Author Archives: mohawkvalleygirl

Sunday Sprint?

Posted on December 19, 2011 by mohawkvalleygirl

Sunday morning I was an independent, take charge kind of woman. Which sounds better than saying I ran around in a fairly idiotic fashion and got some things taken care of.

I pause first for a caveat or disclaimer of sorts. In this blog, I try to boost local businesses and attractions — things unique or at least distinctive to the Mohawk Valley. I don’t like to do posts about chains or big boxes; they get enough attention. That said, sometimes I go to Wal-Mart. There, I’ve said it.

A lot of people hate Wal-Mart, and I admit it isn’t my favorite place. But it is the only place I can buy the yarn I like locally, and said yarn is at a better price than if I drove ten miles to the other places I know of to get it. I needed a few other things too. More excitingly, I now have a card that entitles me to my husband’s employee discount, that sweet 10 percent. Hey, every little bit counts. My husband, Steven, has now been employed by Wal-Mart for over 90 days. I would have loved to report that he was employed by one of those local businesses I love to tout, but the sad fact is none of them were hiring. Wal-Mart was. So you see.

Well that was a lot of blathering on to bring us to 7:30 this morning when I drove to Wal-Mart, hoping to beat the crowds. I decided on some yarn with a minimum amount of dithering, got a … to make the … for … (can’t get specific in case that person reads this post). I thought to buy some groceries, to save myself a trip to Hannaford, but I found the prices are not any better and the selection is not as good for the items I needed.

Oh, and here’s an aside: why can you almost never find whole milk yoghurt? It’s all low fat and no fat. The low fat or no fat tastes perfectly OK at the time, but within a short time I’m ravenous. If I eat whole milk yoghurt, it tastes much more delicious, and I feel full enough to last till my next regularly scheduled meal break.

So I hurried home, unloaded my bags, petted my dog, and began stuffing afghans into garbage bags. You see, I make these afghans, and at Christmas time I like to donate some to the Folts Nursing Home in Herkimer. I like to bring them to church first, to get the priest to bless them, in case they are given to someone religious. I figure if the afghan goes to someone not religious, it doesn’t hurt; nobody needs to even mention it to them. I had a few prayer shawls as well.

I looked at the time and realized I could make it to Hannaford and back before church. So I was off, in search of whole milk yoghurt, among other things. I feel contented enough to mention Hannaford in my blog, because Hannaford likes local, and puts handy little notes on the shelves next to products produced in New York State. That said, I recently heard the Ilion Farmer’s Market is going to be opened Sundays, so I may be headed there one Sunday soon.

Where was I? Oh yes, on my way home from Hannaford, this time in my truck, because Steven was going to need the car to go to work. I got the groceries unloaded, got the afghans in the truck and still had time for a half cup of coffee before church. I must admit, I was at this point a little flustered. I’m not good at being an independent, take charge kind of woman, I suppose. For one thing, at both stores I neglected to bring my reusable bags. And I had a Wal-Mart gift card we received as a Christmas present, which I could have used (is that appropriate: use a present to buy presents for others? It needn’t concern us; I forgot the card).

I was very happy to get to the relative peace and quiet of Christ Episcopal. I say relative, because much activity was going on. I did not realize that Sunday was the children’s Christmas pageant. That will form the subject for tomorrow’s post.

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A Less Generic Walk

Posted on December 18, 2011 by mohawkvalleygirl

I thought my post about “Walking in the Dark” was too generic, so I decided to take Tabby for a specific walk and note some actual details.

It had snowed this morning, and it was still cold to me. Still, the sun was bright. For a moment I wished I had worn my crazy old lady hat, with the wide, shady brim. The last time I wore that hat, though, my ears got so cold I put my hood up over the hat and really looked like a crazy old lady. As the wind picked up, I was glad to be wearing a toque.

Some of the snow stayed on the ground. I had a chance to study it as Tabby stopped to sniff various places. You could see individual little white specks, like laundry detergent. Or ice melt, as I observed on our church steps later. I’m sure it was actual snow on the dried leaves underneath the trees Tabby sniffed.

