sunshine, the stupid-bowl, and other important things....

 It's a beautiful day today, if you like twenty degrees with sun shining on the snow.  Jonathan needed a hair cut, so off we went.  The place he goes is in the same parking lot as one of my favorite thrift stores.  His appointment was supposed to take 45 minutes, so ahhh, walking up and down the aisles, and actually LOOKING at things!  Usually, it's me apologizing and dawdling at the same time, as if telling them I'm hurrying will actually make me not stop to look at that nice chair over there.  

Today, I found two pairs of LulaRoe leggings, for $4.99 each.  That's rather pricey in a way, but new they are $25, and I like them, and I know they will fit.  I also got a little toy garbage truck, and a nice shirt for $2.50.  

We also went into Aldi, because I love Aldi.  Cilantro, fresh salsa, little baby oranges, apples, provolone cheese slices, a gallon of milk, some frozen mini egg rolls for the air fryer, lemon juice, lime juice, a box of Valentines for Activity Club tomorrow, along with some fruit snacks and drink pouches.  (if you have a local Aldi, I suggest you try their fresh salsa.  It is SO GOOD.)(Also their lime tortilla chips...)

A stop at the bank, a fill up of gas, and Jon ran into the Dollar General because we forgot to get dog chow. We like to get them healthier food, lower carb, but they don't like the Rachael Ray stuff.   

Home, ah home.  Sonja is in class, the girls done with their school now, and it's a lovely day....I think they want to do something fun...hmm.

Jonathan is leaving on Wednesday morning to go visit Kathryn in Oregon.  His flight leaves at 6:30 a.m., so I have to get up at 4:30 to bring him to the airport, blah.  It's not easy for me to let him go off on his own like this, but he's fine with it, and at least now he looks all neat and respectable.  I always say that you get treated how you look, in general.  If you're scruffy and slobby, well...don't be surprised.  

When will I learn?  I posted something on Facebook.  One should just never do that.  Numbers don't lie.  Covid-19 deaths, cases, ect, comparing from closed down NY and California, to opened up Florida, is quite interesting.  Of course I posted something like that and was pounced on, so I deleted the post.   I'm done.  If you write anything that's not liberal mainstream, you're wrong, you hate your gramma.  If you don't drink the cool-aid, you are toast.  

I don't care for arguing, I just hate that there is just one opinion.  It's a plain fact that scared people want someone to take charge and tell them what to do, and when you have the whole world scared, they're practically begging for more rules, laws, mandates, in the name of safety.  

The Stupid Bowl was in fact stupid.  I am not much of a football fan, although sometimes there are interesting plays, and I find myself actually tuning in instead of staring at the screen in a daze, thinking about our weekly meal plan or whether we should book another camping trip for the summer.  The halftime show made me feel old and uninformed, who were these people and what were they wearing on their heads?  At least it wasn't x-rated, but still, that's considered talent these days?  

We did have fun, nonetheless.   Margaret was here with the baby and Wulf, and Evelyn came over, and Emily.  Em hasn't been here since the distanced visit on Christmas, so it was super nice to have her.  I made a big batch of stove popped, coconut oil popcorn with butter and salt.  Our dinner was chuck roast, potatoes, and carrots with gravy in the crock pot.  I LOVE making the dinner in the morning, then smelling it all afternoon, then just scooping it from the crockpot, easy as pie.  It wasn't actually Super Bowl food, but it was pretty darned good.

Wulf LOVES the book Owl at Home.  Charlotte Claire was reading to him, with Cam listening in.  

Tennyson, aka Russell from the movie UP., courtesy of Evelyn.

The kids are done with school, and are making a late lunch of egg rolls and ramen noodles.  ugh.  

Jonathan watched the game yesterday with a few of his friends.  He brought the air fryer with him, and made loaded fries (cheese sauce, jalapeños, bacon).   He said they all appreciated that the halftime show wasn't as disgusting as it usually is, they didn't have to turn it off during it.  (They're good boys:))

Sometimes I actually proofread my posts, not often, mind you, and realize how narrow-minded and judge-y I am.  But I have to be me, and can't just please everyone.  The beauty is that if you don't agree, that's okay, I'll still love you.  No "my way or the highway" here.  

Sunny is a maniac.  She goes absolutely bonkers for shadows and light reflecting on things.  Mr. Jonathan capitalizes on this, and shines his phone on all the walls and ceilings.  Sunny runs and jumps and barks and pants, just can't catch those bad reflections.   It's not as if she's a small graceful dog, either.  It's crashing and smashing!

Sunny...she is just so cute. Just a little teeny puppy.   Jon cleans up well, too, right?

Ah well.  Life is good.

cookies and updates...

 First, the cookies:

A triple batch of chocolate chip cookies...and no, I didn't have one, not even a taste of dough.

