• Sweet FaceTime visit…

    March 4, 2021 / 2 Comments

    The phone rang late this afternoon and I was so happy to see that it was my two youngest granddaughters calling me on FaceTime.  I had ordered them a few things, which thankfully fit, (they are growing so fast!) and they wanted to show me.  The next hour was full of the latest news, magic tricks, showing me their art work, their latest inventions, talk of school and a lot of laughter.  Whatever I am doing comes gladly to a halt while I enjoy my time with these sweet girls.  They are so creative and smart.  They love to read and both read far above their school level.  I signed them up for Literati and they love the day the books arrive.  I really miss our condo and being close to the girls in Chicago!  Thankfully, we will receive our second Covid vaccination in a couple of weeks and will feel better about traveling after that.

    January 2020 at our condo in Chicago.  I miss those days!

    I also had a sweet talk with my firstborn granddaughter this afternoon.  She is a senior in college on a full-ride scholarship.  It’s difficult to believe that she will soon graduate from college!  She is now trying to decide where she will go to complete her Masters.  I remember when she was the age of the youngest two granddaughters!  Where does time go?!

    I can’t believe this little angel is now about to graduate from college in a few short months. 

    Grandmommy and Kenzie

  • Corn biscuits…

    March 3, 2021 / 6 Comments

    I scooped out what I thought was self-rising flour to make buttermilk biscuits. I cut in the butter and mixed in the buttermilk. It mixed beautifully. As I floured the surface and went to gently knead and roll them out, I realized my mistake. I had used White Lily self-rising corn meal mix! (I ordered some and paid a premium price for it since you can’t get it here! Haven’t even made cornbread with it yet!) All I could do was finish making them and get them in the oven at 450 degrees! Corn biscuits?! Hopefully, they will be good…

  • Little Beau…

    March 2, 2021 / 1 Comment

    Our precious little Beau will be five months old on March 14th.  I’ve waited so long for this puppy and dearly love him.  So does Doug!  One of Doug’s arguments for waiting until Spring to get a puppy was that it would be difficult to housebreak him in the midst of Winter, and that has proved to be true.  When we take him outside, he is happy to promptly do his business.  However, he is just as likely to have an accident indoors!  I think when the weather is consistently warmer and there is grass underfoot instead of snow, it might be a little easier to housebreak.  I hope so!

    He has mastered “sit” and “down” and is so enthusiastic, he will go ahead and assume the down position right after sit to save you time on your commands!  He really is adorable!  He started out with two light blue eyes, but now has one green eye and one blue eye!  I’m hoping the blue eye will turn green as well, but we will love him regardless!  His coat is filling out and he is really looking like a beautiful Cocker Spaniel, but I think he will continue to develop that look even as he grows older.

    While we are in love with this sweet pup, I cannot say the same thing for his feline brother, Tiger!  Hopefully, over time, their semi-tolerance of one another will grow into a friendship.

     

  • Beau…

    January 2, 2021 / 4 Comments

    If you’ve read my blog very long, then you know I love dogs.  I’ve wanted a puppy for so long!  When my sweet husband asked me what I wanted for my birthday on December 1, the answer was easy.  Granted, this was a “big” birthday – 75!  He was probably expecting me to say jewelry.  (Where would I wear jewelry anyway?  We’re in the midst of a pandemic!)  But I did not want diamonds or rubies or pearls.  I wanted a living, breathing, four-legged, furry puppy!  When he readily agreed, I didn’t think he was serious.  When I realized he truly was in earnest, there was joy!

    Now, the question was what breed?  I love big dogs but let’s face it – at this age, I couldn’t manage a big dog.  I don’t remember exactly how we settled on an American Cocker Spaniel.  I think there were photos from the breeder on Facebook.  We loved the photos of one in particular, a buff and white floppy eared little boy with striking blue eyes.

     

     

    On the Monday following my birthday, we drove as far north as you can go in Iowa before you get to Minnesota or South Dakota!  We were all wearing masks and met outside.  The first minute we saw Beau, we fell in love – both of us!  I don’t think Doug was counting on loving this puppy as much as I do but he does.

