smitty34877

Well,it got colder and the snow started to fall and stick.

Good morning. We got mostly rain here last night and this morning. The dogs and I negotiated slushy areas carefully. Our wonderful neighbor and some of his workers from the DPW shoveled a few of the sidewalks and driveway ends as a nice surprise. I thanked them all profusely and they told me the boss was worried about his older neighbors slipping. I guess I fit into that category. Thanks for the recipes Debbie @dfish. I decided to make the potatoes this way as I have a bag of little potatoes that need to be used. No peeling! DH and I were in the port while on the Eurodam right after the start of Arab Spring. It was very exciting as the people we met and our tour guide were glad to show tourists around. Unfortunately the pictures I took were lost when I had a PC die so I will just have to remember it.We went to a souk and a museum that had beautiful tile work preserved. @kochleffel, Paul, BON VOYAGE! Enjoy the day everyone

@Norseh2o Please add my condolences on the loss of your DM. I am so glad her family was with her.

Good morning. It is cloudy with mixed precipitation here but lots of snow for my Massachusetts and New Hampshire families. People are excited about even the possibility of snow here as it has been two years since there was real snow. We eat a lot of beans here and there are usually dried beans soaking awaiting their turn in the soup pot.I remember my mother insisting that all decorations had to be put away on January 6. We did not feel like putting any up this year so we’re spared that activity. I mentored students on and off at the various facilities I worked in and it was rewarding to watch practitioners evolve over the weeks they were with us.I have not been to the port and no to pizza with squash. There are limits! Bon Voyage to @Suslor! We had a few issues yesterday and into last night. I am waiting for the hospice nurse. I hope she can help today. It is always harder on a weekend to get advice. @ger_77, I was glad to see that your shoulder does not require surgery and hope the PT helps. I am also glad that you don’t have to shovel your snow yourselves. @Seasick Sailor, I know what you mean about being homesick for Oliver. The Dog sitter sends photos and they make me miss Fred even more. I am sure he has plenty of love to spread around and will be overjoyed to see you. Have a great day everyone

@marshhawk, Annie ! I meant to include the good news for Chuck @catmando that I read yesterday. I am so sorry that the pain persists. Hope you can get your coffee.

Thanks for taking us along. I hope you have a wonderful voyage.

Good morning. It was a mere 23 earlier when I took the dogs out for their first walk. We did not linger. I will celebrate birds and screenwriters, not sure about Keto diets. The quote is quite true in my opinion at least. I have not been to the port. Mr Arnold was a busy man. @0106, Tina, thank you for the falcon pictures. They are beautiful. @ottahand7, Nancy, I enjoyed your pictures as well and like that table . The matching striped tops are very cute. @aliaschief, Bruce and @DWAliaschief, Sue, BON VOYAGE! I look forward to hearing about your journey. @lazey1, I was sorry to read of your cardiac complications yesterday and I hope the clinic visit is helpful. Yesterday was a challenge but we are hoping for a better day today. I did get out to the grocery store with scores of other people. I don’t think we will have much snow accumulation here but it will be interesting for folks to the north of us. i am making soup today for the group and plan to read on the couch with a dog heater beside me.

Good morning and BON VOYAGE to those departing today: @durangoscots, @Cruising-along, @cruising sister, @Cruisercl and @Cat in my lap! Safe travels to @aliaschief and BON VOYAGE To @ottahand7 also. It will be a little warmer today, maybe the mid forties with less wind. The weather person is all excited about a snow storm for the weekend. We shall see. Our next door neighbor growing up taught me how to make Hungarian Goulash and it is exactly like the first recipe. We thought we were so exotic back then as it was very different from the usual fifties fare. I would love a sleep festival. I will think about the other two days and have not been to the port. Wow on all the many things that occurred today in history. We had a good day here yesterday and I fell asleep on the couch while sitting up in the middle of the afternoon. I guess I relaxed. Have a great day everyone

@luvteaching, Yesterday was the first time since September that I was able to read a book and concentrate. I have always been able to “escape” with a book but found I could only read the online newspapers until now. I am so glad you were able to work on your project. @dfish, Debbie, I developed an incisional hernia from lifting too soon at work after abdominal surgery. I certainly exceeded the 25 lbs they said I could lift! @JazzyV, Vanessa, maybe the Rheumatologist can get things moving for you. I am so glad you have the rollator but I am sure it is still very painful to ambulate.

