And if the saying proves right (April Showers-May Flowers) by May we should be absolutely awash in blooms!
Despite the slow cold beginning and torrential rains of the past week...it is beginning to look (smell and sound) a lot like Spring now. The world smells like mud puddles, earthworms and pollen (achooo). The grass is greening up. The tree frogs are back. The bulbs are up several inches and some are already bloomed...and it won't be long until the trees blossom as well. Give us a week of good warm up and there will be mushrooms!
Get a grip...this was from last year!
But I can still taste them :)
Looking forward to the beginning of Car Shows...the Mushroom Festival...Mushrooms in general...Hoping to see Brenden for his 4th birthday...haven't heard back yet...Idgy's Spring Box (and sending her mine) ...Several brunches/outings with friends...Diane and Sal's Nuptials (and in May...Marti and Lee's)...Dave's arrival back to the states for the New Orleans Gathering...hoping you and Cathy (and SYD) can stop in on your way to or from NOLA wish I could be there with all of you, if only to see Vicki's face when they serve her up a plate of fresh boiled crawfish...my 54th Birthday, of course...and the possible arrival of Aiden- a bit early.
Next week Loretta and I are plundering Terre Haute again...including a luncheon at TGIF's...can't wait!
The Secret of a long and happy life, it seems, is to always find something to look forward to...and amazing people to share it with...
James back on the road after the might-have-to-take-the-baby scare. They had a wonderful little break together though and he was able to see Kaylee, Hannah, Emma and Jasmine while he was home, too! He and Emma even managed to restore a bicycle and paint it together. Nicole's mom will be up closer to the end of the month.
We are all waiting for The Arrival, it seems.
Quilting like crazy now...only four weeks until his due date. She loves the elephant pattern...and definitely going with the Hunter Green border :) I can't say enough good things about my DIL...but above all...she really really really loves my son. And that is the best that any mother could ever want.
Chris and Aunt Tina back and forth to check on Kimber's "Emma" who is just too tiny to believe...a premie (by two months) holding her own and doing great!
Swimming in a "premie" onesie.
Chris has taken on the job of mentor/teacher to Kyle...who is progressing nicely on guitar...and also using the dog-training skills he learned from Paige to make sure of a smooth transition with "the boys" Benny and Neville to he and Tina's new place in the Fall.
He and Kyle are making an awesome team together at IAC and enjoying being "Union Guys" now :)
Lennon still doing well in College...if a bit "ready for it to be over". All of his midterms were in the high 90's...so he was happy! He will graduate next year and begin with the whole IT Tech World (...just like his Dad). Since medical issues pre-empted my April travel...he is going to make it up here on a break.
The 6:1 is maintaining my weight loss from the 5:2 Fast Diet...and I am beyond impressed. Wish I would have known about this years ago. Would have saved a lot of frustration...dieting and re-gaining. Despite FRED and the inconveniences associated with all that...feel better and look better than I did in my late 30's. And weigh much less than back then, as well!
Surprised my "driver" (William) with a treat this week. He has mentioned he hadn't had mush for many many many years...apparently his Mom used to fry it for him back in-the-day. Anyway, I made the basic homemade mush...then added sausage to it before cooling/slicing and frying it (...in PA this is referred to as Scrapple....) and drizzled it with Maple Syrup to serve hot. He was very happy!
Scrapple Recipe
1 cup corn meal
2 cups water
pinch salt
(bring to boil stirring constantly over medium heat...when cooked the meal will thicken like Cream of Wheat...then finally to the consistancy of mashed potatoes. This is referred to as Mush.)
Into the mush crumble pre-cooked sausage or chop pre-cooked link sausage.
Stir into mush.
Butter a loaf pan and turn mixture into pan to set up.
(refrigerate overnight)
Slice into 1/2 slices and fry over medium heat turning once until both sides are golden brown.
Plate and drizzle with Maple Syrup :)
And interviewing for intermittent assistance with the house-work now...deep cleaning and such. Going to use the energy I can still expend these days for something other than scrubbing floors and the bathroom :)
Like gardening, cooking, quilting, writing and grand children!
