Sunday, November 30, 2025
Snow... Days.
Snow Days...
; )
Love Them.
<3
{Not... all of the Accidents. : (}
Grateful... I can 'Hunker Down', and...
not feel too guilty about it.
; )
There's something 'Comforting' about
'Snow Days'.
<3
{If I were a Trucker, Farmer... Postal Worker... Deputy, Plow Truck Driver, Fireman, or... in the Medicine field, well, certain, I wouldn't feel so 'comforted'.
Remember feeding Livestock, and having to 'Truck'... in this kind of weather.
Not...
Comforting.
Thanks... to All of the above, and Many More, who don't have the
choice, to 'Hunker Down'.
Grateful.}
<3
Below...
is my
Favorite
'Christmas'
Display,
down
The Rabbit Hole.
<3
It...was
Dreamy.
; )
bet that Old... Tin Bathtub, never enjoyed a
Better...
Christmas.
; )
<3
It was Magical.
Our Peg... had stopped by, as I was finishing the
'Touches'
in this display.
: )
Peg helped me Fill The Tub!!!
; )
Told Peg...
"I want these Old... Ornaments to Look Like Bubbles!!"
; )
Hahahahahaha!!!
That... they did.
{in my mind}
Fairfax got a pretty Big...
'First Snow', yesterday.
I haven't set foot outside.
{ ; ) }
Miss. Peanut, has.
She comes inside after every 'outing'...
with a
Big Snow Beard!!
: ) : ) : )
{Peanut... doesn't stay 'out' long.
: )
It's Cold Outside!!
{eeeeek!!}
Pitties... don't like 'Cold'.}
<3
Hopefully... the Greenhouse's stood the strain of 13 inches of heavy...wet, snow.
Didn't check.
Figured... like with the 'Iowa Hurricane', it wouldn't matter...
To 'see' them, when there is nothing I can do to fix them, should they be broken...
this
'moment', yeah...
No.
Like Scarlett, said...
"I'll think about that... tomorrow.
After all,
'Tomorrow' is....
Another Day."
Indeed.
; )
Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.
Barb C.
Saturday, November 29, 2025
Friday, November 28, 2025
Way Too Much Fun... in a Can.
What did I tell Ya.
; )
The Squash Pie... was Beautiful, with a little
Whipped Cream!!
{the 1880's recipe Still... Holds True!!
'Tasty'!!}
; )
Christy's Son, and Two... Beautiful Daughters, gave me
'The Award' for The Stuffing, Crab Dip... Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Gravy...
and
Cranberry Relish.
: )
Justin got 'The Award'... for The Best Turkey, EVER!!!
He brined it for 4 days...
Put it in the Smoker at 3:30 a.m. until about Noon, then... Deep Fried it, for an hour and a half.
Best Juicy Turkey EVER!!
WOW!!
Christy got 'The Award', for her Amazing...
Cheesy Cornbread!!
<3
{ 'Killer Corn Bread!! : ) }
A few years ago... Daughter, Liz... got Everyone Goin' with the Reddi Whip, I brought to Justin's for Christmas, or Thanksgiving.
Oh My Gosh!!
It was Hysterical... watchin 'The Kids' of All Ages 'Pass The Can'!!
: )
Liz started a 'Tradition'!!
; )
I wouldn't Dream... of not bringing a Can, or Two... to Every Holiday, now.
<3
Priceless!!
; )
Pal, Allyson... picked me up this morning, at 8:30.
She wanted to go to Trader Joe's in Coralville, Iowa...
then, we went to Amish Country.
Stringtown.
Grocery shopped.
We popped in at Sisters' Garden...
<3
then...
visited Renate, in Amana.
{Renate's Antique Gallery}
<3
We went to The Amana Meat Shop, and The General Store.
We were back, by 1... oh my.
Covered Many Miles, and Lovely Places, in a few hours.
When Allyson dropped me off, noticed Justin, Christy... and 'J', were at The Shop.
???
They were getting 'The Plow Buggy' inside, and Ready To Plow.
We've got a Big Snow Comin'...
they say.
First... {yesterday} I'd seen the prediction of 2 - 5 inches.
then...
Justin, and Christy's Dad... Frank, said...
"Nooooo... 5 - 8!!"
then... as the day went on,
yesterday, they updated the amounts, again.
'10 -12'
oh...boy.
