tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63229313605306213212024-03-15T18:10:10.568-07:00Berries and MoreNelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731594872663348711noreply@blogger.comBlogger1706125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322931360530621321.post-18987508340602056242024-02-15T09:08:00.000-08:002024-02-15T09:08:27.891-08:00Winter pleasures….<p> Hello! Wow!! Checking the stats for views of my last blog post….over 200!! Some of you perhaps keep checking to see if I’ve updated my entries…or perhaps it’s the title. I don’t recall ever having that many views! </p><p>This February has been packed with special events, beginning with Groundhog Day. We don’t have a resident groundhog here currently, so there was no chance of a picture to see if he saw his shadow. </p><p>The mantle shows some of the special days this month.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDo_WqnQOf5Ok-IROqcwhrQJ8ewx5oyrSDy2GpL4WibS44iuN9w3MkwVENA1Bgv7kSm_AV6asxZzRMmWAbh3ShPomRXkjRgHrHWZqKhDPjIPd_Zr1_WAQdp0dxM4bO4OQCzJQAQyDwXWkMgI0QeI6ISz-uWnyljLIlhfAiisdVF3y0CgRN-4H99W00lmo/s4032/IMG_3955.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDo_WqnQOf5Ok-IROqcwhrQJ8ewx5oyrSDy2GpL4WibS44iuN9w3MkwVENA1Bgv7kSm_AV6asxZzRMmWAbh3ShPomRXkjRgHrHWZqKhDPjIPd_Zr1_WAQdp0dxM4bO4OQCzJQAQyDwXWkMgI0QeI6ISz-uWnyljLIlhfAiisdVF3y0CgRN-4H99W00lmo/s320/IMG_3955.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>February 10 was the Lunar New Year. This is the Year of the Dragon, which coincidentally occurred the year I was born! Celebrations may continue for several days because this is considered a greater than usual year. <div><br /></div><div>The table setting is ready for all of the special days!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhArtG9Xs1LkXYoOCUkR-1SMoPM3YurGpMumZyHOqPf5AvGoGPFC7P-lWBt0PamscAk4EBjj3OVa6Fvfzx6fwbUtmtzsuZKBk45URCQGRRJE9JcEKIAVN22Xv1fvm1Ha6uEjWPEEJKeEhIP_2syu5tPewQ_k8WyswFrK5DG8z2MMiWLMa-ZV-FPAtl41-xu/s4032/IMG_3953.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhArtG9Xs1LkXYoOCUkR-1SMoPM3YurGpMumZyHOqPf5AvGoGPFC7P-lWBt0PamscAk4EBjj3OVa6Fvfzx6fwbUtmtzsuZKBk45URCQGRRJE9JcEKIAVN22Xv1fvm1Ha6uEjWPEEJKeEhIP_2syu5tPewQ_k8WyswFrK5DG8z2MMiWLMa-ZV-FPAtl41-xu/s320/IMG_3953.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>February 13 was Mardi Gras. No King Cake here this year. On past blog posts, I’ve shown the progress as I proceeded to bake our own. <div><br /></div><div>Then, Wednesday was not only Valentine’s Day, it was also Ash Wednesday, with Easter’s earlier arrival this year.</div><div><br /></div><div>We began our Valentine’s Day with Quiche Lorraine and Blueberry Muffins, thanks to my favorite grocery.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5uWRp7fKLcXXej7V1YhQd1iQggj-JcsWOZ80x-CMn7twtJro21u7EzVWq7IhVQ0ik2f1UV9XeG-MWsoGcIeZRAFr8qSWdLLBMC9r04yUELi82jvGgRxszwdJlwCQuoQWc-FLl4Un_wSXaz86PDNTev3Jdt7V_GpLjwJhnrGKI3837lF2ldQSqeg-xB8D/s4032/IMG_3952.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5uWRp7fKLcXXej7V1YhQd1iQggj-JcsWOZ80x-CMn7twtJro21u7EzVWq7IhVQ0ik2f1UV9XeG-MWsoGcIeZRAFr8qSWdLLBMC9r04yUELi82jvGgRxszwdJlwCQuoQWc-FLl4Un_wSXaz86PDNTev3Jdt7V_GpLjwJhnrGKI3837lF2ldQSqeg-xB8D/s320/IMG_3952.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The Husband and I were able to go out for a Valentine’s Day dinner.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhosNGth11ZmUc0C9DNHZfayp1uL-Da_FpxFqFiF6vTYQm6IsMQNidf_pHjnR15bHeibixKRK2raKWNw29J7gSHXUqwg6gixjVyrK_YOLUBfegkOYMuY_6hkfAMfsrhyphenhyphenGxfGKKY1Q0S8uRT09TS17ZQDQVan3qXeii5xztTq_sR4H9i8-UtF4_zylx1WAu8/s4032/IMG_3956.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhosNGth11ZmUc0C9DNHZfayp1uL-Da_FpxFqFiF6vTYQm6IsMQNidf_pHjnR15bHeibixKRK2raKWNw29J7gSHXUqwg6gixjVyrK_YOLUBfegkOYMuY_6hkfAMfsrhyphenhyphenGxfGKKY1Q0S8uRT09TS17ZQDQVan3qXeii5xztTq_sR4H9i8-UtF4_zylx1WAu8/s320/IMG_3956.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>The bread was so good, especially dipped in that oil!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqY0wYjVy-4JjuggZABOxjThVfZoX0ljiZQKl8J5c-6eA5NcNu07qrZNrlH57otJelqFziGKdWCAkszUwPo4rkDE11JS9sd2hfdz9omIsxEvdAYgqa_iD4C90HAtPLb4zcbaeWO4bnxZpC2FsoumduxqjzqrXW0vTF5tpjFZOPekkPunELxBCbfSR1-tCz/s4032/IMG_3960.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqY0wYjVy-4JjuggZABOxjThVfZoX0ljiZQKl8J5c-6eA5NcNu07qrZNrlH57otJelqFziGKdWCAkszUwPo4rkDE11JS9sd2hfdz9omIsxEvdAYgqa_iD4C90HAtPLb4zcbaeWO4bnxZpC2FsoumduxqjzqrXW0vTF5tpjFZOPekkPunELxBCbfSR1-tCz/s320/IMG_3960.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>I chose the salmon. The Husband chose stuffed cod.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN22iqWumTV7KoAWhMnwdwKTNiZ2IvFit9sBIP_eggE3A8XSzGiE93iMkxTYPd50oZl5Fd-0oTq7ggxEgnNCxlVYzxf5AB1UXbI5iXtDEFgNyNSIcM91TuC4eHX4pukUSw4uOu2nyIfr5VmKHcxARelNNxHSbZIAskKowK5ENdsbGVRKJWmk6CLpEisPPu/s4032/IMG_3961.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN22iqWumTV7KoAWhMnwdwKTNiZ2IvFit9sBIP_eggE3A8XSzGiE93iMkxTYPd50oZl5Fd-0oTq7ggxEgnNCxlVYzxf5AB1UXbI5iXtDEFgNyNSIcM91TuC4eHX4pukUSw4uOu2nyIfr5VmKHcxARelNNxHSbZIAskKowK5ENdsbGVRKJWmk6CLpEisPPu/s320/IMG_3961.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>Time has been spent in the kitchen, however, for home-cooked meals.<div><br /></div><div>Lots of chopping for this very tasty Root Vegetable Soup!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJGxLA3d4xE1gPStfn_os3blhY-sbLivgP69FdE2tdf1mOR3lSnX8m8t68hVlmNAL9XfDd5f-ka91EU_uJ-9qI3hPWNvMzzJoV3QzlKWgZZoQBHxFbA7aXNrzBEYOlPYwbzyKbkFQu_wYRqTHA0wovjkKcob_lQ7cCmQNZOYlkeYwl8BlUFptPOnZzRnp/s4032/IMG_3920.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJGxLA3d4xE1gPStfn_os3blhY-sbLivgP69FdE2tdf1mOR3lSnX8m8t68hVlmNAL9XfDd5f-ka91EU_uJ-9qI3hPWNvMzzJoV3QzlKWgZZoQBHxFbA7aXNrzBEYOlPYwbzyKbkFQu_wYRqTHA0wovjkKcob_lQ7cCmQNZOYlkeYwl8BlUFptPOnZzRnp/s320/IMG_3920.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>Toasted oats were also an ingredient!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvo_1b5vUzUp3rWzD28GwwYwZUkh6v58uZJI1q3D-fbrvUyte0NXGAWBYg9LqKzADI_xDyfOF_f-wIrPe3VDLdXgMtVjM5yUpXFiPDDGnARihGzoNrbuPFoJuiIcXk8z9PDS58OMeHLS7t2KHj87WEg7Tz23rdEzSSQ9r1UdZtMrPni4FlSTzI0bmXOtE8/s4032/IMG_3921.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvo_1b5vUzUp3rWzD28GwwYwZUkh6v58uZJI1q3D-fbrvUyte0NXGAWBYg9LqKzADI_xDyfOF_f-wIrPe3VDLdXgMtVjM5yUpXFiPDDGnARihGzoNrbuPFoJuiIcXk8z9PDS58OMeHLS7t2KHj87WEg7Tz23rdEzSSQ9r1UdZtMrPni4FlSTzI0bmXOtE8/s320/IMG_3921.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlze6yfcOkAHAcKknXkeaCSNgCXmnNhTnG9iSLgoHCqMm-WNXaGKxMRXYrcacApsn1gG_uylV25KiG6yX76iqsEiFzBRoDlh1OWjQk9KYp9tuYryxyk80nHdkOqNCUSFWCUm8DYbd3zXIR5C5s9128mPTXK2vaNHsQ56AhvFNiR9CcgvVzCAmfiw1GpcXM/s4032/IMG_3922.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlze6yfcOkAHAcKknXkeaCSNgCXmnNhTnG9iSLgoHCqMm-WNXaGKxMRXYrcacApsn1gG_uylV25KiG6yX76iqsEiFzBRoDlh1OWjQk9KYp9tuYryxyk80nHdkOqNCUSFWCUm8DYbd3zXIR5C5s9128mPTXK2vaNHsQ56AhvFNiR9CcgvVzCAmfiw1GpcXM/s320/IMG_3922.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip9ys9cYDf0szs9fet3Sngg8Xu_NUZfNPFgl5Z1rxruZgK9RuqjBUzfNAMo6N5lZ_wYCMrs0FTcSjuU6lHDEs6AN8j-Oams5gZ5QQD5ouhb5r4mzhwGen0FpzVjWKiW8c6v9gRxoFcivGIVxu3tpqZaYW79iocUbf-iIxiDUKQvYxxPp-cu13ymBylDCIx/s4032/IMG_3923.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip9ys9cYDf0szs9fet3Sngg8Xu_NUZfNPFgl5Z1rxruZgK9RuqjBUzfNAMo6N5lZ_wYCMrs0FTcSjuU6lHDEs6AN8j-Oams5gZ5QQD5ouhb5r4mzhwGen0FpzVjWKiW8c6v9gRxoFcivGIVxu3tpqZaYW79iocUbf-iIxiDUKQvYxxPp-cu13ymBylDCIx/s320/IMG_3923.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>It was delicious! The recipe is in the Grit Magazine for March/April 2023.</div><div><br /></div><div>Of course, dessert receives some attention. This time it was Black Forest Cake, first time for baking it.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOfu1pmtuqiK0lsnulRyA9O7aduDBk4OZCxsBS03kL9_37sgNSH18uky50N-pfhptbfmWKSaLVKGmDYi-WOyRQxCZzyynzc_dHYvtbEEykBcjhtmmOWInICX4Nb22XjObL0yuWVqht6J7l855RGGBf7Qrs-ZrJfNQrwqRd2NL7FJHG9-B6F9HZ5p5u1rbE/s4032/IMG_3928.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOfu1pmtuqiK0lsnulRyA9O7aduDBk4OZCxsBS03kL9_37sgNSH18uky50N-pfhptbfmWKSaLVKGmDYi-WOyRQxCZzyynzc_dHYvtbEEykBcjhtmmOWInICX4Nb22XjObL0yuWVqht6J7l855RGGBf7Qrs-ZrJfNQrwqRd2NL7FJHG9-B6F9HZ5p5u1rbE/s320/IMG_3928.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibfWSKrd8QhqriRh5NyOJKYGo4u3uFcDGEvmj3Xx-PVsFGPqGy4rBgtldZ9rY_8huXjzi4VNFBaLQCQPQ0sHW-t_wfZPv59ouS0JHZIqpi8ugrV9I4HXd7s0bJ_w6eD7pUQdVb_RjicKtoa8t9q2fLzICuimaM7SG3_tYB5KJwJtf8L8Tb4ING0H8R2zgY/s4032/IMG_3929.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibfWSKrd8QhqriRh5NyOJKYGo4u3uFcDGEvmj3Xx-PVsFGPqGy4rBgtldZ9rY_8huXjzi4VNFBaLQCQPQ0sHW-t_wfZPv59ouS0JHZIqpi8ugrV9I4HXd7s0bJ_w6eD7pUQdVb_RjicKtoa8t9q2fLzICuimaM7SG3_tYB5KJwJtf8L8Tb4ING0H8R2zgY/s320/IMG_3929.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOQL-jZcQFx7DUbWyaSzAIx5sGB2xbf5-t8JYNi4m-3czKcu1g7Rz7RzTCH07S-dOyPfVqocFBZhURXN45Hh-Hp-VCtrMax9Tmu_X8BbVvT8riX3vw980UxUjcOvGY7pHvaD2oVYogIU1PiWJEEG2aY6mlAbsMd7ZDw7P6UUFi_8Sbs6n35tNEuZT0cwS/s4032/IMG_3931.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOQL-jZcQFx7DUbWyaSzAIx5sGB2xbf5-t8JYNi4m-3czKcu1g7Rz7RzTCH07S-dOyPfVqocFBZhURXN45Hh-Hp-VCtrMax9Tmu_X8BbVvT8riX3vw980UxUjcOvGY7pHvaD2oVYogIU1PiWJEEG2aY6mlAbsMd7ZDw7P6UUFi_8Sbs6n35tNEuZT0cwS/s320/IMG_3931.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>The cake was very well-received!</div><div><br /></div><div>February has been full of special observations. We still have Presidents Day, plus there is that extra day in the month included this year….Leap Year!</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh, one more thing I didn’t include above. When I was shopping at World Market, there was a Lunar New Year chart on display. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0A8Hbwzfj5Gab7CljPEXdDzmrpNNGQ6hPfRfkW6dygRnW8bqIclekk4yUkPo52I6M5te4LBDS0VgUYoMeebY3mQrq8EUtS1IM2ZOQKuRKZeP0kpxcXfo-p2yLzSJFHJzX-t9dHmdozKG5d9xJExgKx2rESde_8wNBqy_zvnhQu0L0J_Pm3_NxTUlO1MYq/s4032/IMG_3947.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0A8Hbwzfj5Gab7CljPEXdDzmrpNNGQ6hPfRfkW6dygRnW8bqIclekk4yUkPo52I6M5te4LBDS0VgUYoMeebY3mQrq8EUtS1IM2ZOQKuRKZeP0kpxcXfo-p2yLzSJFHJzX-t9dHmdozKG5d9xJExgKx2rESde_8wNBqy_zvnhQu0L0J_Pm3_NxTUlO1MYq/s320/IMG_3947.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>Can you find your year?</div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you for being here. Sending along wishes for all good things to come your way!<br /><div><br /><div><br /><p><br /></p></div></div></div>Nelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731594872663348711noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322931360530621321.post-15918980010319807762024-01-16T09:00:00.000-08:002024-01-16T09:00:32.220-08:00The big news….<p> ….where we are is SNOW! </p><p>We rarely have much snow in our area, the best some flurries or enough for a bare ground cover. This is one of those very unusual occasions for more than just a simple ground cover!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijdfu1_h9HjuD3Xoa-4LBdsN0XVyRbNCIajhwtiXF_N01GGDRpCkV9dmD0Q6XWmQTwNosdkJPz5_HzAtZr3tPSQ-fOskCQ-Loaco-TTJXvVVOSEukId5rRF3WL7aEfjJNUxVelK_KCJG5wxOehXWemm7NDTH9qi-vLm9xT3JOOdaXBALuI7s_yDlM43Rz/s4032/IMG_3934.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijdfu1_h9HjuD3Xoa-4LBdsN0XVyRbNCIajhwtiXF_N01GGDRpCkV9dmD0Q6XWmQTwNosdkJPz5_HzAtZr3tPSQ-fOskCQ-Loaco-TTJXvVVOSEukId5rRF3WL7aEfjJNUxVelK_KCJG5wxOehXWemm7NDTH9qi-vLm9xT3JOOdaXBALuI7s_yDlM43Rz/s320/IMG_3934.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>This was the view from our front door on Monday morning about 7:30 a.m.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUCUiuYRIGmQChmlfuqas8eRUzfijPe0zda7JvyWwEi1N4qCLmn6GAJdAmFZ82q-63ONg4pxXNTjxTWrhQCKBx6e-p1KELlxBqxs6fd6b6U9oR-RVI5LmQ-3wvHymj2qGWa-vgTLe6HuROOhc98zbqMpgYnPkCRagSNnTWhGz9EFAFyWWimlPO7Qnmo4jQ/s4032/IMG_3936.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUCUiuYRIGmQChmlfuqas8eRUzfijPe0zda7JvyWwEi1N4qCLmn6GAJdAmFZ82q-63ONg4pxXNTjxTWrhQCKBx6e-p1KELlxBqxs6fd6b6U9oR-RVI5LmQ-3wvHymj2qGWa-vgTLe6HuROOhc98zbqMpgYnPkCRagSNnTWhGz9EFAFyWWimlPO7Qnmo4jQ/s320/IMG_3936.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>About the middle of the day on Monday, we had this view.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAipyohCAomPbJnrZJ8fAh89KGRW4P0ixv0stFlcWN19tkk0-hyzz6Qz8RKJUZ50w3lDslYp0CjdUGI-HQ3lNmRcI_xQz4InOOrjMkoGzpg_H8OjDxkPqRiX9Tmq_VMMdtGzcA8n9cJk8gyvptCO_-B5Xcm3LiBB4cxEdx1PyLMCsCvT4EgeP3ueALyfh/s4032/IMG_3937.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAipyohCAomPbJnrZJ8fAh89KGRW4P0ixv0stFlcWN19tkk0-hyzz6Qz8RKJUZ50w3lDslYp0CjdUGI-HQ3lNmRcI_xQz4InOOrjMkoGzpg_H8OjDxkPqRiX9Tmq_VMMdtGzcA8n9cJk8gyvptCO_-B5Xcm3LiBB4cxEdx1PyLMCsCvT4EgeP3ueALyfh/s320/IMG_3937.