We had visitors in the afternoon:

Margaret and her little Tennyson, isn't he a cutie?  Marg works full time from home, so she has her hands very full.  Adrian is a full time college student, balancing classes and helping with the kids.  

Wulf sat in my chair, put my  glasses on...but no way am I as cute as he is.

He watched Bugs Bunny with grandpa:

Update:  the teenager ever so humbly apologized.  Unprompted.  Awww...it melts my heart.  I told her that I had agonized all day, but that I love her, and sometimes mom has to be mom, right?  

In other news, today was a bright and sunny day.  Paul and Jonathan went ice fishing, so we girls lounged around a bit, had coffee, rearranged the living room furniture, then went out and about.  First stop, the dollar store, which I love and they tolerate.  We got some things for the Valentine's Day party they're having next weekend.  Next stop, thrift store!  American Eagle jeans, a white blouse with the tags still on it, an American Girls craft kit, still brand new in the package, and a few other things, for less than 30 dollars.  The girls decided they wanted to make sub sandwiches for lunch/dinner, so we went to the store for fresh rolls and some meat.  

Home, ahh home.  They chopped lettuce, sliced tomatoes and onions, and had some grand sammies.  I waited until dinner time, and air fryer some chicken wings, then had cold leftover steak too, mmm.  They're all over at Emily's house, and Jon is home from his friend's house.  He has his driver's license, but he has to be home by 9 o'clock, which is fine by me.

It's quiet here, with the girls gone, but I got rid of the ticking clock, at least, could NOT stand that ticking sound...

a work in progress...

 That's me.  You'd think I'd be full of patience by now, and not be blindsided by a random interaction with a teenager, but nope.  I'm reeling here, what did I say?  Or was it how I said it?  Then I think well, being a good mom doesn't mean the kids always like you, right?  I actually said, "Someday you'll thank me."  ha.  I don't put my foot down very often, and when I do, it stings.  I don't like being the bad guy, and luckily I have really good kids, but sometimes, just sometimes...rrr.  

So that's how my day is going.  It's good place to be, a place where you know you don't know everything, a place where you see your need, and know you need wisdom, you need help.   God indeed gives grace when we're humble.

Yesterday, we did go to Target, but just to get a new space heater for the girls' room.  They do their virtual school in there, and it gets cold!  I did behave myself, got the heater, one $3 flower, and a small gift for Suzanne's birthday, which is coming in a few weeks.

Isn't that pretty for three bucks?  (it's fake!)

It was a lovely day to be out and about...the Seneca River:

Orange Guy:  he thinks he BELONGS on the table!

Yesterday afternoon, I dragged the girls out for a walk...

It was almost 40 degrees, and sunny!

Dinner was fantastic last night.  We stopped into Price Chopper because they had sirloin steak for $2.99 a pound.  It was a nice day, and Jonathan agreed to grill.  I made fries in the air fryer, I only ate ONE, and steamed some broccoli, which I then swirled around in the frying pan with some butter.  mmm.   After dinner, I finished off the keto peanut butter cookies I made the other day.  They weren't truly "keto", because I used regular peanut butter, which has sugar in it, but I made them with almond flour, and "fake" sugar.  They weren't the best, and weren't the healthiest, but it's nice to have a cookie!

I have the ingredients for my triple batch of chocolate chip cookies, all set out on the counter.  It seems to have become a Friday thing, baking cookies.  The first tray is for Camille, no chocolate chips, just some rainbow sprinkles...16 kids, and everyone of them, spoiled rotten ha.  

tulips and target and sunshine....

 Let's start off with this:  it's sunny outside! The sunshine on the snow reflects into the house, highlighting the dust, ha.  It's really nice, and warming up today to a respectable 32 degrees! (0c).  

Last night's dinner:  chicken pot pie.  I'll give the general recipe, but be warned, I don't use recipes!  My pot pies are never exactly the same!

Yesterday, I used a can of cream of chicken soup, a 32 ounce chicken broth, and some water.  I put about 5 pounds of frozen chicken breast in it, a generous sprinkling of rosemary, and some pepper.  I simmered it a few hours, then pulled the chicken out and chopped it up.  I added sliced carrots, and a few potatoes, cubed.  I usually put in a bag of frozen mixed veggies, but I didn't have any.  I thickened it up with some flour and water.  (this made exactly enough for two huge pot pies, deep dish.)

The crust was the butter pie crust recipe I posted before:

2 1/2 cups flour, mixed with half teaspoon of salt

Add two sticks of cubed butter, put in food processor (or use pastry cutter to blend it in, pea size pieces for the butter...food processor is so much easier!)