The latest I heard, just before writing this, was 12 to 16.
Gads.
I'm concerned about the greenhouses.
That's a Lot of Weight, on those roofs.
Concerned about Critters, and People... Too.
: (
Dang.
It's always so sad... when we get Snow... like this.
Many older Folks, try to shovel, and wind up having heart attacks.
I've known two people over the years... who have passed away, while trying to clear their sidewalks.
: (
I don't shovel... much, here.
Can't.
{Used to hire Helper, Brandon... now, that Justin 'J', is a 'Force', I hire him.}
: )
I have asthma, the cold air... shuts me down, especially when 'working' in it.
{I can shovel a path to the drive, and to The Shop, that's it.
I'd rather not do that, probably will have 'J'.}
The asthma started when I was a Teen.
Think I screwed myself up... back then, when carrying a bale of hay over my shoulder, and pulling another, behind me... in the Snow, when I had Horses that were pastured down a quarter mile lane.
If we got 'Snow' there was no way any of our vehicles could get down that old Farm Lane, without getting stuck.
{we never had a '4WD' anything}
Breathing in that cold air, under such stress, did me in, that year.
Haven't been able to 'take it', since.
Winter in Iowa, can be kinda Brutal.
I'm guessing, if we get what they are predicting, Justin's Rural Road, won't be plowed out until Monday.
Even Justin's Ford Truckasaurus would struggle, in 16 inches of Snow, out there.
No Sense 'Risking' Life... Limb, and Equipment.
We'll just have to sit it out.
; )
Nothin' we can do about it...
We'll Take What We Get.
; )
'Simply...
Iowa'.
; )
yeah...
Boy.
; )
Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.
Barb C.
{Remember when I was first diagnosed with asthma.
Back then...
my Family Dr., at the time... said,
"You may have to move to a different climate, Arizona, or somewhere dryer."
?
{WHAT????}
HAHAHAHAHA!!!!
: )
I've managed quite well, in Iowa.
<3
but...
I Know what Triggers a 'Shut Down'.
Ovoid the 'Triggers' at All Cost.
Years ago... the Kid's were in 2nd. and 4th. grade, or so.
; )
I had an Old Ford Truck, had taken it to The Barn, here.
{Scout's Pasture}
For some reason... it died.
It was a Cold... day.
'Winter'.
I popped the hood, and played with it.
Figured something was sticking inside the carburetor.
I kept tinkering with it, then cranking on it...
{Didn't want to bother John, or The Boys... working at The Shop. They were Busy.}
between the cold air, and the fumes...
oh dear.
I... Shut Down.
Shut Down, so far... my rescue inhaler couldn't help me.
Wasn't sure I could make it the 200 feet to John's Shop for help, even, but... knew I'd better try.
{as I was trying to make my way... thought to myself,
'I've seen my Kids for the last time, while they were getting on The Bus this morning.'
Made it to the Shop's back door, it was All I could do, to Pound On It.
{No Air}
John opened the door, I thought the warm air, inside... would help, it didn't.
The Dust from the Shop, made things even worse!!
I... stepped back... outside, told John...
"call 911"
: (
Fairfax Rescue, {Spanky} was here in minutes.
<3
They tried to put me on a stretcher.
: (
I... Fought Them, with Every Ounce of Strength I had left,
because... if I wasn't 'Standing', I... had
'No Air'.
: (
I'm not a Dr., but... I'm guessing, my lungs had shut down so far, that...
sitting, or laying down...
wouldn't allow the portion of my lungs that were 'Holdin' On'....
to function.
{If you've never experienced an Asthma Attack, it's difficult to understand.
It's like having a Pillow Crushed over your face.
'Suffocation'}
The Rescue Folk's gave me something... to open my airways,
a bit...
some...
epinephrine, possibly.
When they got me to the ER, I Know... I was given, Much... epinephrine.
'Adrenaline'
: )
Life Saver!!
<3
yes...
after that, I'm very careful.
; )
I Respect... those 'Triggers'.
: )
The Snow... will melt.
; )
I'm not gonna 'melt' over the 'Snow'.
Hope Nobody Does... with This Storm.}
; )
I'm sure Arizona is a Fine Place.
but...
It's not...
'Iowa'
<3
Thanksgiving 2025... history.
Hope All... had a Great Thanksgiving!!