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>This morning, Tuesday, this is the view out the bedroom window. The bird bath looks like a giant ice cream cone to me!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-ia_khXUbliZxE5GtgH9jHjWDbAh5tsfdzFhxrbytXjxsbNqlPSk04XB6xRuhqe7orn9WbHe9jsk8cFb3KfT9EpODSScc4iQOfIZ3RLBAn6sB4Yu5KCreVMOTxiHiqIddyBUoCJS0lwNPS2D2Zv3C3sTca5H4SaQVB_Ojv7JygePmQmwzEJ-b59g_Qv1/s4032/IMG_3938.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-ia_khXUbliZxE5GtgH9jHjWDbAh5tsfdzFhxrbytXjxsbNqlPSk04XB6xRuhqe7orn9WbHe9jsk8cFb3KfT9EpODSScc4iQOfIZ3RLBAn6sB4Yu5KCreVMOTxiHiqIddyBUoCJS0lwNPS2D2Zv3C3sTca5H4SaQVB_Ojv7JygePmQmwzEJ-b59g_Qv1/s320/IMG_3938.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>This is our view from the front door. We haven’t been outside to attempt to measure it, though nearby friends have measured and report eight inches! The wind chill is enough to convince us to stay indoors where it’s warm. We have all we need, and we are grateful there has been no power outage at this point.<div><br /></div><div>Do you have snow where you are? Stay safe and warm!<br /><div><br /><p><br /></p></div></div>Nelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731594872663348711noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322931360530621321.post-36812636844177516292023-12-30T10:18:00.000-08:002023-12-30T10:18:48.997-08:00Before the New Year comes….<p> ….I want to review a few things that were special during the Christmas season.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGawZhFdrxLtLmGTMxYEZDg1QM15aY0ndSQXGPcX8E8KUYiELoLI0ch2Mf5UOq4MQqiG2x0HiOB5Wj67STKoHRL5H1REmP4JD3YBXe3854NHwqNBscXmfiaIbiOM1o80fTTJ23dVKpY4C-3uXWcY0lzPuvpPKCDQWKAlcuXfmDTWiDSDtV5MLXTt8giy_c/s4032/IMG_3877.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGawZhFdrxLtLmGTMxYEZDg1QM15aY0ndSQXGPcX8E8KUYiELoLI0ch2Mf5UOq4MQqiG2x0HiOB5Wj67STKoHRL5H1REmP4JD3YBXe3854NHwqNBscXmfiaIbiOM1o80fTTJ23dVKpY4C-3uXWcY0lzPuvpPKCDQWKAlcuXfmDTWiDSDtV5MLXTt8giy_c/s320/IMG_3877.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>One of three Angel Trees at our church. Church members provided Christmas gifts for 120 families this season.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOWv1f8o552OHyBS1wXIxHPVrYJDPq6h2bifaQgrfPxBsByt19yhNS_MUctmeqU8B2MdrQrlJxlHG5B2Rw-oGDtgvzSOVKUHjecR9II_9Ma8HBTdRuwmKwNHvIPCFAo3ck-KGJ99X3HJwHJCvyVeyE5AHmyRbV7gN6fIccrVUMThD7h0l6pdIC3MxMCMTA/s4032/IMG_3870.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOWv1f8o552OHyBS1wXIxHPVrYJDPq6h2bifaQgrfPxBsByt19yhNS_MUctmeqU8B2MdrQrlJxlHG5B2Rw-oGDtgvzSOVKUHjecR9II_9Ma8HBTdRuwmKwNHvIPCFAo3ck-KGJ99X3HJwHJCvyVeyE5AHmyRbV7gN6fIccrVUMThD7h0l6pdIC3MxMCMTA/s320/IMG_3870.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>The festive table setting at my Circle Christmas luncheon.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg9qhNqsbJts3Sf4jOJw-4ZeK5yqVbCcuvdmEx1bw_2AU0yh_qtfpNMEiat3QkVU7qlH0paZ8QFVde7Z_7S-iJFCxg6Glp3JUjgv27FW4HnF-yD9Huoz7Wt_cAb8a8lLIE56rUKaEhsOPjIxoA5909AYP3_Y46KXRCgaLCNbSoya1LKzgTSfJm8qxhBMb7/s4032/IMG_3873.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg9qhNqsbJts3Sf4jOJw-4ZeK5yqVbCcuvdmEx1bw_2AU0yh_qtfpNMEiat3QkVU7qlH0paZ8QFVde7Z_7S-iJFCxg6Glp3JUjgv27FW4HnF-yD9Huoz7Wt_cAb8a8lLIE56rUKaEhsOPjIxoA5909AYP3_Y46KXRCgaLCNbSoya1LKzgTSfJm8qxhBMb7/s320/IMG_3873.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>There was plenty of good food available.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOwk-xp2j47koPE7qrF7Ux_lgyWA9yT46glBRLNC-TqhNH6S6d8rMnbC7R06NkNhljxrx65VZoA7O5Vcd0GTUTra4ynYulD7C7VAdYzrv0np_ayCsmOnzrG1g_BiuKyTyDdsR4b2gIq0DJ84yk78JzzSX7MzBXWYs1lNvFuIsVgK_DNtOIY09DdMoo50Ga/s4032/IMG_3872.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOwk-xp2j47koPE7qrF7Ux_lgyWA9yT46glBRLNC-TqhNH6S6d8rMnbC7R06NkNhljxrx65VZoA7O5Vcd0GTUTra4ynYulD7C7VAdYzrv0np_ayCsmOnzrG1g_BiuKyTyDdsR4b2gIq0DJ84yk78JzzSX7MzBXWYs1lNvFuIsVgK_DNtOIY09DdMoo50Ga/s320/IMG_3872.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>This jolly soul held his place at a visible corner.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilTVLMGKXrC313inHIP5AV7BKXdkIpIi-tg5nuB2w8FKq250ZhLflMaLJ9wx2HC-kGZxp5VZa82kPYqZ3WwhdC_nfKfrUcmR2tUWA7YJbR6kDuMin3U-MRnz57fY0VsW_YZW96V-eceZm2Y1XhjfpQtFQO6K7L02sbibCNW04Bex1J59Wp51aN9ywQIi6t/s4032/IMG_3876.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilTVLMGKXrC313inHIP5AV7BKXdkIpIi-tg5nuB2w8FKq250ZhLflMaLJ9wx2HC-kGZxp5VZa82kPYqZ3WwhdC_nfKfrUcmR2tUWA7YJbR6kDuMin3U-MRnz57fY0VsW_YZW96V-eceZm2Y1XhjfpQtFQO6K7L02sbibCNW04Bex1J59Wp51aN9ywQIi6t/s320/IMG_3876.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>Decoration at our church.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRyd58pK1gEJO9VpbNghjlwUzv86DXZhzWWOm4DdZunvJjhc6rW_WeO8SSZq2tBJ32NVzEq4nJ7CQcTh2fGaoiuh-K4BaSEfLdA4wh87tU_tP5WF45JbYISgcI5UjOkOCANmmfD2GnyTPci4A_KrhCU9v3zxx8sW8Fk4LgR0yj1Npi6SXuGxhQ67nHE4MQ/s4032/IMG_3875.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRyd58pK1gEJO9VpbNghjlwUzv86DXZhzWWOm4DdZunvJjhc6rW_WeO8SSZq2tBJ32NVzEq4nJ7CQcTh2fGaoiuh-K4BaSEfLdA4wh87tU_tP5WF45JbYISgcI5UjOkOCANmmfD2GnyTPci4A_KrhCU9v3zxx8sW8Fk4LgR0yj1Npi6SXuGxhQ67nHE4MQ/s320/IMG_3875.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>The Nativity set out at the beginning of the Christmas season. <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKriyjpBclLaUzqcSjFr0THipcZddFdbyV0cpdAZmg8_-zHU-eOSq_9L_LXoTraqX5rQm-KR8PfQR7i8ATzB-JivyvdiYvZ27mDlINx5iTX05_6qbVEifqMmjQaxWYhcQd6_tIqpAoPVe1aJoxcfjClYA7GdOEBtU5J6cKjNZaLrFA2V8bhg_rcnWSYJAs/s4032/IMG_3912.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKriyjpBclLaUzqcSjFr0THipcZddFdbyV0cpdAZmg8_-zHU-eOSq_9L_LXoTraqX5rQm-KR8PfQR7i8ATzB-JivyvdiYvZ27mDlINx5iTX05_6qbVEifqMmjQaxWYhcQd6_tIqpAoPVe1aJoxcfjClYA7GdOEBtU5J6cKjNZaLrFA2V8bhg_rcnWSYJAs/s320/IMG_3912.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>It would appear that Santa found our house this year!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNxnVebg7AfLs-62kDnOXXaH0tz83AsO1Gp1gEpE8g9JnNaSLoaQeHcDkbVK55OfId3BEnFlFx9CSr3447LvAbERveo-8Ac8DLTnLvm3sTRYoTIOgyEEHqY3HEHR1uVH2QzcOVR3Nwc4yu6p-__ylylIvpLcveirlB0yOiJjpSYrakgklshchJJmwwZJ_o/s4032/IMG_3910.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNxnVebg7AfLs-62kDnOXXaH0tz83AsO1Gp1gEpE8g9JnNaSLoaQeHcDkbVK55OfId3BEnFlFx9CSr3447LvAbERveo-8Ac8DLTnLvm3sTRYoTIOgyEEHqY3HEHR1uVH2QzcOVR3Nwc4yu6p-__ylylIvpLcveirlB0yOiJjpSYrakgklshchJJmwwZJ_o/s320/IMG_3910.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>Lovely and delicious gluten-free cake with cranberry compote brought by Muncho Mom for dessert after Christmas dinner.<div><br /></div><div>Wishing you and yours a New Year with many joyous moments! Take care! <br /><div><br /><p><br /></p></div></div>Nelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731594872663348711noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322931360530621321.post-79831530899030774612023-12-24T08:49:00.000-08:002023-12-24T08:49:12.630-08:00Before Christmas….<p> ….we celebrate birthdays!</p><p>That’s right! It was 49 years ago that we welcomed TWO babies instead of the expected ONE on December 23, one day before our due date of the 24th. Muncho Mom and Country Girl joined their 20-month old big sister, City Girl. </p><p>There are a few dietary concerns to be considered these days, and Muncho Mom came up with this specially-baked cake….</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9BGziPoxRL-y42iqasC1UgX-uLKC21dGMBxhYl3cGFH02p7LKptUGY1AJYhKqmPm2lOPaqV4I0fk1qhMRj7QrZ5gZC5tqh0wmMeEivsOhj9qRUHyFSMrAKV7gtoKtMjr95wwbIEMV2Hfn4BsDGNqeGXC-y9Vepmi88_vtgwALZLg8hEbz2l3tup7A8dg9/s4032/IMG_3888.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9BGziPoxRL-y42iqasC1UgX-uLKC21dGMBxhYl3cGFH02p7LKptUGY1AJYhKqmPm2lOPaqV4I0fk1qhMRj7QrZ5gZC5tqh0wmMeEivsOhj9qRUHyFSMrAKV7gtoKtMjr95wwbIEMV2Hfn4BsDGNqeGXC-y9Vepmi88_vtgwALZLg8hEbz2l3tup7A8dg9/s320/IMG_3888.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>It was perfect with peppermint stick ice cream! <div><br /></div><div>Now….it’s on to the next celebration!</div><div><br /></div><div>Merry, merry wishes to all!<br /><p><br /></p></div>Nelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731594872663348711noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322931360530621321.post-66839199124064921612023-12-11T17:37:00.000-08:002023-12-11T17:37:25.342-08:00A new Advent activity….<p> On a visit to Williamsburg, VA in October, we ventured into the Bruton Parish Church gift shop. Always looking for a souvenir from our travels, my attention was drawn to this Advent puzzle….</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWmROJO3ogudX9bwGtEIKKVRvFy5uJjw4YtstWmpxWC0cNV-j2BnqBg-dZK8pZJ16VZeRqeS6m1c_xgrWdemDHqI9zgpCq1uz_FNjHLl2xx9T27OwQ5eezMYSEfp-RetdPPUz25rNcemrXdm31avmzaa4bUOxAIghc6lRvxHkRzi-9n1ZQWN-rvyvIK3m0/s3264/IMG_2767.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWmROJO3ogudX9bwGtEIKKVRvFy5uJjw4YtstWmpxWC0cNV-j2BnqBg-dZK8pZJ16VZeRqeS6m1c_xgrWdemDHqI9zgpCq1uz_FNjHLl2xx9T27OwQ5eezMYSEfp-RetdPPUz25rNcemrXdm31avmzaa4bUOxAIghc6lRvxHkRzi-9n1ZQWN-rvyvIK3m0/s320/IMG_2767.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>This is the scene that will show in the finished puzzle.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9GXIXjk2k7-K18IkOUYLK_ZjibWMWszWoeuzC9LO2CWTNFGY_cFN1NnLDQN_C-lPp3ULsHnKhwGXnZsQkrbflFl9P9GPQ9WhZ7R5CaWHfwGiQLu9yHH_uZS93UPumUWgEahFYdfgPjRH0AE5FnNMZMMwomsb_sKkH6vK30w6aurdLnhzt-Yb_afp2cnCD/s3264/IMG_2766.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9GXIXjk2k7-K18IkOUYLK_ZjibWMWszWoeuzC9LO2CWTNFGY_cFN1NnLDQN_C-lPp3ULsHnKhwGXnZsQkrbflFl9P9GPQ9WhZ7R5CaWHfwGiQLu9yHH_uZS93UPumUWgEahFYdfgPjRH0AE5FnNMZMMwomsb_sKkH6vK30w6aurdLnhzt-Yb_afp2cnCD/s320/IMG_2766.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>The puzzle box is filled with these 24 small boxes.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6_4HmiBkm361uFbf7QQoEye-W3LI3DHLTpkRZuoSza4Lk3Wmj-3bIZfziWP5Tjyc_HnC4a0Jx_W9abi_1BX1gLJ0Mp9O0iiLFZW61wiOGePuWzt_b_-T9s3-5iwoSx7R40j7SAevKnMa1NX98plJYA3nXPuUbnkKlJCocBu1C0McIU8DtN-MzKS4rUNK/s3264/IMG_2768.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6_4HmiBkm361uFbf7QQoEye-W3LI3DHLTpkRZuoSza4Lk3Wmj-3bIZfziWP5Tjyc_HnC4a0Jx_W9abi_1BX1gLJ0Mp9O0iiLFZW61wiOGePuWzt_b_-T9s3-5iwoSx7R40j7SAevKnMa1NX98plJYA3nXPuUbnkKlJCocBu1C0McIU8DtN-MzKS4rUNK/s320/IMG_2768.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Each box is filled with puzzle pieces that will fit in a section specifically numbered for the correct day. Here, I had just begun the puzzle, and all the pieces have the number 1 on them.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1szTz9JSaMLMigPHWTi47h1b6KenMdk7Q-WgqUviXc09-s8lZiH7RmNeJVnmZ0t2SMaF9dmedOZeFtEg9YU5SaFUCUuHoX-TI7tc6FMbyGdGfGk5A1yO_yMWK1w2f17KPxMtMsYaRupd04TMyy4M69UD2RSKGHCQpQFE0rPRYRxHeUuC1z8YxMBcMzGtn/s3264/IMG_2769.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1szTz9JSaMLMigPHWTi47h1b6KenMdk7Q-WgqUviXc09-s8lZiH7RmNeJVnmZ0t2SMaF9dmedOZeFtEg9YU5SaFUCUuHoX-TI7tc6FMbyGdGfGk5A1yO_yMWK1w2f17KPxMtMsYaRupd04TMyy4M69UD2RSKGHCQpQFE0rPRYRxHeUuC1z8YxMBcMzGtn/s320/IMG_2769.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>This is the progress after three days. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxOQnofRTyGwphH973qt0V19W4HtOmE6REEJ8tRQiwVlHeTn575IUHy16-oH-EC6xxSBCdnWoq_tAWQnLnouurR2UHru12Zt3M-hSzV1UyJ26eFKHcPb9htftKnS3-0SAfOHZpF6E0gshHWhfpzpvv2uFQFxSe_mEqPK4InkhSouZlbLlIywlI4VDlNRm/s4032/IMG_3880.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxOQnofRTyGwphH973qt0V19W4HtOmE6REEJ8tRQiwVlHeTn575IUHy16-oH-EC6xxSBCdnWoq_tAWQnLnouurR2UHru12Zt3M-hSzV1UyJ26eFKHcPb9htftKnS3-0SAfOHZpF6E0gshHWhfpzpvv2uFQFxSe_mEqPK4InkhSouZlbLlIywlI4VDlNRm/s320/IMG_3880.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>This shows the progress on the seventh day. It will require assembly on Christmas Eve to have the puzzle fully complete. <div><br /></div><div>It has been quite awhile ago, but I featured some of the jigsaw puzzles that I have assembled on this blog. A number of them have been framed and are hanging in different areas of the house. I think I’ll be interested in framing this one, and it is likely that I’ll be looking for another Advent puzzle next year! </div><div>I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working on this one!</div><div><br /></div><div>Remember to slow down and enjoy the beauty around you each and every day! </div><div><br /></div><div>Stay well! </div><div><p><br /></p></div>Nelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731594872663348711noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322931360530621321.post-37731097948486562642023-12-04T19:21:00.000-08:002023-12-04T19:21:47.201-08:00The baking continues….<p> How about you? Have you been baking for the holidays? This was the view here on Saturday….