Many family members won't be joining us for dinner tomorrow; some for an inability to travel, some have been gone many years.
They participate, though, in the recipes passed down.
Grammy's chess pie, MomCarol's pie crust, great-aunt Enid's dressing, and Mom's cranberry-orange relish.

I am trying to get better photos but need some non-smoke filled sunlight!

First fire of the season

I think that it has rained enough for the first woodstove fire of the season.
Another couple degrees and this precip would be snow.

When it's 38 degrees F and raining, cream of wheat and herb tea with honey is what's for breakfast.

Beautiful, steady, cold rain.
We have waited so long.
It should help put out the Matt's Creek fire, which is mow 11,000 acres.

Matts fire update
More than 10,000 acres burned
27% containment
3 in. rain due in next 18 hours
May this be the beginning of the end of the fire.

While we are being grateful this week, let's help our good CoSo friends.
#CoSoAuction
The blanket is aquamarine & cream; measures 28"x31". It's made of soft acrylic yarn that is machine washable and dryable.
I will pay first class domestic postage or contribute the same to international postage.
(I always give creations away, so selling is outside my comfort zone. If I were across the Pond, I'd be helping Stuey & Eleanor pull wet carpet so this is what I can do to help them. Please bid.

Anyone recall the movie?

Best movie song ever. Name it and the movie.

I bake my bird breast-side down and flip it to brown top for the last bit, let gravity baste it.
Sounds strange but it works.

Lucy's favorite place

Yesterday v today
Matt's Creek fire is now more than 7000 acres, and has come across the last Ridgeline down to the James River just across from Glasgow, VA
Rain arriving 24 hours; can't be too soon.

Sweet snuggled Sunday Lucy.

Matt's Creek fire update.
It has burned more than 6000 acres; last night my daughter and I could see the fire on a ridgeline.
We were spared the smoke yesterday and will be today, but it will return tomorrow.
The fire has burned from the James River south to the Blue Ridge Parkway, and is moving to the edge of the Jefferson National Forest, so there is focus on possible evacuations of private land contiguous.
Good news: 15 percent containment, and 1-3 in. rain on Tuesday.
Pray for rain.

Wind blew smoke in other direction today. First time I have been able to see the fire.

I have been a very small part of CoSo for quite a while, and truly enjoy the community. I recognize and appreciate the work of @th3j35t3r on this anniversary.
Thank you.

This is the 5,000-acre Matts Creek fire. The scale is 1"=1 mile, & north is straight up.
I live in the area. Thankfully, the James River and a highway are between the fire and my community.
Tomorrow will be windy, which will push the fire south closer to the Blue Ridge Parkway.
We are praying for the firefighters, many from our local volunteer companies as well as state and federal staff. We are praying for those whose homes could be in danger as the fire grows. We are praying for rain.