This and that

Lots of things are always happening. What to report on? I don't want to bore you ... but then, I write the blogs for myself. So, here is another reminder why I love my church so much. Last Sunday I saw in the parish hall what the Sunday school teachers of St Martin's had done with their students the previous Sunday (Easter). The open tomb.

 

 

Look at my Christmas amaryllis. Sarah gave it to me as a present. It didn't do anything for months. And then suddenly ...

This was April 1

 

 

April 7

 

 

 

April 12

 

 

 

Another subject: our lodger Edy. Better known as Needy Edy. I can't sit down without her immidiately sitting on top of me. Then I feel sorry for her and can't get up. I don't get much done!

 

 

Often she checks on us in the night. She "claimes" her place between us.

 

 

 

Saturday 4/11

James had such a good coupon for REI that we had decided on Friday that I should have proper hiking shoes. I also needed to exchange my recently bought Ecco sandals since there was something wrong with the right one. The weather was so great on Saturday that we decided I needed to break in the new hiking shoes.

 

 

Love the trails along the James River. Many others do too today. Look, these people must be Brits. The water must be quite cold ... and the babes are playing in it.

 

 

 

 

 

I loved it! 6 miles which means yeah, I could do a 10K.

Mine and James' gadgets differ slightly though, ha-ha.

 

 

 

Things like the lace meeting and the quilters meetings I will report on my other blog Love of Thread. It might take a few days but you can click the tab at the top.

 

 

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Easter

Somehow Easter was not the same as usual. James and I "missed" Lent because we were traveling. Lent, the time for preparation. Of course our trip was also a type of enlightenment. And then Sarah's move! Closing on the old house was Maundy Thursday. A topsy-turfy time. No pictures really but here is a VIDEO when I was keeping Caleb ... playing with my hat after a walk.
One thing which helped to get into the Easter spirit: Hot Cross Buns! A tradition from James' childhood. You eat them on Good Friday and NO OTHER time. Not so in the US. Last year he tried to buy some without much luck. He was told they had no more on Friday since they had had them all through lent. Really? So this year he started looking on Thursday ... with luck. And they were not bad at all.

The six-pack lasted us three days. We treated ourselves to a more elaborate breakfast then usual on Saturday morning.

Can't do without my Easter branches. They will be up and enjoyed till Pentecost (put up Saturday night).

The new addition safe (hopefully) at the very bottom. James had bought it for me in Dubrovnik last year. He was so proud of himself that he managed to keep it whole in the suitcase.

EASTER!
It's the only picture suitable I could find on FaceBook. James was serving.

Sarah had to work this weekend but Wade came to the service at our church. Caleb was very good. After the children's sermon I took him to the nursery. He went straight to the toys.

After the service.

Caleb didn't think much of the Easter egg hunt. I was on duty as teller but James reported that he threw down anything with candy but was happy when he found an egg with goldfish.

 

A friend In the congregation sent this photo to me: Caleb was more interested in sticks then Easter eggs.

 

 

It had been more or less a last minute idea ... to have the Easter meal together ... very informal. Sarah, Wade and Caleb came over about 4 after her work and Caleb's nap. At least the sun was shining today and Mommy had brought some toys for Caleb. Here are two videos showing how "graffiti" got on our sidewalk, ha-ha.
VIDEO 1
VIDEO 2

And here a VIDEO with bubbles.

The table has been laid thanks to James who also did the lamb roast and roast potatoes. We had mint sauce and gravy and a good medley of veggies.

No "rabbits in the grass" this year. I had prepared "orange fluff" but our friends Lali and Albert brought a "Mona cake". It is a Catalan tradition. Of course I had to google:
http://www.oh-barcelona.com/en/blog/2013/culture/traditions/mona-pascua-3899
http://www.spanishrecipesbynuria.com/cakes-pies-tarts/la-mona-de-pascua-a-catalan-traditional-cake

Caleb didn't feel like eating anything but he liked the Sister-Schubert roll. In case you wonder why there is no plate ... he likes to throw those down.

Sarah has to get up at 4:30 am when she works and tomorrow is another working day too. It also was getting close to Caleb's bedtime so they didn't stay too long (understandably). We sent them home with some of the Mona cake.
We settled in the sunroom. Albert told us that the Cava (which they had also brought) goes with the cake. Now that is a celebration.

And yes, my hibiscus gives me a flower almost every day.

I did miss my William though (and his parents). We didn't make an egg for this year.

This is one he decorated 2013, hanging over the dinner table.

