Chit Chat with Coffee

There might be some peppermint schnapps in my coffee this morning. Today is the last day to clean out Dad's place.

I got the last of Christmas decorations put away, drained an infused oil, got most of the kitchen back in order (whew! thankful for that), got more wood split after Hubby got home from work, and other cleaning caught up with.  I put a fresh vintage tablecloth on one table, but I'm still working on the other table.  

I still haven't found a box of Christmas cards I lost.  However, I found my husband's missing truck keys.

The sun was out most of the morning yesterday.  I was also thankful for that.  Snow was predicted, so was rain. Woke up to a level 1 emergency, so I'm praying roads are okay later when we need to be out.

Tuesday Tidbits

Breakfast yesterday ended up a tossing of whatever I had - onion, green pepper, broccoli, eggs, leftover sour cream, bacon and herbs.  Dinner was crock pot ham and bean soup using the last of the leftover ham.

Monday was a total madness day of cleaning, tidying up, putting Christmas stuff away (which wasn't much this year), laundry and more.  I took down my bathroom Christmas shower curtain, and put the bathroom Christmas tree away.  Took down all the outside Christmas lights (first year to ever do this before Jan 1st).  

Tidying up may take all week, but it's getting done.

After everything that has happened in 2020, I am pulling out my journals and getting back at it, and writing (fiction) again.

I have no resolutions for the new year, but I do have one goal - see Chris Stapleton in concert with my husband.  It may be next fall, but it's a goal anyway.  Doubtful our country will be back to that sort of normal, but I can at least hope.

Happy Homemaker Monday

Christmas week is always busy for us.  We celebrated our youngest turning 19.  Christmas Eve day my husband and I spent several hours doing heavy lifting at my Dad's place.  We were super tired by evening.  Christmas day we all cooked in our pj's and had a very relaxing day.  Our older daughter delivered a Christmas meal to Mom and to my younger brother, although the weather was pretty nasty with snow and wind. Younger daughter has a very (mentally) difficult Christmas, but we got her through it.

The little tiny island we got married on.  Then and now (from opposite views).  The little quaint town had to fill in the one side of the island due to erosion, and the sign was removed since then.  You can see in the second photo of where it was (it was a tiny small island).  First photo is our one year anniversary.  There is a small B&B there by it and that is where we celebrated our 22nd anniversary over the weekend.

We did some small town shopping, eating and whatnot.  I loved browsing their bookstores there and bought one book for $1.00.  We dined at a local brewery, and tried their bruschetta.  As all new businesses, they are making their food in different ways. Can't say it was the best bruschetta (made with olives and feta), but the pizza was delicious. Tried my first whiskey sour, because the cocktails were of limited choices.  I do not like whiskey sours.  We tried Buffalo Trace whiskey - good but expensive.

Oh, I found a copy of a two-book collection that I have been looking for.  However, it's signed, and was not priced.  They took my info and will call me with a price if they verify signature.  I have a feeling if it is verified as a true signature, it will be too highly priced for me.

I learned something too.  We browsed an antique store for a (what I thought was called a lamp shade) for my kitchen oil lamp.  Learned they are called a petticoat.  I'm told to bring my entire lamp in and they will fit it with one.  Sort of excited about that.

Back home and back to work now.  So much is now on the to-do list, but it keeps me busy.  The car repairs will resume, and other work.

Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

Will link when she posts.  I have to get started on my day.

What 2020 has taught me . . .

-Don't think on decisions too long, because life goes too fast

-Get the tattoo.  I was given one for Christmas by one of the daughters and I thought "You know, life is short, just do it!"  They are mother daughter tattoos.  Yes, I really did it.

-If you can't visit friends and family call them.

-Random acts of kindness put happiness in my heart

-Take more trips.  Don't put them off. And to take the younger two girls on a vacation every year.  They work hard too.

-To take care of myself better.  I have not been that great at working out.  Eating great, but not working out.

-Write a Will.  Dad didn't have one and it's been one headache for my younger brother. 

-to carve out more date nights with my husband.

-sadly it's taught me that some friends are more supportive than family.

The weather outside is . . .

Warmer than the past weekend.  37°/22°F.

On the breakfast plate . . .

Coffee so far.  Will make a casserole later this morning.

As I look outside my window . . .

The snow we got on Christmas day is all melted.

As I look around the house . . .

I also have several lists laying at my computer for the week. 

What I am wearing today . . .

Right now I am still in jammies and a thick robe

Currently reading . . .

Nothing today, but hopefully back to it.  Just haven't felt like reading lately.

On the TV . . .

Whatever catches our eye.

On the menu  . . .

-ham/bean soup to use up all the leftover ham

-chicken tikka masala

-meatloaf, sweet potatoes, 

-salmon patties, roasted veggies

-kamut snack bars

-breakfast casserole with bacon and veggies, greens

Something fun to share . . .

Nothing.

