CHEEEEEESE!

Grandson Knox wanted to sit in my lap today at lunch [at Ocha, our fave Thai food place]. I was pleasantly surprised and gladly shared my space with him. My other two grand peeps, Shelby and Elijah, were both Granny’s-the-one-to-go-to types when they were his age. With Knox, his Grandpa is THE go-to grandparent. And I am seriously OK with that. It thrills Neil to death to be that person. So I was happy he wanted to sit on my lap for a while today. His mom took our picture and Knox was glad to say “Cheeeeese!”

Soup is liquid comfort. ~Author Unknown

Homemade veggie chicken noodle soup ~ it’s what’s for dinner.


Wishing my daughter Holly and son in law Jerry a very happy 13th wedding anniversary today!

“May you live every day of your life.” ― Jonathan Swift

When the winter sun is shining warm and the sky is blue, you go outside and jump on the trampoline. With your Thomas Train and Daniel Tiger.  ~Grandson Knox having fun

The hubby and I headed to D.Q. this afternoon, just because it seemed like a good thing to do. And it was. Hope you got to enjoy some sunshiny warmth today. And maybe something cold and sweet.

EVER LOVIN SATURDAY {WITH PEEPS}

Lunch at Wendy’s today with grand kids Elijah and Shelby after Elijah’s basketball game. They are staying with us overnight while their mom and dad celebrate their 13th wedding anniversary at a cabin on the lake this weekend. We’ve had fun hanging out today, watching Harry Potter movies, eating doughnuts, and being lazy bums. That’s what Saturdays are all about, so I guess we’re doing it right.

SNOW DAY!

This is what happens when you put off going to Wal-Mart for groceries and stuff for too long. When I went into the store about 9:30 this morning, there were a few little flakes flying around. An hour later, it had turned into a blizzard. The temperature had dropped and the wind was howling.

My car was buried. The snow was blowing sideways. I couldn’t get the trunk loaded fast enough.

This snow reminded me of the snows we used to have here in middle Tennessee way back when. It was wet and heavy and clung to everything.

I think this snow caught everyone by surprise. It was in the forecast, but it came in so fast and heavy that by the time school let out at 11:15, things were pretty messy. Grandson Elijah was thrilled to be out and couldn’t wait to make a snowball.

My snow-covered back yard

For a while the snow came down so hard it was a total white out. I love the way it clings to the branches. So pretty.

We would have had more of an accumulation if the wind hadn’t been so fierce.

I’ve been craving brownies lately and picked up a mix at the store. Made chili for lunch and then made brownies. Oh yum!

I offered Grandson Knox a lick off the spatula. He tasted it and turned around and started to walk away, but then he came back for more. After going back and forth tasting it, he finally took the spatula for himself.

His mom took this picture of his chocolate mustache and tiny beard after he was done.

Granddaughter Shelby amused herself with her iPhone while they all watched episodes of Spongebob.

Daughter Kelly ventured out into the snow to run an errand and took this selfie while trying to stay warm.

Kelly took this panoramic shot of my back porch and deck with her iPhone.

Elijah read a book to Knox who found that very funny.

Late this afternoon, we bundled up and went outside into the snow for as long as we could stand the cold. Thanks for the pic, Kelly.



Looks like our neck of the woods will be in the freezer for the next few days. The kids are out of school tomorrow. I’m guessing they’ll be out the rest of this week.

Kelly’s panoramic shot of my front porch

We ended our snow day with comfort food for supper ~ hubby Neil’s blueberry waffles and lots of crispy bacon. It's all good! Hope you are comfy and warm where you are.

Sweet Reward

Granddaughter Shelby and grandson Elijah got their report cards today. Each made one B and the rest A’s. These awesome grades called for a reward, so we headed to the D.Q. for some sweet treats. Shelby got sprinkles on her ice cream cone and Elijah got chocolate dipped [plus they both got a bit of cash from Granny and Grandpa for their remarkable efforts]. Way to go, Shelby and Elijah! I’m so proud of you! Keep up the great work!

