Saturday, March 23, 2013

Day Eighty Two 2013

[Ever Lovin Saturday![
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Neil and I spent several hours this afternoon and evening with daughter Kelly, son in law Kerry and grandson Knox, who has really grown since we saw him almost three weeks ago.
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His new favorite thing to do is lift this jug of detergent and carry it from the laundry room into the kitchen and back again.
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By the way he grunts and groans when he’s picking it up, you’d think it was full and weighed a hundred pounds. We told him how big and strong he is, which pleased him to no end. So he kept doing it, over and over. Major cuteness.
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We enjoyed a yummy lunch at The Chop House and got to sit beside the fireplace which didn’t really need to be going since the day was so mild. Knox had fun playing with cell phones and noodles. He had my phone to his ear at one point, like he was listening to somebody. He may have made a call for all I know. I would have taken his picture when he was doing this but he was using my phone.
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He LOVES to be outside, and he LOVES to play with brooms.
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He had more fun than pint sized human beings should be allowed to have on a Saturday afternoon.
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He’ll sweep your porch for free any day of the week.
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We went for a brief stroll around the neighborhood where you might hear/see a barking dog. Or even a moo cow or two. There’s a big farm close by.
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He’s learning to feed himself with a spoon.
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And doing a most excellent job, landing those spaghetti O’s right where they’re supposed to be.
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Son in law Kerry worked hard all day (and all week) but stopped by Toots for some take out supper of chicken and fries and big fat onion rings, which is a treat for Neil and me since we don’t have a Toots any more. Thanks, Kerry! We enjoyed the meal and enjoyed those delicious dark chocolate brownies and ice cream and the whole time we got to spend with our far away peeps. And we especially enjoyed those sweet [wet] goodbye Knox kisses. Love you guys!

Friday, March 22, 2013

Day Eighty One 2013

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Squirrel in motion. He was racing toward something, probably the weekend, like everybody else on a Friday. Happy T G I F !

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Day Eighty 2013

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35 degrees at lunch time today. Welcome, first full day of Spring!
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I’m trying some new recipes. Made Black Bean Soup in the Crockpot after lunch. I got to use things like lime and cilantro and cumin and ground cloves and balsamic vinegar, all in the same dish, a departure for me, especially the cumin. I made this unholy mess in my kitchen and for all my effort was rewarded with a most pleasing aroma wafting through my house.
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This Black Bean Soup was great for a cold night, especially since it set our taste buds on fire. Didn’t expect it to be inferno hot, but Neil and I both agreed it was the most unusual tasting soup we’d ever experienced and it was quite good. Some sour cream on top helped take the bite off, and Fritos were good with it, too. And since there were leftovers, we’ll most likely be having it for lunch tomorrow.
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Ah, Spring! It’s 36 degrees which called for a fire in the wood stove. There’s snow in the forecast for tonight and tomorrow. Like I said, ‘Mother Nature’ doesn’t care what the calendar says where the weather is concerned. Not one bit.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Day Seventy Eight 2013

Come, gentle Spring! ethereal Mildness! come.
~ James Thomson

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And all about, the softening air
Of new-born sweetness tells,
And the ungathered Mayflowers wear
The tint of ocean shells.
The old, assuring miracle:
is fresh as heretofore:
And earth takes up its parable of life from death once more.
~ Whittier


[We’re in the final hours of winter. Finally. Spring begins with the vernal equinox at 7:02 A.M. (EDT) on March 20, 2013 in the Northern Hemisphere. Today was a beautiful sunny blue sky spring like day, this last day of winter. But we all know ‘Mother Nature’ doesn’t pay much attention to dates on the calendar when it comes to the weather. So, for what it’s worth, goodbye winter!]