tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3132342095737795352024-03-18T14:22:40.965-04:0018underoneroof 18underoneroof16 blessings'momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00611246330849334850noreply@blogger.comBlogger4945125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313234209573779535.post-69192116556120635762024-03-15T08:16:00.000-04:002024-03-15T08:16:03.124-04:00not sure what's going on...<p> ...but I'm in the biggest blogging slump ever. What can I say that I haven't already said? Sixteen and a half years I've been at this. hmmm.</p><p>But, I'm not giving up today. Today I'll tell you a story. Way back when I was a kid, when the world wasn't "woke" yet, teachers hit kids sometimes. My big brothers used to tell me before I went to kindergarten that the principal had a paddle, so you had to be good in school. They also told me, on my first day of school, to tell my mother that the teacher slapped me. So I did, and she was shocked, because I was a good little girl. Did she call the school? no. She waited until Parent/Teacher conferences, and mentioned, it, and the teacher was shocked, said of course she never did that. (See what a good little girl I was, lying to my mother? Big brothers have a lot of influence)</p><p>Anyway, my story is actually from middle school, 6th grade. My math teacher, Mr. S., was a bit scary. One day a kid was acting up, so the teacher picked him up by the front of his shirt, the scruff of his shirt, and held him against the blackboard, feet dangling. We didn't go home and tell our parents, there wasn't a board meeting, the teacher didn't get arrested. But it obviously effected me, I still have dreams about it. Last night's dream had me in a room with several old classmates, and one boy, Jim G., looked right at me and said, "I remember that happening...", then I remembered that Jim G. had passed away a few years ago. I don't know how I can remember exactly how Jim G. looked, the exact expressions on his face, but shh, it could be because I had a teeny tiny crush on him. He did die, in real life, and I remembered it in my dream, and it made me so sad, beyond sad, because time just wrinkled and poof! We're old. </p><p>How busy have I been since coming home from Norway? Well....I'll spare you all the details, or the deets and tails as Mariel used to say, but I went to brekky with my pool friends on Wednesday...I brought them some chocolate from Norway, and it was fun to pass it out. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitXAgGZ68CzS4tHQPEPqRWDA27D9L2P1zuNZnbuRN3BFEO7QEVdpvxH23iV5_rSJzz_ofl2a6c8-aE3TQWJyK0DyvUtKa_ncDnkuY0S2zS2tgG50wF2WFcc0miXJ9Mgpw4dGamZ6fOaV26oUtfrKs6pffqiQhrgba87PKybV31I3-0K3DUxCZJBOoBHLx7/s638/IMG_7188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="638" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitXAgGZ68CzS4tHQPEPqRWDA27D9L2P1zuNZnbuRN3BFEO7QEVdpvxH23iV5_rSJzz_ofl2a6c8-aE3TQWJyK0DyvUtKa_ncDnkuY0S2zS2tgG50wF2WFcc0miXJ9Mgpw4dGamZ6fOaV26oUtfrKs6pffqiQhrgba87PKybV31I3-0K3DUxCZJBOoBHLx7/s320/IMG_7188.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>One of the ladies exclaimed, "It says Kit Kat in German!" (<i> It's Norwegian, it says quick lunch." </i>:). They liked them though. <p></p><p>Kathryn had to go to Walmart, so I went with her. She wanted to get seeds to start her plants indoors, I also got some seeds. I still need the potting soil. I do not have a green thumb, I have whatever color thumb kills plants. But I do love flowers, and perhaps I can grow some of my own to put in pots on the deck. </p><p>I also went with Sonja to look at an apartment, which fills me with joy mixed with a profound sense of loss. Rapid change, like I want to dig my heels in and say that she needs to <i>stop this nonsense. </i>Twelve of the kids have grown up and moved out, and it's not fun. It's the normal progression of life, blah blah blah, but it takes part of my heart each time, I'm gonna have nothing left here. </p><p>She really liked the apartment, Camille and I did too. The guy bought a building and totally renovated the space, it's brand new, and looks like no corners were cut. She'll have off street parking, a washer and dryer hook up, and best of all....<i>it's FIVE minutes away! </i>It's expensive, but when you get older, you remember prices from a long time ago, so it's more shocking, I think, when things cost so much. </p><p>She isn't moving out right away though. Her fiancé will move in when he comes in April, and she'll stay here until they get married in August. She does get to start buying dishes and bedding and a couch and all that other fun stuff though.</p><p>Suri has a new dog bed...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIOYrAdztfzpdIJc_JM-09Y7QMgl17kClmF1-FKPM_DQl-kIY0WpzRQj2yMi_sSFCVm-EhrBZIILwcZHTJeWCVpI8XD1edFJlmvP1ntro3eByuyIY3pemHDfOPM66SBfTlnL6Ta21Qb1ucJNVsj8CK4_V6GfTxzVgmwK9gwj9yl-iOSO5OmaYx332Rt6_/s3490/IMG_7179%202.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3490" data-original-width="3023" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIOYrAdztfzpdIJc_JM-09Y7QMgl17kClmF1-FKPM_DQl-kIY0WpzRQj2yMi_sSFCVm-EhrBZIILwcZHTJeWCVpI8XD1edFJlmvP1ntro3eByuyIY3pemHDfOPM66SBfTlnL6Ta21Qb1ucJNVsj8CK4_V6GfTxzVgmwK9gwj9yl-iOSO5OmaYx332Rt6_/s320/IMG_7179%202.HEIC" width="277" /></a></div>This was a bigger purchase dilemma than you would think. I wanted it to be supportive, not like a pillow where her hips would squish down the filling and hit bottom. As Cam said, "she's old, she deserves a comfy bed." But wouldn't you know, "comfy beds" are super expensive! This one was marked down in Marshall's to sixty dollars, which seems crazy, but they are pricey. <p></p><p>Sonja made dinner last evening, as I went with Kathryn in the afternoon to well visits for the kids, then into Aldi for a few things. Sonja made taco soup, with fresh chopped peppers and cilantro to put on top, it was super good soup. :). </p><p>Today, pool....then to a few places with Sonja and Cam and friend Amanda who has no school today and is here...then Paul and I are going to church tonight to help with a Romans study, I'm helping Emily make some food...flatbread pizzas, homemade hummus with all the things to dip in it, homemade cannoli dip...</p><p>I have to leave for the pool in a few minutes, I am enjoying my comfy chair and my coffee. We had some sunny weather the last few days, and oh it's so nice. I cleaned up the yard a little bit, and admired the purple crocuses, am so ready for spring. But we do the Bunny Hop towards warm weather, here in New York...forward, backward, then hop hop hop. It's going to snow again next week.</p><p>Jonny is going to the Everglades this weekend. He and his friend spontaneously decided to take a weekend trip to see the alligators. He is bringing only a backpack, which fits a tiny sleeping bag, bug net, change of socks and underwear, and an extra pair of pants. They plan to sleep out somewhere, I don't know...they're crazy, but at least it's what I call Good Clean Fun. </p><p>Anyway...time to get moving...and yes, I will have an argument with myself about leaving my nice comfy chair and warm cozy house on this rainy dreary morning. I'll go put on my suit under my clothes, and head out the door, ignoring that desire to stay home because I know it's good for me, and when I actually get into that water, ahhh, I do love it, and am very thankful it's ten minutes away. </p><p>Have a really good day.</p>16 blessings'momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00611246330849334850noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313234209573779535.post-82606601951587821082024-03-12T20:07:00.003-04:002024-03-12T20:11:05.047-04:00home....ah, home...<p> All good things must come to an end, they say. This trip was certainly in the Good Things category. We made it to Newark in plenty of time, stopped at Chik-fil-A, and brought some nuggets to the airport. Surprise surprise, you can bring like ten things of sauce through security, no problem. Driving through the city to the airport in the rain and fog was not the most fun, so we saved our food until we were all settled in at the gate, ready to board.</p><p>You know by now that I always have adventures going through security, so it's not my favorite. In fact, it ranks right up there with escalators on my Scary List. But oh my goodness, this was the most embarrassing thing...Emily and I each brought a checked bag, I brought some things for my nieces. I easily fit in my clothes and boots and toiletries, so my backpack was free to fill with snacks. I didn't realize that this flight provided full meal services, and when you're traveling, you never know how things will go...so I had: beef jerky, six "bars" (protein bars), chocolate covered almonds, salt and vinegar almonds, chili lime pistachios, chocolate covered peanuts, a baggie with mini packs of M&M's and peanut M&M's, peanut butter trail mix, southwest spicy trail mix, and some fruit snacks. (I don't even EAT fruit snacks, so don't even ask me!). Anyway. We go through security for our international flight...and the nice young man says: <i>take out all food. Remove all food from your bag. (</i>I swear I didn't hear him ask anyone before me to do that, he just took one look at me...). I said: <i>This is my worst nightmare. This is SO embarrassing. </i><i> </i>Him: <i>Oh, surely not your worst! </i>Me: <i>You have no idea what's in this bag</i>, as I started pulling it all out. M&M's, bars, trail mix, making a nice pile on the conveyor belt...he then put his and up, like STOP!, and said I didn't have to take any more out....Me: <i>What about the beef jerky? </i>Him: <i>How big is the bag?</i> Me: <i>Extra large. </i>Him: <i>Under a pound? </i>Me: <i>I think so. </i>He said I could leave it in there, and put all my other loot back in...it was seriously humiliating. Then Emily got flagged for a random <i>shoe swabbing. </i>The guy asked her if she wanted a women to do it, ha. </p><p>Then on the way back...the machine started beeping it's head off when I walked through. What??! <i>You have been selected for a random screening. </i>Random? Me? Every time? I had to walk through again, and oh my goodness, now I'm super nervous, and the screen showed a nice outline of me, with the <i>um, panty area all lit up. </i>Great. Now I'm teetering into full blown panic, because I've been borderline <i>molested </i>by the TSA before. These were Norwegians though, they just wanded me - a big plastic metal detector, I guess...and talked about mysterious things together in Norwegian. They had this metal probe, and I was really wondering what they were planning, but then they smiled like it was my lucky day, and let me go. </p><p>But the rest of the trip was Good Things. I met old friends and new friends and laughed and cried and hugged my nieces (two of my sister Cheryl's girls), and went to some excellent meetings. The beds there are comfy (those crisp white dunes!), and the walking agreed with me. The meals were all included with the conference, and some weren't bad, a few were good, and I don't always eat every meal anyways, so I did fine. </p><p>I brought home chocolate, too!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOGY-pdYyrkRkdCzg6yU74nN1JbZXHH3hVPnsVOmn1E92YGLReNPDu_pRus8Yu7FtFoafDEoXNB3xNdXEFCiRkVvle-i-abuzAjNwSzyd46jEviCfX-B0aP0f2zswf-De8-FIGNJ9QwfR3koPhvaTnlgxkpEIAHp2tJuQ0UdjsJb_3H2Hd8woV8XWGxzA6/s2315/IMG_7098.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2186" data-original-width="2315" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOGY-pdYyrkRkdCzg6yU74nN1JbZXHH3hVPnsVOmn1E92YGLReNPDu_pRus8Yu7FtFoafDEoXNB3xNdXEFCiRkVvle-i-abuzAjNwSzyd46jEviCfX-B0aP0f2zswf-De8-FIGNJ9QwfR3koPhvaTnlgxkpEIAHp2tJuQ0UdjsJb_3H2Hd8woV8XWGxzA6/s320/IMG_7098.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>Em and I at the airport...the flight was nice. I am not an airplane napper, so it was a long night.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYtQFYrmHoAaWAsGb9qN712r-uTIf8TKfcvvgLebBmz4NmJv2hwhKM14QqWWTGjU6WHdJwLMSdo2Ie6xoCiHymQU6qcyIv56KSxIFG9q5idGKsX5vCHibDtNWdMTjVF1YENhSdJYjNvjd-SmJzAYZHq5KsfeahaLFQebqT2Yk3wI_cJFcehwHBHYEf54E9/s3110/IMG_7110%204.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1783" data-original-width="3110" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYtQFYrmHoAaWAsGb9qN712r-uTIf8TKfcvvgLebBmz4NmJv2hwhKM14QqWWTGjU6WHdJwLMSdo2Ie6xoCiHymQU6qcyIv56KSxIFG9q5idGKsX5vCHibDtNWdMTjVF1YENhSdJYjNvjd-SmJzAYZHq5KsfeahaLFQebqT2Yk3wI_cJFcehwHBHYEf54E9/s320/IMG_7110%204.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>Friend Page and Emily at the conference center<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgimoP9e-1e2LrNIzbVvRFGp0L50-HsAZoNxT-BgZQgTk_4tWZ1EXscf09BeIhDH1K5sqUiXqJxaD2za8OXuROjPJJuZcwd7YPDETqKfsoIG9YdP-kyfxTWRN3V-QHfktKzgOaOpEPvViY85_5PMPhEsKuQ3i9NN8PBhIhrLxgLNIgpl1Boe696nMQnez_q/s1240/IMG_7114.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1240" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgimoP9e-1e2LrNIzbVvRFGp0L50-HsAZoNxT-BgZQgTk_4tWZ1EXscf09BeIhDH1K5sqUiXqJxaD2za8OXuROjPJJuZcwd7YPDETqKfsoIG9YdP-kyfxTWRN3V-QHfktKzgOaOpEPvViY85_5PMPhEsKuQ3i9NN8PBhIhrLxgLNIgpl1Boe696nMQnez_q/s320/IMG_7114.jpg" width="248" /></a></div>It's a beautiful place, and the weather, for Norway in March, was mild and nice.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDGlXuV4gx1au5r58kwR3ohPuTld8oPu0bl0NxU-13maoK1Wufb0NalshOMVGSVrjlnLpqHvYeX8pl7IezRJ4JVKxpaqzx4cyCrhp1d7oyPwb9TyMLp0gipN4q00r8SRP8SoXWZOw4v9ahQLtvMJ6QAaDhIXzUngrIV-YA9mRJlwepLFOtA1msccLhny9/s3023/IMG_7119.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2417" data-original-width="3023" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDGlXuV4gx1au5r58kwR3ohPuTld8oPu0bl0NxU-13maoK1Wufb0NalshOMVGSVrjlnLpqHvYeX8pl7IezRJ4JVKxpaqzx4cyCrhp1d7oyPwb9TyMLp0gipN4q00r8SRP8SoXWZOw4v9ahQLtvMJ6QAaDhIXzUngrIV-YA9mRJlwepLFOtA1msccLhny9/s320/IMG_7119.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>The fjord.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq_7T4OmtWHdCa486dPdzipGm905J4tu2zCoP254A_JegTlGbF74NO9OC9ljiq7nzNoXBeCMSiRORHoFpKDydytQgdrrAfqCsov2RSnhg5f11B0zUUaMrFzq3ELvIyu4V9Je3Gn77Mwv6RgjfJt2ILm9482wQHEhQeTPHW38VFB2rIoWHtDA5lsq70talc/s4032/IMG_7120%204.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq_7T4OmtWHdCa486dPdzipGm905J4tu2zCoP254A_JegTlGbF74NO9OC9ljiq7nzNoXBeCMSiRORHoFpKDydytQgdrrAfqCsov2RSnhg5f11B0zUUaMrFzq3ELvIyu4V9Je3Gn77Mwv6RgjfJt2ILm9482wQHEhQeTPHW38VFB2rIoWHtDA5lsq70talc/s320/IMG_7120%204.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyoFUqFv1a-_b0lrixP-7xOlHHtd7iqOwwffIIG-5hv-GOID4-8ErngZ5UBuDAWHEHNMqKgJq4zi2n_bBMByCBOIFnBCiOMDg6MFHIMiyLNFIgiRcpJpJrKrrqmpA6sWY8ydTbnLmT58fCfktRnFj15COqnJFghyphenhyphenI8mUK2LiKBkfzyM2BUY0oVNZm79imk/s3021/IMG_7122%202.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2867" data-original-width="3021" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyoFUqFv1a-_b0lrixP-7xOlHHtd7iqOwwffIIG-5hv-GOID4-8ErngZ5UBuDAWHEHNMqKgJq4zi2n_bBMByCBOIFnBCiOMDg6MFHIMiyLNFIgiRcpJpJrKrrqmpA6sWY8ydTbnLmT58fCfktRnFj15COqnJFghyphenhyphenI8mUK2LiKBkfzyM2BUY0oVNZm79imk/s320/IMG_7122%202.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUggD_l94FSNxhKm9s3jUccj5X9HOHkyGVnvnfX3ea4gIkfb3zQF8GK3RyA_v2myIAH8A8ZCX4vlrhHDnq3j1mAfsoq3bXlwZ4dLbmIIBrZ8XuZC5MkSgko01JzBoUzo1nMn2QTfWBZUvFl03bMJUi557F5YjVkyMNcNfsj8eC4lEJPAdscVYPOV7uEJ6s/s2612/IMG_7152%202.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2612" data-original-width="2148" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUggD_l94FSNxhKm9s3jUccj5X9HOHkyGVnvnfX3ea4gIkfb3zQF8GK3RyA_v2myIAH8A8ZCX4vlrhHDnq3j1mAfsoq3bXlwZ4dLbmIIBrZ8XuZC5MkSgko01JzBoUzo1nMn2QTfWBZUvFl03bMJUi557F5YjVkyMNcNfsj8eC4lEJPAdscVYPOV7uEJ6s/s320/IMG_7152%202.HEIC" width="263" /></a></div>Emily's dairy free lunch...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbU3qJHI_z3yEDZFNGv1ARQuP2exXDIcBydQ-pqUyN0h3jfuuch7B5DsdzbostNtPvagCLDQUptbLjKDzVv5zBJQJgT3v01IHHwR6A5esEOuGi2vveb6Ppp-rZTcx90Sprw8jIO2RtymkfGH5MoXH7dOdTOsQPvmYVgh4pE3w7LnHbRqPCoMzXJJP9VM9W/s1008/IMG_7153.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="869" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbU3qJHI_z3yEDZFNGv1ARQuP2exXDIcBydQ-pqUyN0h3jfuuch7B5DsdzbostNtPvagCLDQUptbLjKDzVv5zBJQJgT3v01IHHwR6A5esEOuGi2vveb6Ppp-rZTcx90Sprw8jIO2RtymkfGH5MoXH7dOdTOsQPvmYVgh4pE3w7LnHbRqPCoMzXJJP9VM9W/s320/IMG_7153.jpg" width="276" /></a></div><br /><p>Sonja, Emily, niece Janet who lives in Oslo, me...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlzoxT-o_spugWHxg1jzjb-gQ9tA2LFvrGq0MiVaxeNqP1436vg8HqkkS9uOMXi0b6UrfZr7LuLwtYOQriqwt_i6ge1AtZwZEliOHiUT5LVMoVEDjHlRfi2Kn7WXLltMPfVCSpgegQuUp4hBitDdKcyfmvstp8uHi19eNVrR8TE8nFrdbi5wxoyc5Qls1/s4032/IMG_7140%202.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlzoxT-o_spugWHxg1jzjb-gQ9tA2LFvrGq0MiVaxeNqP1436vg8HqkkS9uOMXi0b6UrfZr7LuLwtYOQriqwt_i6ge1AtZwZEliOHiUT5LVMoVEDjHlRfi2Kn7WXLltMPfVCSpgegQuUp4hBitDdKcyfmvstp8uHi19eNVrR8TE8nFrdbi5wxoyc5Qls1/s320/IMG_7140%202.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>My niece Claire, she lives in Australia...it was so good to see them.</p><p>We ended our trip by taking the bus to Oslo on Sunday and staying at a nice hotel at the airport. Lots of our friends were staying there too, and were going to eat dinner at the hotel restaurant. Em and I decided to get some hot dogs at the little store at the airport, I think they were like four dollars each...but they were in these peppery wraps, so yummy...we took them to our hotel room and relaxed, with a few Coke Zero. We did have the nice hotel breakfast buffet in the morning and sat with some friends, really nice. </p><p>Other than the dreadful experience going through security, the trip home was nice. I met a lady on the plane who went all the way up to the north pole. There was a bit of turbulence as we neared the airport, the wind was gusting into the 50-something miles per hour range, and people were throwing up on the plane, yuck. </p><p>We stopped at the Starbucks in the airport, and ahh, good coffee. I like that iced Americano. The Norwegian version is not as good, not at all. Then the five hour drive home...</p><p>This fine day, I was ready to get to work and clean the house, but then again, I missed the grandkids, and Kathryn was going to Walmart for seeds and potting soil...and yes, I would like to go.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZOA0OaLZ0H_-S35w1SkLJWA5jelTfq5Bk8w6fUCs4JPS1nH0QrtCJ_lYil7Zt_5vugd9iRqVuaO5UjGx4UYE7UgMFtjGEI4dWBs7inIU5r7oejbUpAK8Y7Etob1Qc9vH2ybV0-U4RsfjHLcf0d_fFXRbwdc_6coy5D60-OodP7vp-hH3BtocozEyK4XR/s2957/IMG_7175.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2410" data-original-width="2957" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZOA0OaLZ0H_-S35w1SkLJWA5jelTfq5Bk8w6fUCs4JPS1nH0QrtCJ_lYil7Zt_5vugd9iRqVuaO5UjGx4UYE7UgMFtjGEI4dWBs7inIU5r7oejbUpAK8Y7Etob1Qc9vH2ybV0-U4RsfjHLcf0d_fFXRbwdc_6coy5D60-OodP7vp-hH3BtocozEyK4XR/s320/IMG_7175.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>A little visit afterwards...Grandpa took a break from work for cartoons..<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFCbcYnZNdkHmS_oVgjOV56CqcxOOSM-zsMlusLivKiq6yPKtfJ3cJ7t2IAgD5gx1g4bj7QPzIL5F_WpjTFo_Kf5wwODy0-Rs3h3jlBDP2pnDo3gTCaun47Pu_XYDyCJAOiR6XEfjoEtte7Htph1wyNLX4pVl7tQRRgXEVRe4apcbpsLThulsc6blYbUv/s2690/IMG_7170%202.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2690" data-original-width="2411" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFCbcYnZNdkHmS_oVgjOV56CqcxOOSM-zsMlusLivKiq6yPKtfJ3cJ7t2IAgD5gx1g4bj7QPzIL5F_WpjTFo_Kf5wwODy0-Rs3h3jlBDP2pnDo3gTCaun47Pu_XYDyCJAOiR6XEfjoEtte7Htph1wyNLX4pVl7tQRRgXEVRe4apcbpsLThulsc6blYbUv/s320/IMG_7170%202.HEIC" width="287" /></a></div>Rhys!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHpZkjB8cA1B73dcw-Q01k71mcVf67VnJclcYTgrap1vBVYkNNZd-Bx4S_ktjopUPc6Hvh36ilpWTH56gw8yR0S3gAhWJnQBh1pZJ72pi83B7n8v2MvhGNnMwZ4h_46xojSDFKCuIjwBF1X-sbRe-YkaI5bvE7BpdmChPpb-f68rBlRJAxdRBA4FmrxXEv/s2806/IMG_7168.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2726" data-original-width="2806" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHpZkjB8cA1B73dcw-Q01k71mcVf67VnJclcYTgrap1vBVYkNNZd-Bx4S_ktjopUPc6Hvh36ilpWTH56gw8yR0S3gAhWJnQBh1pZJ72pi83B7n8v2MvhGNnMwZ4h_46xojSDFKCuIjwBF1X-sbRe-YkaI5bvE7BpdmChPpb-f68rBlRJAxdRBA4FmrxXEv/s320/IMG_7168.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>The day went by fast. I put some well seasoned ribs in the Instant pot for 27 minutes, then put them the oven at 450, smothered with barbecue sauce ...mmm. I put frozen fries in the air fryer, and made some salads...<p></p><p>Ah well...almost bed time. The time change, or jet lag? Which is kicking my butt? hmmm. The old gray mare ain't what she used to be, that's for sure. Have a good night!</p><p><br /></p>16 blessings'momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00611246330849334850noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313234209573779535.post-90060390528497697152024-03-05T16:51:00.002-05:002024-03-05T16:51:59.760-05:00I'm leaving'....on a jet plane...don't know when I'll be back again...<p> Actually, I'll be back next Monday. Tomorrow morning, the adventure begins! First, I plan to go to the pool, then get a move on out of there, and we'll hit the road to Newark, NJ. We'll get there with plenty of time to spare, and security will be an absolute breeze. No handsy TSA's will be there, patting in the worse places, nor any of those barkers...you know, the ones who yell and snap and hurry you along...my stubborn streak must be a mile long, because when you point at me and tell me to hurry up, I ain't gonna. </p><p>We'll check our bags, get through security, find a nice cup of coffee somewhere, then amuse ourselves with people watching, maybe even make some new friends. Emily will be reading her book on the cultural revolution in China, I am not bringing a book. </p><p>My checked bag now weighs 43 pounds, by Camille's math. She stood on the scale, then I handed her the suitcase, and she subtracted. The weight limit is 50, so I can bring more stuff! I am bringing some Reese's Easter candy, poor Norwegians can't buy it there. I'm bringing Frito's to Claire, she cannot get them in Australia. I have my boots packed too, so I can travel in sneakers. I really really want to just wear my Birkenstocks....we'll see...sneakers ugh.</p><p>We're flying SAS, which still serves meals to economy passengers. I am anticipating the meals won't be scrumptious, so I have some snacks packed...only hope no one has a nut allergy. I should probably stop and get a few protein bars from the Dollar General on the way to activity club tonight, just in case. </p><p>Well, I made two trays of meatballs, and the oven is broken. I forgot that on Sunday the sensor stopped working...we had pizza and wings from the place in town, but I wanted to make a cauliflower crust pizza for Mariel and I, as she's gluten free and I don't like eating all the carbs...I had to slice it up and air fry it. Paul has the part, but is having complications fixing it, he's working on it right now. I could have just made something else, but he said he would fix it...:). (The happy homeowners!)</p><p>I won't be bringing my laptop to Norway, no need to, as I'll be too busy. So this is goodbye for a few days, enjoy the springtime days...oh, the weather forecast for over there is actually not too shabby! 38 and sunny on Friday! I was so concerned that I'd be slipping and sliding all over the place on ice, and in snow, but it doesn't seem like there will be much...</p><p>So bye for now, I'll be writing again Monday or Tuesday, depending on the severity of the jet lag. :)</p>16 blessings'momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00611246330849334850noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313234209573779535.post-50001876548705614932024-03-04T21:23:00.002-05:002024-03-04T21:23:21.882-05:00birthdays and babies and noise, oh my!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSY8Nas0bCKn8_lZMhUrkrgp5rIT2A2xqtdOsvDwfcWu5Jb2jbTkFKpyv31tFtFTBt3R888izggEpxcmHLOHSQMdZ1Fxv5L1JXRSKEASOGyJHAKHkd32sGdj6PzIpj9zr2m5wMzYwyKlJ8YVl9e74SR5wPrm9AIiJJBYaT0cJ_sCIf5PbY11dVZhp6ChxX/s3330/IMG_6974.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3330" data-original-width="3023" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSY8Nas0bCKn8_lZMhUrkrgp5rIT2A2xqtdOsvDwfcWu5Jb2jbTkFKpyv31tFtFTBt3R888izggEpxcmHLOHSQMdZ1Fxv5L1JXRSKEASOGyJHAKHkd32sGdj6PzIpj9zr2m5wMzYwyKlJ8YVl9e74SR5wPrm9AIiJJBYaT0cJ_sCIf5PbY11dVZhp6ChxX/s320/IMG_6974.HEIC" width="290" /></a></div>But first, Camille's masterpiece, lemon meringue pie<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFHTbcya3SQTVVV5aGDPbyH0g5XNZIc53i3hpAaxthJ9CfTtkRJ7_etR-I0R-VtgaPgpZETnYYaVOJDMDqPjDefHL_cmb3epVPzqsCp21QVoH1EAqhMXNIZv4dVr4KMaj15pNCZ79OnVLnNclzdVc2QWGpwKdrPTyx_GfW-tAG3hHlyjypxAM-K4heXrEr/s4021/IMG_6978.