New cookie Recipe.

So I found this recipe for fudge striped shortbread cookies... It seemed easy and I needed to work off some stress in the kitchen...

I had trouble getting the dough into a "log" shape.  I figured this was ok.  I wasn't interested in making them pretty, ok?

Golden brown at the edges.  I let them cool on the sheets for a while, because they crumbled a bit when I tried to move one.  About 30 minutes later they were cool enough to move to a rack.

They turned out kind of pretty after I melted some chocolate chips then used a ziploc bag to pipe the chocolate over them.  Next time I will be smart enough to use a potholder to hold the ziploc bag while I squeeze the chocolate out.  I have a burnt hand because I'm silly.  They're... Ok.  They're not brilliant, but they taste ok.  I actually think I should have used a bit more salt, or used salted butter in the recipe instead of unsalted.  They came out a bit bland.  I'll have to get the opinion of my guys later this evening.  And try not to think about them being made from 2 sticks of butter.  Ugh!  Now I'm off to work out.

It can't get here too soon...

I'm really, really ready for spring.  I'm ready to do long runs, work in the yard, go on long hikes with the kiddo and pup, get muddy and gross, and just be back outside in general.  I've been prepping myself, my house, my plants... but every time it seems to warm up enough for a tantalizing taste, we get hit with a snowstorm the next day and I'm back shoveling snow instead of dirt like I would rather be doing.  So I'm keeping myself occupied in the house.

Such as keeping the dog shiny and clean.  She doesn't like baths as a rule, but is very good about them, then tears around like a crazy thing afterwards, rubbing herself all over chairs, people, and to my chagrin, snow.  Silly Pup.

 I also have made use of the fireplace more during the "cold snaps" or.. maybe we've been having warm snaps since we're so cold most of the time... anyway, yes I really enjoy the fireplace.  I have gotten into the habit of moving the couch right up in front of it and having a book and a cup of tea handy... or dozing... the warmth has helped after some of my runs recently.  I'm up to 4.5 miles again... it's a long way from the 31 miles I want to run this fall... we'll see if fate cooperates and i can get better at a training regime soon (if it would warm up!)

 The sprouts!  This is after a week.  I planted them too early, I'm sure... the ground will still be frozen by the time they're going to want transplanted... sigh.

 See!  Lots of snow.  At least the crows come visit me for my sunflower seeds I sprinkle just for them on the driveway.  I like crows.  Those of you who don't... Sorry.. I know I'm crazy. I have a thing for them since I had a "pet" wild one for a few months over one summer when I was little.  And yes, he was affectionately named "Caw" and ate roast beef at 5.99 a pound.

 I needed some spring happy, so I encouraged some Forsythia to bloom early this year.  I don't mind that the real stuff probably has another month or more before it'll peek out, at least I have a little cheer on the dining room table...

And here are the sprouts today!  ARGH!  At least I'll be able to transplant them into bigger pots probably and they'll be ok until the beds thaw.  Definately going to build two more raised beds to put in the front yard this year, and maybe a new garden bed for the Blueberry bushes that don't like the lack of sun in the back yard.  I figure the price will come to about $6000, (I'm hoping to get a used truck out of this whole landscaping thing... pipe dreams maybe, but we'll see... )

Supposedly it's going to warm up above 32 degrees today, which means trying for a long run when hubby gets home... I'm hoping for at least 5 miles, upping my milage a bit each time I run trying to get my endurance back after a long and lazy winter.  Here's to hoping!

Spring can't get here soon enough...

I know it's been a while, but today started the productivity of spring, even if it's still too cold to go outside without heavy coat, gloves, hat, boots and skis.

I decided this year, for my seed starting, I would be a good little naturalist and recycler and re-use my plastic seed starting containers from last year, and buy those little expanding dirt pellets in bulk instead.  Burpee sold the pellets in bulk, so I bought them up (along with some lettuces, some biodegradable plant pots, and some Roma tomato seeds), and waited for "planting" day.  I worry I'm a bit early this year, but something is urging me along, so I'll go with it.

I've read a little about planting here and there, so the first thing I did this morning was throw the old stuff in the tub with a bit of bleach, let them soak a bit, then rinsed them off.  That should kill any fungus or bad mojo sitting around on my containers while they were living in the cold garage all winter.

Soaking in the tub! 

"lemon" scented bleach.  A lie.  Still smells entirely too much like bleach.

He was helping me stack them up across the bathroom when they were clean and rinsed.

I moved the "greenhouses" downstairs, let them air dry for a couple hours, then went to work.  I stuck the dry pellets in (rounded side up), then poured hot water over them.

Dropped in an assortment of tomato, cucumber, and broccoli seeds, and now I just have to let the sunshine and water and soil do their jobs.  I can't wait until I can plant all the lettuces I have.  But... the beds outside aren't quite ready...

Brrrr... Time to go curl up in bed with a cup of tea and enjoy the last few weeks of snow and cold a little longer...

The beginning of the end...

