glasses, and majolica that I have collected.

I'll have to wait for the holidays before I return. I usually buy kitchen stuff for my family and they gift wrap, so I don't have that to do. Anyway, it is a fabulous store, has friendly, helpful staff, and is a shopping pleasure. I should do their advertising.

Aunt B Eats at the Underground Cheesecake Company. This shop is known for it's cheesecake on a stick and wedding cheesecakes. It was coolish today, I opted for soup. I try everything once, so I chose a bowl of artichoke mushroom soup. This is served with a bread stick for about $4.90. Sorry to say, I thought the atrichoke was overwhelming. I did get a Deelicious cherry almond muffin. This thing was as big as the top of my fist. It was very cakelike and moist. I enjoyed it with my 4 o'clock cup of joe. Next time, I'll just splurge on the cheesecake. Oh no, cheese again.

Second week of my Master Gardener class. First week was about plants- kinds, structures, how they produce food, and unusual plants. That's just the beginning. We had a hands-on lab with all kinds of plants- milkweed, onions, walnuts, corn, wire weed, etc. It wasn't too bad since my major is Biology and I taught 5th and 6th grade Science for years. But, so much learning crammed into three hours.

I guess we got off to a bad start. The lady presenting was very knowledgeable, but she went overtime. Class started at 5:30 and was to end at 9:30. I really dislike going overtime and on top of that, we had to clean up. The worse part, all of those plants have pollen, and it set off my fall allergies. By the time we got done, my eyes were nearly swollen shut and I had a sore throat. To say the lease, I wasn't a happy gardener.

This week we are studying about plant diseases, insect damage, and which plant should go where according to conditions. So, so much to learn. Hopefully, my allergies won't flare up. I know, whine, whine. What happened to my enthusiasm?

A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain by Robert Olen Butler, another Pulitzer Prize winner 1993. This is a collection of stories of Vietnamese living in American(near New Orleans) who deal with their homeland culture, the war, and the American culture. Each chapter is from a different person's perspective from a successful business man to game show winner. For most, the war is always present even if it is pushed back to give way to making a living and dealing with the everyday stuff of being an "American".

I relate this book to the American Iraqi citizens or American Jewish citizens or German or Japanese American citizens in time of war. There's just no way to get around the tragedies of war. They are a part of every citizen, even those who don't participate.

I know, I'm married to a Vietnam veteran.

Cook Vietnamese style and pair ale with cheese- an overview of the classes I took at the Epicurean Classic in TC. I liked the cold soba noodle salad and the pho, but I was most intrigued with the cheeses.

The ale and cheese class paired cheese and ales from England. I especially liked the Stilton cheeses; three types of Stilton. Two were traditional with blue veining and one white Stilton with fruit (this one with apricots). Very good. I've always liked Stilton cheese, but this one was great! It was paired with a light ale and was very complimentary. Now, you may think of wine and cheese, but this pairing of ale and cheese had the same idea. One could not overpower the other, meld the flavors. The ale I liked the least had fruit added, again apricot. It tasted like a liquor and I could only take a few sips.

This ale (beer) tasting reminded me of the beer we made when we first moved here. It was very "hoppy", but when we took it to a party, everyone liked it. We had it tested at the local college and it was very high in alcohol content, so no wonder it was a hit. Also thought about NB's Breakfast Beer and his Chocolate Beer and all of his beer making trials.

So, I learned about cheeses and ale and Vietnamese cooking. Can't wait to share this with NB since he is the chef of the family.

One of my goals is to read Pulitzer Prize winning books. March is the 2006 Pulitzer Prize winner. The author, Geraldine Brooks, tells about the father in Louisa May Alcott's classic, Little Women, who has gone off to the Civil War as a chaplain.

Mr. March sees the horrors of war, especially the Union's acts of barbarism and racism. His letters home try to spare Marmee and the girls and so they know little of the father's horrible experience and tests of faith. This is a vivid account of the war and its shattered lives. It could be a story of the present, just change the names and the places. I've always wondered how a chaplain can go to war. It seems a contradiction.

I feel like I need to reread Little Women, but it will never seem the same after reading March.

I came across these housekeeping tips in my recipe box. I bet I have had this card for thirty years. I won't lie, I tried to do this list when I was first married.
Monday: Dust; vacuum downstairs; mop the kitchen
Tuesday: Change beds; wash
Wednesday: Dust, vacuum upstairs
Thursday: Mop kitchen; clean bathroom (my kitchen floor would be worn out)
Friday: Go over downstairs in case of company; wash.

All very organized. I wonder where I got this golden piece for a Susie Housewife?

Insight From the Dalai Lama.
May I become at all times, both now and forever
A protector for those without protection
A guide for those who have lost their way
A ship for those with oceans to cross
A bridge for those with rivers to cross
A sanctuary for those in danger
A lamp for those without light
A place of refuge for those who lack shelter
And a servant to all in need.

What more needs to be said? Have a great day.