Ever Changing Life

I am sorry to say I have been very lax with my blogging lately.

My life has been in a state of flux 

and it is taking me a bit of time 

to wrap my head around the changes taking place here.

My sister, Nancy and I have shared this house

for the past twelve years.

We have had a wonderful co existence since the beginning.

She created a lovely apartment upstairs for herself

and I had the space downstairs.

It was like having your best friend

as your closest neighbor.

We shared many meals, coffee in the morning 

and often a glass of wine before dinner.

We were in and out of each other's space constantly.

Whenever I had an idea and needed feedback,

up the stairs I would head to get her opinions.

We always had a ready companion in each other

for day trips, vacations, and treasure hunts.

(We both share a love of antique, consignment and thrift shops.) 

Another thing we shared was our mutual concern for our parents,

who live six hours away from us.

My Dad will be turning 90 next month.

Although he is sharp as a tack

and in reasonably good health,

he has been our Mother's caregiver for several years now.

Sadly, she suffers from dementia.

Nancy and I have been making 

regular trips to their home

to help in any way we could.

Within the past few months it has become

increasingly clear some changes needed to be made.

After a trip to them in early December,

Nancy announced she would be taking

early retirement from her job

and going to live with them.

So, we have been putting some things in motion

to facilitate that happening since Christmas.

Nancy moved this past Monday.

This is very bittersweet for me.

On the one hand,

I am SO relived my parents will now

have, not just anyone, but someone with them on a

regular and constant basis who really loves them.

On the other hand, 

 my best friend,

nearest neighbor

and sister have moved away.

Her apartment upstairs remains intact,

since she did not take furniture

and she plans to return as often as possible.

And, I plan to go to my parents and her

at least once a month.

Nancy has started a new blog to 

journal her experiences.

She has begun it not with the intention

of  amassing lots of new followers,

but rather for herself,

to keep record of her new journey.

If this experience resonates with you,

you can find her here.

I am sure she will welcome any insights

you may have gathered in a similar situation.

In the meantime, I am getting used to being alone in our house.

Perhaps this is the initiative I need

to start blogging on a regular basis again.

I'll be needing someone to talk to now and then.

Garden Tour 2011

It's been a busy weekend here at Buttermilk Cottage.

We were part of our neighborhood garden tour.

Most (all) the credit for the garden here 

goes to my sister Nancy's efforts.

My job for the day was to sit on the front porch,

to welcome visitors,

offer them a glass of iced tea,

and send them around to

Nancy in the backyard.

Nancy has named the garden, "The Catbird Garden."

Although I am not a gardener,

I am a cook,

so I have my own little plot of basil

just outside the backdoor.

Our garden shed is an excellent example

of turning a sow's ear into a silk purse!

An old bench no longer worthy of seating can still

 be put to good use in the garden.

Notice the window boxes upstairs. 

They're new since last fall.

Here's proud "Nanniepannie"

ready to show off her garden.

Please visit her blog here

to get the full garden story.

Happy Birthday Nancy!

Today is my sister's birthday and if you've got a minute, scoot on over to Nanniepannies and wish her a happy day!

I've baked her traditional choice for birthday cake~

Decadent Carrot Cake

(Serves 20)

2 c. flour

2 t. soda

2 t. cinnamon

1t. salt

2 c. sugar

4 eggs

1 1/4 c. cooking oil

2 c. finely grated carrots

Sift dry ingredients together. Mix eggs, cooking oil and carrots together and add to dry ingredients. Beat hard. Bake in 2 layer pans at 350 degrees F. for 45 minutes.

Cream Cheese Icing

1 stick butter

1 8-oz. pkg. cream cheese

1 box powdered sugar

1 c. chopped nuts (pecans)

Cream cheese and butter. Add sugar gradually. Blend in nuts.

This is a very old recipe. Do not even attempt to make it unless you've got 19 other people to share it with--it's rich beyond belief, but SO good! I make this cake for her every year. This year we have both vowed, when the cake gets cut this evening, half goes into the freezer for dessert during Thanksgiving.

Our neighborhood association recently made Nancy a very happy woman by giving Buttermilk Cottage the "Yard of the Month." This is the SECOND time she's been awarded this recognition and she deserves it. We do have a lovely yard and it's all due to her efforts.

"For there is no friend like a sister

In calm or stormy weather;

To cheer one on the tedious way,

To fetch one if one goes astray,

To lift one if one totters down,

To strengthen whilst one stands."

Christina Rossetti

Have a great day, my dear sister and best friend, Nancy!