Mother's Day and Weekend Fun

Good morning.  It's another wet morning here but should clear a bit later.  It had better because I have errands to run.  The photo is the dam at our cabin area.  Last weeks storms and monumental rains have the creek way up, up enough to let an air boat up the creek making a lot of noise.  We headed there Thursday and had a most wonderful time sitting on the newly screened porch and the new shades.  It was even cool enough in the mornings for a fire on the porch.  

Saturday night we hosted a fajita bar.  The weather could not have been more perfect.  Yesterday was of course Mother's Day and I kind of glossed over it.  It's hard to celebrate a day when you don't have a mother to call.  Oh yes, I should CELEBRATE her, and I do in my mind, it's just that I miss her sometimes too much on that day.  I do acknowledge the other mothers in my life, my daughters, who are fantastic mommas.  My darling mother-in-law, whom I miss dearly.  My friends, who are mommas.  My dear friend, Beverly, who lost her 94 year old mother just last week.  Mother's everywhere.  

Okay, now I am going to ask a question.  I have posted here on my blog for nearly 18 years and the reader traffic has been mostly non-existent BUT lately, I've noticed that I'm getting a lot of traffic.  My posts are getting like 45-85 reads lately.  What is up with that and who are they and WHY DOESN'T anyone at least comment.  Is it bots, AI, WHAT!  Just curious what is going on.  If you're out there, maybe say something please.  I don't think I'm THAT interesting, am I.  

Fishing, Rain and PARTIES

 Good morning.  Honestly I'm thinking that since we retired I've lost my voice here.  I don't have anything to GRIPE about so no words.  My life is good, finally.  After nearly 18 years writing on this blog I've become very quiet.  Maybe I've shared all of me that I can share.  

Today I'm going to have lunch with my dear brother.  I thought about canceling because of the impending storms but those won't be here till later tonight.  So lunch it is!  We will be heading to our cabin this weekend too and can't wait.  It's been a couple of weeks and even then we will miss the next weekend because of graduation stuff.  Seems like we are busier than ever since we retired.  This weekend alone we had two parties on the same day, a Kentucky Derby party and then a Retirement party which had a live band.  It was fun.  They set up like a living room, seating arrangements in their driveway with the band in the garage playing Stones, a bit of country (blech) and good old Rock and Roll!  I opted to not drink at all at either party.  Really I'm not doing much of that which is not a bad thing.  I do like a good gin & tonic or dirty martini but just haven't been feeling it lately.  Especially since I felt like I needed to be the designated driver for the weekend.  I know HE will have a few glasses of wine regardless.  

He did get away to the cabin overnight Friday while I had Snicklefritz with us.  He met the shade guy for installation.  We had new shades put on the screened porch to cut wind, pollen and keep warmth in when we use the fireplace on cooler days.  The water is up too from all the rain with more rain to come.  

We will get up there hopefully for a nice weekend WITHOUT rain, time with friends for a build-your-own-fajita bar and a nice fire on the porch.  The temperatures are supposed to be a lot cooler, especially in the AM so I'm sure I will be sitting there enjoying.

Pride and Tornados in Oklahoma

We are well after the storms last night. The state did not fair as well I'm afraid. Heard on the news where two were killed in one of the smaller communities, one was an infant. So very sad to hear. One town, Sulphur, Oklahoma, they are still rescuing people at this moment, their downtown demolished. Tornados are just horrible but are an inevitable part of the weather system. My husbands father was in one in April 27, 1942, Pryor, Oklahoma. There were 52 killed that year. Oklahoma is not a stranger to tornados at all, Moore, Tulsa, Wagoner, Oklahoma City, too many to name really. December 1975, was the closet I've come to experiencing any kind of loss from a tornado. My husband, boyfriend at the time and I were picking up my engagement ring from the jewelers when one hit east Tulsa where his brother and family lived. We picked up his mother and tried our best to get to east Tulsa to see if the family was okay but couldn't get there. His older brother worked at the railroad in west Tulsa and drove as far as he could and then parked the car and just started running, running to his family. His wife at the time managed apartments there and they lived in one of the apartments with their two small boys. His family survived, there were no deaths that year but the damage was devasting. They absolutely lost everything they owned. Elaine and the boys sheltered in the walk-in sauna by the pool and it was the only thing left standing in the entire apartment complex. In their apartment the only thing left standing was an ironing board, with the iron still on it. Absolute miracle anyone was not killed. I'd never seen anything like it. We went the next day to try and help to recover anything but there was not much to recover. They all came to live with my mother-in-law again. Mind you this was also one month before our wedding. I actually stayed so mad at my brother-in-law for years, honestly still am mad at him for this, but my granny and granddaddy gave me a $1,000 check to give to them to help and when I offered it to Dave, he turned it down and told me they didn't accept charity. Really dude! You have NOTHING, nothing for your family. They needed that but he refused. His PRIDE got in the way and I never forgave him for that. Pride is a bad thing.

