Kindle. What is not to love ?

Thought I would show you a picture of the Smallest Mountain Range, "The Buttes,"  located north of Sacramento.
     Now getting back to our Kindle.  I am just thrilled to death about all the free books they offer.  I swear, I'm like a kid in a candy shop.  I snap up the books like they will disappear if I don't and they will.  Disappear from the free list that is.  There were a couple of books I was debating about getting.  Even though they are free, I have made myself read about them first and decide if I can't live without them.  Well, I waited too long and the next thing I knew here they were on the paid list for 9.99.  What!  I was so mad.  So now I decide right away.  There are a few Authors I really like and I do watch for there new books to show up.  One of the books I want to get  is by Fanny Flagg.  If you haven't read here books, do so.  I think you will love them. Right now I am reading, "Deadly Sanctuary," by Sylvia Nobel.  This is a free book, if you haven't pick it up yet, do so.  I am really enjoying.  Happy Reading !  Tootles and Doodles

Happy Holidays !

That is our Eleanor wishing you Good spirits for the season.  This is just before I made the apple pie and apple butter.  Yum Yum  She is our sassy cat who wakes us up every morning wants her can and believe me will not take no for an answer.  You can hide under the covers all you want she is standing guard and will trample up and down you with her steel paws.  Ha!  We do love her along with her sister Elviria and the rest of our clan.
     Did I mention I will receive the money for Christmas on Dec. 24.  Isn't that a kick.  Of course, this year we are having record rain fall so with slick and wet streets Jim and I will be out and about finding that perfect gift for our Granddaughters.  Yikes !  You have probably already guessed I did not do my shopping early.  Well, I kinda did.  I bought all my animals their presents.  I even have them  under the tree in little decorated boxes I got at the Dollar Store.  Ha.  How fun was that, I mean you know they will like them, especially the dogs.  They love anything with a noise maker and something they can chew up.
     This Season already I have made two batches of party mix, a batch of fudge and I have 8 rolls of cookie dough frozen in the freezer.  I made the cookie dough baked one pan and  rolled the rest in  plastic wrap to put in the freezer.  Jim and I do not need to have more than one sheet of homemade cookies in front of us at one time.  Sadly we will keep eating until they are gone.  So I think I have figured out how not to eat so much on Christmas.....eat it all a week before.  Let me tell you, I am so sick of goodies I do not want to look at another piece of fudge or a bowl of party mix, small or otherwise for a long, long time.  All I want is lemon water, herb tea, water base soup,.....are you getting where I am going.  Just the plain simple food.  It's my fault but I do believe I'm on to something here.  I have overindulged already so now for the rest of Dec. I will eat right.  Hey, I'll let you know, at least I have a week to try and lose the 5 pounds I put on.  Wish me luck.
      I do look forward to spending time with the family.  My Granddaughter is coming up tomorrow to make popcorn balls.  Something my Mom did every year.  She was the best person to be around on the holidays.  She loved making candy, cookies, cakes and of course party mix.  Oh, how I miss her,  What fun we would have getting ready for the celebrations.  So tomorrow in honor of my Mom we will make popcorn balls.  I have a feeling she will be right beside us enjoying every minute.   Tootles and Doodles

Are you Ready for Christmas ?

     Is anyone really ever ready for Christmas ?  Now, I ask you, I don't care how planned out you think you are, there is always something you didn't get done.  Am I right or what ?  I just figure I will do the best I can.  The Adults in our family are fine with no gifts.  Although I do try to get small little gifts.  Maybe some candy, cookies or just something I know they will use.  Now as far as my Granddaughters are concerned,  I think I could buy the Moon.  It's so much fun buying for the kids.  Especially if you get it right.  I tell you, in this day and age, it's hard to even know what they are talking about.  They have mentioned some games for their computer.....Sims 3. Now what in the world is that.  You can't even figure it out by the name.  There is no hint of what's inside or what it is all about.  I'm lost.  Jim and I do try to keep up with all the new things but let's face it, if you don't know what they are talking about, it's a little hard to keep the conversation going.  I just tell them to write a list and let me look at it.  They do and boy, do I have a lot of questions for them.  Sometimes they have to take a few minutes to explain it and even go back and remind me about another conversation we had earlier that ties in.  See what I mean, are you confused yet ?  Hey, I just make sure the candy dish is full, the party mix is out along with fudge and of course  frosted cookies.  I find you can't go wrong with food unless of course one of the Granddaughter's is 15 and watching her weight!  Help  !!  Oh well, let's hear it for Egg Nog with a little something extra inside (if you know what I mean).  Tootles and Doodles

A Great Present !

