Random February

Snippets of February that didn't make it into other posts. 

February 5, 2022

Deb's book club met on Zoom on Saturday morning (instead of in the evening) so that Betsy could join in from Germany.  It was SO GOOD to see her and hear all about her life in Germany!  I think she is really happy and that just warms my heart.  It makes me think about moving to another country... that is something I have always wanted to do - at least for a time.  What a grand adventure!  Not sure Marvin would ever leave Willis Creek Ranch, though.  :) 

Took the photo after Susan had already signed off... but we still had
Deb, Laura, Anne, Julie, Andrea, Betsy, Brenda, Kristina

Julie was showing her HUGE butternut squash!  :)  She told Kristina she will being seeds to the next book club for her (and anyone else who might like some).  That has truly been prolific squash!!  She harvested this one in December! 

February, 6, 2022

I have to admit that this winter has had the most beautiful skies.  This does not look like a 'typical' Missouri February sky to me.  It looks (and even feels) a bit more like March.  That soft light is lasting longer each evening and gives me such a feeling of hopefulness.  

A pretty, peaceful scene. 

February 8, 2022

I took these photos as I was leaving to go get groceries.  I love seeing my fellas all working here on the place - I'll stop for a horse crossing any day.  :) 

February 13, 2022

Sweet Goosey loves Jonathan so much.

February 15, 2022

This old turtle sandbox lasted over 20 years.  This was the boys sandbox when they were little.  A storm finally got the lid and tore it up, so we knew we would have to replace it - can't have water getting in.  I thought I would just get a new turtle one - had seen them online.  But when I looked closer I discovered that they are completely different now -and not in a good way.  Our old one had the lip around the edge and two sturdy knobs that allowed the lid to stay put.  A storm may have finally gotten it, but it took 20+ years of storms to do that!!  Mostly, that lid stayed put!  The new turtle sandbox has a lid that just lays on top - no knobs and I think, no lip.  That would never work around here.  

I searched and finally chose this one - Mr. Crab.  Boy, does he show up on the porch!  You see him when you turn the corner on our driveway... can't help but see him!  :D  He is a bit bigger but the plastic is way cheaper than the old turtle one.  This lid does have a bit of a ridge so is not as bad as the new turtle version.  But it sure isn't as secure as the old version.  Marvin has attached two bungie cords to keep it on.  I wish companies would still make things to last.  I realize that would mean we wouldn't have to buy things as often... sigh.  :( 

Sweet Marley - still hanging in there.  

February 17, 2022

My beautiful great-niece - sweet Aasha Lee!  :) 

We got about 3-4 inches of snow last night, but the wind blew it around so much it was hard to tell how much we got.  Doesn't look like much, which is fine by me.  :)  Jackson and Brianna said the streets in town were really slick and we did have white out conditions mid afternoon.  But overall, we sure got lucky with this one.  South here got nailed!

You can't really make it out in the photos, but the wind was swirling that snow up and around like little mini tornadoes.  

Afterward, the sunset was so pretty.  

February 19, 2022

Hannah sent me these photos of Maverick enjoying his visit to the library.  :)  What a cutie pie!

I'd say he had a good time at the library! 

February 20, 2022

Ugh... as I was leaving Daddy's house I saw this possum come up on the porch and stealthily walk toward the cats.  They never batted and eye - they must know him well.  :(  He ate some of their food and was still hanging out when I finally had to drive away.  

What a beautiful sunset!  So pretty!  And they say it will be about 60 degrees tomorrow!  Then back down to single digits overnight on Tuesday.  BUT, going from low to high and back again isn't nearly as painful as just staying in low temps all the time.  Thankful for a milder winter (so far).  

February 22, 2022

We got another crate for Goose - it is identical to his crate in the mud room.  We decided to put this in the dining room near the front door.  I thought it would be such a great idea... but the jury is definitely still out.  I wanted to have a place where Goose could hang out with me while I work on my puzzles.  But he doesn't seem to like having 'quality time' with the family.  :D  ha!  He digs down on that blue pillow then tries to kill it.  :D  He puts his white pillow over his head and then just peers out from underneath it.  But as soon as we put him back out in the mudroom, where it is quiet and away from us, he is relaxed and happy again.  :)  I think he can only handle us in small doses.  :D  He's not wrong... 

February 23, 2022

This was the evening of my Zoom Reading Circle group.  We meet the 4th Wednesday of each month on zoom to discuss the books from our book list and any others we may be reading.  I love this group so much!  Such special ladies!  This month our two books were The Silent Patient (Wow!!  What a book!  What a twist at the end!!) and A Slow Fire Burning.  We will have an in person gathering on June 7 here at my house - hoping many can make it as several live out of town. 