I saw a snowball bush, and thought again that I want one in my yard. They look so cool when the flowers turn all brown in the fall. They look especially nice in the snow. As I realized how cold and winter-like it was, I remembered I had once again failed to plant more crocus bulbs in my yard. I have some crocuses that come up every spring, and every spring I say, “I’m going to plant more crocus bulbs! Eventually, my yard will be ALL crocuses in the spring!” It may happen one day, but not in 2012.

Tabby pulled me toward the Historic Four Corners, a favorite spot of ours. The sign in front of Herkimer Reformed Church read, “I bring you good news of great joy: A savior is born.” A great seasonal thought.

We crossed the street and walked by the court house. I looked across at Herkimer County Historical Society and felt guilty, because I had been going to go there today. Author Jim Greiner was there signing copies of his new book, Last Woman Hanged — Roxalana Druse. That would have made a great blog post. Roxalana Druse, of course, was hanged at the 1834 Jail, as is noted on a historical marker, which I have mentioned here. I intend to buy the book. Only, when I got home from work today, I just didn’t feel like going to an event.

We walked down Washington, then back along Mary Street by our church, Christ Episcopal. Tabby wanted to go inside, because there are always nice people to pet her when we go there, but I told her nobody was there. When we got to the end, Tabby pulled me across the street and back up the other side of Mary. She also wanted to explore an alley, so we walked down it, but it was a dead end. So much for going the Tabby way.

We crossed Washington by Carney’s Corners — a good place to get a sub. I could go for a sub. There is a gift shop on the other side — Cozy Corners, I think it is called. I must check that out sometimes. It could be a good blog post.

We walked through a more residential section and then up part of the path that used to be the hydraulic canal to German Street. I love that path. Tabby stopped to smell a bush at a house where a Jack Russel terrier usually barks at us from the screened in porch.

“Come on, before the dog that lives here starts barking,” I told her. I guess he wasn’t home, because silence reigned. Tabby finished her sniff and lifted one leg to pee on the bush, like a boy dog. What was that all about?

I was glad to get home. I made myself a cup of tea to warm my hands, and Tabby sacked out on the love seat. I think our nice little walk through Herkimer made for a perfectly acceptable blog post.

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Posted in dogs, Herkimer, Mohawk Valley, walking. Bookmark the permalink.

Walking in the Dark

Posted on December 17, 2011 by mohawkvalleygirl

When I was younger I used to love it when it got dark early in the winter. I thought it was exciting. I guess because night time was grown up time. Little kids went to bed early, while Mom and Dad stayed up late. When it got dark early, it was almost like staying up later. Now that I’m a grown up myself (with a mortgage and everything), I try to maintain some of the thrills I had when I was younger, with greater or lesser success.

This by way of introduction to another pedestrian post.

I’m usually home by four, so I could take my dog Tabby for a walk before sundown. In fact, I could enjoy one of my favorite times of day: dusk. I have not had my act together to that extent this week. We’ve been walking after dark.

The great thing about walking after dark in December is that you get to see everybody’s Christmas lights. A lot of people in Herkimer decorate. Myers Park has a tree and lights on the pavilion. And if you stroll downtown there are decorations on the lamp posts. All kinds of Christmas spirit!

I’ve been enjoying my after dark excursions with Tabby. Maybe we’ll drive to the surrounding villages and check our their decorations, too.

I know this is supposed to be Lame Post Friday, and although some may call this post lame, I don’t believe it reaches the sublime levels of silliness I strive for on Friday. Well, folks, I’m disappointed too. Unfortunately, I work tomorrow, thus robbing Friday of some of its joy, and I have a sinus headache, which is taking its toll. Try me again tomorrow.

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White Trash

Posted on December 16, 2011 by mohawkvalleygirl

I like doing cooking posts, because I feel like the Barbara Stanwyck character in Christmas in Connecticut, one of my favorite Christmas movies. Only I can cook, and I have a husband. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, watch the movie. It’s cute.

While my tomato sauce cooked yesterday, I made some White Trash for the holidays. I originally put this part in yesterday’s post, when I was handwriting it at work (on break, of course). As the post grew lengthier, I thought why have one over long post when I can have two medium length?