</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRIDcYdRLo-g3djPZaIQdXAwX62fndSnp4k40td_cJquW5ZNm2WAIrvgKaJtwTKG2e0skNBQVsxzwf7b6ggEb-Wk0F2EcOdqaPEm6KDvonskdcCQerKeq_FgRWt73JL7WHBjFSy_Wd5fYLV81yUbRccu_4YsBO2OvLkwP5DHBeK_UMJUransSsbPcCeUre/s2481/IMG_2770.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2446" data-original-width="2481" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRIDcYdRLo-g3djPZaIQdXAwX62fndSnp4k40td_cJquW5ZNm2WAIrvgKaJtwTKG2e0skNBQVsxzwf7b6ggEb-Wk0F2EcOdqaPEm6KDvonskdcCQerKeq_FgRWt73JL7WHBjFSy_Wd5fYLV81yUbRccu_4YsBO2OvLkwP5DHBeK_UMJUransSsbPcCeUre/s320/IMG_2770.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Tried a new recipe for Red Velvet cake, and this one made three layers! Here they are cooling before being assembled….</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPcSOryuAsCCQpDMWtyCsh_9YZxmtQ_y1NA_Q77-mFtOtz_VImYUiVwkomqeZT8qUBll2FKyP1PQTIjnhhtfOwoAmGO4_MHc5Z3jYAzkGRvVtNZlvh6kLBSyKoslUg7hgQg0LZ5GAnj_hQ6kszcdZ2CD_rAjiXBK8AnbFnVC78VGatUNTYDFlnkHfMn-5S/s3264/IMG_2771.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPcSOryuAsCCQpDMWtyCsh_9YZxmtQ_y1NA_Q77-mFtOtz_VImYUiVwkomqeZT8qUBll2FKyP1PQTIjnhhtfOwoAmGO4_MHc5Z3jYAzkGRvVtNZlvh6kLBSyKoslUg7hgQg0LZ5GAnj_hQ6kszcdZ2CD_rAjiXBK8AnbFnVC78VGatUNTYDFlnkHfMn-5S/s320/IMG_2771.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Here is the finished cake. Its destination was my Circle lunch on Sunday following our church service. Guests were invited, and The Husband was able to go along with me.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQFtRl1s4TKVKhhT8Ck4k7l5Rv4-LLuQeiDLtctu2yETyjqFr23p5zzW9gGPoHPWnUe-Pf-ykpVy1IIHh6OwHQC9xaA7BHl9PFEWhSZCyasuXNJQOKllmGjh6_WvL5t9F3TbKYdWg3BuC-GRRa6ed1T6WsQG41Z6XqE76q_s1w1Iu1o0yP33BhCkdReDVI/s4032/IMG_3874.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQFtRl1s4TKVKhhT8Ck4k7l5Rv4-LLuQeiDLtctu2yETyjqFr23p5zzW9gGPoHPWnUe-Pf-ykpVy1IIHh6OwHQC9xaA7BHl9PFEWhSZCyasuXNJQOKllmGjh6_WvL5t9F3TbKYdWg3BuC-GRRa6ed1T6WsQG41Z6XqE76q_s1w1Iu1o0yP33BhCkdReDVI/s320/IMG_3874.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>I think it’s safe to say that it was well-received. This is what came home with us, and I was happy to be able to share it with a neighbor! </p><p>Be sure you are taking time to enjoy the beauty of the season!</p>Nelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731594872663348711noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322931360530621321.post-7361494652156591002023-11-24T18:02:00.000-08:002023-11-24T18:02:18.820-08:00This is happening….<p> Let the cookie baking begin!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVrqc7R3eTRhBAXEYK8GIT7uLrVZ9uWSPpZPAx_JLSd8LZuzXvxCvzbTCo1Wl1VHmdmwrnihcPpINzWln172Ca-pwV8dRpGs4PxYG8je6pzKTA96S_bHNHDrqHxSBdlNbum3F7W1cFUvc1aB-zX4JctsISCBiNylFwJUoChBULyVZaNglGPnUnrRVb8iYL/s3264/IMG_2760.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVrqc7R3eTRhBAXEYK8GIT7uLrVZ9uWSPpZPAx_JLSd8LZuzXvxCvzbTCo1Wl1VHmdmwrnihcPpINzWln172Ca-pwV8dRpGs4PxYG8je6pzKTA96S_bHNHDrqHxSBdlNbum3F7W1cFUvc1aB-zX4JctsISCBiNylFwJUoChBULyVZaNglGPnUnrRVb8iYL/s320/IMG_2760.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, it’s time for cookies at our house! <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT34BHD5LRyqhMmAHtgQS46rcmrf4OsDAt8sf6rWobdaILT2T4prQQ5aplbBcCEY-Jogr0C9O4XtxJ9uOVVLvVSc8RZaWcJzwUXGcx29VSvCAOW3dbaeGjHsJSS8UVTvFD_-o1cCQt3k4jlCVj61fPmEWuwHJ_LiHD2gvKfijW_2LNbJP36WxTNra0HSQ_/s3264/IMG_2761.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT34BHD5LRyqhMmAHtgQS46rcmrf4OsDAt8sf6rWobdaILT2T4prQQ5aplbBcCEY-Jogr0C9O4XtxJ9uOVVLvVSc8RZaWcJzwUXGcx29VSvCAOW3dbaeGjHsJSS8UVTvFD_-o1cCQt3k4jlCVj61fPmEWuwHJ_LiHD2gvKfijW_2LNbJP36WxTNra0HSQ_/s320/IMG_2761.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>The Husband was ready for one before they were even out of the oven! I convinced him to wait until they had cooled just a bit on the baking pan!</div><div><br /></div><div>Have you begun any holiday baking? Were you among the shoppers on this “Black Friday?” </div><div><br /></div><div>Wishes for a happy time ahead! <br /><p><br /></p></div>Nelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731594872663348711noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322931360530621321.post-16717423637725904272023-09-25T18:54:00.003-07:002023-09-25T18:54:30.876-07:00Autumn’s arrival….<p> Images from the first day of Autumn….</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8CM9-VTTxv_VBB19JGQRgGNaJleTGhcxydCe2qMjKxOZIYAe0t90B9tBHQxyW2JEnnEcYejJL5DWZemukV6hjGVrYLsEkz-4B1Dcx3ePWM7BwQ2ohtSQDE_07ei7QWAlfLOqbe2B6i0_sH8M5Lwbe_xzSIjgWeNnpZJy6qPo2feZ2srsx7nNp7eC9lQR/s4032/IMG_3729.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8CM9-VTTxv_VBB19JGQRgGNaJleTGhcxydCe2qMjKxOZIYAe0t90B9tBHQxyW2JEnnEcYejJL5DWZemukV6hjGVrYLsEkz-4B1Dcx3ePWM7BwQ2ohtSQDE_07ei7QWAlfLOqbe2B6i0_sH8M5Lwbe_xzSIjgWeNnpZJy6qPo2feZ2srsx7nNp7eC9lQR/s320/IMG_3729.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p>The morning sun was good to emphasize the glorious blue sky!</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimqrZcWW1UUr7uZ5H3uFtHgkbDHgZo5STVyGVMwcmLdHEg771V6tHcswSnqZqRs3nMfJZQh8UFKU2q7uguoCW_8bNHJf_4rpImCccL0Da3sf6sr4Hs15C6eEYXqjQ2N1pauYuLJvBiar4lqgGofKqoNbhNFh-GZmExeUP3P0x77nZaA3K8w-Nmx2TUI_Ul/s4032/IMG_3728.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimqrZcWW1UUr7uZ5H3uFtHgkbDHgZo5STVyGVMwcmLdHEg771V6tHcswSnqZqRs3nMfJZQh8UFKU2q7uguoCW_8bNHJf_4rpImCccL0Da3sf6sr4Hs15C6eEYXqjQ2N1pauYuLJvBiar4lqgGofKqoNbhNFh-GZmExeUP3P0x77nZaA3K8w-Nmx2TUI_Ul/s320/IMG_3728.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some necessary work has been done to eliminate a spruce tree that had grown so much it blocked the sidewalk! Now, we’ll need to pressure wash the sidewalk! Maintenance keeps us busy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDp13VvkRlAAkt7cmYsM_wdHSHEqJAzvvdjjQjbZwNj0EJmnIRLAQWAZUC-9a1GWwrnTDjtb90d0BilkvbWuC5Mb1Qtnh_hsl5zVTVrwgsmZ1LRl6dtFjM4TlVuJWykze84IetX3_Rjg4WdN-DnWeWgdQRVY8gtTtUu0m2bpGBW5xaEkljsq4S2sCt-d2G/s4032/IMG_3727.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDp13VvkRlAAkt7cmYsM_wdHSHEqJAzvvdjjQjbZwNj0EJmnIRLAQWAZUC-9a1GWwrnTDjtb90d0BilkvbWuC5Mb1Qtnh_hsl5zVTVrwgsmZ1LRl6dtFjM4TlVuJWykze84IetX3_Rjg4WdN-DnWeWgdQRVY8gtTtUu0m2bpGBW5xaEkljsq4S2sCt-d2G/s320/IMG_3727.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>This is my favorite season of the year! I love the fall colors and flavors, the celebration of Thanksgiving, and it is the forerunner of Christmas, that much-loved holiday! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUfuX-ize3AEGcj165V9x2jyzBZIGEhV_OuLisHX5OV82YcEKwMNxogQFoJFjAhCNbs97m04EKRsBS0696AuiZ6i8CeCoY66fPp7RqBmAZsFJX0FIVT3eyPlsc3iGE6-BVyMhhLCyTZhDQAPA7yuLI3QsrHsTcBeCzvBMkVGhewdJU5D8cfOdW7cDl8PEs/s4032/IMG_3730.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUfuX-ize3AEGcj165V9x2jyzBZIGEhV_OuLisHX5OV82YcEKwMNxogQFoJFjAhCNbs97m04EKRsBS0696AuiZ6i8CeCoY66fPp7RqBmAZsFJX0FIVT3eyPlsc3iGE6-BVyMhhLCyTZhDQAPA7yuLI3QsrHsTcBeCzvBMkVGhewdJU5D8cfOdW7cDl8PEs/s320/IMG_3730.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>We held to a tradition of enjoying Cream of Rice with dried cranberries and walnuts for breakfast. I confess that I added a taste of butter. The Husband even drizzled honey over his! It’s time to enjoy Susan Branch’s Autumn mug!<p></p><p>Have the colors of fall arrived where you are?<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>Nelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731594872663348711noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322931360530621321.post-6473061171630576632023-09-18T10:34:00.000-07:002023-09-18T10:34:17.484-07:00Take me out to the ball game….<p> It has been a few years since we’ve attended a baseball game. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvN8zR8r8LBUm6nCIoDM-AOTwv5iCFIRUccgFMIVf2pLvlaKB6cGDdTUo-W2wqrGx6wSEQexJwtNFw28_jKduDDlM4O3W2vKVMAwu1muHYBUHPFrB1O9rRbANKTGzOYyMRRRxYuFyCtNCrXda78xwF1jMNCoKIYrXUr9lwwPICHJD57-pVzETFmt6_fzE/s4032/IMG_3722.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvN8zR8r8LBUm6nCIoDM-AOTwv5iCFIRUccgFMIVf2pLvlaKB6cGDdTUo-W2wqrGx6wSEQexJwtNFw28_jKduDDlM4O3W2vKVMAwu1muHYBUHPFrB1O9rRbANKTGzOYyMRRRxYuFyCtNCrXda78xwF1jMNCoKIYrXUr9lwwPICHJD57-pVzETFmt6_fzE/s320/IMG_3722.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>As you can see, it was a beautiful day to watch the Tennessee Smokies! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimM0s0Zjytl4SzIKWgg9Wbavs2HCGTqczrlUUBbL_k95zlxcJDkgj4d9jpv0-iKeWAQ_oxou7iBVCXtxswFsngaxYEq8oeDxOzeEoPVTwHvQZzUXEkBj2U0R3PnAvgvgiTKPBSk--lRNrG4ngUozSDSObupdtC20BpbK1xWHdYF-HYB5I3OKWE0SbCP9B3/s4032/IMG_3723.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimM0s0Zjytl4SzIKWgg9Wbavs2HCGTqczrlUUBbL_k95zlxcJDkgj4d9jpv0-iKeWAQ_oxou7iBVCXtxswFsngaxYEq8oeDxOzeEoPVTwHvQZzUXEkBj2U0R3PnAvgvgiTKPBSk--lRNrG4ngUozSDSObupdtC20BpbK1xWHdYF-HYB5I3OKWE0SbCP9B3/s320/IMG_3723.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>There were many fans in the stands!<div><br /></div><div>No popcorn, peanuts, or cracker jacks this visit!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN21LE9YnYdkDiJiizcJ9w5v2nb3t_e0TfVuEzv71apJhXft87LDV3yO-DLbTKoeS054X28R1GoEGwx05IFr-5hOiBGaB9TJOxZ2q5Y71Sg7gPmZkl6BBYIdGh3hTXt6UCCtT7YiQ07sh1J1kfhCG8kpvogQDRTNmtRqaC3st0sG9SUS2iiwe0BLi16eGD/s4032/IMG_3721.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN21LE9YnYdkDiJiizcJ9w5v2nb3t_e0TfVuEzv71apJhXft87LDV3yO-DLbTKoeS054X28R1GoEGwx05IFr-5hOiBGaB9TJOxZ2q5Y71Sg7gPmZkl6BBYIdGh3hTXt6UCCtT7YiQ07sh1J1kfhCG8kpvogQDRTNmtRqaC3st0sG9SUS2iiwe0BLi16eGD/s320/IMG_3721.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>It was a delicious cheeseburger along with those good summertime favorites….baked beans and potato salad.<div><br /></div><div>We enjoyed this special gathering of area alumni from Emory and Henry College!</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh! The Tennessee Smokies won the game 3-1!<br /><div><br /><p><br /></p></div></div>Nelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731594872663348711noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322931360530621321.post-11628287618135661842023-07-10T18:28:00.001-07:002023-07-10T18:28:18.601-07:00Installing….<p> I’m posting this on what I have learned is National Kitten Day! Isn’t that a neat honoring of our feline friends? Everyone needs a little “fluff” in their lives! Sadly, we have been without a cat for a number of years now. </p><p>We’ve been at this location for 19 years. It is a small development….only one street that ends in a cul-de-sac….and we have underground utilities. Comcast has been the only Internet provider, installing their lines at the onset of the development, which is in a rural area, now becoming a quickly growing, developing area of the county. </p><p>We have attempted to set up Internet service with a couple of other possibilities, neither one being as satisfactory as the Comcast connection. That is….until recent progress. </p><p>The pictures below will show the beginning of the installation of fiber optic cable by our electric company.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivC6AfZ5VPUciJtPmYLz4TwFn1BRRrg1ZFGEyysvF6e4J9etZMjh7Dlmes3oaSPtTWT_mRvuA2-ZO7Wpr_8GZHZQVOrBaE61YtK35DDUvrPJATYY5HgIR48tpEFkUWcPs1y3TD3cBdHStwwukY_ZHK05PrKT_7oYPhlrEXCNTEfoQp9pQXBJNbc-QlfN6o/s4032/1E2F5894-70A7-4F91-ADD7-967C34AE0B34.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivC6AfZ5VPUciJtPmYLz4TwFn1BRRrg1ZFGEyysvF6e4J9etZMjh7Dlmes3oaSPtTWT_mRvuA2-ZO7Wpr_8GZHZQVOrBaE61YtK35DDUvrPJATYY5HgIR48tpEFkUWcPs1y3TD3cBdHStwwukY_ZHK05PrKT_7oYPhlrEXCNTEfoQp9pQXBJNbc-QlfN6o/w300-h400/1E2F5894-70A7-4F91-ADD7-967C34AE0B34.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ92-zWVr2P2Y932-EOD5UYlqhAqZHKn_n-4ukHqLfNKBd2pMORX-wN9g_EEcff6jYe0lxl8PGoMd-7sllAWGg_6qqa21e9la_ZZcc2hsE0KAknOPFFWg289BXaMBNMMpiydTqy8_GRuRTV42F_4TNw3Bb_H6MpquLELyvxEaVNMecy7M-IaQiFsIspD6c/s4032/2F942303-C223-4515-BCBB-72E95339F23E.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ92-zWVr2P2Y932-EOD5UYlqhAqZHKn_n-4ukHqLfNKBd2pMORX-wN9g_EEcff6jYe0lxl8PGoMd-7sllAWGg_6qqa21e9la_ZZcc2hsE0KAknOPFFWg289BXaMBNMMpiydTqy8_GRuRTV42F_4TNw3Bb_H6MpquLELyvxEaVNMecy7M-IaQiFsIspD6c/w300-h400/2F942303-C223-4515-BCBB-72E95339F23E.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>The first photo above is where the installers were this afternoon, at the edge of our front yard. They have been in the neighborhood for a couple of weeks digging what is needed for the conduit. The second photo shows where they were working last week.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgC1ppjGIUZx2qG1_LFh5U-3OQj26iV9TH6tdQF8-Jj0UKTlusuXOkXJHE3jClU0_1j1eNzoyrOqAB_NbSY_MBliVe_H3pDwH23R8j7YjUjbHN62XgBn_ZRaj1VaHZ4lk8lXeG3Pq9wbMHUf8e30DPHmWc5ytbhHpcCs55S2kR9xF8KkNkIRfRfKyXddH/s4032/406DA375-BD3D-4012-9DDD-F074C804A438.