Yarn!

A couple of days ago I scored a bunch of sale yarn at Hobby Lobby! I picked up a whole bunch for me and a bigger bunch for the prayer shawl group I’m a member of. Today I dropped off the Prayer Shawl Haul! It was so much fun to see the ladies’ faces when we emptied the bags into the table! Everybody loves a bargain, but these ladies love love love a yarn bargain like nobody’s business! They’ve already put most of it away and taken some to make some shawls. I can’t wait to see what lovely things they end up making. I took some “shawl in a ball” in gray to make a road trip shawl... I’ll let you know how it turns out.

It’s good to be back to blogging... it’s sure been a while...

Pork Chops in the crockpot

I found a recipe that is simply amazing!

Put porkchops in the bottom of the lined crockpot. Crockpot liners are the best invention ever!
Then I mix the following in a measuring cup and dump over the chops:
1 can chicken broth
1/4 C olive oil
1 tbsp chopped garlic (2 cloves if you’re using fresh)
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp paprika
1 tbsp Italian seasoning
1 tbsp poultry seasoning

Cook 5 hours on high.
Serve over rice.

An aha moment...

I was sitting in church today while our priest described what Jesus was like. I’m paraphrasing but basically she said Jesus was different, an outsider, and certainly not ordinary. He went out and performed miracles on the sabbath and did what he did for the benefit of all. He didn’t care what people thought about him, he had a job to do and he did it because he was called to do it... his family supported him, but often thought he’d lost his mind.

And as I sat there, I thought... wow! That description sounds a lot like our own President. I’m not saying that Trump is the next coming of Christ, but I am saying that he has a lot of Christ like qualities. Trump is an outsider and is definitely not ordinary. He is a little rough around the edges. The establishment thinks he is crazy. He didn’t think he’d ever be a politician. He is a businessman. He works for the good of every American. He believes that he can help our great nation become even greater. He might not toss tables in the temple, but his twitter feed is definitely making waves! He tells it like it is. Jesus had deciples, President Trump has his advisors. As for miracles - the job report, the booming economy, my retirement fund, and the extra cash in my paycheck each week could be considered miraculous.
We, as a nation, are blessed that Mr Trump is willing to take the crap from the media and those who disagree with him and poo poo his work day in and day out because he believes in what he is doing and that he was called to serve. That, my friends, is a true gift.
It is time for those who disagree to stop for a moment, take a deep breath, and remember that the Office of President is one that needs to be respected regardless of what you think of the guy who holds it. He has accomplished so much already. Focus on the good. Life here in the USA is good. It can be better. Listen to the man - I mean really listen. Don’t “yeah, but”. Listen.

It’s Spring 2018!

Wow! It’s been a while...
Let me try to catch you up.

In August, #1 proposed to Yellow Rose and she said, “Yes!”  That meant plans and flights and hotel reservations and excitement.

Captain America finished up his training in middle America and headed west. He is now settled in to a lovely home complete with roommates and a mish mash of furniture. We got to see him at Thanksgiving and Christmas. We are hoping he can venture this way for Easter. LLB is playing trumpet and bells on Easter morning, so we will be worshipping with her - a treat for us! We aren’t sure where we will be eating Easter dinner, but we’ve got time to figure that out.

Gram was diagnosed with lung cancer in August. That started a series of never ending appointments, radiation treatments, and medications. She loved lobster, so this year we had lobster and corn on the cob for Christmas dinner. She ate every last bit of it. (This was a big deal because she lost her appetite in November.) She fought valiantly, but succumbed in February. My sweet sister was here and together we managed to give Gram what she needed and come out the other side with our sense of humor intact...

FYI: smoking is bad for you. If you smoke, please quit. Don’t make your family endure what we did.

LLB and I flew to TX in January for the shower. It was great to see the happy couple and I got a few hours of time with just #1, as the bachelorette party was that evening. LLB had a great time with the girls.  March brought the wedding in Texas! We danced and partied and had a great time. My sister and her husband were there along with Mr’s younger sister. LLB was in the wedding party and Captain America was able to come - a huge blessing as we weren’t sure if he would deploy.  We were a small but fun contingent and represented the groom quite well! The newlyweds are enjoying a well deserved honeymoon cruise.

Today, I’m sitting at the airport waiting on a flight to Florida to celebrate my oldest dearest friend’s 50th birthday with her family. It’s a surprise. She has no idea! I arrive in the late morning and she is due in later tonight. It’s been hard to keep the secret... only a few more hours. Here’s hoping she doesn’t call me! Hahahaha!

It's Friday!

Tomorrow is the DSF Wrap Up meeting and dinner here at The Crossing. It's supposed to be hot and very humid. Days like this make me really glad we have the pool. I got some new pool noodles today and I'm definitely looking forward to putting them to good use.
I made the pork, baked an angel old cake, defrosted the strawberries, purchased the cole slaw and the chips, and prepped the plates and utensils. Tomorrow, I'll get the wine out, make some lemonade, and deploy it all.
We checked the weather for tomorrow and have become a little worried about our party plans, as it is supposed to storm. The awning is good in the rain, but it's definitely not wind-proof. So... we may be eating indoors all over the house - which is ok, but I was kind of looking forward to setting up the pool deck and making it pretty.
I guess I'll dust and mop tonight just in case we have to have everyone inside. Of course, I know you all find it extremely unlikely that I'd ever have any dust or dirt of any kind in my house... LOL!