I’m actually not sure if I should put the recipe in my blog, because I don’t know if it is copyrighted or not. It’s written on a sticky note in one of my recipe books. I got it from my mother, who got it from a lady she met at a wedding to which I was not invited (really couldn’t have been that fun a wedding, could it?). Monday I made it from memory, as I usually do.

I melted a 16 oz bag of white chocolate chips, to which I added 2 tablespoons of olive oil (not old Garlic and Herb like I used in the tomato sauce: recently purchased plain). In a big bowl I put 6 cups Crispy Hexagons, 2 c Tasteos (I didn’t spring for name brand cereal), 2 c broken waffle pretzels (I broke them myself into not too small pieces), and 2 c peanuts (roasted, lightly salted). I poured the melted stuff over the other, stirred it as best I could, and spread it on wax paper to cool. To be Christmasy, I sprinkled red and green sugar on it.

It’s pretty simple, but kind of a pain in the butt with the stirring and spreading. The last time I made it I got really irritated and vowed I would never make it again. I would stick to Chex Party Mix, I said (I buy generic Chex cereal, too, but what else are you going to call Chex Party Mix?). That was almost a year ago. The memory of my irritation had faded, and I know some people who LOVE White Trash.

I have enough ingredients to make another batch, although I probably won’t be able to get another blog post out of it. Oh well, I’m no Elizabeth Lane (the Barbara Stanwyck character in Christmas in Connecticut). Ooh, maybe I’ll watch the movie and blog about that.

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Monday Dinner

Posted on December 15, 2011 by mohawkvalleygirl

I have not done a cooking post in a while, possibly because I have not had occasion to do much cooking. Monday, however, I fixed dinner without benefit of recipe, so I thought it might be good for a few paragraphs.

I had half of a rather large green pepper, so I chopped that into smallish pieces and put it in a heavy pot with oil. The oil I used was some Garlic and Herb Oil I had purchased at a booth at the Canal Fest in Little Falls last summer. It was to benefit something, but I’m damned if I can remember what, which is too bad, because that would have added a nice bit of local color to the story. Still, I did buy it at the Canal Fest in Little Falls (although now that I think about it, it may not have been called Canal Fest, but let that go for now).

There may be some readers shaking their heads or fingers at me right now, because I may have waited too long to use up the oil. I seem to remember reading or hearing somewhere that you should use up olive oil within a certain amount of time after you open it. I can’t remember the time, but I’m fairly sure I’m outside of it. Oh well, I’m living to tell the tale, so it can’t be too egregious a fault.

Where was I? Oh yes, green pepper cooking in oil. I crushed up some garlic and let it breathe for fifteen minutes before adding it. When the peppers looked pretty cooked, I added two tubes of tomato sauce. We have several packets of tomato sauce in the freezer which came with pizza crusts. We don’t usually put tomato sauce on our homemade pizza, unless it’s something leftover that I originally put on pasta. I thawed two of the packets in a pan of warm water. I added basil and oregano, then put basil on the running grocery list on the refrigerator. I also threw in some grated Parmesan cheese, to help the sauce thicken.

When the sauce was well on its way, I started the rigatoni. I grated some mozzarella while the water boiled. There was not much mozzarella, but I wasn’t too worried, because I had plenty of ricotta. If only the ricotta didn’t have a use by date four days earlier. Old olive oil is one thing, I don’t take many chances with dairy. I pitched the ricotta and grated some cheddar to supplement the mozzarella.

I layered the rigatoni, sauce and cheese (in that order), sprinkled more grated Parmesan on top, and put it in a 350 degree oven (I suppose I forgot to mention I had turned on the oven to pre-heat while I chopped the green pepper). I kept it in the oven a little over 20 minutes, since everything was already cooked and I just wanted the cheese to melt. It was pretty yummy, although I realized too late I could have put a can of mushrooms in the sauce.

Some people might feel a little surprised at my recipe, because I was not cooking with wine as I often do (and by cooking with wine, of course I men sip a glass of wine while I cook) (I didn’t really need to say it, did I?). That would certainly be an acceptable variation on the recipe, if you like that sort of thing.

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Taking Charge of the Christmas Tree

Posted on December 14, 2011 by mohawkvalleygirl

After toying with the idea of not doing a Christmas tree this year, I decided to not be a Grinch.