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2506" data-original-width="4021" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFHTbcya3SQTVVV5aGDPbyH0g5XNZIc53i3hpAaxthJ9CfTtkRJ7_etR-I0R-VtgaPgpZETnYYaVOJDMDqPjDefHL_cmb3epVPzqsCp21QVoH1EAqhMXNIZv4dVr4KMaj15pNCZ79OnVLnNclzdVc2QWGpwKdrPTyx_GfW-tAG3hHlyjypxAM-K4heXrEr/s320/IMG_6978.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>Oh the fog!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKHZRoVSHELWV-Od6EgwZ2Fgo1Hje-l1tdLED-5cLBF7xhusd6CP6ekMWGXMMLZPz7F6-X-KkzzONajAvChwyYeD6pqD9_HzF07oM0eykhrS4HRADVZiYsmnVuDDYiSTbvLVdjzxADLLiZgCUrRUT-hPZWgmpHlecLPLrkWiOejzeB1mEmt0_ahyphenhyphen8V85y/s2928/IMG_6991.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2928" data-original-width="2866" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKHZRoVSHELWV-Od6EgwZ2Fgo1Hje-l1tdLED-5cLBF7xhusd6CP6ekMWGXMMLZPz7F6-X-KkzzONajAvChwyYeD6pqD9_HzF07oM0eykhrS4HRADVZiYsmnVuDDYiSTbvLVdjzxADLLiZgCUrRUT-hPZWgmpHlecLPLrkWiOejzeB1mEmt0_ahyphenhyphen8V85y/s320/IMG_6991.HEIC" width="313" /></a></div>And, a birthday cake for Molly Rose! She turns 30 this week, can you believe that? My seventh child. Mariel made the pink frosting from strawberries, and I made the buttercream.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_dv5K8X0OS6stIxjQEZ64ehHJozGnJbw8SKlwR4rsVKYS3-mUshoDqX0KCb0JwcWQknXr5Rvh5L_nYbnQMkXDPEkJtOFp9oFej3tvGRcRNLUpjw6pejHXryybKAt84FyrsPRdo4GnlxpiXjIrm-oQRxUpjE9y_sqdtwU9P-fAB5QvgYf_JW2zee8nmx_x/s3344/IMG_6993.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3344" data-original-width="3019" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_dv5K8X0OS6stIxjQEZ64ehHJozGnJbw8SKlwR4rsVKYS3-mUshoDqX0KCb0JwcWQknXr5Rvh5L_nYbnQMkXDPEkJtOFp9oFej3tvGRcRNLUpjw6pejHXryybKAt84FyrsPRdo4GnlxpiXjIrm-oQRxUpjE9y_sqdtwU9P-fAB5QvgYf_JW2zee8nmx_x/s320/IMG_6993.HEIC" width="289" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKilw5BHEfczZHCMOGKizWPmNcFlZEMYhXnpeyDR-5tO6EAxI9bJeU-iDjZ2NinHAWJannSXUlzLnqljZnYokzJPQJW8pGqYk4lUXDNePzbSWoEekKZhAYfPqTw3BzShMn0ivv9qJTNT3mu53sv3gFZakzNXY1fZTOyMthNbAtSaaoQsUSDA-fDGaISfxm/s2706/IMG_6998.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2704" data-original-width="2706" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKilw5BHEfczZHCMOGKizWPmNcFlZEMYhXnpeyDR-5tO6EAxI9bJeU-iDjZ2NinHAWJannSXUlzLnqljZnYokzJPQJW8pGqYk4lUXDNePzbSWoEekKZhAYfPqTw3BzShMn0ivv9qJTNT3mu53sv3gFZakzNXY1fZTOyMthNbAtSaaoQsUSDA-fDGaISfxm/s320/IMG_6998.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>some cuppy-cakes too!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA7cLAvyEQAay4ijlgEBl-VA4vG4jhn7_g_KMtKZSXbI2Nm6xM7IZ1OZC4PiDeGwOV83sXaYQfZWBkuHMlKrstEamOcqypWwvWhtpN52nWBAjVO0J7gYhMaN0oaHuQZy8-VoR1JdSkbibxpWZkG19anvMT0K6pmI9WpUU6Y0t1KisUiOaU5-IRB7IehXL-/s2407/IMG_7010%202.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2407" data-original-width="2292" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA7cLAvyEQAay4ijlgEBl-VA4vG4jhn7_g_KMtKZSXbI2Nm6xM7IZ1OZC4PiDeGwOV83sXaYQfZWBkuHMlKrstEamOcqypWwvWhtpN52nWBAjVO0J7gYhMaN0oaHuQZy8-VoR1JdSkbibxpWZkG19anvMT0K6pmI9WpUU6Y0t1KisUiOaU5-IRB7IehXL-/s320/IMG_7010%202.HEIC" width="305" /></a></div>Ruth was excited!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNB4N0dugQ0XnDmhJX4iiJQ6FSXE3cLOeb6SOQPeAYx-ZD3-xNdwRGMfJ7w7qRqriSNXQYzC6vE40YmWNat4vveCZBU6-IgFuwGwTF0btpV8VphP-2V72f740L5s6eor2EZeuN2v45Zm_6_-GeJZ17w0KoaqliYUKo-9hyJbzlp_Q0xpRVmfI6CvnlgW8S/s3093/IMG_7012%202.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3093" data-original-width="3022" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNB4N0dugQ0XnDmhJX4iiJQ6FSXE3cLOeb6SOQPeAYx-ZD3-xNdwRGMfJ7w7qRqriSNXQYzC6vE40YmWNat4vveCZBU6-IgFuwGwTF0btpV8VphP-2V72f740L5s6eor2EZeuN2v45Zm_6_-GeJZ17w0KoaqliYUKo-9hyJbzlp_Q0xpRVmfI6CvnlgW8S/s320/IMG_7012%202.HEIC" width="313" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtO3yYW4N1ZXSwy7oZ1runcgpnaRvIMtiKW-BjMMOwH55FnizNOUp7y1W0kuEkI4CjcEnB9gTc_YodX7z3YVEVkXnTavrFATmPBYvzLifvcGWljp9F5LQAeHfYhUpYkn-EF9YPwTgPz8LLQM1Zj0baUk9Gecel5HNhNyrn1QZyvef7_L5M0nE3r9iDVb7F/s3023/IMG_7017%203.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1859" data-original-width="3023" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtO3yYW4N1ZXSwy7oZ1runcgpnaRvIMtiKW-BjMMOwH55FnizNOUp7y1W0kuEkI4CjcEnB9gTc_YodX7z3YVEVkXnTavrFATmPBYvzLifvcGWljp9F5LQAeHfYhUpYkn-EF9YPwTgPz8LLQM1Zj0baUk9Gecel5HNhNyrn1QZyvef7_L5M0nE3r9iDVb7F/s320/IMG_7017%203.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>Molly in the yellow, Camille, Sam holding Maeve, Aunt Evelyn holding Denzel, and I think Jonny had Jamie...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4YNQ4Osq77qBLa96K6bGGu1sUVXlWeli4pu40C7m8-xdjJByQx5iml5nCrY5eVXBZNdCqWhqz30uEin6uD9uE_zf9vHJe_WjcD60F_Hc5rZV2R5NuDaks4ucUZnDdNdzrTvvZ3w9c7Jukh-dbrxUePWzmyMJfhLiWrq5vT-gEXULvrahn7DYjI3ZWqZo/s3657/IMG_7020.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3657" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4YNQ4Osq77qBLa96K6bGGu1sUVXlWeli4pu40C7m8-xdjJByQx5iml5nCrY5eVXBZNdCqWhqz30uEin6uD9uE_zf9vHJe_WjcD60F_Hc5rZV2R5NuDaks4ucUZnDdNdzrTvvZ3w9c7Jukh-dbrxUePWzmyMJfhLiWrq5vT-gEXULvrahn7DYjI3ZWqZo/s320/IMG_7020.HEIC" width="265" /></a></div>Rhys and Achilles singing Happy Birthday, and Mariel...<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOgjk3UwjuB7Jv65Ap6npf4WIMRauwTFsIKYOo19Nf9XpG5-51gGYpMoBLKfU6nRS8NhfOQAmAOzKtS1Fh0mbuKRkMUsO4Ai2jhtWKktzq7JI8lYLG2mQos6GOCfpsUaqoPBhEg_C-Y2XVLRiY4IXItwcp8CZru8cVA2obkG1vzWTJk3lbj9iEQRrowCrB/s3023/IMG_7029%202.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2573" data-original-width="3023" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOgjk3UwjuB7Jv65Ap6npf4WIMRauwTFsIKYOo19Nf9XpG5-51gGYpMoBLKfU6nRS8NhfOQAmAOzKtS1Fh0mbuKRkMUsO4Ai2jhtWKktzq7JI8lYLG2mQos6GOCfpsUaqoPBhEg_C-Y2XVLRiY4IXItwcp8CZru8cVA2obkG1vzWTJk3lbj9iEQRrowCrB/s320/IMG_7029%202.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>Jamie is turning a year old next week, so he got a cupcake in the high chair..<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvNYxAUijm_E38iA8INJFXGkrKxWcU57504P_ECAoJhsc43h9MsJ6p265z9MOozx4pYdM2w79WOdX5Go6voiwPQlu-YHbUf7VtgnJ6BoaDzdAjCGCGcFjeVms2ASwtf0ldr7NL7ehdGEAVJFv6TuvLGtSqXiKsPgLmm2mAO8lZj2mHX5fLRz4YAZUU5_0A/s3806/IMG_7037%202.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3806" data-original-width="2752" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvNYxAUijm_E38iA8INJFXGkrKxWcU57504P_ECAoJhsc43h9MsJ6p265z9MOozx4pYdM2w79WOdX5Go6voiwPQlu-YHbUf7VtgnJ6BoaDzdAjCGCGcFjeVms2ASwtf0ldr7NL7ehdGEAVJFv6TuvLGtSqXiKsPgLmm2mAO8lZj2mHX5fLRz4YAZUU5_0A/s320/IMG_7037%202.HEIC" width="231" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7LAEQCbBRokn_UEdmfDQN2x0c5o_1vb33YTtrR8SHeEHEkkkuoIyYE7hEHFntIwFKvyakhMQ04lugjjtyY-Fyiy05mnDNFmyotNTkzEjHY0KjpTn6wA0riYYQ7txLdvmzSSitZy7X5wKzXDZrpM1AkyJwn-2dQLb9rjeKT_0zMmkwFby0KCTm00UBhqJl/s1138/IMG_7049%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1138" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7LAEQCbBRokn_UEdmfDQN2x0c5o_1vb33YTtrR8SHeEHEkkkuoIyYE7hEHFntIwFKvyakhMQ04lugjjtyY-Fyiy05mnDNFmyotNTkzEjHY0KjpTn6wA0riYYQ7txLdvmzSSitZy7X5wKzXDZrpM1AkyJwn-2dQLb9rjeKT_0zMmkwFby0KCTm00UBhqJl/s320/IMG_7049%203.jpg" width="270" /></a></div>Grandchildren are a beautiful thing...a noisy crazy beautiful thing:)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzP3p1B7hmV7KpUe-b9x97qkLTmbjCda4J6ZI8gXdxl9oIrD3gj0MdEiDyz8S7as7nmwkGjcmEAyLn7n3V25gJ7yIAS2wihHRnpSukOgwbfQHgezcPwx0bmi5hGJXN39qxS0jdfrbh0Kqlf0MW6M2WXCw0ttbcXNdWTfcS2p6yQBUj6LiQ4yUa7a9wAY5/s991/IMG_7051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="991" data-original-width="939" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzP3p1B7hmV7KpUe-b9x97qkLTmbjCda4J6ZI8gXdxl9oIrD3gj0MdEiDyz8S7as7nmwkGjcmEAyLn7n3V25gJ7yIAS2wihHRnpSukOgwbfQHgezcPwx0bmi5hGJXN39qxS0jdfrbh0Kqlf0MW6M2WXCw0ttbcXNdWTfcS2p6yQBUj6LiQ4yUa7a9wAY5/s320/IMG_7051.jpg" width="303" /></a></div>Ruth and Ophelia<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDacOhz9Ph62hH2wUKLbQGsISvZ8Rpktt9XkOifjL2G56qBdbG60mqjsRWEigLxA_fKLbdLEwDZ66W47xnw8nJ0nIHesNp4V33Dqi63vTNwdoIgtUz1oeAOUyrGg0b47rJDx8t7B4WUTUuata20fWVBgIlhqIpI_CRfuXc_J0J-sI7qsBEQG8vQlIw36RI/s960/IMG_7056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="925" data-original-width="960" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDacOhz9Ph62hH2wUKLbQGsISvZ8Rpktt9XkOifjL2G56qBdbG60mqjsRWEigLxA_fKLbdLEwDZ66W47xnw8nJ0nIHesNp4V33Dqi63vTNwdoIgtUz1oeAOUyrGg0b47rJDx8t7B4WUTUuata20fWVBgIlhqIpI_CRfuXc_J0J-sI7qsBEQG8vQlIw36RI/s320/IMG_7056.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Sunny...she is so good when everyone comes over!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc7R-V7c9oKuKe8JSc7V6_9GN9BvXkCyFHNxjZj96gbTNqFf2q10bDWB6aVaezXTzUYhgOJnDECYp4eYl-O2cZIkzBboY2T_c9E6aSlvflt1A7um3zy5OXKsTbk5le7anrJvDKDBPT4dVnNAGVpg9SG-u_0emY70C8GhJ7aiBqpQH2LDZJGkb2DEpf6AQ1/s4032/IMG_6970.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc7R-V7c9oKuKe8JSc7V6_9GN9BvXkCyFHNxjZj96gbTNqFf2q10bDWB6aVaezXTzUYhgOJnDECYp4eYl-O2cZIkzBboY2T_c9E6aSlvflt1A7um3zy5OXKsTbk5le7anrJvDKDBPT4dVnNAGVpg9SG-u_0emY70C8GhJ7aiBqpQH2LDZJGkb2DEpf6AQ1/s320/IMG_6970.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div>We moved all the furniture to prepare for the trim...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKnECC1aAlxq7thVz70jOcnGCdKhRBL_Pnzei23nGpaxFpbdezE1s_tJn5ZFWZLGujSOZ0XI8Aq8uuX-IkOLDWGmYL3NwbW8GIlRxgdUQ0Fn5RGPZaAM25sBoaQ3vO-Xckya7fHhcenIEiW_7IjsVO35TlqY04T9TiUweRnVNSKAVCNM5tOMgkPr66wEZ/s3511/IMG_7066.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3511" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKnECC1aAlxq7thVz70jOcnGCdKhRBL_Pnzei23nGpaxFpbdezE1s_tJn5ZFWZLGujSOZ0XI8Aq8uuX-IkOLDWGmYL3NwbW8GIlRxgdUQ0Fn5RGPZaAM25sBoaQ3vO-Xckya7fHhcenIEiW_7IjsVO35TlqY04T9TiUweRnVNSKAVCNM5tOMgkPr66wEZ/s320/IMG_7066.HEIC" width="164" /></a></div>It looks so nice!<div><br /></div><div>Well, another day of missing the pool! Sonja left today for Norway, and needed a ride to the airport right smack in the middle of my swim time...so, I brought her. Then I was all by my lonesome, so I went to Target to return a dress that I loved dearly, but it didn't love me. It was too tight in the chest, and a v-neck to boot, looked like I was belonging at the Renaissance Fair. I got an iced Americano from Starbucks, Blonde Roast, with heavy cream, so yummy, and not too expensive. I wandered around and got some snacks for my trip to Norway. </div><div><br /></div><div>Then, what the heck, why not stop at the thrift store? I found a Christopher & Banks shirt for $2.49, a pair of jeans for Tennyson, who only likes wearing jeans, and a Buxton leather wallet with a strap, for traveling, it's like a small purse, new with tags for $5.99. (It'll be nicer than the fannypack I was thinking to bring on my trip!)</div><div><br /></div><div>Then Aldi, for milk, strawberries, cheese...then quickly into Tops for ground beef, and a corned beef for next week. After a stop to get gas, home...ahh, home. Camille had done all of her schoolwork out on the deck, 68 and sunny! I got into my sundress and joined her. Kathryn came over with the kids. They like to play in the Little Tikes cars on the deck. Darius and Jon put in the trim, then they all went home and Jon grilled steak...buy one get one free, so $5.50 a pound for nice tender sirloin, and grilled, oh dear it was good. </div><div><br /></div><div>Tomorrow, I have to pack. We are leaving Wednesday morning, Emily and I...driving to Newark, then flying to Oslo. I don't have any shoes, only sneakers, Birkenstocks, and boots. I'm thinking to travel in Birkenstocks, and change to boots when I arrive in Norway....boots take up so much room in the suitcase, but they are too hot to travel in for an overseas flight. </div><div><br /></div><div>Passport...just remember the passport! </div><div><br /></div><div>Our 40th wedding anniversary is this weekend, oops, I'll be gone. </div><div><br /></div><div>Ah well...the girls are busy doing planning for the summer, Jon is working out, Paul is sitting here with his computer, he rarely sits still...the dogs are snoring....have a really good evening...and shh, I hope I get some sleep tonight...last night I was WIDE AWAKE, from four a.m....</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><p><br /> </p></div>16 blessings'momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00611246330849334850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313234209573779535.post-86388163728525205742024-03-01T19:20:00.000-05:002024-03-01T19:20:37.938-05:00....a bit controversial....<p> ...but sorry, the truth is the truth. I just read an article regarding a recent episode of <i>The View</i>, which I wouldn't watch if you paid me, in which a medical expert declared that an early pregnancy loss is "definitely not a baby". I would BEG to differ. If you don't like graphic details, feel free to scroll onto a different blog, or go read the weather report...</p><p>I lost a baby once. Well, a few times, but we'll just reminisce this one loss. Emily was almost three, and Abigail was almost one. I was 12 weeks pregnant, when I started bleeding. Remember, ..if it's too much, scroll on by! It came out of nowhere, on a Friday night, so my dad brought my mother over...she was sitting with the kids, reading stories, and I was in the bathroom, doubled over with cramps...then...well, the baby came out. It was beautiful. It was tiny and beautiful, a perfectly formed miniature baby, the head a bit large, but just a teeny baby. It was NOT a ball of cells. It was a baby. It was horrible, because in the palm of my hand was a baby...no longer alive. (I confess: I rather lost it. I think I started wailing. I wrapped that tiny baby up, and we brought it with us to the hospital, because I was bleeding a lot, and didn't know what was normal. I had to have a D&C) </p><p>(The happy ending to this story was that Benjamin Paul was due exactly one year later, to the day, but was born one week early. What a welcome baby he was!)</p><p>My point is, that when a woman has an abortion, she is killing a baby. The dr. said that my baby had stopped growing a week or so before it "arrived", but so many women have abortions at ten, eleven, twelve weeks. It's awful. I would have done anything to breathe life back into that tiny human, and to think that someone would <i>choose, purposefully, to KILL a small helpless little baby like that...</i></p><p>This post isn't meant to shame anyone. In fact, I think there are a lot of women who have abortions who don't actually realize exactly what they're doing, it's all so glossed over. It isn't called "killing the baby", but "ending the pregnancy". (Shh, I'm trying to be considerate.). </p><p>My point is that we need to call it what it is. It's destroying a life. </p><p>What a world we live in, where people so casually say they <i>support the right to choose. </i>It sounds so nice and peaceful, and so grand of them, to support other's rights. And that is their right, I suppose. But call it what is, stop glossing over the cruelty of the whole thing.</p><p>Anyway. This fine morning, I headed to Sam and Grace's house to watch Ruth for a few hours. We read some books and played with some toys, had some snacks, sang some songs...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31yJROxrNd5WYlVq-gONERG4iWrhg1YaQUJLE-6GKEOUVZWD5Wd_CVM3W61WusoG_cL_KVHlwOFhOayYh9XWSz58fjk6GjBL1s6rF7fZn1O_RstIYRHuzYJTXA7qHzBHMYenYQh25x4zbQji6ovgTsxqpaCum2Gr0ZRuqtxN7Cg1ICURptRwFJoU0c3I7/s3332/IMG_6951%202.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3332" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31yJROxrNd5WYlVq-gONERG4iWrhg1YaQUJLE-6GKEOUVZWD5Wd_CVM3W61WusoG_cL_KVHlwOFhOayYh9XWSz58fjk6GjBL1s6rF7fZn1O_RstIYRHuzYJTXA7qHzBHMYenYQh25x4zbQji6ovgTsxqpaCum2Gr0ZRuqtxN7Cg1ICURptRwFJoU0c3I7/s320/IMG_6951%202.HEIC" width="218" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNt_taOCGehx1sqrBtx6G0pctKpDiRVZ5V9slZ_eJdE_Gupm2lmysko444jW9qxSTXm09KPd5owrikhX2UkjRtvkGSBkPGVkIMxDAFsLDTHyw1Z9ucFFbTzeGpcEhPCFD78EtiyGGqpy85HXjL2VY4pBfFmW-pY2FnFZaKfGyefzpuHTGr2ODTh0HreYSX/s2493/IMG_6948.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2493" data-original-width="2315" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNt_taOCGehx1sqrBtx6G0pctKpDiRVZ5V9slZ_eJdE_Gupm2lmysko444jW9qxSTXm09KPd5owrikhX2UkjRtvkGSBkPGVkIMxDAFsLDTHyw1Z9ucFFbTzeGpcEhPCFD78EtiyGGqpy85HXjL2VY4pBfFmW-pY2FnFZaKfGyefzpuHTGr2ODTh0HreYSX/s320/IMG_6948.HEIC" width="297" /></a></div>I stopped at Aldi on the way home...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCnzQQy9KxDp4Z6Ncqb0TDRUhcPwrAEfnTCAXIlx3JDocysjsAn6HtWDq83FwYNkfhei22rrIGEhcVAjAlw0e17cXiIfeYnLfZo7_tkUg97e3hmxfui9Guls38BwKVI9KYFYwF4ZKnhle-CR5-Fh29IAUEmYIqsqwUDzX5lKVTNJFbT3pqq7IkuQWSEoLv/s3589/IMG_6953%202.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3589" data-original-width="3022" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCnzQQy9KxDp4Z6Ncqb0TDRUhcPwrAEfnTCAXIlx3JDocysjsAn6HtWDq83FwYNkfhei22rrIGEhcVAjAlw0e17cXiIfeYnLfZo7_tkUg97e3hmxfui9Guls38BwKVI9KYFYwF4ZKnhle-CR5-Fh29IAUEmYIqsqwUDzX5lKVTNJFbT3pqq7IkuQWSEoLv/s320/IMG_6953%202.HEIC" width="269" /></a></div>Not too bad for $62 these days. <p></p><p>When I got home, I had to leave again, because I was going to Costco with Kathryn...Sonja needed a few things, and I needed...to go to Costco with Kathryn! I ended up getting the cutest jean skirt/skorts for only $12, and it fit me! I like it, it's so stretchy and comfortable! I also got some heavy cream, cheese sticks, and a chicken...I mean, you don't go to Costco and not get the Costco chicken for $4.99! We also got a few hot dogs and slices of pizza, and brought it home. </p><p>Paul was finishing up the painting of the trim when we got home...I was going to do it, What?! I WAS. But he thought it was getting cooler out, and thought I'd be gone longer...so he did it. :). Did I mention that it was 45 degrees and sunny today? (I was so glad he was finishing up, all day I thought I had lots of painting to do!)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1mi2pqlwMRwK21Pq5AZsyVSgE_HA4dacxi35Fqw9OYmgjyQwYJN_e3sWzS4H1Op8GH-05mFRFVEcHbS-PZHkXy81_-71S3O4PX-CVIOkrSIu4gT9lH97nOffVQ6oypBEoEZHHcgbAjm-i9RcX0XE36RSRk9QWbTBTKglYNljlMY7I1m2Q8EY1uATddNDr/s3607/IMG_6954.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3607" data-original-width="3022" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1mi2pqlwMRwK21Pq5AZsyVSgE_HA4dacxi35Fqw9OYmgjyQwYJN_e3sWzS4H1Op8GH-05mFRFVEcHbS-PZHkXy81_-71S3O4PX-CVIOkrSIu4gT9lH97nOffVQ6oypBEoEZHHcgbAjm-i9RcX0XE36RSRk9QWbTBTKglYNljlMY7I1m2Q8EY1uATddNDr/s320/IMG_6954.HEIC" width="268" /></a></div>We got so much snow yesterday, then today...it was melting!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA72UJ1YGdOxhRcLxwU1Vw0ZwE8cYnP_hTcXDRsdQBSP3fSpKyrF90UCaq4-bsDiDtKyeaJpS5gmIuVVp7mkUXnDlcMes5f4rctp0Y9cGLCwR7bUwpD6xQpRIve0s_ehXzp2gZ4PjPLrU3gNawkwWcBmrDqty05WXM5BOc2D7va6guqUmNjAWBiiHX8V4J/s3909/IMG_6958.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3909" data-original-width="2670" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA72UJ1YGdOxhRcLxwU1Vw0ZwE8cYnP_hTcXDRsdQBSP3fSpKyrF90UCaq4-bsDiDtKyeaJpS5gmIuVVp7mkUXnDlcMes5f4rctp0Y9cGLCwR7bUwpD6xQpRIve0s_ehXzp2gZ4PjPLrU3gNawkwWcBmrDqty05WXM5BOc2D7va6guqUmNjAWBiiHX8V4J/s320/IMG_6958.HEIC" width="219" /></a></div>Rhys and Jamie...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFoBh6ModjyHLnbwuP374gSBjdDgFgVpmkiYL0TS9kzKMRHUSW53ia15IfcX285IYLwjw7J09ti7CVXmSmjQxep5Q53DwXwNmYMRSgOYc5QQuTDg0UJoMqbm6Gi5e0XaYdclgMqfeFJs2vwkYl2p21nHfQfg7xRdDx7VhfzomIaC481PvImYx_SJI_Psj/s4032/IMG_6959.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFoBh6ModjyHLnbwuP374gSBjdDgFgVpmkiYL0TS9kzKMRHUSW53ia15IfcX285IYLwjw7J09ti7CVXmSmjQxep5Q53DwXwNmYMRSgOYc5QQuTDg0UJoMqbm6Gi5e0XaYdclgMqfeFJs2vwkYl2p21nHfQfg7xRdDx7VhfzomIaC481PvImYx_SJI_Psj/s320/IMG_6959.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div>Achilles liked the trim, he was underneath it too.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF9RRxDKWA7DxqqG7QnEus4BAiP2uWg92k21aRAgVWupfsztwaphtpEePcUeDVxVkYkGSmqm0oDsPNMhcoj3utKEaRTPNDJbPkFeebmmL3KouNcWbpZ_arLRkihBhZrTBU9t9DSJd4Yy_ucE4oTcdb709lfHMYydZDQ5orCjC4btTZu-ELX8LwdCra92Js/s4032/IMG_6960%202.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF9RRxDKWA7DxqqG7QnEus4BAiP2uWg92k21aRAgVWupfsztwaphtpEePcUeDVxVkYkGSmqm0oDsPNMhcoj3utKEaRTPNDJbPkFeebmmL3KouNcWbpZ_arLRkihBhZrTBU9t9DSJd4Yy_ucE4oTcdb709lfHMYydZDQ5orCjC4btTZu-ELX8LwdCra92Js/s320/IMG_6960%202.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>All painted! Tomorrow, it will be installed! I am very excited, it'll look so nice and crisp and...well, finished! Darius and Jonny will be putting it in tomorrow...:)</p><p>We never did go to the pool this afternoon. I was losing steam, the kids were losing steam, Wulf and Tenny started getting sick so I couldn't take them for the afternoon, so we just decided not to go. Maybe I'll go tomorrow...anyway, have a good evening! </p>16 blessings'momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00611246330849334850noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313234209573779535.post-26877366955107918722024-02-29T19:30:00.003-05:002024-02-29T19:30:35.396-05:00SNOW DAY!!!!<p> Oh, the fun and excitement! Our warm rainy weather yesterday was turning windier and the temps were rapidly dropping from the sixties to the thirties, then into the twenties, with snow forecast: </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQqAIQdJO0348MxB4y5IP97jCiwx8ZELePekupdHbdTIwbkK9txU1uAcpl8xuq-UdRiPRtF_G4OTEK8BdrW9Q34gU3giJ8bWlnZ58GNw6BHdHLt1Mtsa8PtFL35syy8nXDtw_Iow_pIQC6kLq2KZ7DjXfoFvVuYWBGfRNwCX2-oAfMTsAFU69TbXsiu9u7/s960/IMG_6911.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="960" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQqAIQdJO0348MxB4y5IP97jCiwx8ZELePekupdHbdTIwbkK9txU1uAcpl8xuq-UdRiPRtF_G4OTEK8BdrW9Q34gU3giJ8bWlnZ58GNw6BHdHLt1Mtsa8PtFL35syy8nXDtw_Iow_pIQC6kLq2KZ7DjXfoFvVuYWBGfRNwCX2-oAfMTsAFU69TbXsiu9u7/s320/IMG_6911.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We live in the dark blue area...the bands of snow from Lake Ontario can vary north or south with the wind changes, but it's freaky how you get such differing amounts of snow. <p></p><p>Our power went out last evening, after dinner thankfully. We have no water when the power is out, so I couldn't clean up dinner. That sounds wonderful, but I don't like leaving it. We do have jugs of "town" water, Paul fills them up at the public spigot. Town people say their water is mineral-y, it's amazing compared to the irony well water we have here. Anyway. Camille lit the stove (I LOVE having a gas stove!), put on the kettle, and made some tea in the dark. We had candles, and it was rather fun. We went to bed early, then in the wee hours, the power came back on. For those of us who sleep with white noise, the fans turning back on was comforting, and all was right in the world. </p><p>I woke up to a text from Miss Char, SNOW DAY!!!! Oh, she had wanted one so badly. I told Cam yesterday that I couldn't wait until Char got home from school so I could get her going about maybe getting a snow day...Charlotte came in the door saying that everyone at school was really hoping...so it was a nice gift. The snow was heavy at times, with wind...Jon took this pic on his way to work:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Xxy-kmBwFgGD1fLq85G-hJHjpy4wEZ0z1hehr4IZe6yIWBu26Ct1G75cUffZNA7Lp4Oq_xGysaeAieDpCWfE08WRdKbouqYqL8kgmQVlgte5bDFN49nZzL-B_E7LIAR9bd0O3W3gZuSSX6ZdjwlJuRIPvESUCpbFoyTNXo93AUbgx4lh2HuVjOixaL_i/s3023/IMG_4421%202.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2929" data-original-width="3023" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Xxy-kmBwFgGD1fLq85G-hJHjpy4wEZ0z1hehr4IZe6yIWBu26Ct1G75cUffZNA7Lp4Oq_xGysaeAieDpCWfE08WRdKbouqYqL8kgmQVlgte5bDFN49nZzL-B_E7LIAR9bd0O3W3gZuSSX6ZdjwlJuRIPvESUCpbFoyTNXo93AUbgx4lh2HuVjOixaL_i/s320/IMG_4421%202.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>When you can barely see the road, not fun.<p></p><p>It cleared up enough this fine day for us to venture out and about. I had to get a birthday gift for Molly, and Sonja needed a few things, as she's going to Norway on Monday...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3EnCwlMTpngvGUmTHp5VAcmkGDJTTYNJKG4ttdFt37ccnVTdAbCLNOsaRjpZ0jAzYd00kCqxhNBaqdog0D-c8vxPcZa90rWgIxKqjAelZ-tqiI_0F_04LMBt37fuwy9OoBgftdGxoohjB8DoGl_-mbMiwjM5VpI-tdirpmHX1f5Fuv0glBltJVAeU4WhL/s2841/IMG_6928%202.