Finishing Up

Mom got her hair cut yesterday, and we went to another appointment. We have a couple more places to go today or Mon./things to take care of before surgery Tues.

I'm making a few more samples and some little purse nugget holders for favors for my downline meeting tomorrow and stamp class Sun. I also haven't started what should be a fun project: rag quilt purses made with cutting the fabric scalloped squares with the Big Shot.


These little purses contain a Hershey nugget and are just cute for favors (for mother/daughter teas, etc.).

Spring has Arrived in Indiana!

It was a great weather day here - high of 72! I looked at Iowa weather online - 35/feels like 28.

Mom and I went out for breakfast - we're trying places she's wanted to go and doing it before her surgery! After surgery I'll be cooking! Then I took advantage of the nice day and walked on The Monon Trail. Lots of others were too. This picture shows some roller bladers coming toward me.

This woman was pulling a "kid carrier" behind her bike.

This evening we tried a place called Stacked Pickle. It wasn't too exciting.

This bronze was outside the restaurant. The last picture is showing all the people eating outside today and this evening everywhere. The temps. are going down some in the next few days plus chance of rain.

Back in Indiana

I headed for Indiana yesterday. Mom is having knee replacement surgery. While here I'm having a Stampin' Up! meeting for the demonstrators under me and the next day a stamp class for customers! I was getting ready for these events the past few days - and getting everything packed for the trip. This is all stamping stuff in the back of the Pilot.

The snow had finally melted off our grill and I got a little path shoveled to it. We didn't have any steaks but at least grilled some hot dogs!

Today mom & I went to a class re: her surgery and then out for lunch at the restaurant, Ghyslain at the Sanctuary, where artist, Nancy Noel's work is sold . I sure wish I would've had my camera with me - some of you would've enjoyed seeing a picture of our plates - works of art themselves! I had Quiche Lorraine and white bean chicken chili. Mom had a spinach quiche and sweet southwest potato salad. We didn't try any of the fancy French pastries.

You can see that most of the snow in Indiana has melted! The sun was out for a little while and it's 60! I think I'm headed to the Monon Trail to walk but radar shows rain is almost here.

Snowmen Be Gone

The other day I decided that since it's March, the snowmen need to go! I still have 3 out but they're being taken to the basement one by one!

There have been pictures in our paper of various things written in the snow banks with spray paint - like "We Want Summer Now".

I got out my Easter egg cookie jar that I love. I bought it a few years ago from the Hershey's catalog. Bill asked if there were really cookies in it. I told him "no, and don't touch it!!" :) It's sitting on a lace doily made by my grandma.

Diane & Lacey came over a few days ago. Funny to see where she has to sit to reach the pedals! Also funny that when I got the camera she said "and this is going to be on Facebook"! They are getting ready for the baby at their house with adding a bedroom.

Time to Dig Out

Yesterday I decided it was time to shovel the snow out of the screened porch. The snow is finally beginning to melt a little so thought that maybe if I shoveled it out of the porch, the carpet would dry quicker - by July if we're lucky!

The basement has been dark this winter with snow covering the window well covers. I was able to get this one uncovered so my stamp room will have some south light!

It was harder getting to the windows in the deep snow that you sink down through than it was shoveling them out!

Bill & Tim hauled corn yesterday. They're working on their last 2 bins but they're at Tim's which is on the highway, so they won't have to worry about hauling on the gravel roads anymore. Our neighbors are also hauling past our house.

Today they're taking the combine to John Deere in West Bend for its annual checkup.

Buckeyes

I told Reed, the choc. & peanut butter lover, that I would make Buckeyes and send to them at college. Our family usually makes them at Christmas time, but I didn't this year.

They only have 4 ingredients: peanut butter, a stick of butter, box of powdered sugar and vanilla. You mix these ingredients, with your hands at the end, and then roll into balls the size of buckeyes.
Look at that sun shining in clear to the kitchen!

Mom gave me this cute little electric melting pot that's perfect for melting choc. and dipping candy. The little pot is just the right size to make the choc. deep enough for dipping. It keeps it at just the right temperature with no messing with water and a double boiler! It would also be good for keeping melted butter warm for lobster.

I put the balls on a tray on waxed paper and put them into the refrigerator until they're good and cold, then dip with a toothpick - leaving part of the top undipped so they'll look like buckeyes!

Just let the choc. set up before eating! I like them best cold. The perfectionists take their finger and rub the peanut butter a little bit to cover up the toothpick hole.

Hope the boys are surprised/happy when they open their mailboxes!