But then ... we get mailed pictures and a VIDEO William and Pops on the Stones River!

Life is good.

 

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Visitors ... Part 3

Thursday 3/26

Every Thursday is my "stitchers day" (stitchers for a cause = sewing for charity). I love it and Helen so wanted to come at least once. Last time she visited it was cancelled for VBS or so. This time it worked out. 9 am to 2 pm - and Papa gave us off, ha-ha.My stitching friends welcomed her and it was a lot of fun. A lot for Helen to see. Susan gave her one of the "kits" and Helen finished sewing the whole top. She selected fabric for the binding and did that in my queendom on Saturday. I can take it back next week.We have a potluck lunch and it's just nice social time too.

While we were busy sewing charity quilts, Papa and William had together-time too. It would be so much more fun if it wasn't that cold. But it seems never too cold for ice cream.

We had planned to have some sort of Easter / family meal and this seemed to be the best evening. Since we were all so busy (including the moving issue) we decided to not have the traditional lamb roast but opted for taco salad instead. The sauces (meat and cheese) can be in crockpots and most everything can be prepared and just needs pulling out of the fridge. First we nibbled on shrimp and smoked salmon.

For some Easter spirit Helen made her Easter dessert: rabbits in the grass. That is a tradition since her childhood. Unfortunately I forgot to take a picture before we ate but if you go to a blog of a previous Easter you could find a picture there, ha-ha.

I know these photos are out of focus but they are so cute. Auntie is being a good auntie.

 

Friday 3/27

Sarah's day off. She had to go to the insurance though and some shopping had to be done. So we split up and then met at Target. Oh no, William had forgotten his pocket money. So we explained to him borrowing and giving back later and he was happy with that. He always "needs to" go straight to the HotWheel aisle. He picked a box with 5 new cars. But then at the cash register Auntie Sarah gave it to him as a present. One happy boy.

We went to the Silver Diner for lunch. Quite nice but the sandwiches are so thick that you probably could unhinge your jaw. Caleb was very lively!

Auntie Helen took the next two of Caleb and the photos in the Science Museum.

Yes, William loves the Science Museum. His family has a membership in the one in Nashville (Christmas present from his other grandmother) so James, Helen, William and Caleb all got in free here. Nice.Just in case you wonder ... Sarah and I went to her house and did some sorting, throwing out and packing, mainly papers/files. She was very happy when that was done because it had weighed on her.

Word has it that William lost his time on the controls here when Caleb decided that he wanted to have a go. Cousins.

Have I mentioned how miserably cold the weather is? James and I even have to bring the hibiscus back into the garage which we hoped could be outside for the summer already. Have to come up with things to do inside. Ker-plunk is a nice game. We all had fun.

 

Saturday 3/28

The HotWheel track got more attention this time than the train track. Mommy had built such a nice one. We had to play at least a little.

Papa went early to church to help because it was clean-up day. But he came back with donuts.

Lunch was later this day And just one of those fabulous snacks for William.

What to do on a miserable day with an almost 5 year old? He had said more then once he wanted to go to the Science Museum again. Oh well ........ so Papa, Omi and he went! They didn't want us to pay again when we showed them Helen's Nashville membership. We started at the top floor.

At 3:30 there was a demonstration about super cooling with liquid nitrogen. William was very interested. At the end the lecturer put a penny (but it had to be one 1983 or newer) into the nitrogen and when it was real cold he could hit it with a hammer and it broke into 4 quarters. William got one of the bits.

We looked just at a few more of his favorites like the "stand and spin". Here is a VIDEO!

When we were on our way home we let Sarah know. She wanted to say good-bye to Helen and William. She also brought Edy, our houseguest for three weeks. She had been before so that is o.k. with her except for the ride in the car which she soooooooo hates.She was quickly friends with William and Helen too.

William's evening snack.

 

Sunday 3/29

Our visitors are leaving today. But first breakfast. Omi has to make the applesauce and William helps.

It is Palm Sunday. James is lay reader. William is now adjusted to that Papa sometimes dresses up. We have to leave quickly afterwards though because we have lunch and then Helen needs to pack.

On the way to the airport at 2 pm. William is leaving and smiling? Well, he gets to go in two planes and then he is back with his Pops. He is excited and that is how it should be.

He is a good traveler and all went well.

Helen sent this picture! Sonyean is now in Nashville! I think William is going to show him his hometown now and what he is doing ... like soccer practice this day!

Going to see Helen, Ben and William in May! In the meantime ....... yeah for FaceTime!

 

 

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