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1957" data-original-width="2841" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3EnCwlMTpngvGUmTHp5VAcmkGDJTTYNJKG4ttdFt37ccnVTdAbCLNOsaRjpZ0jAzYd00kCqxhNBaqdog0D-c8vxPcZa90rWgIxKqjAelZ-tqiI_0F_04LMBt37fuwy9OoBgftdGxoohjB8DoGl_-mbMiwjM5VpI-tdirpmHX1f5Fuv0glBltJVAeU4WhL/s320/IMG_6928%202.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>The snow is pretty...this was in the small town where Emily lives, a few miles away.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxD-bHd8zxewEcLwMk9oswKlN3k45EnoCnty2tMg0oB05WPuRy_q13jXA9HbnKOYbuaCiJz_29lry7KCQqDtheWNJ-M8aJtJGs33tSA27on2zRwePFdfKv41_tA34Ucpgx5A1qLoZpNwBOo4tDDtH0tpOvOs1g9cHt1xHaWs-vOzeT0E-rZMhpTSihjXmW/s3035/IMG_6926%202.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3035" data-original-width="3023" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxD-bHd8zxewEcLwMk9oswKlN3k45EnoCnty2tMg0oB05WPuRy_q13jXA9HbnKOYbuaCiJz_29lry7KCQqDtheWNJ-M8aJtJGs33tSA27on2zRwePFdfKv41_tA34Ucpgx5A1qLoZpNwBOo4tDDtH0tpOvOs1g9cHt1xHaWs-vOzeT0E-rZMhpTSihjXmW/s320/IMG_6926%202.HEIC" width="319" /></a></div>The way home from shopping...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-aabmEyD8ixbyk7DIhStja0SZi10k_1Gpwf33GARgO6Pgg6AyLWoMu4_82W6R6gidEE5CXFJcr-VSE_wxTvtZYr_NVzSxDPf_XQY2-hd80hsJmnoGrhxmvZhJwF_kjoF1NLbedvSVV4YWE1v1X05vKy53OCkH3z9t-C14fZOaBwTh_vLirivw4jXuh_v2/s3023/IMG_6925%203.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2790" data-original-width="3023" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-aabmEyD8ixbyk7DIhStja0SZi10k_1Gpwf33GARgO6Pgg6AyLWoMu4_82W6R6gidEE5CXFJcr-VSE_wxTvtZYr_NVzSxDPf_XQY2-hd80hsJmnoGrhxmvZhJwF_kjoF1NLbedvSVV4YWE1v1X05vKy53OCkH3z9t-C14fZOaBwTh_vLirivw4jXuh_v2/s320/IMG_6925%203.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBeFWR9NCd3SVf1-eiD4x4ObKoS0BDwagetmc2oMeG20yjc0H8I3nEGoF8wPxomxcU4PkJwZfyOzxXkQjPe36Ct1MojKjBbK5B0O9-kKWPWhbIKOSge50Ch2vrXBD1uSCbFVTtyZ5tItugucN_Ujnkt3NAiwL_U0FwZDZcsCLYp2ewbbt790kSe-_Bw2uy/s3822/IMG_6923.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3822" data-original-width="3020" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBeFWR9NCd3SVf1-eiD4x4ObKoS0BDwagetmc2oMeG20yjc0H8I3nEGoF8wPxomxcU4PkJwZfyOzxXkQjPe36Ct1MojKjBbK5B0O9-kKWPWhbIKOSge50Ch2vrXBD1uSCbFVTtyZ5tItugucN_Ujnkt3NAiwL_U0FwZDZcsCLYp2ewbbt790kSe-_Bw2uy/s320/IMG_6923.HEIC" width="253" /></a></div>Digging out....<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUM4NACtwJTU9JnbhNLQ018kHiYGUbmaVNMbmjId0s6xl2dkL9BL7wiZV0dm2rlEvkt6bpVRsbNNkHUNPvjDBorifIaCGKUOClF8ThJqF8tfR3xvzKzbvAysI_rcmY9ODQDT4R4BgGKJKfgU1TTyWh_zdcOSEzBwIoH9Hu26kBZGrW5rn-SdkvDJ85AwuR/s2905/IMG_6912.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2829" data-original-width="2905" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUM4NACtwJTU9JnbhNLQ018kHiYGUbmaVNMbmjId0s6xl2dkL9BL7wiZV0dm2rlEvkt6bpVRsbNNkHUNPvjDBorifIaCGKUOClF8ThJqF8tfR3xvzKzbvAysI_rcmY9ODQDT4R4BgGKJKfgU1TTyWh_zdcOSEzBwIoH9Hu26kBZGrW5rn-SdkvDJ85AwuR/s320/IMG_6912.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>This morning, out the front window...no wonder it felt so cozy in here.<p></p><p>I did make my keto chocolate chip cookies. The recipe was from ketofocus:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik18mxaZm-V_IdCZhrhafxzN0OBefWpOjWiGZN0NezowjX8ju3dwECQLtuaT1oV-YeiEzkqKlxRJs9f6F-aY4n134VoICG7kgiechmKbGRW-8NlclkLjc0xNWI11_jPNsklsNy2gePtdRFWq7N91hixyuyHi0TixSABYfy9jjIc3tDYaWxxxamrZsTbroT/s3023/IMG_6940.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1915" data-original-width="3023" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik18mxaZm-V_IdCZhrhafxzN0OBefWpOjWiGZN0NezowjX8ju3dwECQLtuaT1oV-YeiEzkqKlxRJs9f6F-aY4n134VoICG7kgiechmKbGRW-8NlclkLjc0xNWI11_jPNsklsNy2gePtdRFWq7N91hixyuyHi0TixSABYfy9jjIc3tDYaWxxxamrZsTbroT/s320/IMG_6940.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>This is the basic recipe, stirring up the dry ingredients, and adding the wet ones (first beating the butter, adding the "sugar", then the egg, vanilla, heavy cream). I cannot leave well enough alone, so I used only half cup of sweetener, a mix of golden Lakanto monk fruit sweetener, and the white Lakanto, but then added a teaspoon of honey...so they're not technically "keto", but still a better option. I used Lilly's sugar free chocolate chips, and some regular Aldi brand mini chocolate chips. My favorite addition though was chopped pecans, toasted up on a dry frying pan, then I added some olive oil...I mixed those into the batter and they gave the cookies so much crunch and flavor! I formed thirty small cookie balls and refrigerated them for an hour, baked one sheet at a time in a 325 oven, for 7 minutes, then flipped the cookies and baked for four more...then maybe one more...almond flour things burn more quickly, and although these look uglier, they baked up superbly. I strongly recommend this cookie recipe, I loved them.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1JQfcETkpNwPz50_r_RPAKyfgq6JvyVH4vx1ZF_zZeWFJq5w8j8H41bhIiwVLr24lNWf_7d1YLtimfrzTwm-dN6raIyZ1XqQ9ExPHB3CfTTmhyphenhyphenhmunXEXDyhSxXhAEI3QgWxojcLSp-JC6ii1huhcyz8TSXucNErImcTcS3nwZgjP37-zsfQdSZm6WL4J/s2821/IMG_6930%202.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2640" data-original-width="2821" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1JQfcETkpNwPz50_r_RPAKyfgq6JvyVH4vx1ZF_zZeWFJq5w8j8H41bhIiwVLr24lNWf_7d1YLtimfrzTwm-dN6raIyZ1XqQ9ExPHB3CfTTmhyphenhyphenhmunXEXDyhSxXhAEI3QgWxojcLSp-JC6ii1huhcyz8TSXucNErImcTcS3nwZgjP37-zsfQdSZm6WL4J/s320/IMG_6930%202.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>Camille trying to get some work done, Old Kitty purring and settling in...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl03h3OfgLassvY2wQuiat2_l9QmRjopiQfwv1q4Fxa0lN1YcFehwfiJJrqxgCKknP2UsmKzYAq4HSrwhCOOMJtLlGoR-dje-dpAFHORWdKkcYESH3szT4E3SGchkY4gReLwPTIcn-izsZeqEAAnfNDyM_Vwf7N_axO5hlIWcr6Nd9IKr2oVI237Zg_Cgq/s3023/IMG_6937.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1937" data-original-width="3023" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl03h3OfgLassvY2wQuiat2_l9QmRjopiQfwv1q4Fxa0lN1YcFehwfiJJrqxgCKknP2UsmKzYAq4HSrwhCOOMJtLlGoR-dje-dpAFHORWdKkcYESH3szT4E3SGchkY4gReLwPTIcn-izsZeqEAAnfNDyM_Vwf7N_axO5hlIWcr6Nd9IKr2oVI237Zg_Cgq/s320/IMG_6937.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>Orange Guy jumped up for some attention too.<div><br /></div><div>We went to Chipotle while out and about today. I don't much like getting food out, as I can make better and cheaper, but the girls were hungry and oh well...it was pretty good. I still have half in the refrigerator. No one is hungry for dinner, of the girls anyway, so I made four burgers for Paul and Jonathan. :)</div><div><br /></div><div>Tomorrow I have to miss the pool to babysit, which I don't like doing. Missing the pool, that is. It's so healing and soothing and therapeutic. So, I am going to try to fit in in later in the day. Our flooring trim is being delivered tomorrow too, so it will have to be painted before installation. You KNOW how awful it is to paint floor trim AFTER it's put in, ugh. I'm just trying to figure out where we will find room to paint it inside the house without making a mess...</div><div><br /></div><div>Ah well...have a really good evening!<br /><p><br /></p></div>16 blessings'momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00611246330849334850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313234209573779535.post-66703318214881154972024-02-28T12:10:00.000-05:002024-02-28T12:10:14.103-05:00hmmm....<p> I have a big bag of sugar free chocolate chips, should I attempt a batch of low sugar, low carb chocolate chippers? I've had success with peanut butter cookies, and the molasses cookies, I do love cookies. I don't think I'll ever be skinny. I fast, I make better choices, but I still like it all. </p><p>I did have a fantastic swim class this morning, I kick myself in the rear end to get out the door in the morning, then ahh, always so glad I went. One of the things we do in the pool is to kick our butts, I cannot reach, but like the weight loss thing, I will not give up. I may not be losing more, but I am still maintaining a huge loss, and it's a constant effort to keep it off. </p><p>Some of us are just lazier types. My idea of a perfect vacation involves sitting in the sun, lying in the sun, and floating in a pool, interspersed with playing in the waves of a warm water ocean or gulf. Then a rainy afternoon with a good book. No hikes, climbs, excursions, or sneakers. </p><p>Back in the day my body just did what my mind wanted to do, no questions asked. A hike, fine. Fine, ice skating, roller skating. Walk up some stairs? Sure, why not. My knees didn't protest, my hip complied, no getting out of breath, no sir. My body was kind of invisible back then. It was just <i>there. </i></p><p>Nowadays, it makes itself known from the minute I gingerly heave myself out of bed to when I heave my self back in at night. I try to fall asleep before the quiet symphony of bodily complaints starts in...the aches and pains...</p><p>Keep active, do more, get your steps in! I need to heed this, so I do try. But, it's not my favorite. </p><p>Our weather here, oh boy. It's warm again today, 61 right now...but, this afternoon the temps will drop to 30, rain will flash freeze, then the snow will come in a narrow lake effect band, 5-8 inches with wind...brrr. I'm super hoping for a snow day tomorrow for Miss Charlotte Claire. :)</p><p>Suri needs to stop getting old, right this minute. No more of this wobbly, barely-making-it-up-the-stairs nonsense. The white beard on her beautiful glossy black coat, no. Just no. She's still a hungry thing though, if you leave it out, she'll find the strength to jump up on that counter and get it. The other morning, she gobbled her food so fast, she barfed it right back up again...thank you, Suri. As I leaned over to clean it up, I reminded myself NOT to get a new puppy when these two pass on...but shh, we probably will, because they're so rewarding. Suri loves having her head patted, and her ears rubbed, she makes her piggy noises and wags her tail, then lies down because she gets tired sitting there. She's all goodness, sugar and spice and everything nice, even with the little kids. Sunny is precious too, she gets all excited when someone comes home, gets a toy out of her toy bin, and runs to them with it. She's a few years behind Suri, but also has a large fatty tumor, so...</p><p>Anyway. It's a cozy day here at home, I'm not going anywhere, have clothes to put in the dryer, and have to vacuum, and have some sorting and cleaning to do. Last evening, I went to Activity Club right after dinner...the kids are so cute and fun, and the energy! One little girl kept tagging me and I'd try to tag her back, and I finally said, "I cannot run very fast, you know." She said, "I KNOW that!" Too sweet though. We did crafts and had a glow-in-the-dark party with glow sticks and low lighting and lots of running around....shh, I walked fast.</p><p>Ah well...time to move it move it...have a really good day!</p>16 blessings'momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00611246330849334850noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313234209573779535.post-75469993926695187682024-02-27T16:34:00.001-05:002024-02-27T16:34:18.111-05:00what even happened to Monday?<p> Today we had an unseasonably warm February day, 70 degrees. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGRAEspQVDvK0BxglF3b3VgyW9FP-03E4yk-M5VoUi_5BdQIXFKYao_T48ybIS2zHg1djft188UqHHk1UkVlsQz0EcBaMMaA-WnJfw_vAEPTbj-QScJNgjBTn9_NW-SePVS1Dwbc01dkVWxUCbBiJYki3tD9zNCrv53kbCJwQS8BWPE-rP6OocwXquGze/s3023/IMG_6899.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1983" data-original-width="3023" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGRAEspQVDvK0BxglF3b3VgyW9FP-03E4yk-M5VoUi_5BdQIXFKYao_T48ybIS2zHg1djft188UqHHk1UkVlsQz0EcBaMMaA-WnJfw_vAEPTbj-QScJNgjBTn9_NW-SePVS1Dwbc01dkVWxUCbBiJYki3tD9zNCrv53kbCJwQS8BWPE-rP6OocwXquGze/s320/IMG_6899.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>We went to the playground/park near the river...I've always called it Goose Poop Park, Achilles liked that.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMbY2AcsYzr4qN2BRnGSerDt3YfRIU8No9HU6m4zIKthXrSrlipnEh5DnlPbHGOTElFFieLa0PstlGmIDbLWxWoInyeqavW5JjCEgEFA5LaRYHhnxyDf2-nYcg8bJhnCJfdWritrG30fT0Sw7kLFrY9W9h119hBIFkksHoo53eDTIp1pTx33G8Sg1wennQ/s3088/IMG_6889%204.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMbY2AcsYzr4qN2BRnGSerDt3YfRIU8No9HU6m4zIKthXrSrlipnEh5DnlPbHGOTElFFieLa0PstlGmIDbLWxWoInyeqavW5JjCEgEFA5LaRYHhnxyDf2-nYcg8bJhnCJfdWritrG30fT0Sw7kLFrY9W9h119hBIFkksHoo53eDTIp1pTx33G8Sg1wennQ/s320/IMG_6889%204.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrwhj_PsUMtFyV4dHtox_edejM1LoF9b-Y3F6P1Y4H0_WEh3ZDbJI4u02cdpfjfEKKl9gkcDgWQiJVSiDb1DGMyJJzPQnhF5KTfnHhV_C17JTg0pB4kisvFZT9wMhDsmjy5kjHS6rl1Up6vLql3L7J5Jg7AoMzp3UV-o8rCkD-rj8qJlLXMrR62OG_vUg1/s4032/IMG_6885.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrwhj_PsUMtFyV4dHtox_edejM1LoF9b-Y3F6P1Y4H0_WEh3ZDbJI4u02cdpfjfEKKl9gkcDgWQiJVSiDb1DGMyJJzPQnhF5KTfnHhV_C17JTg0pB4kisvFZT9wMhDsmjy5kjHS6rl1Up6vLql3L7J5Jg7AoMzp3UV-o8rCkD-rj8qJlLXMrR62OG_vUg1/s320/IMG_6885.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>Camille with Jamison...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVRrXVVOmI0yowPoBfEVOVGnJnZ79gzsiIZBHGjJ8BQ3rnv5GUoyR4wmUFJ2r5B_VpGciOdgFmEWPCJdddXdfC8JUXUFdTeqHFJ_hzTDNCX7DAyvw1YJ5HTjw362BRxdkFOBaQZ5nYA6bEF9807u8ADbn95y6YeVRz-mQD9oswWycDeLNcpTFJ4F7wtPK/s4032/IMG_6884.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVRrXVVOmI0yowPoBfEVOVGnJnZ79gzsiIZBHGjJ8BQ3rnv5GUoyR4wmUFJ2r5B_VpGciOdgFmEWPCJdddXdfC8JUXUFdTeqHFJ_hzTDNCX7DAyvw1YJ5HTjw362BRxdkFOBaQZ5nYA6bEF9807u8ADbn95y6YeVRz-mQD9oswWycDeLNcpTFJ4F7wtPK/s320/IMG_6884.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div>Rhys<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZ04-HTm4XshKaDCsj1t8UXxL04qBntGe6AyJPzHB7EVt828vFXgnYaHDGI9iltucJ4CD0Fd0bmfaXPqceNBATEonsW9PnwC2dIVLYJsNpwhE-J6T_O8PyRVa6hyqhzivT-OHR8d3clJItitksS0klQ3bs3-eDJBv5s96VyWmKGb8ciwrLcJc6V4LQzti/s3331/IMG_6877.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3331" data-original-width="2809" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZ04-HTm4XshKaDCsj1t8UXxL04qBntGe6AyJPzHB7EVt828vFXgnYaHDGI9iltucJ4CD0Fd0bmfaXPqceNBATEonsW9PnwC2dIVLYJsNpwhE-J6T_O8PyRVa6hyqhzivT-OHR8d3clJItitksS0klQ3bs3-eDJBv5s96VyWmKGb8ciwrLcJc6V4LQzti/s320/IMG_6877.HEIC" width="270" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxrIQinpOQZNh4JNhcklRDXQ8PkWmO_zYNP_311-mMelEDe9p4BuJZODUdIRXx-vriJ9CPLZuXulswwpQwa_VTO_kLmgSAV98y_fHdXI0PWT2GT5GqpyTHwrIVyD6ZL_SmlCSv3KyhcW1CDTpPlrKK16lz-DnCXkWVshnJ7dVb7u-YmYsEIeX-ra6tbay-/s2932/IMG_6874%202.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2932" data-original-width="2646" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxrIQinpOQZNh4JNhcklRDXQ8PkWmO_zYNP_311-mMelEDe9p4BuJZODUdIRXx-vriJ9CPLZuXulswwpQwa_VTO_kLmgSAV98y_fHdXI0PWT2GT5GqpyTHwrIVyD6ZL_SmlCSv3KyhcW1CDTpPlrKK16lz-DnCXkWVshnJ7dVb7u-YmYsEIeX-ra6tbay-/s320/IMG_6874%202.HEIC" width="289" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMztvOrdNlp0RrZt06hoyRf7ejGeDqpdCqdY8a1TsBKWB7qHh1I-0JWBrkNFtCRY9lm1tAt5W0oWjA9IvUs6xukyV_h9MCVv4hI0VZmIWyqJbhGZNHGgBNuUzr83QeCvpmUUWx8jf_uz-8_b5Bbyq9QxyFabLa2QEnrmJvJk05oMD53sqUAjsZdRcmP6E-/s4025/IMG_6865.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2433" data-original-width="4025" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMztvOrdNlp0RrZt06hoyRf7ejGeDqpdCqdY8a1TsBKWB7qHh1I-0JWBrkNFtCRY9lm1tAt5W0oWjA9IvUs6xukyV_h9MCVv4hI0VZmIWyqJbhGZNHGgBNuUzr83QeCvpmUUWx8jf_uz-8_b5Bbyq9QxyFabLa2QEnrmJvJk05oMD53sqUAjsZdRcmP6E-/s320/IMG_6865.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>We also went to Target, for a new bra for me and a package of chicken breast, some Everything But the Bagel Seasoning, some seltzer, Peet's coffee..then I ran into the grocery store for some donuts, and Coke Zero...we're having a few of Jon's friends over for dinner tonight, so I needed a quick dessert. I made a big pot of beef stew this morning in the crockpot. Last night, I made a really good chicken soup...with noodles on the side. <p></p><p>Anyway. I got to push Jamie in the cart today, and feed him Goldfish. He liked holding the bags of coffee and the seasoning. He smiles at people and waves when they say hello. I keep a running commentary with him, he always answers...even if we're saying <i>muh-muh-muh </i>and <i>da da da </i>and <i>eh...eh.</i> </p><p>Our weather here is just wild...tomorrow, it'll get rain then get really cold, from 60's to twenties, flash freeze...then snow, possibly 8 inches on Thursday...then sunny and warmer on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, back into the sixties...up and down, Darius said that's why it's Mother Nature, because women are so up and down...it WAS funny...but shh, men have mood swings too. </p><p>Ah well...time to get up and get moving again...the old kitty is on my arm, purring...it's even harder to get up...we've always made allowances for those who have a cat on their lap, no, they don't have to get up and let the dog in or our, or go get the remote, nope, they have a cat on their lap. </p><p>Dang, Orange Guy just jumped up here, and Kettler (old kitty, his mama) swiped at him a few times, he jumped down, then she got down...so off I go...</p>16 blessings'momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00611246330849334850noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313234209573779535.post-60103729473067361332024-02-24T09:15:00.002-05:002024-02-24T09:15:19.329-05:00rude, rude, rude!<p>Have you ever read an article about a big family? Did you read the comments? My goodness, I don't know why I did, so crass and disgusting. I know there are people out there who hide behind their keyboards and say awful things, but who are they? Do they look normal in the grocery store? Do they even give you the cart free at Aldi, and smile at your grandkids? What makes them so hateful? Are they seriously so mean just online, and nice in real life? Or are they horrible ogres who live somewhere far far away? </p><p>I went adventuring today with my friend Annetta. Ollies, where I bought chocolate covered almonds for Charlotte Claire, and Mallo Cups for Camille, and hot and spicy cashews for Paul, and Lily's sugar free chocolate chips for me. I bought some nice coloring books for Activity Club, and a nice tablecloth. Then to a bargain warehouse, which buys entire truckloads from Amazon, where I bought Mariel a birthday present....a HydroFlask cooler. </p><p>Then to Walmart, where I bought two $3 shirts, some sugar free whipped cream, and a few clothes for the grandkids.</p><p>We got some lunch, solved the world's problems, then headed home in the dark chilly rain. </p><p>Home...ah, home. I decided to call my sister, so with a nice big hot cup of coffee, I headed to the guest room to talk to her while the girls watched The Pirates of The Caribbean. Dinner: the girls had left early to do a cleaning job to earn money, so they ate random things as they went out the door, but weren't hungry because they must have had some good snacks earlier. So, I made some burgers...then decided I really wanted scrambled eggs, and sausages...so no burger for me. Then some Greek yogurt with a few fresh blueberries and some sugar free whipped cream. </p><p>The kitty cat did not wake me up last night, and Paul got up early to go to the gym. Somehow I fell back to sleep, and slept until 7:24! Char is on school break, so I don't have to get up before seven this week. A good night's sleep is delicious, isn't it? Elusive and rare, and amazing.</p><p>So to tell a story without telling a story, I recently had my feelings hurt. It was not a huge-0 deal, but I did not like it one little bit. Here's the thing, in THEORY, I do not care what people think of me, and I will NOT get offended. In REALITY, sometimes life sneaks up on you and someone says something, maybe someone else agrees with them, and <i>mortally wounded. nobody likes me. </i>No, it wasn't that bad. But later, the thoughts swirl around, and perhaps a root of bitterness would like to come in and set up camp. We all know what a terrible idea that is though! I had a sudden flash of how absolutely <i>ugly </i>it is to be offended. Let. It. Go. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. All those good things. A chance to put them in to practice! Oh, stubborn, proud me, be humble and find peace! </p><p>Life is a series of trials, mostly small ones, testings of our faith. </p><p>And, I wrote this post a few days ago. I went to the pool twice yesterday, once for water aerobics, then in the afternoon with Char and Cam, and Achilles, Rhys, and Jamie. We met Ben and Ashley there with Anya, Elise, and Declan. Forty minutes went by fast, but little ones don't tend to last too long in the pool, Rhys was getting cold. Getting them all dressed was a breeze, because Char, Cam, and I each had one child to help...we picked up pizza and wings on the way home, and settled in for the evening. Kathryn and Darius were out together, so we were holding down the fort.</p><p>Stories and silly nonsense and then brushing teeth and saying their prayers, they went to bed so nicely for us. I stayed up too late and woke up too early, but I'm not complaining. I could have gone back to sleep. I wanted to go with Paul to get supplies to do our stairs, but he left when I was in the bathroom, dang it, I didn't tell him I wanted to go. The girls are going to a girls' tea party/gathering/volleyball, fun sleepover thing with some friends from Toronto, Jon is going to the farm show with Ben, Adrian, Darius, and lots of little kids. </p><p>I am having company for dinner, so I should get busy and clean up the house....I'm not positive what we're having with our steak yet, because yesterday I had a very tight schedule. I had to buy a whole list of stuff for the girls' weekend (my budget was $150, and I spent $149.23, and no, I didn't use a calculator, just estimated while I threw things in the cart...). Miss Camille was out and about with me, she wanted to go to Marshall's to look for something, and she kindly agreed we should go to the dollar store too. By the time we got home, it was time to go to watch the kids at Kathryn's. It was too challenging for me to plan for the dinner at the same time as getting everything on that list. I did buy strip steaks though, and I have blueberries, strawberries, and Brussel sprouts...and potatoes. So we'll be fine, don't you think? I am thinking to make something sinfully chocolate for dessert....</p><p>Is my blog stuck in a boring rut? Sometimes it's joyful for me to write, but sometimes it's a chore to navigate what's my business to tell about, and what's not. It overlaps, of course. Things that pertain to me, and effect me, often are personal to others. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6-NoHGaKBLMBf0tuaGIT98NDiQ4eucdC-aYU3tNP4kwo6X4A2g4BjHBv1x25gQiZWtb_zW-VFhMPcUTCcHkbPBJ7p_ouaHjc9AlxwA3hhEKszs5UpDGL3Ga3XkIL0Hv9wiFnf0wfe4TKQHJt2iA-cmCXN7YI7oo-pWwmrYqN2Mt2hw7dI2f7S8y4RHnb/s3099/IMG_6839.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3099" data-original-width="2671" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6-NoHGaKBLMBf0tuaGIT98NDiQ4eucdC-aYU3tNP4kwo6X4A2g4BjHBv1x25gQiZWtb_zW-VFhMPcUTCcHkbPBJ7p_ouaHjc9AlxwA3hhEKszs5UpDGL3Ga3XkIL0Hv9wiFnf0wfe4TKQHJt2iA-cmCXN7YI7oo-pWwmrYqN2Mt2hw7dI2f7S8y4RHnb/s320/IMG_6839.HEIC" width="276" /></a></div>Winter came back for a visit, it's like 16 degrees out. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZxb4ECWzvkza2sc4XJdMRmpVPMx4uzjDZ4BlVkO8BfU50f-HQ-NqGJCFWGB6o01b8vs7tKRenlQ6e4mgIOVCXGkGu94BHtVbW3-4Vs9LSzkTPuwKpIFnD-oGiqKHLQWwXtM94-SPONpyhJO7dW3W6c-GLlwnO3BafjPhxJPCk_KyQzzzes3jGHTM-swsv/s3673/IMG_6828.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3673" data-original-width="2708" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZxb4ECWzvkza2sc4XJdMRmpVPMx4uzjDZ4BlVkO8BfU50f-HQ-NqGJCFWGB6o01b8vs7tKRenlQ6e4mgIOVCXGkGu94BHtVbW3-4Vs9LSzkTPuwKpIFnD-oGiqKHLQWwXtM94-SPONpyhJO7dW3W6c-GLlwnO3BafjPhxJPCk_KyQzzzes3jGHTM-swsv/s320/IMG_6828.HEIC" width="236" /></a></div>Yesterday was absolutely glorious. Sunny and in the low fifties. Yes, I did manage fifteen or twenty minutes on the deck in my sundress, in my tight schedule ha. I was almost glad when the clouds rolled in and the wind picked up, brrr, because I had to move it move it. Spring and warmth, ahh, cannot wait. <p></p><p>Ah well...time to mosey out to the kitchen and make some decisions on dinner and dessert...have a really nice day!