Good morning from a chilly but sunny NY at 27 today. It will go up to the high thirties later. I seem to lack both motivation and inspiration. The last recipes looks good to me, thanks Tina @0106. We had chicken yesterday so I will make it another day. And it is always Mew Day here. I have not been to the port and avoid buffets if possible. @RMLincoln, Maureen, Happy Anniversary to you and your DH. I hope today is a good day for both of you! @mamaofami, a very Happy Birthday to Sam Our aide has returned and perhaps the knots in my neck and shoulders can return to normal. I was very glad to see her and she says she is completely well now. @cat shepard, We do appreciate your kind thoughts for us!

Good morning from a chilly but sunny NY at 27 today. It will go up to the high thirties later. I seem to lack both motivation and inspiration. The last recipes looks good to me, thanks Tina @0106. We had chicken yesterday so I will make it another day. And it is always Mew Day here. I have not been to the port and avoid buffets if possible. @RMLincoln, Maureen, Happy Anniversary to you and your DH. I hope today is a good day for both of you! @mamaofami, a very Happy Birthday to Sam Our aide has returned and perhaps the knots in my neck and shoulders can return to normal. I was very glad to see her and she says she is completely well now. @cat shepard, We do appreciate your kind thoughts for us!

@Quartzsite Cruiser, Lenda, I looked at it at lunchtime and again right now and I “got it”! Very clever. @dfish, Debbie, I am sure by now you have a nice soft tee under the brace!It sounds as if things are improving and I am so glad. And now I will nag you not to lift until it is safe! All of the pictures and prose today have been so good to see. Thanks to all.

Happy 47th Anniversary to @Cat in my lap!

Good morning and Happy New Year! It is 40 and drizzling here with the expectation of sunshine later. All four of my grandparents came through Ellis Island. I will celebrate the Euro and was the first foot in the door this morning with the two pups. Sweet potatoes are on the menu today along with a roast chicken. I will have to come up with something for the vegetarians as well. I fell asleep way before the ball dropped and woke up at the usual time.It was unusually quiet in the neighborhood. I think today is a good one to do as little as possible.

Good morning. I just walked up to the grocery store and was glad I had my heavier coat. There is a cold wind blowing and only occasional sun. @kazu, Jacqui, I love the formal picture, thank you for posting it. DD DH and I had some spectacular New Years Eve’s in the over forty years we spent together. We liked to get dressed up and really go out. I am glad we did it when we could and it is great to have such fun memories. I taught my student cooks how to make a proper roux and wait for the right color. They were surprised at how long that can take! We made a pretty good chicken and sausage gumbo and rice to go with it. The vegetarians had some leftover chili. I wish everyone a Happy and healthy New Year. 2023 will not be missed. Thanks to all that keep this lovely thread going.

Good morning.it will be in the forties today and cloudy but at least the rain has stopped. I like all of the days although I have no particular plans for “enormous changes at the last minute”. The salad sounds good to me and I have not been to the port. Our mini smorgasbord was a hit with our guest and she asked if I knew how to make gumbo. We decided to make gumbo later today and I will supervise and assist our teenage couple. They are doing the grocery shopping later. I have not made this dish since DH died and I guess there has to be a first time. I can relate to @kazu, Jacqui making prime rib for the first time since her DD DH passed the other day. We are hoping to have our aide back next week . I get a lot of help from the other family members but it is hard to keep the household running without her. @dfish, Debbie, I hope the meds helped with the pain. I am glad that you got home so quickly and that it all went well. @RMLincoln, Maureen, hooray for the official condo sale! I hope both of you are doing well today. Take care everyone

@Quartzsite Cruiser, Lenda, they lived in Donna Texas, we flew into Mc Allen to visit. They took us to South Padre Island and it was just so beautiful. It was April and I remember just being so incredibly hot when outside. My son was teaching eighth grade science and my daughter in law taught fourth grade. They loved Texas and visit often. I have to admit I was thrilled when they moved back to the east coast for graduate school( son) and medical school respectively. They even lived in NYC during DDIL’s residency.