We Sure Did!!
; )
Ate a little Too Much, but...
That's O.K.!!
; )
Had to Laugh... when I saw a Turkey... on the deck, eating from the Bird Feeder!
Hahahahaha!!!
well...
Technically, the
Turkey...
is
a
Bird!!
; )
Short post...
Pall, Allyson is picking me up momentarily.
She wants to do some Shoppin'.
; )
The Thanksgiving 'Talks'... yesterday were dominated by the Winter Storm...
coming in, tonight.
Oh...Dear.
Here Comes Winter!!
Oh Boy!!
Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.
Barb C.
Thursday, November 27, 2025
Wishing All... A Happy Thanksgiving!!
Wishing Everyone...
A
Happy Thanksgiving!!
<3
I'm movin' mighty slow, this Brisk...
Sunny...
Thanksgiving Morn... in Iowa!!
Gotta Get Movin', get everything together, to take to Justin's.
The Pies... turned out pretty good.
Burned the crust on one, but... it'll be edible.
: )
Used an 1800's recipe,
{Squash Pie}
was a little concerned when I whipped it up, because the filling was so thin.
?
but...
they look Good!
; )
No Cracks!!
; )
I never 'fuss' with the crust.
It's All... About The 'Filling'!!
; )
We'll Cover It in Whipped Cream, Anyway!!
Hahahahahaha!!!!
I use HUGE...
Old...Old...
Enamelware Pie Plates, so... unless I make my own crusts, the store bought...
can't quite Stretch....
Far Enough, to be
'Pretty'.
It Is... What It Is... Baby!!
; )
While sippin' my coffee this morning,
thinking about All to be Grateful For.
<3
oh my.
<3
It's easy to see the difficulties in life, that... often seem overwhelming.
Without the 'difficult' times, perhaps...
we wouldn't... 'See' the Blessings, so Clearly.
There are Many!!
If you woke up... this Thanksgiving Morn,
that's...
The First Blessing.
<3
Like the Song Says....
"God made Life a Gamble... and We're Still in The Game."
{'Ships That Don't Come In' Joe Diffie}
Better Get Crackin'!!
Don't want to be Late...
to
'The Game'.
: )
Hope Everyone Has a Wonderful Thanksgiving...
Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.
Barb C.
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Happy Thanksgiving Eve...
Was Up Bright and Early...
this
Morn.
Wanted to get The Turkey Goin'...
and Whip Up some Cranberry Relish, The Crazy Good...
'Apple, Maple Flavored Sausage, and Cranberry'
Stuffing,
and...
Bake a Couple Pumpkin Pies, today.
; )
{making Dill Pickle Wraps, in the Morn.}
The Morning started out on the wrong foot, before daylight.
The Turkey was nearly thawed... in the fridge,
{good, good... : )}
however...
the package it was packed in looked like a Balloon, ready to Pop.
Not...
good.
; (
I've Never had 'That' Happen.
Felt there could be bacteria causing it.
{I'm not talkin' a little balloon,
it was a
'Up, Up... and Away, in My Beautiful Balloon'...
'Balloon'.
; )
not...
good.
: (
I'd purchased The 21 pound Turkey, at Target, last week.
They... didn't open until 7, so...
went ahead and whipped up 3 quarts of Cranberry Relish.
then, headed to Target, with the The Turkey Balloon, in tow.
When I arrived at Target, noticed a Guy unloading his cart, thought I'd ask him, if I could take his cart, rather... than Lug The Turkey Balloon.
Walked up to him, he was just... placing his last items in the back seat of his car.
said...
"May I take your cart?"
: )
He JUMPED High in The Air!!
{It was like he was Riding a Bicycle to The Sky!!!
Hahahahahaha!!!
and...
He Screamed, a Very... High-Pitched Shrill...
While Frantically Peddling
his
'Air' Bicycle!!!
His Feet Weren't Touchin' The Ground!!!
Hahahahahaha!!!
: ) : ) : )
then...
when his feet, Finally stopped 'Peddling',
he stood there, trying to catch his breath, and said...
"no... I'm not scared... : )"
Hahahahahahaha!!!
{I'm Laughing so Hard... just Thinking about it, Can Hardly Breathe!!!
Ya Had Ta BE There!!}
: )
I... didn't laugh, {at The Time...}
: )
did smile, and say...