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>16 blessings'momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00611246330849334850noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313234209573779535.post-72497946284501295902024-02-21T19:04:00.001-05:002024-02-21T19:04:09.441-05:00oh so lazy!<p> I can't seem to get up and get moving again, I'm stuck in my chair! My life has been a whirlwind, so give me some downtime, and I will take it. Yesterday I had the boys over, they spent the night on Monday. We have too much fun. They are enjoying Little House in the Big Woods, I like reading to little ones. Wulf settles right in on the arm of my chair, Tennyson starts out there then be-bops around playing with things, listening with one ear. </p><p>They like helping to make their bed, on the futon in the living room, while I make mine on the couch across from them. We bring out the fan, and get all comfy...then the silly nonsense begins. It was a while before they were actually asleep. </p><p>Yesterday, we had waffles...Tenny wanted waffle bowls, and Wulf wanted heart waffles. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgENPzJ6Yo5k1RyocHF0raZRs-E4UlG7TKs7tVy19gskliyW2ArL5hm1nCaL9MsSI1RUuCpLT8s29G8J0Mkat1Z6_n4o4m4I8ajJcl0kqR3our-_cb1M3bSs44_5jA3zzvPGSl-eeJsVHoHLHWpX2Tw6pq24PNzPzNGdv6yVpybVyFnosBkOICnw0qxaGpb/s3668/IMG_6802.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3668" data-original-width="3023" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgENPzJ6Yo5k1RyocHF0raZRs-E4UlG7TKs7tVy19gskliyW2ArL5hm1nCaL9MsSI1RUuCpLT8s29G8J0Mkat1Z6_n4o4m4I8ajJcl0kqR3our-_cb1M3bSs44_5jA3zzvPGSl-eeJsVHoHLHWpX2Tw6pq24PNzPzNGdv6yVpybVyFnosBkOICnw0qxaGpb/s320/IMG_6802.HEIC" width="264" /></a></div>With sprinkles, of course.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0DUN_QH111jh923mZZxnzh1qu8KwaotKnofbleX-m4jnkdj4v7zspKK5iz_QlDNKKXvs2GTyRG9ykP3IaQvAseBTZcffo41klFakHWWU3xexVpx6fll4rbQyjkTR9T3pV4ECn5niuLUnezuAgHc-NpXmAGgkn048Q5uG6SyRJNPNB4tiYt5o5mRudn8px/s2720/IMG_6801%202.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1862" data-original-width="2720" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0DUN_QH111jh923mZZxnzh1qu8KwaotKnofbleX-m4jnkdj4v7zspKK5iz_QlDNKKXvs2GTyRG9ykP3IaQvAseBTZcffo41klFakHWWU3xexVpx6fll4rbQyjkTR9T3pV4ECn5niuLUnezuAgHc-NpXmAGgkn048Q5uG6SyRJNPNB4tiYt5o5mRudn8px/s320/IMG_6801%202.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMaIp9Hyff_FVgfxypOB_XxLed_9pIJl5YAOoBn9lo2ETBs9akeUXjRefcD6LMmCdxsc1_pi9_W_c40jZSNKJUcKJ4uZZZKlg8eI9HZx_hd8-YS8NSXQ8B1wO4Tfcfj31L6wrMLDQXuwxLBAUO4xIef2WnVOo4gl074_LhxafPWzfYwnosnaBU5fgVWSax/s2281/IMG_6800.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2140" data-original-width="2281" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMaIp9Hyff_FVgfxypOB_XxLed_9pIJl5YAOoBn9lo2ETBs9akeUXjRefcD6LMmCdxsc1_pi9_W_c40jZSNKJUcKJ4uZZZKlg8eI9HZx_hd8-YS8NSXQ8B1wO4Tfcfj31L6wrMLDQXuwxLBAUO4xIef2WnVOo4gl074_LhxafPWzfYwnosnaBU5fgVWSax/s320/IMG_6800.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>He was trying so hard not to smile, Mr. Wulf<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsPOXuq7zhG602cM_u-qQT5R5q5kVkNf3LcUIg4T5pRRjx8uzi-Fr8sAE_jvDidlXsL8k4ymbC8yGB_P1SxKJuDxIQSAA016053fWsY3lGnNykxosB-6amPlYLNX5kah9GCNmGXrdG3dZGxDDmrudQEodNzBuehaWM92Q88rGpmfPqT1rP1bswt0ftcV1/s3204/IMG_6798%202.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3204" data-original-width="2734" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsPOXuq7zhG602cM_u-qQT5R5q5kVkNf3LcUIg4T5pRRjx8uzi-Fr8sAE_jvDidlXsL8k4ymbC8yGB_P1SxKJuDxIQSAA016053fWsY3lGnNykxosB-6amPlYLNX5kah9GCNmGXrdG3dZGxDDmrudQEodNzBuehaWM92Q88rGpmfPqT1rP1bswt0ftcV1/s320/IMG_6798%202.HEIC" width="273" /></a></div>Tennyson..<p></p><p>Charlotte Claire, Camille, and I took them to the thrift store yesterday. Wulf found a Nerf Bow, and Ten got a truck with Duplo blocks in it. Char found black Levis and a pink sweater. Then to the grocery store quick for a gallon of milk, and a donut for the boys.</p><p>Home...I made dinner: pork chops marinated in some lime juice, baked with a mixture of brown sugar and corn starch sprinkled on top, with chopped apples and onions....then broiled to caramelize it...mmm. Also, a sheet of cubed red skinned potatoes, sweet potatoes, and broccoli, all nice and crispy. </p><p>Hurry though, we had to get to Activity Club! </p><p>Last night I was so tired...wouldn't you know the cat woke me up in the wee hours? ugh. I got up to let him out, and Suri ran out...took her sweet time, I finally got coat and boots on and went out on the deck to call her...she's just old and slow, like someone else I know. </p><p>I had to get up to go to the pool anyway, so blah. I am so very thankful for the pool though. It was fantastic today. </p><p>Home...but not for long! Sonja needed an oil change, so off we went, Charlotte Claire, Camille, their friend Amanda, and me. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhluZkGqyqsT1imPasblbeXUnGTixTQ8eJNVhoPOn6g0KFoRX8mFebQll5ocWBroixWw1qtmz6vJwwvvtZIB9Cm8_DvDSvIofEkt0XjZILKVqcjAtauhqCZGgZUnj94GN9j3hkoRaAq6VmuBKfnsn_NeMxbF1ihK6DsEe2kpd5d1rSK5-eKugBGVNr-etx5/s3023/IMG_6808%202.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2805" data-original-width="3023" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhluZkGqyqsT1imPasblbeXUnGTixTQ8eJNVhoPOn6g0KFoRX8mFebQll5ocWBroixWw1qtmz6vJwwvvtZIB9Cm8_DvDSvIofEkt0XjZILKVqcjAtauhqCZGgZUnj94GN9j3hkoRaAq6VmuBKfnsn_NeMxbF1ihK6DsEe2kpd5d1rSK5-eKugBGVNr-etx5/s320/IMG_6808%202.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>(Cam, Sonja, Amanda, Char)<p></p><p>Target first...they got bathing suits, 30% off...I got a pair of Levi's, I don't much like wearing jeans, they have to be baggy these days, ugh, but oh well, I found some really reasonable that fit reasonably well. I also got a pair of loose green sweatpants type pants that will be good for traveling in. We got a package of chicken, and some tomatoes, so exciting ha. </p><p>I have to go make dinner in a few minutes, but am staying home tonight. Tomorrow morning, I'm going to Ollie's with my friend Annetta... </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr7cBF481hPcUXXK9F_c0M9rrg7O0AHfMhoaXm9HkaL7s_mISVdYRZ_vXnPUjbBDjFhqG8g5BgukJmBh38Q7rQnM3yqCF8RvsusFqPTpkG4B8LwWzc30wMRwGppNerG_SE0-j69Sh3OYG-IreugyeDpuvpEwd2YTaofQrgQvXqkeLvQp5ThMgNO6eZjt1V/s3023/IMG_6794%202.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2381" data-original-width="3023" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr7cBF481hPcUXXK9F_c0M9rrg7O0AHfMhoaXm9HkaL7s_mISVdYRZ_vXnPUjbBDjFhqG8g5BgukJmBh38Q7rQnM3yqCF8RvsusFqPTpkG4B8LwWzc30wMRwGppNerG_SE0-j69Sh3OYG-IreugyeDpuvpEwd2YTaofQrgQvXqkeLvQp5ThMgNO6eZjt1V/s320/IMG_6794%202.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>Monday: a visit from Achilles and Rhys, some cartoons with Grandpa<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_GagprG8E38l-8vhCdTF7F0ehlDo3K6FNlrn5DkSKFDDCNjgOMAKzEDdLVmJ64BjkxUA1XljmrIjIcQHsM3HXQhk_B3qyKQE_VBDZx7RqtxWGPoZ4J4w70m4-mF2ks1lo57kSCbq9br9Kbpfsoeqe9yjUiw7oA8S67eYAdaoI5cJq3VZSD36iWXpTrqXP/s4032/IMG_6787.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_GagprG8E38l-8vhCdTF7F0ehlDo3K6FNlrn5DkSKFDDCNjgOMAKzEDdLVmJ64BjkxUA1XljmrIjIcQHsM3HXQhk_B3qyKQE_VBDZx7RqtxWGPoZ4J4w70m4-mF2ks1lo57kSCbq9br9Kbpfsoeqe9yjUiw7oA8S67eYAdaoI5cJq3VZSD36iWXpTrqXP/s320/IMG_6787.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div>This was around a hundred dollars...but there are two sets of twin sized sheets in there.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6R1vq59TOpFDI82MYUxvJ-UMd-pscZYbN37rlPYTPEiiMfy-jCDlnxfoJ-fpw3CxHMnf5yIF9I7Q_Bh6GjgbPA1-CMov-9Gf2QS6PL-uJZsZ2gNtC4mU1ueuAZ7gFCQ9r98tepa99HydeEvJBFOdsn1C9HOxObZI-kA4d9MoJhMlZQoDsgFqwUjhxE0sz/s3195/IMG_6779%203.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3195" data-original-width="2774" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6R1vq59TOpFDI82MYUxvJ-UMd-pscZYbN37rlPYTPEiiMfy-jCDlnxfoJ-fpw3CxHMnf5yIF9I7Q_Bh6GjgbPA1-CMov-9Gf2QS6PL-uJZsZ2gNtC4mU1ueuAZ7gFCQ9r98tepa99HydeEvJBFOdsn1C9HOxObZI-kA4d9MoJhMlZQoDsgFqwUjhxE0sz/s320/IMG_6779%203.HEIC" width="278" /></a></div>Camille made chocolate cake from scratch...I didn't taste it, but it looked scrumptious.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKfOZKf2HmmyrSlChkIfaj14HTa0PPl7gZkm-oiwIIptcKq8mpEYRCtmYuNZeZCHcEU7v6LbncGUKRwAgnBEeGHjOOTaU_C_ICzNU6XpszBenEiMMgzUYRX7jHFZUr1WRin8RKYQR2nbBFQ1oZrZ4IfaxcLzekzo-3O6cN78t5dNU1MudzgdHlaB-RYBF/s4030/IMG_6775.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="2610" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKfOZKf2HmmyrSlChkIfaj14HTa0PPl7gZkm-oiwIIptcKq8mpEYRCtmYuNZeZCHcEU7v6LbncGUKRwAgnBEeGHjOOTaU_C_ICzNU6XpszBenEiMMgzUYRX7jHFZUr1WRin8RKYQR2nbBFQ1oZrZ4IfaxcLzekzo-3O6cN78t5dNU1MudzgdHlaB-RYBF/s320/IMG_6775.HEIC" width="207" /></a></div>I took a break from the comfy chair and vacuumed...then puttered around cleaning up, then made dinner, burgers. Jon is making chocolate chocolate chip cookies, then taking the girls to their Norwegian lesson. Sonja is leaving for work, and Paul is getting home from the dump. I'm looking forward to a quiet evening, I might almost fall asleep in this comfy chair. Have a good evening, all!<p></p><p><br /></p>16 blessings'momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00611246330849334850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313234209573779535.post-66406784848040893982024-02-18T20:58:00.002-05:002024-02-18T20:58:29.177-05:00my most favorite place...ahhh, home!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiatyrbQy-wdesC4M3MtHMtBH64NDzRsfAhjuLBjDD2g-uhofCsnuAGcQt54rnX07GOSD_ux_UkJbDQWtB8q2lXeLgjW_fK9s8ZozIq5ykM4C2BsHklEsl2hi3HoNONzAAZtF7U8KU5CbSHr5ad3mQYUJAwYidiyYv2qzz_eUd1yX7vxNXlyenC0go1TYzT/s4032/IMG_6766.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiatyrbQy-wdesC4M3MtHMtBH64NDzRsfAhjuLBjDD2g-uhofCsnuAGcQt54rnX07GOSD_ux_UkJbDQWtB8q2lXeLgjW_fK9s8ZozIq5ykM4C2BsHklEsl2hi3HoNONzAAZtF7U8KU5CbSHr5ad3mQYUJAwYidiyYv2qzz_eUd1yX7vxNXlyenC0go1TYzT/s320/IMG_6766.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div>Beautiful Seneca Lake in the morning sunshine...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAbCcXyqSPN9RfC4zOpRBjsRJ1GM6PnXLckGUXMzPaxY6Bp-Q20oNPcLdHsvl5v-qKv_yzaYWBiR9CD56A6rayoJRqf0oNuwoBxLdyqUP76L0yewJ_WcNoHdswnJlfMnyvIcbbLnmsmu7EeRn06Zjlnti1frx6wkioTyv9fxo2yVKP4p18w1pPI29dwJcB/s4032/IMG_6762%202.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAbCcXyqSPN9RfC4zOpRBjsRJ1GM6PnXLckGUXMzPaxY6Bp-Q20oNPcLdHsvl5v-qKv_yzaYWBiR9CD56A6rayoJRqf0oNuwoBxLdyqUP76L0yewJ_WcNoHdswnJlfMnyvIcbbLnmsmu7EeRn06Zjlnti1frx6wkioTyv9fxo2yVKP4p18w1pPI29dwJcB/s320/IMG_6762%202.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuF9WX20O5fjvX5Vt-ZCbkKals4dY2918hRIV4kURMGY-mjH8Z_Gr0Kfr0ezx4xTbHqT2nyEK2CMWeCG1z2Eet_6Zg45CA3Y7su1mTwqdGruRHJMgDn6OL87EI0xEDKty0HyAbdEfBck6mQrXz6z93Yh2BWaTT0Cxi1NXOhZyTLPDUMQBbUF2QDVD8aFhx/s4032/IMG_6758.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuF9WX20O5fjvX5Vt-ZCbkKals4dY2918hRIV4kURMGY-mjH8Z_Gr0Kfr0ezx4xTbHqT2nyEK2CMWeCG1z2Eet_6Zg45CA3Y7su1mTwqdGruRHJMgDn6OL87EI0xEDKty0HyAbdEfBck6mQrXz6z93Yh2BWaTT0Cxi1NXOhZyTLPDUMQBbUF2QDVD8aFhx/s320/IMG_6758.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>This one was taken Friday afternoon, before the snowfall. Seneca Lake is 618 ft deep, and is fed by underground springs pumping 328,000 gallons of water per <i>minute! </i>Can you even imagine? It's a glacier lake, one of the Finger Lakes. Is this what you think of when someone says New York?<p></p><p>Friday, out the door with all the food for the weekend, except for the frozen cinnamon buns, which I forgot, and the pepperoni, which I forgot. oops. I'm glad that's all I forgot though, because it was <i>fine. </i>Cheryl was the co-pilot, Linda and Patty in the back seat, ready for a nice snowy drive through the countryside. </p><p>I had the chicken breast chunks marinating in lime juice, so I cooked them up in the soup pot and added chicken stock and coconut milk, along with a baggie of spices (curry, cayenne pepper, garam masala, garlic, ginger, pepper), then I added a chopped red pepper, and some frozen broccoli stalks. I had made the Dutch Oven bread (I stirred in some garlic powder and rosemary into the flour). It was hot out of the oven right as I went out the door. </p><p>Saturday morning we had a nice brekky of eggs, bacon, chocolate chip brioche bread toasted with butter, and coffee, along with some oranges. Karen and Mary arrived, along with a delivery from Karen's daughter-in-law, who owns the Airbnb, who sent some amazing goodies from a local bakery! Then brunch: salami and cheeses, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, chips and dip, three kinds of cookies, chocolates...then the dinner of strip steak, baked potatoes, and salads...we never even had our homemade popcorn, we didn't need it. </p><p>Sunday morning's brekky was simpler, sausage links, bagels, yogurt...fruit. I had some sausage and a few berries, because shh, I had lots of goodies on Saturday. But oh well, it was an AMAZING time with such good friends. We laughed and talked and even danced a little bit. None of us slept very well, and we stayed up too late. But oh dear it was fun, a very treasured weekend.</p><p>Time goes by too quickly. You wait so anxiously for the fun to begin, and next thing you know, it's done and gone, just a vapor. This weekend brought an even greater appreciation for my friends, and my sister. We are all different, but we are drawn together by our common faith in God. We don't argue or bicker or backbite. We encourage each other, and I tell you, these girls are good listeners. It's a rich and amazing time. </p><p>We had Sam and Grace and kids over today, along with Anya and Elise. They did some crafts, then there was running around and hide and seek and just joy, they love being together. Paul made a nice big pot of venison chili, Jonathan made rice. Camille made a fantastic three layer homemade chocolate cake with pink buttercream frosting for a Galentines party with her friends...Sonja and Char went, too. </p><p>It's quiet here now, and I'm tired, but oh so thankful. Tomorrow, pool then I might be bringing a couple of little boys here to spend the night...then more grandkids here on Tuesday...:)</p><p><br /></p>16 blessings'momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00611246330849334850noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313234209573779535.post-83461673163578688572024-02-16T12:35:00.001-05:002024-02-16T12:35:22.754-05:00going away for the weekend...<p>I'm always in a conundrum about going away. I like my house. I don't want to leave my house. My comfy chair, the pups, the peoples, I like it here. But one cannot be in two places at once, and since I love being with my friends and going on adventures...off I go.</p><p>My favorite sweatpants, black, had too much Sunny hair on them, so into the washing machine they go...with a few more things I decided I need to bring. I'm weird, but I almost always wash clothes before a trip, even if they're from the drawer or closet, already clean. So I am not packed yet, and am leaving in three hours. I need to measure out the spices and seasonings for the soup that is tonight's dinner, and I'm thinking to make a loaf of bread. I wasn't supposed to sit here in my comfy chair right now, after the pool, because...I have things to do. I sat down to look up a recipe, and ha, here I am. But I am going to get up and make a coffee (the after pool coffee is the best!), and make the bread...</p><p>Ahh, the after pool coffee now, the bread is rising in the warm oven. The chicken breast is cut into little pieces and in a marinade of lime juice and pepper, for the coconut lime ginger chicken soup for dinner. (with broccoli, carrots, and red pepper). If that bread comes hot out of the oven right as it's time to leave, maybe it'll still be warm enough at dinner time...</p><p>It is a snow globe here right now. As I drove to the pool, the road was covered, and it was snowing sideways, huge fluffy flakes. I could barely see...then as I reached town, the roads were clear and the snow dissipated. Lake effect snow bands just vary so much. It's supposed to stop this afternoon, which is fine with me, as I don't like driving in it.</p><p>Yesterday, Kathryn wanted to get out of the house. She had things to drop off at the thrift store, as she's been cleaning and organizing...so yes, I wanted to go too! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicuHiKa9wbmffiQfiaeN-AhbUIjJdWgMDHTsoZirib8zrQp5fjONi9N6l_heOi_c7xKFtfbGI08_7_6oENAEWybAoZzNKZev8ZW9RqGtc8I0dXZEvlBJL2KK3rvnDPYrfrISYNLK6uPOKCsTL4WV4NXH6g6QQJ_C31pgry0gvwgHuBb652q1w6hAW8NCxh/s4032/IMG_6735%202.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicuHiKa9wbmffiQfiaeN-AhbUIjJdWgMDHTsoZirib8zrQp5fjONi9N6l_heOi_c7xKFtfbGI08_7_6oENAEWybAoZzNKZev8ZW9RqGtc8I0dXZEvlBJL2KK3rvnDPYrfrISYNLK6uPOKCsTL4WV4NXH6g6QQJ_C31pgry0gvwgHuBb652q1w6hAW8NCxh/s320/IMG_6735%202.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div>Jamison...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3n3r9LD5ZE5_EmwyI2XftKAJb1breltjKN2Fwf9uz5W587WULn9L-mloRjsTnZmWrDFJbQ1a0zhlAG-OX7PQAOYWKyTvss9UWIcyzRVZ9g4A9VWF3BpD71VxFWGR9bjXVfVU3hdjcBLyMTLNjjXustmcBZ1CW8VX_TDhYopxY78oWbtDKxNAQOtjRCaEQ/s4032/IMG_6731%202.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3n3r9LD5ZE5_EmwyI2XftKAJb1breltjKN2Fwf9uz5W587WULn9L-mloRjsTnZmWrDFJbQ1a0zhlAG-OX7PQAOYWKyTvss9UWIcyzRVZ9g4A9VWF3BpD71VxFWGR9bjXVfVU3hdjcBLyMTLNjjXustmcBZ1CW8VX_TDhYopxY78oWbtDKxNAQOtjRCaEQ/s320/IMG_6731%202.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div>Rhys...and yes, it was $4.99 and I bought it for her. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlyQAb3vyAZw1EDYPCRtvCF-uhqbOG-lc_4zT_4hEjPUWPejAwWEQN0MOzM4t7Q9hp4MRbW5Rc0ajFruNTSTVbIpMWUIw9KWvQ910w-90igMkZzc7yBJe7VCDzoxgAYJPzFWtYIGTwIMwaat0CxK6eTxF_VsZUHzsP69DGLOM_71EL_heiCQDfWhEgNhYl/s2852/IMG_6738.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2263" data-original-width="2852" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlyQAb3vyAZw1EDYPCRtvCF-uhqbOG-lc_4zT_4hEjPUWPejAwWEQN0MOzM4t7Q9hp4MRbW5Rc0ajFruNTSTVbIpMWUIw9KWvQ910w-90igMkZzc7yBJe7VCDzoxgAYJPzFWtYIGTwIMwaat0CxK6eTxF_VsZUHzsP69DGLOM_71EL_heiCQDfWhEgNhYl/s320/IMG_6738.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>Camille with Achilles...<p></p><p>We also stopped at the bakery: </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmj7vcAD1_Ob1tOjMn2fUqsRFG2XaRcC2mdONcKcozLPO2QHQqT6LVYry6diiVOT5DGK44GC6QZiI6l4pef7rfbhBUjxDPP42m7ICQ-OfgnAvYtJTL6kSUijgVQJ4TEPoL3lkHQFxOlaivqvk7BtfDO0hDOZh2DVe_AdK6PPuJ569QoW7C0bGf2IiD9rf/s3425/IMG_8528.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3425" data-original-width="2803" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmj7vcAD1_Ob1tOjMn2fUqsRFG2XaRcC2mdONcKcozLPO2QHQqT6LVYry6diiVOT5DGK44GC6QZiI6l4pef7rfbhBUjxDPP42m7ICQ-OfgnAvYtJTL6kSUijgVQJ4TEPoL3lkHQFxOlaivqvk7BtfDO0hDOZh2DVe_AdK6PPuJ569QoW7C0bGf2IiD9rf/s320/IMG_8528.heic" width="262" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2TIOm9yxyR54FYE18EOMo24Ko2kdjfk3pIwKppfb3cCk8cGietE68JkuHbbSRcQ-Reb0dzB7Ipux-rE0qm50l0FIHuvTltFca9zLJTWhPtP-M3caojYM9tJcoIVaoENJixEB6o6TKT0cff4pU3lnJR1ji3v8TvhgZRjmK2FD7cCEsUmWSfyAHkPUh9o3T/s3023/IMG_6740%202.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2588" data-original-width="3023" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2TIOm9yxyR54FYE18EOMo24Ko2kdjfk3pIwKppfb3cCk8cGietE68JkuHbbSRcQ-Reb0dzB7Ipux-rE0qm50l0FIHuvTltFca9zLJTWhPtP-M3caojYM9tJcoIVaoENJixEB6o6TKT0cff4pU3lnJR1ji3v8TvhgZRjmK2FD7cCEsUmWSfyAHkPUh9o3T/s320/IMG_6740%202.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>(The smelled amazing but I didn't have any...because I <i>know </i>myself, and what's good for me, and what triggers me, and shh, I have a few treats that I'm saving for tonight, at the Airbnb with my friends:))<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQqMgnQAZ3o3EFyeIQu2rD1xbtX_J1iMgaibgu1kab7jZHJQZ8GoM7vKgYjEGqjkr1N-53iKuV44mdabie-Ns3H8kmRyLcnkwffi5gDAL4sYb639dR5E1pDreL7osr3b4CXvbmGmjGCoBZGSbJaPaR-KnnrWccdtu4Idqp-felFWSs1In3kobdvBUkXjs/s1268/IMG_6727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1268" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQqMgnQAZ3o3EFyeIQu2rD1xbtX_J1iMgaibgu1kab7jZHJQZ8GoM7vKgYjEGqjkr1N-53iKuV44mdabie-Ns3H8kmRyLcnkwffi5gDAL4sYb639dR5E1pDreL7osr3b4CXvbmGmjGCoBZGSbJaPaR-KnnrWccdtu4Idqp-felFWSs1In3kobdvBUkXjs/s320/IMG_6727.jpg" width="242" /></a></div>Stolen pictures: Evelyn had Tennyson and Wulf over to her apartment, and they helped clean.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2oQP3KlksfBMTMCLfJG915BAVLfOrhYbwi3ARRS5LNHzOkqMXGI9Wr1zqD_K-olESY4KaxBNIWz3X94svTrBaES_hH4x-1UJcRaQyTuEqxKWvrv4XmcsJ4SNUHaWP20BSWwXTn83yr1okSSLo2pnVRCfRtaaoN_g01xnXyWw8M8Dk0RrVC_3CVMwFfiS/s1220/IMG_6728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="936" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2oQP3KlksfBMTMCLfJG915BAVLfOrhYbwi3ARRS5LNHzOkqMXGI9Wr1zqD_K-olESY4KaxBNIWz3X94svTrBaES_hH4x-1UJcRaQyTuEqxKWvrv4XmcsJ4SNUHaWP20BSWwXTn83yr1okSSLo2pnVRCfRtaaoN_g01xnXyWw8M8Dk0RrVC_3CVMwFfiS/s320/IMG_6728.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>Anya, Elise, Declan<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoEfd2chSqrNh4U3GjiNcRtIMw5NR2aG3jZ3o9IlwOE71m2qzkQtwpcZ7eo0kP02xtlxkFoZ1GwQuMUoEMEFGSitZ3NKEzmwx4zxNN6Rwm-FmjWFX-6nrA_yC1OzO3GVRP9G-I7tpuS9bZwNnMrWIwrO6cYAGYvEKKQf4rSYhUI3Ax8n6FLIBdB6NpiQNM/s810/IMG_6729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="689" data-original-width="810" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoEfd2chSqrNh4U3GjiNcRtIMw5NR2aG3jZ3o9IlwOE71m2qzkQtwpcZ7eo0kP02xtlxkFoZ1GwQuMUoEMEFGSitZ3NKEzmwx4zxNN6Rwm-FmjWFX-6nrA_yC1OzO3GVRP9G-I7tpuS9bZwNnMrWIwrO6cYAGYvEKKQf4rSYhUI3Ax8n6FLIBdB6NpiQNM/s320/IMG_6729.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Grace posted this, Sam with Grant, Ruth, and Maeve...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3jbt7q6TZfWdsl0yPIvt0Qn9h684uzwXeFgSoG2tZfORHoakJlJ5Mg1vuhK3HXlBuZ4oPellhvFykPPZSOFo5GivQYWC9SIejTWN0a2wGiMFKmXzB_zsh8C_0MihKGLB_NhiB4OJs1vXrNeiLhgg7e_oeltYoHkc58ZL_kvNGz8TU3SiKABTa2u-qfqq7/s4032/IMG_6749%202.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3jbt7q6TZfWdsl0yPIvt0Qn9h684uzwXeFgSoG2tZfORHoakJlJ5Mg1vuhK3HXlBuZ4oPellhvFykPPZSOFo5GivQYWC9SIejTWN0a2wGiMFKmXzB_zsh8C_0MihKGLB_NhiB4OJs1vXrNeiLhgg7e_oeltYoHkc58ZL_kvNGz8TU3SiKABTa2u-qfqq7/s320/IMG_6749%202.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnI8auBgBAhe1F8dwJ3R9qbb2S17monhc73_lh8WCG3sm5ATZbFJLzGOJggqAFuz19hDZvHLkMRRNXS3EMaZ6t-isE1mwJHm7rweqjkOmjpREJWwmRgmgeRoyqsbFiHtAJLp08eKEeBH_X28I2LRHLiKvFIJR3sOI8qzI0GEVF9zCX4TM2p5afJas8qMT2/s2542/IMG_6750.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2542" data-original-width="2447" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnI8auBgBAhe1F8dwJ3R9qbb2S17monhc73_lh8WCG3sm5ATZbFJLzGOJggqAFuz19hDZvHLkMRRNXS3EMaZ6t-isE1mwJHm7rweqjkOmjpREJWwmRgmgeRoyqsbFiHtAJLp08eKEeBH_X28I2LRHLiKvFIJR3sOI8qzI0GEVF9zCX4TM2p5afJas8qMT2/s320/IMG_6750.HEIC" width="308" /></a></div>Paul remembered Valentine's Day:)<div><br /></div><div>Ah well, time to go get that bread baking, and start packing up the car...have a really nice weekend!</div><div><div><p><br /></p></div></div>16 blessings'momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00611246330849334850noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313234209573779535.post-79027129651835309622024-02-14T19:28:00.001-05:002024-02-14T19:28:05.754-05:00well. THAT was a busy day!<p>It started out slow, just puttering around, then Kathryn texted...and yes, I did want to go to Ollie's with her. I got Rhys out of the car and brought her in, while Kathryn got Achilles and Jamie. We stopped in the store foyer to say hello to the big Ollie statue. Rhys was very interested in him, but also a bit scared. We wandered up and down the aisles, looking at all the books (I got her an ABC lift-the-flaps book), the snacks (Starburst for Char for Valentine's Day, and Mallo Cups for Cam). </p><p>We went to Walmart for formula and and and, it's always an adventure in Walmart. It's a big store, and if you are scatterbrained or just not completely organized, you get in a lot of steps. Achilles didn't like when I dashed away to get some things for the AC party, he thought I was <i>winning the race, </i>because I passed his mama's cart and proceeded down the aisle...<i>no, Grandma! Come back! You can't win!</i></p><p>Home....ahh, home...but not for long, we had to get new passports for Charlotte Claire and Camille. