Pressing Apples- How could a year have passed?

It is now October and half way through the month no less. We have been squeezing apples for the last 3 weekends and getting some pretty fine juice if I say so myself. This last weekend Zach and Rachel came out to help. And as Rachel was put on the grinder for her turn I started thinking about how this all seemed so familiar.  It was just a year ago that we met Rachel for the first time when she came out as a new friend of Amy and Max. She was not only a new friend but soon to be pup sitter if I recall. Amy and Max had been in their Stark Street apartment for about 3 months by then. And Zach lived at the Parish. I remember my first impression of Rachel was that she was able to keep up with our family banter, which is very rapid and over the top of each other. She also had a similar sarcasm that w as not unnoticed but rather kind of a relief as we can be a little off putting at times to new comers. I think shortly after this Zach and Rachel met at Amy's and the rest is history as they say. (I can't find a picture of the apple pressing but have a picture of duck day in Jan 08 which is close)

 

It must have been a melancholy day as I also remembered that at this time last year A & M went on a very cold and wet 100 mile bike event. (pictured in yellow rain gear). It was a long day for them but they were troopers and finished.

 

October last year was just after Amy and Max were married and had spent a brief trip in Wyoming. That was a whirlwind of planning (the wedding I mean) but I think it was beautiful. I am not sure if having more time makes it any less of an anxious time- maybe too much time to dwell on things would make it worse.  Next time I will be on the groom side so I will just kick back-- ha ha

 

This past year my mom passed away. I miss her a great deal. It is something I rarely speak of but it was a significant event for me this last spring. We had so many up and downs in our relationship but I tried to do everything I could to make her last few years as pleasant as I could. To make up for being very hard to have as a daughter for many other years I suppose. I am not sure one ever feels they did enough. Some days I am okay with myself, other days I carry the guilt of a child caring for a parent. The picture is a fun Christmas party at her apartment in 2006.

 

In the last few weeks Amy and Max have moved to Camden England. And in just a few weeks more Zach and Rachel will be going to Brisbane Australia. We are very proud of them. More than we tell them. And we brag of them to everyone we meet so much that people often duck and cover when they see us coming. Well not that bad, but almost. I am so proud that they are independent and successful and worldly. But really- couldn't you have been all that closer to home?! We will be visiting and as the world turns here we may just move in with them in their country and hop back and forth between them. ha ha

Last December the College of Education moved into a new building. I have an office with a window. Wow! And a view and heat and all the things real people have. If you can identify the red fruit you get a reward. The reward is yet to be determined but it will be a good one. Also, this is one of my favorite sculptures on campus. It looks so fall-ish. But pretty all the time.

Current time-no more nostalgia- yesterday was Vet visit day for Hazel and Clay. Well let's just say that Clay (7 months) is now mister Fatty Fatso- no more 1.5 pounds of little sick kitty. He weighs 8 pounds 10.5 ounces. Which is just 3/4 of a pound less than Hazel who is 17 months old? He considers the dogs to be his BFF as Hazel really could care less if he lives with us or not. She prefers or not!  Of course he likes his sleep and has been known to sleep on crutches when he can.

Food, Food, Food- I have a couple of recipes for anyone that wants to try them or modify them or sell them or whatever.

http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2007/09/vegan-omelette-for-one.html

http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2006/03/my-favorite-lasagna.html

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/my-sister-rias-favorite-fajitas-with-black-beans-and-rice-recipe/index.html

That is all for now- I will get to this again soon

Dilley Mom

 

 

Healthy and Tasty:

I learned of this new bakery on the morning news show the other day. I went to the web-site and began drooling on my keyboard. A delicious option finally dedicated to those that I love. And as you can see from my direct inquiry not only gf but v options as well. The link follows, as does their email reply to my inquiry.

 

Barb,
Thanks for your e-mail and inquiry about our products. Yes, we make vegan products and everything we make is gluten free.

The items that meet your requirements are:
Baguette
Seeded Baguette
Batard
Cranberry Raisin Walnut Bread
Seeded Bread
Portland Sourdough
Walnut Sourdough
rolls
Bavarian Soft Pretzels
Multnomah Granola (although it contains honey)
Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies
Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes
and coming later this week, Vegan Vanilla Cupcakes

Please let me know if you have any other questions.

Regards,

Teresa

New Cascadia Traditional ^TM
“The Gluten Free  Artisans”^TM

www.newcascadiatraditional.com

Warm heart cold hands:

I am saddened to see the chilly side of fall fast approaching. Leaves change color- awesome. Pumpkins abound- cheerful. The heat from the first fire in the wood stove- wondrous and warm to the bone.

 

Clay and the pup have not been around the wood stove and are going through an adjustment. Example of the tough learning curve. Clay felt the warm air coming out the front and thought jumping up on the top would be a good idea to help the investigation. It only took about 4 seconds before he was hopping straight up and from foot to foot and then diving off- those little foot pads were melting!

 

The pup really didn't want to go near the stove. She mostly stayed in the kitchen or back on her rug with Clay. As the temperature drops I am sure she will enjoy the penetrating warmth.

 

In addition it was 33 degrees this a.m. Sunny and dry though. How quickly summer fades.

 

In that shivering thought I sip my hot coffee.

The first weekend in October rushes in with high winds, pouring rain and mud. Friday the sky opened up and there was instantly several inches of rain rushing down the street over the filled street drains.

 

Saturday morning was chilly and dark and rainy again. What is a dog to do except perhaps steal a snooze where it is warm.

 

Mom