Canada Geese in the sky

nature, wildlife, Wisconsin

It’s always a good show each spring and fall when Canada geese fly through the sky. One day, when a few flocks merged and flew over Seymour, people came out of shops and homes to watch.

Everyone had their heads craned skyward as the geese honked past. I was amazed at how many people came outside. They were quite a sight, too.

Here’s my video of a column I wrote in 1981.

Things really don’t change.

Sometimes I’m stuck in the kitchen waiting for something to finish baking when there’s a sight to see outside. Foos can get burnt when this happens.

I’ve been taking photos of sunsets. The shortened time to this daily event can catch me off guard. I almost missed one this week because it came so soon, or at least seemed to come early. My seat by the kitchen window doesn’t always mean I’m attentive to what is happening outside.

May you experience the beauty of the changing seasons today.

Copyright © 2020 by Susan Manzke, all rights reserved

The tooth fairy is fallible

Family, fun

Over many years, the tooth fairy came to our house. Sometimes she was on time. Sometimes she was on vacation and arrived days later–once it was multiple missed days for which she sent her apologies.

This audio reading was from 1981 and it was the tooth fairy’s first chance to make a payout for our firstborn. Still, she muffed it and to this day she is sad for disappointing little Robby.

These days the tooth fairy has issues too. Good thing she eventually catches on to her slip-ups and, even if late, pays up for the teeth.

If I hear correctly, instead of a dime or quarter, the tooth fairy has inflated her pay for teeth. I guess teeth are worth more these days.

Copyright © 2020 by Susan Manzke, all rights reserved

Days until Christmas

fun, Odds and ends

We are coming close to Halloween, yet there are Christmas decorations on display in some stores. This account talks about holiday decorations coming too early.

Christmas decorations that pop up at the end of summer robs Earlybird shoppers of the good feeling of getting a jump on their gift buying.

I always felt better when I was stashing special gifts for our children early. Often it was difficult not gifting the toys to them early. But somehow I managed.

Copyright © 2020 by Susan Manzke, all rights reserved

CORRECTED Pumpkin Pie Recipe

food, recipe

I missed one prime ingredient yesterday when I sent this recipe. I forgot the brown sugar! Please add 3/4 cup of packed brown sugar to your pie. I used a little less because that was all I had and it tasted good, but leaving it out all together would not be a good thing.

So sorry.

Easy Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients:

One 15 oz can of pumpkin; one 12 oz can of evaporated milk; 2 beaten eggs; 3/4 cup brown sugar; 1 tsp flour; 1/2 tsp salt; one TB of pumpkin pie seasoning (or substitute 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ginger, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1/8 tsp ground cloves). Mix all together and pour into 9″ deep dish pie shell.

Bake at 350 F for 55 to 60 minutes. Cool. Eat.

Pumpkin pies are easy to make, especially when you have all the ingredients AND USE THEM.

It dawned on me that I hadn’t added the brown sugar in the middle of the night. So sorry.

This is one reason I’ll never be writing a cookbook.

Copyright © 2020 by Susan Manzke, all rights reserved

Pumpkin pie recipe

food, recipe

I came across a can of pumpkin in my pantry and decided to make a pie. I even had most of the ingredients.

Easy Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients:

One 15 oz can of pumpkin; one 12 oz can of evaporated milk; 2 beaten eggs; 1 tsp flour; 1/2 tsp salt; one TB of pumpkin pie seasoning (or substitute 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ginger, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1/8 tsp ground cloves). Mix all together and pour into 9″ deep dish pie shell.

Bake at 350 F for 55 to 60 minutes. Cool. Eat.

My pie shell was shallow so I put the extra filling in a different oven-safe pan and baked it without a crust.

Some like to eat their pie with whipped cream, but since I didn’t have any, I had to force myself to eat it naked.

Pumpkin pies are easy to make, especially when you start with canned pumpkin. And whipped cream or not, they are yummy.

Copyright © 2020 by Susan Manzke, all rights reserved