Winter Scenes from Western PA & NY I love cross country skiing during the winter months because I have the opportunity to enjoy nature unspoiled by others.  Let me share a few of my favorite scenes with you.               Alone against the elements                                                Meandering stream                                Virgin Snow                                                                 Enter Here Cross country skiing, my favorite winter past time, is my time away from people, phone and computer.   Some think I am fool hardy to go off into the woods by myself, but I don't worry.  I take my cell phone (turned off) and my Higher Power.  I have always returned refreshed beyond any other experience I have ever had, elsewhere.  In the woods during the winter th... 12/23/2009

Early Christmas with the Yonkers Clan        (No one brought a tripod) Happy Birthday Dave Yonkers Recently the Yonkers clan gathered at nearby Peek 'n Peak Resort for birthday celebration for Grandpa Dave and early Christmas celebration.  Notice the hat Sarah is wearing. (See below) Peek n' Peak Ski Resort Located in SW New York       It has become a Yonkers tradition to gather at Peek n' Peak Resort to celebrate Dave's birthday on the first day of winter, December 21st, ski and exchange Christmas presents, too. Instead of formal dinner at the Peak we opted for casual dinner at French Creek Tavern.  Some would call it a dive or hide-away, but we certainly had lots of fun.  Look at the girls' table.  Happy Birthday, Grandpa   And the big guys played shuffle board.      Go TEAM YONKERS M... 12/23/2009

Mother's Recipe Box:  A Christmas Tradition Oyster Stew   An old family tradition was Mother's Oyster Stew for Christmas Eve dinner. However in recent years Mother has not wanted to leave her home of 60 years so Dave & I took all the ingredients to her home in Oil City.  1 pint oysters, undrained 1/4 cup oleo or butter 2 tablespoons flour 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce Dash Old Bay Seasoning (or hot pepper sauce) Salt & pepper to taste 2-3 cups whole milk (or 2% milk) Garnish with fresh chives or parsley Blend flour & seasoning in heavy pan with melted butter.  Add undrained oysters.  Simmer until edges of oysters curl.  Heat milk in separate pan, but do not boil.  Add to oyster mixture.  Let stand fifteen minutes.  Reheat.  Garnish with fresh chives or parsley.  Serve with crackers or... 12/17/2009

The Joy of Giving:  Lesson Learned   Early Morning Fire Leaves 40 Homeless A headline jolts most people's attention.  Then we thank God it's not us or someone we know personally and we go on with our busy lives... Until I read the following story in Country magazine.      A West Texas Christmas A young girl's story of moving to remote west Texas town just before Christmas in 1944 jolted my inner being more than the headlines of FIRE in Erie, PA 2009.  The author wanted to cry at the prospect of celebrating Christmas in a new location without lots of family until Hebert's family moved in down the street. While her brother talked about Santa coming soon, Herbert matter-of-factly stated that Santa had never been to his house.  Long story/Shortened . . . The author's family quickly set into... 12/17/2009

Morning Beauty     Just before daylight Birds are waiting for breakfast   Morning newspaper . . .   In summer Hubby & I sit here with glass of wine Morning is often my favorite time of day even in winter so I couldn't resist taking my camera with me as I ventured out during recent snowstorm to feed the birds, get the morning newspaper AND shovel snow in lieu of my daily walk. BUT  Sitting on my front porch at the end of a summer day with glass of wine .  .  .     12/14/2009

Extreme Makeover (Erie, PA Edition) Airs Tonight   ABC 8-10 pm EST Airs Dec. 13, 2009 The Erie community will celebrate with Clara Ward's extended family and the children (Youth Development and Family Center) she has helped for the past twenty + years. Six months ago Clara was chosen for as Extreme Makeover recipient.  See links:  Extreme Makeover Choose Erie, PA Builder Extreme Anticipation Extreme Delays Best Gift:  Erie has come together as a community to support projects like Clara's.  ABC 8-10 tonight    12/12/2009

Waldorf Salad, my favorite non-green salad Now I could sit down and eat half the bowl, but I won't.  Waldorf salad is good any time of year, but fall apples are the best.  I prefer Cortland apples which are very abundant in my area. I peel half the apples; the other I leave the skin on for color.  Seedless grapes or raisins Walnuts or pecans Chopped celery Mini marshmallows Miracle Whip Lite (sometimes I use Mayo-lite) As you know by know I use the ingredients I have on hand.  A little of this and a little of that rather than exact portions, too.  It always seems to turn out Good     Mmm-Mmm-Mmm 12/03/2009