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgC1ppjGIUZx2qG1_LFh5U-3OQj26iV9TH6tdQF8-Jj0UKTlusuXOkXJHE3jClU0_1j1eNzoyrOqAB_NbSY_MBliVe_H3pDwH23R8j7YjUjbHN62XgBn_ZRaj1VaHZ4lk8lXeG3Pq9wbMHUf8e30DPHmWc5ytbhHpcCs55S2kR9xF8KkNkIRfRfKyXddH/w300-h400/406DA375-BD3D-4012-9DDD-F074C804A438.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>Here they are, beginning their work at the edge of our yard this morning.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBGYWtPAT3D0_PFkP2b9UuYJXngkL2tHIH5BiAyOcVrVcQL8N7gQn1DD8roW3xJdRMaFsb5XgLMB00PMMF53EOO10ORSmLiahLQhxw5uLLcknwiFrgIHoup4fzPCVk-CYeG7mH5GNRSbq3ACc2JXbW7ozAQwx4q1Y1SmzjhHX4Vj61lnVwGoQzf2a6kVsp/s4032/A65ECF86-2F2E-4693-A8CC-C625292A161D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBGYWtPAT3D0_PFkP2b9UuYJXngkL2tHIH5BiAyOcVrVcQL8N7gQn1DD8roW3xJdRMaFsb5XgLMB00PMMF53EOO10ORSmLiahLQhxw5uLLcknwiFrgIHoup4fzPCVk-CYeG7mH5GNRSbq3ACc2JXbW7ozAQwx4q1Y1SmzjhHX4Vj61lnVwGoQzf2a6kVsp/w300-h400/A65ECF86-2F2E-4693-A8CC-C625292A161D.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>One of their many work trucks at the edge of our driveway.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqcLoEe6xNOIm-SThbadcc_DAcki5k0Go_K98S0cpICF4igHvcH--4x2v8_WA50Jw_S7QwtafwylW4CQcrWqyWxkmbzFyDG6M2aRjIB71qJ1hGNP7Jhy4eKZcCDv2ZLa7ovERtEWc5UuCJThUiyuZR762qsmphuYcPVIq9lx96iT2YWhAl1cBwjd7tM8nb/s4032/C13F4FC9-2EB3-4396-9381-95EF3596C7BF.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqcLoEe6xNOIm-SThbadcc_DAcki5k0Go_K98S0cpICF4igHvcH--4x2v8_WA50Jw_S7QwtafwylW4CQcrWqyWxkmbzFyDG6M2aRjIB71qJ1hGNP7Jhy4eKZcCDv2ZLa7ovERtEWc5UuCJThUiyuZR762qsmphuYcPVIq9lx96iT2YWhAl1cBwjd7tM8nb/w300-h400/C13F4FC9-2EB3-4396-9381-95EF3596C7BF.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>They have had lots of practice with those trenches. This is from last week across the street from the house next door to us.<div><br /></div><div>What are your Internet options where you live? Do you have several servers from which to choose? Is broadband Internet something that your electrical provider makes available? More options mean more competition! That has to be a good thing, right? Hopefully we will find an Internet connection possibility that gives us a better rate! That would definitely be a good thing!</div><div><br /></div><div>Expect a bit of a “photo dump” from the first week in this month. I may get to that before this week is gone!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><p><br /></p></div>Nelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731594872663348711noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322931360530621321.post-84533481546976639502023-07-06T15:42:00.001-07:002023-07-06T15:42:05.782-07:00Retired?<p> Has this week seemed odd to you? Unusual to have a holiday on Tuesday. It’s almost like having two Mondays. Of course, if you are retired (and I think most people who read this blog are in that category), the days of the week may just blend into one another. </p><p>Anyway, it was a good time to celebrate….Independence Day! As usual, my thoughts turned to food, and this dessert hit the spot. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmjIULAMsnerps7Vxj4Fi5qL_-WzO4sebhjVcWBFayBu4ad9lddtRW1Cp2D5NBgRG7-gQSWiNTRfbLNT9H8RK5xv0ehl730pT2pBITIS4L__H1YCIBdgSyQc4YNOLaw7idTuVBcydyDF4QyC9-rrm9GHlKs1Vtk3vPVV21FJ5EUB-QKtKve-eC7FmgAmy/s4032/6E182791-B792-4E5F-934C-2DA4E88AC6AD.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmjIULAMsnerps7Vxj4Fi5qL_-WzO4sebhjVcWBFayBu4ad9lddtRW1Cp2D5NBgRG7-gQSWiNTRfbLNT9H8RK5xv0ehl730pT2pBITIS4L__H1YCIBdgSyQc4YNOLaw7idTuVBcydyDF4QyC9-rrm9GHlKs1Vtk3vPVV21FJ5EUB-QKtKve-eC7FmgAmy/s320/6E182791-B792-4E5F-934C-2DA4E88AC6AD.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>Just in time, our blueberries have begun to ripen. This is from our first picking.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Lnqnocbshc29ZKY5UtS_9PB687z0ZH9I2DAIaE-cbnWJNllQj8aWA3FAmTaEomxPVRKx5CGND9zSoP0p008QcVU6cAlz4nfAon0akDxYRxyBISuqBKujAmrRNR877geBK4NuFjHodLlGlZ7dpsQ7diDe2BuPzJ4kkyYe5jlvdH-ZifnZ0uWIBArmWQ9Q/s4032/88914061-2807-4A13-A6CF-F58229B836AA.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Lnqnocbshc29ZKY5UtS_9PB687z0ZH9I2DAIaE-cbnWJNllQj8aWA3FAmTaEomxPVRKx5CGND9zSoP0p008QcVU6cAlz4nfAon0akDxYRxyBISuqBKujAmrRNR877geBK4NuFjHodLlGlZ7dpsQ7diDe2BuPzJ4kkyYe5jlvdH-ZifnZ0uWIBArmWQ9Q/s320/88914061-2807-4A13-A6CF-F58229B836AA.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>I greased my baking dish first, then spread those blueberries around in it….</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJl9Fzl2tvpiMOQnOnK-Iq9YhcNfxEgENi0CSjSeyfGLN-UzbPJVUeVp9Ezwhxup_Y5iXvV8kQM1024k9LmmMVSqGBcgEVgt6DSe1MLWsKDYOh8jy07JCIDjqx8edNA0wQ3lRjFhTgYgzp9Ln2gdu1uZOb2aHjiBbqKH77gCGp6tWGtMM38xL_0Potwvrr/s4032/30AA4A2C-E1F3-408C-BDB3-714CEEE5F39B.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJl9Fzl2tvpiMOQnOnK-Iq9YhcNfxEgENi0CSjSeyfGLN-UzbPJVUeVp9Ezwhxup_Y5iXvV8kQM1024k9LmmMVSqGBcgEVgt6DSe1MLWsKDYOh8jy07JCIDjqx8edNA0wQ3lRjFhTgYgzp9Ln2gdu1uZOb2aHjiBbqKH77gCGp6tWGtMM38xL_0Potwvrr/s320/30AA4A2C-E1F3-408C-BDB3-714CEEE5F39B.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>Then I opened a large can of crushed pineapple (with juice) and poured it on top of the blueberries.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD7Gy1kGBzYfYIs_OI_67fePWzCQTRp1esdtOdl2d7GfYimbOiDCPhBIlH6NZdlzxilZ5VsFeWzcHXs6cxNjfWfJEvE6882uQwSbAJ7yUJw5u-sWB_hg3RbQY96SP2Vve-SlL5NZCQx4q-EzIngfw5rrQBJ9T246zrkpZumR76oxiJGbKaMnsamOTC-XVx/s4032/4864FF40-CD79-4619-ACD6-7E0AB2721412.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD7Gy1kGBzYfYIs_OI_67fePWzCQTRp1esdtOdl2d7GfYimbOiDCPhBIlH6NZdlzxilZ5VsFeWzcHXs6cxNjfWfJEvE6882uQwSbAJ7yUJw5u-sWB_hg3RbQY96SP2Vve-SlL5NZCQx4q-EzIngfw5rrQBJ9T246zrkpZumR76oxiJGbKaMnsamOTC-XVx/s320/4864FF40-CD79-4619-ACD6-7E0AB2721412.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>Next, I opened a box of white cake mix and sprinkled it evenly over the fruit in the dish.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-Qvz60gPwxd4c08R5tcqjCkZPWKCBe5EBiEc61OtHmwNlzhkzLCFj_9v8SwRbWTjiauxMoT_SeHYu6u502q64Lo9PI0rbww76ufe9vPQf1gGplkJHJZ-2TvOOuVlK1DU8WB7vbMfIQk67RVVoGtFea1KnnjU03ReBnLPGpYSgc1M7x4VVrNFIAwYq6OW/s4032/CDF75D1C-2379-4437-A5CB-BEDDEA5B6E87.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-Qvz60gPwxd4c08R5tcqjCkZPWKCBe5EBiEc61OtHmwNlzhkzLCFj_9v8SwRbWTjiauxMoT_SeHYu6u502q64Lo9PI0rbww76ufe9vPQf1gGplkJHJZ-2TvOOuVlK1DU8WB7vbMfIQk67RVVoGtFea1KnnjU03ReBnLPGpYSgc1M7x4VVrNFIAwYq6OW/s320/CDF75D1C-2379-4437-A5CB-BEDDEA5B6E87.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>Added some melted butter….just a stick…and a few coarsely chopped pecans. You could use walnuts, too. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsxgGWZrBFgkDiKGZ4w7XfIW9NxgpnIZNLZuapZoy5Pi05IuLk6kMEGszK7UxwIWibn9eL0LibEvzNUuu1n0QyVDZrZSX1S9n8TA0CcDlidfMQEHpb-8QxqjHckUumCXAH8bHWx5orAUPS8aeCliJlGTGFpbPYYwF0pxjq2P0BfyO19zTnWzj7DkxTe4kX/s4032/6C80C285-70F7-4704-8536-6293802C665A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsxgGWZrBFgkDiKGZ4w7XfIW9NxgpnIZNLZuapZoy5Pi05IuLk6kMEGszK7UxwIWibn9eL0LibEvzNUuu1n0QyVDZrZSX1S9n8TA0CcDlidfMQEHpb-8QxqjHckUumCXAH8bHWx5orAUPS8aeCliJlGTGFpbPYYwF0pxjq2P0BfyO19zTnWzj7DkxTe4kX/s320/6C80C285-70F7-4704-8536-6293802C665A.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>Ready to slide into the oven….set at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes or so. Check to be sure it doesn’t become too brown for your liking.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnOmpzVyXkwYmwDAi5DNVWAEufRpUDtbenZchlyCCL4jELhcVFmsyx-UemYAbfWVMd0U1hoMIIwUZ4LBktwoBhcbLWBUo7EM6K13ZHph2w97iCRAToShWYzPB0sS_jFijFB-g0ZGaebHQHD9DAnX4pAgtJtApjmeGd5gmgAI-jCCVY2lzz24og6iRwLea/s4032/F19F3338-11A4-491B-9DB8-8997E8FF841B.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnOmpzVyXkwYmwDAi5DNVWAEufRpUDtbenZchlyCCL4jELhcVFmsyx-UemYAbfWVMd0U1hoMIIwUZ4LBktwoBhcbLWBUo7EM6K13ZHph2w97iCRAToShWYzPB0sS_jFijFB-g0ZGaebHQHD9DAnX4pAgtJtApjmeGd5gmgAI-jCCVY2lzz24og6iRwLea/s320/F19F3338-11A4-491B-9DB8-8997E8FF841B.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>Here is the finished product! Someone sneaked a serving before I took the photo!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXvU2F4gWWxcN3hmKkx4YHjcdEeF_kk9w3jPWZ11TQA9trsDX7SrrFWUdC7Oq-UkuVulZ94jjiQrjLIFdMyz9mu0zyFEf66mhFrR2RlAqo9KRbFckBCQYLlLESJ24m90tEmTLlX_nk_lI6Jhjoxgv-8ky070Xd52JUHv9mT3NOvI4t5DCI14oUUd4Uhc-o/s4032/B5C7B09E-1662-4F06-B8B9-48BE923B70A8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXvU2F4gWWxcN3hmKkx4YHjcdEeF_kk9w3jPWZ11TQA9trsDX7SrrFWUdC7Oq-UkuVulZ94jjiQrjLIFdMyz9mu0zyFEf66mhFrR2RlAqo9KRbFckBCQYLlLESJ24m90tEmTLlX_nk_lI6Jhjoxgv-8ky070Xd52JUHv9mT3NOvI4t5DCI14oUUd4Uhc-o/s320/B5C7B09E-1662-4F06-B8B9-48BE923B70A8.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>It was good with some whipped cream on top. Someone else chose vanilla ice cream. </div><div><br /></div><div>The hot and humid days of summer call for staying cool and hydrated! I hope you are staying safe!</div><div><br /></div><div>China pattern: Olde Chelsea by Myott. I’ve had this china for 60 years! Guess we’re both vintage! 😂<br /><div><br /><p><br /></p></div></div>Nelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731594872663348711noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322931360530621321.post-29292401285527698942023-05-01T18:38:00.003-07:002023-05-01T18:38:37.001-07:00Reminiscing…<p> Rabbit, rabbit….and welcome to May! </p><p>It was just a year ago today that I embarked on a journey I hadn’t even dared dream would happen!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhl7AxuZoUPh3FHKFTi_qEivK9Tj2jsnGUcASPSWcy7q4g-v-0EBBlnKJV3iV0yptzqLrdUmdiK6tWKUmtz7fmMH09V6YgVDVFBt8JosEW1dQZwSZq-qVNW0ffe8U_FaPQL5HAHQW80wJkqq6_eGEcrMcm3dlCYr9-uiBhQjcFiguYaVTNs7YMLzxRQ/s4032/D041D405-3BD6-479B-8B1F-4146089923A6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhl7AxuZoUPh3FHKFTi_qEivK9Tj2jsnGUcASPSWcy7q4g-v-0EBBlnKJV3iV0yptzqLrdUmdiK6tWKUmtz7fmMH09V6YgVDVFBt8JosEW1dQZwSZq-qVNW0ffe8U_FaPQL5HAHQW80wJkqq6_eGEcrMcm3dlCYr9-uiBhQjcFiguYaVTNs7YMLzxRQ/s320/D041D405-3BD6-479B-8B1F-4146089923A6.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>The pictures just won’t transfer to this post in the order I wish! Anyway, this is what I saw on my arrival at the Brooklyn Terminal before going through the check-in process to board the Queen Mary 2. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ZGWQzOq3Wn7dMbPHSsSS3igO7c3khwCMRzoDyo40T6jrMzPNdwYE30Q94MwAD_reW-puV-kUWe5NEDYcKwFWqrRzWGkSkE5vqgXcfxTnco1TUHgB-MM7Z5cBkTrXI1_yceCAkiotvCfEyvuuHkHTq9FWwrPDFLVxf8-2xPeybszpOAwFw5GSoe8x4g/s4032/DDF479CF-3709-42FF-8DB7-41598B175BF9.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ZGWQzOq3Wn7dMbPHSsSS3igO7c3khwCMRzoDyo40T6jrMzPNdwYE30Q94MwAD_reW-puV-kUWe5NEDYcKwFWqrRzWGkSkE5vqgXcfxTnco1TUHgB-MM7Z5cBkTrXI1_yceCAkiotvCfEyvuuHkHTq9FWwrPDFLVxf8-2xPeybszpOAwFw5GSoe8x4g/s320/DDF479CF-3709-42FF-8DB7-41598B175BF9.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>These are the bags that went with me…everything I would need for almost three weeks!<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGE566qUAppixssxhK-B2G1KLJf71N1hs82So46rUl5IEc2gDxQ453E-3cbRw8n_smd-0UCho5Lo-Cv4vpDBGX4i46mmpo0iaZRrfhBMh0kcA-A7xJcJeHJFoCrFSS4F3NVXEZ3KktJ-Zz_X6BkdJu0dQmzLH_YCaRY6Tm-aI0UNLQ8kaQhHQ9aRhYXQ/s4032/2EA2270A-4324-4CF8-92B1-C9B5511B22B7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGE566qUAppixssxhK-B2G1KLJf71N1hs82So46rUl5IEc2gDxQ453E-3cbRw8n_smd-0UCho5Lo-Cv4vpDBGX4i46mmpo0iaZRrfhBMh0kcA-A7xJcJeHJFoCrFSS4F3NVXEZ3KktJ-Zz_X6BkdJu0dQmzLH_YCaRY6Tm-aI0UNLQ8kaQhHQ9aRhYXQ/s320/2EA2270A-4324-4CF8-92B1-C9B5511B22B7.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>Once again, the pictures didn’t load in the order I wished. This picture in the middle shows the walkway to the escalator after I finished the checking in process. Once up the escalator, there was another long walk until I reached the entry to the ship, greeted on either side of the doorway by these welcoming crew members.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibjkbxsYL4S_CkqPEo8kysp4OoC2LdHAW-CAuQTznK0nlKKtFS4NnZiBZScRpHZKvH_-KJU59I72HRcyjhNSx4x15KWfIrQeWsTdGC70a8JnKlsPmplr23TfL3V6lOUV9F8CZqdOvWyuCWwutSm49jYeaI1Rz1GPSdqL0HZBwdneNc-87Gx2amelcdRg/s4032/40613121-1564-4214-AE76-05D3F725822A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibjkbxsYL4S_CkqPEo8kysp4OoC2LdHAW-CAuQTznK0nlKKtFS4NnZiBZScRpHZKvH_-KJU59I72HRcyjhNSx4x15KWfIrQeWsTdGC70a8JnKlsPmplr23TfL3V6lOUV9F8CZqdOvWyuCWwutSm49jYeaI1Rz1GPSdqL0HZBwdneNc-87Gx2amelcdRg/s320/40613121-1564-4214-AE76-05D3F725822A.