MAPLE DIVINITY FUDGE

IF YOU LIKE FUDGE YOU'LL LIKE THIS ( MAPLE DIVINITY FUDGE)!! <><>INGREDIENTS!!!!!<><><><><>2 CUPS WHITE SUGAR,<><>2 CUPS MAPLE SYRUP,<><>2 EGG WHITES,<><>1 CUP RAISINS<><>1 CUP NUTS CHOPPED,<><>BOIL SUGAR AND SYRUP UNTIL IT HAIRS (threads). THEN POUR OVER THE STIFFLY BEATEN  EGG WHITES BEAT,<> ADD NUTS AND RAISINS TURN INTO PAN TO COOL AND CUT IN SQUARES.<><><>!!!!!!!!

GONE UPATAIRS

WHERE THE WALLS WERE TO NARROW FOR US MOVING SIDE-BY-SIDE WE'VE GONE UPSTAIRS OR DOWN SOMETIMES ONE IN FRONT  SOMETIMES THE OTHER. IN THE GARDEN THEIR IS A KIND OF SPLITTING OFF;  IT'S ONLY SAFE THERE TO SHARE TOOLS THE LAYING OUT OF ROWS. YOU'VE TAUGHT USING BOOKS FOR A SLOW READER. TODAY I WRITE THE CHILDREN WHO HAVE GROWN TEETH AND TIMETABLES: "THERE IS ONLY EVERY DAY. WE USE THE GOOD SILVER."

ANTIQUE GLASS (MEDICINE BOTTLE)

TWO OLD MEDICINE BOTTLES FROM THE 1890'S---1900'S I COLLECT THEM AND PUT <><><><>PHOTO'S ON THEM FOR MY OWN DECORATIVE USE, THE PHOTO OF THE FARM HOMESTEAD AND HAY RAKE ARE LONG GONE BUT THE MEMORY OF THE OLD WAYS WILL LINGER FOREVER>!!! THE OLD FOLKS, THE STORIES,<>IT REMAINS A PART OF WHO WE ARE TODAY>THEY WILL LIVE IN US FOREVER<!!!!

MOTHER DEAR

MOTHER DEAR SITS QUIETLY WITH THIMBLE ON HER RIGHT HAND< SHE CAREFULLY WEAVES A PATTERN OF HER OWN DESIGN, AT THE OLD OAK TABLE HER WRINKLED HANDS FOLLOW THE GRAIN.A NEW HEARING AID ADJUSTING IT SHE TUNES IN ON CRICKETS. OLD WOMAN SAVING HER MONEY FOR SOMEONE ELSES RAINY DAY. READING HER THE NEWS; "WHO DIED TODAY DEARIE"?

RAISIN FILLED COOKIES

FILLED RAISIN COOKIES, (INGREDIENTS) 1 CUP SUGAR,<> !CUP OF BUTTER OR OTHER SHORTENING,<>1/2 CUP SOUR MILK<<>1 teaspoon SODA,<>3 1/2 CUPS FLOUR,<> 1teaspoon SALT,<>NOW!!! CREAM BUTTER AND SUGAR. ADD SOUR MILK TO WHICH THE SODA HAS BEEN ADDED. ADD THE FLOUR. ADD SALT.PLACE IN THE REFRIGERATOR FOR THE BATTER TO COOL.WHEN COLD ENOUGH TO HANDLE ROLL OUT AND CUT IN ROUNDS.PLACE A teaspoon  OF FILLING ON ONE ROUND AND COVER WITH ANOTHER ONE.<><><><><><><><><>FILLING,<><>1 CUP RAISINS,<>1/2 CUP SUGAR,<>1/2 CUP WATER,<>1teaspoon FLOUR,<><>HEAT THE SUGAR, WATER, RAISINS, AND FLOUR OVER THE FIRE UNTIL THE MIXTURE HAS THICKENED. COOL,<>BAKE THE COOKIES AT 400degreesF. for 12 TO 15 MINUTES.!!!!!!!

