License to Chill

~ coffee cubes ~

Joining Ann Kroeker for Food Fridays...
Some may remember when I posted about making iced coffee and using coffee cubes. I dislike waste, although am as guilty as the next, but one way I found of being thrifty is making coffee cubes from left over coffee. Dave was a coffee drinker...make that a Coffee Drinker! He loved the stuff and would drink a pot, or more, every day. Invariably, there would always be a bit left over and I hated pouring it down the drain or on the ground. So, when I found these cute little ice cube trays on sale for, maybe fifty cents, I would pour the coffee into the trays, set them in the freezer and a while later, iced coffee! Generally, I use decaff coffee to make my iced coffee as I don't want, or need,   the extra caffeine? I like to sleep at night! -smile-

Do you like flavored coffee? For me, it's the best and easiest way to drink coffee. The Starbucks in the photo is a bag of coffee beans someone gave us. I save these beans for when they come to visit as it's a French Roast and much too strong for my stomach. I also like flavored cream but stopped drinking it when I, finally, got around to reading the ingredients. My motto is, if I can't pronounce it, I'm not sure I want to drink or eat it. Nestle got smart and now sells "Natural Bliss"; it's milk, cream, sugar, flavoring. I know some will decry the use of sugar but ,as little sugar as I use, I don't think it hurts.


Just recently, someone asked for a recipe but I'm one of those people who use a recipe only as a suggestion. In other words, I usually wing it. Hey, I've got five...count 'em...FIVE dogs and there are no mistakes in the kitchen; only happy accidents! So, my "recipe" for iced coffee is make a twelve cup pot of decaff coffee, let it cool and pour in a bottle of Natural Bliss creamer. Put some coffee cubes in a tall glass, pour the coffee over the cubes and enjoy. For once in life, it's easy and simple! Plus delicious smile. Sometimes I'll even eat store bought cookies...gasp! LOL

Yesterday morning I received a telephone call from Ashley; she's the wife of our Assistant Fire Chief. An up the valley neighbor's house was on fire, could I go? Yes, of course, although I was filthy from hoeing thistles, chasing calves and doing general farm work. All this, mind, before 11 in the morning! 

~ tamping down the flames ~

Mrs. Webb, her sixty year old daughter and a grand-daughter were sitting on the front porch when Mrs. Webb thought she smelled smoke. She went into the house to investigate and saw smoke coming from the second floor. She hustled her daughter off the porch and, in short order, firemen had responded to the call. Folks, this was a SIX ALARM FIRE! As you can see, it's a total loss; Mrs. Webb and her daughter got out with the clothes on their backs. Mrs. Webb didn't have time to grab her insulin medication or anything else and the daughter is special needs, mentally retarded. Mr. Webb, the father and husband, passed away earlier this year.

~ near the end ~

The Red Cross will put them up for three days, not the five days as I originally thought, and will give them a clothing allowance. Once again, the community is pulling together to give assistance in the form of household goods, clothing, food and finding shelter. Our local television station, about 35 miles away but local for us smile, is WVVA and they did a story on the fire. If you click on the link and look for "fire destroys a Tazewell County home" you'll see the interview. The Bluefield Daily Telegraph's reporter, Greg Jordan, did an excellent story and impressed me a great deal and then he called me twice last night to fact check! Now, there's a reporter who knows his business! If you read his report, you'll get more information and a better idea of what this family is up against.

Generally, I handle traffic and, since I'm in the road anyway, stop drivers, tell them a short version of what's happening and ask for a donation. Yesterday, people gave over $200 and that will be delivered today, when I go to town for errands. People are kind and want to help; asking them for specific help gives them a purpose and helps those in need. 

I'm so proud of our community! Ms. Shepherd, at the nearest convenience store, gave cases of bottled water so our firemen could quench their enormous thirst. Daniel Ingram, owner of Stanley Steemer, bought extra water for the same purpose; donations are being accepted at Crab Orchard Vet on Main Street. People rallied knowing "...to whom much is given, much is required...". Like Mother Teresa said, "if you can't feed a hundred, feed one." Don't allow yourself to become overwhelmed like me sometimes of the enormous needs of people. Focus on doing what you can do for the one before you and don't forget to ask God's blessings on the work of your hands and heart. Our Father hears the prayers of a righteous woman and man and if you've accepted His Son as your Savior, you're a righteous woman. 