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCrU-kyyqFShQjvULQo6QNMddq6ECPCcQCupEiwYlX2-WYT79om9NYW6eApDA7ALzrvMp11DTafbfI_ZLg9u-GicPFGZY-QE7pK55eRrF5b5YcEaTX_I0h8JQmyEoqc0wDSjRuicOOHJctn9JU5BacTcpbuQfG-7Dis61jexNV9nOGzfv4zbhDxPD4gw/s4032/CE7BC428-4D20-4E5E-A1C7-A206B1210CDC.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCrU-kyyqFShQjvULQo6QNMddq6ECPCcQCupEiwYlX2-WYT79om9NYW6eApDA7ALzrvMp11DTafbfI_ZLg9u-GicPFGZY-QE7pK55eRrF5b5YcEaTX_I0h8JQmyEoqc0wDSjRuicOOHJctn9JU5BacTcpbuQfG-7Dis61jexNV9nOGzfv4zbhDxPD4gw/s320/CE7BC428-4D20-4E5E-A1C7-A206B1210CDC.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>They were waiting to be of assistance in whatever way was needed. <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLcml-VT1ZAiDeyxr9Tydr-NV3AswWmQfAIonXxoGZtT5u656nkyB4P0MGTrx28IyqEn3j0vJ8Lywc6bhDvICIm-hbSTFbvFYu2Mlm-PMqbop90E3dv52vGi5cwxzByREctaFLtVJ0Xho3VLzjDscwBvnfda5Fk5X6gtoHy9147FqkU3o3k1GWj3B08Q/s4032/2DF71A93-B09F-432D-971E-F19069B077B5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLcml-VT1ZAiDeyxr9Tydr-NV3AswWmQfAIonXxoGZtT5u656nkyB4P0MGTrx28IyqEn3j0vJ8Lywc6bhDvICIm-hbSTFbvFYu2Mlm-PMqbop90E3dv52vGi5cwxzByREctaFLtVJ0Xho3VLzjDscwBvnfda5Fk5X6gtoHy9147FqkU3o3k1GWj3B08Q/s320/2DF71A93-B09F-432D-971E-F19069B077B5.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>As the ship began to sail from the harbor, the Statue of Liberty was visible. We are on our way to Southampton UK!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdHUADzgxQkbyeNvMz29NbD-pTKl501jUn8hYADYtCeDqxKFHvYcrY-cKF0uhfa6wf7dvNkH2U-dqZ4gQN0LvbHp7h5BlFFvK5JWlBGLXn6d0jo3fZDKuRDhRs4KEewGiVsbMC83O4YTtoH-UsXySJ6LDfpyfXy12S0TXIT3dcGG13S6dL9Pomz-dTg/s4032/80BC93CE-9BDD-4B21-A824-AC22EFB26330.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdHUADzgxQkbyeNvMz29NbD-pTKl501jUn8hYADYtCeDqxKFHvYcrY-cKF0uhfa6wf7dvNkH2U-dqZ4gQN0LvbHp7h5BlFFvK5JWlBGLXn6d0jo3fZDKuRDhRs4KEewGiVsbMC83O4YTtoH-UsXySJ6LDfpyfXy12S0TXIT3dcGG13S6dL9Pomz-dTg/s320/80BC93CE-9BDD-4B21-A824-AC22EFB26330.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>This was the welcoming floral arrangement on the main level of the ship.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdeZ4LGx-lnlykqKQJ_SSnxn51OxjHRZZds4Avk83Nzb4R2m77Brfkj8GZhhv7j-CG8O0GT3CKMk2NW04rGn_fokRGUZtQjB7Zjp87AkYIPIzQdmdc4pP7mUasjNrB2PreB2CrKtVP0JHrz2ZB03XXNvh6neymawtt_EjJxnpeFjgkvuxVg8AgYzrsw/s4032/30340322-9AD9-41B8-9592-85C9927E9FCB.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdeZ4LGx-lnlykqKQJ_SSnxn51OxjHRZZds4Avk83Nzb4R2m77Brfkj8GZhhv7j-CG8O0GT3CKMk2NW04rGn_fokRGUZtQjB7Zjp87AkYIPIzQdmdc4pP7mUasjNrB2PreB2CrKtVP0JHrz2ZB03XXNvh6neymawtt_EjJxnpeFjgkvuxVg8AgYzrsw/s320/30340322-9AD9-41B8-9592-85C9927E9FCB.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>This was my first view of my stateroom for the crossing. It was a very comfortable space. <div><br /></div><div>This was my first time to travel to another country, and it was an amazing experience! I’d love to do it again! Have any of you sailed across the ocean? <br /><div><br /><div><br /><p><br /></p></div></div></div>Nelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731594872663348711noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322931360530621321.post-3237063283707269582023-04-25T19:25:00.002-07:002023-04-25T19:25:27.103-07:00This happened…<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrs6Dv0DZN4VhcmjfFVAEpRqOUA4w1IKchGoNzMXvCvmjzY8Mk05XIMrw9nzFockyyekVzerkvRSx8tg_7xNGaOg9ZE6qTzNKz_rPoM_hmK8pCQ-NhtJXBEFXAxaOCUjH0zOTXOSjKfxys_J4E8jGr10veqy2EFTTADeTwlcJAJ_qcqDq8H-Kq6oDZlQ/s4032/111578C9-20F8-4459-B3A3-9B6CD255D0E6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrs6Dv0DZN4VhcmjfFVAEpRqOUA4w1IKchGoNzMXvCvmjzY8Mk05XIMrw9nzFockyyekVzerkvRSx8tg_7xNGaOg9ZE6qTzNKz_rPoM_hmK8pCQ-NhtJXBEFXAxaOCUjH0zOTXOSjKfxys_J4E8jGr10veqy2EFTTADeTwlcJAJ_qcqDq8H-Kq6oDZlQ/s320/111578C9-20F8-4459-B3A3-9B6CD255D0E6.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div> A special lunchtime dessert….<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZCSlpv3vfH_GuuK4dkEB6T5OpaHszBJSTSKiLE514-YaXustXNQMhQDLJrTSH5HVR1E2MRA9rIvwGeSjCI2SCdwzwFVGscq8RZLp5nN3BgzHdFxDKnsw80EvHwFZmwAr8m2tu9dmaoDeP9Em7bj4RovKT-Aw04pDSDqm2P6Dv0X0hvRIb89rP9ig-w/s4032/5570C7CF-C75F-4891-88B9-5790E5ECB156.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZCSlpv3vfH_GuuK4dkEB6T5OpaHszBJSTSKiLE514-YaXustXNQMhQDLJrTSH5HVR1E2MRA9rIvwGeSjCI2SCdwzwFVGscq8RZLp5nN3BgzHdFxDKnsw80EvHwFZmwAr8m2tu9dmaoDeP9Em7bj4RovKT-Aw04pDSDqm2P6Dv0X0hvRIb89rP9ig-w/s320/5570C7CF-C75F-4891-88B9-5790E5ECB156.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div> Small Town Girl, aka City Girl celebrated with the loveliest cake!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxrIKtkOdVfqXJQGbQnHGbld7uqi3vM4mvbQQteHJfXxDwzuieB7uCwwyXCbXXm4084ifITxikjT92-O-BC5eUw29wTUIXLMh-EVkFjUhlMZWbuFBQmLedZqH5cghqAQEp0NCYZXbsSdAFTp35xSxUGtFPvkyelr4JQwZnRWircP3WB90q-APUyfWdCQ/s4032/2D8DDBDA-CACD-42D9-B0BA-0AC3281EB01C.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxrIKtkOdVfqXJQGbQnHGbld7uqi3vM4mvbQQteHJfXxDwzuieB7uCwwyXCbXXm4084ifITxikjT92-O-BC5eUw29wTUIXLMh-EVkFjUhlMZWbuFBQmLedZqH5cghqAQEp0NCYZXbsSdAFTp35xSxUGtFPvkyelr4JQwZnRWircP3WB90q-APUyfWdCQ/s320/2D8DDBDA-CACD-42D9-B0BA-0AC3281EB01C.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div> This Susan Branch mug is perfect for today!<p></p><p>Our oldest shares my birthday! Today we celebrated another year! Now looking forward to another one coming in a year!</p><p><br /></p>Nelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731594872663348711noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322931360530621321.post-67977908408949648752023-04-05T17:38:00.000-07:002023-04-05T17:38:05.872-07:00It was a very good year…<p> I know, I know! I’m very tardy posting this.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWxZSeoohGIivIoO4MFBQ9Hw2yeOcla_lfl1I1zJgb-zS_acTIDkJcqDizpe2Cje9l5zijHrQ_KfjsH5pKjutRkWmIKaBiCkLUIwzGpCzWrwYddtMGW7-oWjy6J-8z79XVft_8dyQpo96QI4aD9kGI5dAomd6bMk8zKzbxuuMFFxkm2PUspGi4kqhmVw/s4032/11A658FA-9206-48DD-85B9-B9B54CBBF2AB.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWxZSeoohGIivIoO4MFBQ9Hw2yeOcla_lfl1I1zJgb-zS_acTIDkJcqDizpe2Cje9l5zijHrQ_KfjsH5pKjutRkWmIKaBiCkLUIwzGpCzWrwYddtMGW7-oWjy6J-8z79XVft_8dyQpo96QI4aD9kGI5dAomd6bMk8zKzbxuuMFFxkm2PUspGi4kqhmVw/s320/11A658FA-9206-48DD-85B9-B9B54CBBF2AB.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdz7aKZWigbfoXWvwCB1KoiAdQ3LbV6AUOA0hrJcsIncsmEdBqplNdY-515Y9_sbefPud-lPn_m3lW6OJu8wwR3oPTFVaGo-4_uoxI_Y9pGrV-dUD1uTEnk-gvYnbWywc7pc-Rs7yWzWfZhZmaXSbmkm4Dl9fS4l8CZ7ZB4K6NPvctqrquVz9djhGyEw/s4032/BA30002E-BE40-43F2-B59F-6C7172D015B4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdz7aKZWigbfoXWvwCB1KoiAdQ3LbV6AUOA0hrJcsIncsmEdBqplNdY-515Y9_sbefPud-lPn_m3lW6OJu8wwR3oPTFVaGo-4_uoxI_Y9pGrV-dUD1uTEnk-gvYnbWywc7pc-Rs7yWzWfZhZmaXSbmkm4Dl9fS4l8CZ7ZB4K6NPvctqrquVz9djhGyEw/s320/BA30002E-BE40-43F2-B59F-6C7172D015B4.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>My sister’s birthday was April 1, and her family honored her with a very appropriate reception! Of course, I took no pictures of the food. What was I thinking?? There were sandwiches, fruit, and a most delicious chocolate cake!!</p><p>Belated happy birthday wishes, Sister! </p>Nelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731594872663348711noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322931360530621321.post-83688403222171740332023-03-21T17:56:00.003-07:002023-03-21T17:56:21.520-07:00Spring?<p> While the calendar tells us we are now in the season of spring, the outside temperature isn’t cooperating…</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZcQdnpxiXS86BpcOF_mb5RYGhP5k6MjaNzs76p6wFg9qITKCraHoICabGXSZ-RWzcqKsGug4TiohO6tB_TMOt2R10fn83_rUbOVCX-_LaPRcwx4YlGYGI67cuxcv06ZNbCuKqR3ESWBQqOTDO0ZlL3oSvbezx_UivChx6BoNjkU7v2OnbCrNB1b4JA/s4032/DA65E55D-2CED-46F3-B361-954AC4EE3544.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZcQdnpxiXS86BpcOF_mb5RYGhP5k6MjaNzs76p6wFg9qITKCraHoICabGXSZ-RWzcqKsGug4TiohO6tB_TMOt2R10fn83_rUbOVCX-_LaPRcwx4YlGYGI67cuxcv06ZNbCuKqR3ESWBQqOTDO0ZlL3oSvbezx_UivChx6BoNjkU7v2OnbCrNB1b4JA/s320/DA65E55D-2CED-46F3-B361-954AC4EE3544.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>We have had more nights of below freezing temperatures, and I’m not sure the blueberries will recover. They had just begun to bloom.</p><p>I may have included a post with pictures of the amaryllis that was in bloom into January. We are still on that “amaryllis watch.” Look at this!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2glY8aRXSLvShMnFa9EO0Y33LAFT2jiBdPAAosG5vOUjjSA8xPCg3wONt5CacKUrg5DzXhhSZwQqYHF076OMNZeb0ZWz6kbWJc2hbHtF7ofnGDt4MW4Von1UP8KDuE89vuYpUtHVlP15KRdz4UVD2Lrn3eTAf6NsZw6ZyjjUFD36a1FgObL80D2Rwcg/s4032/0FCDE884-5E84-4702-B294-835B3EA8A0B2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2glY8aRXSLvShMnFa9EO0Y33LAFT2jiBdPAAosG5vOUjjSA8xPCg3wONt5CacKUrg5DzXhhSZwQqYHF076OMNZeb0ZWz6kbWJc2hbHtF7ofnGDt4MW4Von1UP8KDuE89vuYpUtHVlP15KRdz4UVD2Lrn3eTAf6NsZw6ZyjjUFD36a1FgObL80D2Rwcg/s320/0FCDE884-5E84-4702-B294-835B3EA8A0B2.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>New green leaves have sprouted! This is after another leaf kept growing and gave us another stem of blossoms. What do you think will happen here? I will keep you posted!<div><br /></div><div>Are there springtime flowers blooming where you are?<br /><p><br /></p></div>Nelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731594872663348711noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322931360530621321.post-36533042288121741052023-03-17T15:59:00.001-07:002023-03-17T15:59:54.358-07:00Happy St. Patrick’s Day!<p> Hello, friends! This is the day for the “wearin’ o’ the green.” Do you have something green to wear?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCk-G8sDGexiRfkffJBEcCETik-nGQhIogE3bRWWz6Qy7ydVZ82FE6sdph4uOxwiRXqJ4Go_pmK7FCoS1IhWx8luW8BgBjOzzrWjgdiwfblVqH2qq94TTOLq7rlczIDpxZTu3q7d29-Igjr-VrSqCNtc6_cqheQgd0yuXVoyq9jK85s9dXh6axoIkGyw/s4032/308F818D-ABA0-4567-94AD-E4F657B2EF4A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCk-G8sDGexiRfkffJBEcCETik-nGQhIogE3bRWWz6Qy7ydVZ82FE6sdph4uOxwiRXqJ4Go_pmK7FCoS1IhWx8luW8BgBjOzzrWjgdiwfblVqH2qq94TTOLq7rlczIDpxZTu3q7d29-Igjr-VrSqCNtc6_cqheQgd0yuXVoyq9jK85s9dXh6axoIkGyw/s320/308F818D-ABA0-4567-94AD-E4F657B2EF4A.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0A5lSFP_glnfTOJsiIn0hvXvRgCshKTASHtHwc9wXomN880vUM_Qw9HdARY8M2IuwmHwfLQ8b-71frhyUIh3xW3S3YCjvF7tF43kZMIJqk5sEMqTId-93nk5YDPVfloQpdjyTAD3HXM34ACepQW7gDmHj08KB80I7RJ7L0erQ5scYPlRz-jibHeOgBw/s4032/D54FD871-3EAD-49BE-BAD4-76381FF5C30B.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0A5lSFP_glnfTOJsiIn0hvXvRgCshKTASHtHwc9wXomN880vUM_Qw9HdARY8M2IuwmHwfLQ8b-71frhyUIh3xW3S3YCjvF7tF43kZMIJqk5sEMqTId-93nk5YDPVfloQpdjyTAD3HXM34ACepQW7gDmHj08KB80I7RJ7L0erQ5scYPlRz-jibHeOgBw/s320/D54FD871-3EAD-49BE-BAD4-76381FF5C30B.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Blessings and wishes for good fortune to you!</p><p>Have you had a good week? One morning I was actually awake early enough to see this sunrise…</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIM8RVGLKNCyAfk5kDO2MQyLeEK_cyepGMlBwh0r_wnVw93fOmXrE7gLOjRP7bYCUmaNEPbLc-WNaM7uNJXTiw9i5SeHNFV3EuhQWpK_FLzjDxGBQEMU0tdIBXwVo_Wh29Hi68wsHaKdh7QVWI9Bw_nPwe871X-p1cAX-2BV18l9V_qeGFmAFHFS5fHw/s4032/A61DBE35-E345-47C7-906A-BCC2A4EE3D2E.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIM8RVGLKNCyAfk5kDO2MQyLeEK_cyepGMlBwh0r_wnVw93fOmXrE7gLOjRP7bYCUmaNEPbLc-WNaM7uNJXTiw9i5SeHNFV3EuhQWpK_FLzjDxGBQEMU0tdIBXwVo_Wh29Hi68wsHaKdh7QVWI9Bw_nPwe871X-p1cAX-2BV18l9V_qeGFmAFHFS5fHw/s320/A61DBE35-E345-47C7-906A-BCC2A4EE3D2E.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>One day we took a trip to a nearby town. Actually, it’s the town where I graduated from high school.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgisPQItaZGbUaQu-QYJ97oIvM4CQf0IWpcyR3f2JnpbNaFFP9XYm8DuqWIfxbd4gVmaJCttUNKGpLHp9pzcuvT7WtdJ_L85rcokvjv4KAl-mr--lGw8bgIIOJHaGaE8LBgkkoS1xS7XCJZAcYOLWZVBqHKya_MepOB0hNoQcUF7OX7a_e87WDj0fOL8Q/s4032/6CDE75A4-D639-4751-9BAB-1C6F1ACB6977.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgisPQItaZGbUaQu-QYJ97oIvM4CQf0IWpcyR3f2JnpbNaFFP9XYm8DuqWIfxbd4gVmaJCttUNKGpLHp9pzcuvT7WtdJ_L85rcokvjv4KAl-mr--lGw8bgIIOJHaGaE8LBgkkoS1xS7XCJZAcYOLWZVBqHKya_MepOB0hNoQcUF7OX7a_e87WDj0fOL8Q/s320/6CDE75A4-D639-4751-9BAB-1C6F1ACB6977.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFmvF28xQIO5K-SCSb-iyGM0zTeyEmpCNjxa0pkyK-368_GGQVzSinIc9k24s0pgSnoFIyJ7QkwKEo97N1n8kYItySxs4XwHLDCR50--UkgCPwYUotzVEUnqJ6Tt9GlxERT-c3ZxL1blvtDjXBR5mHpspOOqXTuwpaFlugMjlEYnmztM93EmlRSij8Ng/s4032/A9F3EF29-0793-4F41-B4F2-79389328B17A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFmvF28xQIO5K-SCSb-iyGM0zTeyEmpCNjxa0pkyK-368_GGQVzSinIc9k24s0pgSnoFIyJ7QkwKEo97N1n8kYItySxs4XwHLDCR50--UkgCPwYUotzVEUnqJ6Tt9GlxERT-c3ZxL1blvtDjXBR5mHpspOOqXTuwpaFlugMjlEYnmztM93EmlRSij8Ng/s320/A9F3EF29-0793-4F41-B4F2-79389328B17A.