TREES TAPPED (MAPLE SUGARING SEASON OVER)

WHEN THE LILAC BUDS SWELL ON THE LILAC BUSHES ONE KNOWS THE SEASON FOR COLLECTING MAPLE SAP IS OVER. THEN THE PROCESS OF REMOVING THE SPILES FROM THE MAPLE TREE BEGINS. THEN IT'S TIME TO WASH ALL THE SUGARING SUPPLIES AND STORE THEM AWAY FOR THE NEXT SEASON/ THEN THE LILAC BUD SWELLED WILL BURST FORTH WITH THE SWEET FLOUR OF THE LILAC,( WHITE,<> PURPLE<> DARK PURPLE<> SOME LILACS WITH ALMOST A HINT OF BLUE,)  NOW SUGARING IS DONE LILAC'S HERE SPRING HAS SPRUNG!!!!!!

HOT AIR BALLOON (COLORFUL)

HOT AIR BALLOON'S ARE VERY COLORFUL AND HAVE THEIR OWN DESIGN. THE BALLOON IS  AN INFLATABLE, FLEXIBLE BAG FILLED WITH A GAS SUCH AS HELIUM< HYDROGEN<NITROS OXIDE< OXYGEN OR AIR.THE LARGE BALLOON OFTEN FILLED WITH HYDROGEN OR HELIUM HAVE BEEN USED AS FLYING MACHINES SINCE THE 18 CENTURY. THE EARLIEST FLIGHTS WERE MADE WITH THE HOT AIR BALLOON USING AIR INSTEAD OF FLAME OR HYDROGEN LATER HELIUM WAS USED A BALLOON TRAVELS WITH THE WIND> (IF A HOT AIR SHOULD LAND ON ONE'S PROPERTY, PASTURE,FIELD>? THE PILOT OF THE AIR CRAFT(HOT AIR BALLOON) WILL SEND A BOTTLE OF WINE OR CHAMPAGNE TO THE PROPERTY OWNER AS A THANK YOU GIFT FOR ALLOWING THEM TO SET THE HOT AIR BALLOON IN THE FIELD.<><><><> SEEING HOT AIR BALLOONS  RISE TO THE BLUE SKY IS A BEAUTIFUL COLORFUL AFFAIR.!!!!!!!!!!!!

RED FLANNEL HASH (STRAWBERRY)

RED FLANNEL HASH (THIS OLD TIME FAVORITE) USE AN OLD ANTIQUE GRINDER PICTURED ABOVE TO GRIND INGREDIENTS) YOU TAKE LEFT OVER BEEF<(CORNED BEEF)>WITH LEFT (OVER COLD POTATO'S) AND LEFT OVER (COLD BEETS) and (ONE SMALL ONION optional)AND (BACON FAT)<><>FRY THE CHOPPED ONION IN BACON FAT AND ADD THE OTHER INGREDIENTS IN EQUAL PROPORTIONS.(BEEF,BEETS,POTATO'S)FRY 10 to 15 MINUTES, STIRRING OCCASIONALLY TO PREVENT STICKING>

ANTIQUE BRASS BELL (SCHOOL BELL)

THIS IS AN OLD SCHOOL BELL, THEY WERE USED IN LITTLE SCHOOL HOUSES< THE            SCHOOL BELL SYMBOLIZES FREEDOM AND INDEPENDENCE FROM STUFFY CLASS ROOMS. (RECESS<>RETURN TO CLASS) THE TEACHER WOULD RING THE BELL!!(some time allowing a child to take turns ringing the class bell) THE SOUND DEPENDED ON THE TYPE BELL!! THE BELL IS USED ALL OVER THE WORLD FOR EVERYTHING FROM MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT TO FUNERAL RITES. CHURCHES USE BELLS TO CALL PEOPLE TO WORSHIP. <> BUT THIS          PARTICULAR BELL IS A CLASSIC ANTIQUE SCHOOL BELL USED IN OLD SCHOOLS.!!!!!!!!!!!!

