The Pleasure of Raking Leaves, a New Snow Blower, Breadsticks

Adventure on the edge of the wilderness can take on many forms…

 

 

 

It was a nuisance changing the chainsaw blade. After we accomplished that, the girls bucked more wood for the woodpile and I took to the task of raking the last of the maple leaves. The leaves were pretty, but I didn’t want them to kill the grass on the lawn or spoil the look of the pristine snow that was expected to arrive later in the week.

 

At first, I thought we would burn the leaves, (I wanted to because I’d never done that before). However, David said there was no need for that, and I should rake them over the side of the hill as they would rot there and make a nice compost pile.

 

As I was raking and watching my girls down the hillside cutting logs, I had a sense of comfort in my life. I thought of all of the exciting changes that have been taking place which also led me to think of how some things never change; such as the pleasure of raking leaves.

Yes, I know it is a chore, but as a rite of fall, I get to commune with nature where I can take in all of the abundance that surrounds me. Also, raking leaves is a sure sign that Thanksgiving, which happens to be my favorite holiday, is right around the corner.

 

Time to Relax and Watch the Snow Fly

With the outside chores done, it was time to relax and wait for the snow.

A blizzard was coming and David thought it the perfect opportunity to buy our first-ever snowblower. An excellent deal was had from a big box store in Depotland. Not only was the machine on sale, but a mover’s discount card provided an additional 10% off the purchase price. Telling you this makes me feel like my old neighbor Bobby Jean who says that when you find a good deal, you like to tell everyone – kind of like shouting it out from the rooftops.

At any rate, we got a better deal on a new one than any of the used ones I had seen on Craigslist. The transaction took place and David brought the snowblower home and put it in the garage. We tested it out – entertainment of the snowblower kind sans snow – before going inside for the night.

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My husband is expecting a plentiful snowfall this year. Northwest Montana always sees a fair amount of snow anyways, and now that we live in the foothills it’s probable we will see more than usual. I hope he knows something and it isn’t just wishful thinking on his part. I’d like to see a lot of snow myself. The pure pleasure of watching snow flurries under a floodlight at night and a yard of evergreens flocked in snow would be a treat, to say the least. It would make our first winter here all the more special.

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The Blizzard

The anticipated blizzard arrived right on time with whistling wind and blowing snow. It was never expected to be a snowmaker and we waited for the weekend snowfall that would give us the chance to have some fun and try out the snowblower.

 

Only a dusting of snow fell and the snowblower sat in the garage. Crazy as it may sound, David and I are still in awe of snow, having moved from the deep south to Montana, and it was a disappointment not to have to use the snowblower.

 

The weekend was not half bad, though, and I baked soft and chewy breadsticks that not only tasted delicious but made the house smell good as well.

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Soft and Chewy Breadsticks

What you’ll need:

• 1 cup warm water
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup oil
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 teaspoons yeast

Directions:

1. Put yeast in warm water and dissolve
2. Add sugar, salt, and oil
3. Add liquid to the flour and mix until dough forms a ball
4. Knead dough until smooth
5. Roll out into 10 x 12 rectangle
6. Cut into strips about 3/4 inches wide
7. Give each strip a twist and place it on greased cookie sheet
8. Let rise for 30 minutes
9. Bake at 375 for 10 to 15 minutes

Updated for clarity: 10/22/21