 We all went hiking yesterday.  "Tsuga!" my son says, when I ask where we should hike.  About a mile round trip, and he hikes great.  The leaves are gone from a lot of the maples.  A lot of the trees are done, with really just Oaks and Beeches and a few others clinging.  We've defiantely shifted from greens/bright colors to bright/muddy colors/empty crowns.

The sky was amazing yesterday.

 Grove of maples, all empty...

 Still a lot of beautiful colors...

We did more raking... the story of my life for another 2 months, at least.  And this morning I got up and ran 9 miles.  It was beautiful and cool and crisp and sunny.  I have this thing... i like to run on roads.  I run on road I always want to turn onto in my car, but I'm always on my way somewhere or other.  So when I run, I pick the roads I wouldn't drive on... I pick the most indirect-winding ways.  I pick the road that only one car can drive on  at a time.  I look at gardens and yards, and fields.  I watch for deer, or birds.  Today I saw Cedar Waxwings everywhere.  I think about how much I miss living in the country... I let my feet pound the pavement and let my brain drift along the landscape....

Autumn Weekends...

are too few.  Last weekend we enjoyed Applefest in Franklin, this weekend started with the little guy and I picking out pumpkins.  We found a free place in Conneaut Lake (I think next weekend will be the head up to the farm place and do hay rides and such).

Al's Melons has tons of produce, lots of pumpkins, and a mini corn maze.  Don't take your 6-12 year olds here.  They'll be bored.  But OMG the three year old was thrilled.

How 'bout this one Mommy?

 

Corn maze fun.  It was hard for me to catch a photo of him he was moving so fast.

Mommy, you go that way.

We picked out a few pumpkins for the porch and maybe to later carve.  Also picked up some unpasturized apple cider to mull.... MMmmmm

Today we woke up and decided to go on a hike down at Oil Creek State Park.  Really, this is my favorite state park in the area.  I wish we lived closer than 40 minutes, but really for as great and amazing as it is, it's not that much sacrifice to drive there.

We picked the Wildcat Hallow trails, which is a series of looping trails that take you through wetlands, forest, past relics of the Oil Boom, and through amazing rock formations on the geology trail.  The total Mileage, even if you took all the trails is probably only a 2.5 mile loop.  We ended up doing a little under 2 miles, and little guy was great the entire time.  I did hoist him up to my shoulders in some of the trickier spots, and there was a bit of hand holding on some of the slicker bridges and steeper slopes, but for 3, he's an amazing hiker.  The dog and husband also had a blast.  We even resisted the urge to stop somewhere for lunch on the way home.

 Lots of bridges

 

The Family

Mommy saves the day!

This will teach me to complain about my knee.

Tomorrow, I'm going to try to do a long run, but relaxing is pretty much in store for the rest of the weekend.

The one thing about autumn...

Leaves.  LEAVES LEAVES LEAVES!!!

I do love leaves.  But every October through the end of November, we rake.  We rake and rake and rake and mulch and rake and mow and rake.  I used to mind a lot more when i was 20-30 pounds heavier and would get winded going up a flight of stairs.  Now I can handle raking a yard-full of leaves several times a week for a month or two.  Really.  I mean, leaving them on the lawn isn't an option.  It'll kill the weeds.. er.. grass that make up the front yard.  So I mulch them, I rake them, I put them in the compost pile, I spread them over the raised beds, I stick them in the flower gardens.

But mostly, I rake them, throw them on a tarp, and pull them out into the street for the city to pick up and then mulch for whatever use our city deems fit.

On beautiful days, I really don't mind it, and the kiddo had a blast today.  I need to re-develop my raking callouses, but otherwise, I'm READY!

Meanwhile, I'll enjoy the beautiful weather after a week of rain, and enjoy the colors of the leaves...

And I think the kiddo is enjoying the weather too...

Tired Friday...

Been sleepy all day today.  Maybe because I woke up before 6, then the kiddo was up, so I just stayed up.  Today was a tidying up day.  I cut the little one's hair, then decided the dog might as well get trimmed too (I used different scissors).  Had a friend stop by to visit after lunch, then decided to do some work outside.

I finished up most of my garden putting to sleep, then decided to split some perennials while I was thinking about it.

I moved some Black-eyed Susans, several types of thyme, some sedum, some pinks, and several other things that I'm not sure what they are, but I'll find out next spring/summer when they bloom!  I think I got some phlox, some type of lily, some mums, and a bleeding heart.  I'll be happy if these splits thrive.  I know the soil is pretty nice, but I hope there is enough sun. I also mulched them with the rest of my early summer mulch.  Good luck little perennials!

Creeping Thyme!

Sedum.

  I also limed the garden under the pine tree.  The ground cover gets sparse, due to maybe acidity, or an Australian Shepherd running around in the stuff... but liming it last fall seemed to encourage it to grow this summer, so I'm hoping for the best for next summer as well.

I also put up some Halloween decor.  I do get too crazy, but I do like the house to feel somewhat seasonal. Boogily Boogily!