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.