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebTVReG-lSmLQpfOEiKCw2RyYHJ7OSZZMOipKdiQ-AZpSnvQM2EYYIBvOgIPf5pNLS19j8euw_u3Of9PFAzVsdWbTMf8KbpxGa6Tr-Y0j5B2wipf2FbJ35f9Qxw0pQ1JqdVf_FARm3JQiBAJm3uZaO61bdeOcElCfpGMzeh1tC5i9LCYb7u0p8tQj_Dqf/s2905/IMG_6723.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2303" data-original-width="2905" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebTVReG-lSmLQpfOEiKCw2RyYHJ7OSZZMOipKdiQ-AZpSnvQM2EYYIBvOgIPf5pNLS19j8euw_u3Of9PFAzVsdWbTMf8KbpxGa6Tr-Y0j5B2wipf2FbJ35f9Qxw0pQ1JqdVf_FARm3JQiBAJm3uZaO61bdeOcElCfpGMzeh1tC5i9LCYb7u0p8tQj_Dqf/s320/IMG_6723.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>Just a mere $360. <p></p><p>We only brought two checks with us, and needed three, so Paul had to go to the post office for a money order. Never a dull one.</p><p>Home again...but not for long, again...Sonja had made pulled pork in the instant pot, so we made some nachos...then it was time for Activity Club. We were having a party. Grace had the idea to paint with puffy paint; shaving cream mixed with glue, and food coloring, and we added lots of glitter. The girls really liked it. Then the party: a red tablecloth, pink plates and napkins, adorable mini donuts ($2.02, marked down, from Walmart...they were so cute and little!), Rice Krispie Treats I made with lots of sprinkles, cut with heart and flower shaped cookie cutters...and little conversation hearts, water bottles with different colored straws...just fun stuff.</p><p>Home again...and, ahhh...well over 5,000 steps.</p><p>THIS fine morning, pool...the out to brekky with my pool friends. It was quite fun, one of the guys was a farmer, and a bus driver...some of my older kids remember him fondly. The ladies in the class are a fun group, it's always a nice outing. </p><p>Home...but only to run to the bathroom and pick up Camille...this coming weekend is my Airbnb on the lake weekend, with my sister and five friends. I am doing the food, so I went to get that today...first, we went to Target, because...wait, do we have to have a reason? We only bought two bags of coffee, some vanilla almond bark (on clearance), and one box of gluten free crackers. </p><p>Price Chopper: I bought NY strip steaks for our Saturday night dinner, I knew there would be Valentine's Day sales on steak this week. Baked potatoes, and salads will go with that meal, we'll have charcuterie for lunch, and a nice big brekky with sausage and bacon, and chocolate chip brioche bread for toast...</p><p>Home...ahh, really home, and staying there for a while, if I have anything to say about it. Dinner: burgers, salads, some fries in the air fryer (only one fry for me, but oh they are good!). </p><p>Now it's a quiet evening, a very cold one...but so cozy. I'm hoping to stay home tomorrow too...have a really nice, warm, cozy evening...</p>16 blessings'momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00611246330849334850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313234209573779535.post-25696866694041678522024-02-12T13:09:00.001-05:002024-02-12T13:09:28.170-05:00quite super...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1LzpRUzBfINnprxcwORLibxA9TX0WcNnz0A_OwRT47rnGqXh9yTvrl6VcLRLYnXm_4TJzZM_0A51gTb1jZv74VVnZ7XW95aB9fK-iw42A4WXk5ydCjS0wbTigO0i46b74yrCGKJuxgFRePz9k18-VQdQb-tM0EU6MTbFunuObvLkg_4KpRp9tI2AaE6h3/s4032/IMG_6631%202.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1LzpRUzBfINnprxcwORLibxA9TX0WcNnz0A_OwRT47rnGqXh9yTvrl6VcLRLYnXm_4TJzZM_0A51gTb1jZv74VVnZ7XW95aB9fK-iw42A4WXk5ydCjS0wbTigO0i46b74yrCGKJuxgFRePz9k18-VQdQb-tM0EU6MTbFunuObvLkg_4KpRp9tI2AaE6h3/s320/IMG_6631%202.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div>Tulips already? It isn't Easter! But I love them, and they were in Aldi...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpgB11JZJ2iGL0doY0k8FCQ6XHZdEXEmwsUJZCgTpYRixBBBep04boQ_hBV1yyvrm8oe5Qgj1-oBOQTel8IogTYqQh3mqZDFgAP-luVlP7f0VV_tGC8rEOqWB6zSX1jvzReZpn_7sJ6O2DqdjWmxoNFieXNOP2T5GUjFxEsOBiy_hatNJZiYU4y2OAFLo/s3625/IMG_6630%202.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3625" data-original-width="3023" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpgB11JZJ2iGL0doY0k8FCQ6XHZdEXEmwsUJZCgTpYRixBBBep04boQ_hBV1yyvrm8oe5Qgj1-oBOQTel8IogTYqQh3mqZDFgAP-luVlP7f0VV_tGC8rEOqWB6zSX1jvzReZpn_7sJ6O2DqdjWmxoNFieXNOP2T5GUjFxEsOBiy_hatNJZiYU4y2OAFLo/s320/IMG_6630%202.HEIC" width="267" /></a></div>Cookies, and getting prepped for the kids coming over...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib4mNvzK2spccj8s03Nbzyw9x5QITZRqLbIItaBCip9AyXYUFEh09QWhSPgEMCQ_pq5wTDZzz7l1RJXheTB1jugd92KGU-XLgAKzCOK647jWsJRenPVnmAd9p1KqbBmnnEVyS5_ZtJrzmxwOb8on7IisZYIlWziJMhJGJ0voMyxRXVdUFcjDmDgdDeqqO4/s4032/IMG_6628%202.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib4mNvzK2spccj8s03Nbzyw9x5QITZRqLbIItaBCip9AyXYUFEh09QWhSPgEMCQ_pq5wTDZzz7l1RJXheTB1jugd92KGU-XLgAKzCOK647jWsJRenPVnmAd9p1KqbBmnnEVyS5_ZtJrzmxwOb8on7IisZYIlWziJMhJGJ0voMyxRXVdUFcjDmDgdDeqqO4/s320/IMG_6628%202.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGqa-vl5IiMJ7V2fqU1Q8hw0dM10BXgnlIoj1khGR3-s_4U9nnbLKCTBnVzcOgNCyIe8iNVGZ3IOKH-P-GcGNF3frB3Ss3topjUI_gkTfXiMVh8vhlpNyTbGLiQpczeRWu6J_V85yi1lGDSufLTQph94Ma5Zk5CwUEGt28Fj5LXWudY872eTgEMG-EuoN/s3426/IMG_6625%203.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3426" data-original-width="3023" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGqa-vl5IiMJ7V2fqU1Q8hw0dM10BXgnlIoj1khGR3-s_4U9nnbLKCTBnVzcOgNCyIe8iNVGZ3IOKH-P-GcGNF3frB3Ss3topjUI_gkTfXiMVh8vhlpNyTbGLiQpczeRWu6J_V85yi1lGDSufLTQph94Ma5Zk5CwUEGt28Fj5LXWudY872eTgEMG-EuoN/s320/IMG_6625%203.HEIC" width="282" /></a></div>Chocolate dipped strawberries, mmm.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUmeenjz1kIYOniCQ87KhPwEp2dvOmH53Hq8hxoFzToeZHfJscnJkr4iAYClGyTUUc70Mlgt44KZuB0MiW1Ahk5rCydG3UZBE1HHgV1g6JE1A4KKDtPftSulYO7wY2KZKYZTKX63r0mAYNE-Ou2C6LgKfoteeF3jT7yszQiTUC0G42hGLxqifq2UnyzDK/s2972/IMG_6639%202.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2781" data-original-width="2972" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUmeenjz1kIYOniCQ87KhPwEp2dvOmH53Hq8hxoFzToeZHfJscnJkr4iAYClGyTUUc70Mlgt44KZuB0MiW1Ahk5rCydG3UZBE1HHgV1g6JE1A4KKDtPftSulYO7wY2KZKYZTKX63r0mAYNE-Ou2C6LgKfoteeF3jT7yszQiTUC0G42hGLxqifq2UnyzDK/s320/IMG_6639%202.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>Aunt Emily with Blythe, Aunt Evelyn with Denzel...Blythe is two days older than Denzel.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcR8mVrnz1cWCjr0f2FVmvO9TreXQfy5RPqV3QI0zGURw4ZLZA2yabh46qjhPkR472LQcZGC2hPXqA_9Kw2u5NGp9C5AOjgIzuVucD1vHl05L1nsnAxeO0wC6Gas5WtX9cBeNzkxii2AWZ0K9q_IVxsGvgH-5r3GI4znSYYPoWKmYBLTPqxqljd7wKGNFf/s3206/IMG_6641.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3206" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcR8mVrnz1cWCjr0f2FVmvO9TreXQfy5RPqV3QI0zGURw4ZLZA2yabh46qjhPkR472LQcZGC2hPXqA_9Kw2u5NGp9C5AOjgIzuVucD1vHl05L1nsnAxeO0wC6Gas5WtX9cBeNzkxii2AWZ0K9q_IVxsGvgH-5r3GI4znSYYPoWKmYBLTPqxqljd7wKGNFf/s320/IMG_6641.HEIC" width="229" /></a></div>Emily with Achilles<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVW4s9fCUOLKTILKIMbFGqrywPUC-OOWL7BBmxCNHahFAQCuxWUIY4bmJtnwH3AEP5F7OZkS1HKS3VxnvBdC9EgYHtsFQTOtPLfSw02Qml1CD6Lx0chy1QG37Xumspyrvqc1tmY1fXxo_g5pPhwQRolUaQfLZbH8ExQvLzzdUucwQKfpLdR1f4kzFqbgkE/s4032/IMG_6648.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVW4s9fCUOLKTILKIMbFGqrywPUC-OOWL7BBmxCNHahFAQCuxWUIY4bmJtnwH3AEP5F7OZkS1HKS3VxnvBdC9EgYHtsFQTOtPLfSw02Qml1CD6Lx0chy1QG37Xumspyrvqc1tmY1fXxo_g5pPhwQRolUaQfLZbH8ExQvLzzdUucwQKfpLdR1f4kzFqbgkE/s320/IMG_6648.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div>The girls brought wood cutouts with magnets on the back, for the kids to color with markers...Tennyson and Wulf, and Rhys, and Lydia..<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhqMUjsiapWMMh46ykLXJLbJIo0rr-Nwq9PXnYMgs_cjpgdvjqUlDsqiKjoeIEcYjuD2kM-FOu9LjY_hnAyHnenCs-iGe-9N1NKzfb_vZj3P7eJ-o03HKntRDPbrbw-oUW0tFRTFlWjmPQcwSOefclxRlu5cfM6gcKedrnGfl-PxF8ejBU5urv1Sjn289j/s3330/IMG_6650%202.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3330" data-original-width="3023" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhqMUjsiapWMMh46ykLXJLbJIo0rr-Nwq9PXnYMgs_cjpgdvjqUlDsqiKjoeIEcYjuD2kM-FOu9LjY_hnAyHnenCs-iGe-9N1NKzfb_vZj3P7eJ-o03HKntRDPbrbw-oUW0tFRTFlWjmPQcwSOefclxRlu5cfM6gcKedrnGfl-PxF8ejBU5urv1Sjn289j/s320/IMG_6650%202.HEIC" width="290" /></a></div>Oh, and there's Achilles..<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKNHBB3IfFYlfwN4cV4-cLmdE-GxmFKcuFtlwRV5_IdtLyzCIelN0lCEVfNbPrH0NKA7IKnW-_q7IOkxlgegk7wD01VYgnB_qQYgn-cbi937EW1fwHjIfl0fMcDfrRK_yxu3YuYScblUYb8Q1J0loVAcMxDyKUf5x6QZI-cK98XLkXQlGH4aHXdE8N9y7/s2438/IMG_6663.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1541" data-original-width="2438" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKNHBB3IfFYlfwN4cV4-cLmdE-GxmFKcuFtlwRV5_IdtLyzCIelN0lCEVfNbPrH0NKA7IKnW-_q7IOkxlgegk7wD01VYgnB_qQYgn-cbi937EW1fwHjIfl0fMcDfrRK_yxu3YuYScblUYb8Q1J0loVAcMxDyKUf5x6QZI-cK98XLkXQlGH4aHXdE8N9y7/s320/IMG_6663.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>Evelyn with Jamison, and Paul<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCzGVdZHiELVLWFeC5luEtjZQJHzXLNHxIqskMgtAW-GSU0Axef2ZYa1f1WFRk6GpW2P2G9ZKKm4xiMTx95PvCUpQ-X72gFOmDeBOHM7azVHXZdk1g0lHH1QEW6LVNjKTv1izJB8pDM2jfCSlNoZgZkl2DddXa4wP34D3RzjeQH_gIKgqYuZJ3X0Ju4paC/s3590/IMG_6668%202.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3590" data-original-width="2799" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCzGVdZHiELVLWFeC5luEtjZQJHzXLNHxIqskMgtAW-GSU0Axef2ZYa1f1WFRk6GpW2P2G9ZKKm4xiMTx95PvCUpQ-X72gFOmDeBOHM7azVHXZdk1g0lHH1QEW6LVNjKTv1izJB8pDM2jfCSlNoZgZkl2DddXa4wP34D3RzjeQH_gIKgqYuZJ3X0Ju4paC/s320/IMG_6668%202.HEIC" width="249" /></a></div>Adrian with his baby Blythe<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8Ia_ZmsAEP75AEMBF7HD5nPRjLLI0e-Bmwonzrc2vbUtecHdSJWsm0fRW2f543GOCxQGNgE02QHTGuK7WgJbjFGP4ZB7WZa6zvSIMA_NmVEPeZ6kJcVPyAab3kHsK50W_h0mJLUEpm1J0quhZpPh4oLssHC8Wi_NcBIHJ_AgbjxZYvdTW9TxOwHia26f/s3359/IMG_6672%202.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3359" data-original-width="2292" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8Ia_ZmsAEP75AEMBF7HD5nPRjLLI0e-Bmwonzrc2vbUtecHdSJWsm0fRW2f543GOCxQGNgE02QHTGuK7WgJbjFGP4ZB7WZa6zvSIMA_NmVEPeZ6kJcVPyAab3kHsK50W_h0mJLUEpm1J0quhZpPh4oLssHC8Wi_NcBIHJ_AgbjxZYvdTW9TxOwHia26f/s320/IMG_6672%202.HEIC" width="218" /></a></div>Emily with Ten and Ophelia, cousins...frenimies...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiosQ7efNvp2Yx5LnsmqyY60XT9ubmZAReg2X9M9tbHwtAY1E6JQX-zFp4gUCtuPezZHRZr1t_EOajWuHLWDPjXo9IoqQEVtm_mY4kSFi41Y8SurcF9W8KGGDvTvMHuC1xkYgXS2QM6eMOr8HInPeQuNwnwDmdyNdORWZI7yO69XVpjjm1M-K2GdqnFrEPZ/s2837/IMG_6675.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2454" data-original-width="2837" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiosQ7efNvp2Yx5LnsmqyY60XT9ubmZAReg2X9M9tbHwtAY1E6JQX-zFp4gUCtuPezZHRZr1t_EOajWuHLWDPjXo9IoqQEVtm_mY4kSFi41Y8SurcF9W8KGGDvTvMHuC1xkYgXS2QM6eMOr8HInPeQuNwnwDmdyNdORWZI7yO69XVpjjm1M-K2GdqnFrEPZ/s320/IMG_6675.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>Margaret and Kathryn made it so much fun for the kids<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qopWesxnFOTNHFuRRfjMhLp8CC0lPm6_WqWUHB9P5Goy3xLYJWJfhBcAzxW2fy2FK-nRJY_XEfUx010OtXt-ZY1HxmqIPKnhVT9HIVm7WTLpdEbE2IggL3JonXOHIBsE20iY1tW6yDp7tb9vCs3i3wf6OWiNJI-Xyvz4ZfNq5D96K0rV9F4WQ9IT93GA/s3234/IMG_6676%203.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3234" data-original-width="2951" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qopWesxnFOTNHFuRRfjMhLp8CC0lPm6_WqWUHB9P5Goy3xLYJWJfhBcAzxW2fy2FK-nRJY_XEfUx010OtXt-ZY1HxmqIPKnhVT9HIVm7WTLpdEbE2IggL3JonXOHIBsE20iY1tW6yDp7tb9vCs3i3wf6OWiNJI-Xyvz4ZfNq5D96K0rV9F4WQ9IT93GA/s320/IMG_6676%203.HEIC" width="292" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWyIHCNtHz7SEY_M_PMQgbbyIrWpy7FkEl-riZQVf0MJcLs_Hs2lIsPj0cgz7QyXxiSNhJx2_x-zen4DWSVGsgAenGZ7a1fHRo-ic-cuuy-F9T8iRCgY1czWR0oZqYjKl8Qne3SM0df5CjgCkuvTi6TaFWDgZLYARt00iPg8pxLLXl4XX51lg8BSnnQmc/s2747/IMG_6681.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1929" data-original-width="2747" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWyIHCNtHz7SEY_M_PMQgbbyIrWpy7FkEl-riZQVf0MJcLs_Hs2lIsPj0cgz7QyXxiSNhJx2_x-zen4DWSVGsgAenGZ7a1fHRo-ic-cuuy-F9T8iRCgY1czWR0oZqYjKl8Qne3SM0df5CjgCkuvTi6TaFWDgZLYARt00iPg8pxLLXl4XX51lg8BSnnQmc/s320/IMG_6681.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>Auntie Em with Jamie<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_UESqC_WNTIfBa48QjvulI0mPjqJGr0RdhL6dX_ZvuPfpfISXxaLgPNoAmZ73PR6_1P-87vyJSWSUyHzgVJP_BbAXwaBOmtp3DyuOAOifdbdIM38cRrzj7jFkI4iKKjgg6j5c8YbrVYSRD-lA9tufkKmW-I4dUE57a4o8q68J3LuYQ-06MMS8rEAal9d8/s3024/IMG_6687%202.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3022" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_UESqC_WNTIfBa48QjvulI0mPjqJGr0RdhL6dX_ZvuPfpfISXxaLgPNoAmZ73PR6_1P-87vyJSWSUyHzgVJP_BbAXwaBOmtp3DyuOAOifdbdIM38cRrzj7jFkI4iKKjgg6j5c8YbrVYSRD-lA9tufkKmW-I4dUE57a4o8q68J3LuYQ-06MMS8rEAal9d8/s320/IMG_6687%202.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>Margaret's giant Super Bowl cookie-cake...:)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ZAq2ez4_geLEKlbd-NAa9lShWnViO_Izgu5lUGYDv4dQJc64N0SHlcbdRkfgBL8R_48aN3Gj0NM_pE1mjzfNhE614w2tHsiOdeCdz0VH4F3a4CZTkdAmzC7eVFnmsZ3mGN9zJnd5Z_XB-5lbwhQN71X_TBzvr7fuM_AZMaRKJ5e35lZ2bHtXADKbci4L/s2737/IMG_6697.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2515" data-original-width="2737" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ZAq2ez4_geLEKlbd-NAa9lShWnViO_Izgu5lUGYDv4dQJc64N0SHlcbdRkfgBL8R_48aN3Gj0NM_pE1mjzfNhE614w2tHsiOdeCdz0VH4F3a4CZTkdAmzC7eVFnmsZ3mGN9zJnd5Z_XB-5lbwhQN71X_TBzvr7fuM_AZMaRKJ5e35lZ2bHtXADKbci4L/s320/IMG_6697.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>Rhys loves Blythe<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjVSSotBHOmRwvSF9_U9tzF6b5HcPndRgR-VEhS5_3qrhHYv2NiFSyiMKF2giHKlxK-eYDxGj1wQUV4k7JS07cE1X6fJMooN1rLMWvhyphenhyphenaFOTHiB1_5yfy1Oxl-sMzo79Ov44r_uHwKIIV2b3yprOWUcnuqA7BfnVtu6RSsNdVVps4z1oQXI12Z9I3Q_cU/s3472/IMG_6702.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3472" data-original-width="2918" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjVSSotBHOmRwvSF9_U9tzF6b5HcPndRgR-VEhS5_3qrhHYv2NiFSyiMKF2giHKlxK-eYDxGj1wQUV4k7JS07cE1X6fJMooN1rLMWvhyphenhyphenaFOTHiB1_5yfy1Oxl-sMzo79Ov44r_uHwKIIV2b3yprOWUcnuqA7BfnVtu6RSsNdVVps4z1oQXI12Z9I3Q_cU/s320/IMG_6702.HEIC" width="269" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6tlfxnXK1WGhD_5OQAXeItqc9YC_eRhPdWydJXN7TH_VuaJEDxOoCQt-WfS8Fpyy3bqtKrqBil7MejaRjMx5tvUzve_wokc38Aeve6Dx_yoqaHeFgJV5foNtx4gTetxJoMMJiOC0BNU72y4w3Xdro42eUzARNl59gm_JRLyDkWRiLEE7T3LlV5X9O-5rB/s1051/IMG_6708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1051" data-original-width="782" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6tlfxnXK1WGhD_5OQAXeItqc9YC_eRhPdWydJXN7TH_VuaJEDxOoCQt-WfS8Fpyy3bqtKrqBil7MejaRjMx5tvUzve_wokc38Aeve6Dx_yoqaHeFgJV5foNtx4gTetxJoMMJiOC0BNU72y4w3Xdro42eUzARNl59gm_JRLyDkWRiLEE7T3LlV5X9O-5rB/s320/IMG_6708.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>Lydia loves helping<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijHM_3H64wAulwU8RA_k5VEhMagvFazpFTZE8F6-u_NUgRW_WkDyHqvBhss9bMBeTTZoc8_eOjqekim3uWC5559OoI6_h8jDkaLFTQYR7f3hxFovnyFjwqGv6yaZOJ5naipZTUcid8Xr0cjVzXSHdMcqNV1qfIyuOqHtGM08fVAMVqS1WIwwV0K4R4GSbV/s1202/IMG_6709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="926" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijHM_3H64wAulwU8RA_k5VEhMagvFazpFTZE8F6-u_NUgRW_WkDyHqvBhss9bMBeTTZoc8_eOjqekim3uWC5559OoI6_h8jDkaLFTQYR7f3hxFovnyFjwqGv6yaZOJ5naipZTUcid8Xr0cjVzXSHdMcqNV1qfIyuOqHtGM08fVAMVqS1WIwwV0K4R4GSbV/s320/IMG_6709.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>Blythe<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJ_QzSihZBEty0Tmg0Ry7117hztMCooTRzveaIO0H0bGyfIVol9-QQpOMgliHTNMlOValocql69VqM5c1gLmyKoj67swmkSFGUIm-x-DQ1-MWb466SKZL642M3Wm1giOk2hX11DgzV91v0avSjRpGpNXU-OKVPWzfkmXNaFhNFkcFC2aBalyj1PGEvQ0w/s787/IMG_6711%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="656" data-original-width="787" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJ_QzSihZBEty0Tmg0Ry7117hztMCooTRzveaIO0H0bGyfIVol9-QQpOMgliHTNMlOValocql69VqM5c1gLmyKoj67swmkSFGUIm-x-DQ1-MWb466SKZL642M3Wm1giOk2hX11DgzV91v0avSjRpGpNXU-OKVPWzfkmXNaFhNFkcFC2aBalyj1PGEvQ0w/s320/IMG_6711%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Tennyson, Achilles, Wulf, Rhys...I was showing them a Cookie Monster video, of him singing <i>C is for Cookie...</i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJJ8w0eIMu4MxtqwCBhRZ1RdRmlGDXF-iz_7Ivgc4fFRhLk6qoAxcTanff4wnRJO9xNOFd7KgHGWMp9ESocl_NFTkQ0szjEzpuDvtbP0rXNiWhWULX0HPQGlPz4kwYxoG8RbURVKIee_qYJaghhcAmJK0cwtxwGp5ub7OFRi01MPJMpSay5mHz_30hOAN/s958/IMG_6713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="651" data-original-width="958" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJJ8w0eIMu4MxtqwCBhRZ1RdRmlGDXF-iz_7Ivgc4fFRhLk6qoAxcTanff4wnRJO9xNOFd7KgHGWMp9ESocl_NFTkQ0szjEzpuDvtbP0rXNiWhWULX0HPQGlPz4kwYxoG8RbURVKIee_qYJaghhcAmJK0cwtxwGp5ub7OFRi01MPJMpSay5mHz_30hOAN/s320/IMG_6713.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Lyd, Achilles, Wulf, Ophelia...so much fun when cousins get to hang out together. We didn't pay too much attention to the game, but we did have chicken tacos, chicken wing dip, Oreo cheese cake cookies, chocolate strawberries, chili, mozzarella sticks and pizza bites, plus chips and dips and baby carrots. Oh, and those chocolate chip cookies. </p><p>I got up this fine morning and went to the pool, ahh, so nice. This afternoon, I'm going on an adventure with Evelyn. We've been wanting to go to this store where they buy entire Amazon pallets, truckloads, and sell the stuff way cheaper. I need a retractable baby gate for the top of the stairs, and who knows what else, ha. </p><p>Winter is coming back this week. It's been so nice having our warm spell, going out and about and not worrying about sudden snow squalls. Those white-outs, where you can't see the road, ugh. Scraping off the car, shoveling the steps, I haven't missed winter. But February only has 17 more days, then March has 31, so that's 48 days....and March usually has some nice weather, although has also had some huge snowstorms, blizzards. April can still be snowy, but ha...it seems wimpier, somehow. So we're rounding the corner of this winter, it hasn't been too bad. I don't like driving at night so much, add in some snow flurries, then some wind, then swirl the snow around a bit, and no thank you, I don't want to go. </p><p>Ah well, we live here and winter is part of it, so I'll take it one day at a time, and enjoy what I can about it all. Have a good day!</p></div>16 blessings'momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00611246330849334850noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313234209573779535.post-54833556834961904902024-02-10T21:22:00.001-05:002024-02-10T21:22:10.675-05:00simple bliss...<p>Yesterday, I was restless. It was a beautiful day, and I wanted to go out and about. I had a few things I needed, too. Camille and I went to Target. A few baby outfits for Molly's little Denzel, some things for Grace's birthday, a package of chicken breast, some coffee cream, and some cleaning spray (one of my guilty pleasures is Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Peony (Mums smells lovely too!)). (It makes it so nice to clean when the cleaning spray smells so amazing!). Then to Price Chopper, just a quick loop around the store for a few things, then to Aldi. Camille was dubious that we needed to go to a third place, but I wanted strawberries, and they were $4.99 a pound in P. Chopper. </p><p>Home...ahh, home. Steak for dinner, which is my absolute favorite, with some salads, curly fries in the air fryer (I try to avoid these things, but did eat just a few, why oh why are they so good?!)</p><p>The kids made chocolate covered strawberries the night before, oh dear, so good. I plan to make more with the strawberries I bought, for tomorrow...</p><p>Today, I slept until 8:24. It was <i>extremely wonderful. </i>I really really liked it. No cat meowing to wake me up, no having to get up for Miss Char, just slept...ahh. See, if I always slept well, I wouldn't appreciate it, now would I? </p><p>I cleaned up and vacuumed and washed dishes, did some laundry, then Margaret was here with Wulf, Tennyson, and baby Blythe. Then Suzanne came over with her pup, Winston. (her fiancé is camping with his brothers this weekend). Then, Joseph came over with his dog Bucky (his wife was working, and his other pup was at home). </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidz0ZzSDRGmOvduGVeUyT97KcNv4Y8OPbIO8kbnhRXqCyOfgtjzgkMo8TMGtcZ3OqqSZn3NHzqRghFAPxDWB3eou-1oEjP3whXwDsPTKxlHBbaBZz_-7brJ4bQrUlsGYgLZclbPO1VvH3FtJ8gTeMil9NYdfEEk2UqODtyfIfu_nZQYHlaNSrEug1Z31kH/s3023/IMG_6622%202.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2367" data-original-width="3023" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidz0ZzSDRGmOvduGVeUyT97KcNv4Y8OPbIO8kbnhRXqCyOfgtjzgkMo8TMGtcZ3OqqSZn3NHzqRghFAPxDWB3eou-1oEjP3whXwDsPTKxlHBbaBZz_-7brJ4bQrUlsGYgLZclbPO1VvH3FtJ8gTeMil9NYdfEEk2UqODtyfIfu_nZQYHlaNSrEug1Z31kH/s320/IMG_6622%202.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>Don't I take such good pictures? Joseph with Bucky, and Suzanne over there...Paul in the mirror. :)<p></p><p>Margaret's friend Tenylle came for a visit with her little daughter Lyra, who is almost two. She discovered we have fruit snacks here:). She didn't love the dogs, but she seemed to get used to them quickly. </p><p>Everyone left by and by, and it was time to make some dinner, for just Paul and I...ribs in the Instant pot, good idea. Salt, pepper, steak seasoning, and brown sugar rub, lime juice in the bottom of the pot, then the two racks cut in half, in the pot on the rack, high pressure for 26 minutes. Then, two kinds of bbq sauce mixed with brown sugar, pepper, hot sauce, and into the oven at 475 on a cookie sheet with foil...then broiled for a few minutes. Not as good as smoked, but really good. The instant pot gets them so tender, so quickly.</p><p>Dessert for me, a zero sugar Chobani Greek yogurt with sugar free whipped cream and fresh blueberries, and two chocolate covered strawberries...mmm.</p><p>Tomorrow, we're having a Stupid-Bowl party...not a big party, just Grace with Grant, Ruth, and baby Maeve, and Margaret with Wulf, Tenny, and Blythe, and Kathryn with Achilles, Rhys, and Jamison. The dads are all going to a Super Bowl thing, and the girls here are going to one, so we thought we'd have one here for ourselves. We're having lots of goodies, and don't care much about the game, which is a good thing because....nine grandkids, ha. </p><p>Jonathan got a hair cut. His friend Matt cut it for him, at two o'clock in the morning. And no, they weren't drinking. They are very healthy kids, like working out and eating right, ect. But they're crazy sometimes! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAT70vw9JYL9yOggT88SbciFxmmGhPdTrGaI4ef76pFjZxElf1uSOtGvfDI92pUIszTNKPtMnUVYNyqyrkslKHujdfpl2h30IcYAPFC9evBnSPVMJ4yxNaOV_wLLK68UZFz26ptLdfjvwqSRYnLeFhUIFkXSNo1uWaXtEax1Vi9lyimlZcAq4ux1Qaj-0I/s3237/IMG_6617.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3237" data-original-width="2952" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAT70vw9JYL9yOggT88SbciFxmmGhPdTrGaI4ef76pFjZxElf1uSOtGvfDI92pUIszTNKPtMnUVYNyqyrkslKHujdfpl2h30IcYAPFC9evBnSPVMJ4yxNaOV_wLLK68UZFz26ptLdfjvwqSRYnLeFhUIFkXSNo1uWaXtEax1Vi9lyimlZcAq4ux1Qaj-0I/s320/IMG_6617.HEIC" width="292" /></a></div>I think he looks cute...with Sunny, Kettler, and Suri...<p></p><p>Paul went fishing out on Owasco Lake (one of the Finger Lakes) today. He did get rained on a little, but said it was nice out there, but a little windy. 60 degrees. Poor Tennyson was walking around with the hose sprayer attachment, asking if he can put it on the hose. He has Playing-With-The-Hose-On-The-Brain. It's not really that warm out, Ten, the ground is soaking wet and muddy, we cannot really play with the hose. He thinks it's summer now. Wulf was running around in the driveway in bare feet when Grandpa got back from fishing, and Ten had just socks on. They love it, but I told them winter is coming back in a few days. </p><p>Ah well...our day was busy, and now it's quiet, and wow, I'm tired! Maybe tomorrow I'll take better pictures...have a good night. :)</p>16 blessings'momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00611246330849334850noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313234209573779535.post-27802763896204251562024-02-08T08:43:00.000-05:002024-02-08T08:43:03.773-05:00just being with them...