New Wheels for New Adventures !

My wonderful husband surprised me last week by saying he thought we should get a new car before he retires in May. ......we hope to be able to make more and more day trips when he does and his thinking was .....we need a reliable car ! Our previous little Subie only had 100,000 miles .....chicken feed for Subarus......but, he also knew Tess could use a newer car ! His solution was to buy our beautiful new car and let Tess buy our old one........works for me !!!
Did the grocery shopping up at Wortons today since I needed to go to the post office to send off a little Easter cheer to Norway. I never take for granted how beautiful our little town is......the view of the Crystal Range from Wortons parking lot is breathe taking !
Winter is back once again.....cold and wet.....as yet, no snow. I've got a big pot of beans in the slow cooker and some Dilly Bread raising on the counter.....just hoping the electricity stays on until I can bake it !

Spring in the Mountains !

It's that schizophrenic time of year up here......the ever changing Spring ! Sunny and relatively warm one day......cold and snowy the next. Today happens to be one of the cold and grey days......however, yesterday was beautiful, sunny and warm. This time last week my daffodils were flattened with snow on the ground and I thought they had totally had it. As you can see from the photos , they bounced back and ,of course, are beautiful.
Tess has been here several times a week working. Since she has no internet ....or electricity up on her ranch she comes here to work on her computer. It's been wonderful to have her around. It's been a long time since I've been able to spend so much time with her. Her belly continues to grow and she looks wonderful.
I spent today with my Molly......just a leisurely stroll through the Dollar Store, but a good time for sure. I can't believe she'll be moving in a few weeks.......I guess life really is all about change.
Seth and Amanda came up for dinner last weekend while Tess was here. I don't see much of them.....work and climbing really seem to get in the way ! I'm happy to report that they're happy and healthy.
I had lunch yesterday with my wonderful mom.....I'm hoping she can get up here while the daffodils are still in bloom , but if not, during iris season for sure! I think she may be the only other person I know who appreciates them as much as I do. Well, actually I think Jim does also, but in a "guy" kind of way.

Granny's Macaroni Salad !!

Kind of a dreary, grey Spring seeming day.....clouds coming and going.....cold or warm depending on the sun. Anyhow......I just got to thinking about my mom's macaroni salad. She's made this salad for as long as I can remember.....I think her mom used to make it. It's always reserved for family occasions ,usually get-togethers in the Spring . It must be served in a Pyrex bowl......preferably one like my mom's biggest yellow one. I only have the newer version of Pyrex bowls, and no yellow ones ! ........... it never seems quite right ! It also never tastes quite right !! Try as I might I have never been able to replicate my mom's salad! I use exactly the same ingredients , I think in the same proportions, but never am able to make it taste just like hers !! In truth, although I have cooked three meals a day for multiple people for over 40 years I really have never made, or attempted to make , this salad too often. Since none of my kids but Tess have ever really liked this salad......they're all mayonnaise phobic.....I just never bothered ! However, into my life rode Jim and Dan and they are major fans of this concoction !......so in the last 16 years I have been trying and trying to get it right . Tried again today and this batch holds promise, although I really won't be able to tell until it "ages" overnight in the fridge.
Yesterday was a real fun day up in Chico . My mom and I drove up there , as I mentioned in previous post , to brainstorm with Tess and Boyce various ways to move forward on their land.....as in electricity, water and a house ! I think we have a kind of plan that we will try to somehow cobble together and we all felt pretty confident. We discussed all this at Boyce's restaurant over a beautiful and delicious lunch. It was so much fun......an afternoon to remember. Boyce had to stay at the restaurant a while longer so "the girls" headed to.....where else.....Target !! We spent a long time dressing up Tessy as "Pregnant Barbie" and ended up buying her a few of the best outfits. I'm sorry I didn't get any pics.......Tess and Boyce both looked wonderful.
Josh called me last week and we talked for a long time......all is well and they will be here for the Lupine Hill 4th of July bash......as well as the baby shower. By the way, if you're reading this , you're invited too !! As soon as we pick a day and time I'll let you all know. Probably sometime in the week after the 4th.

Way to Go Girls !

Just a mere couple of weeks ago I was reduced to buying eggs at the grocery store. Every morning when I fed the chickens I would try everything I could think of to cajole them into laying me some eggs.......singing, telling jokes, patting each one on the head.....I tried everything. No luck ! All of a sudden last week....they got their groove back. Every evening now Jim comes in with 3 or 4 eggs, sometimes more. At least I assume the chickens are the ones laying the eggs.........maybe I need to do some more investigating!
It was a beautiful day here today, unfortunately I spent most of it inside working on Ebay orders. Must be a Spring Thing.....everyone's buying new hand towels ! It is nice, however, to be able to make some money without ever leaving the house.
Tomorrow my mom and I are headed up to Chico to check out a mobile home deal for Tess' land. Hopefully, between the 4 of us........Mom,me,Tess and Boyce.....we can cobble some type of deal together. If not, we can brainstorm alternate ideas ! I'll try to remember to snap some photos......check back soon !

Good to be Back !

Well.....that was quite a hiatus I took ! Lots of news to catch up on. I don't really know why I dropped out of the world of the blog.......laziness ?? Springtime now......time to get up and moving !

Biggest news of the season ........Tess-Megan is going to have a baby !!! She and Boyce will be expecting it towards the end of August. I've never seen Tess looking better......robust and ......yes.....glowing ! Pictures above were taken last Sunday when Jim and I drove up there to help them figure out the best way to go forward with getting a home on their land. It was a beautiful, sunny day and we had fun roaming the property. The llamas, Buster and Lady, kept a close eye on us......but in the end.....made us feel welcome .

Miss Molly is gearing up for her move to Marin.......I think she's excited.....maybe a little stressed. I sure will miss her......going to Target will never be the same.

I haven't seen Seth for a while, but sounds like he and sweet Amanda will be up for dinner soon. We always play second fiddle to climbing mecca, Bishop........but, I so love that Seth has a passion in life.

Saw Dan and Anna on my birthday.......I'll be working soon on a scheme to get them here again soon ! Jill and family have their plane tickets and will be arriving June 29.....Espen's girlfriend will be coming with them this year......very exciting ! Josh and Mel......I'm forewarning you.....plans for Tess' baby shower mid July......be there or be square !

As for me.....I've got a whopping case of Shingles.....yuck ! No fun.....want it to be gone !!

Well.......good to be back....talk to you again soon.