Lemons, Limes and Everything Wicked Weather

The weekend started for me on Thursday.  I had to work in the morning but then I was OFF traveling.  I almost waited till later in the day because of the impending weather but decided to head off anyway!  We were hosting 10 guests Saturday night for dinner, a Cinco de Mayo dinner.  I also had plans to clean out, clean out the liquor corner, the buffet, the pantry, and anything else that needed to be done.  

I was so happy to get so much done along with the hosting thing.  We invited a few new people (the old group were all gone) and I really wanted to make the night go off without a hitch.  The menu I planned was Barefoot Contessa's Tequila Lime Chicken, refried beans, cilantro lime rice along with a layered dip (from friend Lesa), chips and various dips for appetizers.  

I also saw this lemon cheesecake recipe on Facebook and it looked simple so I decided I would try my hand.  I had a springform pan, thank goodness so I dove in and tackled it.  Cheesecake is not something I have ever made even though I had the pan.  With the chicken and the lemon cheesecake I was a citrus squeezing fool!  My hands actually hurt today.  I really needed more lime but that's okay, the marinade was just fine.  The cheesecake was delicious (I also made homemade whipped cream I've never done.)  The evening went so exceptionally well and it feels good to be back in the saddle again. 

Almost forgot the drive to the cabin was a bit dicey with the weather.  I really wasn't too scared, usually my gut twists when it gets weird and I was fine.  But that drive towards that shelf cloud, whew, it was kind of awesome.

Looked like I was driving into the mountains!

Luckily the road I was traveling was void of any traffic so I just stopped and snapped pictures, lots of pictures.  

 

Every-Other-Friday-Payroll

Another Every-Other-Friday-Payroll and we found ourselves at the office early this morning.  Even though the employees haven't worked since Wednesday I still had to do payroll.  A couple did make it in this morning but went home because all we've got for work is outside.  But, by goodness, their paychecks were done.  I tried to talk The Hubby out of going in, saying it could wait till Monday but he didn't want to, so in the truck I found myself waiting and watching.  He has a huge box of salt so started there, letting it begin to melt, which amazingly enough worked very well.  I was enjoying the scenery, different from the four walls I've been looking at for the past three weeks.  The truck was warm and I had a heated seat, I was content.  

One of the employees gave a quick hand to smash and scrape away the ice until it was pretty dry very quick.  Payroll is done and I'm now at home waiting for the final in-home physical therapist to come.  Then I don't have anymore for a couple of weeks when I will go to the place for the therapy.  I sooooooooo hope that is very short-lived.  I'm getting around extremely well now but know there a few things I will have to be shown yet to progress the mobility of my body.  

A Sleeting We Will Go

Ice, Ice, Baby...

Goodness this stupid weather.  First was the morning of my hip surgery and the snow we had to travel through at 5 am to get to the hospital.  Yesterday it was again another iffy drive for my post-op.  It was sleet and a lot of it.  Honestly that drive wasn't as bad but this morning is a lot worse.  In fact we shut down our business because the employees didn't want to drive in (don't blame them.)  It's the same story this morning and will probably be the same tomorrow.  Tomorrow I have to go in though to do payroll.  Hmmm, well we will see.  

