We found a new dog groomer who has a sense of humor. This is Bean just shortly after I picked her up. Love the bows. They lasted all of one day but she looked cute for that time. Her face is dirty because as soon as she got home she started looking for chipmunks in the woodpile but the rest of her was clean.
Update on Jenny Lane
I don’t really have a lot to report for this week. The guys were here on Monday and they did quite a lot of trim on the windows in the Bonus+ room which is now my office. I love it in here. Love the windows and the bright light. Wide windowsills so I can put plants on them. I found a desk at The Renaissance shop in town for $100 and it is great. We moved the screen porch furniture down here as that space is now under construction. Katie ordered some new cushions so, for now, this room is starting to look pretty good. The trim is on the sides of the windows and the doors but not on the top yet. It is not on the top of the two walls behind my desk either and not on the baseboards but we are getting there. Patience!!! We also discovered we have two leaks that need to be fixed. Both need to be fixed on the outside so hopefully that will happen before we get any more winter weather.
Walking This Week
I wanted to talk about this photo. I pass this spot every time I walk on the rail trail and the Proctor lands. It is a sand pit that is in use. This past week the pile of dark dirt has grown exponentially. What I have found so interesting is all the toy trucks that are left there. So far I have not seen anyone playing with the trucks but there are a lot of them. If I cut the picture off at the top of the little sand pile you wouldn’t probably know that it was toy trucks. The tell tale is the picnic table and the real truck in the background. This is one of my favorite views of the many along the trail.
I confess I didn’t get to complete my 100 miles for the month of October. Made it to 74 but just couldn’t get there. Too many things going on and the weather didn’t cooperate. However, when it snowed the dogs and I were out there tromping through the trail behind our house. No sign of bears and believe me I was looking for the foot prints. It was beautiful but I would prefer to go a bit longer without the snow. It has all melted now.
Halloween in Birch Acres
Last year we had just moved into the Jenny Lane house and didn’t know quite what to expect from Halloween. We had some candy and a pumpkin but we didn’t get any trick or treaters. It turned out they were all in town going up and down Main Street. New London closes the street to traffic and the children can run back and forth, safely, to the houses and businesses along the street. This year, with the pandemic, things were a little different. It was more neighborhood oriented. So we joined our neighbors and put our candy and pumpkins along with some spooky music and a few other items on a bench at the corner of our property. Another neighbor joined us with her table and decorations. We have a lot of children in the neighborhood and they all came by which was great fun. The other visitor was our Birch Acres black bear. He made quite an appearance and was even video taped by another neighbor. He zigzaged his way behind us and crossed the street three times. We later discovered that he also paid a visit during the night to our dumpster. There was stuff all over the yard. Guess he was mad there was no food there. So it was quite a different and, I would say, most unusual Halloween.
Baking This Week
It just seemed like the right thing to do – bake some bread – this week. Actually made three loaves and gave one away. It came out perfectly. Seems the family like homemade bread along with soup or as toast in the morning. I also made a big batch of yummy Mushroom Soup. It is John’s favorite so we have been eating soup and bread for lunch most week days. Here is the Mushroom Soup recipe that I used from The New York Times.
INGREDIENTS
2 to 3 ounces dried mushrooms (like cremini, morel; whatever you like) Shitake
½ stick butter
1 sprig fresh thyme or rosemary (used fresh rosemary from our garden)
1 large yellow onion or 3 or 4 shallots, chopped (used onion)
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 pound fresh mushrooms like shiitake or button, sliced (a variety is nice) I added portabello and button
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
⅓ cup sherry or Madeira (I used Sherry)
5 cups chicken stock, mushroom-soaking liquid or a combination
1 cup cream (optional)
Chopped fresh parsley leaves for garnish
PREPARATION
- Soak the dried mushrooms in 5 cups very hot water until soft, anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes. When they are tender, remove mushrooms from the soaking liquid with a slotted spoon, reserving the liquid; slice or chop if the pieces are large.
- Meanwhile, put the butter in a large pot that can later be covered over medium heat. When it melts, add the herb, onions and garlic and sauté, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 5 minutes. Turn the heat to medium high, and add the fresh mushrooms; add the soaked mushrooms when they’re ready. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and cook until the mushrooms have given off their liquid and begun to brown, about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the sherry or Madeira to the pot and cook, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom as the liquor starts to bubble. Add the stock or soaking liquid and bring to a boil, then lower the heat to a steady simmer and cook, covered, until flavors have melded, about 15 minutes.
- Discard the herb. Reduce the heat to low, and purée the liquid with a hand-held mixer to desired consistency. (I like it half-puréed.) Add the cream if you’re using it; stir to combine and let simmer for a few minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning; garnish with parsley and serve.
