Never too late

Aren't these pies beautiful??  I made them and they didn't just look good, they tasted good too!!  This is a big accomplishment for me and I am very proud of myself.
My step-mom is the pie maker from heaven.   Marty & I believe she makes the best crust on this side of heaven and the filling isn't bad either :) I have watched her make pies many times, I have written down her recipe and I have attempted it at home, without much success :(  A couple of months ago, I asked her if she would give me a hands on lesson and she agreed.
We peeled the apples, set up the necessary equipment for pie crust making and began.  She instructed me in a step by step process and offered tips at various stages.  The lesson went smooth as silk and you can see the awesome results.  It's never too late to learn!
Later, what amazed me about the whole process was, how easy it really is to make pie crust when assisted by the knowledge of experience.  Alone, technically, I did exactly what the two of us did that afternoon but the pauses for "mix it till it feels like this", "use cold water and ice" or "maybe you need a different pastry blender" made all the difference.  I purchased a pastry blender like hers and it works 100% better than the one I had.
You can have a PhD or read 1000 books but nothing beats learning it face to face, heart to heart from someone who already knows how and is willing to share.
Maybe I should consider an entry in the pie baking category at our local fair?  Something to consider over a piece of good apple pie.

T-shirts that talk

Last night, I was reading blogs.........shock@!

One of my favs, Not Just A Hockey Mom, was talking about hockey fan/player T-shirts.  The topic specific lingo and humor may only  appeal to and be humorous to those involved but others can be appreciated by all who read them.  I commented about how many activities have their own fan lingo and humor.   Here are couple of mine that I could find quickly.....

My sister saw this card and knew it was for me.  Not saying I've  ever done what it describes......but  it sure made  me and some knitting buddies laugh one night....over a bottle of wine :)

Never enough time because the pile is always growing.  B & N just sent me an email reminding me that I still have items in my shopping cart from my last late night online excursion.

My mom gave me this T-shirt and included a note that said, "Hope you think this is funny!"  I totally did and wear it proudly.

What are your hobbies, loves or other comments like pet humor that you proudly wear??

Winter...finally or not?

I've been shoveling snow for the past hour; we received about 10" on our hilltop in the past 24.  I have a large, wrap around one corner deck, on my home.  I love this big deck in the summer but not so much in the winter.  I wanted the big deck.  The agreement was stated "Then you keep it shoveled in the winter."  Mid July when we built the deck 11 years ago, I said no problem.  Fool. Opened mouth before engaging brain!!  It's not a hard job and most of the time I enjoy shoveling it, really, I like being outside.  I like the closeness of nature on my hill and the quietness on my hill, which was the main reason I wanted the deck in the first place.  But the darn thing just won't stay clean this time of year :)  Kind of like the lawn won't stay mowed in the summer, or the flower and vegetable gardens won't stay weeded and the car won't stay clean.... anytime!!
Repetitive work builds character, provides time for introspection, right?  Well, I've had enough personal development for today; it's time for football!

Work frustration

This marquee sign at our local theater caused both Marty & I to laugh.  Even though there are 1000's of people without  jobs, sometimes it seems an impossible mission to find, hire and retain a good employee.
The manufacturing business where my husband works is a prime example.  We both will agree, the wages are not top notch.  However, they have decent benefits, the company has grown and they continue to make changes, planning for the future.
The biggest issue in Marty's department is the turnover.  He supervises second shift in a warehouse.  His employees, after training, are expected to know about packaging, part numbers, shipping details and return procedures. They learn fork truck operation and trailer loading procedures as appropriate.  An employee is also expected to be on time to work and show up everyday.  A positive attitude with an inclination to learn would be considered a huge bonus!  Unfortunately for Marty, who has worked there 18 years, employees who grasp the warehouse mindset are few and far between.
The work environment is tedious at times, always counting inventory, stacking boxes, pulling orders and loading trucks.  And  depending on the season, it can be too hot or too cold. Marty & I talked about the number of people he has trained and lost, rough guess, 200+.  During the worst periods it has been as many as 2 or 3 a month.
Most of these employees have been 20 somethings.  NOT lumping ALL 20 somethings together because we do know many that are wonderful young people,  assets to the business and to the community.  But as mid range baby boomers, Marty & I wonder where his experience group learned their work ethic or more to the point, why they don't have a good work ethic??
Who told them it's OK to not show up for work during the second week of a new job, without calling?
Who told them it's OK to not take a bath, brush their teeth or wash their hair, at the very least, once a week?
Who told them it's OK to disrespect their supervisor and fellow employees with colorful  #@$%%  language?
Who told them they don't have to work to support themselves and their families?
Who told them they don't have to have a reliable form of transportation so they can report to work?

