Sunday Moments

We spent last weekend in Pittsburgh.  Dave's dad who is 92 years old fell off of his scooter and broke both his femur and humerus bones.  Needless to say, we were extremely worried.  So we made the six hour sojourn there to check on him.
Because he had broken the neck of his femur, hip replacement surgery was foremost on our mind.  At first, the doctors were not sure whether they would operate.  There are many risks associated with hip replacement and they are ten fold in an older person.  However, because he is so active (swimming a 1/2 mile/day five times a week), they decided to perform the surgery as the benefits outweighed the risks.
We are so glad they did.
The doctor did a partial hip replacement on Sunday, Monday the physical therapists had him out of bed and in a wheel chair for an hour, Tuesday he put weight on his leg, and by Friday he had returned home :)  Although he is not able to return to his apartment yet, he is at the skilled living portion of the facility where he continues to recuperate. 
Most importantly, he has returned to his home and friends:)
While the surgery was being performed, we walked across the street and enjoyed the peacefulness of LaRoche College.  It was just what we needed.  
I hope you enjoy the jaunt also.

Peace be with you.

Breakfast Out

Although I do not put much thought or effort into what I eat for breakfast, it is my favorite meal of the day.  I love breakfast.  Cream of wheat with a teaspoon of sugar and skim milk are in my bowl and several cups of black coffee sustain me until lunch.  And, I am happy.
However, every once in a while I like to go out to breakfast.  It is my favorite meal to eat out.  And, I like to eat local.  Today we went to the Red Coyote Cafe.  It is a quaint little joint that made us feel right at home.  You don't really have to get dressed up.  You can wear sweats and set on the comfortable furniture...

and play checkers while drinking your coffee...

 

or take dorky pictures of each other being crushed by checker chip cups...

And, nobody minds...

Well, most of us didn't mind :)

The food was excellent...

Breakfast burrito to die for :)

Chocolate chip waffles to die for :)

and we left with full bellies and smiles on our faces because we know we will be returning there soon.

Enjoy the company you are with and eat together.
“Eating is not merely a material pleasure. Eating well gives a spectacular joy to life and contributes immensely to goodwill and happy companionship. It is of great importance to the morale.”
— Elsa Schiaparelli

Happy Thanksgiving

From my parade loving...

 

 golf playing...

Scottie loving...

football watching...

card playing...

 

wine loving...

family...

to yours :)
Have a wonderful day!!!
I hope your day is full of good food and hearty laughs.

Homemade Applesauce

Other than my oyster dressing, there is nothing I enjoy more at Thanksgiving than homemade applesauce.  It is so easy to make and I love the way the house smells when I make it.  You begin with a cornucopia of apples.  It doesn't matter what variety you choose.  I used several different varieties this time and I cut and peeled as many as I wanted (pretty much until my hand began to hurt :)

I placed the apples in my favorite cooking pot and added just enough water (about a cup and a half), placed the cover on top and turned the burner on to simmer...

And in approximately 30 minutes the apples had cooked down (turned soft).
I removed the warm applesauce from the pot, placed in a glass bowl and added New York maple syrup and cinnamon to taste...

The end result is below...

Homemade applesauce with just the right amount of chunky apples, maple syrup and cinnamon.
Pure heaven.
Homemade is better :)

Thrift Store Find

$24.99
Solid oak.
Sweet edging and cut out flowers.
A round top and square shelf below for photos.

Made in the USA.
I absolutely love it.

I Went Home Yesterday

to where I grew up...

It relaxes me.

Yankee Pot Roast

I forgot to mention that while we were enjoying our road trip to Auburn on Friday, I had a chuck roast in the crockpot all day long (7:30 AM - 5:30 PM to be exact).  I found a recipe for Yankee Pot Roast in the November edition of FAMILY CIRCLE.  It looked too good not to try.  Let me tell you, it was well worth the effort.  I have posted the recipe under my recipe tab above.
When we left the house, this is what the meal looked like...

We returned home to a roaring fire (thank you DJ), the wonderful aroma of a slow cooked pot roast and the sight of this...

Mouth Watering Chuck Roast

Tasty Vegetables

The men of the house gave it a big thumbs up!!!

However, don't plan on going out after you eat it.  You are going to want to put your pajamas on (hey, it's dark at 5:00 anyway), sit down, watch a little TV, read and enjoy the rest of your night.  That is unless you fall asleep :)

I hope you give the recipe a try.

It's a winner.

Have a great day!!!

Road Trip - Cayuga County

Yesterday, Dave and I took a road trip to Auburn.  I wanted to see the Quilts =Art=Quilts exhibit at the Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center.  Do not think I am quilter - I am not.  However, I do love quilts and when an opportunity to view some presents itself, I go.  Usually, I go with my Mom or daughter - this time Dave was the lucky fellow :)  I could not take pictures, but if you click on the link above, you get the idea.  The quilts were more of an artistic impression than traditional quilts and were both very, very creative and beautiful.

We ate lunch at Bambino's Bistro.  I cannot say enough nice things about it.  The food, the atmosphere and the staff were all wonderful.  I forgot the camera in the truck, so no pictures here either.  If you get a chance, go there - it's good.
And, since we were in the Finger Lakes region and, it is wine country, we had to hit at least one winery.  So we hit two!!!

Our favorite (this trip) was Sheldrake Point Vineyard & Cafe.  It is absolutely beautiful.  The winery and cafe overlook Cayuga Lake and the wine they create is exquisite.

Is this not the most adorable winery ever?

And I ask you, "Does this guy not look like one happy camper?"

"Yes, I am a Happy Camper!!!"

It is an award winning winery...

and a very tasteful winery at that.
And yes, I do mean both literally and figuratively :)

So tasteful, in fact, that we ended up purchasing two bottles of wine - a Cabernet Franc for Dave and a Cabernet Franc Ice Wine for me...

We will be sharing these with those that we love during the upcoming holiday season.  With that being said, may it be known that the holiday season cannot come to my house fast enough :)
If you get a chance to explore the Finger Lakes, make sure you go to these places.
You won't regret it.
Have a great day!!!

Did You Remember to Turn Your Clock Back?

"If you didn't, make sure you do," says Mother Marcia.
I am not sure how most of you feel regarding the time change.  Actually, I am not quite sure how I feel about it myself.  In some respects, I like it.  I am a morning person.  However, I love my walks at night and I do not have any street lights on my road.  Maybe, I will have to walk in the morning.  We'll see.  Can't change it - might as well deal with it.
The time change has worked out well today, however.  I have used the extra hour very wisely.
I have baked peanut butter cookies...

in preparation for some football (imagine that:)...
Big game for the Bills today.

I raked a great big pile of leaves...

and am about ready to take this little girl right here for a walk...

"Hurry up Mom!!!"

It is supposed to be beautiful here today - bright sunshine and 67 degrees.  That is my kind of day.  However, I will not be outside enjoying it.  I will be at a local college taking Kayaking 101.  Can't wait.
I leave you with a photo of some leaves that have not yet fallen.  The photo was taken yesterday.

Have a great day.
GO BILLS!!!