Summer 2017 Update

It has been a wild ride!
#1 deployed shortly after we saw him last spring and returned safely in the fall.
We had a lovely Thanksgiving and Christmas with Captain America and his family.
As we got closer to May, wedding  plans went to a fever pitch. We had a few issues and we had a few bumps, but if everything had been smooth, what would we talk about? It's going to take me a little bit of  time to get over some of the shenanigans...
We had a lovely shower for LLB in March. She got a lot of really nice things for her new home. Her childhood friend, Gram, and I did our best to give her a special day.
LLB rents an apartment in the city close to her new Navy job. We move her in on the one free weekend we have at the end of April... yes, her birthday weekend. And then she heads back to school.
May arrived and the craziness began!
LLB's senior arrived a wee bit early, so we were able to make the VMI Awards Ceremony and see LLB get a prize.
LLB and Captain America commissioned - She Navy and He Army.
They both graduated with Honors from VMI - She in Applied Math and Physics. He in Mechanical Engineering.
We arrived home and had a couple of days to run around like chickens before the Wedding Rehearsal.  LLB had to stay in Lexington at ROTC for work. The Navy commissions you, puts you right to work, and pays you. The Army is completely different...
Saturday, the day of the wedding started with decorating the venue - #1 and his sweet girl (I'll call her Yellow Rose because she is from Texas) got up early and worked with me and Captain America's mom and aunties. We put chair covers on, did the table runners, lanterns, guest book, photo booth props, etc.
The wedding ceremony was simply lovely! They all looked great, the message was beautiful and timely, and nobody passed out!
The reception was a blast! The food was phenomenal. The music was fabulous. LLB and her dad did a choreographed father - daughter dance complete with groomsmen backup dancers. The guests loved it! Captain America was duly impressed - although his parents not so much. In their defense, they'd had 14 people sharing one house for a week. I think they were completely fried.
The following weekend was the Strawberry Festival. We are tired...
A couple of weeks after the wedding, Captain America and LLB headed off to get him settled at his base out in middle America. His wee car was packed to the gills!
Captain America's little brother graduated from high school and we attended his party which was very nice.
Since then, we relaxed a little bit, swam in the pool, had some adult beverages, and put our feet up. I've made a bunch of crochet items and am working on some small blankets for a charity, some  shawls, and some mittens.
We've moved some more furniture pieces into LLB's place and helped her set up her apartment. We hung pictures. We organized her closets. And it is really cute!
It's now mid-July. I've organized, filed, and inventoried the church's handbell music. I've chosen music for the year and sent the emails. I've got to purchase a few pieces to purchase for the other church, and then I'll be ready for September.
We've got one more party by the pool this summer - ok maybe 2... The water is great! Come on over - but call before you come so we can make some lemonade!

Spring 2016 Update

Ok, so the path to hell is paved with good intentions.  I had every intention to blog at least once a week... We can all see how well that went.

Anyway, back in February, Captain America proposed to LLB and she said YES! She was completely surprised. We were fortunate to be out to dinner (at a different restaurant) with his parents. We all knew he was going to pop the question, so we hung out and waited until we got "the call" from a very happy, very tearful LLB. She then called her grandmother and her brother. It was such a happy night!

We have been in the midst of planning and acquiring all that is needed for a wedding. We have a year, but these things take time. We have a venue. We have the church. We have the bubbles! We have the invitations. We even have the table runners, chair covers, and chair bows. Most importantly, we have "the dress". It is simply gorgeous, but you all will have to wait until next year to see it, as I can't risk Captain America getting even one glimpse... It is an exciting time!!

We are currently figuring out table numbers and center pieces. I can't believe how many lists I have going -- potential attendees (we only have room for 100 people total), music selections, line dances I need to learn, items for the registry, and more.

Mr, LLB, and I went to Texas to visit #1. We had a short, but lovely visit with him.  He will deploy soon, but we know he is well trained, well prepared, and will be back sometime this fall. We won't have much contact -- if any. It's a good thing time flies, huh? His apartment is really nice and he will get his very own washer and dryer upon his return. Its funny how priorities change as they age - the laundromat I not his favorite hangout. ;)

I was given a chance to visit with my dearest childhood friend at her parents' home in Naples in early April. We went to the zoo, vegged by the pool, and chatted about everything and nothing. It was a great time and I do so hope they invite me back.

My latest endeavors include crocheting mittens, blankets, and shawls. You can get a lot done while waiting for flights... LLB will need a shawl for her wedding, so we will be taking a trip to the yarn shop to get some super special yarn. I'd like to make her something out of a really fine and snuggly soft yarn... But first we need to find a pattern. :)

Gram is well. We try to get out a few times a week. Sometimes we shop. Sometimes we go to appointments. We always go to lunch! :)