Retreat ~ Back to the Grind

My husband surprised me with a trip to our favorite cabin in the woods.  It's not only in the woods, but way up in the hills.  The road up to it is dirt and there are no guardrails.  I literally grip the door as we go up or down, but once we are up it's total bliss.  It's the next best thing to camping.  The hot tub is the best part.  The cabin is for 2 people only, and it was a surprise stay for our Anniversary (again).  I am not sure who needed it more - him or myself.  I'm just glad it was not snowing nor freezing ice taking those roads.

The cabin had a TV, movies, books, deck of cards, so we had plenty of entertainment.  The full kitchen allowed us to pick up stuff at the grocery and cook/eat at the cabin.  

Speaking of shopping, the grocery stores there were pretty bare.  Way worse than in our hometown area.  The bad part of driving there, is that small town gas stations kept their restrooms closed.  We had to take advantage of rest stops before heading into the hills.

Many stores had their hours reduced, days of the week they were open reduced, and some were on the verge of going out of business.  Our favorite restaurant was closed. The one store we headed out to shop at was closed.  They were a business that made things from metal - candle holders, yard art, signs etc.  They made the items right there, which meant shopping was USA made.  So sad to see them not open.

The funny part, is I had booked the same cabin in the spring for our birthday's, but will be canceling it with what's going on in the world right now.  We can always book camping trips instead (if they are open).

We are back to the grind today.  Both of us. Instead of a 6am hot tub soak and coffee, it's back to stoking the fire and prepping breakfast and dinner this morning.

We need to split wood possibly before the weekend, but I'm hoping I have enough until then.  Oh, the cabin we stayed at had a gas fireplace.  Oh my gosh it heated up so nicely.  We are considering installing one in place of the pellet stove in the other end of the house.  It's on the wish list now.

I do not have my boxes yet to start the hallway project, but excited about it.  Then I thought, "I should paint it while it's all cleaned out" and then I thought well that would be spring in order to paint.  We shall see.  There is plenty of other things on the to-do list too.

I best get busy. Have a nice day.  I had to ask my husband what day it was, I'm so out of whack, ha ha!  It was strange taking off on a Sunday for sure, but we well rested.

 

Jibber Jabber

My husband started Sunday out with working on my car with replacing the brakes.  

First order of business on Sunday for me?  Secure some boxes for next week.  I'll need them to move books from point A to B and then back to A.  I'm so excited to get some bigger projects checked off the books this year.

Second order was to put more kale in the freezer.  My stash of greens were getting low.

Third to make room in two other rooms for the books and bookshelves before I start moving them.  I may do a purge if needed, but one entire bookshelf is canning, medicinal, homesteading and self sufficiency books and I know those will all stay.

Fourth?  Clean out our travel case of toiletries.  I've had it in the bathroom since our last overnight vacation, and decided it needed cleaned out (purge out any old stuff, reorganize).

Fifth order of business was to get a few more rows crocheted into Daughter's cardigan.  I'm gaining on it.

I also had some bananas to freeze.  I just didn't have the time to bake banana bread.