"I know... I look a little 'Scary' at 7:30 a.m.,
most days...
; )
but...
WOW!!"
: ) : ) : )
He Laughed!!!
; )
Swear to God... it was like being in a Cartoon,
First Hand!!
Reminded me of something Jim Carrey would do!!!
Hahahahahaha!!!
Priceless!!
The Gal, at Target was So Good.
<3
She found me another Turkey.
a
'Fresh, Unfrozen... Turkey', refunded me for the bad one, and gave me the other, no charge.
She was Amazing.
<3
She went Above, and Beyond.
<3
Love... Target.
Love going through Old Cookbooks, this time of year.
<3
<3
So enjoy searching for Recipes to try, from the 1870's and 80's...
Cookbooks.
<3
Landed on Squash Pie.
{I'm calling it 'Pumpkin' tomorrow... so The Kids will eat it. ; )}
Cranberry Relish.
<3
Can't eat Turkey... Without It!!
: )
Dear... Dear... Dear.
: )
My 'Apple, Sausage... Cranberry' Stuffing,
well...
It's a Heart Attack in a Cast Iron Scotch Bowl.
; )
{Made 5 quarts of it. : )}
Told, Justin 'J'... today, I can only make it twice a year.
Could NEVER Eat This, regularly.
He asked me...
"Why???"
{He LOVES It!!}
said...
"We'd All Weigh 500 Pounds!!!!"
: )
He Laughed!!
; )
Told Justin, next year... or, maybe, at Christmas, this year, He's gonna have to help me make it.
<3
Told him, "When I'm gone... Somebody's Got to be able to Make THIS!!
Can't Have This Killer Stuffing Die with Me!!"
; )
Figure He's The Man for The Job!!
<3
Justin said...
"yeah... you probably didn't get 'The Recipe' from a book, did ya."
{hahahahahaha!!}
<3
nope.
; )
I... think Justin's Pretty Excited about Learning 'The Recipe'.
<3
He Sure Enjoyed 'Sampling' It, as it Cooked.
; )
<3
The Turkey... is Done.
Looks pretty good.
Smells... even Better.
: )
Mainly needed the Turkey, for the Giblets, and Drippings.
{Stuffing, and Gravy. : ) }
Justin, and Christy are cooking a Turkey, tomorrow.
Not sure if they're Grilling, or Smoking theirs.
I know This...
It'll Be Great!!
; )
I'll slice this one up... and freeze it.
Probably will take some of it... tomorrow.
; )
Indeed.
; )
When I stepped outside, this Morning.
GADS!!!
: (
The Wind was Howling!!
FREEZING!!!
All I could say... while Fighting my way... to Jethro,
was...
"This... Is Ridiculous."
: (
then...
remembered looking at the 'Memory' above,
yesterday...
that was from 2013.
Yes...
It Could Be Worse....
and
Has Been,
often...
this time of year,
in
Iowa.
; )
There's Always, Always...
'Something' to be Grateful For.
<3
Always.
Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.
Barb C.
Hiawatha, Iowa... Estate Tag Sale!! December 11 thru 14!! Stay Tuned!!
We're working on Another Estate Sale!!
Lovely... Clean Home, with a Large Garage
in a Great Location just off of Blairs Ferry Road!!
{For Sale!!}
This is a Complete Household!!
Load's of Furniture...
Lift Chair... Sofas, Chairs, Dining Sets, Adjustable Beds, Full Size Bed, Dressers,
Stoneware, Antiques, Vintage Items, Nice Kitchenware, TV, Electronics, Huge Collection of Eagle Memorabilia,
Toys, Outdoor Items, Tools...
and
Much
More!!
; )
We'll be adding Images and Details as we go!!
Stay Tuned!!
Monday, November 24, 2025
Love... never dies.
<3
Met Donita... and her Husband, Charlie...
many years ago.
Met Donita's Brother, years before that.
; )
Donita's Dad, and Brother... had an Ornamental Concrete Business,
in the tiny little Town of Langworthy, Iowa.
'Langworthy' is situated between Anamosa, Iowa... and Monticello, Iowa,
on Highway 151.
About 45 miles from The Rabbit Hole.
; )
While making a Northern 'Run', to pick up a Load...
one day...
25, plus... years ago, or so...
Spied... The Interesting Concrete Store, next to 151.