Remove from processor into a big bowl, add ice cold water a little bit at a time, tossing the dough, until it seems damp enough but not soggy, form into two balls, flatten into disks, wrap and put away.  I do this twice to make two pot pies.  I roll out the dough after cooling the soupy mixture a bit, then just put them together and bake.  Oh, I top them with a bit more butter, and salt and pepper.   I've learned the hard way to bake them on a cookie sheet with parchment paper, so the butter doesn't drip all over the oven.  You'll know when they're done, they get golden brown and the house smells amazing.

The snow stopped yesterday, and it was a lovely evening.  When the setting sun reflects on the snow, wow.

A lazy pic from the kitchen window...

Tulips.  I look forward to tulips.  I love winter, but spring, ahh.  And Target, I've been avoiding Target like the plague, because it takes my money like nobody's business.  I put things carefully into the cart, things that seem worth it, thoughtful purchases, then at the register, bam, the total is significantly higher than it should be!  And who am I kidding, do I REALLY need more candles, or that cute mug, or a bag of M&M's?    yes.

Spring...I'm looking forward to being able to change things up in here, and in my room.  I've got a black comforter with red and black check on the back, and black patterned pillows, which I like...but are so wintery.  I've already got a pink duvet cover, and some khaki pillow covers, for spring.  I bought some really pretty pink floral to put slip covers on those black pillows, just to change the look and brighten it up in there.  I hope Paul doesn't mind some pink.

Of course in the midst of all these things are the trials, the realities, the things we would rather avoid, but are so necessary if we would get oil in our lamps.  To get victory over being anxious, one has to have trials that would tempt to anxiety, right?  We aren't meant to just stay in it!  

So have a really really good day, stay hopeful!

favorites!

 Today is one of my favorite kind of days.  It's another snuggly, stuck-in-the-house, snow day!  The girls don't have in-person school on Wednesdays, Sonja's college class got moved to virtual, and she called in to work because our county is still on a travel advisory, and our road hasn't been plowed in hours.  If the other professors moved their classes to virtual too, there won't be much need for her to be there screening people anyway.

So Jonathan fired up the snowblower, and Sonja and I got the shovels out...

(I looked at the last pic of me with Sonja K., and wow, I'm getting old!  I'm so old I don't even know how to apply filters to make me look not old!)

Favorites.   My most favorite kid is the one I'm talking to or spending time with at the moment.   

Favorite food...steak, hands down.  Bonus if it's grilled.  The best I've ever had was when Mariel and I rented a cabin in the Adirondacks a few years ago and grilled steak on charcoal.  Oh my.

Favorite dessert has to be ice cream, fresh local homemade is the ultimate.  I let myself have it a few times a year, and enjoy it more than you can imagine. I love all baked goods, but do not eat them anymore.  Donuts, pastries, cookies...nope, not anymore.  (here we are all snowed in, and I'm afraid to bake bread because I cannot resist it!)(I also cannot resist anything pumpkin...cookies, muffins, oh dear.)

Favorite pets: the dogs.  Cats are great, until you get a dog, and realize how much more personality the pups have.  Our two kitties ARE sweet and funny, but the doggies are like family.

Favorite place to vacation:  I love love love the beach.  I love when the sun is too hot and the water is just cool enough to refresh.  I also love the mountains, with that distinct mountain air, the smell of pine...in winter, I LOVE going to Florida...the smell when you arrive, that smell of warmth, of tropical weather...

Favorite smells:  crayons, cinnamon buns, fresh cold air, sunscreen, popcorn, chocolate, coffee, a new baby's head, a roasting turkey, fresh cut grass, a tomato from the garden...

Unfavorite things:  riding with one of the kids who is still learning, to drive, the smell of baby formula (I always switched over, weaned the babies from breastfeeding when I was expecting the next one, so I associate the smell of baby formula with morning sickness, yuck!), gambling, places with lots of stairs, ketchup, mayo, mustard, ranch, (super picky eater here!), rules, regulations, oppressive laws & taxes, arrogant politicians, being around water on a hot day when you cannot go in the water, seafood, and...fighting & arguing, although I don't know who on earth likes that.

I also love my comfy chair, although not nearly as much as my old, dearly departed comfy chair.  I love reading books and drinking coffee, and going on adventures.  I do love bargain shopping and doing projects.  I love talking to people, yet I also hate it sometimes.  I make friends with cashiers, and with grumpy nurses and receptionists.  

I do not like religion, yet I love the freedom of the gospel.  I love that trials are short and light when we have faith in God, that He sends all things for our very best.  

Distracted, that's what I am this fine day.  Jonathan is here, Sonja is between virtual classes, and I'm typing, talking, forgetting what I was saying, thoughts come and go, so...bye for now!

snowed in!

 We are staying home, and no one is coming over.  The county is in a state of emergency, we aren't to travel unless necessary.  School is closed, the girls are doing virtual school today.  

