Debra LaValley's Blog

It Looks Like Spring!

By the looks of the Contoocook River coming over the York Dam in Penacook (Contoocook Island), you would think it was spring already. We have not had a lot of snow – but we certainly had a lot of rain the other day. The rivers are very high. I decided to walks out to the park and see what the water looked like coming off the dam. What a roar. I took video as well.

Video 1 – Contoocook River

Video 2 – Contoocook River

I snapped more photos – a selection is on my Flickr Photostream, if you want to see more.  The paths out to the dam were icy in places – so I walked through the woods since most of the woods since the ground was bare in most spaces or just a little snow.  I had my sneakers on and didn’t get wet.  I have always liked walking out here.  This is where the old  Contoocook Island River Park was in the early 1900s that my Grammy loved going to.  It was not far from her house on Washington Street.  Below are some of the old postcards – circa 1909 that I have of the park when it was in its hey day.

The above is from the Stories from the Kitchen “book” that I wrote after my Grammy La Valley passed away.  I compiled her stories that I jotted down when I would visit with her along with some of her favorite recipes, family photos and genealogy.

Ha e a great rest of the weekend!  March is almost here!

Concord beat the old record of 60 degrees on February 25th.  It reached 63 degrees today!  It was quite lovely.  I had a light jacket on in the morning because of the breeze – but at lunch I was in my shirt sleeves.  I am so glad that the winter has been kind to us this year.  Last year was extreme.  I don’t mind snow – but I do mind storms every other day.  Right now, I am ready for spring.  I am looking forward to seeing the birds and green.  I actually love temperatures in the 60s … 70 is perfection – but I could handle the 60s.  I do not like the heat.

I am back at Weight Watchers – so of course, I can think of nothing else but food.  Below is a recipe that you may like.  It is a family favorite!  I have posted it before – but it may be new to some of you or remind you that it is time that you make it again.

Aunt Cookie’s Secret Chocolate Cake

2 cups sugar
1 tsp. salt
2 cups flour
1 cup cocoa
2 tsp. soda
2 eggs
1 cup Wesson oil
2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup milk
2 Tblsp.vinegar to sour the milk
1 cup hot water

Mix everything together. Put in a 13 x 7 or bundt. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes.

Uncle Leo & Aunt Cookie

I hope this finds you all well.  Have a great rest of the week.  I will try and update this more faithfully.

Debbie 🙂

I saw this cute little Tree Sparrow this afternoon.  I have only seen one – one other time.  I picked up Mom, and on the way to pick up Aunt MaryJane so we could drive to Sydney’s birthday party in Barrington, I went by the spot where I saw the eagle pair on Monday.  They were sitting there again.  My mom said it was the closest she had ever seen an eagle.  She also had the thrill of seeing the pair.

We had a great time in Barrington at the party. It is hard to believe that my niece Sydney is 20 years old! We were glad that the giant snow storm stayed well south of us. It was a grey day – but at least we didn’t have to shovel!

I hope this finds you all well.

Love is in the Air!

I had heard that a pair of eagles had been seen lately by the old mills. I figured they were the local mated pair that I have been watching for a couple years. I am one of the few who know where their nest is. I am an volunteer eagle observer for the NH Audubon. Monday, I was working from home, and at lunch, I decided to take a quick drive and saw the pair. This is one of the photos. I did manage to see the bands of the male (the one on the right) and confirmed he was Orange A/4 – the male of the local pair. I could make out part of a K on the other bird. Orange A/4’s mate is Orange C/K. This is their 3rd breeding season together. The first season, they had one chick. Last year, they had 2 chicks. I wonder how many they will have this year?

The weekend before was the NH Mid-Winter Eagle Count. I was a volunteer again this year. My route is from the Penacook Waste Water Treatment Plant to the Jamie Welch Field. I saw 3 different eagles (an adult, a sub-adult about 4 years old, and a 3 year old). I never tire of seeing an eagle. They are such awesome birds!

What Goes Around – Comes Around

On Saturday, I was driving my “Eagle Loop” to see if I could see any eagles.  I didn’t see any eagles, but I saw some acquaintances taking a walk.  One had just had surgery – so I asked how he was doing, etc.  Fellow birders – we were watching a Peregrine Falcon trying to get a pigeon for lunch.  I got out of the car and tried for a photo – but the falcon flew away from us – so my shots were pathetic.  I was told that they had something that belonged to me, and if I followed them to their house, they would give it to me.  I was amazed to be handed an old ruler with 1968 and my name written on it.  I recognized my handwriting immediately and figured that I was in the 6 grade when I had this ruler.  47 years later – it finds its way back to me. So strange!

I have my tree up and the apartment is starting to look very festive, and I have only just begun to shop for Christmas presents. I like to give Thanksgiving its due. We had a lovely Thanksgiving at Ken and Dorothy’s house this year. We missed my dad – and my mom brought a candle with his name on it that we placed on the table in his memory.

The next few weeks will be crazy busy. I wish everyone peace through out this season. Try to keep the stress levels down and enjoy time with family and friends for the time we spend together is truly the gift of the season!

More soon!

Tis’ the Season!

Yes, It is Friday the 13th

My nephew Michael had requested my mom’s pork pie recipe a while back. I thought of it tonight when I stopped over my mom’s after work today. She took out her recipes. I thought with the holidays coming that I would share a few.

This is her favorite recipe that she got from the newspaper or somewhere many years ago. She made some slight changes to the recipe. She likes this one the best because she likes to use both hamburg and pork.

This one was Grammy La Valley’s (Olive La Valley):

The last of her recipes, and another of her favorites, is this one from a magazine (could have been Better Homes & Gardens).

I am thinking that I may have to try and make a vegetarian variation. 🙂

I Can’t Believe it is November!

Where does the time go? Yesterday, I saw Casper the Albino squirrel run across Lilac Street and over toward the oak trees. I was driving my mom back from church. My mom hadn’t seen him in a long time. It is always great to see him. I took this photo about a week ago. We are busy planning my mom’s 80th Birthday party that we are giving her this Sunday (it isn’t a surprise).

More later!

Have a great week everyone!

Smile! It is October!

I Love October!

October is my favorite month of the year. I love the colors and the crispness to the air! I also love Halloween! It is so much fun decorating and watching my favorite Halloween-themed shows and movies.

I saw my first jack o’lantern this morning when I stopped by my mom’s this morning to walk Toby. Before I left, I snapped a couple shots with my phone. The old Beaudoin’s house had the jack o’lantern. Another family lives there now. I will always remember the great neighborhood Halloween party that the Beaudoins hosted when I was young. They had it in their garage. There was lots of candy, fun, and we bobbed for apples!

I made a Cousin It for my porch (and one for my mom). It is made out of a tomato cage, a couple grass skirts, a bowler hat, and sunglasses. He is very cute, I think.

I still have a bit more decorating to do. Have a great week everyone!

October is Here!

October is my favorite month! Fall is here – my favorite season! I don’t really have much to say tonight – so I will share some moose shots that I took recently. A moose was by the pond and I saw him on my way home! They are such huge animals!