Halloween Stories from Ewix

I won a copy of Elizabeth's  book JANE IN WINTER not long  ago.  It is "A Traditional Tale of Magic and Enchantment" of "a  young girl's quest to set the world to rights and bring happiness to a very tragic family." 

Jane has quite and adventure.  She travels underwater and finds a magnificent palace. She goes on a quest to rescue May from the evils of Queen Ida.  The story also contains wonderful details of life in England in the 1950's.  I sympathized with Jane having to deal with a big brother and his friends.  They offered to let her play Risk with them-- just this once.  "only so you could wipe me off the face of the earth," said Jane.  She hated it when people ganged up on her and her last soldier fell in Kamchatca or somewhere weird like that.  I've died in Risk's Kamchatca more than once myself.

Elizabeth is putting together a spooky Halloween story on her blog, The World Examining Works.  I'm excited to see the next installment. 

Thanks, Elizabeth, for the fine children's book!

Weekword TRANSPORTATION

Boats in the harbor--watercolor sketchbook

Freight wagon--pencil sketch                                        Farm tractor--watercolor

Peruvian taxi                                                 Reed boat--Lake Titicaca

PLUS--a true story

Automobile Accessories    or    What Did You Think I Meant?

For fifteen years I commuted fifty miles round trip to my job as a graphic artist in "The Big City." In the winter the guys with the snowplows kept the highway clear, and when it was icy they sanded the roads for better traction. I appreciated the sand, except it contained pebbles that were randomly flung at my car by passing vehicles. The flying pebbles left stars on my windshield and dings in the car’s paint.

After a few years of this drive I bought a brand new Geo Metro (okay, laugh, but it got forty miles to the gallon—even if I DID have to turn off the a.c. to make it up a big hill, and it bounced around in the wake of passing trucks.)

I told MyFriendFromWork that I was going to ask DH to get me a bra for Christmas—a big vinyl one. You know, one of those custom covers for the front of the car that protects the paint from flying rocks.

Sure enough, on Christmas morning I opened a box that contained the biggest black bra I had ever seen. The weather was extremely cold so DH and I borrowed a neighbor’s heated garage where we figured out how to put on the bra. It fit like a glove.

Fast forward to a warm day the next summer. I was preparing to wash my little Geo in the parking area beside the house when the phone rang. I went inside and was soon involved in a fun conversation with MyFriendFromWork. Being the gentleman that he is, DH took over the car wash job.

I was chatting with my friend on the phone while at the same time giving instructions through the window to DH with the background sound of splashing water.

“Use lots of soap and work up a lather, Dear.”…

“Oh, you’d better take off the bra.”…

“There’s a strap that goes around there. See if you can find the hook.”…

“Just put your hand under there. Can you feel it?”…

“Okay, just pull it off.”…

“Now suds down the whole front. Yeah, that’s nice.”

For some reason my friend on the phone was complaining about soda pop coming out of her nose.

For more Weekword Posts about Transportation vist these great blogs:  Linda Sue's-All I Ever Wanted, Anne's-frayed at theedge, Flea's-Flea's World, Laura's-Wisconsin Bound, Elizabeth's-probably but not likely, Anairam at fra(a)iing and possibly Pat at Weaver of Grass

WEEKWORD and PUT A LID ON IT

First order of business: Anne at frayedattheedge asked me to choose the new word for Weekword. My choice for this week is TRANSPORTATION. As I understand it, next Friday you post your interpretation of the word with drawings, photos, crafts, stories, poems, whatever. Let me know if you want to be part of the game by leaving a comment on this post.

Second order of business: I am no domestic goddess. I try to keep my family clean and fed and that‘s about it. However, I seem to have a pie baking gene inherited from my dad’s mom. Last year I posted Grandma Lucinda’s pie crust recipe and followed with instructions on my apple pie filling.

So this post is: how I put the top crust on a fruit pie (don’t get too excited here).

This is my blackberry-apple pie, which is just apple filling plus a can of Oregon blackberries (juice used to make filling). The bottom crust and filling are already in place. Next to the pie you see the top crust rolled out. To get to this point follow the instructions in Grandma's pie crust post (see link above).

You should be able to fold the top crust in half and then fold it in half again. This makes it easier to pick up.

Center the corner of the folded crust on the pie.

Unfold the crust.

Trim off the excess dough with a sharp knife.

Seal together the edges of the top and bottom crust. I’m using my thumb, but there are plenty of other ways to do it.

Use the knife to make some slits in the crust to let out steam during cooking.

I like to sprinkle on some cinnamon-sugar to make the crust crispy and sweet.

Bake the pie at 375 F for about forty-five minutes. Let cool and eat. Try not to get too much yummy stuff on your face like this guy did.

Remember, Weekword--TRANSPORTATION. Leave me a note in the comments so I can put you on the list.