GINGERBREAD

BUTTER A SHALLOW PAN 8---9inches square OR 12 MUFFIN TINS. SET THE OVEN@325degrees FOR THE SQUARE PANS, 350degrees for the muffin tins<><><><>SIFT TOGETHER 1/1/2 CUPS FLOUR<><><>1/3 CUP SUGAR,<><>2 teaspoon BAKING POWDER,,<>1 teaspoon GINGER,<><><><>1/4 teaspoon SALT,<><> COMBINE 1/4 CUP BUTTER,<><> 1/2 CUP BOILING WATER,,. WHEN THE BUTTER MELTS, ADD1/2 CUP MOLASSES,<><>STIR INTO THE FLOUR MIXTURE AND BEAT JUST ENOUGH TO MAKE A SMOOTH BATTER.SPREAD INTO PANS.<><><><><>BAKE ABOUT 35 MINUTES IN A SQUARE PAN OR 15 MINUTES IN MUFFIN TINS.<><><><>FOR A SPICIER GINGERBREAD ADD 1/2 teaspoon CINNAMON AND1/4 teaspoon each of POWERED CLOVES AND NUTMEG.<><>!!!!!!!!THIS IS EXCELLENT TOPPED WITH FRESH MADE WHIPPED CREAM!!!!!!

BELLS (JOYFUL NOISE)

WE NEVER KNOW WHEN WE MAKE A JOYFUL SOUND!! IF WE ARE HEARD BY OTHERS, IF WE HAVE AN IMPACT IN THEIR LIFE< WE NEVER KNOW<<><><>BELLS MAKE A RESOUNDING NOISE, SOME A JINGLE, SOME TINGLE< TINGLE AND OTHERS' A PEAL A SHRILL SHARP RESOUNDING TO A CLANG LIKE THE SOUND OF ALOUD RING  THAT PIERCE ONE'S EARS IT'S NOT COMPLICATED, AND NOTHING IS PERFECT, ( WITH A BELL IT'S A METALLIC DEVICE THAT MAKES A RINGING SOUND WHEN STRUCK OR WITH THESE LITTLE BELLS (WORN BY HORSES< OR HUNG ON DOOR'S, OR HELD IN THE HAND TO MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE. I'D LIKE TO THINK I  MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE!!! AND WE ALL WANT TO BE HEARD!! BUT I KNOW I WILL KEEP A JOYFUL SOUND IN MY HEART!!!! JUST LIKE THE LOVELY SOUND OF A JOYFUL RINGING BELL!!!!!!/

ANTIQUE OVAL FRAMES

IN THE EARLY 1900's MANY HOMES HAD ANTIQUE OVAL FRAMES, MADE OF WOOD OR METAL. SOME WERE CHERRY, DARK WOOD WITH ORNATE SCROLL OR CARVED DECORATIONS ON THE OVAL FRAME. MOST OF THE FRAMES WERE PORTRAITS OF FAMILY MEMBERS, A CHILD OR MOTHER, FATHER, GRANDPARENTS. SOME OF THE FRAMES HAD GREAT MONETARY VALUE BUT PRICELESS TO FAMILY MEMBERS WHO ENJOYED HANGING THEM ON THEIR WALL. THE PICTURE IN THE FRAME  (FREEZES A MOMENT IN TIME) AND MANY TIMES THE FRAME WAS WORTH MORE ON THE MARKET THAN THE PHOTO.!!!

CUSTARD PIE

CUSTARD PIE,<><><>PASTRY FOR 1-CRUST 9inch PIE,<><><>3 EGGS,<><><>NUTMEG,<><><>6 tablespoons SUGAR,<><><>1/4 teaspoon SALT,<><><>3 CUPS HOT MILK,<><><>and <>>1 teaspoon VANILLA,<><><>SET OVEN FOR 450. LINE 9-inch PIEPAN WITH PASTRY,<><><>BEAT EGGS; STIR IN SUGAR AND SALT. ADD MILK GRADUALLY, MIXING THOROUGHLY. <><>STIR IN VANILLA.<> POUR INTO UNBAKED PIE SHELL.<><>SPRINKLE WITH NUTMEG.<><>BAKE 40 MINUTES, OR UNTIL KNIFE INSERTED IN CENTER COMES OUT CLEAN.