<p> Yesterday was a jumble of spontaneity. First the pool, on a freezing frosty morning. Jon's car was behind mine, so I had to move it, bring the keys back in, extra steps are good, right? I don't love being late to the pool, but I put my suit on under my clothes so getting in is pretty quick. </p><p>My pool friends are pretty amazing. One lady is 80, doesn't look a day over 65, she takes care of her mother, who is <i>99. </i>This 80 year old lady has been busy, bringing things from the basement to the garage, or vice versa, cleaning things out...I am IMPRESSED. I told her I want to be like her when I grow up. I also told Emily that she is her when she's older, and I'm 99...as we're the same age apart. One of the guys in the pool is a retired bus driver, and yes, he drove our bus in years past, a super nice guy my kids remember fondly. One of the ladies lives on the road my parents lived on when my older siblings were small, my sister remembers her family. One of the ladies is the cousin to a maternity nurse who lived on my road, before she passed away, and was at the birth of several of my babies. The small town-ness is amazing to me. I wasn't born and raised here, but these people are warm and welcoming, and I feel like I belong. It <i>strongly</i> helps influence me to get my lazy rear end out the door to that pool, three mornings a week. </p><p>Home...ahh, home. Jon had the day off from work, and has been working on cleaning out his room. He had some bags for the thrift store, so yes, I wanted to go with him. He donated five big bags, and didn't buy anything new. I bought velvet hangers for Camille. She recently told me she wished she had them, so the clothes stay on better, but it was just a silly wish, or so I thought, until...I walked into the Salvation Army store and brand new boxes of 20, $1.99. She was rather pleased.</p><p>We then went to BJ's to get a few things for Sunday, as I'm having some grandchildren over for a Super Bowl party, although we probably won't even be watching the game. Jon tried on a coat:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNuVv7KDLcRwC47Wz4YXY5JvAxTkAu1mAm1UhBGSRh2bjjSyVTDM8QRCzoH6nARBXrIVDGwwQeRNZt9-ErJjfEkHQozShcgVsJXeMqU_s48JUDd8fF39bL7bPW2zWYyS5DV3R8JMHBeikmTqjhgUUF1OO38rkCfRluYtfTShHkhwixyPydvjzNxl-FquOx/s3744/IMG_6597%202.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3744" data-original-width="2721" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNuVv7KDLcRwC47Wz4YXY5JvAxTkAu1mAm1UhBGSRh2bjjSyVTDM8QRCzoH6nARBXrIVDGwwQeRNZt9-ErJjfEkHQozShcgVsJXeMqU_s48JUDd8fF39bL7bPW2zWYyS5DV3R8JMHBeikmTqjhgUUF1OO38rkCfRluYtfTShHkhwixyPydvjzNxl-FquOx/s320/IMG_6597%202.HEIC" width="233" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Home again...a little puttering around, organizing some kitchen drawers (how many sets of measuring cups does a person actually need? measuring spoons?). I vacuumed the drawers, cleaned them, and put less things back in. I checked my phone, and oops, Emily had called and texted. She was going to the very same store Jon and I had gone to, would I like to come? I would. I didn't need anything, but some time with Emily, sure! </p><p>We went to Walmart too, so I got some sugar free whipped cream, and some frozen cinnamon rolls for an upcoming fun weekend. </p><p>Dinner was a Fend For Yourself night, the girls had made Vodka Pasta earlier, then sandwiches. Paul ate leftover chicken drums and salad. I made myself chaffles! (3 eggs, beaten, splash of vanilla, one cup shredded mozzarella, mix together 1/4 cup almond flour, teaspoon of coconut flour, scant tsp. monk fruit sweetener, sprinkle of cinnamon, dash of cardamom, add to egg/cheese mixture, makes four waffles. I ate them with raspberries and sugar free whipped cream)</p><p>This fine morning, I am going to buy some honey from people down the road. I found them on Marketplace. Supposedly, the more local the local honey is, the better it potentially is for allergies. I have very strong opinions on buying honey from local beekeepers, because I want to KNOW it's pure. Have you heard of the Chinese Honey Scandal? They mixed additives in, sent it to other countries, and had it shipped to the US as if it was not Chinese. Supermarket honey is almost certain to have so much other garbage in it. </p><p>It's a nice sunny day, and is supposed to be warm, in the fifties. We might to to a playground with some grandchildren...</p><p>This weekend, Suzanne is coming for a visit, looking forward to seeing her. </p><p>A lot of fun things are coming up: next weekend, an Airbnb on Seneca Lake with some dear friends, then in March, Norway! April looks blank, but May, a weekend in Ocean City, Maryland? YES! Then, a trip to Phoenix for some 90 degree swimming weather, and time spent with my boys? mmm hmmm! There are wedding plans afoot too, so I will not be bored any time soon.</p><p>Have a really good day!</p>16 blessings'momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00611246330849334850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313234209573779535.post-43851474850175870702024-02-06T10:14:00.003-05:002024-02-06T10:14:27.955-05:00once upon a time...<p>Life is just a series of stories, isn't it? Most of them aren't mine to tell though, so meh. </p><p>Yesterday, ahh the pool. I am so very thankful I am able to go to water aerobics, it feels so nice, and the older people in the class are friendly and sincere. Sometimes we chat while we move, and the class goes by so fast! The second part is deep water workout, I don't use a floaty noodle, because I float, ha, and I really like to get more benefit from the movement. Then into the cold locker room, always feels so cold after the warmth of the pool room...but a hot shower, ahhh. </p><p>Home...no time to sit around, because I had the idea to make apple muffins. Crumble topping, chopped apples, lots of cinnamon, pumpkin pie spices, cardamom....it made me want something yummy too, so I made a batch of low sugar molasses cookies, but never baked them until evening. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMsjlKbE1kxaQAHBFqEHPvfZfL3nl0Lgr_dc1gUQQP3JxCkw-sTAmwyHKucUJVxoibdopUXAs5dHktcoHSxSphybxQzvRFEzjtuSwj7JTsyo6I2ATmQf68fQXV3HvoLRouRhbU3mczqxFijAG24ip5U7LlDr2f9_Q7Z-iscx8sXsvf81mIToljvmD3A7P/s2935/IMG_6564.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2935" data-original-width="2852" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMsjlKbE1kxaQAHBFqEHPvfZfL3nl0Lgr_dc1gUQQP3JxCkw-sTAmwyHKucUJVxoibdopUXAs5dHktcoHSxSphybxQzvRFEzjtuSwj7JTsyo6I2ATmQf68fQXV3HvoLRouRhbU3mczqxFijAG24ip5U7LlDr2f9_Q7Z-iscx8sXsvf81mIToljvmD3A7P/s320/IMG_6564.HEIC" width="311" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_rgDZepVrvxAqU49KZDsKXLZYg12FZnH3MPUk3iaF9keeEMPnfhgw853spqv5-ozkKTN1veDof1BSiqHz20Yo5Y4v2BJr6pQc10RY6KsdQzEdy6_1fkC4l9hEzPNsoT2GjgW4RZATvu8Iglmg08Jf9BOk9p2HHSB2N49_qCGu1fEWB1trTiMrGLCjkN6/s4032/IMG_6566%202.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_rgDZepVrvxAqU49KZDsKXLZYg12FZnH3MPUk3iaF9keeEMPnfhgw853spqv5-ozkKTN1veDof1BSiqHz20Yo5Y4v2BJr6pQc10RY6KsdQzEdy6_1fkC4l9hEzPNsoT2GjgW4RZATvu8Iglmg08Jf9BOk9p2HHSB2N49_qCGu1fEWB1trTiMrGLCjkN6/s320/IMG_6566%202.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /> The aroma these imparted, oh dear...anyway, then Kathryn arrived with Achilles, Rhys, and Jamison, and Grace with Grant, Ruth, and Maeve. Grace had to leave for an appointment, so Kathryn and I held down the fort.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-EwWWV5btgzAF_RubJNEadOiXJr9OX1ObMixXLEvVXrrNUGCaSAucU1DP0vRZREU9q4X8dmeVtHcqUVJgMQzcLditeTRrFZh48HV9EsoDH5jFEUaE1CD6BKhZdm-u9UGSKzjUtFI4DHnd-AdEsFTkm3fYpyCoUB-EQC96O-ZuV1IrboToMgpqE4NLCygT/s3023/IMG_6567.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2026" data-original-width="3023" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-EwWWV5btgzAF_RubJNEadOiXJr9OX1ObMixXLEvVXrrNUGCaSAucU1DP0vRZREU9q4X8dmeVtHcqUVJgMQzcLditeTRrFZh48HV9EsoDH5jFEUaE1CD6BKhZdm-u9UGSKzjUtFI4DHnd-AdEsFTkm3fYpyCoUB-EQC96O-ZuV1IrboToMgpqE4NLCygT/s320/IMG_6567.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>Ruth, with princess stickers, Kathryn playing Jenga with Rhys, Achilles, Grant...Ruth thought it was fun to run over and knock down the tower, there's always one, isn't there? We were trying to keep the noise level down, because Sonja had worked two nights in a row and was sleeping, she had to work last night too, so she <i>needed </i>to sleep. She didn't sleep very well, turns out. I told the kids if they cried, they had to cry quietly because she was sleeping, but they didn't listen, ha. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGuW8YUYAG7Z4Z_4_T50WxbaifgF3_Ug2x2b0YzRx0hs6xhuU7CETmtoAIgeUqNTAaG4xMz7MxgH9Bi74WRhMwHJ88pKVclu0MaoOmPzlCU1bPKLyy9oK8wvo1GSE-qQXWMbjUumI41TPIQDHHEA9lesZaapqPUvjqj21lJ5ynPtxKDB3-8TWBq_evUA4i/s2820/IMG_6571.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2566" data-original-width="2820" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGuW8YUYAG7Z4Z_4_T50WxbaifgF3_Ug2x2b0YzRx0hs6xhuU7CETmtoAIgeUqNTAaG4xMz7MxgH9Bi74WRhMwHJ88pKVclu0MaoOmPzlCU1bPKLyy9oK8wvo1GSE-qQXWMbjUumI41TPIQDHHEA9lesZaapqPUvjqj21lJ5ynPtxKDB3-8TWBq_evUA4i/s320/IMG_6571.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>Jamie was cruising around in the walker.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBX7MMIVqS3zckWETz4o72FE7D2_-AYez6Wtxa-3Ej6apbi2NyNBT0WP9fmDeEGK1AjULDgM18_8t6kOtk3EyiXiDljHmq4g8xxcT0INZtO1zlJGfQO2v0YyAw9oxsyCnPxgSQMm91AeCBjnPU-_tvRoDqKBLZwEdXDxoxuR22fbnBZ79pHekVvSAh6gT/s4032/IMG_6573.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBX7MMIVqS3zckWETz4o72FE7D2_-AYez6Wtxa-3Ej6apbi2NyNBT0WP9fmDeEGK1AjULDgM18_8t6kOtk3EyiXiDljHmq4g8xxcT0INZtO1zlJGfQO2v0YyAw9oxsyCnPxgSQMm91AeCBjnPU-_tvRoDqKBLZwEdXDxoxuR22fbnBZ79pHekVvSAh6gT/s320/IMG_6573.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div>It's a cool walker, the seat spins around in all directions, he likes it. (Marketplace, $15, like new). <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggXULqKxD2JDe_wtflRO6wd6hRUWOtS40FvCbpNCq1eHaNoybrNPZBtXFiKB6MyknDJ1lNyrn5ATkHGVeYWmFcjdJBlluwAfaz7Mh6rannbwKHlAQEPlDFSAQsN3tGlg9FPkkTXYe-DXU98_tiPZkAb6jYlce2k_0bsOXhk3ak9Ut5CUhEnTkVkZoq6l8F/s4032/IMG_6581.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggXULqKxD2JDe_wtflRO6wd6hRUWOtS40FvCbpNCq1eHaNoybrNPZBtXFiKB6MyknDJ1lNyrn5ATkHGVeYWmFcjdJBlluwAfaz7Mh6rannbwKHlAQEPlDFSAQsN3tGlg9FPkkTXYe-DXU98_tiPZkAb6jYlce2k_0bsOXhk3ak9Ut5CUhEnTkVkZoq6l8F/s320/IMG_6581.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div>Rhys<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnupUmdVzX3JpzUAEZhhdYpcNwKnEzMBiU1haDvjnLO8mpcIKwT0RMxXYv06y_FKOgIRTn8pB0LnU1vDratW21BGq8j5JBSvKd869bNjzG7hgZGGHV33or98MoHwwiEXRvwmhINYMQe312kq_si_e0XFlagD7-SwJbTPYnaCPAg9o7Aag_GynCoJpmEa5W/s3131/IMG_6586.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3131" data-original-width="2941" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnupUmdVzX3JpzUAEZhhdYpcNwKnEzMBiU1haDvjnLO8mpcIKwT0RMxXYv06y_FKOgIRTn8pB0LnU1vDratW21BGq8j5JBSvKd869bNjzG7hgZGGHV33or98MoHwwiEXRvwmhINYMQe312kq_si_e0XFlagD7-SwJbTPYnaCPAg9o7Aag_GynCoJpmEa5W/s320/IMG_6586.HEIC" width="301" /></a></div>Maeve<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GLeAO_HEsJvqXmnWyEtnOTizHMZ_BFREXe8t4ncjbu1kwyqOgcpu6D5L1eJqTgEDGeV8nxDHqOLcA11fKxEFWC3A_afWCowLicT3BvXY4fQOOJ0CqYKUfv_TNxpZ8UF9M9KCaS4DnLE1l4OWXGdkN0s9cZrHnFIIg7rDvE5JmDJkXhTgvy_ws2_Ty76H/s1862/IMG_6592%202.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1721" data-original-width="1862" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GLeAO_HEsJvqXmnWyEtnOTizHMZ_BFREXe8t4ncjbu1kwyqOgcpu6D5L1eJqTgEDGeV8nxDHqOLcA11fKxEFWC3A_afWCowLicT3BvXY4fQOOJ0CqYKUfv_TNxpZ8UF9M9KCaS4DnLE1l4OWXGdkN0s9cZrHnFIIg7rDvE5JmDJkXhTgvy_ws2_Ty76H/s320/IMG_6592%202.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>Ruth, Grandpa, Grant, and some Bugs Bunny. I made popcorn for them:)<div><br /></div><div>Dinner: I cubed up a six pound package of chicken breast, marinated it in lime juice, honey, olive oil, paprika, chili powder, salt and pepper, onion and garlic...after a few hours, I added a mixture of flour and a little bit of baking powder with salt and pepper, tossed it all around, then put it on two cookies sheets with olive oil, and roasted in a 450 oven. I cut up green peppers and onions, stir fried those with broccoli, made a pan of jasmine rice, then the sauce: butter, ginger, half a bottle of orange stir fry sauce from Target, water, some orange marmalade....bubbled that up in a pan, and added it to the chicken and veggies in the wok...it was really good. </div><div><br /></div><div>The cookies were baked in the quiet after everyone left, around 8:30. It's a simple recipe, and quite yummy. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrwtSDFC1AT8CGlneFIwIv9ZexZvdRX8MxedhA7wQZqUJqQ88jdXWrbPl35t9tOZ8cpvkPiY79gekXKsyup3SC7RsX_RScUQpeigk3KqyRXliUOla2rt8o8tFLtLoGAKMRQ21wIL-oXAA3uS6Wy06QJSN7HJHFw58COYB0_F6esy-lJfmWdqst1rYB2fFL/s1162/IMG_6323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1162" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrwtSDFC1AT8CGlneFIwIv9ZexZvdRX8MxedhA7wQZqUJqQ88jdXWrbPl35t9tOZ8cpvkPiY79gekXKsyup3SC7RsX_RScUQpeigk3KqyRXliUOla2rt8o8tFLtLoGAKMRQ21wIL-oXAA3uS6Wy06QJSN7HJHFw58COYB0_F6esy-lJfmWdqst1rYB2fFL/s320/IMG_6323.jpg" width="264" /></a></div><br />Recipe from Oh Sweet Mercy, The Sweet Things In Life). I used like a tablespoon of honey, then granulated monk fruit, to make less than half cup. The spices, a combo of pumpkin pie spices, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, to total OVER two tablespoons, because I like a spicy cookie. Then the molasses, I used a tablespoon instead of teaspoon. Are they excellent? Well, no, but they're good. I find baking them for four or five minutes at 340, then flipping them over and baking for another three or so works best. The first batch burnt, but they still tasted so good. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9TIfLHcax2MmoVj3Dq7DuDZGmNPvpBpz_fij2qU4gkQ8V1X0uHsvSwIbxXhnbi-g7v4oPOYYrf-irXa1SHkAVdjkigS8p8y6HTifnGSHC5GDi_ETnb04fihoQiGM1-fPdBnB6laR9D5O4fVcnLBaVIJ67Fj8S3FzGEI6pQN5ptV9qn4GdL-YcpSopD0t/s1981/IMG_6547.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1981" data-original-width="1812" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9TIfLHcax2MmoVj3Dq7DuDZGmNPvpBpz_fij2qU4gkQ8V1X0uHsvSwIbxXhnbi-g7v4oPOYYrf-irXa1SHkAVdjkigS8p8y6HTifnGSHC5GDi_ETnb04fihoQiGM1-fPdBnB6laR9D5O4fVcnLBaVIJ67Fj8S3FzGEI6pQN5ptV9qn4GdL-YcpSopD0t/s320/IMG_6547.HEIC" width="293" /></a></div>During church, did I really turn around and snap a pic? Well, wouldn't you? Ben and Ashley and Declan were enjoying little baby Blythe (Margaret and Adrian's baby)...so cute. <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyOk3y_k7FSyukEHoFMgnRhJ9NfYuDeod-IGCWDPFgTdubme6-dQpH0yHf3cHGTX53AD0vV17Tt4fU2UCIQYySXY9RfSZL3his-1o33l4MFd1nylAcyQRcKQGQncZP7Fz4pXyEyXmS9_nH4JRQIbi0hrVfVaxrrsN9yRUX4e33GyXbz9zY6XBdX10DJiqO/s3073/IMG_6549.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3073" data-original-width="3023" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyOk3y_k7FSyukEHoFMgnRhJ9NfYuDeod-IGCWDPFgTdubme6-dQpH0yHf3cHGTX53AD0vV17Tt4fU2UCIQYySXY9RfSZL3his-1o33l4MFd1nylAcyQRcKQGQncZP7Fz4pXyEyXmS9_nH4JRQIbi0hrVfVaxrrsN9yRUX4e33GyXbz9zY6XBdX10DJiqO/s320/IMG_6549.HEIC" width="315" /></a></div>Jamison with Aunt Evelyn<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg12NIdcvFkg0HipbAmFxwUwUNbo1-X9ntabELnLuhYWtRM633sVV3IWOXW8rf2Wh5EDEXGP6T5y0PSOQERO02A2YUDzht7UgjKmnqgtMcpIJQNzVYTVqtdW43jhwe6D2w4S5_wQAuxGGE1UrsN_nfZGOieeS39anvndWMPvandUMF0wBoJyjeoIrFwV7y6/s3390/IMG_6557%202.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3390" data-original-width="3022" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg12NIdcvFkg0HipbAmFxwUwUNbo1-X9ntabELnLuhYWtRM633sVV3IWOXW8rf2Wh5EDEXGP6T5y0PSOQERO02A2YUDzht7UgjKmnqgtMcpIJQNzVYTVqtdW43jhwe6D2w4S5_wQAuxGGE1UrsN_nfZGOieeS39anvndWMPvandUMF0wBoJyjeoIrFwV7y6/s320/IMG_6557%202.HEIC" width="285" /></a></div>We have to take a pic, or it didn't happen! Camille behind Jamie, Evelyn, Char, friend Amanda with the chocolate milk, me, Sonja in front, Kathryn in the back, and Oscar with his cup that says "Austin", I guess his name isn't so common here? This was Sunday afternoon...</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway. Saturday evening, Emily and Mariel came over with dinner, chili verde, and I can't remember if I already told you this or not, just like in Real Life. <i>I know Mom, you TOLD me this already. </i>Well I can't help it if I can't remember who I told what to! </div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, we had a nice pleasant visit with the older girls. I had made a huge-0 pan of fudge, because the younger kids clamored for it, but one isn't eating chocolate right now, and the other can't eat dairy, although she did have a small taste. </div><div><br /></div><div>This fine day, it's sunny and gorgeous, and I need some groceries. I'm thinking to go to the thrift store, too, as it's 25% off day for Old People. I don't need anything but it's fun to go and browse. I need to make a meal plan. I tell you, it's harder now than when the kids were all younger, because I never know who is going to be here for dinner. Well, not <i>harder, </i>just different. </div><div><br /></div><div>The girls need their passports renewed, and since they are under 18, we can't just renew them online, we have to go in and do them all over again. We're also planning a nice playground trip for Thursday, as it will be a beautiful Fake Spring day here in the northeast. I really hope the trees don't get fooled into budding too early, then when Real Winter comes roaring back, destruction. </div><div><br /></div><div>I stayed up too late last night, finished <i>A Ladder of Years</i>, Anne Tyler. Morning comes early for those who read into the night. ugh. </div><div><br /></div><div>Have a really nice Tuesday, and be thankful! </div><div><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><p><br /></p></div></div></div></div>16 blessings'momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00611246330849334850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313234209573779535.post-60283510494210099492024-02-04T09:20:00.001-05:002024-02-04T09:20:20.890-05:00there's no place like home...<p>Home. It evokes warmth and security, a place where you can be yourself. I have strong beliefs that providing a good home life is the best gift you can give to your kids. It's not the house itself, you don't need two washers and two dryers, but the <i>essence</i> of home, the <i>peace.</i></p><p>One thing I am extremely thankful for is that I've been able to be a stay-at-home-mom, or as we old people like to say, a <i>housewife. </i></p><p>Anyway. Yesterday I had plans. My plans had to change because Charlotte Claire and Camille had <i>different </i>plans. It ended up being a really nice day. I visited with Ben and Ashley, and little Anya, Elise, Declan. Declan can count to five, and he knows who's phone belongs to whom, water bottles too. He's adorable. </p><p>Emily and Mariel were coming over for dinner, and bringing chili verde! Paul made two venison meatloafs, and we made a big salad. I also made...fudge. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw_QaF2D5Io8Hz5MwUB7_EdNi4pZqlqYXdqE-dx9oxgF4Y9NJLTEhyT6j-nyLp2wmvIPnI3ynEtXowkQ5Cz7A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>The girls were singing karaoke with their friend Amanda, while I made the fudge. They helped clean up a bit, then dinner with the girls...there's nothing in the world like having adult kids, it's so nice to have them back "home". <p></p><p>(I still maintain it's a rather cruel trick, to love and nourish and spend every waking hour taking care of every detail of these small humans, rocking and reading and wiping and feeding, only to have them grow up and move out!)</p><p>Of course we all know the whole goal of raising kids is with the intent they stand on their own two feet, so when they pay their own mortgages and buy their cars and go off to their good jobs every day, success!! It's like those wind up toys, we spend eighteen years or so winding them up, then once they get going, they just clickety-clack right out the door. </p><p>Ah well. I have things to do this fine day. We are heading to church, and will have lunch their afterwards, then some of the older kids with the grandkids might come for a visit. We're in for a sunny stretch of weather, ahhh, it's lovely. Have a good day!</p>16 blessings'momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00611246330849334850noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313234209573779535.post-11281384872613901862024-02-02T17:19:00.002-05:002024-02-02T17:19:21.260-05:00kids, children, and babies...<p> Thursday was a stay-home-and-have-Anya-visit day. She's my oldest granddaughter, and she homeschools this year. She rearranged her schedule to spend a day with her grandma. Camille made cream puffs with her...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDti1EdQ2t_kHh3WsJSqIX8tVBsqar5FbqCC-cd7Qv0l6l_yJ_HjL9wOK-DLwroVxHoKI-cY0xGf4bNljkiuQhI3gEPqEN4bfJiTmcVzkQR22CKEPcquplRzPaHJyKQRKTMua4-Reo_TOOXHrikzWBZHAFD6HacHeBfXER29RamrWphL9zFuH6PAgbs9S/s3006/IMG_6488.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="3006" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDti1EdQ2t_kHh3WsJSqIX8tVBsqar5FbqCC-cd7Qv0l6l_yJ_HjL9wOK-DLwroVxHoKI-cY0xGf4bNljkiuQhI3gEPqEN4bfJiTmcVzkQR22CKEPcquplRzPaHJyKQRKTMua4-Reo_TOOXHrikzWBZHAFD6HacHeBfXER29RamrWphL9zFuH6PAgbs9S/s320/IMG_6488.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>The day went by too fast, ending with me taking Anya to Aldi, as I had to get cream and bread and grapefruit and oranges and and and. Then I drove her home, and forgot to send her with some of the creamf puffs. oops.<p></p><p>Not too much time passed before Wulf and Tennyson came for a visit. They ran around and we played Mousetrap! and watched Bugs Bunny with some snacks and popcorn. Soon we got ready for bed, we folded down the futon in the living room, and I got the couch across from it ready for me to sleep on. Teeth brushed, jammies on, then I read some of Little House in the Big Woods. I'd like to say they fell peacefully to sleep, but you know how it is. By 10:30, all was quiet. </p><p>This fine morning, getting them dressed and cleaned up to start the day, then play Mousetrap!, then read some more Little House, then waffles! They always want waffles:). By the time we were done with breakfast, Kathryn was on her way to pick us up, for a little adventure. They were excited to get their car seats buckled into her car and go bye-bye with their cousins (Achilles, Rhys, Jamison). </p><p>We went to the Bass Pro shop, to see the fish. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEithtXJZJU3zs6qrDl-w7fZpR8evZOzXVxDacdXkXME9Fjh48Aen4be-fgKAO9pJU-1w02nCX7TP74dJpK7Uaa1qk6NhNv1oP9MDjIU7cnNN8cQ-dIULU6tU_QvqzCqTvPwiftZg_CEGNLHQdjGjYcfDQs4OdTuY39VS6csWsh-kdO1RRbhILNtV9J5zMVM/s4032/IMG_6537%202.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEithtXJZJU3zs6qrDl-w7fZpR8evZOzXVxDacdXkXME9Fjh48Aen4be-fgKAO9pJU-1w02nCX7TP74dJpK7Uaa1qk6NhNv1oP9MDjIU7cnNN8cQ-dIULU6tU_QvqzCqTvPwiftZg_CEGNLHQdjGjYcfDQs4OdTuY39VS6csWsh-kdO1RRbhILNtV9J5zMVM/s320/IMG_6537%202.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div>Bass Pro is in a "dead" mall. The stores are closed and shuttered, only a few video game stores, and consignment type shops survive, mostly just open on weekends. The food court still has a pizza place, a sandwich place, and some other restaurant, and the movie theater is still open. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUNfI4HpEdZlDunq3o3s2ZQuRGrbcTyaRL3nFtYtagu4MMr6QscEUWMINVlzbxfAtnDvu_eQB3TyhRqSucN35Ny7dBwlql4mptVAWaFto_ACmNdXh7n6szDu63ZdBp7sPfRrpBJ0p8ge3lgZW8dFtFeXaTn70OI1iS_4nkS40KcEuknXOvf-EY_bq481F/s3238/IMG_6528.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3238" data-original-width="2852" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUNfI4HpEdZlDunq3o3s2ZQuRGrbcTyaRL3nFtYtagu4MMr6QscEUWMINVlzbxfAtnDvu_eQB3TyhRqSucN35Ny7dBwlql4mptVAWaFto_ACmNdXh7n6szDu63ZdBp7sPfRrpBJ0p8ge3lgZW8dFtFeXaTn70OI1iS_4nkS40KcEuknXOvf-EY_bq481F/s320/IMG_6528.HEIC" width="282" /></a></div>They played on these cars, and Bob the Builder randomly said, "Can we build it?", and poor Rhys, it freaked her out. She was <i>done.</i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOu10fe7kdIiyUM6HCkrfCoucUtMBfSi3g836VHCMENU9Hy32KOSA6Pfe90mw5tJoCkecWSNNifDS08-l2Buxoxo9cJnPzA14cxFqd6WdOZRmNClu_fGVxQa74hn8ss7XgGgE0yrzWvVRLQczxNT9KglyVEZoNy462sLQO3d6Ob4Ie1HxrwA_QbKXeti0k/s3014/IMG_6520.