A little more "Christmastime" around the ol' Countryfolk homestead...

It looks like a big, lit snowflake is about as close as I'm going to get to a white Christmas.



So I'll take it.


Have a terrific weekend, all.

Be merry and bright.

:> )

"Am I on a different planet??"

I find myself saying that a lot lately. Things seem weird to me. Things in general.
Maybe it's because I'm old. Blaming it on old age always seems to work, I guess.

For example. One of the two young men who came to install our propane line was wondering what was sitting on the wee "Barbie Burner" I was using at the time.



My sweet hubs told him it was a percolator and if he wanted the best tasting cup of coffee, he should get one.

The young man seemed perplexed. So I did a quick show and tell. I took the lid off, explained where the water and coffee go. Then I said, "You put it on a medium heat burner and wait for it to perk."

"Perk?" he asks. By the look on his face you would have thought I was speaking another language, or I had two heads. But I know no other language except English (Well, I do know a few Polish swear words) and the last time I looked in the mirror I had only one noggin. (Although now that I think of it, I really should have taken a brush to my hair that day)
He had no idea what "perk" meant.

I realize making coffee this way is considered "old school." But man, am I THAT old?
Maybe it would have went over better if I explained to him that's how I've always made coffee ever since the dinosaurs and I roamed the earth. ((giggle))

:> )

I'm Dreaming Of A White Christmas...

But I'd better not hold my breath.

WTHeck!


While most Central New Yorkers are relishing in this unusually warm weather, I can honestly say I am not. I'm a die-hard fan for a snowy Christmas and then some.
This weather dare I say really... blows!
It's going to muck up all our trees and shrubs.
Especially the fruit trees.
Ugh!

An open window in the middle of December around here is nuts! Who opens a window in the middle of December in Central New York?!

Looks like I do.



Here's December 2014 and a perfect 33 degrees.



♫ "I'm Dreaming of a much preferred thirty-three degree December 2014 White Christmas..." ♪

Sure it's a bit of a mouthful.
But I'm gonna sing it anyway!
Hmpf!

Remember to be merry and bright...

and secretly dot your town or city with a little love.



Shhhh...

♥

A few weeks back ...

when I ordered the cooktop, I also mentioned I ordered a trim kit and then stated, "Don't ask."

I said that because I should have thought through buying a new cooktop when the new countertop was installed. That would have been the smart thing to do. But that's not what I did... Nor do.

When my new countertop was fabricated, the countertop was cut out for my electric Jenn Air cooktop. When I decided to purchase a Jenn-Air gas cooktop (after the fact), I found out the dimensions were not the same. The gas cooktop was smaller. ACK!!!
What to do??!! What to do??!!

Well, Micro-Trim, (a company out of California) found their niche. They make trim kits for cooktops, microwaves, ovens and ranges for numskulls like me. ((giggle))



How it works is you give them the exact dimensions of your cut out. Along with the brand and model number of your cooktop. Then two weeks later... Voila!! You have one piece of flexible aluminum that will cover the difference. The kit is offered in black, stainless steel or white.
Their staff was extremely helpful and it arrived professionally and securely packaged.

Now, I will add a little of my own personal opinion. Yes, it looks great and takes care of the gap. But it is strictly cosmetic. I didn't realize it.
If you're looking for it to hold the weight of your cooktop, it will not. If the gap is large you will need to figure out how to anchor your cooktop from underneath.

Also, it's rather pricey. At least I thought so.
But it was a little cheaper to buy directly from them rather than buying from your appliance dealer who purchases from them.

Since the company asked for customer photos of the trim kit, I removed my Christmas decor before I snapped these. I don't think everyone would want to see my Dorothy Doll Christmas Imp in the background. ((giggle))



Overall, I am extremely happy with this product! It looks great and most importantly covered the Grand Canyon gap between my cooktop and my countertop. Yes, that was a tad bit exaggerated.

Happy Friday, all.
Be merry and bright!

:> )

In my best Stuart Larkin voice...

"Look what I can do!"



