Mountain Musings

And Away They Go...

Tom, Hannah, and Jonathan are packed and headed down to Wake Forest, North Carolina, this afternoon - about a 4+ hour drive from here for the Vision Forum Church Planter's Symposium taking place June 1 - 2.

They are really looking forward to the sessions, and I'm sure they will return home with plenty of good notes to share. Sarah and I (along with my sister) are holding down the fort until they return.

Anyone else going to be there?

~Deb

Fancies, Fiber, Food, and Flowers, Oh, My!

I think my sister is enjoying herself here at the ol' Mountain Musings Bed and Breakfast. We had a delightful time yesterday at an antique mall I had been wanting to visit in Harrisonburg, and we both managed to leave with some old-fashioned fancies.

We continued on to Rocktown Yarns, a yarn shop we found not far from Court Square. Lots of natural fibers, samples of to-die-for afghans, and colorful selections filled the quaint little knit shop. My sister stocked up on some cotton classics she's using to knit a mitered square afghan.

And here's something interesting! The owner asked if she'd like the yarn rolled into balls (yes!) and proceeded to use a yarn swift to wind the skeins. I had never seen this done before (although my sister's shop does it in South Carolina), but what an extra touch for the customer!

Here's a picture of the owner getting started with the first of five skeins as Bet watches in the background.

Hannah and I browsed a bit while the yarn was being wound, and I even bought a roll of purple Rialto to knit a scarf for myself. Hopefully I can get it started while my sister is here...just in case I run into any problems she can help me with.

After all this fun, it was time for some food! R.T.'s Chicken & Grill is one of our favorite stops; it was a good time to relax and figure out our next plan of action.

After a final stop at Costco, we headed home via the backroads versus down the interstate. Many of the farms in this area are Mennonite, and we enjoy seeing the homes and neatly-kept gardens on these country drives. We made our way to the Spring Creek area where EverGrowin' Greenhouses is located, a Mennonite family-owned business where the flowers and plants are wonderful!

You would never believe how you get there! Down a regular two-lane country road, a wide one-lane road, across two one-lane bridges, graveled dirt road, back to a paved two-lane road, before turning into the EverGrowin' parking area! But...believe me, folks do find the place. We had a very fun day! 

And this morning...we're resting!

~Deb

Our First Stop - Yarn Shop

I'm thoroughly enjoying my sister spending a few days with us! She and I made a profitable visit to the local yarn shop--our first of many stops while she's here.  On The Lamb is quite a neat place to browse all the colorful yarns and the sample projects Joe has displayed. In case you missed the post about my first trip there a few months ago, go here.

Joe, the owner, had knitted a beautiful scarf using a multi-colored textured yarn he had just gotten in. I wish I had written down the company name so I could post a link, but I didn't think of it at the time. He interested us in this particular project because while we were there he was crochet-hooking in all the colorful fringes at both ends. We both loved the way it was turning out, and my sister was tempted to buy this particular (slightly expensive) skein--why she didn't I don't know, because she mentioned she'd probably make the scarf for ME! I must take her back there after she's thought a little more about what a wonderful idea that would be and what a charming gift for a special sis that would make! :)

We have a few more excursions planned for this week, although I think she'd be perfectly content to just relax on the porch, watch all the little birdies flying to and from their nests, read a book, and enjoy the calming mountain scenery. Pretty cheap entertainment for my guest!

~Deb

Memorial Day Memories

Celebrating Memorial Day around the Mountain Musings homestead yesterday was a fun occasion, and we made many memories with family and friends.

My sister, Bet, arrived first from South Carolina to spend her week of vacation with us. Yay! (I'm sure we'll have more posts later of our excursions during the week!)

Nathan, a young man who hails from Texas, arrived next. We met him recently after he drove to Virginia for the summer to get a taste of farm life at Polyface Farms. We've enjoyed getting to know him and finding out what he's learning over at the Salatin farm--interesting to know exactly how you squeeze a chicken's head off! Hmm..

Micah and Elizabeth also drove over the mountain to enjoy the cookout with us. Micah just completed his medical boards part 2 after much studying and then began a colorectal surgery rotation this week, so it was great that he could get away for an evening. We always enjoy hearing his latest medical exploits.

