Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Chatty Thoughts About This and That



I have added a few fall like touches around my cottage.  No pumpkins or
mums just yet.  Maybe this weekend.  I am squeezing out every last day of
summer before it is gone until next year.  Are you like me, or do you race
ahead into the next season with vigor?  It gets harder and harder to resist 
the urge to take a slow and leisurely approach to the seasons.  Hobby
Lobby has been displaying Christmas decorations for weeks now.  But I
am dragging my feet.  My attitude is why rush life when it goes by 
fast enough as it is?  




Did y'all see that big beautiful moon last night?  I took Bentley for his
nightly walk around the neighborhood.  The sky was thankfully clear and
the moon glow lit our every step.  Everything was so still and quiet.
The perfect wind down to the day.  BTW ~ Moonglow is one of my 
favorite tunes.  Not from my era, but still memorable.  You can 
listen to Rod Stewart sing it here.  I think he does a nice rendition of 
this classic.



I believe you can just let the music play in the 
background as you scroll down.



I don't know what is wrong with me but I seem to have lost my passion
for cooking.  I have been in a menu rut lately.  Does that  happen to you?
Maybe it's the long stretches of 90 plus degree weather.  I used to be so
excited to try new recipes and now I keep falling back on old favorites.
Did I ever tell you that I back in 2006 through 2007 I worked my 
way through Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking 
Volume I?  Well I did.  I had no idea that someone was writing a blog
about doing that very thing.  One thing I learned was that I can make
a quick sauce to give the simplest meal a real gourmet touch.  I need
something to give me a nudge and inspire me once again.

I thought Meryl Streep did an excellent job of portraying Julia Child
in the movie Julie and Julia.   I thought that Jane Lynch was 
marvelous as Julia's sister Dorothy too.  As a side note, I read
that as part of Joan Rivers funeral requests, Joan wanted
Meryl Streep to cry in five different accents.  I laughed really
hard when I heard that line :-)



I don't know whether any of not you have this problem, but I seem to be a
magnet for Jehovah's Witness missionaries.  They visited me all of the
time in Idaho and they are visiting me all the time here too.  I don't know
if it is because I always answer the door when they stop by or what.
I have tried to explain to all of them that I am Episcopalian and am 
very comfortable with that choice, but they always seem to think that
they might have a chance to convert me.  Is it because I always try
to be pleasant and kind?  It's not like I am inviting them in for tea.
Two sweet ladies stopped by this morning.  I could tell by the
look on their faces that they thought I was a shoe in.

I do not mean to offend anyone who is a Jehovah's Witness.  I just
believe that faith is a very personal thing and I don't feel that I 
should preach.  Everyone should have their own choice.  Like
Robin Williams (who was also raised as an Episcopalian) said, 
there is always at least one other Episcopalian who is bound
to agree with me.



No real earth shattering news here.  I just felt like sitting down and
chatting.  Thanks for stopping by and I hope you will come back
again soon!

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

      















29 comments:

  1. I love this post Susan! Like having coffee with a friend.

    In my neighborhood we tag each other with text messages when the Jehovah's Witnesses are about. I'm with you, I'm not opposed to them I just don't want to become one.

    I've been in a cooking rut lately too. I forced myself to cook a roast several days ago and that helped a little. Just smelling something so wonderful made me in the mood for more good food. Yesterday I made a really good and easy soup that we are still enjoying. It's the heat...definitely.

    Your apple vignettes are so pretty. Apples are perfect for this time of year.

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  2. Hi Stacey! Thanks for dropping by today. I wonder how many people just don't open the door. When the ladies were stepping off the front porch, one of them turned to say "thanks for opening the door". It made me feel a little sad. I know they think they are offering hope. I am looking forward to making soup once again. I think of everything I cook, soup is my favorite. I love the process and the wonderful comforting aroma it sends through the kitchen.

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  3. First, I love the music...adore Moonglow and Rod Stewart singing these oldies. Second, yes...I've been in a rut too and can't wait for autumn! We've had horrid heat here as well and I'm so done with it. I love your new sweet touches. :) As far as Jehovah's Witnesses...we must not have any that go door to door in Oregon. I've never had one viist (nor have my friends) in the 17 years I've been here...but I agree with you, it's a very personal thing. Hope you and Bentley are doing well! xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's so good to hear from you again Michelle! How are all of your pets and are you still riding? I hope so. I never liked Rod Stewart all that much until he started singing oldies and now I love him. He's on my iPad right along with Chris Isaak ~ another favorite of mine. Thanks for stopping by!

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  4. I agree with you Susan. We live in a subdivision in Round Rock that is not gated so the streets are considered public. We have Baptist, Jehovah Witness, Free Churches, all coming at one time or another. We are Lutheran and have no desire to change, or to change anyone else's beliefs. I feel for them because they are rejected more then welcomed but that is their choice to do it. Add to that all the soliciting we get and I am on some days at the door more than you can imagine. So--my daughter made me a No Soliciting sign with her Silhouette that is so cute it just fits among my decor on a bench at our front door. This has made all the difference. We get a Jehovah or Baptist here and there but even they see the wood sign and walk away. It helps both of us I think...Oh, I'm not cooking much either--I thought it was just me being lazy ;-)

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    Replies
    1. We only get Jehovah's Witness or maybe kids in the neighborhood selling raffle tickets, etc. We have lots of telephone solicitations though. We have a land line that is bundled with our cable and wireless. I never use it. Can't even remember the number so I rarely answer it if it rings because no one we know calls us on that line. But boy when it rings, it comes in waves and it's always someone looking for a person who does not have this number any more. Good chatting with you Sandy!

