Early Voting

You're either like Maxine or you know someone just like her... or both! The older I get, the more I LOOK just like her : ) sigh~  Mornings my get-up is pj's, pink houseshoes and if I get cold while surfing the net, I add a sweater from the hall closet. When I was younger, I would have literally died if someone caught me in this homeless person outfit... now not so much!  We live far enough out in the country that unannounced company just doesn't happen, good thing!

And then there are the people who are LIKE Maxine; brassy, bossy... they shoot from the hip. They don't have any problem letting you know their view on politics or religion. I have one person in mind here... she boldly told a neighbor she didn't like her landscaping, or the mix match cabinets in their kitchen. Hey, that is actually a trend Maxine! Can you imagine letting loose like that on someone? We might want to, but manners prevent us from going there.

Watching the debates reminds me that a little Maxine is not a bad thing. If we don't stand up for what we believe to be important, then we blend with the masses. "Toot your horn" my Dad used to say. We voted last Saturday to miss out on the crowds that I expect will be there come election day. Last week I noticed a lot of cars around City Hall on that first day of early voting. That's a real good indication that we all want to have our voice heard this election. Make sure your vote counts! 

Farm Dogs

We all know that dog that lives high on the hog, has his own fluffy bed or better yet sleeps with Mom and Dad in the big bed. He rules the roost, and no one says no to the King. Strikes home with me since our little Ben was King of Granny Mountain! Farm dogs like this one feel like Kings too... they are granted the freedom to be their own boss, to ride in a pickup that they call "mine." To be trusted enough to be left untethered, knowing that their master trusts them to be there when he gets back. My Grandpa's dog was an integral part of the farm. He did as much work as my Grandpa did, and the only thing that he required was food and a place to sleep. For that he was on call 24 hours a day to herd cattle, watch for coyotes in the field or a snake in the yard and bark when someone drove up in the driveway. But if Bozo could have talked, he'd have said that ride in the back of the truck ranked as one of his biggest "perks!" 

Tomato Basil Parmesan Soup

Cool fall temperatures and the leaves are falling fast now. If Jerry doesn't blow the leaves off the driveway daily, we can't even find the pavement! That's the pleasure/curse of living in the woods.. but I'm a happy camper, holing up in my "hollow tree" makes me feel like making a pot of soup! I've seen several versions of this one on Pinterest, I actually combined two recipes. We had it last night as a main dish with slices of buttered rye bread, delicious!

Tomato Basil Parmesan Soup

makes 6 servings

2 (14 oz) cans fire roasted diced tomatoes, with juice
1 cup finely diced celery
1 cup finely diced carrots
1 cup finely diced onions
1 tsp dried oregano
1 T dried basil
4 cups chicken broth
½ bay leaf
½ cup flour
1 cup Parmesan cheese
½ cup butter
1 1/2 cups evaporated milk
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper

Add tomatoes, celery, carrots, chicken broth, onions, oregano, basil, and bay leaf to your soup pot. Simmer until veges are tender, about an hour. 

Make a roux by melting butter in skillet and adding flour. Stir constantly with a whisk for 3-4 minutes, then stir in several ladles of hot soup. Add back to soup pot and bring to boil to thicken soup. Add Parmesan cheese, evaporated milk, salt and pepper and stir to combine. Serve with slices of your favorite hot bread!

Please keep those who are facing Hurricane Sandy in your thoughts and prayers today, such a dangerous storm and it affects so many.