     I have the best present to give.  You can even give this to yourself.  In fact I would give it to myself first then give it to someone else.  You could give it to yourself and say it's for your love one because really in a sense it is.  What is it ????  Join a Gym.  That's right.  Jim and I joined  "In Motion Fitness," in Chico, CA., last April.  We love it.  They have a Senior Wellness Program that is the Tops.  Bree and Stephanie who are the fitness trainers for our group are very knowledgeable in Health and Fitness and guide you in your exercises.  Then we have Kelly, who is the fitness instructor for Aqua exercises.  Wow, what a program.  She finds out what your needs are and shows you what, in water exercises, are the best for you.  What's great is your not in a structured class where you are unable to do half of the exercises.  So you end up watching the other members workout and you feel not quite up to snuff, if you know what I mean.  You can do your own and work as hard or as light as the day allows.  You know, some days you know you can do a lot more than other days and that's why it's perfect.  As you can tell we really love it.  It's the best decision we have ever made.  So I will be harping on this until Christmas and maybe even after, it's that important.  Take the time right now to check all of them out.  I for one think "In Motion Fitness," is the best but if your not close to Chico, (we live 35 miles away and go M.W. and F, in the mornings) then check out what's in your area.  Go in and talk to them.  Walk through and see what they offer.  Meet the people who will be working with you and number one.......Ask about the Senior Wellness Program.  If they don't have one, ask, why not ?  Then ask if they will start one.  Hey, it's for your health and the rest of your life.  Go, Go Now!  Tootles and Doodles

Two Classy Ladies, just ask them.

 Meet Eleanor.  I am looking out my kitchen window and what a site it is.  This is early morning in Northern CA.  Fog is shimmering over this orchard of peach trees and Eleanor is on her throne looking at me.  She does this every morning.  Next she will continue on the top of the fence, then jump down into the orchard and roam around a few minutes then come back in and sleep on my bed.  What a kitty !

This is Eleanor's sister, Elviria.  She prefers to look at the orchard from afar.  Like on my breakfast table.  You can see the fence in the back ground.  Elviria is the sweet one who cleans everyone's faces or at least tries too.
     Wanted to share a quote I found quite interesting..
"It is unwise to be too sure of one's own wisdom.  It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err,  Mahatma Gandhi
     Isn't it funny how many of our Holiday's are not really real.  Some one made them up usually for profit.  I guess we could just have our own get together with family and not name it.  Probably would not work, as most of them would not show up.  Ha !   Tootles and Doodles

I have pictures for you !

 Did I describe it right or what ?  The setting is just like you would expect.  Home.  It's inviting and calls to our warm and calm side.  There is no way to refuse an invitation to come in, sit by the fire, while I put the kettle on for a nice cup of tea.  No, I'm afraid I was not asked to come in, darn !  But I would not have turned it down.  It's one of those day dreams you have, in the blink of an eye.  What if, kind of dreams.  They are quite fun to think about and who knows, maybe someday it will happen.  

     Don't you just love the yard.  I do.  I can imagine a family out in that yard.  Sitting on the logs, of course the kids are riding them as if they are horses and Mom and Dad are sitting on them like a bench.  Oh, the imagination of youth, is something no one should ever lose.  How exciting it makes our day and besides it just brings a smile when we need it most.

Now how about this barn.  Couldn't you see yourself inside selling apples and all the other products which are locally made?  I know I could.  Think of all the people you would meet.  Just watching them would be fun and hey, if you make some money to boot, well heck, you sure can't complain.  I love everything about it and hope I run into more of the same and when I do, you will be the first to know about it.

     Hey, check out my other site,  adustycottage.blogspot.com.  Tootles and Doodles

Is it apple time ?

     Last Friday we went to an Apple Farm.  How fun was that.  It's located in Paradise, CA.  The Name is "Noble Orchards".  It's old time at its best.  I mean, you drive in the driveway, it's a one lane road that you drive right by a rock house, which is adorable.  The yard is somewhat mowed but has overgrown bushes, loads of leaves and a few logs which are tree size, kinda stacked in a not set pattern.  I love it.  As we drive by the house here is this old barn which is all open at this end.  You can look in and see shelves and shelves of apples in sacks and boxes.  Let's just say many nooks and crannies.  There are two ladies working around.  We take our time and look and see what all they have.  On some of their shelves is all local items.  Butte View Olive Oil from Oroville, CA and Blackberry Sauce from Antelope Creek Farms.  I buy one of each and start looking at apples.  They have many varieties, we try several, as one of the ladies is handing out samples.  One in particular is yummy and that is the one we decide one.  It's Gala and delicious.  I come home and the weekend I am making apple pies till they are coming out my ears but before I even started the pies I peeled and sliced apples in my slow cooker to make apple butter.  That needs to cook for at least 12 hours and it's so simple in the cooker.  I'll add the recipe next time.  My house smells wonderful and I feel I am getting in the holiday spirit.
      Do what I did. Find that Apple Farm.  Go and get yourself a bushel.  It's great and nothing like the clones you find in the store.  You know the ones, when you put them up to your nose, you can't smell apple and if you scrape your nail on the skin off comes wax.  YUK!  I think my Mom had wax fruit on her dining room table back in the early 60's.  They really should not be in stores in the produce section.    Tootles and Dootles