RAILROAD LANTERNS

RAILROAD LANTERNS REFLECT THE AGE OF AMERICAN RAILROAD LANTERNS THEY REMIND PEOPLE OF AN ERA WHEN TRAINS WERE RUN BY STEAM POWER AND WHEN MOST FACETS OF PERSONAL AND COMMUNITY LIFE HAD SOME CONNECTION WITH THE RAILROAD. (A RAILROAD LANTERN IS A METAL CAGE A TRANSPARENT GLOBE THAT PROTECTS AN INNER LIGHT SOURCE. THIS DEFINATION APPLIES TO LANTERNS USING COMBUSTIBLE FUEL RATHER THAN ELECTRIC. MY FATHER WORKED ON THE RAILROAD FOR YEARS. THE TRAINS TAT CAME IN WERE THE CANADIAN PACFIC, BOSTON&MAINE, OLD494, AND GREEN MOUNTAINEER. I'D LIKE TO SEE THE RAILROAD RETURN TO WHAT IT WAS!!!

RIPARIAN PICNIC

ON THE BANK OF THE RIVER (RIPARIAN) WE WILL GO!!  COLORS SO BRIGHT IT IS LIKE JANUARY FIRE, CLOUD SO BLUE, THE ARE ALMOST COBALT BLUE, THE RIVER DEEP, DARK MYSTERIOUS FLOWING  ( THEY SAY STILL WATER RUNS DEEP)!  BUT THE DAY PERFECT ONE COULD NEVER IMAGINE COLORS AS BRIGHT AS THESE, ITS' LIKE A COLORFUL EXPLOSION OF NATURE AT ITS: BEST,!!!!!

MY BOOT JACK!!

BOOT JACK OR BOOT PULL, (A U---SHAPED MOUTH THAT GRIPS THE HEEL OF A BOOT)A TOOL WHICH AIDS IN THE PULLING OFF A BOOT IF BOOT IS MUDDY OR TIGHT. USER IS SPARED THE INCONVIENCE OF BENDING OVER TO STRUGGLE TO PULL OFF BOOT. BOOT JACKS' ARE OFTEN WHIMSICAL IN DESIGN, ( MY BOOT JACK IS MADE TO LOOK LIKE THE ANTENNAE OF AN INSECT. IT SURE HELPS IN GETTING OFF MUDDY BOOTS( OR WHEN YOUR STOMACH IS TO FAT YOU CAN'T BEND OVER.!!!!! TO PULL THE DAM BOOT OFF>!!!!!

LONG HANDLE (POP CORN POPPER)

THIS OLE BLACK LONG HANDLED POP CORN POPPER ( USE FOR POPPING CORN ON WOOD STOVE OR USED OUTDOOR ON A CAMP FIRE) ADD a bit of oil or butter add pop corn sit over hot fire AND WITHIN A FEW MINUTES HEAR THE POP< POP< POP< OF POP CORN OPEN UP THE LID ON THE LONG HANDLED POP CORN POPPER AND PUT IN BOWL AND ADD HOT MELTED BUTTER!!!! TAKE BY HANDFULLS, POP INTO YOUR MOUTH AND ENJOY!!!!

PIGGY BANK (SOMETIMES CALLED MONEY BOX (BANK)

PIGGY BANKS WERE MADE OF PORCELAIN, CERAMIC, THEY WERE MADE IN THE SHAPE OF A LITTLE PIG OR OTHER FIGURENES< AND HAD A SLIT ON TOP FOR (PENNYS') AND UNDER_NEATH THE BANK (PORCELAIN PIG THE WAS A PLUG (CORK< RUBBER SO ONE COULD RETRIEVE THE MONEY IN THE BANK) THE PIGGY BANK  AN ACCUMULATION STORAGE  RECEPTACLE < (BANK TO TEACH RUDIMENTS OF THRIFT AND SAVINGS TO YOUNG CHILDREN<><><>THIS LITTLE PIGGY BANK IS CERAMIC AND WHEN I WAS 8YEARS OLD I HAD A PIGGY BANK< > THIS IS THE VERY BANK I HAD< WHEN I FINALLY OPENED UP THIS LITTLE BANK IT STILL HAD ALL THE MONEY I COLLECTED OVER MANY YEARS.<><>

MASH POTATO MASHER!!!!!