I'm cookin' with propane!! Woo hoo!! YaY me!!!

Yeah, I know I'm so lame. You can make fun of me. Go ahead.
I don't care because...
I'm cookin' with propane!!
((giggle))
Hey! This is about as exciting as my life gets so just roll with it.

Oooooh, I can't wait to perk coffee in the morning. Yippee!!
(Maybe I'll wear pearls!)

Happy Thursday, all.

:> )

"Hey Grandpa, what's for supper?"

Nothing just yet.

The gas, downdraft cooktop was delivered Tuesday but the propane folks won't be here until this afternoon.

So this morning I had to make a pot of coffee on what I would call a single, coil burner for Barbie.
It only took about an hour and a half to make the weakest half a pot of coffee I've ever tasted. But I am grateful so I'll take it because I get a little cranky when I don't have my Dunkin Donuts in the a.m.

Since the cooktop is in place, I snapped a few photos. I am soooo happy I went with the black instead of the stainless steel. In my humble opinion a stainless cooktop might have been overkill. The black cooktop compliments the black accent trim on my other appliances and... the kitchen cabinet hardware. Have I mentioned how much I love that hardware??





Man, I wish they would make things for us southpaws. All the knobs are on the right side. I'll have to make a conscious effort not to reach over an open flame with my left hand and set my arm on fire. I guess it could be worse. I wouldn't want a Mrs. Doubtfire "incident." (Maybe I should keep a couple of sauce pan lids handy.)



Oh, I almost forgot...



Sadly, I'm not sure it means much anymore these days.
But I was happy to see it.

I hope to be cooking (and not burning) dinner later today!

Wish me luck!!

:> )

A date which will live in infamy...

December 7, 1941.








Hickham Field ~ Pearl Harbor, Hawaii December 7 1941.




Attempting to help douse the flames at Pearl Harbor, December 7 1941.

Teach Amercian history.

Never forget.

Christmastime at the ol' Countryfolk Homestead just isn't the same without a little...

whimsy!!



Around the kitchen...

This flying Santa keeps the lid on my delicious Christmas cookies recipes box.
They are all top secret! Not really. I just don't have the heart to tell him. He even brought his watchdog.





Can you stand the cuteness of this little gingerbread guy??!! I most certainly can't!! ♥









I love these wrapped Christmas candies made out of glass...



Stella has become quite bored with my picture taking. Can you tell?





Ooops! Yesterday, I forgot to post my Victorian Carolers my mom made back in the 70's.
The mom and daughter are sporting genuine mink!
Shhh... Don't tell PETA.



Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's...



Christmas Mouse!!
And he's up to no good as usual.



This next little Christmas imp is right up there with the "Dorothy Doll" as far as my favorite pieces go. I'm sure you're wondering why...




No. It's not his weird eyes and squishy face. Although I do love them.
It has something to do with when you remove his hat.
Ready???



He has a COMB OVER!!!



I bet you're smiling right now.

Happy Sunday, all.

Be merry and bright.

:> )

*Ding*Ding*Ding* Round Two~Christmastime at the Countryfolk Homestead...

I love my skinny tree! It takes up so little room! Yippee!!








Ummm... I really need to clean my kitchen. Which is why I don't have many photos to share at the moment. (I did manage to crop out all the cr*p on the table)



Yes, Frosty the Snowman occasionally stays here and wears New Balance scoots!
Who knew??!!





I bought these snowmen painted knife and spoon set years ago at a local craft fair.
Even after all these years they still make me smile...



Well, that's it for now. I really need to spend some time with my little Stella. She's burning a hole through me as I type this.
See...



Remember... Be merry and bright.

:> )

It only took 50 years...

But I'm tickled pink!! As I'm sure many others are!!

The USPS has issued "A Charlie Brown Christmas" stamps! YaY!



To this very day, "A Charlie Brown Christmas" is my favorite Christmas special!!



♥ Thank you Mr. Schulz for explaining the true meaning of Christmas. ♥



You are sadly missed.
♥