Murals in Austin

Austin has tons of murals
This one means good trip.

I ain't havin it...Harley and the snow

Harley was not a big fan of the snow we got. In fact, it took quite a while to get him off the porch.

He learned he had to walk through it.

 Some times he had to use both feet.

 You can tell he's not a happy camper.

Oscar found an ideal place to "go" outside.

It's time to go back in

Slaying those New Year's Resolutions

I'm not good at New Year's resolutions. I don't think I'm as bad as Lee, but they're not something I'm good at. My biggest most aggressive resolution? To take down Christmas lights before Valentine's Day. I'm done!
And I've lost three friggin pounds. Dwight has lost 18. Told you I wasn't good at them.

Remembering

I had my own notion of grief
I thought it was the sad time that followed the death of someone you love.
And you had to push through it to get to the other side.
But I'm learning there is no other side.
There is no pushing through.
But rather,
There is absorption.
Adjustment.
Acceptance.
And grief is not something you complete,
But rather, you endure.
Grief is not a task to finish
and move on,
But an element of yourself-
An alteration of your being.
A new way of seeing.
A new definition of self.
I didn't write that, but I wish I had.
A million years ago my parents were married on this day. Their marriage didn't last but their friendship did. They also managed to create me and my three amazing siblings.

A new salad

Broccoli Salad is a new found love of mine. So here's the recipe I'm using-please don't tell me it's unhealthy.
Makes 3 servings
2 cups chopped broccoli florets
1 cup halved seedless grapes (I like red)
1 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup light mayo
1/3 cup chopped red onion (ok I leave the onion out a lot)

so that's my January recipe.

Fond Farewell

It's with great sadness that I say good bye to 2017. It's really been a great year. I know it started off a little bit rocky with the tornado rearranging the landscape around us in early March, but no one was killed and friends and family came from all over to help out-many, many thanks to them.
Paul started his first semester as Beth was finishing her last-and not to be outdone, the baby started nursing school too. They've all done extremely well and made this mama prouder than a peacock. I can't believe how smart they are. Spring ended with a great big party-Mike and Kate got married in Michigan. What a wedding! What a trip!
We got to visit with Mary and Dave and eat the most amazing ice cream in North America.
Then, my wonderful husband and I ventured to Niagra Falls and did every touristy thing we could find. He even sprung for a motel that overlooked the Falls-something I will never, ever forget.
We tried poutine and pasties.
I delighted in the fact that my husband is as big of a nerd as I am-so we went to the biggest cuckoo clock and through all the big things in Casey, Il.  We also took our time driving through Amish country and found great cheese and wonderful covered bridges.
Then, we came back to work the garden and start bee hives.
June brought a weekend with my sisters in a yurt. Lee discovered bull frog tadpoles and running elk. Her kids discovered fire and smores. Dad celebrated his 75th and introduced the family to the joys of riding in an argo.
Before I knew it, summer faded into fall and Dwight and I once again hit the road. This time to see the Aspens in Colorado. We saw them-lots of them and took some incredible pictures and revisited Garden of the Gods and Black Canyon of Gunnison. It was quite an adventure as we took the dogs with us and hit snow. Then, we made a stop in Oklahoma and added Harley to our little family.
Not a bad year, but I can't help but wonder what's in store for next year.

hey good lookin' whatcha got cookin?

Up here in the hills the menu for Saturday is fried venison, garlic chicken wings, mashed potatoes, gravy, squash, salad, seven up biscuits,  pumpkin pie, pecan pie, and triple berry pie.
Sunday's menu is ham, corn, sweet potatoes, macaroni and cheese, blue berry pie, pumpkin pie, and seven up biscuits.
Drop in if you're near.