Would you like to stay for bowl of soup & hot biscuits? Early this morning I decided to make Split Pea & Ham soup.  When I cook I gather all the ingredients before starting, but I don't have an exact recipe to follow when making soup. To me soup means use whatever is in the refrigerator or cupboard. That is probably why each time I make soup it turns out a bit different. Fortunately no one ever complains. Generally these are the ingredients I use when making split pea & ham soup. Ham bone & ham pieces Vegetable broth or water Several bags of dried peas Grated carrots Diced potatoes & onions (or onion flakes) Chopped celery or celery flakes Spice ball:  peppercorns & bay leaves Step #1  Rinse peas and cover with water.  Bring to boil. Let stand for one hour.  Rinse thoroughly. Step #2 Ad... 12/02/2009

Can you stay for coffee and Grape Nut Bread?   Do You Remember Grape Nut Bread? I am sure the original Grape Nut Bread recipe was printed on a box of Grape Nuts cereal to sell more boxes of Grape Nuts.  My recipe was hand written by Betty Yonkers, my mother-in-law, and doesn't have a lot of detail for step by step preparation.  Grape Nut Bread is definitely a Yonkers tradition, but I didn't attempt to make it until Betty was no longer able to make it.  Now each batch reminds us of her.  (I tried to find a digital picture of her to include here, but couldn't find one.)     Grape Nut Bread 1 cup Grape Nuts 1 1/4 cup sour milk (add one tsp vinegar to milk; let sit for one minute) Soak Grape Nuts in sour milk for one hour While you wait mix all dry ingredients in large bowl1 1/2 cups sugar4... 11/16/2009

      Study Tips to Prepare for Real Estate Exam Review class material one hour per day--don't cram.  Let it sink in a little each day a.k.a. The Drip Theory   Read, Read, Read--the more you read, the deeper your understanding of the material   Take practice tests--preferably computerized tests   Find a study partner--explain new concepts to each other   Make Flash Cards     Remember  flash cards?   Join me to study for Pennsylvania Real Estate Exam:  Nov. 14, 2009 Howard Hanna Real Estate 4248 W. 12th Street Erie, PA 16505 9:00 - 4:00 Free - Free - Free                                Call:  412-967-9000 Your Real Estate Career Begins Now   11/12/2009

Pennsylvania Continuing Education Rules Change:   Licensees who received license between Dec. 1, 2007 and Nov. 30, 2009 must take 14 hours Continuing Education Classes on required topics (Seven hours of mandatory topics and seven hours on residential or commercial topics) If licensed before Dec. 1, 2007 Licensees may take any elective CE course No CE required if licensed after Dec. 1, 2009 Does the thought of sitting in one more class cause you stress?          Bore you to distraction?              ZZZZZZZ    Put you to sleep?            CE Classes offered in Erie, PA  November 17 and 19 8:30-4:30 2170 W. 8th Street, Erie, PA 16505 Fulfills PA Real Estate Commission requirements for newly licensed agents Join me in my next CE class. I promise I won't put you to sleep >>>>>>>>> unless I ... 11/11/2009

Mother Celebrates 87 Wise Years   Family members gathered recently to celebrate Mother's 87th birthday.  You may remember several posts from Mother's Recipe Box including her famous elderberry pie. Since Dave & I have an elderberry bush near our property we make the pie or supply the berries.   At 87 Mother would prefer family gatherings to lots of gifts, so I bought a card, flowers and wine. No family gathering is complete without pie and ice cream.  I made the elderberry and my sister, Carol, made fresh apple pie.  Irene, bought the French Vanilla ice cream.  Prior to dinner we enjoyed Hot Crab Dip.  (Recipe by Barbara Raley)  George, my brother-in-law, reminded me to bring Alaska pictures and mementos. Wow!  We could have talked all night.   Mother's Recipe Collection My sisters & I ... 11/09/2009

Morning Inspiration   Most of us dread the coming of winter when the trees have lost their leaves, but now I can see the most awesome sunrises from my kitchen window.           Bird & squirrel feeders                     Morning In Review          Short walk to mailbox holds another surprise.  What a view across the road.  Coffee & bagel while I read the paper and I will be ready to face the day.  Later I plan to walk to Lake Erie, approx one mile, but nothing can compare  . . .  I will take my camera, just in case.   Enjoy the day!       11/09/2009