Back to my post-op.  We did make it!  So excited to have the stitches OUT and permission to drive, when this stupid ice is gone.  The doc is very pleased with how this new hip looks and me too.  I was disappointed that I have to do out patient.  Really didn't want to but it could last 1-4 weeks so I will be a good patient and get it done. 

Last nights dinner, yes I cooked again, was what I could dig up out of the pantry/freezer since grocery shopping is not happening via hip and weather.  I found frozen shrimp in the freezer and a jar of marinated artichoke hearts.  I googled those ingredients and came up with a shrimp & artichoke bake.  

Shrimp & Artichoke Bake

(What I had:)

Frozen shrimp (about 14)

Small jar of marinated artichoke hearts, drained & cut up if too big

Red pepper flakes

1 tsp Kerry Gold garlic & herb butter

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

2 Tbls shredded parmesan

Preheat oven to 400°. Saute drained artichoke hearts in non-stick skillet with butter and pepper flakes for about 3-5 minutes. Take out and put in small casserole (I used deep dish pie plate.) Put shrimp in skillet cook till pink turning once, about 3-5 more minutes. When done put on top of artichoke hearts. Top with the mozzarella cheese and parmesan. Bake in oven 10-15 minutes.

I would have loved to serve it with fresh broccoli or spinach but fresh pantry is bare.

It was quite yummy.

It's Nearly HIP DAY!

 

Okay, I need good vibes, prayers, ALL the good luck I can muster for tomorrow.  We have to be in Broken Arrow by 5:30 am for my hip replacement surgery at 7 am.  I have to tell you I'm excited and nervous and anxious.  I can handle all that, BUT, mother nature decided to throw a wrench in the plans.  It is snowing to beat the band right now and they are predicting 4-8 inches.  My gut is absolutely in knots right and I KNOW my blood pressure is up, I feel it.  

Ice, Ice Baby

Ice, Ice Baby...in more ways than one.

I believe I've actually used that title before.  Our weather this past week was an absolute ice rink out there.  Yesterday I was extremely apprehensive about driving but I HAD TO!  The day before, Thursday, The Hubby took me to the office to do payroll and just trying to get in the door was nerve-wracking.  Absolute ICE out there and I do not need to break my hip or knee or any other bone in my body.  We then took a drive to south Tulsa to check out where I had to drive to yesterday.  You see, my guy was having a bit of minor surgery and there was no canceling it, absolutely NO CANCELING it, in his mind.  At first he was going to have me drive his very large truck, Dodge Ram pickup but after driving to the place I realized that the main roads were just fine.  It was the side roads that were hell.  Once home I decided I could drive my car and that is what we did.  

Do you see The Hubby's eyes in the photo, how droopy his eyelids are.  Since Thanksgiving for some reason they started getting worse to the point that the girls were concerned as I was.  The eyelids were swollen and puffy and when he looked at you it almost looked like he was cross-eyed trying to look under the droop.  Trust me that photo was a good look.  They got worse and worse to the point I didn't see how he could maneuver through the day.  He went to his eye doctor, nothing wrong.  He went to the dermatologist, nothing, except that his skin was irritated and she gave him some cream, but he couldn't use on his eyes.  I suspect that since he quit using Dove Soap all over his body, face too and started using Dial anti-bacterial soap that he had irritated his skin which enhanced the puffiness and redness.  So, yesterday he had an eyelid lift, all covered on his Medicare, BECAUSE he couldn't see!  There is a lot of icing going on outside and inside this house this weekend.  He's really not in too much pain, thank goodness and is doing what he was told to do.  They are bruised and a different kind of puffy.  I'm feeding and getting him to TAKE IT EASY, which is not something he does well. In fact, he got so bored last night he started cleaning out the front hall closet.  GOOD GRIEF!  Retirement is going to drive him crazy.  

Plus with all this ice outside and having it clear up enough to drive we will have a snowstorm starting tomorrow and then again on Wednesday.  I really, REALLY hate winter and hope I can stay busy enough to welcome spring soon, very soon.  Here's to being cooped up in the house with a workaholic husband!