A big hit of the evening was Sarah's homemade vanilla ice cream covered in strawberries (which Hannah and I had fun picking while we were in South Boston with my mom recently). We definitely recommend this recipe, so it's shown below:

Vanilla Ice Cream

• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup sugar
• dash salt
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup half and half
• 2 cups whipping cream

Scald milk in saucepan until bubbles form around the edge; remove from heat. Stir in sugar and salt until dissolved. Mix in vanilla, half and half, and cream and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Freeze according to ice cream freezer directions.

Hope your Memorial Day was just as enjoyable as ours!

~Deb

Thursday Thirteen - Not!

Mulch has numbed my brain - hence the lack of posts this week since Hannah and I returned from the funeral over the weekend. I would post a Thursday Thirteen, but I'm afraid it would contain thirteen rather uninteresting ways we've spent the last few days... 1. mulch 2. mulch...and 13. mulch! Who wants to hear how we've been slaving away for hours and dropping into bed at night dead-tired with dreams of pitchforks and smells of Ben-Gay wafting around the room?

So we've taken an unintentional blog break it seems. Why all the feverish rush to finish?  Well, my sister is coming from South Carolina on Monday for her week's vacation, and I don't think she'll relish helping me work on her time off. Rather, she wants me to think of thirteen fun things to do, places to visit, and quaint little joints in which to grab a bite while she's here. So we're making hay while the sun shines in hopes of having the yardwork all done before she arrives.

I'll check back in next week. Surely we'll do something bloggable while Bet is here. Enjoy your weekend.

~Deb

Buckeyes!

A commenter asked in an earlier post for my recipe for buckeyes - this is it. :) I've just used this recipe once, but I think it received a thumbs up from the whole family. It came from a cookbook I checked out from the library called The All-American Dessert Book. The instructions are very detailed...I didn't chill the peanut butter mixture nearly as long as they said to, though. It also was quite crumbly, even with the extra water. That's fine, you can still make balls out of it. :)

• 1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
• 6 T. unsalted butter, slightly softened
• 1 t. vanilla extract
• 3 cups powdered sugar, plus more if needed
• Water, if needed
• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup white shortening

To make the candy centers:

In a large bowl using a mixer, beat the peanut butter and butter on medium speed until well blended, about 2 minutes. Beating on low speed, add the vanilla and powdered sugar. Beat on medium speed until the mixture holds together. If the mixture is too dry and crumbly, beat in a teaspoon or two of water until the mixture holds together smoothly. If the mixture seems slightly wet, beat in a few tablespoons more powdered sugar to stiffen it. Tightly cover the mixture and refrigerate until cool and slightly firm, at least 1 hour and up to 24 hours, or freeze for 30-40 minutes.

Line several rimmed baking sheets with wax paper. Working with about a quarter of the peanut butter mixture and keeping the rest in the refrigerator, scoop up portions using a teaspoon or very small scoop and roll into 1-inch balls. Place on the baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inches apart. Repeat with the remaining mixture until all the balls are formed. Cover and freeze until well chilled and firm, at least 1 1/2 hours and up to 24 hours.

To prepare the chocolate:

In a microwave-safe medium bowl, microwave the chocolate chips and shortening on high power for 1 minute. Stir well. Continue microwaving on medium power, stirring and checking the consistency at 30-second intervals, until the chocolate is about two-thirds melted. Stir until the residual heat finishes the job and the chocolate mixture is smooth and has cooled to warm. (You can also melt the chocolate and shortening on the stove.)

Line several large rimmed baking sheets with wax paper. (Or just use the ones you already have lined...I did.) Remove about 12 centers from the freezer at a time for dipping. Using a toothpick, dip a ball partially into the chocolate, leaving about one quarter of the ball (around the pick) uncovered so that the peanut butter mixture shows. Shake off as much excess chocolate as possible. As you work, place the candies on the wax paper, spacing them about 1 inch apart with the "eyes" up. Patch the tiny hole left by the toothpick by smoothing the peanut butter filling with a fingertip. If the chocolate cools and stiffens too much for dipping, reheat it in the microwave on medium power (or in the saucepan over lowest heat), stirring every few seconds, until just warm enough to use. As each sheet of buckeyes is prepared, transfer it to the refrigerator. Refrigerate until cold and firm, about 30 minutes. Pack in airtight containers with wax paper between the layers.

