Month: October 2018

When Snow is More Than Just Snow

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Early this morning, even before the night-time darkness had finally relented, the call came. No school today. Snow day! 

In our home, snow days have always been special, even when we home-schooled. When the snow fell deep enough that neighboring schools were shuttered for the day, we too would take a day off. 

I’d bundle the kids up and help them out the door. 10 minutes later they’d be back, wet and cold. Boots, gloves and wet clothes were shed and left in a pile by the door. Cold, little fingers wrapped around cups of hot chocolate and icy toes were stretched toward the fire burning in the fireplace. 

I’d put their wet clothes in the dryer, knowing it wouldn’t be long before we’d do it all again.  

Later in the afternoon, we’d gather around the fire and play a game or two. We’d play and laugh and I’d try to keep the peace as competitive little souls tried to learn how to lose … and how to win … graciously. 

Last winter we only had one snow day, late in spring. We didn’t know it then, but last winter, dry and warm, was a precursor to the drier summer that would result in massive wildfires across Colorado. Just south of us, the Spring Creek Fire would consume 108,000 acres, (or 170 square miles) and 130 homes making it the 3rd largest fire in Colorado’s history. 

 

Livestock died or were sold as ranchers struggled to find enough grass to fill theirbellies. A line formed at the water station as people were forced to haul water to meet their needs. 

I watched as the water in our creek slowed and eventually dried. A kind neighbor hauled water for our horses and calf while I dealt with a well that was struggling to produce water in these drought conditions. 

Late summer brought rain, and we dared to hope that the drought would lose it’s grip. Even then, we knew that winter would tell the real story. Rain was welcome and needed but only snow, and lots of it, could free us from the drought and it’s destruction.

Today is Halloween. Our little town will close Main Street and kids and adults alike will fill the streets. We call it Halloween Town and it’s a festive, annual tradition. Businesses and homes will offer candy, hot chocolate, cookies and cider. This year the fall decorations will be obscured by snow and winter coats will hide carefully chosen costumes. But, the cold can’t dampen the warmth of a community. People will brave the snow and cold and laugher will echo off of the mountain.

I don’t know if we will get the full 12” of snow predicted by the weather report. And I can’t predict with any certainty whether or not winter will continue to bring the snow we so desperately need. But there’s snow on the mountain and snow in my yard and sometimes, snow is more than just snow. Sometimes snow is hope. 

Finally Done! When a Tenant Damages Your Rental Property Part 3

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Drumroll please! It’s taken a while, but it’s done! The damaged rental house is finally ready to sell. Well, mostly. I still have to put the remainder cabinet pulls on the kitchen cabinets.

When the tenant vacated the property, I was shocked and appalled at it’s condition. You can see what  the house looked like here.

Slowly, with a lot of elbow grease and more than just a little bit of money, it started to improve. For a list of repair items as well as some progress update photos, just click here.

But now, I’ll let the finished photos speak for themselves. 

In Part 2 of When A Tenant Damages Your Rental Property, I was trying to make a decision about the kitchen countertops. I finally made the decision to go with quartz, but when I tried to order them, I could not find anyplace that could have them done in less than 5 weeks. I did not want to wait that long!

I was lamenting to a friend and his reply was, “Well, figure it out kid.” So, because I’m impatient and because I rarely back down from a challenge, I did!

Floor and Decor sells un-fabricated quartz pieces. I purchased two pieces of quartz and did the fabrication myself. Actually, I had some help. That stuff is heavy! I purchased a handheld, wet tile saw and a diamond blade. I used that to slowly cut the material to length. For the smaller countertop, I also had to cut along the back length because the counter is not a standard depth. I used a 4″ grinder with a diamond blade to make the corners. This part was harder than I anticipated and I cut almost cut too far into the corner.

I used an over mount sink so I could not have to cut a hole for the faucet or polish and finish the edge of the sink hole. In the end,  these countertops were more money and a lot more trouble, but well worth it!

Letting this house go is bitter sweet. I see the landing on the stairs where I found Abigail asleep with our dog and a blanket one morning. I see the kitchen where Katie made loaf after loaf of homemade bread when she had her own little bread business. I see the garage door. Joseph shot hundreds of hockey pucks into a board leaned up against it. I see the bedroom that was once Alia’s and the radiator where Anna sat and did school work.