  Planning to change careers? Thinking about Real Estate?   Unemployed? Can't find a job? Have you considered Real Estate?   Don't delay.  Prepare for a Real Estate Career NOW   Pennsylvania Pre-license Classes begin this weekend in Erie, PA November 7, 8 and 14, 15 9:00-4:30 Alan Kells Schools of Real Estate 4244 W. 12th St. Erie, PA 16505 412.967.0240 www.alankells.com Obtaining a Pennsylvania Real Estate License Obtaining a real estate license in Pennsylvania requires 60 hours of classroom instruction. These hours are divided into two classes - Real Estate Fundamentals and Real Estate Practice Real Estate Fundamentals This 30 hour class offers a comprehensive overview of the technical and legal aspects of real estate. Topics covered include rights and interest in land, how ownership ... 11/05/2009

Cooking Up a Batch of Google Sauce                 Inspired by Mary Yonkers, I Made Applesauce for the First Time  Thanks Diane Rice   Google Web Alert for: "Mary Yonkers" Real Estate Blog Inspired By Mary Yonkers I Made Applesauce For ...Now, my mother made everything from scratch while we were growing up, but i honestly had NO interest in cooking..... just eating!  This once a day Google Alert is brought to you by Google.   ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^         All this started last week with Homestyle Cooking with Mary:  Applesauce Diane not only cooked up a batch of tasty applesauce for herself & Husbo, but also cooked up a batch of Google Sauce for me.  Thanks Diane  Just being ourselves can be good for business.   11/03/2009

Happy Birthday Toastmasters Since the first Toastmasters meeting in 1924 more than 4 million people have met regularly to improve their communication and leadership skills. Today, Toastmasters' 250,000+ active members participate in over 12,500 clubs spanning 106 countries.  Erie, Pennsylvania is lucky to have three clubs to choose from in various locations around the city. Noon-Timers:   2nd & 4th Thurs.  12:00-1:00  (Keystone Business Center) Eriez Club:        2nd & 4th Thurs.    6:30-7:45  (Mercyhurst College) Bayview Club:   2nd & 4th Wed.       5:15-6:45  (300 State Street)     Bob Adams, Introducing Table Topics               Noon-Timers will celebrate Toastmasters 85th Birthday at their next meeting November 12th 12:00-1:00.  Please come to support two newer members who are giv... 11/02/2009

Choo Choo Express 21 Years   Howard Hanna begins its 21st year of fundraising to benefit local children's Free Care Fund.  At Erie's Hamot Medical Center the money will provide the best health care to infants, children & adolescents whose parents cannot afford such care.  Through fundraisers such as the fall Chow Chow Express Howard Hanna has donated more than $5,500,000 to local children's hospitals over the last 20 years.  In 2008 Howard Hanna offices in Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York and West Virginia raised $540,000. Save the Date:  November 4th 5-8 p.m. at Colao's Restaurant 2628 Plum St. Fun, food, prizes, and more $6 admission/$2 valet parking hosted by SW Office 814.835.1200   11/01/2009

   Solution:  Long Story   Our rural property is heavily wooded with Trout Run cutting through the lower level.  Observing nature is one of our favorite pasttimes from the front porch or kitchen window, however there is a downside to to living off the beaten path.  The conveniences of urban life such as good TV reception have been a challenge.           Blocked by trees   HD reception via satellite--NO WAY   Digital reception via an antenna--NOT Possibe Cable Option Not available   Not available   Not available Being the outspoken person I can be at times I talked to an Erie Times reporter and the Yonkers ended up on the front page of the local section.  We were ribbed about this picture all summer.                                                                                        ... 10/31/2009

Dave Yonkers (CAPT USN, Ret) Astoria, Oregon "You can take the sailor off the seas, but you can't get the sea out of his blood."  Dave, a twenty-seven year navy veteran, is still passionate about the water even though he has been retired from the navy for a number of years.  Hence, most of our vacations are cruises or locations along the east or west coast. Waterfront:  San Francisco                                                                                        Sea Captain Collection                    Luxury cruise liners, military vessels or US'N TWO, Dave is happiest on or near the water.        US'N  TWO:  Captain Yonkers                            Just a little humor added by Dave's sister a few years ago . . .Quiet, Captain's sleeping     Our family room has many 'sea trea... 10/31/2009

Fall Fun Erie has so many fall activities that sometimes it is hard to choose my favorite.  In recent years I have attended ZOO BOO, Millcreek Mall Trail of Treats, spent Halloween night passing out candy at my daughter's house, but now Tracy School's annual Halloween Parade will be at the top of my list.   Parents, younger siblings and grandparents gathered to wait for the parade to begin.                      Some of the teachers & volunteers were dressed in costume, too.  The leaders of the parade were a father dressed in his volunteer fireman's uniform holding his kindergarten son's hand.  Both father & son looked very proud and happy to be together.  Notice the "Worker Bees" in the above photo.  They were volunteer moms. Around the corner came the bigger kids including Hunter, my g... 10/31/2009