January Book Club Beauties

I know, I know. I probably leave my holiday things up a bit longer than some people do, but since the Book Club Beauties were coming over here in early January, I decided that it wouldn't hurt to have a few wintery things out that were cheery to look at. My Christmas tree stayed up awhile longer, too, because it really was nice to look at in the evenings. And I noticed that the people living in the house behind us also had theirs still up, so why not.

It was bitter cold the Sunday that the Book Club Beauties came over. So cold and windy during the night that the power in Katie and Avi's house went out! I woke around 1:30 am, and looked at my phone to see a message from Katie about it. Of course I couldn't get back to sleep after that. It's a scary thing to lose power during a Minnesota winter, especially with babies in the house. But luckily power was restored after a couple of hours before things got too cold, and the chickens and their water supply were okay, too. 

And despite the arctic air, everybody made it over for our morning gathering.

We sat in front of the fire, and sipped on hot apple cider spiced with cinnamon red hot candies. I made an egg bake recipe from Debbie that I've decided is my new favorite egg bake. Mona brought a fruit salad, Kat brought a loaf of cheesy bread and cookies, and Cathy baked banana bread and brought bugles with M&M's! 

Our next meeting will be at Cathy's in March, and our book selection will be STYGG HAVN by Bruce Caswell. Here is the link if anybody is interested in purchasing on Amazon... STYGG HAVN 

Feeding The Flock (Wordless Wednesday)

Check the bottom boxes for eggs

Not fed, but stirred!

Oatmeal and Spinach for Treats

See the pretty blue egg?

Fluff Butt Hiding

All accounted for...

This one missed out on treats.

For Rosie

Rosie unexpectedly passed away a couple of days after Christmas. It was horrible news to hear, but also difficult in that we weren't given any more details than just that. I'm not sure we'll ever know any more details, either, but maybe that's just the way it's going to be. 

Rosie was an extremely competent NP, who gave all of herself to her patients who were fighting breast cancer. She was a mom, and grandma, who loved her family fiercely. You just knew that she was a really good human being. In fact, I'm pretty sure that you'd have to look hard to find someone who didn't realize that about her. 

A few days ago, I had a dream about Rosie. She was with her late husband, Jer, and her father who had already passed. She was happy, and I sensed she was at peace. When I woke up, I knew in my heart that she was okay. And, I wouldn't  have to worry about her anymore. It was a huge relief. 💜

Today was her memorial service. It was out of state, of course, and we didn't go. So today I decided to wear one of her favorite perfumes (Dolce & Gabbana, Light Blue), one that she actually sent me for my birthday! And, tonight we'll toast Rosie with a glass of her favorite buttery chardonnay. I'm going to miss talking to Rosie, but I do believe we'll see each other again one day.

Destination Bentleyville

The day before Christmas Eve, Katie and Avi invited us to meet them in Duluth to see the Tour Of Lights at Bentleyville. There was a moment, however, that I wondered if I'd be able to get everything done in time for Christmas Eve if we went. I thought about it awhile, then decided that I really didn't want to miss out on all the fun.

So, we picked up Nick on our way, and started the drive up north. It was very foggy. The plan was to meet at Betty's Pies in Two Harbors at 1:00, but the meet time changed to an hour later as Katie's family got a late start on their drive. As we drove further north, I saw two Bald Eagles close up, and then closer to Duluth, I saw a sign that said, Cloquet 16 miles. I thought about Gwen who lives in Cloquet, and wondered if we should stop by and drop off something chocolate...

The first place we stopped at didn't have any chocolate donuts that looked appetizing, that would have defeated the purpose. Then we saw a Perkins across the road, and I went in to buy a piece of French Silk Pie. That's more like it! Gwen invited us all in for a chat, which worked out just fine since it would now be 2:00 by the time everybody made it to Betty's Pies. We even had the chance to meet her brother, Peter, when he stopped by to see her on his way back from the cabin.

People had just been seated at the restaurant when we walked in, and we saw that friends Liz and Kevin were also there. Bruce ordered a pasty and I ordered a burger. Some people ordered pie for dessert, I ordered a piece of French Silk pie to take home. 

Getting in and out, not as easy as it looks!

Next stop was the Children's Museum in Duluth. Bentleyville didn't open until five, and we had time to kill. It was a small place, but not too crowded, and little boy seemed to enjoy it. The adults mostly hung out and watched him play.

One last Bah before Bentleyville

awwww

Onward to Bentleyville. Debbie had told me that Bentleyville was magical, and I was looking forward to seeing it! Admission was free, parking $10, and they also had free hot cocoa, cookies, and marshmallows for everybody, a pretty good deal for a magical experience, I think. It wasn't bitter cold like when we went to see the lights at the Arb, but I was still glad that I'd worn my boots and hat. Nick also just happened to have some hand warmers with him, and he gave me a pair to put in my gloves. 

cool fires to roast marshmallows

There were plenty of adults to help keep track of little boy, and Danzer eventually fell asleep. I felt like I was in heaven because I could hold on to Nick's arm as we walked and talked. 💕  

The drive back was also foggy, but we were home by 9:30. Pretty much all I had to do was put together the mac and cheese to be baked in the morning, but I soon discovered that I didn't have enough milk! Bruce to the rescue, and drove to Target to get me more. 

Katie said that they might make this trip to Bentleyville a yearly thing, another good new tradition, I think.