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It's so cold ......too cold for April! But.......every cloud has a silver lining.......tonight's lining is a pot of homemade clam chowder! It smells so good and I have a fresh loaf of crusty sourdough to go with it. It's a really easy, great tasting chowder recipe with cream of celery soup as it's base.........souper easy! Sorry about the pun...I couldn't help myself! Also...sorry about the looks of the pot in above photo........my cooking pots are well used!
I met Mom again today and before we hit Costco we snuck in an In-n-Out.......sooooo good and we didn't want to go in Costco hungry......they say you tend to buy more than you need when you grocery shop hungry! I'm so glad I wasn't hungry because I bought enough as it was!......mostly food for Sunday's party......including a triple layer chocolate cake and a huge ham.
I came home to very cold house and quickly built a fire........now I have a warm house with a pot of delicious soup on the stove........my idea of heaven!
What difference a day makes! Yesterday it was warm...in the 60's ......and sunny up here. Right now it's in the 40's and raining. I just made a fire even though the inside temperature has been about 60 all day........I kept thinking, it's bound to warm up. Didn't happen and I don't feel right curling up under a quilt until at least 7:00 in the evening.............I do have my standards!! I really missed having the sun today.......couldn't get real energized about anything. I went upstairs and sewed for a while.......I REALLY couldn't get inspired about that!! I think that may be a problem this year , I can't really figure out what I want to make or what I think will sell. It's gotten so I don't enjoy the creative process that much any more...I just want to see the dollar signs....I know, I know ...unforgivable! The up side of that is that the house is really spic and span.......when in doubt..clean something!!!
We're having a tried and true family favorite for dinner....sprout sandwiches, which I planned yesterday when it was warm. Had I planned today no doubt I would have had soup......or maybe even a roast. I guess I'll bake the last of last year's garden squash.....that should add a touch of hardiness to tonight's meal!
This weekend I broke out the Easter decorations........many as old as Jill........almost 40 years old, forgive me Jilly......... Easter Sunday for our family has always been a celebration of Spring.....and just a reason to gather together for a fun day. I love Easter....a no pressure holiday. I adore Easter decorations and every year I have to force myself not to buy any new ones, but the colors used are so delicious, soft and sweet. We'll have a house full this year........thirteen or fourteen by my count. The weather's supposed to be beautiful so the deck will be the place to be!
I met Mom today for a little while.....then headed to the feed store for chicken feed, dog food and cat food.........$70 later......unbelievable! I stopped at the grocery store for a few things for dinner. I think Seth is coming up for dinner and to watch the NCAA Finals game........fried chicken, garlic mashed potatoes and fresh spinach salad. I think we're rooting for Michigan State........Jerry's Alma Mater!
Seth dug up this little wild plum tree from beside Todd Valley Rd. and gave it to me on Mother's Day......at least 10 years ago. I wanted one because they look so beautiful when they're in bloom along the road sides......perhaps it's karma....I should have let it stay with others of it's kind in that little gulch along Todd Valley....because it never once has produced a bloom of any kind. I had such hopes when Seth......along with help from brother-in-law Jack planted it about 100 ft. from my kitchen window.......although it's grown and had leaves every year.....not one bloom! Low and behold a week ago I was wandering around down there and at first I couldn't believe it, but upon closer inspection........a bloom!!!! And now there are several dozen! I'm so happy for me....so happy for this little tree.....maybe it will live a long and prosperous life with bees buzzing around it's branches and admiring looks from my kitchen window.
Jim put up the new lights I got yesterday and I think they look so cool! The color and style suit this house so well........I'm very excited about them!
I spent the morning out working with the flowers. I got the front porch reorganized after the winter chaos.......also cleaned up the back deck. Very gratifying to see so many of the plants I tried to baby through the winter are actually making their way back......some already blooming. This seemed like it was a particularly cold winter so I'm very pleasantly surprised to see most of them doing so well.
Molly called a little while ago and sounds like she and Ross are on their way up.......to watch the "Final Four"........college basketball national tournament........eat some barbecued ribs, maybe a little cribbage and I'm sure we'll squeeze in some mountain music !
Look what I scored in Roseville today!!! Thanks to a very generous gift certificate Tess and Ryan gave us for Xmas we'll be eating , in my mind, the best Chinese food around! I love P.F.Changs because they're heavy on the veggies, which are always so fresh and crisp, and light on the heavy meat. Also, their sauces are delectable.....wonderful blends of subtle flavors! Maybe I should try to get a job there.............naaaa!
I met Mom down there and we went to Lowes where I bought new light fixtures for the living room......photos to follow soon......and a new fixture for one of the upstairs bathrooms , which goes with the new faucet we recently bought. Maybe I should get a job!!!!!...........naaaaa!
Seth is coming up to night to watch the King's game with us.....I guess I'll share some dinner with him too. I'm headed into the kitchen now to make some of my fabled from scratch brownies for dessert.......don't you just love chocolate with Chinese !
Well, last night was the big night.......Vlade's jersey retirement. It was such a fun night.......a good time was had by all. I was ,of course, emotional during the ceremony....but the game itself was awesome. It went right down to the literal last second.......of course the opposing team won......but it was a hard fought battle by the Kings. I love sitting up in the "cheap seats" ....it's loud and rowdy, cowbells and horns. We dined before the game on hot dogs......and they've never tasted better....... good company , a good game and Vlade! I'm so lucky to have access to nights like that!
I drove down to Auburn today to drop off all the stuff I cleaned out of the garage. It seemed the Salvation Army store was pleased with the loot.......probably not as pleased as I was to get rid of all of it! I also picked up a few things for Easter baskets , a couple groceries and a big bag of dog biscuits for my buddy Jenny.
Guess I'll start dinner now....chicken of course! Another King's game on TV tonight.......hopin' to see the same effort as last night.