Prayers, Inspirational quotes, Devotionals . . .

My cousin who lost her husband to covid, youngest (still having a rough time), 

 

Merry Christmas!

 Merry Christmas!

Cheers to all of you who stuck with me this year, even if we had or have a difference of opinion on the plan-demic.  I notice so many adults fighting right now about masks and other related things.  It has been a rough year, so thanks for putting up with me on my off days.

One sister is taking all of Dad's photos and putting them on cd's for us (and siblings).  One brother is taking old reel movies and putting them on devices for us all as well.  Things are moving along I guess.  I have letters and will read them and pass them on or scan them and create booklets so all can have a copy if needed.

I'm already making a list of homemade gifts for 2021, and praying our families can get together.

Birthday ~ Dad's Place and other ramblings

Our youngest daughter turned 19 today.  

Sad news. My cousin's husband with covid passed away.

I went to my Dad's place to help siblings clean it out.  Oh my, so many memories.  My 21 year-old was with me and later after we got home realized she had found his dog whistle.  He used to put dog biscuits in the cuff of his pants when he would take walks or visit us with our furry friends, and often took the dog whistle with him.

He had a sleeping bag we used as kids, but looks like it's in great shape.  I brought it home to wash and laughed at the tag...

It says "Drip dry only over two clothes lines." You'd never see a tag like that in our time right now.  Lucky for the sleeping bag, I do have a clothes line (two).

When ever I have a day at his place, I spent the evening bawling my eyes out.  There is one special letter I brought home in my box of items.  A letter that Youngest had written to her Grandpa.  She read it to us and we got some laughs.  I hope to scan it so I can share it here soon.  A very special letter to have.

We have a beautiful sky this morning for such a special day.

Cookies and random tidbits

 I decided to bake my Mom's sour cream cookie recipe for Christmas.  Although I am lacking my Christmas zippity do-dah, I got it done.

Youngest slept the entire day.  I know she got much needed rest.  She went to Urgent care but was sent back home.  No meds, no real diagnosis, so it's Mom's remedies for now.  They also did a rapid virus test (came back negative).

Our sunshine yesterday was gone as fast as it came sadly.  No sun makes a dreary lazy day for me.

Apparently there are thieves cruising the area, who are stealing flat bed trailers.  We don't own one, but it does put one on more of an alert.

I got out my iron and worked on the homemade cards to finish up Mom's gift.

Sad news from afar.  Cousin (she is my age) M's husband  is in the hospital with covid.  It doesn't sound like it's good.  Please say a prayer for her husband.

Happy Homemaker Monday

We had a busy weekend.  Got the younger daughter's car up and running, brakes changed on the truck and oil changed.  Moved 2 loads of furniture out of Dad's place too.  The tag stapled to the bottom of his sofa had the date 11-21-1960.  There is still much to go through.  

We had younger daughter switch back to her car, so we can then change the brakes on my car.  Whew.  After that I hope we are done with car repairs for a while.

We helped two local restaurants over the weekend.  First, our favorite was closed due to Covid.  The other was the first one we went to where they took your temperature when you entered and all employees were wearing gloves.  The other we did take out with.

This week is a very exciting (happy) week for us.  We have a birthday, Christmas and our anniversary coming up.

First today, I need to whip up some homemade ginger-ale for Youngest.  She has cold like symptoms and has laryngitis.  Oh, she tried to go to Urgent care.  The line for covid testers was way out the door.  They sent her home and said come back at 4pm today.  So in the meantime, sage tea or tincture and homemade ginger-ale (already simmering now).

Then I need to finish making homemade cards to finish up Mom's Christmas present.  Oye, Christmas really snuck up on us this year.

Guess who lost the only box of Christmas cards she had?  Yep.  I have not found them, and when I do it will be too late to mail them.  Sigh.

These restrictions regarding covid are driving me nuts.  The daughter who works retail, said her co-worker tested negative, but because his wife is sick and he answered two questions with a yes, he was sent home.  These employees (including both daughters who work) do NOT get paid a dime when forced to stay home.

Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

The weather outside is . . . 

41°F/32° possible sun later today

On the breakfast plate . . . 

Toast, coffee.

As I look out my window . . .

Sun is shining.

As I look around the house . . .

Not worried about anything this week.  There will be no entertaining other than us 4.

What I am wearing today . . .

Black joggers, sweater

Currently reading . . .

My devotional book.

On the TV for this week . . .

A CA Christmas on netflix

 On the menu . . .

-bacon cauliflower chowder

-beef stew

-creamed peas and toast or grilled cheese and home canned tomato soup

-Christmas dinner (still writing that out)

Something fun to share . . .

Nothing.

Favorite photo from the camera . . .

Oldie but goodie.  She turns 19 this week.  In the picture she was playing with the cat with a milk bottle ring.

Prayers, Inspiration quotes, Devotionals . . .

Youngest - she is not feeling well

No other personal requests right now.