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Not to tell my age; however, I was a student there during these traumatic times.</p><p>Although we have had temperatures below freezing several nights this week…and more are predicted in the near future…we are enjoying the signs that spring is on the way!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1zihwlCDYM5z2I5lQ6zr_88FrefmtwPHnh1N3k-6c8o0C3KvqbvFUBCxA5xN6sUW6JBvsZ1NEb3ugtOpYs7DmMBiJ7GrAFw-vnhQiHFJgk8PcUybw49FzYa_IwTSX4XtWXWxJuYL3-lvpQHJUxxpauSBTVyy6zM8YhTUdElvdg8WQRGZKndIAHSYM9w/s4032/A96FADAE-C266-42BE-B189-92D4A023A736.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1zihwlCDYM5z2I5lQ6zr_88FrefmtwPHnh1N3k-6c8o0C3KvqbvFUBCxA5xN6sUW6JBvsZ1NEb3ugtOpYs7DmMBiJ7GrAFw-vnhQiHFJgk8PcUybw49FzYa_IwTSX4XtWXWxJuYL3-lvpQHJUxxpauSBTVyy6zM8YhTUdElvdg8WQRGZKndIAHSYM9w/s320/A96FADAE-C266-42BE-B189-92D4A023A736.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>The Husband has mowed the lawn, taking special care not to mow the violets!</p><p>For those of you who are college basketball fans, March Madness is underway. There have already been some huge surprises in the outcome of several games. Do you have a favorite?</p><p>Have a good weekend!</p>Nelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731594872663348711noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322931360530621321.post-50598630158248149482023-03-14T17:45:00.003-07:002023-03-14T17:45:54.239-07:00It’s Pi Day!<p> As I mentioned in the last post, today, 3.14, is Pi Day! This is how we honored this day!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1jKetXxB2bwt3NEKQNbJJ0RSgXrt4wOa6Bfm56p-ONfDH6sA3ceRCEJTjAhrtlOWnVlqJXjWHX5p0opNc5jQhUuOlc5J3t0-QYzCWG4vYpGcEuhpgJQ8FAl6v9E44xKaAZIKcxTvD3iM4dT7QQLYaP-ITPCWGDgoxGBO4iw3buNSzaidEjzhlDRKHSw/s4032/8585DDE8-78DE-4989-806A-61CD9B3AE6FF.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1jKetXxB2bwt3NEKQNbJJ0RSgXrt4wOa6Bfm56p-ONfDH6sA3ceRCEJTjAhrtlOWnVlqJXjWHX5p0opNc5jQhUuOlc5J3t0-QYzCWG4vYpGcEuhpgJQ8FAl6v9E44xKaAZIKcxTvD3iM4dT7QQLYaP-ITPCWGDgoxGBO4iw3buNSzaidEjzhlDRKHSw/s320/8585DDE8-78DE-4989-806A-61CD9B3AE6FF.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Blueberry pie, from our own blueberries from the past season! Partially thawed, they make a great pie!</p><p>Our temperature just escaped freezing overnight; however, more low temperatures are predicted for tonight and tomorrow night. </p><p>Did you enjoy any pie today?</p>Nelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731594872663348711noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322931360530621321.post-48513676131367518992023-03-13T17:18:00.000-07:002023-03-13T17:18:02.142-07:00March Madness….<p> We are fans of college basketball here. Of course, the Vols and Lady Vols are our favorites, though we watch other games at times, especially at this time of year.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT9eFWMPrur1agtCRXnITEa5Jh4TYsWn4_zbWplWAvvdv7fd5oEVzvMjALBXBbkZWlWMgaOQMHdmo0YW6CpjEl45E5wdP_k_tN1qtOVmgSU6-NwCOonvgSTdHwo7PKwluCEsBUdswIvU9BY8dE2tEaKm91kLr02lBex1iXfd6Ac4-CK4LyjhHRQ8zS9A/s4032/F608EA4C-E8EB-4D69-AC15-94A3905DA9D6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT9eFWMPrur1agtCRXnITEa5Jh4TYsWn4_zbWplWAvvdv7fd5oEVzvMjALBXBbkZWlWMgaOQMHdmo0YW6CpjEl45E5wdP_k_tN1qtOVmgSU6-NwCOonvgSTdHwo7PKwluCEsBUdswIvU9BY8dE2tEaKm91kLr02lBex1iXfd6Ac4-CK4LyjhHRQ8zS9A/s320/F608EA4C-E8EB-4D69-AC15-94A3905DA9D6.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Sunday was the announcement of the teams that have been selected to play in the NCAA tournament this season. The Vols have been named a #4 seed. Are you a basketball fan? Is your favorite team in this list? </p><p>It isn’t unusual to find these in the grocery store during March…</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxR0z-vTWmw1YFThayTs1E0RtqCe45XVC96W41AwoOChbULfveZEp6qdu0gkfQ1WhdwDlgDHspheABcZ1ZTTFghqyRRtyRLdcpkVXY_4qJeOmkLZmIOaNEHePyqEnYgpa4g_BcGuuHZ79ZcFjb8yVho2TM1IjvGmScP0TjChH1EXSy8jMLcgecBBAzg/s4032/3D917141-0EB7-4DBD-98B4-394981E9A861.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxR0z-vTWmw1YFThayTs1E0RtqCe45XVC96W41AwoOChbULfveZEp6qdu0gkfQ1WhdwDlgDHspheABcZ1ZTTFghqyRRtyRLdcpkVXY_4qJeOmkLZmIOaNEHePyqEnYgpa4g_BcGuuHZ79ZcFjb8yVho2TM1IjvGmScP0TjChH1EXSy8jMLcgecBBAzg/s320/3D917141-0EB7-4DBD-98B4-394981E9A861.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>When they are no longer blooming, and the green begins to turn yellow/brown, I will cut this back and plant the contents outside. Sometimes I have luck with this, and other times I’m not as lucky.</p><p>March is marching right along! I wish you good wishes for the days ahead! Remember…3.14! Pi Day! Do you have a pie in your future tomorrow? </p>Nelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731594872663348711noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322931360530621321.post-78303144607671403352023-03-04T13:39:00.001-08:002023-03-04T13:39:09.245-08:00Before and after…<p> This is looking down our street before the wind and rain began…</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVoumovRqDaSd-DajYt5kiqh1LvlieslGa0BVWn8Ux5RA1Et5hHdW_a7KuNKYeT-5u1sGRXn_XqH2QG9dxbrwflzi2jPWzkuOvpn6AqvTlOPjv5O-oONtEO3oKI-HFTwjgJ1EYo7eLOQjIo07HI8v1TTsXOzZD1dasf4TCjSUHYFYTYqbnHeU6BzYtw/s4032/4F05A3AE-AB60-4963-93ED-BB895954F166.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVoumovRqDaSd-DajYt5kiqh1LvlieslGa0BVWn8Ux5RA1Et5hHdW_a7KuNKYeT-5u1sGRXn_XqH2QG9dxbrwflzi2jPWzkuOvpn6AqvTlOPjv5O-oONtEO3oKI-HFTwjgJ1EYo7eLOQjIo07HI8v1TTsXOzZD1dasf4TCjSUHYFYTYqbnHeU6BzYtw/s320/4F05A3AE-AB60-4963-93ED-BB895954F166.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>While we did have some rather strong winds, along with some heavy rain, the “after” picture would look the same.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQo8R3xCBUVEJQqak3MbtR6O9FY_N9Tw5CfWt6A0o6aV9s070-uV3dZ4sc4AKy2iuBD4ZCTChuHxaEAuM7nRvGvEIyuzOOjjXWVbbVqIvjma40Ax2SyzDJZwRN49lOdMWqcpN_nscBWFrBQp3n-gmnuV-AygZwNo_3qU6yiGa77ahPxCYti-5kLQn1Pg/s4032/3041EA92-3CBF-417E-B6DD-BB17BB7C61C8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQo8R3xCBUVEJQqak3MbtR6O9FY_N9Tw5CfWt6A0o6aV9s070-uV3dZ4sc4AKy2iuBD4ZCTChuHxaEAuM7nRvGvEIyuzOOjjXWVbbVqIvjma40Ax2SyzDJZwRN49lOdMWqcpN_nscBWFrBQp3n-gmnuV-AygZwNo_3qU6yiGa77ahPxCYti-5kLQn1Pg/s320/3041EA92-3CBF-417E-B6DD-BB17BB7C61C8.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>The trees in bloom on property behind ours.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzqHrNCJr6PUD5N3v345biKlKHIL38FsBA_1sIquqIXgDjev0t-S6bVMRjQ2IDe3BTwP5homevXTfG73Yf4bW5jjZyFH36ibtlNQfCrmFVPS5Vqilr2bxjRalh0iEXwY1PQ3T2par0sN6xaMs_P6ieRq2tG2M-c4ygzLTQI1BwKsUwQCGB1ypRFUlxtw/s4032/1614437B-171B-4D98-96F1-B72E5B4CB226.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzqHrNCJr6PUD5N3v345biKlKHIL38FsBA_1sIquqIXgDjev0t-S6bVMRjQ2IDe3BTwP5homevXTfG73Yf4bW5jjZyFH36ibtlNQfCrmFVPS5Vqilr2bxjRalh0iEXwY1PQ3T2par0sN6xaMs_P6ieRq2tG2M-c4ygzLTQI1BwKsUwQCGB1ypRFUlxtw/s320/1614437B-171B-4D98-96F1-B72E5B4CB226.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>There are signs all around that spring is coming. It seems a little early to me. We have had a late frost/freeze that damaged blossoms in the past. <div><br /></div><div>While many are dealing with snow and ice, we have sunshine and temperatures in the sixties. </div><div><br /></div><div>Did March come in like a lion or a lamb where you are?</div><div><div><br /><p><br /></p></div></div>Nelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731594872663348711noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322931360530621321.post-51259702224197309692023-02-20T18:31:00.004-08:002023-02-20T18:31:36.811-08:00A long time…<p> Well, friends. It has been a long time since I’ve posted anything on this blog. We’ve come through Christmas, New Year’s, Valentine’s Day, and numerous other occasions worthy of celebrating. </p><p>We were on amaryllis watch here in December. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBOi94sb8Pct8_tL6vScEZFxXzkNN1JGiGvgype7_nGnqxRqFjcwoUsAPu6v7Uav6lR4FNOWw-T_kb4BvOq_JE-t9eIG3H-8Aw2BnbMT_hLFEOHDvDGkzF5xVgRxJvWfh8RMmCO70X7ZlyH4zQ0kSFjA13CKT-BNuF_HBOyfyHZCqml0n2zSQRocIIvA/s4032/4B1C1CFC-A8B4-4E89-BD05-EF3410035189.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBOi94sb8Pct8_tL6vScEZFxXzkNN1JGiGvgype7_nGnqxRqFjcwoUsAPu6v7Uav6lR4FNOWw-T_kb4BvOq_JE-t9eIG3H-8Aw2BnbMT_hLFEOHDvDGkzF5xVgRxJvWfh8RMmCO70X7ZlyH4zQ0kSFjA13CKT-BNuF_HBOyfyHZCqml0n2zSQRocIIvA/s320/4B1C1CFC-A8B4-4E89-BD05-EF3410035189.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVJvWGpqZSY3bicReCZVcWbE5s3Y3zfIvqV0n_hrKCxPTdp0pkUq9FLVHVJkZxZynDioTrugIKLF34PMWDwbiUepu186yEH9MrOh9Mns2B33WAVwViVP4h-_b2Wdhs_foapOi88V6C68XA1DtwxUB9kIGfifJMV0PHxPr_mRhP9V01vZYvaLxD6ukMBQ/s4032/72604760-82AD-4185-BC1F-37D95A192723.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVJvWGpqZSY3bicReCZVcWbE5s3Y3zfIvqV0n_hrKCxPTdp0pkUq9FLVHVJkZxZynDioTrugIKLF34PMWDwbiUepu186yEH9MrOh9Mns2B33WAVwViVP4h-_b2Wdhs_foapOi88V6C68XA1DtwxUB9kIGfifJMV0PHxPr_mRhP9V01vZYvaLxD6ukMBQ/s320/72604760-82AD-4185-BC1F-37D95A192723.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCk1qEsVi7lVWdqarshGd33dVX7fByDcDYdVWNAXMzZz04hBwhH7fx6zYnwq5Bf3gNBYUixeHg-jTnMuroCBFi5EBZljThSz9XVDHWL-LpYGJx3eS-d59Ogi7eMW-Kq4JV1yDOvaaAYF8JiA5xmbFrhLXZcPIBCFTxxTJCN5LRsn6qBk6WaJMJUQLXQ/s4032/AFC3A2A7-AFD0-4C61-95E8-9A3577E3ADED.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCk1qEsVi7lVWdqarshGd33dVX7fByDcDYdVWNAXMzZz04hBwhH7fx6zYnwq5Bf3gNBYUixeHg-jTnMuroCBFi5EBZljThSz9XVDHWL-LpYGJx3eS-d59Ogi7eMW-Kq4JV1yDOvaaAYF8JiA5xmbFrhLXZcPIBCFTxxTJCN5LRsn6qBk6WaJMJUQLXQ/s320/AFC3A2A7-AFD0-4C61-95E8-9A3577E3ADED.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Are you able to see that there are three stem possibilities for blossoms? One was very, very short! This is what we have from that one short stem now!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEPYy6_43F__MaTpW0r4GjAdIxacdWIfyLcygJZHjf2rceIbJwajYzozrGg31mREHH2kaQvX1OMTulFtsxWDjmS0aqPPqtMrTqnvUcfDUgoakO12xTKDB0ACIX0aMQkaUQVvNFo4ZdbJFqYYXtfflkr-XDG59BekMlmGz68DQbPVDv2jcwv0ng7ELmdA/s2448/E41871DD-7939-4E8A-B4DC-20A612E22384.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="1774" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEPYy6_43F__MaTpW0r4GjAdIxacdWIfyLcygJZHjf2rceIbJwajYzozrGg31mREHH2kaQvX1OMTulFtsxWDjmS0aqPPqtMrTqnvUcfDUgoakO12xTKDB0ACIX0aMQkaUQVvNFo4ZdbJFqYYXtfflkr-XDG59BekMlmGz68DQbPVDv2jcwv0ng7ELmdA/s320/E41871DD-7939-4E8A-B4DC-20A612E22384.jpeg" width="232" /></a></div>It has grown and is going to give us blossoms in February! This was the first time I’ve had one with a waxed bulb, and I wondered how it would produce. <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6l6xvmEcVlzsMnhM_B7BJbhEnM5Wz_wuJvPyXmyyku7kuTZd-oRKTIMXM-wMQVc_FrIRywNl2gpxlsyCbFnuw1t2Q2Ksmv9ZSqmwK9wp6tdejrOAuXeGXtg-ey9s6BLfKKyh-eA0Y3p4dIQF9HEg5JBWNt215KdAmftRFpWHbWxTp1HmYQZ48gZsWgQ/s3264/D574796B-98C7-4DCC-85AE-88B52AB7E288.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6l6xvmEcVlzsMnhM_B7BJbhEnM5Wz_wuJvPyXmyyku7kuTZd-oRKTIMXM-wMQVc_FrIRywNl2gpxlsyCbFnuw1t2Q2Ksmv9ZSqmwK9wp6tdejrOAuXeGXtg-ey9s6BLfKKyh-eA0Y3p4dIQF9HEg5JBWNt215KdAmftRFpWHbWxTp1HmYQZ48gZsWgQ/s320/D574796B-98C7-4DCC-85AE-88B52AB7E288.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>The Valentine’s Day roses are still looking lovely!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJTHmmxFBFIsx8gXysW599OpD2m2ybBRa_86gkxIwTmeNpSQeZBSw2hXq79P42lLdu8ixlIFyk0twbmsJMlpwG_U_YP621hreYV_dveNAHvBWvQpeIalcqAuV6lhQJrFEUew_QcX4MBTasiA8VZaD5RUcF9_xVk2ynrxyQkEkBrufCIPhs_Em8sdZ7A/s3264/40489A25-12D3-46D2-88FB-0FCA4D4859A3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJTHmmxFBFIsx8gXysW599OpD2m2ybBRa_86gkxIwTmeNpSQeZBSw2hXq79P42lLdu8ixlIFyk0twbmsJMlpwG_U_YP621hreYV_dveNAHvBWvQpeIalcqAuV6lhQJrFEUew_QcX4MBTasiA8VZaD5RUcF9_xVk2ynrxyQkEkBrufCIPhs_Em8sdZ7A/s320/40489A25-12D3-46D2-88FB-0FCA4D4859A3.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>It’s time to add tulips for spring!<div><br /></div><div>Mardi Gras is February 21. That calls for a King Cake!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2jnyjoYKW83kTd3VvvCVnBx6ycJY369FwKwb5kLmPEpXJrVxHiwCnSAf_3LMkHz0V66FnE8KdagQaWizESUPJkLgBkpkNc7gG14ecSzscv-1s9V70c2sjIktZHL5R_oX3WeObmCTSaOsjeybG2Ajv3eM0UUS7dlVxeGcZESwMomwW5DGFZ-XFeES8xQ/s4032/AFB4991D-E5EE-4746-BD41-F5A3D6AABDA9.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2jnyjoYKW83kTd3VvvCVnBx6ycJY369FwKwb5kLmPEpXJrVxHiwCnSAf_3LMkHz0V66FnE8KdagQaWizESUPJkLgBkpkNc7gG14ecSzscv-1s9V70c2sjIktZHL5R_oX3WeObmCTSaOsjeybG2Ajv3eM0UUS7dlVxeGcZESwMomwW5DGFZ-XFeES8xQ/s320/AFB4991D-E5EE-4746-BD41-F5A3D6AABDA9.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>First time to use this recipe, and we were happy with the results!