{Zimmerman's Ornamental Concrete}
; )
Me, and The little Purple Ford, Had... to Check It Out!!
Visited for quite a bit, with the Kind Man, working.
He showed me around.
There were Several Pieces I was interested in, but... told the Man, I... couldn't purchase anything, that day....
as, I had to pick up a BIG Load, told him... I'd be back.
; )
As we were walking to The little Ford, noticed a Beautiful...
Old, Old... Statue, of 'John The Baptist'.
Asked the Kind Man, how much he would need for 'Him'.
He...said,
"It's not for sale, like 'Christ on The Cross'.
{I hadn't Seen 'Christ'. He was laying on the ground}
The Man... was using them to create new molds, for the Cemetery they'd come from.
He was Creating 'New' Statues to replace these, that had become... 'fragile', and 'fractured'.
Told the Man... I'd sure like to buy them.
; )
{certain... he thought I was crazy. : ) }
He, said...
"When I'm done with them, you can 'have' them."
Told... the Kind Man, I wouldn't do that... but, to Please Call Me, when 'You're Done'.
: )
True to his word, the Kind Man... called me.
I'd Just gotten back from a Big Show, asked him if I could pick them up, in a few days.
; )
He agreed, but said... they were working on getting everything cleaned up.
The IDOT had taken their Land, to widen 151.
{how is it... IDOT, often throw's a Fly in The Ointment.}
Figured I'd better get John The Baptist, Christ, and a few other Cool Things out of their way,
as....
'IDOT' waits for no one.
: (
Learned that... with our First...
Condemnation.
Made it to Langworthy, Quickly.
When I pulled in, saw 'John'... and a few other things, I'd wanted to Gather...
but,
couldn't see
'Christ'.
???
Asked the Kind Man, where 'Jesus' was???
he replied...
"oh... we threw 'Jesus' in the pit."
{They were throwing broken statuary, in a Huge Hole, to be buried...
to get everything 'cleaned up'.
for IDOT.}
I really try to 'filter' myself, in such situations.
; )
but...
: )
kinda felt like I shouted, at The Kind Man.
{hopefully... not}
all I could muster, was...
"Can We Get JESUS 'OUT '....of 'The Pit'!!!!?????"
; )
The Kind Man, smiled... and said...
"Yeah, I think we still can."
; )
<3 <3 <3
The Kind Man... was Donita's Brother.
<3
I asked him, what was to 'Become'... of Their Beautiful Concrete Business, now.
: (
He said....
"My Sister, and Brother in Law... are taking over, at their Farm, not far away."
That's... when I met, Donita... and Charlie.
<3 <3
'Whispering Pines Ornamental Concrete'
<3
<3 <3
Donita... came to visit, while I was healing, after taking the 'Tumble' down the basement stairs.
We sat under John's Old Oak, oh my.
<3
We... talked, and talked, but... mostly,
'Counted Blessings'.
<3
<3
<3
<3
Donita, and I... have a few things in common, for sure.
; )
Being Blessed to have, and to have had...
The 'Men'
we share, and have shared...
our
Lives with, are a couple of 'em.
; )
Charlie Hageman... passed away, November 18th, 2025.
Charlie's Celebration of Life...
was held, yesterday...
On 'The Farm'.
<3
It was... so Perfect.
<3
Stood in line, for a long time, to speak to Donita.
<3
When I finally reached Donita, gave her a 'Hug', that she'd requested from her Friends.
<3
Donita, said...
"Barb... I can't cry anymore."
: (
as I held her in my arms,
whispered in her ear...
"wish I could tell you differently, but, you're gonna have to get used to it,
because...
We were, and are... Blessed, to be Loved, by Mighty Fine Men."
<3
; )
Told Donita... to look for 'The Winks'.
; )
'Love'... never dies.
<3
Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.
Barb C.
Fairfarren...
Charlie.
<3
Sunday, November 23, 2025
To Everything... There Is a Season.
Jethro, and I... had to take a sad drive...
through
Iowa's Beautiful Countryside,
today.
Thought I could write the entire 'Story'...
this
Evening,
but...
there's no way.
: )
That's... a Good Thing.
<3
Stay Tuned.
; )
Love to Ya...
Prayers for All.
Barb C.
{click on the above image... it's Beautiful.
<3
'Simply... Iowa' }
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