Visitors from Nashville - part 1

Oh what a week we had. It is always grand to have family gatherings. Helen and William were on the road to us Saturday October 10. Helen had to drive the whole 600 miles in rain but they arrived safely in good time. 

I think William was a bit disappointed that his cousins were not already at our house but on Sunday they came before lunch. Sorry, hugging was going on. Social distancing not possible. They had such a good time.

The rain had stopped and Papa decided that the boys needed a walk. The rain seemed to have stopped, at least for a while. We actually had a very good walk. 

And this pergola is always a good backdrop for a group photo. You have no idea how many I clicked to be able to select a good one, ha-ha.

When we passed Miss Julie's house I gave her a call whether she wanted us to say hello? She and the boys enjoyed that. 

Our girls took the boys to Sarah's house. The twins needed their nap and the older ones helped prepare dinner. Helen had "children's recipes", had shared with Sarah and one was selected for dinner. 

Mummy Enchiladas.

They were delicious and the older boys had fun making them.

The boys were also excited because William was invited to spend the night.

Next day Monday Sarah did not have to go to work. So when she (and William) had brought the others to school and daycare she and William went for a bike ride. Because of the rain we had not left William's bike but it only drizzled some and he could ride Caleb's. 

We had to get hime soon though because there were more plans for the day. It was not easy this week to get organized. Between Sarah's work, Helen's online classes, William's virtual school, Caleb's online school and the twins day care ... Good thing James and I are retired.

At least William was off because it was Columbus Day. But after all school etc we met (two cars) at a park+ride where Helen and William changed cars. The sisters and cousins need the most together-time.

Sarah had arranged for us to visit Carter Mountain Orchard for apple picking. Gosh, she had thought of everything. I think this was the third year for her homemade apple picking sticks, her genius contraption. She also had rubber boots for Helen and William. Everybody is ready.

Weatherwise it was not the best day but the only one we could do it. Fog on the mountain (in Charlottesville) but the boys didn't mind.

If there is a rock, the boys have to climb on it. And jump off of course.

Ah, Mommy.

It was muddy and slippery. But everybody had a lot of fun.

And everybody had to eat at least one of the apples ... including Papa. There were several different kinds of apples, all delicious and so different.

Done with this bushel. Papa and I are bringing it to the car.

The others are going into another section because they wanted the granny smiths. Sarah knew that it would be way too steep for us (and our knees). They are in there somewhere!

When they were back, the boys ran up and down this hill

We had to have the famous apple cider donuts and hot apple cider before we left. And make sure we went to the toilets for the two hour drive home.

Again, Sarah was prepared. She had a basket for the muddy shoes/boots.

We decided to all go to our house. Dad and I in the second car picked up the Chinese take-out ordered from the first car. When we arrived at our house the boys were all in the shower. Ha, after that they even decided that they all liked the Chinese food. You never know. It was a great day!

Tuesday the cousins could not meet. Between work, teaching and school it was just too difficult to arrange. And we had big plans for the next day. Stay tuned.

Happy Birthday, James

I love this day. Not only is it the anniversary of the day the love of my life was born, it is also the day I came to the USA ... now 45 years ago. Blessings, blessings, blessings.

It was a great day because one of James' wishes came true: the HOA had arranged for some of the branches on our crepe myrtle to be trimmed. They messed with our roof.

Of course it was the highlight that Sarah and Wade came with the boys for dinner. The weather was just warm enough to actually be outside. 

No birthday without singing.

VIDEO    (0:37)

We had to move inside when it got too cold outside. Finally the boys could play with Omi's new toy. They had asked about it the minute they had arrived.

VIDEO    (0:14)

James said that he had a very nice birthday.

What else is to report? Ha, had to experiment making "egg bites", popular with people who have Instant Pots, which I don't. I made some in the oven in a water bath. Works great!

Oh yes, and two days later we finally had our windows cleaned ... after the new window installations and the walkway/patio was done. Three firemen did the job. Very nice gentlemen. The also did the chandelier over the entry which is a bit too high for us.

 Never a boring moment. And now we can look forward to Helen and William's visit in a few days.

Yeah!

Covid landscaping

Ha-ha, is this a strange headline? Well, this project is in the works for quite a while. When the pandemic started we quarantined ourselves for a while. We decided we could socialize somewhat with much caution. It started out with dinners (bring your own) in a driveway with 4 couples, one in each corner with a small table each. 

This is our back yard. There is quite a drop down.

There is a gate in the bottom corner (for the lawnmowers mainly).

We decided quickly that it would be lovely to have those meetings not on the driveway but on the back patio. It was rather small though. At the moment 3 couples is probably a maximum. But the slope down to the gate and up again inside is a challenge, especially if there is a little moisture like dew on the grass.

We decided the strip of untidy plantings had to go ...

... and a gate was cut into the upper corner of the fence. The gate is still in the works.

The planning was a bit of an ordeal. We had to draw a plan and apply to our HOA. We did it the 'official' way. When we 'finally' had permission and 'finally' found the right landscaper there came also the day when the project 'finally' got started. The irrigation was the major problem because we were required to use a certain company connected with the community. But here Wray's landscaping men arrived at 7:30 am.

 

The patio received an extra 4 feet.

The plantings along here were removed and the foundation laid for the walkway. Because of the slope there had to be a little wall.

In the evening when the workers had left James and I do some surveying. It will be nice.

Ha-ha, they 'secured' the gate hole.

The men were hardworking, fast and friendly. Before I could look in the morning there was already the next layer ready for the pavers.

Look at those clouds of dust when they cut the stones.

In the evening of the second day the main part of the job was done.

And here is a VIDEO   (0:59) 

The irrigation people have to come back and the gate has to be installed but ... we are happy ...

On Sunday September 27 it was used for the first time 'officially'. We had lunch in honor of Irma's birthday. 

James and I like to use it as often as we can. Unfortunately the weather now is not always friendly enough to do that. Fortunately it was good again on Monday for lunch and a game of cards. And there was even a gorgeous dahlia in the temporary flower pot. It was placed there as a visual to make aware of the little wall. We don't want anybody to miss the step. 

When we came home last night we found that the irrigation is done too. Now we can put the final touches on. I am afraid it might take a little while since the weather started to get iffy now and then too cold or too wet, ha-ha.

We are not bored even if we should social distance us. Believe me, we take that seriously. But I love to cook. Here I tried out a new tomato pie recipe. Not as good as the recipe I used for years. James said: don't change what doesn't need fixing.

Sarah gave me part of her sourdough starter. Here is my second (or third) batch. It makes two and one is always given away. Makes somebody else happy (I hope). We don't eat much bread.

But I can't help "inventing". Part the above recipe and part banana bread recipe but whole wheat flower used instead of ordinary. A bit too sweet because the bananas (from the freezer) where very ripe.

We try to get our 10,000 steps every day mostly walking in our community. We came across a private concert around the corner. Neighbors gather together. Most are very good with the social distancing and masks.

On those walks I always have my telephone camera handy. 

I like the second photo of the mushrooms. Are those James' legs in the background?

Still once in a while I sew some more masks. Sarah asked for 2 for her twins with different elastic for going to day care.

These I just did for a little boy (age 3 or so) who has to wear a mask all day long at his day care. Sarah's friend reported today that the mask was a huge success with him because he wore it securely the whole day. That made me happy. Masks are not created equal. It's a very personal thing and one fits better than another.

And to sum it up: we are cautious, don't take any unnecessary risks, have lots to do and feel blessed.