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3014" data-original-width="2939" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOu10fe7kdIiyUM6HCkrfCoucUtMBfSi3g836VHCMENU9Hy32KOSA6Pfe90mw5tJoCkecWSNNifDS08-l2Buxoxo9cJnPzA14cxFqd6WdOZRmNClu_fGVxQa74hn8ss7XgGgE0yrzWvVRLQczxNT9KglyVEZoNy462sLQO3d6Ob4Ie1HxrwA_QbKXeti0k/s320/IMG_6520.HEIC" width="312" /></a></div>Achilles<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmMHCRGp-HnADz3bvyRox8LFFqu7lMh0NzKRaU55TQE_R21G3qGWbBUCp068ZZYogfQjvetGuVm5RqzHGun3krp-BwrhF_G-B_O6PIdGEmG3EhyutQa5YEXm7pDZ-_jTMd7oLegk5aiM8sR27eKzW8aTVRWIrMOhcVa8AyBz9Se8y_72HZGZGELjqwvzfQ/s4032/IMG_6513%202.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmMHCRGp-HnADz3bvyRox8LFFqu7lMh0NzKRaU55TQE_R21G3qGWbBUCp068ZZYogfQjvetGuVm5RqzHGun3krp-BwrhF_G-B_O6PIdGEmG3EhyutQa5YEXm7pDZ-_jTMd7oLegk5aiM8sR27eKzW8aTVRWIrMOhcVa8AyBz9Se8y_72HZGZGELjqwvzfQ/s320/IMG_6513%202.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div>Tennyson...and no, we didn't put any quarters in them. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjITRLeBj_MrZxBFidCeN9Yw0GJBrPxIFJU8OmPlQaux2s7rOun6UTKjFquqm0gx1oG-Y8p2oYSf4qq4CYn8VMQOI4HQilRq-UVMtQ4uiTBSZ3kTYCML1gERFhm5PJAphYXna9WkFE8P6K5r02hrJ187I0BRmeiMA9dtTmwIUscJwlcuZ3QXW01Hgf8oXN-/s4032/IMG_6508.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjITRLeBj_MrZxBFidCeN9Yw0GJBrPxIFJU8OmPlQaux2s7rOun6UTKjFquqm0gx1oG-Y8p2oYSf4qq4CYn8VMQOI4HQilRq-UVMtQ4uiTBSZ3kTYCML1gERFhm5PJAphYXna9WkFE8P6K5r02hrJ187I0BRmeiMA9dtTmwIUscJwlcuZ3QXW01Hgf8oXN-/s320/IMG_6508.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div>The fountains weren't on, and that store in the back used to be Sears, and before that, K-mart. Once upon a time, there was a Sears AND a K-mart in this mall, as well as a JC Penney, a JoAnn Fabrics, Aeropostale, the shoe stores, a toy store. Walking through there with the memories of so many times there with the kids when it was alive and thriving, so strange. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEyknp0TNbCcxZGqRty7FStKUKMNnjsByWOk0Rt9C7MLJ7cCI1XhFPLzDOza7mPY8BlvITImwFeUJCosq-4bVJJC-CPAGtemL1oepgbjYn3RabTridAsg_mLiCG4BuTwv3Gp56YrhPr4mg4LRSbGKbFobYs7py59tHqN9u-OVOthQc2oJMGAwBd_SCJH_/s3258/IMG_6504.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3258" data-original-width="3020" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEyknp0TNbCcxZGqRty7FStKUKMNnjsByWOk0Rt9C7MLJ7cCI1XhFPLzDOza7mPY8BlvITImwFeUJCosq-4bVJJC-CPAGtemL1oepgbjYn3RabTridAsg_mLiCG4BuTwv3Gp56YrhPr4mg4LRSbGKbFobYs7py59tHqN9u-OVOthQc2oJMGAwBd_SCJH_/s320/IMG_6504.HEIC" width="297" /></a></div>The fish at Bass Pro...Wulf, Tennyson, Achilles, and sweet little Rhys Harper. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbVv70K09XMvR9v-zd6XpYN7V-b0G3XUUoTkva0Lrc2ITZ4w6Rvn48THTtg_PF7y22cOls5Rs4w-rGwSxM1n9u4LPyESruGPgTUzpjPE6eqBzr54HvNuWNd1jpQw0_KfKnHiG4vt9yrY1d4RRmDeYZdJGtinavVwQq5Tf0HZnxCzzX8sxYCUM9nFCm2ugG/s2921/IMG_6502.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2921" data-original-width="2774" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbVv70K09XMvR9v-zd6XpYN7V-b0G3XUUoTkva0Lrc2ITZ4w6Rvn48THTtg_PF7y22cOls5Rs4w-rGwSxM1n9u4LPyESruGPgTUzpjPE6eqBzr54HvNuWNd1jpQw0_KfKnHiG4vt9yrY1d4RRmDeYZdJGtinavVwQq5Tf0HZnxCzzX8sxYCUM9nFCm2ugG/s320/IMG_6502.HEIC" width="304" /></a></div>(Jamie was in the stroller). <p></p><p>We picked up pizza from Little Caesars, and Kathryn came in with her kids too, for a visit. The kids played, fought, ran around, ate pizza, and watched Bluey. </p><p>The other day, I went to the store with Kathryn and Camille, along with Achilles, Rhys, and Jamie. We got some good deals in Old Navy, then went to Target for a few things. I finally got Emily a few birthday gifts. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZf2klRmsTc8Z_w8nWt86APdnvtH_LRNtmUJ7HVWHxDL_1cAT-Zwvl0j-w2r0YbUgBpsIHTXua1rrlewtWcZPFKh9N-eGqSCi2Q9s00MU3Tvz2wC5STSuDv-YZVG9wJqf-8amitFLuUXt4-__9RxRFZHwPrbbwE7LZRBCQ3GXqvLP1s-QKFISYB4jmhI5/s4032/IMG_6481.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZf2klRmsTc8Z_w8nWt86APdnvtH_LRNtmUJ7HVWHxDL_1cAT-Zwvl0j-w2r0YbUgBpsIHTXua1rrlewtWcZPFKh9N-eGqSCi2Q9s00MU3Tvz2wC5STSuDv-YZVG9wJqf-8amitFLuUXt4-__9RxRFZHwPrbbwE7LZRBCQ3GXqvLP1s-QKFISYB4jmhI5/s320/IMG_6481.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div>Now it seems quiet in here, with Kathryn gone home, not that she's noisy, but the dynamics between the grandkids sometimes, it's winter but not outside weather (cold and muddy!), and they have extra energy. They run around, and one declares they're the leader, and they all want to be the leader...you know how it gets. <p></p><p>We may or may not have drive past the prison today, and told them they have to be good as they grow older, because the bad people in prison used to be nice little kids, but they gave in to their sin, and did really bad things. For example, if you punch your brother when you're little, you don't get into much trouble, but if you punch someone when you grow up, oh no! (unless you live in NY state, and you get a slap on the wrist and a Get Out of Jail Free Card ha). Tennyson said, "I want to grow up and go to prison." We may or may not have died laughing, ever so quietly. He is so cute and innocent, he didn't understand. He had his hands folded in his lap in his carseat, and looked so naive and sweet. </p><p>I'm distracted. Wulf and Tennyson are still here, and they are so funny. So bye for now...</p>16 blessings'momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00611246330849334850noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313234209573779535.post-50815316951319809532024-01-29T13:06:00.003-05:002024-01-29T13:06:58.099-05:00one a sparkly Monday morning...<p> Fresh snow covered the mud and brown, just enough to brighten up the world as I drove to the pool this fine morning. Being in the water is always worth the mental battle to actually pack the backpack and go out the door, never regret going. I am super thankful we have such a place less than ten minutes from here. </p><p>Yesterday we had lunch at my brother's house, with lots of our friends. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDiW99qL08cBTJDh4bluum2ARxLN38D2lhmqYBTCF7d-BCoblIMMWvAAk5Zj9YJF8rWlojrYwhAhnxwKLdvbfYFvoohyL2pRuJdNE8HDR7PHOaL2cpVy5eXmfqm_l0-Shsyh5kLoew2ajybDehTwaOW2gos0utq19i75lOtMo7ktaWb8K6Y_5x0-MOVRZt/s959/IMG_6467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="738" data-original-width="959" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDiW99qL08cBTJDh4bluum2ARxLN38D2lhmqYBTCF7d-BCoblIMMWvAAk5Zj9YJF8rWlojrYwhAhnxwKLdvbfYFvoohyL2pRuJdNE8HDR7PHOaL2cpVy5eXmfqm_l0-Shsyh5kLoew2ajybDehTwaOW2gos0utq19i75lOtMo7ktaWb8K6Y_5x0-MOVRZt/s320/IMG_6467.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>That's my sister in blue, and my brother is sixth from the back on the left, his wife next to me, in the pink. Paul is all the way down the table on the right, with the dark hat on. We had good food and good fun, and the hours flew by, but not without more plans being hatched to get together again soon. We have a weekend reserved for a place on one of the Finger Lakes, just the girls. :)<p></p><p>I brought chocolate chip cookies, and lemon cookies. If you're ever in a pinch and want to make cookies fast, if you have cake mix, you're in luck. I've made lemon poppyseed cookies with plain yellow cake mix before and they were really good, just add two eggs, half cup of oil, lemon extract, and the poppyseeds. Yesterday I used lemon cake mix, added lemon extract, the two eggs and half cup of oil, 350 for eight minutes, sprinkle with powdered sugar when hot, and I think they were good. I didn't have one. I <i>have </i>to stay away from cookies. That doesn't mean I never eat anything "bad", because I had some chocolate yesterday. I also devoured the coconut almonds from Trader Joe's, that Emily got me for Christmas, they are too good. I'm just so stuck in a rut with weight loss, I can't start eating cookies again!</p><p>Anyway. I made a big batch of meatballs yesterday morning, roasted them in the oven until they were brown and crunchy on the outside, then added them to a crockpot of crushed tomatoes, sauce, and diced tomatoes, with basil and Italian seasoning. That feeling that dinner is taken care of, can't beat it.</p><p>This afternoon, I have to go pick Miss Charlotte Claire up from school for an appointment, then we're stopping at the grocery store. We're having a couple of people over for dinner, Jonathan invited them. We're thinking to have taco salad, which we just had the other day, but it's a good meal for large groups, and it's always good. </p><p>I've been in some interesting battles lately. The silliest one is the cat: Orange Guy has been waking me up <i>MEOWING, every SINGLE morning. </i>This morning, it was 6:05, which is not a huge-0 deal, I get up at 6:30-ish anyway, but still. Sometimes it's 3:30 or four a.m., and I cannot get back to sleep. The easy fix is: last one up, put him outside. But sometimes it's just too cold, and too mean. It just grates on me, that after all these years of being tired, getting up with kids and babies, I'm losing sleep over a <i>cat. </i></p><p>The more interesting trials though, are thoughts. I start down the <i>poor me</i> train, not even over anything specific, but once you start, it's clear, no one really likes me. Then the guilt, others have it so much worse, I have NOTHING to complain about, stop it. It's true, I don't have anything to complain about. But feelings are complicated, and they're real, and we each get to decide what thoughts we let take up permanent residence in our heads. If we wallow, and give in, then there's a good chance we'll get bitter, offended, and build walls in our hearts. </p><p>Sometimes it's good to just talk to people and clear things up, or take a walk or a drive with no distractions, and think about things. Peace comes, for me, when I decide to be thankful to God for the people around me, and let things go. </p><p>Anyway. Time to get ready...have a good day!</p>16 blessings'momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00611246330849334850noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313234209573779535.post-33838280909435655382024-01-27T22:16:00.000-05:002024-01-27T22:16:02.510-05:00dark, damp, and chilly...with some fog<p>The weather here is absolutely fantastic. I actually love it. It's like fake movie scenery, driving along the country roads, with the dark outline of the naked trees shrouded in fog. The bleakness is comforting. It makes me long for coffee and a good book. BTW, I picked up "A Patchwork Planet", Anne Tyler, from the thrift store recently, thought I had already read it...but nope. I <i>relished </i>it. <i>Devoured, enjoyed, delighted in it. </i></p><p>This fine morning, I vacuumed and cleaned up, because I'm quite obsessed with the new floors. I like keeping them all clean and nice. Then it was time to go out to the mentor's weekend and help Emily in the kitchen. She had to plan and purchase food for 240 people, four meals and an afternoon snack. I helped her do lunch, with some of the younger ones. They are hilarious, so gung ho to do things. </p><p>I only last a few hours on my feet and have to take a break, so I went to Kathryn's house for a visit. Margaret was there with her little ones too. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibEwcvd_uVXB6KIODrEIQnY7X9z1QX3jZ-_aUTtqTiXTqqhE1-bYQvtZLhhFekIzY1OSPEIamWwU9IgfZjMADCaEWxTKS8mxNHMpqKezec8kxwKN4P-m_5-3XUpbzFa3KKHqItqKRMESrnvvQYtkFapeqPC1GMAAdqmsi0Z33-qt9mPAuG6z-8XLHOvTrC/s2167/IMG_6461.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1654" data-original-width="2167" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibEwcvd_uVXB6KIODrEIQnY7X9z1QX3jZ-_aUTtqTiXTqqhE1-bYQvtZLhhFekIzY1OSPEIamWwU9IgfZjMADCaEWxTKS8mxNHMpqKezec8kxwKN4P-m_5-3XUpbzFa3KKHqItqKRMESrnvvQYtkFapeqPC1GMAAdqmsi0Z33-qt9mPAuG6z-8XLHOvTrC/s320/IMG_6461.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>This is what happened when Kathryn asked <i>Who wants to see Jamie's tooth?</i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xiWZBZWmkzkX9S9dCXEbdra0chKThIwo8GQ4BwBHRPB_autNf898bISH5uGTo1B2lnWL1fbEGFAQdaO9LAGPJ6WIOpEVXfZmCJTv43NxqX1Ny_yWG7pKpwtdkkjIhETwF5nPXc22Lho4qdoG5hXlIyfRKLwVARZt-cbwjMKk2GnjyUiSdl2UtEbZy0oW/s2334/IMG_6460.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2068" data-original-width="2334" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xiWZBZWmkzkX9S9dCXEbdra0chKThIwo8GQ4BwBHRPB_autNf898bISH5uGTo1B2lnWL1fbEGFAQdaO9LAGPJ6WIOpEVXfZmCJTv43NxqX1Ny_yWG7pKpwtdkkjIhETwF5nPXc22Lho4qdoG5hXlIyfRKLwVARZt-cbwjMKk2GnjyUiSdl2UtEbZy0oW/s320/IMG_6460.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>They're all so cute.<p></p><p>Home...we're home...I made a roast with red skinned potatoes, carrots, and onions, in a nice gravy, then a keto-ish pumpkin bread with raisins. (keto-<i>ish</i> because I used a teaspoon of molasses, and another one or two of honey, then a bit of golden monk fruit sweetener, for a total of less than a quarter cup in all, for sweetener. I also used almond flour.) It's a recipe from chocolatecovderedkatie. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxm1BqeGYbnbmxK0l9J_KvjwF4aHpT5oWsP65dUMWKrnsDiOsIAA07OgO-Urle7Y6NnulGp9nC0N2JDxi0Cpbtw7g9MAjSsOAX0yjdZDnMz6ufB0KweyCD_MLRPh2piAS4jHFFHfVVZ0dyMsdfBcx7n79aituCuI-HAdEv16Afel5CsytoJnlk9BlenIZD/s1597/IMG_6466.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1597" data-original-width="897" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxm1BqeGYbnbmxK0l9J_KvjwF4aHpT5oWsP65dUMWKrnsDiOsIAA07OgO-Urle7Y6NnulGp9nC0N2JDxi0Cpbtw7g9MAjSsOAX0yjdZDnMz6ufB0KweyCD_MLRPh2piAS4jHFFHfVVZ0dyMsdfBcx7n79aituCuI-HAdEv16Afel5CsytoJnlk9BlenIZD/s320/IMG_6466.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitwjFeDeXxCkyl0TqGK7IgxqqIiSfOkUjMqqbj71J4qcLImz8a_uqpw8vfBD-Km7VAA7XwIf6LlMchE01MJN_I0p7ZMnpIGA4IjSx9C_-8PKWwuD_QLy4c8zmpKnAIB4-wbMqxkIepM1JVGToG88kJOYUgnwWXdi9yiYnt5jwoihMLkwlWVh9X_cRk3ZLw/s1427/IMG_6465.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1427" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitwjFeDeXxCkyl0TqGK7IgxqqIiSfOkUjMqqbj71J4qcLImz8a_uqpw8vfBD-Km7VAA7XwIf6LlMchE01MJN_I0p7ZMnpIGA4IjSx9C_-8PKWwuD_QLy4c8zmpKnAIB4-wbMqxkIepM1JVGToG88kJOYUgnwWXdi9yiYnt5jwoihMLkwlWVh9X_cRk3ZLw/s320/IMG_6465.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>I also added some raisins, hence "keto-<i>ish</i>". It's pretty good. The roast was in for half hour at 450, then to 325 for an hour with the potatoes and carrots in, with the lid on, which was perfect so I could bake the bread at the same time. But shh, I overcooked the roast...it was still delicious, but it should have come out earlier. Oh well. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWYT5sQ54_AMgkk5-qGWVaUU3dhsnIgVl85lW57ATq7LUxgtaZv4fQMDuBTwcEM-FS35V6Bi4eSilBykPQA2vcorES5kmbxgNbBSVQAdRvi4VIWPCJp4Nud1X8vIJGsDfR70LZH2STi2i9yBpMZLVj3qeaOGuO51fgaPQMouK1-RjTsckMMr0T_V_md8lA/s3023/IMG_6436.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2469" data-original-width="3023" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWYT5sQ54_AMgkk5-qGWVaUU3dhsnIgVl85lW57ATq7LUxgtaZv4fQMDuBTwcEM-FS35V6Bi4eSilBykPQA2vcorES5kmbxgNbBSVQAdRvi4VIWPCJp4Nud1X8vIJGsDfR70LZH2STi2i9yBpMZLVj3qeaOGuO51fgaPQMouK1-RjTsckMMr0T_V_md8lA/s320/IMG_6436.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>The triple batch of chocolate chip cookies I made yesterday...why? I haven't the foggiest. I just wanted something to do. I have not even tasted one bite, not even the dough. Before you admire my virtue, know this: I am a Cookie Monster, and I love cookies. I <i>already know</i> these are good. I just do. So I don't eat them. Does that make sense?</p><p>Ah well...I'm tired enough. That cat woke me up at dawn, on a Saturday! He walks around MEOWING. Over and over, meowing and meowing until <i>someone, ME, </i>gets up and lets him out. Suri sees what's going on and runs out the door too, which means <i>someone, ME, </i>has to stand there and wait until she's done galavanting around the yard. Wide awake, I stumble back to the warm bed, and wish, hope, dream...of falling back into that blissful sleep. This fine morning though, it was 6:30...not too early for SOME of you, but I had teenaged girls here having laugh attacks at 2:15 am. :), way too late to attempt to get back to sleep...ugh.</p><p>Ah well, there are worse things. I'm tired now, and heading to bed...</p><p><br /></p>16 blessings'momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00611246330849334850noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313234209573779535.post-3625424260223784682024-01-24T20:08:00.003-05:002024-01-24T20:08:27.390-05:00um, no thank you?<p> I forget how old I am sometimes. This fine rainy winter day, I went out and about all by my lonesome. We needed: butter, cream, garlic powder, flour, sugar. I also had to get some coffee for Emily for a mentors' weekend, so I went to BJ's for that. I wandered, dawdled, and lolly-gagged. I found a pillow I didn't know I needed, marked down to $9.98, a big foam wedge/headboard pillow, I cannot wait to get it out and try it. I got a three pack of large bottles of Dove body wash for $7.48, a four-pack of butter, a package of burger, and a big box of hand warmers for Paul for ice fishing and hunting. </p><p>As I rounded an aisle, an old man sank down onto the display sectional couch, and sighed loudly. <i>Ahhhh. "</i>Comfy, eh? You're not going to want to get up." "Oh, it's so nice, try it! Sit down, it's so comfortable!" um...I'll take your word for it. Actually, I said, "Oh, I couldn't, I'd never get up." Then I realized it wasn't really an OLD man, he was no older than I am. Did he think I would really sit down on the couch with him? awkward! Anyway.</p><p>Aldi next, where a nice lady gave me her cart and waved away the quarter. Apparently there's <i>extra karma </i> when you pay for the cart then give it away. </p><p>I saw a lady who gets my Bad Mom Award. She gave her two small children the squishy pets, whatever they're called, Valentines's gimmicks, to play with in the cart. I saw her a few times, it's a small store, and she kept telling her kids that they could only play with them in the store, they had to put them back before they checked out because they weren't buying them. <i>So you can play with the toys and get them all drool-y then put them back? who knew? </i></p><p>No surprise, they cried when she took them away. I actually sided with the kids. The mom did get points for saying what she meant and meaning what she said, but it was <i>kind of mean. </i>AND kind of mean for those who bought those "new" toys, maybe? </p><p>But then who knows what kind of day she's had, or what's going on in her life. </p><p>In Aldi I got a cheese pizza because it was under five bucks, red potatoes, cajun cheese curds for Paul, bacon, cream, flour, sugar, some boxed stuffing, and some shelves for inside a cabinet. </p><p>Home...ahh, home. Camille had made chocolate Macarons with chocolate fluff middles. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinoivPN7V2syNoV0_A598sNd4wimSnTQyK6ydL9Pm8iLTjWzOK-HNFqoFZIDcs1MsKrGNZyUAoaFH0e9uI-OFGD3TfSh8O1DBOJN0Jhc-0gThrLQc9bPHXWTFQYknnqpOzSBp1gc_VkiNAxi6-9aoZ6bkTXKCizDoaefGduH7kxEaxIS9kOcGYuYRhZSq1/s2180/IMG_6431%202.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1169" data-original-width="2180" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinoivPN7V2syNoV0_A598sNd4wimSnTQyK6ydL9Pm8iLTjWzOK-HNFqoFZIDcs1MsKrGNZyUAoaFH0e9uI-OFGD3TfSh8O1DBOJN0Jhc-0gThrLQc9bPHXWTFQYknnqpOzSBp1gc_VkiNAxi6-9aoZ6bkTXKCizDoaefGduH7kxEaxIS9kOcGYuYRhZSq1/s320/IMG_6431%202.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>They weren't gray, just the lighting.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6ahd2t9saHc7s8qcdCD7kA5xld6VRo9Kq0YHma4nm5DJoADWgzQrIMGo99GPZSW-xklpW_lMVuOCgg32nTS6e_vkRyxYrh5Jod5ELLILjBEqHrfPCGmBps1uTEMUfZzATvFFuGitZvqdE849NNrvs1aS8ZMS5CiWqOr6nXHs1D2ethg7UmoWiW5braAj/s3023/IMG_6430.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2726" data-original-width="3023" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6ahd2t9saHc7s8qcdCD7kA5xld6VRo9Kq0YHma4nm5DJoADWgzQrIMGo99GPZSW-xklpW_lMVuOCgg32nTS6e_vkRyxYrh5Jod5ELLILjBEqHrfPCGmBps1uTEMUfZzATvFFuGitZvqdE849NNrvs1aS8ZMS5CiWqOr6nXHs1D2ethg7UmoWiW5braAj/s320/IMG_6430.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>She made a bunch of them, I just grabbed three for the picture. I didn't have one but they said they were delicious. I did try this pie though...just a tiny bit.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdqq5J7jEBMdA-McU3gOgbO4q0pPBPFQmWAWKmwEH8QQvu4OmZEjRmvH_5MNnVm1arNcVVDpA6cNEd0RUUmHHjHpOM0gZyKDEifo6tDvh8vGz5cYTf6kgTTzVS6Gg4u8xlwkj2GgFaOWJIzOymDnWruuyNJBrPC28PQOOs0NG8UnZzgVQFRE03fxsWJJQ/s3132/IMG_6419.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3132" data-original-width="2974" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdqq5J7jEBMdA-McU3gOgbO4q0pPBPFQmWAWKmwEH8QQvu4OmZEjRmvH_5MNnVm1arNcVVDpA6cNEd0RUUmHHjHpOM0gZyKDEifo6tDvh8vGz5cYTf6kgTTzVS6Gg4u8xlwkj2GgFaOWJIzOymDnWruuyNJBrPC28PQOOs0NG8UnZzgVQFRE03fxsWJJQ/s320/IMG_6419.HEIC" width="304" /></a></div>I've been wanting to make apple pie. It's not beautiful, but oh dear, so yum. I also made two chicken pot pies, mmm, and a no sugar added pumpkin, although it does have some honey and a tiny bit of stevia, and monk fruit. <p></p><p>Tonight's dinner was the pizza, and taco salad with red onions, cilantro, fresh salsa, ect. </p><p>This morning, I didn't go to the pool. I was up and ready, but I had something in my eye, I know, lame, but it was watering and getting red, and watering more. I don't know what the issue was, but it went on for half the morning. I didn't want to go and look like I had pinkeye, and plus, my nose was running from the eye watering, and not in the pool! I hate when I miss it, and dang, for something like that. </p><p>I kept myself occupied though, I took everything out of the pantry and cleaned it. The dog food bag had ripped, or some-doggy ripped it, so it was a big and thorough job. It's good to get an idea of exactly what's in there, and to weed through some open boxes and get things organized better. </p><p>I'm telling you, I don't get bored. All those years of not being able to do anything without fifty interruptions, I just revel in taking my time and puttering around. When the kids were plentiful and underfoot, one of my priorities was clean floors. Way back when, the living room was carpeted, so it was vacuumed every day. The kitchen/dining room was swept multiple times a day, and mopped and spot cleaned so there wasn't any sticky. Sixteen kids, and I have always hated sticky. Crumbs too, no walking in crumbs, nope. My house was far from spotless, some of the kids rooms were actual hurricanes at times, some bordered on pig styes. They didn't eat in their rooms though, it was just toys and clothes. But anyway. The floors <i>had </i>to be clean, and oh my goodness, it was painstakingly difficult to accomplish anything. </p><p>I turned into a <i>shover. </i>I wanted things neat and clean, so I shoved things wherever they fit, got them put away, then the cupboards and closets got messy and I couldn't find things. </p><p>When we went out and about, the kids were clean and neat and pretty well behaved, so you can't have everything, you can't DO everything, at least I couldn't.</p><p>Oh I ramble on....have a really good night. </p>16 blessings'momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00611246330849334850noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313234209573779535.post-40974015868570388422024-01-20T18:11:00.001-05:002024-01-20T18:11:07.000-05:00snow globe Saturday...<p> ....</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG70l8_7wNXJymhpCKD-dhazEJOXyfVdgExpjkyHdcXNQrXB9UpsvLz0-fRot6xbQLo3MNLw3YQ0KtRFTuLnYXW5LwRQODECf0f-DD-sOnSZY2TYh_l2HcILwxTZRk7Jo8l-q0Ix3QZFrdyjQhOwbuea2hUQWPeCjq2va8ajpjk9L6HWRqpI9rJ5NbZHYq/s2633/IMG_6322%202.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2156" data-original-width="2633" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG70l8_7wNXJymhpCKD-dhazEJOXyfVdgExpjkyHdcXNQrXB9UpsvLz0-fRot6xbQLo3MNLw3YQ0KtRFTuLnYXW5LwRQODECf0f-DD-sOnSZY2TYh_l2HcILwxTZRk7Jo8l-q0Ix3QZFrdyjQhOwbuea2hUQWPeCjq2va8ajpjk9L6HWRqpI9rJ5NbZHYq/s320/IMG_6322%202.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1y2JCCRmGnEiE_8R789elpxvLJ3eHZ2XASNBvNz4WEwH-pPWNet6nYCzwkBJbbD11ETvHqNVMx1Bimp7MElo-SlipTcKsjaitQb2Z152ZMWgRKoJ81r-_wnQZWVTgQdqw-xaECyAbn6bVdJgh05LB3muEUkLztQOAsz_aMiZ4XwkIpYmVhKL9MdekWdrG/s2814/IMG_6321%202.