 

Where Oh Where Has My Summer Gone

 Have I EVER written how much I hate, HATE winter!!!  I bring to you SPRING/SUMMER in Oklahoma, my favorite time of year. 

This morning here is ice, a thin sheet of ice everywhere and it has been that way since Monday.  Plus the temperatures are more than below freezing and have been all week long.  Surprisingly, I am not feeling the cold as much this year and that is weird.

I did go to the office yesterday, but today, NOT BUDGING!  I'm supposed to get a pedicure today but again, NOT BUDGING!

This is what I dream of, bare feet, sitting on my wonderful screened porch, listening to the birds and feeling the warmth of the day.

Speaking of getting a pedicure...I almost forgot this little tidbit on my brand new car, just barely a year old.  Monday I went to lunch with The Hubby leaving my car at the office.  When we returned we were pulling up and noticed our youngest in her car next to mine.  She was talking to her hubby telling him about "my car!"  When she pulled up she noticed a huge scrape on my lower back left side panel.  It was very low and I never even saw it before.  There was scraped black paint on my car, someone had HIT MY CAR!  There is no telling when it happened and I know of only two places it could have happened, at the studio and where I get my nails done.  I never get out and go into any store except those two places.  The office is secure, in a gated parking lot with mostly only our guys.  The studio is a possibility but more than likely it happened where I get my pedicure.  The parking there is dicey and they are next door to a medical marijuana place.  Plus several of the clients of the pedicure place are extremely elderly and have rather large cars...AND CAN'T PARK WORTH A WHIT!  I can almost guarantee that is where it happened.  Well, The Hubby and I jumped into my car and ran down the street where our body guy is (we have a lot of vehicles) to get an estimate, $850 to repair my car.  I haven't had my first oil change yet because I haven't been able to put even close to 5,000 miles on the thing.  Pisses me off to no end but it is what it is.

I am SOoooooo over Winter this week.  It wouldn't be so bad IF I had my paint brushes but I took them to the studio because I needed my newer brushes there.  Now I have nothing to paint with.  CRAP!

I guess I could clean out my pantry, but I really don't want to do that.  I could work on purging my cookbooks and maybe I will.  Or, maybe I'll just read a book.  Oh gosh, I hate being cooped up here without being able to paint.  

Speaking of good books, I just finished one for my book club (we zoom) called "The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek" by Kim Michele Richardson.  What a great book.  My mother would have loved this book.  I think it's classified as historical fiction about the Kentucky Pack Horse Library service in the 1930's and the Blue's of Kentucky.  Look the blue people of Kentucky up, talk about interesting.  I mean the ending was a bit predictable but it was a really good read.  

Snow, Snicklefritz and Crocheting

Snow...SNOW...snow...

This past weekend we jetted away to the cabin, The Hubby, me and Snicklefritz.  She had been out of in-person school 10 days so safe to be around again.  They've yet again gone back to virtual school and I think I heard this morning that will be until the first of  February, so MORE GRANDDAUGHTER TIME!!!  The Hubby was spending the last part of Friday and most of the day Saturday doing a landscape lighting job for one of the cabinites so it was just me and Snicklefritz.  We played Go Fish, Uno and she brushed and styled my hair a multitude of times (I love it.)  Then I told her I wanted to teach her how to crochet.  She's 8 years old and has great dexterity and a great mind so I knew she could get it.  First up was how to tie a slip-knot which she got really quick.  Then it was to a chain.  She chained and chained and chained until it was about 3 feet long...LOL.  I had her pull it out several times to get better and better, practice makes perfect.  Then when I felt she could move on we tackled the single crochet.  Oh it was messy and a bit lopsided but she was getting it for sure.  I was so proud of her and praised her many times.  Her momma said that once home she got frustrated and ripped it all out.  I hope she continues to work on it more.  It just takes practice to really get a feel to how the stitches are supposed to work.  Will have her over again soon and we will take it on again.  I suggested to her Momma that YouTube would have some videos for beginning crochet for children, I was sure.  

