luvteaching

Good morning, We're due for an atmospheric river but there's a pause in the rain. DS came over and fixed my outdoor lights and filled the outdoor squirrel and bird feeders as well as the suet. I so appreciate him! Not a lot going on here. I've been doing water aerobics and PT to get my stuck hip muscle to be better and it's helping. It's taking longer than I'd like but that's always the case, isn't it? This weekend is getting the tree decorated (it's up with the lights on) and the seasonal dust collectors out. I moved DH's ashes to another spot and will put a lot of his bird figurines and ornaments around it. Have a good weekend! Karen

I had 8068 on the Westerdam, which is right next to the glass elevator, and never heard a thing. I had that cabin 2 years in a row and all was fine. Karen

Good morning, It's a frosty and clear day here in the Pacific Northwest. We've had quite a string of these days and no rain forecasted until Friday. This morning it's 22F on the front porch and the predicted high is 47. I had a lovely Thanksgiving with DDIL's family at the place they rented. It was an afternoon of easy conversation and good food so what more can you ask for? On Black Friday I was one of those out shopping. I was at Fred Meyer before 8:00 AM and got the items on my list so that was good. Yesterday was a quick stop at Costco for the Cranberry Walnut bread (2 loaves to slice and freeze) and it wasn't that busy which surprised me. Today is staying home, rearranging the living room and getting the tree up and the lights on. If I get further than that I'll be happy. Have a lovely Sunday! Karen

Checking in!

Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate! It's a cold clear morning here and I'll be heading out in an hour or so. My DDIL's parents are here from Alaska and rented a house about 45 minutes away so that's where we're celebrating. Dinner is at 3:00 or so and I'm in charge of rolls and I made several different cookies for desserts and snacking. They are all at the house over the weekend but I'm just going down for the day. It will be different without DH this year but life goes on and I'm glad to be spending today with people I know so well and care about and I don't have to do all the cooking! Karen

Thanks everyone! It was worth staying around for. Have a lovely evening,

Checking in!

Good morning! It's a frosty cold start to the day with 22F when I got up and it's barely above freezing at the moment. It's also a beautiful sunny day and I'll head out on errands when I finish this post. Nothing too exciting - Hallmark, Costco and Fred Meyer. I took my wedding ring in a few weeks ago to have the antiquing redone and it's back so looking forward to getting it back on my finger! It was tough to take it off. After errands I'm hoping I can park the car and not move it again until Monday. There's always something to do around here. I got two new books in the mail today and it wouldn't take much to convince me to cozy in and read! Karen

Good morning, It's a sunny cool start to the day here. I want nothing to do with pickles! DDIL loves them and I even got her a pickle ornament for the Christmas tree one year. Yesterday was busy with two water aerobics classes (and my body is moving a lot better), a much needed haircut and I was able to get my pneumonia and RSV shots at our local Fred Meyer. Now only have the shingles one to get and I'm caught up. I'll wait on that for a few weeks. Today is lunch at a favorite Mexican Restaurant with a widows support group and I'm looking forward to that. I finished a jigsaw puzzle (1000 piece) that is Christmas themed and will take it apart later today and maybe start another one. Have to get the Thanksgiving cards ready to be mailed and just other things like that. Have a great Tuesday! Karen

Checking in and Bon Voyage Roy @rafinmd! Have a wonderful trip. Karen

@Quartzsite Cruiser Here you go. Creamy Corn and Potato Chowder 4 slices bacon 1 yellow onion diced 2 red peppers 3 ribs of celery 2 tsp salt 1 1/2 lb red or Yukon gold potatoes cut into bite size chunks 2 cups chicken broth 2 cups corn 1 1/2 cups whole milk 2 tsp sugar (optional) Cook bacon until crisp and then drain. Add onion to the pot with the bacon drippings and sauce until tender. Add red peppers, celery, salt, and saute until tender Add potatoes and chicken broth. Bring soup to boil and cook until the potatoes are tender. Put aside one cup of corn kernels. Place remaining kernels and milk in blender and puree until smooth. Once potatoes are tender, add corn puree, corn kernels and sugar if using. Simmer until corn kernels are tender and corn puree is heated through. Serve soup garnished with crumbled bacon.

The new Marine Traffic map is not growing on me. I wasn't thrilled with it last week and still not this week.

Checking in. It's wet and blustery here in the Pacific Northwest so nice to see the sun!

Good afternoon to all, I have my poppy on for Remembrance Day and have had questions about it over the last week or so. It's interesting, especially younger people (than me at least) who don't have knowledge about the meaning behind it and the different names for today. We had a very very wet and blustery afternoon and evening yesterday! I had company in for lunch and made a corn potato chowder and homemade rolls. The recipe is a keeper (it was the first time I've made it) but I'd do something to thicken it up just a bit more when I make it again. We sat around the table and visited for close to 2 hours and then folks headed home. Last night, by 7:00 PM or so, it was so windy that the lights were flickering and I could hear things landing on the roof, etc. I wasn't about to go out unless it was dire. This morning there were a few loose branches in the driveway and some on the roof but otherwise ok. There's a lot of "stuff" on the road which makes walking interesting. Today and tomorrow are "stay at home" days and so far I've done important things like unload the dishwasher, clean the coffee maker, etc. and I'm organizing my shopping I've done so I can make new lists. DS will be by tomorrow for leftover soup and rolls and my walking partner got her leftovers yesterday which works for me. Have a nice weekend and stay dry! Karen

