From Lois' Hands

Friday, November 22, 2013

November Blooms

Good morning,

Our Hearty Hibiscus just doesn't quit blooming!

I took these images in our back yard just a couple of weeks ago.

Of course, the weather here can change in just a few minutes from warm and sunny, to cold and snow. We are enjoying the former as long as we can.

All the best,
Lois

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Waiting and Still Waiting....

Good morning,

This is what is left of the four trees we took down last summer. We have split quite a bit of it already, but these are still waiting to be split. We just haven't gotten around to all of them yet. :) Not to worry, we are not going to run out of firewood.

Maybe a log splitting fairy will come by and do it for us? Nah, I don't think so!

;),
Lois

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Walking the Dogs Or Are They Walking Us?

Good morning,

My Honey and I walk the dogs and they walk us at the same time.

My Honey had both leashes and I was the camera and bag lady. ;)

Do you remember these? When we were kids, we called them "brains."

We've seen the squirrels eating them. Perhaps the deer eat them, too?

This little park-like area down our street is where we saw deer a few days earlier. The dogs thought they should catch a deer for breakfast, but Dad didn't agree.

All the business is done; the bag lady has done her job and found a very convenient public trash can. We are on our way home.

What beautiful weather for the dogs to take us for a walk!

;),
Lois

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Cincinnati Chili

Good morning,

If you've ever spent any time in Cincinnati, you've been introduced to Cincinnati Chili.

There are two competitive Cincinnati Chili companies here, Gold Star and Skyline. Fans are the same as fans of Coke and Pepsi. Some swear one is far superior to the other and just as many swear the other is far superior.

The story of how Cincinnati Chili that I have heard the most often is that many years ago Greek immigrants wanted to come to the United States, but couldn't get visas for entry. These folks went to Mexico to wait for their opportunity for the American Dream. While in Mexico, they learned to make chili with a combination of Greek and Mexican traditions. Finally the opportunity came when they could come to the USA and they settled in Cincinnati. With them came the chili that is now famous as a Cincinnati dish.

The "real" recipe for this is a secret, but if you do a search of the Internet for Cincinnati Chili, you'll find tens of recipes to try so you can make a pretty good copy of it at home.

Enjoy,
Lois

Monday, November 18, 2013

Running Errands

Good morning,

These are a few snapshots from about a week ago when we went out to run a few errands. The home above is on the campus of Xavier University. It is no longer used as a home, but is known as the Sycamore House and is used as offices.

This is the corner of Victory Parkway and Dana, which used to be very close to the front door of Xavier University just up the hill there in front of the tall building that was known as the Jesuit Tower. Now the front door of the campus has been moved further up Dana Avenue and many modern buildings added.

Driving past Xavier University toward Madison Road, the street is lined with trees dressed in Autumn glory.

And, these beautiful trees are in front of Withrow High School.

Here we are entering Hyde Park Square. Back when there were little towns surrounding Cincinnati, this was the town center of this area. Now we are all one big city, but still with local neighborhood flavor.