     

     

     

     

     

    There is one member of the family who isn’t too sure of this adorable new addition.  Our six year old rescued gray tabby.  We’ve had him for four years and he thought he had sole possession of Mom and Dad.  Beau is loudly exuberant and follows Tiger everywhere.  He literally runs and tackles him.  In the beginning, I think Tiger was patiently waiting for this little visitor to go home.  By now, he realizes Beau is at home and Tiger isn’t too sure how he feels about that.  In the beginning, Tiger refrained from batting back at Beau or retaliating for all that puppy energy.  Tiger is now play-batting at him (thankfully, he’s declawed).  I’m hoping that, eventually, they will be friends.

     

     

    Beau looks so cute in his Iowa shirt!  Gift from Justin and Mandy and family.

  • 2021…

    January 1, 2021 / 1 Comment

    The new year crept in softly at the stroke of midnight last night, like a promise.  No huge crowds gathered at Time Square as the ball dropped.  For the most part, families celebrated in their homes if they were even awake as the clock struck twelve.  If 2021 could have a personality, I would say this one had better be a bit like Rosie the Riveter.  Taking over where the need is great. Encouraging us and reminding us that we can do this.

     

     

    We’ve learned a great deal about ourselves this past year.  We have learned that family is our most precious gift.  It has been so sad going months without seeing loved ones.  We have learned we really don’t need as much as we thought we did.  We have learned how to do without.  Some, a great deal more than others.  I pray for restoration and healing for our country.  I pray that this new year finds us building up rather than tearing down.

    I have always loved new beginnings.  A time to start afresh.  To show myself some grace and bestow another chance for whatever it is I failed to do last year.  In the year of the coronavirus, that was a lot.  So, I will try again.  During this past year, I made several lap quilts for grandchildren but it is time to get back to the sewing machine and quilt more!

     

    I have a blanket I need to knit before Winter is over.  The yarn and needles have been sitting patiently in a basket waiting for me.  There are so many other things I want to actually accomplish this year but I’m afraid to say them aloud.

    I hope this new year brings love and peace and health and a measure of prosperity for each of us.  May the Lord bless and keep you!

     

  • 2020 Reflections…

    December 31, 2020 / No Comments

    This time last year, we went shopping for a 2020 planner.  All fresh and brand new with empty pages.  We began to fill the blocks on the pages of the calendar with events we had already planned.  There was a trip to Disneyworld with my youngest and his family in March and a cruise to the New England states during the Fall.   Just in time to see the leaves change.  There were other things of course, like my ear surgery on January 23 to remove a benign tumor, Doug’s cataract surgeries and his heart ablation procedure.  We had also scheduled a week in Puerto Vallarta early Winter.  We were going to be busy and we were looking forward to the trips.

     

     

    Word of the Corona-19 virus spread quickly.  As we learned more about this deadly virus and the deaths worldwide, our attention was quickly focused.  We cancelled everything.  Apparently, we were in the high risk group based on our age and health issues.  So we stayed home.  Before my daughter and her family sold the farm and moved out of state, she brought us delicious, home cooked meals and insisted we not get out to grocery shop.  We didn’t.  Later, we would order and pick up our groceries through the rest of the year.  When we did have to venture out for doctor’s appointments or to pick up groceries or prescriptions, we wore masks.

    We read a lot of books.  We watched movies.  I made several lap size quilts.  We took drives in the country.  We stayed busy, and the weeks and months passed.  We even had a presidential election during 2020 and mailed our votes in.  We got most of the basement organized and cleaned.  Time passed.

     

     

    As the months passed, the numbers of deaths from the novel coronavirus grew.  My heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones this year.  As this deadly virus left gaping holes and deep wounds in families, each member of those families struggled to move on.  I pray for each of these families and individuals who have lost dear ones.

    I haven’t purchased a 2021 planner.  I’m not sure I will.  We haven’t made any plans yet.  There are no reservations for 2021.  I’m hopeful.  I really am.  Doug loves to travel and I’m hopeful that in the future we can visit those countries we have yet to see.  I should say I have yet to see.  Doug has been to every continent except for Africa.  I’m thankful there are now approved vaccines.  We haven’t received ours yet but hopefully soon.

    This year, one like no other, will be over in just a few hours.  So, 2021 – pardon us if we tread lightly for a bit.