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  5. Living alone, I make it a point not to open the door to anyone I don't recognize.
    Brenda

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    Replies
    1. Hi Brenda! I should probably follow your lead. It's just that it is always two little old ladies who come by. Not the same ones each time though. I feel bad about not opening the door for them. Maybe I should make up a little pamphlet to hand them about why I am Episcopalian ;-) Do you think that would stop them in their tracks???

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  6. Wow! What beautiful vignettes! Love every photos. The apples look yummy and especially in the enamel pan. I forgot how much I loved enamel until I saw this post. I sold my scale and I am so mad at myself. This is such a great post.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! I love vintage enamel. I don't have that many pieces, but the ones I do have I love!

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  7. Great post, Susan. The only time I get in a real cooking rut is if I've gone cooking crazy for days on end, and then in the days before I go grocery shopping and I'm out of everything. To get into my groove I try to have a few new recipes ready, ingredients already bought. A well stocked kitchen to me is like a craft room to some! BTW, I think it's cool that you made all those recipes...those are not easy!!

    We get the Jehovah Witnesses and I seriously do not answer the door. Nor to the politicians. I feel it's an invasion of my privacy. Why do I need to explain that to them?

    Thanks for the comment today. I think we both might be the types to "overthink" things! Ha!

    Jane xx

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    Replies
    1. I had to laugh at your "overthink" statement! Boy do you have me pegged!!

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  8. As we spend so much time in the garden we often don't hear the front door so most of our friends just come around the back but salesman etc don't know this so they just go away thinking we are not home, solves the problem.
    Merle.........

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's it. I'll just take my laptop out back to the back porch and blog from there! Thanks for the perfect solution!!

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  9. Susan, we have a problem with Jehovahs Witnesses too. I think they mean well, but can not seem to understand we all do not believe the same way.............

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    Replies
    1. Exactly! They are all so sweet that I hate to be rude. Thanks for stopping by!!

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  10. Like you, I am no hurry to rush the season, but fall is my favorite time of year. For me it's bitter sweet and makes me think of my long lost love from my college days :(

    Mr Motto Guzzi text me last night to tell me to go look at the moon. I went out and enjoyed it for a minute but then began thinking about all the bugs that love to bite me when I dare to step outside. So I ran back in :))

    I use to cook but don't seem to enjoy it anymore. Julie and Julia was a favorite movie. I went right out and bought it and still watch it from time to time. Great movie.

    Faith is very personal. My ex-husband was a minister and he nearly killed me with his constant preaching at me and beating everyone he came in contact with. Notice I said "ex-husband" :)

    Thanks for sharing with us :)

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    Replies
    1. I love fall too. In fact I think every season has it's special character, even winter! You are just like me Pat. Bugs love me too. I have decided that Deep Woods Off is now my personal fragrance ;-) Love hearing from you!

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    2. Yes I've started carrying bug spray and itch cream with me everywhere I go. It's because we are so sweet :)

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  11. Loved the simple chattiness if this blog. The pictures you shared were very pretty too. Please take another picture with the little cabinet that is peeking out in the 2nd picture. It's white with what looks like screen in the door. I love to build small furniture & that looks like a piece I might want to try & replicate. I am hanging on to the last wisps of summer here in Washington. We're in a new house & I'm anxious to paint a couple of rooms before it gets too rainy & cold.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Deb! Sure, I will be happy to take a few pics of that cabinet for you. It's a cute little cabinet where my spices live. Yes, it does have a screen in the door. Congratulations on your new house! How exciting to make it all your own.

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  12. I enjoyed the music and did listen (and am still listening) as I scrolled. I agree about the JW at the door. I tend to get them a great deal, too, and I don't know why. We are never as receptive as I would think they would like when they come and tend to do our own evangelism right back. I guess they like debate or something because they keep on coming.

    I loved the part about Meryl Streep crying in five accents. I can't wait to tell that to my daughter. She (and I) both love M.S.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Debbie! Rule #1 when dealing with JW ~ don't engage. Yes, they do seem to like to debate. I love Meryl Streep. She is so very talented. She is like a chameleon. She just morphs right into the character she plays and she does it with such ease. Her accents are always spot on. I can tell that she really loves her work. Did you know that she has quite a good singing voice too? Glad you stopped by Debbie!

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  13. Love Moonglow! JWs quit visiting me when I told them I was an EpiscoPaganBuddhist. (Huh what?!)
    Loved this post. Hugs to you and Bentley.

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    Replies
    1. You are hysterical! I actually knew a rector back in Idaho who could qualify for your description. A real tree hugger with an eastern slant on liturgy. He moved on to a church in Sun Valley. You see ~ Robin Williams was right ~ you can always find another Episcopalian who will agree with whatever you believe in :-) Big Hugs!!

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  14. I loved this post, but I loved the vignettes more!

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  15. What a nice chat we've had today! I too don't want to rush the seasons! Life seems to be flying by so fast lately. That is pretty awesome that you cooked your way through Julia Child's cook book! WOW! Hope you have a restful day and maybe we can bring out a touch of Fall decor a little bit at a time this month!
    hugs,
    Linda

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  16. I'm in Michigan and not ready for fall, even tho it's my favorite season for decorating, even over Christmas. And I love the song Moonglow too, but for a very personal reason. Shortly before my husband passed I saw a woman being interviewed on one of the morning talk shows that try's to convince you that they are a news show, sorry sidetracked, this lady had written a book about being a widow and the name of her book....Moonglow! I bought the book a couple days after my husband passed. I couldn't read Joan Rivers book about her experience but that is no reflection on her.

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Oliver and I LOVE and read every comment.

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