</div><div><br /></div><div>Sending good wishes to you!<br /><div><br /><p><br /></p></div></div>Nelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731594872663348711noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322931360530621321.post-46482487509581578162022-12-09T18:44:00.005-08:002022-12-09T18:44:33.292-08:00A new series…<p> A number of years ago, when the family was younger, we enjoyed watching “All Creatures Great and Small” on PBS. We became quite interested in following the story of a Yorkshire (UK) veterinarian, James Herriot. A side note…we’re enjoying the current version that is shown on our local PBS station during the early part of the year for several weeks…not nearly long enough!</p><p>We enjoyed reading the books from which the series was based. Some years later, I was very excited to discover this children’s book…</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9tu4CsExQaqmi3ryrJZ5CkTdzA5DYDb7ZIHUcYVazt91Wa0jnq6fLVruZYnIgHR0FLfZjiPbP0gOiANMyzzL4FYerObvkHaZeikzCp0-JeloxOeOA4PVuOTojA1xN03WX25vvlTLKTmmmmqWmUk2VnBCnKmkWC3GYfWI-Df7NuT9IrLoskaeoNKD5w/s4032/304DFB7C-79D1-4CDA-B418-2FE666C7C15C.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9tu4CsExQaqmi3ryrJZ5CkTdzA5DYDb7ZIHUcYVazt91Wa0jnq6fLVruZYnIgHR0FLfZjiPbP0gOiANMyzzL4FYerObvkHaZeikzCp0-JeloxOeOA4PVuOTojA1xN03WX25vvlTLKTmmmmqWmUk2VnBCnKmkWC3GYfWI-Df7NuT9IrLoskaeoNKD5w/w300-h400/304DFB7C-79D1-4CDA-B418-2FE666C7C15C.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>The story of Mrs. Pickering was made quite interesting by the presence of her three Basset hounds and Debbie, a stray cat who came to visit a few times a week.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2N5LAZXCjjHC2vQmoiE-IY5DFz6K_i6XuAHBCauNTM5yHFkNsZjWhV4-Ypl38Oyh0-RnZYyD1RhlgM96IS49r0GTGAoGnrxgxiOalvcOz1L3xriZ9sdsxyViW1W-lAFBYcqn8JmNOR2AUIbLNzaHfyzN0OpPxFkhZpqXIkC8gn0N6e8YY1zdewtd1JA/s4032/D38072FB-52D3-4B34-88AE-BEB199F433F5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2N5LAZXCjjHC2vQmoiE-IY5DFz6K_i6XuAHBCauNTM5yHFkNsZjWhV4-Ypl38Oyh0-RnZYyD1RhlgM96IS49r0GTGAoGnrxgxiOalvcOz1L3xriZ9sdsxyViW1W-lAFBYcqn8JmNOR2AUIbLNzaHfyzN0OpPxFkhZpqXIkC8gn0N6e8YY1zdewtd1JA/w300-h400/D38072FB-52D3-4B34-88AE-BEB199F433F5.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>Ruth Brown is the illustrator, and she has drawn some lovely pictures of the English countryside.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXHMPH3dF6x4pMm0pnAQwFQ9Fw9MEVZI9G-Jy3nkNW0F8ANSQIPMOy1sy-O6npSCY9KQhtv6XqFawTu5AXZ38HvYdAOKr6XB0eYnSPKyiIPPN396Lqyumby-iY5jubNMrpKxtRh18K0uwOOrBvQx-ViTxQEVlcRhSCqTKCr8KhnsJkyQpJaWg6j2Fivg/s4032/BE686C1A-20F8-427B-AA1C-002FD19324A6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXHMPH3dF6x4pMm0pnAQwFQ9Fw9MEVZI9G-Jy3nkNW0F8ANSQIPMOy1sy-O6npSCY9KQhtv6XqFawTu5AXZ38HvYdAOKr6XB0eYnSPKyiIPPN396Lqyumby-iY5jubNMrpKxtRh18K0uwOOrBvQx-ViTxQEVlcRhSCqTKCr8KhnsJkyQpJaWg6j2Fivg/w300-h400/BE686C1A-20F8-427B-AA1C-002FD19324A6.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>Even the snow-covered town is especially appealing.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS7K1j9AGU-rDkSxhMiNwHqfgugsW_2Y0eysUNOVqQ1Owy-Ol8Ff7xntvGtDEI_3d5mw-Co-AUFaxPveIJU0ZfzcJfoOcKD0g2M5VDPm-Mr3D9XJTqwxrpVS4M7hLJ33dkPROhc7VyPmdejfzKUUjIRwaH56xwIKJ33nxzVJVGYyCHQKGMA5kfNUwR2g/s4032/814180C1-F690-4055-B777-9ED760CB211D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS7K1j9AGU-rDkSxhMiNwHqfgugsW_2Y0eysUNOVqQ1Owy-Ol8Ff7xntvGtDEI_3d5mw-Co-AUFaxPveIJU0ZfzcJfoOcKD0g2M5VDPm-Mr3D9XJTqwxrpVS4M7hLJ33dkPROhc7VyPmdejfzKUUjIRwaH56xwIKJ33nxzVJVGYyCHQKGMA5kfNUwR2g/w300-h400/814180C1-F690-4055-B777-9ED760CB211D.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>It seems that Mr. Herriot needed to make a call at Mrs. Pickering’s home on Christmas Day. Debbie was there with a tiny kitten beside her. It was apparent that Debbie wasn’t well, and she didn’t linger long.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht5VVDjiJ9yCb71CD3zfzLH_8aEKhQgDF40eSasHi_DqejDsBDfK3Mup69PfFPjUP0hLbLoBvqsO-yiviXC4DpJ_TLIBDIrtK8bhryXFi2jHDxXrb8_7fbsZcu19pSKukQTsRNW6YPTgd6G8XfBnN-Es3xBHc2oxyaWqU-2Bf0ADHkA9exl9XK0gWWOg/s4032/5B127642-B906-4F22-8F6A-F4373419B6A4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht5VVDjiJ9yCb71CD3zfzLH_8aEKhQgDF40eSasHi_DqejDsBDfK3Mup69PfFPjUP0hLbLoBvqsO-yiviXC4DpJ_TLIBDIrtK8bhryXFi2jHDxXrb8_7fbsZcu19pSKukQTsRNW6YPTgd6G8XfBnN-Es3xBHc2oxyaWqU-2Bf0ADHkA9exl9XK0gWWOg/w300-h400/5B127642-B906-4F22-8F6A-F4373419B6A4.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>Mrs. Pickering named the kitten Buster, and the book tells of the energy he brought to the household with his efforts to involve those Bassets in his games. Buster was quite the gift for Christmas!<div><br /></div><div>Speaking of which…as I compose this post, there are sixteen more days left before Christmas Day! Be merry!<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /><p><br /></p></div></div></div>Nelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731594872663348711noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322931360530621321.post-23907987258615569812022-12-07T18:58:00.002-08:002022-12-07T18:58:22.912-08:00Finding friends…<p> This is the third book by Jan Brett that I have featured on the blog.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UYPhpax9vGKtAHheH_K96lUh0QdFKF_J0vqKFV49Wr_EHCDPV28ctbcz5D-SK6zkximcE-NjmCm0h5U2mbSuNs7__RLG3ocSfo4TOyxJVLrPDPCM5c3_dvS8gqFSPT5UaK_WC8VUc8onepADIDRtE3vbgE6QKCuyUyxVTxU45kMDYehmopkAaX5G0Q/s3264/8FB61AC9-A96B-43A0-9753-BC23010A6387.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UYPhpax9vGKtAHheH_K96lUh0QdFKF_J0vqKFV49Wr_EHCDPV28ctbcz5D-SK6zkximcE-NjmCm0h5U2mbSuNs7__RLG3ocSfo4TOyxJVLrPDPCM5c3_dvS8gqFSPT5UaK_WC8VUc8onepADIDRtE3vbgE6QKCuyUyxVTxU45kMDYehmopkAaX5G0Q/s320/8FB61AC9-A96B-43A0-9753-BC23010A6387.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>As we left the book on the last blog post, the Gingerbread Baby was snug inside the gingerbread house that Mattie had fashioned for him. However, Mattie wasn’t one to stay in his room all the time to be company to the Gingerbread Baby. <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv34O64lOVw5qb4-qkwBP_BkUneGrdH058tKq-wCr-4FB_RcMf0REBwZbZv61JHE531LcjTPVsaDPgK-xsak-kfh3AUYXxw2AHw9i5d7Y4Vo2cUNrrHB7NKz-PkkpJppogzz5ed5IJ_sCUleyDhi9oOmWWwQUZ-8vipMGgiEDvwtpCaKxfJpEn5Vavwg/s3264/4F9081CC-4B1E-4556-8358-F8B1F4C9B3D1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv34O64lOVw5qb4-qkwBP_BkUneGrdH058tKq-wCr-4FB_RcMf0REBwZbZv61JHE531LcjTPVsaDPgK-xsak-kfh3AUYXxw2AHw9i5d7Y4Vo2cUNrrHB7NKz-PkkpJppogzz5ed5IJ_sCUleyDhi9oOmWWwQUZ-8vipMGgiEDvwtpCaKxfJpEn5Vavwg/s320/4F9081CC-4B1E-4556-8358-F8B1F4C9B3D1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDtiESZrXlCtpdiuvKs1fdJNPEkVLOnZx4GIciAYHy79sKcBEZpLCjlfADjzROcJX5ILJsTqXxiSyXp-s6q5h7qrRPSPesMDBupNIZNAvYC4ni7t2R1BC5hR2EeCpuS_ai9lBmnQtEGT2bI7vt-bpGZ6TijA5sH4O_3G7Mim6j1FKHYE95ocVb23Z0g/s3264/133F56AA-3C76-417D-A105-CD90966398F1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDtiESZrXlCtpdiuvKs1fdJNPEkVLOnZx4GIciAYHy79sKcBEZpLCjlfADjzROcJX5ILJsTqXxiSyXp-s6q5h7qrRPSPesMDBupNIZNAvYC4ni7t2R1BC5hR2EeCpuS_ai9lBmnQtEGT2bI7vt-bpGZ6TijA5sH4O_3G7Mim6j1FKHYE95ocVb23Z0g/s320/133F56AA-3C76-417D-A105-CD90966398F1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Mattie liked to spend time with his friends, and the Gingerbread Baby became lonely. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQLI0avDZ7wQxovO457AgQ10M3mhqx9RGNPkSXSs9HDWq-F_FdeZR3n1Gb-2A0OhDuyGEBkosXfaWuQZKmxL8PXUGXtpXBTpQLZX_YullyhiGrnKe_mjt75RmWuOWXNp4RhJGI2JRo_b8n87fVW7u5jQzSv5pJPZUv2ZhBNiH1DhLsnAyi7YGmqTiB0w/s3264/FA3F7139-BA23-4230-8F57-2339C6DD2C6C.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQLI0avDZ7wQxovO457AgQ10M3mhqx9RGNPkSXSs9HDWq-F_FdeZR3n1Gb-2A0OhDuyGEBkosXfaWuQZKmxL8PXUGXtpXBTpQLZX_YullyhiGrnKe_mjt75RmWuOWXNp4RhJGI2JRo_b8n87fVW7u5jQzSv5pJPZUv2ZhBNiH1DhLsnAyi7YGmqTiB0w/s320/FA3F7139-BA23-4230-8F57-2339C6DD2C6C.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>So…he slipped out of the house while Mattie was busy working on something. He was serious about searching for friends.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98Nxp4lzdGlN_-EKUsatcPwCxAQ93cFPVDaNzaIDBfNs-Kri-imfvvnLCwAPgk6dqLwy89YQGGUt3kajfzvHIkbl0ZUO784CxCkCv6s4Pwsf3ERc1OoIjeggD3X5TAdRvEJjE8zuGRJ7B6RAGL9z-dRs-vivCI-n5UZMFIRRm6zQFAPHwhZxhHqb_gQ/s3264/56C480B5-AA25-44AC-BF04-43D9BF44222B.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98Nxp4lzdGlN_-EKUsatcPwCxAQ93cFPVDaNzaIDBfNs-Kri-imfvvnLCwAPgk6dqLwy89YQGGUt3kajfzvHIkbl0ZUO784CxCkCv6s4Pwsf3ERc1OoIjeggD3X5TAdRvEJjE8zuGRJ7B6RAGL9z-dRs-vivCI-n5UZMFIRRm6zQFAPHwhZxhHqb_gQ/s320/56C480B5-AA25-44AC-BF04-43D9BF44222B.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>He came upon some swans, but they weren’t moving at all.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdcC6h1RX1xFaixPcq9tychsspWMxSiSZQ1m77PHP3uIbhEaZ_GVQowHdVhu7mt9uTYzZqlpv7tCen-G4d3wIyoXzDBICYNChaWA4nAyDc0OykBtszgUYRxqPBXwSyCxvHodHX15DBRvJPmopUZoaYLuJWC67Lnubl7Hpv_17rd_Jt7QM5xKn-xgilsw/s3264/87E96AD6-BE07-45D3-BC6F-DF26446611EF.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdcC6h1RX1xFaixPcq9tychsspWMxSiSZQ1m77PHP3uIbhEaZ_GVQowHdVhu7mt9uTYzZqlpv7tCen-G4d3wIyoXzDBICYNChaWA4nAyDc0OykBtszgUYRxqPBXwSyCxvHodHX15DBRvJPmopUZoaYLuJWC67Lnubl7Hpv_17rd_Jt7QM5xKn-xgilsw/s320/87E96AD6-BE07-45D3-BC6F-DF26446611EF.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>After encountering other creatures that weren’t especially friendly, he decided he needed to head home. There were townspeople chasing after him, but he managed to arrive safely.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0GkAhDnv6H6LkxOS2CnrXot6xZ-HTquziydJiAtK_KkkTnrK1k0a7ds-nZREUIKV-FtLJ8exzKbz_99C8psS_FkW8G1QU9YV39ysmxYR7XE2Wag-HNcgVjMdwOOdUkPGk9BWhb4CYD0pS-u-LbtRb1E6rOSPwZ28Xx8lkXnXPMnf-Z0daJZskj8RXCw/s3264/2BF5C54D-F5E0-4F24-9FCF-C6BF105747E6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0GkAhDnv6H6LkxOS2CnrXot6xZ-HTquziydJiAtK_KkkTnrK1k0a7ds-nZREUIKV-FtLJ8exzKbz_99C8psS_FkW8G1QU9YV39ysmxYR7XE2Wag-HNcgVjMdwOOdUkPGk9BWhb4CYD0pS-u-LbtRb1E6rOSPwZ28Xx8lkXnXPMnf-Z0daJZskj8RXCw/s320/2BF5C54D-F5E0-4F24-9FCF-C6BF105747E6.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Well, these pictures transferred out of order. Mattie had been busy with a recipe, baking friends for the Gingerbread Baby! Jan Brett designed clever, fold out pages in the back of the book that show the new playmates! Whee! They were ready for fun!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKj8Gd6IeyoLCQ0fn5yObzl2wRmfshplL4M6m6EvP1GwJeWwKgudp5O0mdu01SDD6xoBOAG4LQ8L5R9bb1u2xroBgFbU9wag21X-zHrUabUnpXsrQx0dIyAgclTnidEen7adPH-dJWqi6D0Bxs2CXelOxZ_Ov6SEZPMEeeZPhZ3bUXhBu7vEUPfMFsHQ/s3264/2FEA6352-2AA0-492F-8644-A36A12BDDB54.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKj8Gd6IeyoLCQ0fn5yObzl2wRmfshplL4M6m6EvP1GwJeWwKgudp5O0mdu01SDD6xoBOAG4LQ8L5R9bb1u2xroBgFbU9wag21X-zHrUabUnpXsrQx0dIyAgclTnidEen7adPH-dJWqi6D0Bxs2CXelOxZ_Ov6SEZPMEeeZPhZ3bUXhBu7vEUPfMFsHQ/s320/2FEA6352-2AA0-492F-8644-A36A12BDDB54.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Once again, Jan Brett’s illustrations extend to the margins of the pages, these give ingredients for Mattie’s gingerbread creations! You may be able to see some of that in an above picture. </div><div><br /></div><div>Perhaps it’s time for me to bake some gingerbread people! Magic happens when flour, sugar, eggs, spices, and butter are combined! </div><div><br /></div><div>Children’s books have a special spot in my heart, and Jan Brett is one of my favorite authors! </div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><p><br /></p></div></div>Nelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731594872663348711noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322931360530621321.post-88917483002535283212022-12-06T18:30:00.003-08:002022-12-06T18:30:42.296-08:00Turning to gingerbread…<p> You have heard the story about the Gingerbread Boy, haven’t you? How he jumped off of the tray in the oven and went running out the door, leading everyone on a merry chase. Gullible as he was, he believed he would be safe on top of the fox’s head, according to one version.</p><p>Jan Brett gives this story a different twist. In Gingerbread Baby, Matti and his mother worked together in the warm kitchen on a cold day, with the goal of baking a gingerbread boy.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsuP1S4brUDr3CKQCbeKBnJj4ovGKg99Obp44a8u8TNPwPb5FfqPDzudT_figK7iyYAaosTGU_MrTGXg4zRbw8OG5EMOx97sRN-OjfjIuQZMuAa0UuFHoC_xLiNAgOaMOeUhB0oDdFKTbUw88jOt7NSndCC4igw3sxzCVjdu7ri0S2MteT6iEY8x2gRg/s3264/EA83323C-C3AE-441D-AE54-44AD55BDC885.