This was our home. We celebrated birthdays, opened Christmas presents and lived the holy amidst the mundane. Yes, letting go is bittersweet. But I’m glad we did the work to fix her up again. My friend Kathi reminded me recently reminded me to choose joy! So I rejoice in the life we had here.

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October Fun in Small Town USA

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It doesn’t look much like fall today. The mountain is obscured by gray skies and falling snow. The first snow brings it’s own simple magic. 

But two days ago, the landscape looked much different. Fall was still putting on a show with golden leaves and a deep blue Colorado sky. It was perfect, and a perfect backdrop for one of the most festive days of the year in our small town. It was the culmination of Homecoming week, and it is quintessentially small town America. 

For a entire week, all local students, from the tiniest little kindergartener to the seniors in high school participate in spirit week. High school students create a carnival for elementary students. All three schools, elementary, middle and high school, have daily, fun activities and contests for the kids. The high school hosts a dummy hunt and bonfire for it’s students.

It’s an entire week of fun but the highlight is Friday. A sloppy joe luncheon sponsored by the FFA kicks off the day, followed by a good, old fashioned, small town parade complete with floats, horses, classic cars, tiny cheerleaders and bantam league football players, a band, the local sheriff and fire departments, and even a goat cart! Yep! A GOAT cart.

Members of the community take a break from work and busy lives to line Main Street, visit with friends and cheer for their favorite float while children chase the candy raining down from parade participants.

Following the parade, it’s all football. First, the high school girls play a powder puff game, then of course, Friday night finds the boys taking the field. During halftime the Homecoming Court is always accompanied by little escorts.

In a couple of weeks, Main Street will once again be closed to traffic. Straw bales, pumpkins, ghosts and goblins will hang from homes and street lights.  In the crisp, night air festive homeowners, business, churches and community members will pass out candy, hot chocolate and apple cider. One homeowner traditionally builds a bonfire where people gather to visit and warm themselves. Children, adults and even an occasional dog will don costumes and fill the street expressing small town community yet again. 

This is October. This is our community. Celebrations and festivities traditionally reserved for high schoolers or small children spanning multiple generations. The magic isn’t in the activities. There’s nothing unique about Homecoming or Halloween. The magic is the tradition. It’s the sense of coming together, young and old. It’s the community and it’s everything we love about small towns. 

Pumpkin Pancakes

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The changing Aspen trees are visible on the mountain this week. A week ago, the golden hues were sparse and tentative but now, on a clear day the vibrate colors can been seen from 30 miles away. 

It’s fall and that means it’s time to break out my favorite pumpkin recipes. This weekend I’m in Arizona helping my son and daughter-in-law build a faux fireplace. It so happens that my son loves pumpkin! So, before we headed to Home Depot for lumber and materials, we enjoyed a stack of Pumpkin Pancakes. It’s been a favorite in our family for years. 

Pumpkin Pancakes

1 1/4 c all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger *

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon *

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg *

a pinch of ground cloves *

(2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice can substituted for the spices with an asterisk)

1 1/4 cup milk

1/2 cup pumpkin puree

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 large egg

In a large bowl whisk** together the flour, sugar, baking powder and spices. 

** Remember when we used to sift? Sometimes sifting is still called for but often simply whisking the items together will yield the same result with less time and effort. Both add air to the mixture. 

In a separate bowl, blend the milk, pumpkin, oil and egg until smooth. 

Add to the flour mixture. Slowly incorporate the wet ingredients into the dry. 

When thoroughly combined, cook on a lightly buttered griddle heated to 350 degrees. If using a  stovetop griddle cook over medium to medium high. You can tell the pan is ready when a drop of water dances when dropped onto the hot surface. 

Serve with lots of butter (remember, butter is a side dish, not a condiment) and maple syrup. 

Tip: This recipe is amazing, (and healthier) made with whole wheat flour. If substituting whole wheat flour, be sure to use soft, white wheat. It has a lower gluten content than the hard wheat used for baking bread. 

Nothing says fall like pumpkin!

For the printable version, click here.