Marty and I are not a perfect employees by any stretch, but in 18 years each, at our current jobs, Marty has missed maybe 12 days of work; I've probably missed double that amount. And in Marty's case there have been several years in a row when he didn't miss a single day!  But many of these young people miss 12 or more days in their first 3 or 4 months and then wonder why they are let go.  When they are let go, Marty gets someone new to train and the frustration of the cycle starts all over.

Blogging

I reread some of my early blog posts this morning and reviewed from where I started and found a similar thread---time.  Not enough time mostly, but occasionally, adequate time.  It seems I'm obsessed with my lack of time.  And when I just glanced at the clock and realized I have been surfing around here in blog land for over an hour, I was amazed.  NO wonder I don't have enough time, it's your fault!
But you know what, I consider it time well spent.  I've learned many things from you and expect to learn many more.  I don't see myself becoming a blog queen but my little corner has provided many things for me, all good and I plan to continue being nourished by it.

It happens

But why in this case?  Everyone makes  a mistake, little things slip through the cracks and no one catches it right away.  I understand that and empathize.  I'm sure, in fact I know, I've done the same thing.  I'm a very understanding and easy going person, I'll give anyone the benefit of a doubt.
It's a standing joke with Marty and I; he's always teasing me about sticking up for everyone, " you'd invite Charles Manson to Thanksgiving dinner"......that's a bit of a stretch but I do extend invitations easily.  And on my side of the joke, his glass of water is always half empty...so I guess that's why we're a good team.  But I digress.
I have to admit when Family Medicine called to say my test from last week had been botched, someone forgot to send in both parts, I was a bit peeved.  So I'm headed there now to have another.......PAP test!!!
Hope your day is starting better than mine is :)

Afterwards

Well, everything is cleaned up, put away and life has moved from Christ's birth to the birth of the New Year 2012.  Best wishes to all.

I did make my Christmas cards but not as early as I said I would, 12/23!!  But it worked out in the long run because at the last minute, my sisters decided that we'd do a gift card (hey, that was my idea!) grab bag this year.  So instead of making gift card holders, I just made regular Christmas cards.  I really enjoyed doing it and I can see myself making more and more cards.......is there a market for homemade cards??  I rarely see them at craft shows or in gift shops. Cards are so personal, it would be hard to make a wide enough variety of cards to be profitable.  Maybe if I specialized in one type of card, say birthday or thank you or get well...guess I'll think about it.  And of course it would be good to have a large stock of cards before I start offering to sell them......cart before the horse, oops!
Anyway, a few pictures

The work space, if you can really call it that.....not much space :)

This blue card is my favorite.  The paper already had little star bursts on it, I added some gems in random centers and it just sparkled!  I'm a silver (not gold) loving gal,so the blue, white and silver mix was just over the top for me.  I should have taken a photo of the inside, I added a large snowflake flourish, it was stunning!

I love cute snowmen.

I gave this one to my youngest sister, who is very talented in many areas--decorating ,sewing, personal appearance, etc. She raved about it on Christmas day  which made my day and again when I saw her several days later.
Guess she liked it!!

There were others but didn't want to be too self promoting.  I think I've found a hobby that I enjoy and that produces successful results.  Watch out Hallmark :)