The beginning of 2021

It's a new year!  The beginning of something new I hope for all of us.  I spent yesterday (New Year's Eve Day) driving my 21 year-old to her therapy and surgery.  She had the pins removed from her hand.  She is completely healed and has no restrictions using her hand.  So thankful for that.  

Today, I am making black eyed pea casserole for dinner.  It just sounded good.  I'm thinking of rolling out the pastry cloth and making us some biscuits and gravy for breakfast.

I inherited this door from my Dad.  He was a pharmacist.  It's very old.  I grew up working in the store.  The store had a fountain, photo center, cigar counter, penny candy and sold other items.  The fountain (what we called it) is where there were booths to sit and eat, and a long counter with seats to sit and eat.  We sold sandwiches, ice cream, snacks, soda etc.  We had the best hot fudge sundaes.  Anyway, Dad's pharmacy had a swinging door for years until we got robbed (at night when it was closed) and Dad had to enclose the pharmacy with glass and a door that locked.  One daughter had a grand idea.  She said it would be a great door for a room where my medicinals (natural remedies) would be kept (my dried teas, tinctures, etc).  She said it was my own sort of pharmacy.  I just have to figure out where and how.  I just love the idea of it.

A closer look at the colors in the bathtub rag rug.  It just makes me smile, so I am so glad I got it finished.  We need more "happy" in the home right now.

I bought myself a new 2021 planner and already have things planned.  Hoping and praying the new year is much better than 2020.  Happy New Year!

Random Tidbits ~ Happy New Year!

 

I managed to finish the rag rug I started this year.  It's for the bathtub.  Sorry about the lighting, I took the photo just before dinner time.

The book store never called me back on the book they were waiting to price.  I'm assuming it was a legit signed copy and they were selling it for well more than I could afford.  I don't want a signed copy anyway.  I just wanted the recipes.

Happy New Year!

2020 has been a total bunch of hot garbage.  It can only get better from here, as I see it.  Dad's place is empty.  I can't explain how I feel after seeing it that way.  On a funny note, he had several typewriters - electric and manual.  There were 4 typewriters when I arrived with one daughter.  I told her "load 'em up, they are your project now."  She was fascinated that people used to use them.

May 2021 (but I said this in 2020 too) be better than the year before.  We can only hope right?

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.