The buckeyes will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Serve lightly chilled; they should not come to room temperature. If frozen, let thaw in the refrigerator. Makes 60-70 buckeyes.

~Sarah

My Traveling Friend's Last Journey

“I am standing upon the seashore.
A ship at my side spreads her white
sails to the morning breeze and starts
for the blue ocean.

She is an object of beauty and strength.
I stand and watch her until at length
she hangs like a speck of white cloud
just where the sea and sky come
to mingle with each other.

Then, someone at my side says;
"There, she is gone!"

"Gone where?"
Gone from my sight. That is all.
She is just as large in mast and hull
and spar as she was when she left my side
and she is just as able to bear her
load of living freight to her destined port.
Her diminished size is in me, not in her.

And just at the moment when someone
at my side says, "There, she is gone!"
There are other eyes watching her coming,
and other voices ready to take up the glad
shout;
"Here she comes!"
And that is dying.”

~ Henry Van Dyke

I just received the call that my long-time friend, Joyce, is now with the Lord this morning. I have so many sweet memories of her to treasure, and I sure will miss her! She was my traveling buddy years ago; what fun escapades we had together and, oh, the stories I could tell! She just took her final and longest journey yet. I know she's enjoying the glories of heaven today and wouldn't travel back for anything!

~Deb

Sleepless Sleuths

Phase 2 of the Jamestown 400: Our National Treasure Hunt is complete. After many months of persevering in researching history and solving mysterious clues, Jonathan, Sarah and I came so close to finishing on time but had a couple more objectives to crack when the 2 am (CST) Wednesday deadline arrived. It was off to bed until later in the morning when we were able to reach the end of the adventure. These past couple of days it has been almost non-stop clue-solving! Although we won't be one of the 100 people participating in the physical part of the hunt at Jamestown, we've had an exciting and very informative trip through history (as well as an intriguing fictional tale). Congratulations to those who will move on to Phase 3! I'm sure we won't forget what we've learned about key characters in the history of our nation and God's providential hand.

"Oh God of Nations by Thy guiding hand were our forefathers led to this blest shore, when they were seeking for some friendly land, where they Thy praise, from fervent hearts might pour..." from the Official Opening Hymn at the Jamestown Exposition 1907, by William M. Pegram

~Hannah

National Apron Day

Two months ago we posted about a Sunday afternoon when Sarah, Elizabeth, and I decided to start on an apron sewing project together. It was an Edwardian pattern we bought from Sense and Sensibility and were inspired to try after seeing one a friend from church had created. It was a great chance to practice our sewing skills more and get expert tips from our seamstress sister-in-law.

This particular pattern was pretty simple, though we ended up having a few parts that caused us consternation. Thanks to the same friend, who emailed us photos and advice, we were able to come up with some solutions--if you would like to try this old-fashioned pattern, we'll be happy to share our solutions to any questions on the directions you may have!

It was fun working together and seeing how each other's fabric choices were turning out. The ping-pong table was quite crowded with fabric, patterns, and sewing supplies as our work progressed.

Above are the 3 of us girls modeling our partly-completed aprons before Micah and Elizabeth returned home. You probably can't see it in this picture, but we each embroidered our initials on the front using Elizabeth's machine. Elizabeth and Sarah finished each of their aprons not many days after we started, but mine...took a little bit longer to finish, for various reasons. Now, I'm pleased to say, the last stitches have been in for a couple of weeks, and the apron is ready to wear! Just in time for today, which is, I hear, National Apron Day!

(Hat tip to Randi at I Have to Say, who is posting links to many bloggers' stories behind their aprons)! I'll have to think of something in the kitchen to do! Which won't be too much of a problem.:)

~Hannah

Testing Testing ...

Well, it's been so long since we posted, Typepad doesn't even recognize us! The previous entry isn't accepting comments for some reason. I have all the right buttons clicked and have reposted the entry several times (apologies for those on Bloglines who keep seeing the post below reappear).

Comment here (if this works) for any thoughts on Thursday Thirteen's entry. Thanks!

~Deb