Good morning everyone, The sun is peeking out at the moment but rain is forecast for later today and tomorrow along with a wind warning. I'm planning on staying home for a few days and have important things to do - a jigsaw puzzle, needlework, Cruise Critic, etc. Actually today is busy as I'm having friends in for lunch (first since DH's passing) and I'm making a potato corn chowder and homemade rolls so have to get the bread machine out for the dough. The company comes at 1:00 so I've got the morning to finish up cleaning, etc. This week was busy with water aerobics, physical therapy, and Wednesday a friend and I went to B.C. to visit my 97 year old mother and took her out to lunch. She's a going concern and have to get on her social calendar! I hope I'm like her when I get to 97! Have an enjoyable Friday. Karen

I was wondering if it was just my computer. I'm not a big fan of it either!

@Boytjie Good to see you here!

Looks like NA is on the move.

Checking in from a blustery but warm Pacific Northwest. Karen

Good morning, @LAFFNVEGAS Bon Voyage! Have a wonderful trip. We're having a rather balmy day here with lots of wind and rain over the weekend and to start the week. Yesterday DS came over and we had a nice visit as well as knocked most of the jobs off the "son-do" list. The outside Christmas lights are up, hummingbird feeders filled, fans put away, and recycle was loaded in the car. I'm also invited to Thanksgiving dinner with my DIL's side of the family so that will be nice. After he left I made a trip to recycle (we don't get pick-up) and it was a pretty afternoon for a drive. Now it's time to get tea made for the neighbor coming down and to make myself presentable. I'm hoping to have the car stay parked in the driveway for the weekend and to get a few things done around the house. It's a never-ending job! Karen

Good morning, We've gone from temps in the 20's to mid-50's this morning and rain - lots of rain! It's just pouring as I write this. No plans to go anywhere today which is a treat for me so will stay home and get things done here. I was penciled in on DS's list yesterday but got erased - he forgot me. The tentative plan is today but I've suggested tomorrow when it's supposed to be drier. I have a "son-do" list and one is getting the outside Christmas lights up and I'd rather he wait until this storm passes. No to everything on today's list. I find myself using my air fryer daily since I'm by myself. A neighbor will be here for tea later this morning and it will be nice to have a visit. Enjoy your Thursday! Karen

Good afternoon, We're having a string of cold clear days and it's so nice to see the moon setting. Our lows have been in the low - mid 20's and highs about 50F. It's made for a few brisk walks. I canceled my PT today and opted for a day at home to replenish my mental health. I'm glad I did. DS has me penciled in on his schedule tomorrow afternoon so I have the list of "son-do" jobs ready to go. My road has no yellow line down the center and no street lights so I usually don't have any trick-or-treaters but had a message from a neighbor that she and their 3 would like to stop by about 4:45 PM and that is totally ok. I had cards and some candy for them so it works out well. I also put out some candy for our mailman's two young sons. I have my Build-a-Bear, Sami, in her Halloween finery and a couple of "Noisemakers" - Dracula, Frankenstein, and a pumpkin ready to turn on when I have company arrive. They won't be here long as they are off to a school event. Happy Halloween! Karen

Checking in. It's finally above 40F here! I started out the morning at 22F. I'm north of Seattle and south of the US/Canada border.

Good morning, It's 22F on the front porch thermometer this morning on a gorgeous sunny morning. The full moon was a sight to see when I got up this morning. I'll take chocolate - dark preferably - and plush animals. When DH was alive and having his memory issues he really enjoyed stuffed animals and insisted on several being purchased on cruises, which was fine. I gave four to his sister for her 4 grandchildren and I kept several. I have on bear that was beside him on his last hospital stay and I have his ring on the paw. It went cruising with me. I have another one on his bed pillow. I know at some point I won't need it there but it's a bit of a comfort now and it's been just 4 months yesterday that he passed. I really really love dark chocolate up to about 70%. I have to hide it so I don't overindulge. This week has been busy with something every day so I'm hoping to just stay home this weekend and get things done around the house. Dinner tonight is a hamburger (a tradition that goes back many years and coincides with Saturday night hockey in my childhood). Have a lovely day and an enjoyable weekend. Karen

Good afternoon everyone, It's a lovely sunny cool day here in the Pacific Northwest. There's fresh snow on the hills and mountains after our very wet and windy day yesterday. I did water aerobics (2 classes) today and some errands. I had the nicest piece of mail today. It was from a name I didn't recognize but the lady and her husband worked with my DH back in the early 60's at the Old Faithful Inn at Yellowstone in the housekeeping department. I remember my DH talking about being a house boy and delivering linens. Anyway, this couple got married on Nov. 1st 60 years ago and DH stood up for the husband and signed their marriage certificate! It gets even better. I called my Sister-in-law to tell her and she knows this person and has now called her to let her know the connection. It's definitely a small world! Karen