DeAnn, Laura, Jennifer, Barbara, Janet, Anita, Sue, Peggie, Julie, Susan, Tammy, Nancy

February 25, 2022

Love all three of these fellas!!  :D

Jackson, Goose, and Jonathan

February 27, 2022

Sunday brunch at our house - Julie, Marvin, Daddy, Zac, Hannah

Jonathan and Goose

February 28, 2022

Goose and I were out walking when we heard a bunch of snow geese flying overhead.  Goose just sat down to watch them.  I agree with him - they are mesmerizing!  They were everywhere in the sky.  I was so wishing I had my good camera with me to capture them, but all I had was my iPhone.  Oh well.  I look forward every year to seeing the snow geese.  (of note - this was the day that I realized how truly confusing poor Goose's name can be...)  :D  But nevertheless... Goose and I both really enjoyed watching the geese fly overhead.  :D

So proud, always, of this dear man.  Zac was giving the state of the city address and it aired online, as well.  He is a fine man and a very good Mayor of our town.  

Mississippi Pot Roast

I finally got on the Mississippi Pot Roast band wagon... and it was delicious!  I have eaten it when others fixed it and LOVED it but had never made it myself until recently.  It was a good recipe for the main meal but the great thing was all the ways to use up the leftovers.  We made burritos and tacos one day, then had quesadillas the next.  It would also be great over a baked potato.  

Mississippi Pot Roast
I put a chuck roast in my Pampered Chef stoneware combo (lid and bowl) and cooked it all day long on low heat - about 275 degrees - till the meat just fell apart. I cooked it with 1 packet of au jus, 1 packet of ranch dressing, ½ stick of butter and about ½ cup of water. I didn't even have the peperoncinis so I used some mild pepper rings and the juice from the bottle. It was very tasty and slightly different from our norm.

Leftovers in a Quesadilla 'recipe'

Used the beef with queso cheese and Pampered Chef southwest seasoning on buttered flour tortillas.  Grilled till it all got melty.  :)  Served with avocado, salsa, and my favorite - Mexican Table Cream.  Yum!

 

Maverick - 4th week of February

February 22, 2022

Mav loves to eat a hard boiled egg when he is at
Grandma and GranGran's house - and, of course, Cheezits.  :) 

February 23, 2022

Mav watches Grandma work puzzles and likes having his own to work.  He was quite intent on this vehicle puzzle this particular morning.  

He likes to take the pieces off and put them back on - and talk about them.

Mav and Jonathan were kicked back watching some YouTube videos on TV.  
He is in to Carl's Car Wash and Tractor Ted.  :D 

This was cracking me up... Mav would lower his eyes and head and nod vigorously, then laugh and laugh... Jonathan would do it in reply and that would make Mav laugh even harder.  :) 

Mav picked up the Kleenex and 'blew his nose'.  That meant he did a pffft sound with his mouth into the kleenex.  Sounds about right.  He did then walk to the trashcan and throw it away. Very good hygiene!  He used a few more kleenex but then stopped when I told him.  :) 

Mav is wanting to draw on things so we told him this box was his to play with any way he liked.  He was using his colored pencil to draw on it and was also just enjoying playing inside it.  GranGran came to join in the fun.   :) 

Fits him pretty well!

He wanted GranGran to join him inside, but alas, there just wasn't enough room.  :) 

A box is so much fun!

Mav did something today for the first time... he called the larger horse the Daddy horse and the smaller horse the Mama horse.  I had never heard him make that distinction with a toy before.  Pretty cool watching him work through various developmental stages. 

side note - that HAIR!  

He just loves drinking water from the little silicone cupcake holders.  Of course it all spills down his front and soaks him.  Oh well.  He loves it so much.

We keep some toys stored in cubbies to pull out on request.  Keeps his interest in them (and helps me keep track of small pieces!)  He wanted to play with the Joey magnetic doll so I got it out.  He has so much fun with this and today he was doing a better job of discerning what pieces went together (fireman, superman, pirate, etc.)  I love watching him figure things out.  

He was quite happy with himself when he put outfits on the doll...
clapping for himself and cheering.  :D  

This shows all the possibilities for outfits.  Of course, it is fun to
mix them up more than this, but this is 'for the record'.  

Time to head for home!

February 24, 2022

There is a YouTube channel called Twenty Trucks that Mav was really into at this point...
here is the skid steer video.  

Mav loves to grab things out of my desk drawers  :)

Mav had a haircut scheduled for that afternoon and I volunteered to take him.  Jackson warned me that Mav really doesn't like getting his haircut but I (mistakenly) thought, how bad can it be?  Well... poor kid REALLY didn't like getting his haircut.  He was terrified.  And there I was caught completely off guard and realizing I should have listened more closely to my dear son... he did try to warn me.  When it became clear that Grandma was failing at this, I called Jackson to come.  When his Dad arrived Mav sat on his lap and got calmed down.  Then Carrie started cutting his hair.  She was so good throughout this whole thing.  I felt badly for all of us!  Poor little Mav was really upset and I felt completely powerless.  But watching Jackson handle it with calm strength and loving kindness was deeply moving for me.  He is such a good dad.  I'm really so very proud of him.  

Oh goodness... those lips!  Mav is still not a fan of the whole idea... 
but everyone is getting through it.  

Then it was all done!  Poor pitiful little guy.  He looked at himself in the mirror and then sort of gave himself a sad clap.  :)  

He looks very handsome with his new haircut - he was really in need of one.  (spoiler alert - he has gotten so much better with haircuts now... handles them like a pro!)  

Video from February 23, 2022