Thursday

It’s Friday Eve!
Last night I finished the Dragon Fly blanket for the Delaplane Strawberry Festival. I am pleased with how it came out. I hope a lot of people think it is lovely and buy raffle tickets.

Today, after a quick trip to Costco, I started a wool blanket for a special couple for their wedding that’s coming up in the fall. I want to get it done so I don’t have to scramble at the last minute. When I get it finished, I’ll post some pictures.

Monday

Mondays tend to be challenging. I get distracted on Mondays...
I start the dishes and notice the counter needs a wipe...
I go to put the cleaning cloth in the washer and remember that the clothes in the dryer need to be folded.
I take the lint out to the baffle and remember I need to go to the dump...
And it goes from there.
Needless to say, all the chores are done - finally.

Cold...

2018 was the year of rain.
I had hoped that 2019 would be a smidge drier.
Yep, I’m complaining... you may want to click the red x in the corner... I understand. Nobody should have time to listen to me whine about the cold.
We’ve had rain and snow. We had rain yesterday. Heck, it’s supposed to rain some more this weekend. Yay. Not.
Winter rain is cold.
Bone chilling cold.
I’ve got the fire going, but it’s still cold. I’m ready for 65 and sunny... yes, I realize it’s January...
Rant over...

Life is short

One of my bell ringers died suddenly. Mary...
She was a quirky, funny, highly educated, faithful woman. I’ll be honest... when I first met her many years ago she was hard to like, but I grew to appreciate her, to enjoy our time together in bible study, and to love her and her quirks. She joined our bell choir a couple of years ago and jumped in with both feet. She actually practiced. She was the first one to sign up for bell fests because learning was important to her.
Mary was an integral part of our church. She sang in the choir, came to weekly bible study, volunteered when she could, and she was one of my ringers. This year I made her a blue shawl. I knew she wanted a blue wrap, and I just felt called to make it for her. She was so excited when she got it. For Christmas this year, I knew money was tight for her, so I made her a scarf, a pair of mittens, and I tucked a gift card in the mitten. She loved it! I got the biggest best hug from her on Christmas Eve. That was the last time I saw her in person.
She will be missed.
I will miss her. We will all miss her.

Crockpot honey-garlic chicken thighs

We discovered this recipe this week and it was yummy!

Ingredients

4 - 6 skinless, boneless chicken thighs

1/2 cup soy sauce

1/2 cup ketchup

1/3 cup honey

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon dried basil

Directions

Line the crockpot for easy cleanup

Put thighs in crockpot 

Combine the rest of the ingredients and whisk together. 

Pour over thighs

Cook on low for 6 hours

Serve with rice

Brrr... who turned on winter?

Last week we had some snow. This week we had snow and then rain.

Today, someone turned off the heat and plunged us right into winter with freezing temps and blustery winds. I’d like 65 and sunny, thanks! 

It’s a new year!

The renovation was complete shortly before Christmas. We got the furniture put back, the closet and pantry systems installed, and everything clean for the New Years Day Brunch. We gave house tours, drank mimosas, and celebrated with our friends and neighbors. Since it was such a hit, our thought is to have the New Years Brunch instead of the Christmas Party from now on. As time goes on , I’ll work on getting the pictures back on the walls, my yarn stash organized, and Mr’s train room ready for trains and track. We are truly blessed to be able to do this renovation and to have such a great team make it happen.
We’ve had some life changes around here as well. LLBs marriage didn’t work out. We are thankful that she is out and safe and that the Navy and her coworkers have been so supportive. There were a few things he pulled on his way out the door that we found reprehensible - for example: He threatened to take her cats, left her without a car, and accrued a significant debt on her credit card. LLB is strong and met each challenge head on. She protected her cats and herself. We scrambled, bought a new car for me, sold her mine, and figured out a way for her to pay off the debt and not suffer from bad credit. She has come out the other side, is back to her normal bubbly self, is happy to be starting over, and is looking forward to whatever joys life brings next. Again, we are incredibly thankful that she is safe and that my mother left us in a position to be able to help her.
I continue to direct my bell choirs, although I am more and more eager to get back behind the table and ring. I’m working hard to work myself out of a job and pass the baton to someone else. We are attending festival in Ocean City this spring, and I hope someone I bring with me is inspired to take over! Yeah... I’m not holding my breath.
Mini has adjusted to being back in familiar digs. She spends her time asleep on our bed, lounging on the couch in front of the fire, and looking out the back door. She loves to chase her mouse on a string, but just a few nights ago, she discovered the joy that is the “red dot”.  She hasn’t caught it yet, but you know, practice makes perfect!