Look at this beautiful thing!!!  My friend in Raleigh sent it to me 5 or 6 years ago, and it has bloomed every year since.  

 

It has 4 huge blossoms, and stands about 2 feet tall.  We had to stake it because it is so heavy it kept falling over.  Well, it fell over once, then we staked it.  

 

I just love it when the Amaryllis blooms.  Thank you, Betty.

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

I know you’ve seen this before, but it is such a fun picture of me and our mother.  

 

Here’s a bit of history I read in the Farmers Almanac:

 

Mother’s Day was started by Anna M. Jarvis to honor her mother.  By 1911, all of the states in the union had Mother’s Day proclamations. And she was very clear that the holiday was to be called “Mother’s” Day (singular) —”to honor the best mother who ever lived—yours.”  In 1915, President Woodrow Wilson declared Mother’s Day an annual national observance.  

 

Here is the link, if you would like to read more about Mother’s Day facts, folklore, recipes, and ideas.  https://www.farmersalmanac.com/when-mothers-day

 

 

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!!!

 

 

 

Picture from the Farmers Almanac.

 

Who doesn’t love Peeps?  According to the Farmers Almanac there are folks who actually hate them.

 

Go here for some fun facts about Peeps,  I hope they make you smile.  

 

 

HAPPY EASTER!!!

 

 

 

On our walk yesterday we saw icicles growing on the rocks.  It got down to 16 degrees in the morning, BRRRR.  But then warmed up enough by noon to walk the loop.  The ice is melting, but it is still cold in the mountains.

 

It is supposed to start warming up today, with temperatures nearing 60 degrees, and nighttime temperatures in the 30’s and 40’s.  We can work with that.  

 

We get a little nervous when it gets so cold.  We worry about the blueberries and peaches.  But, it IS weather, and we take it and say “Thank you.”

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

Rainy days aren't so bad.  We don't walk the loop, but we still have fun.  Scrabble, sewing projects, crossword puzzles, and cooking.

 

Yesterday we made pasta.  We added kale powder to the dough:  turning it green, a little bit healthy, and pretty.  After we roll it and cut it using the pasta machine, it gets hung on this rack to dry.  The drying process takes a while, like 8 hours, so we left it on the table overnight.  This is what we found in the morning.  Some still hanging, some crashed onto the dining room table.  

 

Gizmo?  No, he doesn't get on the table or chairs.  The New Year's Eve elf?  I doubt that.  ;)  Or maybe just successful drying.  

 

I hope you are having some kind of winter fun.

 

HAPPY JANUARY!!!

 

I guess we weren't the only ones having a little too much fun last night.

 

Look who we found right next to the empty Champagne bottle.  I don't remember emptying it ourselves;  it must have been the elf.

 

Wishing you ALL:

 

A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

 

HAHAHA!!!!  We walked the loop two days in a row, wearing shorts!!!  

 

Our temperature yesterday and the day before got up to 64 degrees.  That's warm enough to wear shorts, especially when you're moving.  

 

It was also warm enough to sit on our neighbors' porch for happy hour.  Gotta love warm Winter weather.

 

HAPPY WINTER!!!

From the Farmers Almanac

 

 

 

The Winter Solstice begins today at 4:48 pm EST.  It is the shortest day, and the longest night of the year.  

 

To learn more about the science and the lore of the winter solstice go to the Farmers Almanac;  here's the link.

 

 

HAPPY WINTER!!!

 

We lit the second Hanukkah candle last night and enjoyed its peaceful glow into the cold night.

 

We also tried our hands at potato latkes yesterday.  Of course I had to modify the recipe to include garden vegetables.  We added zucchini, carrots, and our delicious candy roaster squash to the potato latke recipe.  WOW!!!  What a treat!!!

 

HAPPY HANUKKAH!!!

 

We lit the first Hanukkah candle last night.  I love seeing it glow against the evening sky.

 

Tradition says that we are to place the menorah next to a door or window, so that the light can shine out into the darkness.  We are also reminded that we are to be lights into the world, each time we pass through that doorway.  

 

I love celebrating the Festival of Lights, even though our celebration is colored by our Christian upbringing.  Celebrating light makes me happy, and it feels very much like celebrating the Winter Solstice, and Christmas, both of which are coming up soon.  Perfect timing this year:  all these holidays blending together.

 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!