Silver Tease

Oh, kymber....

I know, I'm a bad boy.

Three ounces of pure beauty.

Stephen

Just for kymber

I need to rename this dish Belly Popper. Kymber, my dear, here's the finished product. My chicken and dumplings.

Above. I've just placed the dumplings into the pot. This picture doesn't give justice to the dishes deep golden richness.

Now, the finished dish.

If anyone can eat more than three of my dumplings and still walk they're superhuman.

Not a bad two hours work. Now, about that recipe....I'll think about it. First I need to take a long walk.

Stephen

Cool Whispers

The weather has finally turned towards heaven with cool breezes and bright sunshine. When I arrived at the shop my old mercury gauge read fifty-nine degrees. We Florida residents think of this as a cold snap.

Rev. Paul would be wearing swim-trunks and a sweat rag, and my lovely friend, kymber, up in the far frozen reaches of Canada, well, she'd skinny dip in fifty-nine degree water. On the other hand, Sweet Wife wore a sweater to work.

*****


I'd like to remind you, my dear followers, that my best friend (I have at least thirty best friends) Senior Chief, now writes a blog. He's a really nice guy. Remember, though, we military guys tend to cuss, on occasion. Just wanted to let you know he can be colorful in his word selection. More importantly he can teach you a thing or two about food preps....his logistics system and methods are worth close study.

Please, drop by for a visit.

For those of you new to my blog it's a well kept secret that I am a founder of a group of like minded individuals (we hold the same world view) sworn to help each the other in times of emergencies - man-made or natural. Membership requirements are simple - members must have military experience, veterans, or currently on active military duty. Any branch will suffice. Another group member is my very close friend, Duke. Of course wives are also considered members, case in point, the lovely and talented, Glock Mom. The poor girl is married to Senior Chief.

We have (the Group) a sub-membership category. Auxiliary membership is simple; any member with a vote (there are only six) has the right to reach out and tap a worthy individual for auxiliary membership if the voting member feels the person will bring a talent or skill valuable to our group.

One such auxiliary member is my good friend, MDR, better known as The Modern Day Redneck. He lives way out yonder in Texas....
Sad to say I've been remiss in my friendship. Life you know. But none the less, when the cow patties hit the fan our arms will be opened wide.

Excuse me, lost my train of thought....he moves to jerk a cup of coffee.

My point - they're great people, each and every one of them and I'm proud to have them as friends.

Sometimes we forget.

***** 

 I've made many wonderful friends through the magic of this blog. My blog would have never made it off the ground without the very valuable assistance and kindness of my lovely and sweet and talented friend, Patrice Lewis, of Rural Revolution fame. Patrice, and her nice husband Don gave me much encouragement and help in the early days as I made attempts to find my voice. I owe them much. I'll always think of Don as a brother.

*****

It was the cool whispers of my sweet friends, Brigid and Tam, that boosted my readership and kept my nose to the grind stone.

I still remember when Tam wrote and left a note of encouragement after I made some comment about 'not sure if people will read this drivel.' She said, 'If you write they will come.'  Indeed. Thanks, Tam.

 And, Brigid, I still have the photo....it makes me smile. You're a sweetheart. Thank you so very much for your kindness and help.

*****

As you can tell I'm rambling....business is slow this morning and I'm in the mood to say 'thanks.' I truly wish I had the time to leave a link to each of you that have been kind enough to leave comments on this little blog. A blog I've written solely for selfish reasons as a chronicle to my grandchild, Little Bit. But, the effort of such would fill a good weeks worth of time.

I must leave one big thank you to my friend, James Wesley, Rawles. Trust me, if you ever write a piece on your blog and it catches the attention of Mr. Rawles, get ready, you'll be in for an evening of fun and hard work. I promised readers if they left any comment on my blog I'd always reply. Early on one of my simple pieces was linked at SurvivalBlog. I sat that evening and wrote 'thank yous' until two the next morning. It's a humbling experience. Thank you, James.

*****

 And, to my Little Bit.

You are the reason.