A few years ago I had taken a friend out to The Flower Barn on Barringer Road in Ilion, NY for her tree, because I had a truck and she did not. At that time, I would get together with my sister Cheryl, in Marcy, for our trees. Cheryl does not have a truck either. This year I could not coordinate schedules with Cheryl, and Mom and Dad were able to hook her up with use of a pick up truck (I have never known my Dad to be without a truck).

So there I was, an independent, take charge kind of woman, taking responsibility for my own Christmas cheer. I knew where Barringer Road was. Of course, that was about all I knew. The Flower Barn, it turns out, is a long ways out Barringer Road. I drove and drove, but finally found it.

I commenced to look at Christmas trees. It was then that I realized I did not need to be an independent, take charge kind of woman to get a Christmas tree. I needed family or friend to share the experience. I wanted to debate the merits of the respective trees, discuss proper watering techniques, and debate the best way to hang lights. I was sad all by myself. I tend to get a little emotional this time of year, and I feel that at all times I am a sociable creature.

I found a tree I liked. Not too big, nice and full. By this time nice lady came out and asked did I need help. I had to wait a few minutes for the man who could handle the chain saw (it was a big chain saw) to return to cut the bottom off the trunk. During that time I selected an evergreen ball to hang on my front porch (not to replace the plastic light up snowman I have not found yet; I have a different spot in mind for him).

I drove home by a different route, because I saw a sign for Bill Deyle’s Repair and thought, “I know where that is” — a road that comes out right where I wanted to be. It was a twisty turny road, so I had a little bit of an adventure.

Now was the time to be an independent, take charge kind of woman! I got the tree out of the truck, into my house and up in the stand. I almost tipped it over getting garbage bags underneath the stand, in case I spilled when I watered it (and I almost always spill). I heated water and watered it. I enjoyed the Christmas tree smell. Soon I felt ready to take on the rest of my Saturday adventures.

The Flower Barn Greenhouses are located at 1489 Barringer Road, Ilion, NY. Phone number is 315-895-4313.

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Posted in Christmas, decorations, holiday, Ilion, local business, Mohawk Valley, trees. Bookmark the permalink.

Good Eats on Route 5

Posted on December 13, 2011 by mohawkvalleygirl

Two Saturdays ago while I was on my mission for a plastic light up snowman for my front lawn (did you think I was done talking about him?), I pulled into the Market Place Deli on State Route 5 in Schuyler.

I’m not on State Route 5 as often as I have been previously. On my sporadic trips I have noticed what was formerly the Snack Shack being open or closed or Under New Management but had never had a chance to stop in. Saturday I saw an Open sign but more importantly I saw a sign that said Indoor Garage Sale.

The sale, alas, did not include the object of my desire, but I chatted up one of the new owners and discovered that in addition to being a convenience store and take out deli, they offer dine in. I had just eaten so I couldn’t partake that day. They are closed Sunday or I would have returned the next day with Steven.

This past Saturday I made a point to stop there for breakfast. I had my favorite: a breakfast sandwich of sausage, egg and cheese on a hard roll. Yum!

I was in the midst of my Saturday Christmas gyrations. I had made one stop and had at least two more, in addition to Things To Do at home. I really needed a good breakfast. I left satisfied and ready to take on the rest of my day. I mean to return for lunch one day soon. For one thing, I found out they offer a Pastrami Reuben when they have the pastrami. You can’t hardly find a Pastrami Reuben.

The Market Place Deli is open Monday through Friday 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., closed Sunday. They are located at 3458 State Route 5, Frankfort, NY (everyone in Schuyler has a Frankfort mailing address), phone 315-444-9082.

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Humane Society Santas

Posted on December 11, 2011 by mohawkvalleygirl

The best thing I did yesterday was go to the Open House and Indoor Garage Sale at Herkimer County Humane Society in Mohawk, for a few reasons.