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsuP1S4brUDr3CKQCbeKBnJj4ovGKg99Obp44a8u8TNPwPb5FfqPDzudT_figK7iyYAaosTGU_MrTGXg4zRbw8OG5EMOx97sRN-OjfjIuQZMuAa0UuFHoC_xLiNAgOaMOeUhB0oDdFKTbUw88jOt7NSndCC4igw3sxzCVjdu7ri0S2MteT6iEY8x2gRg/s320/EA83323C-C3AE-441D-AE54-44AD55BDC885.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>This is the first page of the book…<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyDPywAUSTp3JPsn_cPIOQArQRCZf4QrvhuaGkqU2epZyQKLj12_FqjAo_Z8nQEaQZsf_PCy66deo_M9IBns3bV9Zw-TyFUNpbidHTKowrdVajKDn6WiNIRdm_0_1oFfY4t05k-iLI-KWKfS4Vb79BE3dK9ZipO3WAhAtjjoFBnKpl3hM30G7mW0GGGA/s3264/072F88EB-EA17-492F-8D54-8A2F26AD5F96.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyDPywAUSTp3JPsn_cPIOQArQRCZf4QrvhuaGkqU2epZyQKLj12_FqjAo_Z8nQEaQZsf_PCy66deo_M9IBns3bV9Zw-TyFUNpbidHTKowrdVajKDn6WiNIRdm_0_1oFfY4t05k-iLI-KWKfS4Vb79BE3dK9ZipO3WAhAtjjoFBnKpl3hM30G7mW0GGGA/s320/072F88EB-EA17-492F-8D54-8A2F26AD5F96.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>This is the cover of the book…<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH0PxWyTz5_uG-d5lcMFhjtHKh9wJJeP8P1GyJe4aj5R2TY1n0jkseGJ9mX3P_pfezUATJH_JmEui5JWW7OLxQgXh4MLZDGdhBXlW71jd71Tk6pyJJ-XU_6d1fzvqe__ijFoHLeTt77dVQzK0TZvzbHyOg0-x2YliYPOd_7mEZi0VqaPeK7D7QHSo29A/s3264/A3A9142E-A854-402F-9009-3D8712BB28A3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH0PxWyTz5_uG-d5lcMFhjtHKh9wJJeP8P1GyJe4aj5R2TY1n0jkseGJ9mX3P_pfezUATJH_JmEui5JWW7OLxQgXh4MLZDGdhBXlW71jd71Tk6pyJJ-XU_6d1fzvqe__ijFoHLeTt77dVQzK0TZvzbHyOg0-x2YliYPOd_7mEZi0VqaPeK7D7QHSo29A/s320/A3A9142E-A854-402F-9009-3D8712BB28A3.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>The Gingerbread Baby is poised to lead everyone on a merry chase…<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_95-Ny2DycrV9j0Ssi7vwKFYamNr1jIEZXfHkYHDikdkFJKwERlIhUDfrAL2tk7kfb5nxHBde0gSTGOfZiNXdhLVLT9BDIvDvKUyPd0hEXjaD_t5P7mdU3rbSvquID9U_MJFHP19y54dL5XK8HhVrTloFsrNAr2_qYm6QXAudS_ViSqr3QLdPrZX0AA/s3264/4C72863A-F76F-4592-821A-EB6D7FD14424.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_95-Ny2DycrV9j0Ssi7vwKFYamNr1jIEZXfHkYHDikdkFJKwERlIhUDfrAL2tk7kfb5nxHBde0gSTGOfZiNXdhLVLT9BDIvDvKUyPd0hEXjaD_t5P7mdU3rbSvquID9U_MJFHP19y54dL5XK8HhVrTloFsrNAr2_qYm6QXAudS_ViSqr3QLdPrZX0AA/s320/4C72863A-F76F-4592-821A-EB6D7FD14424.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Residents of the village all join in the parade running after the Gingerbread Baby…<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzI2LHTKh0MYpo97ZMblc15oMqeoTBqsmS4p62MvxVvnq4evh0G3hYp3IbFzwn6V_c6TyblJtjRaeFwWh07OSL3NEgNOF5VMW48Bygvn74YOObe5YR2hEqUqK7U47SdRleZ2gqlDqRwuXzeCHVAYn4siyW7vc21bXRrFfJrlhn1L7Wfcc5S7GFmuFQSg/s3264/62249992-8103-485B-A5E4-5A9C9BEA9468.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzI2LHTKh0MYpo97ZMblc15oMqeoTBqsmS4p62MvxVvnq4evh0G3hYp3IbFzwn6V_c6TyblJtjRaeFwWh07OSL3NEgNOF5VMW48Bygvn74YOObe5YR2hEqUqK7U47SdRleZ2gqlDqRwuXzeCHVAYn4siyW7vc21bXRrFfJrlhn1L7Wfcc5S7GFmuFQSg/s320/62249992-8103-485B-A5E4-5A9C9BEA9468.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>It is quite a parade!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilHK3n8FIeBZylC7CP4dnDZNK1dNv8qRCnIPPAcOtW--Oy6171kWgRBabPfekxaZpGeWi_cHiAeCGcMWzAGUojHWl8-CDTntt5QgdHWKYnkwwmtZGUI4gO_oezCd1JcsaacOtX4JExZ57vEyrs1xRK36AJMcIi9tTd_GzNuUXIT_MltTD1DtZVVSvYXQ/s3264/20F1324F-6B40-4FF7-A9A2-42FD402DEAF0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilHK3n8FIeBZylC7CP4dnDZNK1dNv8qRCnIPPAcOtW--Oy6171kWgRBabPfekxaZpGeWi_cHiAeCGcMWzAGUojHWl8-CDTntt5QgdHWKYnkwwmtZGUI4gO_oezCd1JcsaacOtX4JExZ57vEyrs1xRK36AJMcIi9tTd_GzNuUXIT_MltTD1DtZVVSvYXQ/s320/20F1324F-6B40-4FF7-A9A2-42FD402DEAF0.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>The Gingerbread Baby knows a good hiding place when he sees it!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEvUAS7LYi3zShJYxoV1l6-k5d0Od4-PLUYsLGWq2bbv3Xhmk1nDW8mioz521hlJx3-Qt1em0nPsx2ia4xlMZ-fHQloZHQiJc-zn5lwn9Ju_mrcaJsbOjyhUwYbVbxpKSOiOxWMhr2L7WRiWJ6qNlZbMkO9_hL9pvmA0-Ed7Il6doBsfpmIAe5tuUnQ/s3264/0A1AF9ED-CEAF-4CAF-9BF7-A5BEE4E441D7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEvUAS7LYi3zShJYxoV1l6-k5d0Od4-PLUYsLGWq2bbv3Xhmk1nDW8mioz521hlJx3-Qt1em0nPsx2ia4xlMZ-fHQloZHQiJc-zn5lwn9Ju_mrcaJsbOjyhUwYbVbxpKSOiOxWMhr2L7WRiWJ6qNlZbMkO9_hL9pvmA0-Ed7Il6doBsfpmIAe5tuUnQ/s320/0A1AF9ED-CEAF-4CAF-9BF7-A5BEE4E441D7.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>He has outsmarted them all!<div><br /></div><div>Jan Brett once again has created a book with wonderful illustrations! I have one more that I will share with you in the next post, then I’ll move on to another author. </div><div><br /></div><div>Nineteen days until Christmas Day! <br /><p><br /></p></div>Nelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731594872663348711noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322931360530621321.post-44065343884321271292022-12-05T16:28:00.003-08:002022-12-05T16:28:54.787-08:00Books for the season…<p> Jan Brett has long been a favorite author of mine. She writes - and illustrates - books for children. One of my favorite books for the season is one by her…The Wild Christmas Reindeer. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgblzRMXINJ6nUu-NXtDiVovWmIpGNepenNsp8wnBFH84m_cjz94gxg1CBDKQn1auQ4nPDCVFyJ_brBmT53UUcVSemfK-2KDg-MKVYSnFeCT77Q5ur2SGSGmntlOcZQrIHskfqptTlNqxGQBIySDXKtyQncA6-hIY5ATUyhemqS-HqI5BAOIPTgOwiQeQ/s4032/F74BE120-5A60-4AE6-8DAD-E2E72E5E024C.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgblzRMXINJ6nUu-NXtDiVovWmIpGNepenNsp8wnBFH84m_cjz94gxg1CBDKQn1auQ4nPDCVFyJ_brBmT53UUcVSemfK-2KDg-MKVYSnFeCT77Q5ur2SGSGmntlOcZQrIHskfqptTlNqxGQBIySDXKtyQncA6-hIY5ATUyhemqS-HqI5BAOIPTgOwiQeQ/s320/F74BE120-5A60-4AE6-8DAD-E2E72E5E024C.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>The plot of the story is about Teeka who had been asked by Santa to prepare the reindeer for flying on Christmas Eve.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSUB3w7NQ9IY4E-LnTrfwJXD6sk-8ek-0osypiJRo-eb6tSKSvfKmHqJV11K3cPEE3ZFQxUdrxEmdF3EqMXwlTV-JiF5kOQcF_pOEL-yYHrZXuodmKPX0gIJVcGopId28GBsKJ3easV2CtvYyQFF5uzlWfRprJayemdEpRDkwdDBD5ZT4KeneB9WEmDQ/s4032/261E56FD-8E26-473C-B6F2-A704693CF81A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSUB3w7NQ9IY4E-LnTrfwJXD6sk-8ek-0osypiJRo-eb6tSKSvfKmHqJV11K3cPEE3ZFQxUdrxEmdF3EqMXwlTV-JiF5kOQcF_pOEL-yYHrZXuodmKPX0gIJVcGopId28GBsKJ3easV2CtvYyQFF5uzlWfRprJayemdEpRDkwdDBD5ZT4KeneB9WEmDQ/s320/261E56FD-8E26-473C-B6F2-A704693CF81A.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>I fall in love with the illustrations the author creates for all her books. These are especially beautiful.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmLJa0oVQaIv8tL1FINPhGgYEEUQ93bruFm-BxAFSETCmqPCGsUFNuAQQ_ip9xRV6kVCsh5s8J9hDvrFBSKzjrSYniy4OoCP0XMk7X4qv8AI4m-LAPkONzIgJX1rFT6Cd-kqDbfPnwbaMW6BW0xDWXnD4FCFEXX-mlY2mfe4JaRsgHeBI2-U5VVxtAQ/s4032/520C780A-144F-4144-BFC3-D85A97D95F79.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmLJa0oVQaIv8tL1FINPhGgYEEUQ93bruFm-BxAFSETCmqPCGsUFNuAQQ_ip9xRV6kVCsh5s8J9hDvrFBSKzjrSYniy4OoCP0XMk7X4qv8AI4m-LAPkONzIgJX1rFT6Cd-kqDbfPnwbaMW6BW0xDWXnD4FCFEXX-mlY2mfe4JaRsgHeBI2-U5VVxtAQ/s320/520C780A-144F-4144-BFC3-D85A97D95F79.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>Sure enough, Teeka was successful, though it was a challenging task to be sure all the reindeer understood their mission.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwYYvz9-TizLh6yUtmNi1HeJuYXe2l3wClB9NvlUKSkGQ73qAp7q8ui47BqKQvmhsmyjwHpQOryO_mBMT5EHwvPURkKlpHS5rXHKtfcq8yDy6izijiYgMey4-oRg1V1gPoQFsGy0hLFygwXwTRlxs3iQjSKya0R08gF8qJmH5WDIV8g4Wa3ciMpkyYKg/s4032/840D84AF-8B9B-4EB5-8AC5-5D508EA159DD.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwYYvz9-TizLh6yUtmNi1HeJuYXe2l3wClB9NvlUKSkGQ73qAp7q8ui47BqKQvmhsmyjwHpQOryO_mBMT5EHwvPURkKlpHS5rXHKtfcq8yDy6izijiYgMey4-oRg1V1gPoQFsGy0hLFygwXwTRlxs3iQjSKya0R08gF8qJmH5WDIV8g4Wa3ciMpkyYKg/s320/840D84AF-8B9B-4EB5-8AC5-5D508EA159DD.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>Not only does the author illustrate the main story she is writing, she also includes additional illustrations in the margins of the pages. They tell another story. In this book, it’s all about the elves busy in the workshop.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvw65bwvABkGvT7aNvOb_U-vRe6CDo6pKXc9mU3WKcLsz9IH33CKrl6KHZg8ZKko9dnV-c6rLpmb6pVQ_dnnkzzt6Oek7GL0-6K_EqZLNTTGg3R5tmF9ZXQ6aQuhA2HZ-iRV8yFbjmJXs4CVmNA9jpP-_CTg5vQ-v1ctaqtXePRpL83LWCXrlD_FSU1w/s4032/9663FCE3-D3E7-4E55-B586-510544759122.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvw65bwvABkGvT7aNvOb_U-vRe6CDo6pKXc9mU3WKcLsz9IH33CKrl6KHZg8ZKko9dnV-c6rLpmb6pVQ_dnnkzzt6Oek7GL0-6K_EqZLNTTGg3R5tmF9ZXQ6aQuhA2HZ-iRV8yFbjmJXs4CVmNA9jpP-_CTg5vQ-v1ctaqtXePRpL83LWCXrlD_FSU1w/s320/9663FCE3-D3E7-4E55-B586-510544759122.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAkpjOtzqtoDkxA9orP8zh4xyNMKXMFoR84YEmULDEgxi_SBzWw6M9vyekeG1h-nETXYTL9MTOKDljheySePhLcHPMJHYkaxPBZgTODbE4ZZTeWC_tlj8Qel-o_PjaXCWJlrgOkBm2ue6AuNh4liTMr5tIB1vi1uE3-9L1EddE_fOENpuBANTs6G4g8w/s4032/C05B644C-FCC2-4A10-9976-6A7D8E7C7A8F.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAkpjOtzqtoDkxA9orP8zh4xyNMKXMFoR84YEmULDEgxi_SBzWw6M9vyekeG1h-nETXYTL9MTOKDljheySePhLcHPMJHYkaxPBZgTODbE4ZZTeWC_tlj8Qel-o_PjaXCWJlrgOkBm2ue6AuNh4liTMr5tIB1vi1uE3-9L1EddE_fOENpuBANTs6G4g8w/s320/C05B644C-FCC2-4A10-9976-6A7D8E7C7A8F.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>Everything is prepared by Christmas Eve, and Teeka is able to have a good night of slumber!<div><br /></div><div>Only twenty more days until Christmas morning!<br /><p><br /></p></div>Nelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731594872663348711noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322931360530621321.post-49502979590609952962022-12-01T19:16:00.000-08:002022-12-01T19:16:02.599-08:00Blogging…<p> If my memory serves me correctly, it was on December 1, 2011 that I began this blog with my first post. For several years, I posted regularly. Then, my interest and time took another direction, and the blog was much neglected. </p><p>In honor of that beginning eleven years ago, it’s appropriate that I have an entry for today. </p><p>We are in the midst of a kitchen project, and work will probably continue for several weeks. We have, however, been able to set some spaces aside for the season.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHEYoikcBOeqFIxbSP_Mx5L9j9uYp_uoFG02Md_LJ9Gz1QPf7A-Z4tO6ZY4-RFnJA0C-tZByqThsA_YsaLMPUge7Saqq_PHW1AT5StZFa0PIDqwmZyagyhlPCH2ae8v14iepwxf84QMzhzNCGHyhSYB05eem7HdoAWj8FA65sDiOoYS2dvR37ajqwaQ/s4032/BE6E3E48-2850-4E15-A739-2BB5451B77C4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHEYoikcBOeqFIxbSP_Mx5L9j9uYp_uoFG02Md_LJ9Gz1QPf7A-Z4tO6ZY4-RFnJA0C-tZByqThsA_YsaLMPUge7Saqq_PHW1AT5StZFa0PIDqwmZyagyhlPCH2ae8v14iepwxf84QMzhzNCGHyhSYB05eem7HdoAWj8FA65sDiOoYS2dvR37ajqwaQ/s320/BE6E3E48-2850-4E15-A739-2BB5451B77C4.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>While it may be awhile before we have guests in the dining room, the table is ready! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0c7gL47H4QYCnbPh1UuoJNDpuKH-NFCXeH1YvNRQAH7IJDHup4r__KVOlZKeUsnI3oTK0ytOAgdoe8h-MWK47EPHXN4qKH7OAaGB_Ju8id0QHnXSXXArLxZbvQI87lYh2KH2STAAiLXzWHjeIijCpFIJ_xAl99GzLNiF-S5Vp3Knmq-9dNdy8VigW5Q/s4032/F62F49CF-46F0-4378-B19C-135C16BE6096.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0c7gL47H4QYCnbPh1UuoJNDpuKH-NFCXeH1YvNRQAH7IJDHup4r__KVOlZKeUsnI3oTK0ytOAgdoe8h-MWK47EPHXN4qKH7OAaGB_Ju8id0QHnXSXXArLxZbvQI87lYh2KH2STAAiLXzWHjeIijCpFIJ_xAl99GzLNiF-S5Vp3Knmq-9dNdy8VigW5Q/s320/F62F49CF-46F0-4378-B19C-135C16BE6096.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>A corner on the kitchen counter is ready with favorite flavors of the season…orange and peppermint!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgidYGtcELOlFoLjlAnoL7MfUsnSIAjM7s1_8rzPwixFAMjfK-8qaWxR9KaKUPThbVGRSCO191gn0Nk8OIus5xpiYaVXObo-a7P8Q-szmZ0TTZiZi21FczAATHNMrSLqVbJUxvpZWtv3nW4snpMzzQ5EFPSM7gTMRLXz01dM9jjdvjmxmI3OLuM9mYVWw/s4032/892C8C08-D659-455F-9928-D440344CD6EF.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgidYGtcELOlFoLjlAnoL7MfUsnSIAjM7s1_8rzPwixFAMjfK-8qaWxR9KaKUPThbVGRSCO191gn0Nk8OIus5xpiYaVXObo-a7P8Q-szmZ0TTZiZi21FczAATHNMrSLqVbJUxvpZWtv3nW4snpMzzQ5EFPSM7gTMRLXz01dM9jjdvjmxmI3OLuM9mYVWw/s320/892C8C08-D659-455F-9928-D440344CD6EF.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>The table is ready in the kitchen, too! The place mats were a gift from a student in December 1967, and the Santa napkin rings were a Secret Santa gift from a co-worker over 30 years ago! Those green glasses? They’ve been with us for as long as we’ve been married!<div><br /></div><div>Are you counting down the days? Only 24 more days until Christmas!</div><div><br /></div><div>Stay safe, stay well, and be of good cheer!<br /><p><br /></p></div>Nelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731594872663348711noreply@blogger.com7