Sobering thought, eh? 

Blessings ~ iced coffee ~ coffee cubes ~ water ~ firefighters ~ reporters ~ volunteers ~ 

Over the Mountain or Where's Bossie?

 ~ Foggy mountain morn ~

Foggy mornings continue here in the Cove and this morning was exceptionally beautiful. We, meaning the dogs and I, went downstairs a bit before 6 and the madness started! The kitten is still living in Sadie's dog crate which frustrates Sadie no end, and she, the kitten, has decided she's had enough of jail.

 ~ Let me out...NOW! ~

Fabric has been hung so she'll play and start using her eye/paw coordination. She is let out, several times a day which is good for both she and I. She gets to interact with the family and I have to settle down and be the negotiator should conflict arise. After about thirty-six hours of captivity, she began purring and that was a sign she was beginning to trust; now, she's totally gentled. Little ones have such short memories at this age, it doesn't take long to "change their minds".

~ Sam, Sadie, Abigail ~

Sam, Sadie and Abigail stayed on the porch as I wandered into the side yard; I wanted to take the first picture you see and they didn't want to get their paws wet. Heavy fog means heavy dew and these little prima donas move but little except for food.

We needed groceries and that takes up the entire morning. There's no need to cross the mountain for one errand so I also went to the post office and mailed a package to my nephew serving in Afghanistan. Then Lowe's beckoned and I bought paint for the farm office bathroom and smaller officer; after, it was finally time to go to the big box grocery store.

~ Maiden Springs ~

Do you see Bossie? How about the ducks? Okay, do you see the heron? In the following three photographs, you'll see all three. This photograph is at the bridge at Maiden Springs and the beginning of the Little River where it springs from the underground cave.

~ Bossie at lone tree, upper left of center ~

 ~ M R 2 Ducks; No, 'em not ~

 ~ Heron ~

 ~ the long and winding road... ~

 It's not quite fifteen miles across the mountains and most of it is like the above...twisting, turning, curvy, U's and switchbacks. The first ten miles is two-lane road, notice the lack of painted lines, and today I saw a total of eleven vehicles both going and coming...busy day. If I drive the speed limit, it's about a twenty-five minute drive, unless, of course, there's a cattle, sheep or horse drive; then, it can take an hour to get across the mountain.

~ not real, doncha know? ~

 The first little while the homeowner put this stuffed bear up the tree, people just about drove off the mountain. At dusk and dawn it's especially hard to tell this isn't a real bear, even now.

~ Ditch Lilies ~

While it's true there are more spectacular flowers, to my mind, the ditch lily is among the happiest. It grows where other flowers are called weeds and, while its life is short, it is beautifully happy. Surely there's a life lesson, eh?

~ Volunteers...all ~

 On the way home, I stopped to chat with the folks who were picking up trash. The inmates volunteer to do this as it gets them out of the jail cell, into some fresh air and, sometimes a happy ejit...me...will stop to pass the time of day and say thanks. The Deputy Sheriff was also a volunteer as this was his day off and he was driving the inmates around the valley so they could pick up trash. Thanks, Guys; you're appreciated!

~ almost home ~

All told, the trip took about three hours which is about normal for grocery shopping. If I go to town, the trip takes a bit longer as there are more errands to run. There's nothing ever easy or fast once I leave the farm.

Dave called from Bluefield and said Sam's had raspberries on sale for $1.50 for twelve ounces. He picked up enough to make a couple of turns of jam and that's on the stove now. Tonight is quilting but don't think I'll make it as the jam will take the next couple of hours. That's okay though, the jam will taste good when the snowballs fly.

~ kitten and Sadie ~

Shaddie, our first Ridgeback, had a very strong mothering instinct. She'd try to steal lambs from their mothers, she'd steal kittens; she simply loved to mother. I'm not sure if Sadie will have as strong a mothering instinct but, for now, it's enough they explore each other without injury.

Peace at Thistle Cove Farm...and all will be well.

Blessings ~ raspberries ~ groceries ~ my babies ~ volunteers ~ ditch lilies ~ a valley with a view ~

Dei Gratia,
Sandra