To do the story justice, I must first tell a story of my past. Growing up, I remember having a beautiful stuffed Santa Claus that was always out at Christmas time and only at Christmas time. When I was quite small, I remember playing with him like the rest of our dolls and stuffed toys. As we got older, Mom started putting him on a higher shelf, “Because he’s old.” I believe Mom and Dad had originally purchased him for my oldest sister, Victoria, at her first Christmas (the only one she didn’t have to share), but it soon became a family decoration. And when Vicki moved away, she did not get to take him with her.

When Steven, then boyfriend now husband, began to spend his Christmases with my family, he fell in love with the Santa Clause. It became a recurring joke that Steven was going to hide Santa Claus in his suitcase and leave all his clothes behind. Not a fair trade. We always looked for just such a Santa Claus but never found quite the right one. Eventually Steven bought me a very nice stuffed Santa Claus which I love. But Mom’s Santa is still the best.

Fast forward to December 2011. Steven had to work, but I always want to support the Humane Society as well as feed my addiction to buying other people’s junk (that’s what we call a win-win situation). As I drove out, I was pleased to see that lots of people were supporting the Humane Society. I knew many people were picking up pictures of their pets with Santa, taken at an earlier fundraiser which Steven and I sadly missed. I finally parked in the Parking Area near the canal trail. That way I was facing back into town, and it was only a short walk down the highway to the Humane Society.

A couple of volunteers were dressed as elves, and Santa was present. I made my way through the crowd to where the garage sale was. They were doing a booming business! People were nicely letting each other through. You often run into more politeness at these fundraisers than you do at normal retail establishments.

The first thing I found was a basket of ceramic Santas. We have a few similar Santas. They stand about 5 inches tall and usually have a year printed on the base and sometimes a country. I could see there was more than one layer, and they wanted $10 for the basket. I figured even if I found some duplicates with what we already had, it was a good buy and we could always use the duplicates for presents for others. I picked up the basket, turned around and then I saw him.

An old fashioned stuffed Santa. He was not exactly like my Mom’s, but he was beautiful. Obviously of the same era and in very good condition. $5. I was in love. I picked him up, then I picked up a ceramic church with a place for a tea light. Perfect for my Christmas village which I did not set up this year but intend to set up in 2012. I got in the long, slow line. I checked out some other things as I stood there. Luckily I remembered we do not need any Christmas mugs, because they have a lot of them. A Yul Brenner as the King in The King and I caught my eye, but my arms were full. A volunteer was trying to sell a couple of artificial trees for $10 apiece. If I had not already purchased a tree, I might have been tempted (when I got home and smelled my tree, I was glad).

A fellow ahead of me had $45.50 worth of stuff, but the lady rounded it to $45.

“I’m not so bad,” I mused to the lady behind me.

“No, you’re not,” she said. She had found a tree skirt as she stood in line, which I wish I had seen first. As I often say, you snooze you lose.

When it was my turn I resisted the cookies and cupcakes they also had for sale. For one thing, my arms were full. After I paid and made my way toward the exit, I saw… another stuffed Santa. This one not as big, a similar age, equally beautiful, $2.

“I didn’t see him!” I carefully put down the ceramic Santas and opened my purse. I caught one volunteer’s eye and handed her the $2. “Please don’t make me wait in line again, he’s $2, I didn’t see him before.” She graciously accepted my payment.

A man standing nearby offered to help me carry my stuff to my truck. I thought it was very nice of him, especially as I was not parked close by. He was fine with it.

“If I would have bought cookies, I’d give you one,” I told him. Being a fundraiser, it did not seem appropriate to offer a tip. He told me he had to watch his sugar intake anyways. I’m sure the real Santa was watching and gave him more nice points.

When I got home I found the basket contained 20 ceramic Santas, not one a duplicate of those we already have. Steven was predictably delighted with the stuffed Santas. It was altogether a great experience. I helped the Humane Society to the tune of $18 (OK, not a princely sum; we do what we can), and our Christmas decorations are enhanced for years to come.

The Herkimer County Humane Society facebook page reminds us that every day really open house. Stop in and meet some nice animals. You’ll be glad you did.

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Posted in animals, Christmas, Community Events, decorations, garage sales, Herkimer, humor, Mohawk, Mohawk Valley, Santa Claus. Bookmark the permalink.

