Whew!

I got off easy in the big storm, although I did just notice that a large part of one of my lilac bushes in the back yard is on the ground.  I suppose that is better than a tree limb on my house!

I never lost electricity and though the rain and wind were scary, there was no damage to my property, other than the lilac bush.

My dogs managed to bring out my sense of humor in those horrifying moments.  The rain was coming down in torrents.  The dogs needed to go out.  We got to the door and Morgan, my 3 month old puppy, refused to go out.  No way!  Molly braved the elements, did her business, then turned to look at me and just stood there looking at me.  I'm trying my best to get her to come inside out of the downpour and all she does is stand there looking at me.

Morgan would look at her and then look up at me.  As frustrated as I was at Molly, it was funny.

Over 20,000 people in Monroe County lost power and about 2500 people living along the Lake Ontario shoreline were told to leave.  During the night I heard sirens that sounded close by.  Thankfully, I escaped all that trauma!

Getting ready for the big storm!

I've done all I can to prepare for the worst if the storm lives up to its reputation!  Couldn't get my generator started though.

I'm doing laundry all day just in case the electricity goes.  I have a gas stove so that can be lit manually.  And there is always PBJ if all else fails!

Rochester is forecast to get a lot of wind and rain.

I've lived through major hurricanes down South and I've made it through a couple of nasty blizzards up here, so I will survive!

Bean Soup

This time of year and into the winter, I make a lot of soup and stews.  I make large batches and freeze in serving portions.

This afternoon, I am making Beans and Grains Soup.  You soak a bag of Bob's Red Mill Beans and Grains.  I placed a large ham hock in water with onions and celery.  When that has cooked a couple of hours, I will cut the meat off the bone, remove the chunks of onion and celery and place the soaked beans in the pot to simmer.  This ham hock is no ordinary ham hock that you find in the grocery store!  No, this came from the farmer where I buy my meat.  It has a lot of ham on it.

It is sooooo good and highly nutritious.

Like a lot of things I make, there is no real recipe.  You could add a large can of chopped tomatoes or maybe pasta toward the end of the cooking time.  You can't go wrong with it!

Paleo Bread

Until this week, I had never heard of Paleo Bread.  It is for people who are on a gluten-free diet.  I found it on a blog I follow.  It seemed so unique and so full of nutritional value, that I just had to try it.

I am fortunate that I can eat anything I want with no difficulties.  There are those who can't.  This recipe, I think, would appeal to most anyone.  It has a dense texture and a pleasing taste.

Try it!

1 1/2 cups almond flour
2 tablespoons coconut flour
1/4 cup flax seed, finely ground
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
4 eggs
1/4 cup coconut oil (I used vegetable oil)
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Combine dry ingredients and mix well.  Add rest of ingredients and mix well.  Mash into greased loaf pan and bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Sporting clays on a nice fall day

It was a nice day to be shooting sporting clays!  Here I am with Margaret, far left, and Tom, center.

Morgan has visitors

In the last couple of days, friends have dropped by to see "the new puppy!"  Here are some pictures.

This is Hazel with Morgan.  I call her "little Sarah!"  I watched her mom, Sarah, grow up and Hazel is a carbon copy of her mom, although this isn't the best picture of Hazel.  She is a cutie!

This is Morgan with Arielle.

This picture doesn't show my shrubs to the best advantage.  When the sun shines on them they are brilliant!

A first for Morgan!

I knew it was just a matter of time, but had hoped it would hold off a bit!

From my living room, it is three steps up to the rest of the house.  Morgan has watched Molly fly up and down those steps and you could read her mind, "How does she do it?"

I left her alone in the living room for 30 seconds earlier today to put something away.  Gulp!  I turned around and there she was at my feet.  She had a look on her face of extreme pride in her new accomplishment.

Yes, this girl is a prime candidate for agility training!!!