Stephen

  

Respite

I slept last night. Took a while but rest finally came to me. For those of you with concerns of my coffee consumption please try and understand the caffeine isn't the problem. I do though thank you for the kind comments, and please beg your pardon for my lack of swift reply to the same. I shall make an effort this afternoon to answer. At present I'm just too busy and kind of shell shocked on this cloudy day.

A sawbones will examine and probe my weaknesses tomorrow.

Not much news to pass along. Did just take a call from 'the pimp.' He wanted to know if I knew of an underground market for a big flat screen television. Told him no. He then said he has a couple of handguns he wants to show me. I really need to find a better class of customer.

I took this picture of my coffee station for my sweet friend kymber. Kymber, please note my coffee cup and its placement. It stands empty and forlorn. I've taken your advice.

Later.

Stephen

A Hug from Canada

Late yesterday afternoon I parked and walked out to my mailbox. My arms were full. I had my leather bag slung over a shoulder, my hands held a plastic bag filled with our Chinese dinner, and in my other a seven inch thick tax file. When I opened the mailbox there was the usual fliers and letters and a box. The top of the box was covered in Canadian stamps; many stamps. Inside the house I dumped the pile on my kitchen counter, with a smile.

The package was from my friends, kymber and Jamie. My family had just received a hug from Framboise Manor.

I'll let the pictures tell the story.

Above, Framboise Manor.

Above, my new antique lures from Jamie. Notice the large one top right...it's a Pumkinseed from the old Heddon company, circa late 50's - early 60's. My smile was a mile wide...thanks again, Jamie. Inside the card addressed to Sweet Wife was a little packet of seeds, Rose of Sharon. The seeds had been saved over many years by kymber. kymber sent them for Sweet Wife. Their flowers will grace our yard this summer. Sweet Wife smiled with joy. She said, "You have such nice friends."

Little Bit opened her gift from kymber this morning....a little Hello Kitty tin filled with cute little girl hair-clips and a ring. I asked her to smile but she refused. She's hiding her newly formed front teeth. 

Here she selects just the right clip for her hair. 

Little Bit's new ring. She said, "It's so pretty, Papa. Tell kymber I'll wear it to school." She did, kymber.

The hair-clips...it took her five minutes or so to select just the right one. She then took a slim strand of hair and placed it just so. As she stepped from the truck for school she turned and said, "Kymber's sweet, Papa. Tell her I love her."

I promised I would...and, kymber, you are sweet. Thank you.

Stephen

Bits and Pieces

First allow me to say thanks and welcome to my new friend and follower, MizzAnonymous. 'Mizz, I promise to always reply to your comments; it might take me a few hours or days, with time and work constraints, but I will reply. You are now among friends.

My days of late are long and not all that restful, please be patient with my single entries here on my humble little blog.

Our weather has turned hot - we should have a high of 80 today - just downright awful weather.

Here comes work, see 'ya later.

(35 minutes later)

Last weekend Sweet Wife and Little Bit came by my shop and spruced it up for Christmas. They hung a few lights on the windows, some glitter and a very small Christmas tree. Little Bit layered the tree with candy canes. Those candy canes are at least twelve years old, really. She wanted to try one and I said they've aged well but don't believe they'd taste good at all....she tried one. Spit, sputter, then - "Ah, Papa, that's awful."

One learns from their mistakes.

My friend, kymber, asked for pictures and as I promised I'd post one or two....here you are Sweet Lady...

See, I always keep my promises.

This morning as Little Bit and Me were having breakfast I again, notice I said again, tipped over my coffee. Those darn McDonald's coffee cups are top heavy. Fluted narrow from bottom to top...it needs a redesign. Heck of a way to begins ones day; wet hot 511's.

Anyway, it just tickled the heck out of Little Bit.

"Papa, you're just like a little kid, always spilling your sippy cup."

Giggles.

Then, "Watch me, Papa. See, you hold it at the bottom and tip the top forward. And, "Where's your straw?"

Takes after her grandmother...

 But, I love her.

Stephen

Something Different for kymber

Here's a bit of filler until I find the time, and will, to write. Kymber (spelled with a capital K) as you and yours live so far out in the boonies and are known to knock deer dead with rocks, I thought this might help with the leftovers.

Big grin here....

Hey, you never know.

Stephen