POTATO MASHER A METAL TOOL WITH WIRE RIPPLE AT THE END, WITH A SHORT WOOD HANDLE FOR PRESSING DOWN ON PEELED POTATOS" TO MAKE THE FAVORITE MASHED POTATO,(ONE POTATO, TWO POTATO, THREE POTATO, FOUR<><> MASH  THOSE POTATOS' GIVE MORE!!!!! MASH POTATO IS A CROWD FAVORITE!!!!!

RED HAT!! ( WORN BY WOMEN 50 AN OLDER)

RED IS A COLOR BRIGHT AS A BALL OF FIRE LIKE A ROMAN CANDLE EXPLODING IN THE SKY LIKE A THOUSAND ROMAN CANDLES' (RED IS A COLOR OF LUCK) ( RED IS A COLOR OF PASSION and LOVE)m(RED IS FOR WARNING) THE COLOR RED IS BEAUTIFUL) THE COLOR RED IS WORN BY WOMEN 50 UP TO 100 AND MAYBE BEYOND!! THE WOMEN HAVE RED HAT SOCIETY, CLUBS, THEY GET TOGETHER AND TRAVEL, SOCIALIZE, LUNCHEONS' DINNER, ALL OVER THE WORLD THEY CALL THEMSELVES RED HATTERS , MAD HATTERs" THEY JUST SOCIALIZE AND HAVE FUN, (THE COLOR RED IS TRULY BEAUTIFUL, EYE CATCHING, DAZZLING, THE COLOR RED IS HOT. ( I WEAR MY RED HAT PROUDLY ITS" A FULL BODIED RIM HAT WITH DEEP PURPLE/RED PLUME  PURPLE VELVET TOP IT IS BEAUTIFUL, THE COLOR RED IS SENSATIONAL, AND I"M A RED HATTER!!!!!!!!!!

POTATO PEELER!!

SIMPLE OLD FASHIONED HAND TOOL THAT SKINS' PEELS' FRUIT <VEGETABLES<, IT WAS USED IN OUR HOME ALMOST DAILY, MY GRANDMOTHER< MOTHER, MYSELF WE USED THE HAND TOOL TO PEEL POTATO. VEGETABLES AND IT WAS ALSO USED AS A GRATER, ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE PEELER IS A GRATER FOR VEGETABLES ( CARROTS) (CHEESE) I LOVED THIS SIMPLE TOOL, AND PEELING POTATO'S FOR MASHED POTATO'S WAS FUN.<><><><><>,WHAT DO YOU CALL A BABY POTATO?? (ASMALL FRY),<><><>WHY DID THE POTATO CROSS THE ROAD?? ( HE SAW A FORK IN THE ROAD)<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>KNOCK KNOCK!!! KNOCK KNOCK WHO??? (SCOLD) SCOLD WHO!!!!!!!SCOLD OUT   SIDE!!!!!!!!

AGE OLD BARNBOARDS

THE TIGHT AGING BARNBOARDS AMPILFY THE SOUND OF SCRAPING OF THE VINES, GROWING ALONG SIDE THE BARN,  THE AIR IS STILL THE SNOW GLISTENS , BARNS WERE ONCE USED FOR STORAGE OF HAY, GRAIN  AND FOR HOUSING LIVESTOCK OR FARM EQUIPMENT.<>THEY ARE NOW ALMOST A THING OF THE PAST, THE FARMSTEAD  IS SLOWLY DYING ALL THAT IS LEFT  NOW IS BARNBOARDS AND RUST AND GOLD!!!! BUT THE VACANT FARM LAND IS BEAUTIFUL TO THE EYE< >AND ALL IS SILENT.!!!!!

PURPLE LILACS' FOREVER MORE!!

AFTER THE MAPLE SUGARING DONE, THE MAPLE TREE RESTS' SHE LOOKS AT THE LILAC BUSH AND SIGHS! EVERMORE, THE LILAC BUDS BEGIN TO SWELL, THE PROCESS OF HER FLOWERING WILL SLOWLY COME TO BLOOM AND WE WILL SMELL HER SWEET FRAGRANCE AND WE WILL SEE HER PURPLE FLOWER ABOVE THE THIN PALE MOON.!!!