Thank you so much for the beautiful picture of Murphy. She is a wonder!

Good morning to all. It continues to be cloudy and rainy at times. The weather person said it may stop by the afternoon. It will go up to 57! Sometimes I feel as if every day is a Tick Tok day. Someone can have my soup and I have not been to the port. My DS lived in Texas for a few years as a teacher and learned a lot about the history. It is where he met his DW and we are always grateful for Teach For America for that good fortune. @dfish, Debbie, I hope all goes well and that you can enjoy your soup this afternoon. No lifting please! @seagarsmoker, sorry to hear of your illness and hope you are better soon. @StLouisCruisers, Sandi, the pictures are great and it must have been so much fun! I am making a smaller version of the Swedish Christmas Eve menu for the family here and started the traditional rice pudding dessert in the crack pot. We will have meatballs in gravy with scalloped potatoes and pickled cucumbers. DS sent me home with cookies for the group and we will have appetizers of shrimp and herring. The teenager invited his girlfriend and she accepted the invitation but told me she does not eat herring! It should be fun.

@aliaschiefBruce, I hope you are feeling better today. I would love to hear about your cruise whenever you have time. @cunnorl,Charlene,I am sorry about the poor drivers. They are probably from my city.

Good morning. It continues to rain on and off here with temps in the forties now. I soaked beans last night for my pasta and bean soup which can be similar to today’s recipe but more chunky. I will celebrate the days and have not been to the port. @StLouisCruisers, Sandi, I am really enjoying pictures and commentary from your Antarctic cruise. Thanks for doing this. @rafinmd Roy, when do the treatments begin? I am sorry you have to go through this but hope it will help the situation. Not much planned for today except soup making followed by making something for dinner. I have been looking for something different to make as Intend to repeat the old standbys. @cruising sister, I had the same reaction to the quote this morning. It is a tough time of year for sure.

@aliaschief,Bruce, I can’t imagine how excited you both are to start your cruise. Bon Voyage! @RMLincoln, I hope your DH is having a better day today. I don’t think I am that far away if you need something. My email is liviacranial at g mail dot com. @JazzyV, Vanessa, I hope you were able to enjoy your BFF’s cooking and company as well as get more sleep. @dfish,Debbie, I hope the surgery goes well Friday and your recovery is swift. All of the recipes look so good today, thanks so much. @Quartzsite Cruiser, Lenda, I am so glad that your family visit went well. It is always hard when they leave. After the teenager walked his very nice girlfriend home we all contributed our stories of early high school sweethearts and the first time they met our respective families.I think my boyfriends were as terrified of my fathers ‘ temper was we were! @kochleffel, Paul, I was sorry to read of your need for MOHs surgery. At least it is already scheduled.

Good morning. It is cloudy with rain expected on and off all day. It will get up to 47 later. Our teenager took his girlfriend to the Bronx Zoo last week. It is a short train ride away from here. She was visiting us yesterday and stayed for dinner. We enjoyed meeting her and it is so cute to watch young ❤️! She had never been to the Zoo as she only moved to NY two years ago. Someone can have my fruitcake , have not been to Granada and never cut out a snowflake.I will look up the Laws of Burgos as I think the native people in the New World had a terrible time with all the settlers. @SusieKIslandGirl, a very Happy Anniversary! @Nickelpenny, I am sorry you are having difficulty walking while on your trip. Thanks for the beautiful pictures. DD and DSIL had a rough few days as the aide was sick and there was no help available. Neither has a medical background and they tend to ask Tana who has a lot to explain when things are , as we say, “interesting”. It is sometimes very hard to help her get settled so that the breathing can be less difficult. We will be on our own for at least another day but I would rather have that than someone bringing illness into the house. Enjoy the day everyone!

I am stubborn

trying again….oh well, I was unsuccessful.