Preview of Coming Attractions

Posted on December 11, 2011 by mohawkvalleygirl

I’m only up to kind of a lame post today. Sad but true. I know yesterday was Lame Post Friday, but that post was actually kind of effortful to write (my computer tells me effortful is not a word, but I find it descriptive). Then I did not do much Mohawk Valley-ish that evening (it’s telling me the same thing about Valley-ish, but again: descriptive). I went to a wine tasting at Vintage Spirits, but we had a post about one of those less than a month ago. The tasting did have one feature of note, though.

After I’d been tasting and chatting for a little while, another nice lady showed up, quite ready for some wine. She said she had been pricing things for the Humane Society Garage Sale on Saturday. We all agreed she deserved some wine and made some recommendations of the samples available (actually, they were all pretty good). I mentioned that I intended to come to the Garage Sale, and the lady encouraged me to do so.

“My husband and I went last year and it was great,” I told her (pre-blog days). “This year, he has to work, but he specifically wanted me to go.”

I actually had/have many plans for Saturday (I’m in the midst of them as I write this). I plan to go to the store to purchase a ….. to make a …. for my Mom for Christmas (she doesn’t usually read my blog, but just in case she does); I want to go to breakfast at the Snack Shack; there is the aforementioned Garage Sale; and I hope to purchase and erect a Christmas tree. Oh, and I may go running and of course take Tabby for at least one walk. Lots on my plate!

And the one thing I must always do is make my blog post, at least till I have done one every day for a year. So here is my blog post for today. I hope to recount some of my exciting adventures tomorrow.

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Snowman Philosophy

Posted on December 10, 2011 by mohawkvalleygirl

I ended yesterday’s post with a philosophical question to ponder another day. And here we are on Lame Post Friday, the day for random observations and — wait for it — half baked philosophy (I have wanted to use “wait for it” in a sentence ever since the Rob Lowe character used in on West Wing back in the early ’00s; an ambition realized).

So I’ve been wanting this plastic light up snowman for my front lawn. Judging from recent blog posts, it has become something of an obsession, although I prefer the term quest. Before anybody organizes an intervention, let me assure you: I do not spend every waking minute plotting where to look next for my plastic light up snowman. I’m having fun with it. And I am especially amused by the fact that it was Steven who originally wanted to get a plastic light up snowman and I have kind of taken it over (kind of emblematic of our marriage; I usually get the last cup of coffee, too).

A few philosophical question are raised by our search. And I do need to have a literal moment here and ask, wouldn’t even a half baked philosophy melt a snowman? I’ll just have to take that chance.

The first question is: would we have wanted it so badly if it was readily available? When Steven first brought it up and I liked the idea, we thought we could drive down to our local Wal-Mart or K-Mart and be plugging in Mr. Snowman within the hour. As we checked store after store to no avail, an obsession was born. I think this is a dumb philosophical question, because you can’t possibly arrive at an answer. Oh wait, I think that is the definition of a philosophical question. I don’t know from philosophy. That’s why mine are always half baked.

The second question, which I may find out the answer to so I guess that makes it not philosophical, is will I like my plastic light up snowman as much after I get him as I think I will. I’m inclined to say yes. After all, I still love my plastic light up Santa, and he was no trouble at all.

The third question, and this is where things get a little hairy, is do I really even want a plastic light up snowman any more, or do I want to keep searching and blogging about it? I have to admit, it’s kind of fun to have an obsession — uh, I mean a quest. And as I am ever searching for blog topics, it’s kind of a God send (I see by the dictionary the proper spelling is godsend, but my way seems more respectful). Well, I think that’s kind of selling myself short to even ask that. It’s like saying I don’t even know what I want, and sometimes I do.

I suppose I could go into a whole big thing about how the journey is the destination, or the search is more important than the object, or some such, but I’m really not very good at that sort of thing. Actually, as I write this, I’m beginning to suspect I’m not so good at the half baked philosophies, either. Oh well, next Lame Post Friday I’ll confine myself to random observations. In the meantime, I’ve got big plans for a Mohawk Valley weekend, so stay tuned (an anachronistic expression, but I like it). Happy Friday!

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Posted in Christmas, decorations, half baked philosophy, humor, lame, snowman. Bookmark the permalink.
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