The weather forecast called for snow early Sunday morning so we hit the road back to Tulsa a little after 8:30 and it was raining but by the time we were pulling out of the drive the snow was splattering the windshield in huge wet snowflakes.  Before we could get off the back roads it was getting pretty slushy but I knew the highway would be better.  It wasn't much better and we drove slow and careful to get back to town.  OMG, that snow was just stunning to watch.  Of course driving back we were driving right into the blowing stuff.  Looking out at the trees Snicklefritz said, "Granny look how pretty the forest is!"  She was mesmerized.  It was quite beautiful but I want to get home safe and sound.  Normally I would be on pins and needles but you know something I was not scared one tiny bit.  That is really unusual for me.  I seem to have lost a lot of the fear that has always been buried in my gut.  Don't get me wrong, driving on mountainous roads...NO F.....in' way!  Hate those still and they will put me in a panic attack.  I can't even watch videos of driving on them without nearly getting breathless.  YUCK!  But we did get home and it was nice to watch it come down all nice and snug in our warm house. 

Sadly we were without our little Clayton.  When we were loading up the car on Friday afternoon there was something wrong with him.  The Hubby put him in his carrier and as he carried him out to the truck he cried and whined like you wouldn't believe.  We called the vet and they had us bring him in and we left him in their capable hands to see what was going on. 

It was kind of nice not having to constantly have to get up and down to let him in and out all weekend but we sure missed the little guy.  The Hubby picked him up yesterday afternoon.  They wanted to give him a bath first and I suspect it was probably because he fell in his pee or poop.  This tripod leg thing, well, his balance is struggling.  We got him home and he was still crying and now he's all stove-up in his neck.  He keeps having spasms in his neck and back.  I'm sure that one front leg is tired of carrying all the weight and with this cold snap his arthritis is kicking in big time.  I'm not sure they gave him any of his arthritis medicine the whole time he was in there which means we have to let it kick in again.  Last night he whined a bit and couldn't get comfortable in bed, kicking me most of the night.  I got up at 2:30 and took him outside to pee.  I got up at 3:00 and took him outside to pee.  I AM TIRED GUYS!  I'm not meant for an infant anymore.  I dozed back off about 5, just in time for my alarm to go off...  The Hubby put him on our bed again while I was in my chair in the bedroom and when I went to get him off the bed and in the living room (he can't fall off of our very tall bed, it would kill him!) he cried and tried to bite me.  Oh this poor baby is in such pain and he keeps having these spasms that sends him almost standing on his back legs and falling over.  It's hard to watch and I hope by tonight or tomorrow it will be better.  I don't know how much NOT SLEEPING I can take...Today...NAP!  

Fall Is Upon Us

The weekend finally took us to the cabin and also to find that the creek is STILL flooded.  We've gone most of the spring, ALL of the summer and now fall without being able to access our beloved creek.  The Corp of Engineers has kept the water levels up for a stuck barge or something like that and it is effecting our property values and our enjoyment of our home away from home.  I so hope they figure this thing out before next summer because we will not have a creek anymore if the water stays up.  

We did enjoy the fall colors beginning and can't wait to see more but will be away from the cabin a lot this fall.  Just so busy with plein air events, birthday parties, and soon Thanksgiving.  It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving and Christmas is upon us so quickly.  Time just moves too fast.  I need, NEED it to slow down, just a tad.  

This precious little nugget is 3 weeks old today and look at that milk-drunk-sleepy smile.  How can you resist!!!  I miss her so much and can't wait to snuggle and kiss those sweet cheeks again, soon!!!!

Painting has been slow to get started again but did take a photo while in LA of some sunflowers.  Of course I LOVE TO PAINT FLOWERS so here you go. 

I have got to get back to the self portrait stuff but since I've been away the steam that drove me to sketch them in the first place is waning.

Have a great day my friends.

Workshop Time Yet Again

Well, hello all.  Here it is May 20 and I haven't posted since April.  It's been pretty busy with a lot of work at the office (can't WAIT till we retire).  We will celebrate 40 years in business this September.  I can't believe that as the years seem to have flown by.  It's been fun, a headache, and an experience for sure.  I wouldn't trade any part of our life being self-employed for all the tea in China!  