Yesterday's dinner:  roasted Brussel sprouts and  butternut squash,  stuffing, leftover ham, and leftover mashed potatoes.  It was quick and easy, and good.

I think today is a good day to be thankful for things!  In random order, of course, as "random" should be my middle name,...

1. 

My granddaughter Lydia Eleanor.  She's just a sunshine.

2.  

This.

3.  

Good memories from Margaret's wedding, when the other kids sang a song.

4.

Warm summer memories, family picnic at Ben's house.

5.  I am thankful that we live in a time where we can communicate with each other while at home, that technology allows working from home for so many.  

6.  Two cats, two dogs, they bring so much joy to our home.  The cats purr and cuddle and sometimes bat things off the counter.  The pups and the kitties get along just fine, they are all lazy couch hogs.

7.  I'm thankful for the four kids who still live at home.  Having had 16 kids all at home, then as they grew and moved out, that number gradually decreased, now there are four, and none of them are allowed to grow anymore, or ever move out.  Enough is enough.  

8.  The usual things, like coffee, warm slippers, more coffee...

9.  Hope for the future!  Just watching the video of summertime, it'll come again!  (the snowplow just came down the road, thankful for those guys!)

10. Peace.  Arguing, strife, bitterness, backbiting, criticizing, grudges:  these things do not belong among us, and we do NOT have to welcome them into our lives.  I'm thankful that God has had such mercy on me, and that the fight of faith is so worthwhile.

11. Of course I'm thankful for my kids.  Four have had their virus vaccines, two so far have been quite sick with the second jab, one is getting #2 today, so pray for her!   These older ones, I love them so much.  I love all of them, but when they grow up and they are actually your friends.   When they're teenagers, you have to navigate carefully, avoiding those landmines that explode when you least expect it, like, what on earth did I say to set you off NOW?  When they're teenagers, you learn to take a step back, think about what you're saying, let them vent, give them space, talk to them gently when they're in good moods, and all the other drama.  It's not a terrible time, but it's tricky.  Then they grow out of it, and oh dear, they're delightful!  My youngest is 13 now, so I've had teenagers for over 23 years in a row now.  Teenagers, though, they are absolutely delightful in between those episodes.  They give me new perspectives on things. (They think I'm SO old.). 

12.  Jonathan.  He gets his own paragraph.  He's such a good kid.  He is by nature very strong and because he's a 16 year old boy, he knows everything.  But he also has a degree of humility, and a faith in God that gives him a longing for peace and goodness, and he will always say he's sorry if he's a butthead.  He lives here with all these sisters (there were the five girls in a row before him, then the two little girls after), so we all agree that he is going to be an excellent husband some day.  He knows how to navigate around them, and is quite sensitive.   He put shelves up in Sonja's room the other day, and he puts air in the tires,  and checks the oil in the vehicles.  He is a great uncle to the little ones, brings out the trucks and toys he still has, and plays with them.  He is a treasure.  Now he's having a coffee, and I'm putting this away, and joining him.

Monday again?...how?

 Are there like two Mondays a week this winter or what?  We are getting a nor'easter...not tons of snow here in our area, maybe a foot.  Wind, and snow, school already cancelled for tomorrow, yay!  

This fine morning, I had to get out of my warm, toasty bed (flannel sheets, why did I only discover you this year?), and go, once again, to the dreaded road test.  I do not like waiting while my kids take these tests.  I've waited with small children, oh yes I have, I've waited while pregnant, and in the hot hot sun.  This fine morning, no small children waited with me, as I walked up and down the sidewalk, wondering, will he pass?  ugh, the utter wondering of it all, the anxiety!

I made that path, good thing I have Bear Paws with warm socks.

Jonathan Robert, licensed to drive in New York State!  phew.  Only two more kids to go.  

The older kids have helped with this through the years, but also, it's not like this is merely the 14th test.  Some of the kids passed the first time, but shh, a few took it like three times. 

We didn't go out and celebrate, but we did go to Wegmans.  Wegmans is like a celebration.  If you live in the northeast, you will recognize that this is a premium grocery store.  The ambiance is warm, the produce is always excellent, and they have the basic items at a good price, always.  I like their store brand of seltzer, ginger, mmm.  Their paper towels and toilet paper are reasonable, and good quality.  We got some coffee, Brussel sprouts, pasta sauce, baking ingredients.

Home.  Ah, home, kids doing online school today.  Sonja K. had to go into work, she should be home before the snow really starts coming down here.  

We already have a good bit of snow, what a winter!

Anyway.  I am trying to keep busy.  What shall I make?  Bread?  Cookies?  Cinnamon rolls?  Dinner is leftover ham, roasted diced butternut squash with Brussel sprouts, red onion,  and stuffing.