Coming back to a very VERY busy week

We really don't like to drive on Sundays. It's the Lord's Day and we should be in church ... but sometimes it can't be helped. HE knows how much we love our children and definitely didn't want to leave even one day earlier. We always pray before we start the car though. This day it was 6 am.

We were surprised how full the highway was even on a Sunday. And they didn't all come out of church. Even trucks. But it was sunshine the whole way. Very nice. 

When we arrived home the first thing I had to do is tie up my orchid. The blooms were so heavy that it was laying down. So beautiful.

Monday March 18

Full steam ahead. First thing I had to do is write the shopping list for James. Not only were Mrs. Hubbard's cupboards empty, we also have to prepare for the dinner for the church vestry (council) Tuesday evening. Bummer, I found that I had left all my recipes in Nashville but I managed. I am so lucky that James doesn't mind shopping because I don't. He did very well with the list.

We also have to prepare the sunroom. On Wednesday morning all windows and the sliding door in that room will be replaced. All the blinds etc. had to be taken down. Builder grade quality has given us trouble over the years. 

Very pleased with what we managed to do today. Since we made great progress and Sarah had asked when they were going to see us, we went "over the river". The children were very happy to see us. I totally forgot to take photos. I did just remember though that I never posted a video I had taken just a little while ago. I think it is very cute. So typical!

VIDEO     (0:34)

Tuesday

The table is laid. This year all invited can come. There will be 12 around the table. Every leaf was put in. We do this every year for the new vestry to get to know each other better. The priest, 9 vestry members, the treasurer and the clerk. 

The trouble is, I never can remember what the menu was the previous year. So, here it is so I know next year: Appetizer: homemade red beets hummus in scoops and (German) white asparagus rolled in Black Forest Ham cut into bites. Next: my German cousins recipe Pumpkin Soup with other veggies including root celery. Main course: chicken wild rice casserole and organic baby spinach salad.

Ha-ha, dessert was a bit funny. Because we are in the season before Easter I made "rabbits in the grass". It's a family tradition every Easter since Helen was a little child and her Aunt Jane gave her a children's cookbook with that in it. Pair halves on green jello with a marshmallow tails etc. And one not-homemade thing: We had just bought Danish Pecan Kringle at Trader Joe's which they have for only a few days before holidays and James was lucky to be there at the right time. 

The trouble is that I am now on the vestry too and need to sit with them. Normally James and I serve every course adorned with the St Martin's aprons and otherwise stay in the kitchen. James did that all by himself ... plating the food, serving drinks etc. He did that last year too and did a great job. I have one more year on the vestry! He should get one of the other spouses to help. Of course I tried to prepare as much as I could (see rabbit above) in advance but refrigerator space can than be an issue too. The downside of downsizing when moving.

I think the dinner went very well. Everyone seemed to have a good time. Needless to say that I was very proud of my husband.

Wednesday

Last night after the guests had left we emptied the sunroom because we didn't know how early the window installer crew might be here. 

By 10 am things were in full swing. 

They finished everything outside because the next day it was supposed to rain. So lucky with the weather this day. At 5 pm they called it a day and said they would come back the next day.

Next day (Thursday) they said it was too wet and they would make the house too muddy because they have to do the sawing outside. 

Friday

We were told that they would come at about 8:30 am. We decided only one needed to be here so James went to Sarah's. After several inquiries two people finally arrived shortly after 12 noon. The guys are very nice and most likely it is beyond their control but ... while waiting I ate an orange. Because I had time to waste I tried something I had seen on the internet.

My proportions are not right but it was a lot of fun. Sorry.

The two window people tried very hard to do as much as they could but there is a problem with the half-round window over the middle one. Nothing is ever clear cut. We will have to make a call on Monday.