West Side Deli

Neil and I had lunch today with daughter Kelly, son in law Kerry and grandson Knox at West Side Deli, located appropriately on the old West Side of town in a narrow hole in the wall with industrial strength décor that’s pretty cool. They had already tried it and liked it, so we gave it a shot. The menu states that it’s “A New York-Style Deli”. I’ve never been to New York, so I’ll have to take the menu's word for it. They serve up an array of choices ~ soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps, hot dogs, a burger or two and other goodies like chicken parmesan, flatbread pizza and fettuccine alfredo with chicken. It's a bit pricey, but then it's not McDonald's, so there you go.

I enjoyed the turkey and avocado wrap [safe choice] and macaroni salad. [FYI~the glass of beer belongs to son in law Kerry~honest] It was a huge meal I could have easily shared and still been filled up [especially when you’re used to Slim Fast for lunch].

Grilled cheese for grandson Knox, served up with a big helping of Thomas the Trains. Thanks, kids, for introducing Neil and me to somewhere new [which we never do]. It was fun. Maybe next time the meat and three won’t be so crowded. And now I can say I’ve been to New York. Sort of.

EVER LOVIN SATURDAY

Grandson Elijah [in the blue shirt closest to the basket] played his second Vision Basketball game today. He has become a really good player. He shoots. He scores!

Grandson Knox had fun hanging out and watching his cousin play ball.

Elijah played hard as you can see by his red face. He scored a lot of points. The two teams tied the game 24~24.

My sweet grand peeps ~ Shelby, Elijah and Knox

Had to snap a picture of this beautiful sun shiny blue sky day ~ temperature close to sixty with a coolish breeze ~ that sunshine felt like heaven after being in the deep freeze the past week

We enjoyed lunch together after the game at Momma Rosa’s ~ the pizza was extra delicious today.

We not only enjoyed the yummy food, but we were also digging the music they were playing in the restaurant ~ classic oldies from late seventies and early eighties

Hello, it’s me! Gratuitous selfie. Sure did enjoy spending time with my peeps today! Happy Saturday, everyone!

Sun, sun, sun, here it comes

Little darlin'
I feel that ice is slowly melting
Little darlin'
It seems like years since it's been clear
Here comes the sun (doo-d'n doo-doo)
Here comes the sun, and I say
It's all right   ~George Harrison

Little darlin'
The smiles returning to their faces
Little darlin'
It seems like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun (doo-d'n doo-doo)
Here comes the sun, and I say
It's all right
And I say it’s more than all right. The thaw has begun. That's downright hunky dory! 

Let It Snow

January brings the snow, makes our feet and fingers glow.
~Sara Coleridge


The snow has finally come to middle Tennessee. We’re expecting sub-freezing temperatures the next couple of days. Schools are closed tomorrow mainly because of the intense cold. Sounds like a good day to stay inside and think warm thoughts.

My Left Knee

I finally had knee surgery on Friday [Jan 3] to repair my torn left meniscus. It’s probably something I should’ve had done six months ago, but I procrastinated, so there you go. I’ve got this big old bandage wrapped around it right now and can’t bend my knee or take a shower or do ballet [I don’t do ballet anyway, so no loss there]. I would love to take a shower, though, which I’ll be able to do tomorrow because that’s when I can remove the bandage. And hopefully I won’t have to wear these stylish compression stockings anymore. I have pain meds that help but make me sleep but that’s OK. My knee should feel better in a few weeks. For now, I’m pretty much anchored to the recliner or couch and my hubby Neil takes good care of me. I’ll see the doc on Tuesday. Hope I get a good report. Time for another pill! Happy Saturday, y’all!

Sweet Ride On New Years Day 2014

Grandson Knox received this way cool Radio Flyer wagon, complete with comfy seats and shady canopy, for Christmas. His mom and dad loaded him up in it this afternoon and they all rolled and strolled down to Granny and Grandpa’s house to visit and show off his sweet ride.

We enjoyed some lunch together at Arby’s, and then they headed back home again to take a much-needed nap. [We all stayed up way too late last night ringing in the new year.]

Kelly and Kerry and Knox live just down the street and around the corner from us. Kelly drove their car home, and Kerry pulled Knox in his nifty wagon. Knox is loving every second of it.

“The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring    

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

paper by Ang Campbell at Scrap Girls