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1938" data-original-width="2814" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1y2JCCRmGnEiE_8R789elpxvLJ3eHZ2XASNBvNz4WEwH-pPWNet6nYCzwkBJbbD11ETvHqNVMx1Bimp7MElo-SlipTcKsjaitQb2Z152ZMWgRKoJ81r-_wnQZWVTgQdqw-xaECyAbn6bVdJgh05LB3muEUkLztQOAsz_aMiZ4XwkIpYmVhKL9MdekWdrG/s320/IMG_6321%202.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQUjpVCVcSL2kClB1e9XXav-PKmo9AgBIlfanIOzMM73NWHumVVc6ZHw9roa6dZHcvCIrrR5xhq2Ctbip5dzALO9N26Slx2A4z12ourhhYy0kAByeBlEFeGMEwnMwVOJCMeR3dmItqpnR0YVyYyf7XHVXukQet31JR7eKyKHrXScMruJiDGNRppdArCva/s3248/IMG_6319.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3248" data-original-width="3023" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQUjpVCVcSL2kClB1e9XXav-PKmo9AgBIlfanIOzMM73NWHumVVc6ZHw9roa6dZHcvCIrrR5xhq2Ctbip5dzALO9N26Slx2A4z12ourhhYy0kAByeBlEFeGMEwnMwVOJCMeR3dmItqpnR0YVyYyf7XHVXukQet31JR7eKyKHrXScMruJiDGNRppdArCva/s320/IMG_6319.HEIC" width="298" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoIMh9lt7C6bKwpqyU3GUMd9md8r_WGRJqJTv3-mPk9ZrP2cgqdSxAlvxbWeQiDeKzsiAno1RwSeA2QdSzToWF37J9uYFmxKpTGCt9GSLjqL93mIfLTSCXmOy8C1eteqjvHO11ux-NwG7Gm0wzQLqQBhR9GyFtgrm9MGKBfoWmO3oYupUQbmFHkjRxmt2O/s2664/IMG_6318%202.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2664" data-original-width="2664" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoIMh9lt7C6bKwpqyU3GUMd9md8r_WGRJqJTv3-mPk9ZrP2cgqdSxAlvxbWeQiDeKzsiAno1RwSeA2QdSzToWF37J9uYFmxKpTGCt9GSLjqL93mIfLTSCXmOy8C1eteqjvHO11ux-NwG7Gm0wzQLqQBhR9GyFtgrm9MGKBfoWmO3oYupUQbmFHkjRxmt2O/s320/IMG_6318%202.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCnysOFC4v3D_giFyOZAVLOdrU187P7CCKgZd8LhBCZss8Cltdenmaa42X53q1xAz1qAgilPZWP0J7LxSUDiulkP1yIDs09cTKtL4WRuu2TS5YkvjhkvNhSGbDycCJRfoZsm5i4Y4guPOpMRjmoow27MVSfiYJMlMPBX16Hjp87uBYRHb3wBKhQiTnkrjO/s2879/IMG_6317.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2879" data-original-width="2595" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCnysOFC4v3D_giFyOZAVLOdrU187P7CCKgZd8LhBCZss8Cltdenmaa42X53q1xAz1qAgilPZWP0J7LxSUDiulkP1yIDs09cTKtL4WRuu2TS5YkvjhkvNhSGbDycCJRfoZsm5i4Y4guPOpMRjmoow27MVSfiYJMlMPBX16Hjp87uBYRHb3wBKhQiTnkrjO/s320/IMG_6317.HEIC" width="288" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6aF9s8XvOIKi7gfASDVPa58TcWkzR1TzOB0wH8ySbdtC8HT3rdA0xVyrhoO5CxNGkAhzz5Vmu-FEZanayarYNN2EH7tDRcUPWiYMlPKksk-1ZZFoZ9kymFPw_BH9dQi6CdMoSEvWULgmN9Zozwx_-erzPhzwAShXPKCjfHDjiEkVjxgVZyywmgnwfbhlA/s4032/IMG_6326.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6aF9s8XvOIKi7gfASDVPa58TcWkzR1TzOB0wH8ySbdtC8HT3rdA0xVyrhoO5CxNGkAhzz5Vmu-FEZanayarYNN2EH7tDRcUPWiYMlPKksk-1ZZFoZ9kymFPw_BH9dQi6CdMoSEvWULgmN9Zozwx_-erzPhzwAShXPKCjfHDjiEkVjxgVZyywmgnwfbhlA/s320/IMG_6326.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkazgEr1In_jVxCpz7UDpagW-FPHurvGzxFsqQ2zVDosMFwMMxhum9lztTWi_2cF2UML6CWW-fcDS4nAbnDqhGA49yoVOaG9rVEn5G6rzDIeOnleg8w3l-1pU-zpwu9B3w4mSOpSybkVL0MPvPUXH2TbjKoHfOGDkaSSAtDf6knILZYrsf1-KxKVSGAFb/s3814/IMG_6316.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3814" data-original-width="2798" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkazgEr1In_jVxCpz7UDpagW-FPHurvGzxFsqQ2zVDosMFwMMxhum9lztTWi_2cF2UML6CWW-fcDS4nAbnDqhGA49yoVOaG9rVEn5G6rzDIeOnleg8w3l-1pU-zpwu9B3w4mSOpSybkVL0MPvPUXH2TbjKoHfOGDkaSSAtDf6knILZYrsf1-KxKVSGAFb/s320/IMG_6316.HEIC" width="235" /></a></div>She's the smart pup today...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3nXk5mPU1r7okdKWUEUOeOh2_ymCuqjhvlMmqVJbMOU5ncXT6Ea4nnfpFQPHcUW5M_A0L0APZIZ-cPLxrqZ-H5G5FgwoSWpWq7a7mhidFkJDkn-OmrM035c-6BnQp28TAMxL3v02p7A6HPqowNeOmNLQldzShF7J1xVLiYFVlFoS_X9oxNFtNot8mVys/s4032/IMG_6315.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3nXk5mPU1r7okdKWUEUOeOh2_ymCuqjhvlMmqVJbMOU5ncXT6Ea4nnfpFQPHcUW5M_A0L0APZIZ-cPLxrqZ-H5G5FgwoSWpWq7a7mhidFkJDkn-OmrM035c-6BnQp28TAMxL3v02p7A6HPqowNeOmNLQldzShF7J1xVLiYFVlFoS_X9oxNFtNot8mVys/s320/IMG_6315.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu6yJirKU0QkK-qVYAngV0umqSnUPbDxntxjdpCVVhIYQeiZZwe6MNvHKaUU9rw5PZyoa2yzfwmNzHJnVplhLUQPnJBKKoNtI8x1TCOnLfPbCaIVBQtglRcOkkdQKJkvV8wsLi_g0udnNhjY9hJ5R5Mub4PJrKuXCTUBo55PTgw6vywk3wiKkQPWw4MBo0/s3589/IMG_6313%202.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3589" data-original-width="3022" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu6yJirKU0QkK-qVYAngV0umqSnUPbDxntxjdpCVVhIYQeiZZwe6MNvHKaUU9rw5PZyoa2yzfwmNzHJnVplhLUQPnJBKKoNtI8x1TCOnLfPbCaIVBQtglRcOkkdQKJkvV8wsLi_g0udnNhjY9hJ5R5Mub4PJrKuXCTUBo55PTgw6vywk3wiKkQPWw4MBo0/s320/IMG_6313%202.HEIC" width="269" /></a></div>I'm thinking to mosey out to the kitchen and bake some low sugar almond flour molasses cookies. Dinner tonight? Not even sure yet. I've been puttering around putting things back, vacuuming and dusting, there is no end to the dust...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6yPdXwqORaXVP-Px029TEXaITmpir7rrfNlsEJ2oK-g4KpN-sUCTJ5__d7BYGoxQRo-vXZ1p0uP17mg3aso-cu4NxY48Si6ztwRHYKDvaI1f7ulQ7Lx4lc7fdpXZ3WsKJaAKEckJ3X0rk-SgNjpXYaWPhmX3UEHrcQpNcp8eqLQXn2t-tbvejuqs2EW7Z/s3765/IMG_6329%202.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3765" data-original-width="3022" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6yPdXwqORaXVP-Px029TEXaITmpir7rrfNlsEJ2oK-g4KpN-sUCTJ5__d7BYGoxQRo-vXZ1p0uP17mg3aso-cu4NxY48Si6ztwRHYKDvaI1f7ulQ7Lx4lc7fdpXZ3WsKJaAKEckJ3X0rk-SgNjpXYaWPhmX3UEHrcQpNcp8eqLQXn2t-tbvejuqs2EW7Z/s320/IMG_6329%202.HEIC" width="257" /></a></div>Fast forward to after dinner: I made Thai coconut lime chicken soup with some rice. It's actually pretty good. Then the low carb cookies, they didn't come out the same as last time, but still taste good.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjMV543DZvfxFlU13Xj8jIboAV-jd5lv0mUIFutsJCqKG5JrpiabqPgIrhooyrivSoj2O8Y1U_BQ-PmPMf7a-IdSb40vG6x2G8WEEgbQhCbBdlbxScb-LqZBfbURNTAbthtDOT_vsEoC1x5wQSIddpB5gNd3nUh-w1D8hVV3egQ2QqavR2vN3lFm-mUXwt/s3024/IMG_6331.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3022" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjMV543DZvfxFlU13Xj8jIboAV-jd5lv0mUIFutsJCqKG5JrpiabqPgIrhooyrivSoj2O8Y1U_BQ-PmPMf7a-IdSb40vG6x2G8WEEgbQhCbBdlbxScb-LqZBfbURNTAbthtDOT_vsEoC1x5wQSIddpB5gNd3nUh-w1D8hVV3egQ2QqavR2vN3lFm-mUXwt/s320/IMG_6331.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_QpehKkfs77k_FZFuUpykbs04ZTeAw8L_47VnSfAjSwkg3wG2SiBdweDvZJB1u6V9j6UUzweEqxFKkXWDZt85uwkDYJPyjbuCQZG9u2tkCfNcxW_YHwkPjdaQREaJqYd_3-JsgnYX11eoxzEH7LfM2K2LT20br6liQDb1nHcKYapShXb3BeYdnJN9G5p/s3138/IMG_6332%202.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3138" data-original-width="3023" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_QpehKkfs77k_FZFuUpykbs04ZTeAw8L_47VnSfAjSwkg3wG2SiBdweDvZJB1u6V9j6UUzweEqxFKkXWDZt85uwkDYJPyjbuCQZG9u2tkCfNcxW_YHwkPjdaQREaJqYd_3-JsgnYX11eoxzEH7LfM2K2LT20br6liQDb1nHcKYapShXb3BeYdnJN9G5p/s320/IMG_6332%202.HEIC" width="308" /></a></div>Lemon cookies because I'm going to a friend's house tonight, and we're celebrating Emily's birthday. She likes lemon. I decided to do a summer themed plate, and bring some raspberries and blueberries with the cookies. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3aXN1QN4sSmUmgNwl8AQC_kG1sPehC48VcO_zN82FapX3k_wF2rTknHxaTqwg3IGlU_e134D-ItxTTxtLGVwSsGnJ10V3Z9ni4aIUTADmyriPnvd50thTzl1Ha0DyRqXgDRrjrM1PJ5YyDvLNUVicszWLmuah2lKm4N4C1qSfXBasreLnXHLROU5fDn4Y/s3863/IMG_6334%202.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3863" data-original-width="2720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3aXN1QN4sSmUmgNwl8AQC_kG1sPehC48VcO_zN82FapX3k_wF2rTknHxaTqwg3IGlU_e134D-ItxTTxtLGVwSsGnJ10V3Z9ni4aIUTADmyriPnvd50thTzl1Ha0DyRqXgDRrjrM1PJ5YyDvLNUVicszWLmuah2lKm4N4C1qSfXBasreLnXHLROU5fDn4Y/s320/IMG_6334%202.HEIC" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEuexXwD4EcoEsKPapfuVtEmd7ahSDF1GGOby2H1o9Qc5L_EbhcHBrbiqrcdHlauXgtpwAy2uCJY1HYZ3r3IWKY6WSn7beFvvxdiJ8fUIA3leEyyQ3jhyDeKZHkUYxbMHKBiGF71djRHy70VVc58lrRBmxvsS76vZymmorZB3ZXq7opiTi3N7IDUvASZtQ/s960/IMG_6342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="845" data-original-width="960" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEuexXwD4EcoEsKPapfuVtEmd7ahSDF1GGOby2H1o9Qc5L_EbhcHBrbiqrcdHlauXgtpwAy2uCJY1HYZ3r3IWKY6WSn7beFvvxdiJ8fUIA3leEyyQ3jhyDeKZHkUYxbMHKBiGF71djRHy70VVc58lrRBmxvsS76vZymmorZB3ZXq7opiTi3N7IDUvASZtQ/s320/IMG_6342.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Jon, Oscar, Matt...it was below zero up in the Adirondacks, they're not staying another night...heading home now.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH08QjmbgKxse2Ob7ZqUxMGIaCbM0oUjD3octh_ZGN64dDg74MQQrCv2CFplVWt3pw5V3bnk2g63aE3MGIcXpQnoXu0p_oG4LoQEKJy_naRK7Ei3lCZ5Sv3SXbMoDcyxobbyPIN90B0vVdM48QonvtrKOEOy9z-BZ4me0ODHWAa3IYJ7jiUlFPrSTtGecQ/s1258/IMG_6343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1258" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH08QjmbgKxse2Ob7ZqUxMGIaCbM0oUjD3octh_ZGN64dDg74MQQrCv2CFplVWt3pw5V3bnk2g63aE3MGIcXpQnoXu0p_oG4LoQEKJy_naRK7Ei3lCZ5Sv3SXbMoDcyxobbyPIN90B0vVdM48QonvtrKOEOy9z-BZ4me0ODHWAa3IYJ7jiUlFPrSTtGecQ/s320/IMG_6343.jpg" width="244" /></a></div>Boys. They just have to do crazy things. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN07LDGS-L2nHd0Bpsa5IkPA278lKwbpAAvhbpmMKpOcm3TeaSQnnzrzdn7yiAqXPJb0GFsiHXgO1zbp7c17HItzOrYVT-GEExoODnMKP5yl928i8SZt8j9XOGzlewCabTihEU8giZI7SIOoCx8BgW62ap18EbC0O5xjdMN38NQUfoT_5CzCSYMJqKGl8X/s1444/IMG_6346%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1444" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN07LDGS-L2nHd0Bpsa5IkPA278lKwbpAAvhbpmMKpOcm3TeaSQnnzrzdn7yiAqXPJb0GFsiHXgO1zbp7c17HItzOrYVT-GEExoODnMKP5yl928i8SZt8j9XOGzlewCabTihEU8giZI7SIOoCx8BgW62ap18EbC0O5xjdMN38NQUfoT_5CzCSYMJqKGl8X/s320/IMG_6346%202.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Rhys in the snow!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYiJYKL_Bhw62H7k3veYFesXfBaVmYhizjYpbXeTmVmoELhwLBD1_pEUE2Kte1kLKMeLxoRFs1mkqowMUwSAps64QXsgKnw0e-Xu548tzgZWb2Oh1-yr1kojTgnd7VFmbeIC5VQ-HoFolh9qdQHAkS_d115l19Jn-7LTi1KFJ10aRAph2pe3l5QnptD10/s1427/IMG_6345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1427" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYiJYKL_Bhw62H7k3veYFesXfBaVmYhizjYpbXeTmVmoELhwLBD1_pEUE2Kte1kLKMeLxoRFs1mkqowMUwSAps64QXsgKnw0e-Xu548tzgZWb2Oh1-yr1kojTgnd7VFmbeIC5VQ-HoFolh9qdQHAkS_d115l19Jn-7LTi1KFJ10aRAph2pe3l5QnptD10/s320/IMG_6345.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><br />Margaret posted this picture, Adrian sent it to her...crazy. <div><br /></div><div>Emily is picking me up to go to the little celebration, so thankful. It has snowed here ALL DAY LONG. It wasn't even showing on the radar, and we were supposed to get just a few inches. But sometimes those bands of lake effect snow coming off Ontario just settle in and douse us in big fluffy flakes that add up to knee deep snow. </div><div><br /></div><div>Ah well....have a good evening, and stay warm!<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>16 blessings'momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00611246330849334850noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313234209573779535.post-86268922528009575472024-01-19T21:50:00.000-05:002024-01-19T21:50:07.981-05:00and finally, the happy news!<p> Sonja K. is engaged! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlz7o2lUwfQFbxId6ZREgCQXLB8rEfcdhBx75aOBfySjJ26WUJY3VWQMqQ8VAsLnfcSNZullJFZNkmfT2ijqCJlgH5ZKFdzG4GTx0R3brNf418FTLv3czWrs1fJ7hPQx3B7BKjYc5HTsYXyE_uyuW2Up4RlUA1BjupTpQyM8_9aR3cjz9Hg8QgOHscZXsV/s1163/IMG_6297%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1163" data-original-width="939" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlz7o2lUwfQFbxId6ZREgCQXLB8rEfcdhBx75aOBfySjJ26WUJY3VWQMqQ8VAsLnfcSNZullJFZNkmfT2ijqCJlgH5ZKFdzG4GTx0R3brNf418FTLv3czWrs1fJ7hPQx3B7BKjYc5HTsYXyE_uyuW2Up4RlUA1BjupTpQyM8_9aR3cjz9Hg8QgOHscZXsV/s320/IMG_6297%202.jpg" width="258" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEX1I1_vrUlSTYFvlHa3qHnXjsRgx6GKRKLR93f7MyCxCWEmOO8pcpTZdsCaYXXk7fZeZ-CQhTFSNY5DuUX-avHysMz2ccCAE2q3I2501A7TLot8PaSyrvQadM125I15DE8Jg7t3vWTUW_GqiMCgUzzGa7qOfH8D-_XAOBTe1Mhg7IhQsAXWZxmvmfM2CI/s1174/IMG_6296%205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1174" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEX1I1_vrUlSTYFvlHa3qHnXjsRgx6GKRKLR93f7MyCxCWEmOO8pcpTZdsCaYXXk7fZeZ-CQhTFSNY5DuUX-avHysMz2ccCAE2q3I2501A7TLot8PaSyrvQadM125I15DE8Jg7t3vWTUW_GqiMCgUzzGa7qOfH8D-_XAOBTe1Mhg7IhQsAXWZxmvmfM2CI/s320/IMG_6296%205.jpg" width="262" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQsENghUVpmKjbITVlraDkovJ_YCRUOB2EEahuXwtoQgXs2QZcIGPzDoeeTx7igDOoa-j83eRIH5BlKuU6FlLvJb3qjluFQwT4_dXT6LuTbPpLe8z8H9s6MxawYvH-5WWQpitdZoXDLQHmYM2qvGaNO6kdOcWnOG-lX2yEZxSvmOzhFKckVQ_eeFfrEXxg/s960/IMG_6294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="958" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQsENghUVpmKjbITVlraDkovJ_YCRUOB2EEahuXwtoQgXs2QZcIGPzDoeeTx7igDOoa-j83eRIH5BlKuU6FlLvJb3qjluFQwT4_dXT6LuTbPpLe8z8H9s6MxawYvH-5WWQpitdZoXDLQHmYM2qvGaNO6kdOcWnOG-lX2yEZxSvmOzhFKckVQ_eeFfrEXxg/s320/IMG_6294.jpg" width="319" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhkBW4G1ojR0_fgUSJOCn5EywppZXVzIRnrvXRowagUIz4O9HF9vmwJUrmZfINzGLgT9_nAH-ohUAX7lYy15kPgIuiwD61IXVP3sgA9mZh9WJgeIgsfHGmNn_n1G4vB-8umXxIvQKzX_-hmBb5Co73_4XIEaL60-CPrkR_6hRA7KbeGq3HyEqlnakHJRmz/s931/IMG_6293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="931" data-original-width="845" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhkBW4G1ojR0_fgUSJOCn5EywppZXVzIRnrvXRowagUIz4O9HF9vmwJUrmZfINzGLgT9_nAH-ohUAX7lYy15kPgIuiwD61IXVP3sgA9mZh9WJgeIgsfHGmNn_n1G4vB-8umXxIvQKzX_-hmBb5Co73_4XIEaL60-CPrkR_6hRA7KbeGq3HyEqlnakHJRmz/s320/IMG_6293.jpg" width="290" /></a></div>I didn't want to spoil it for her before she got the pictures done (strykingphotography, excellent pics, Susan!). Sonja and Oscar met a few years ago, he is one of Jonathan's friends, from Norway. I won't tell their whole story, but they are pretty happy, don't you think? He'll be moving to the U.S. :)<p></p><p>Our floors are in! The trim is not, but soon. I love the wide planks, and I love the warmth. They seem to hide a lot of dust, because there still is a lot of dust. I haven't gotten everything back in order yet, but I'm working on it. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGh3YRslPOb10cYiMJ7qBmm21z8vzuxn1inrSP1eazhyphenhyphen-PffjyhlPHXUbtIWw1q2ecJh1T9hzlynNCSEU8rmjpYgPFMnHLckr0YFgS-MSYgzJJcIjsacsUwKw6VkFAdejH73rx2p7BZmkSHDAucPcW9sG1vVupvP3pzC8GefmTa9e1peCctfxTbWbDppU/s4032/IMG_6305.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGh3YRslPOb10cYiMJ7qBmm21z8vzuxn1inrSP1eazhyphenhyphen-PffjyhlPHXUbtIWw1q2ecJh1T9hzlynNCSEU8rmjpYgPFMnHLckr0YFgS-MSYgzJJcIjsacsUwKw6VkFAdejH73rx2p7BZmkSHDAucPcW9sG1vVupvP3pzC8GefmTa9e1peCctfxTbWbDppU/s320/IMG_6305.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div>Pretty nice though, right? <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkPl9z4QbjYmbrapbRAzhUnIctYX5mPJsCIx0Twt8YakqTa3pC3nxmuTy18sbRB-ry5X5kljVNZHOnQD35HDw_S1yPMTwpUgz2cpean-oVS4acj_RzCdxYRB9Gc-HvuBp07RZvEUpE_FVrwQB2CI1DRPlbBAbqDXwKYYkj_skKmTcF8QWgIXItZNgbhP9S/s4032/IMG_6290.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkPl9z4QbjYmbrapbRAzhUnIctYX5mPJsCIx0Twt8YakqTa3pC3nxmuTy18sbRB-ry5X5kljVNZHOnQD35HDw_S1yPMTwpUgz2cpean-oVS4acj_RzCdxYRB9Gc-HvuBp07RZvEUpE_FVrwQB2CI1DRPlbBAbqDXwKYYkj_skKmTcF8QWgIXItZNgbhP9S/s320/IMG_6290.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div>Same floor, different lighting. The nice thing is there are no transitions between the rooms! It's all one stretch of flooring, and I love love love it. Once I get things really cleaned up, I'll take a few more pictures, even if no one really cares, ha. <p></p><p>This fine morning, I brought Evelyn to the airport, for a work trip/visit to Phoenix to see Aaron and Riley. Then Camille and I went to Target for chicken, some hangers, beef jerky, and some chips. Then into Price Chopper for a salad kit for Sonja for her work dinner, and to redeem the rain checks I had for strip steak for $5.99 a pound. </p><p>Home...we drove through a few fluttering flurries, but no white-outs. It's cold though, and tomorrow will be colder. Fittingly, Paul's going ice fishing. Jonathan went <i>camping. Camping in the Adirondacks, with Oscar and their friend Matt. BRRR. In a lean to, not a camper, btw. Jon: </i>"We want to practice building our own shelter, and scout it out for bear hunting." Charlotte Claire and Camille are in Ottowa for the weekend...everyone is enjoying winter, I guess.</p><p>I am too. I really am. The crispy cold, the coziness, the blankets, the evening tea, the comfort food...tonight it was only Paul and I for dinner, so we had those steaks, pan-seared with butter and rosemary, lots of freshly ground salt and pepper, oh so good. I really like the bagged salads mixes, we shared an Asian salad with lots of crunchy cabbage, sliced almonds and little wonton strips, I don't eat dressing on mine, just salt and pepper, and usually a few craisins. Then Paul came out with a Norwegian chocolate bar, hazelnut, and oh dear, a few squares of that...six. Six squares, it's so good. </p><p>We watched a few episodes of "Reacher", now he's gathering up his gear for tomorrow. I used to go ice fishing with him. Now...no thank you. It's nice to be outside, but when you've had enough, you still have to stay outside. So I'll stay here with Sonja, and organize some more cabinets. </p><p> It's almost addictive, to throw away the stuff you don't need. Oscar fixed one of our broken cabinets, and we sorted through a bunch of water bottles that no one uses anymore. We each have one or two, so these are the extras from years past. I bagged some nicer ones to donate, and the others to throw away. Paul got the bags mixed up and threw away the nice ones, he already went to the dump. oops. Anyway, now there's an empty cabinet! What shall I put in it? I'd like to have one of those kitchens with the sparklingly empty countertops, but getting the air fryer out every time? It's hard enough to lug out the kitchen aid, and the toaster? We keep it out. Then there's the tea kettle for coffee water, and the coffee grinder and espresso machine, those stay out because they are used all day long here. </p><p>It does make me more cautious about buying things, do we really need it? It's sickening, really, to throw things into the landfills so willy-nilly. That's one reason I really like the thrift store, getting a second use out of it, then sometimes donating it back, especially toys and books. </p><p>I wish I had bought lots of apples today, maybe I'll go visit the apple lady down the road, tomorrow, and see if she still has any in storage. I just feel like making apple pie... and maybe a pot pie...mmmm. Have a really nice night.</p>16 blessings'momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00611246330849334850noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313234209573779535.post-6888376720323369732024-01-18T17:22:00.001-05:002024-01-18T17:22:42.048-05:00almost!<p> The kitchen flooring is almost done. The downstairs hallway is halfway done. We still need the trim, and the stairs are a project for another day, but hopefully not in the too distant future. (We're ripping off the carpet, and instead of replacing it, we'll sand and stain some tread/boards, then water based polyurethane matte finish, then just paint the risers white). </p><p>I want to wait until it's all done and back in order to show how nice it is, but here's one from right now:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQMtqnu1VC0tGg1LXGzBMZqZTEo62MczFRPBmNjKHCg5n0OwSu5KG-YJoxHNtV_dEzpeI-w_GJ-BXK8c0raP1ayjp8vX-CjZcUKpMrmgG2xzWt1JkgQjcmcdAeSmlFjNRMURP3rSl6wsWYv9blqFglOGsOzNasTIERbJBVuUW-UQCL9LCnw1JgJ4E20NL/s4032/IMG_6284.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQMtqnu1VC0tGg1LXGzBMZqZTEo62MczFRPBmNjKHCg5n0OwSu5KG-YJoxHNtV_dEzpeI-w_GJ-BXK8c0raP1ayjp8vX-CjZcUKpMrmgG2xzWt1JkgQjcmcdAeSmlFjNRMURP3rSl6wsWYv9blqFglOGsOzNasTIERbJBVuUW-UQCL9LCnw1JgJ4E20NL/s320/IMG_6284.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div>We've cleaned and dusted and wiped things down, but there is still so much dust, have to wait until it's finished to really clean up. <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzaev1cJ7NPT6KHIFbQUZ3DdPhNJ4WRRBAt6HS-xnANMQRPI_85Iw18imNLdJALJF2YzrWVP4bKjcmtoCSwEy3ced9FImaF4Tk01tZRKCrwlaFuwPQ9X_AkHpSmOQcel15b39n9K2URUWpCc6EP-285XF4inEGBOHvs4NseZGLoXysR8QeiUux4S2B9gUy/s3023/IMG_6272.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2996" data-original-width="3023" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzaev1cJ7NPT6KHIFbQUZ3DdPhNJ4WRRBAt6HS-xnANMQRPI_85Iw18imNLdJALJF2YzrWVP4bKjcmtoCSwEy3ced9FImaF4Tk01tZRKCrwlaFuwPQ9X_AkHpSmOQcel15b39n9K2URUWpCc6EP-285XF4inEGBOHvs4NseZGLoXysR8QeiUux4S2B9gUy/s320/IMG_6272.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>Cartoons with grandpa!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidIfb5qJJDUE5CbWirJh5hreBPTeI4F7ZxbiVxTc3T_DvBG0r-1W-NgQLsJkjzXXzMGPm-c_d43nK69S0etuXonDxkaM3JoEZS2BkPCERItYkBP_nOqEaKodk-NCNGtZsnFXdoLUAFcD63AjHdA0gf-97UfvhU8AwevUgEVGw6GQVZe42n9firIPxVe5eq/s4032/IMG_6278.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidIfb5qJJDUE5CbWirJh5hreBPTeI4F7ZxbiVxTc3T_DvBG0r-1W-NgQLsJkjzXXzMGPm-c_d43nK69S0etuXonDxkaM3JoEZS2BkPCERItYkBP_nOqEaKodk-NCNGtZsnFXdoLUAFcD63AjHdA0gf-97UfvhU8AwevUgEVGw6GQVZe42n9firIPxVe5eq/s320/IMG_6278.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div>Waffle bowls with whipped cream for breakfast, these two had a sleepover! They slept on the futon in the living room and I slept on the couch across from them. It was midnight when they finally settled in, but they are so cute. They woke up at 8:20, not too bad. (The waffle bowls: I bought the waffle bowl iron/maker at the thrift store recently for three dollars, it looked like it had never been used. The boys were delighted.)<div><br /></div><div>Today has been an absolute delight. I stayed home and organized things. You cannot tell, the place is still topsy turvy, as the floor isn't quite done yet, but I cleaned out the two junk drawers, the spice cabinet/medicine cupboard (the winner was a 2012 script for Camille, a cough med, do NOT know how that survived all the clean outs ha). The cupboard that stores the coffee, tea, peanut butter, nuts, ect., also got a nice clean out, as well as the lower cabinets where all the pesky storage containers are. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now I'm tired. :). But, I still have to make dinner. We're having fajitas, so it won't be too hard. Charlotte Claire and Camille are both doing school work, and Jonathan is home from work now, working on the kitchen floor. I shall finish my afternoon coffee and get busy on dinner in just a few minutes. My comfy chair is extra comfy right now...</div><div><br /></div><div>Today is Emily Anne's birthday. I became a mother 39 years ago, on a freezing cold day in January. Emily was absolutely perfect. Her birth, well...not so perfect, although it ended well enough, a beautiful healthy baby girl, the most beautiful baby ever born. She was transverse, so after signing all the papers for a possible c-section, into the OR/Delivery room I went, and was put to sleep for a mid-forceps delivery. I will be kind, and not go into details of the...never mind. But the healing up was rough. These days, no doctor would attempt that, would they?</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway. I woke up briefly to Paul crying happy tears, and I asked what time it was. Then I asked him if it was better than shooting a deer. Then I woke up again and I was in a room, looking at my inky fingers from the fingerprinting they do, is that still done? Paul was holding her, saying, "We have a girl first, a baby girl!" I said, "<i>FIRST? I am NOT doing that again!" </i>Well. um.</div><div><br /></div><div>Emily grew up way too fast. She could read when she was four, and Paul told her she couldn't turn five, she had to stay four on every birthday. She didn't listen. </div><div><br /></div><div>Her idea of a good birthday is probably staying home and not having to go anyplace in the evening. But I am going to get her something, and stop over sometime. Her house is warm and cozy, a perfect place for a winter visit. </div><div><br /></div><div>Ah well, as with every sit in the comfy chair, it must end sometime, and it's time to get up and move again. There's dinner to be made and it won't make itself. (Paul is cleaning up the scrap linoleum and taking care of the flooring boxes...it's been a very busy few days here at our big dusty house!). Have a good evening, stay warm!<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /><div><p><br /></p></div></div></div></div></div>16 blessings'momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00611246330849334850noreply@blogger.com2