The past week I've been at yet another workshop in Arkansas.  This was billed as a portrait workshop but started off as still life.  Linda and I were a bit confused but I think he just needed to see what he had to work with as far as students.  I usually go into these workshops very antsy and unsure of what I can do.  I can't seem to get started and end up frustrated by the end, but this time, WOW!  I don't know if he was just blowing smoke, but by the end of the first day of drawing and painting these globes and drapes, I felt like the golden child.  He was constantly taking my effort to the front of the room or telling the other students to come look at what I had done.  He seemed very impressed by my drawing capabilities.

 

At one point I put a stroke as he was standing behind me and he scared me to death as he said "FANTASTIC", then quickly grabbed the painting again to show the class my "perfect" stroke.  He said my drawing was STELLAR and that at the end should be framed!  Wow, usually the workshop stuff ends up painted over and in essence trash.  

I won't deny that by the end of the day I had a big head.  It felt really good.

Day 2 and we finally were on to actual people but quickly realized the portrait workshop was a figure workshop.  I was okay with that but I know Linda really wanted the portrait side, to learn how he gets the beautiful skin tones in his portraits, as I did too.  But, I got some practice I needed in figures. 

So Rebecca was first up.  I HATED that damn hat but it is what it is and again he kept coming around and praising my drawing.  Usually I'm not open to criticism and my responses send the instructor on to other people but I decided, with a lot of encouragement from Linda, to be different in this workshop.  I even let him put strokes on the canvas, which I DON'T like.  But, he really put very few and again my drawing was trotted out to the front of the class for praise.  It was getting a bit embarrassing, but exciting.

I HATE THAT HAT!

Day 3 and sweet Nick came to sit for us.  I loved his hair but we were yet again painting red or a shade of red.  Reds are hard to get because if you touch white it can turn pink so quickly.  

The praise was again dolled out and I was beginning to think people may hate me but it really helped me feel as "I can do it!"  He really liked how I did the pants on Nick. 

This is where I really NEEDED the portrait side of the class for skin colors and facial features.  He said my colors were fine but boy did I struggle getting them.  

Day 4 and Rebecca was back and so was the damn red tones.  She was a beast modeling for us.  She sat and sat and sat.

The drawing was a bit tougher but he liked it. 

Finally, paint, and I ended up really liking this painting and where it was going.  Of all the days this is probably my favorite.   

I don't know if I will keep any of these paintings or just paint over them but it was a great exercise and I can't wait to do a real painting of someone I know.  I feel that my drawing skills are really stepping up and that gives me a boost of confidence.  

Hopefully I won't be away so long but seems that life is just so busy lately I don't have a second to share here.  My blogaversery, 13 years is quickly approaching in June.  Can't believe I've been sharing here for that long.  So onward to the day.  Have a great day and stay safe in Tornado Alley as the weather is a beast today.

BOOMS and Blooms

Finally, FINALLY, we headed out of town for the weekend to our beloved cabin.  The skies were awesome blue with tons of beautiful white clouds.  Kind of an omen of the storms brewing for Monday...

When we pulled up the first thing I saw were my peonies in bloom.  I have three of them and two had not popped yet.  So beautiful. 

A quick drive around the compound and I found a neighbors glorious yellow iris bed in full bloom.  I love yellow and pink and purple and, and, and...heck I love flowers.

Saturday The Hubby had to head back to town for a funeral (boo) but I opted to stay put.  Another drive around on the golf cart with camera in tow and I found some beautiful sights.   

The rains from last year have done some major damage to our creek bank and commons areas but they seem to be trying to come back.  The water was definitely up, so much so that the rock barrier was covered which allows boats from the river side to eek into our little slice of heaven.  It's kind of scary to have strangers floating in but it's quite legal, AS LONG AS THEY DON'T GET OUT.  It's private property on the land part.  

Further down the creek I found this beautiful white heron enjoying the sunshine too.  Might be a painting in here somewhere. 

More drive time as I made my way around the place.  I love these kind of photos, roads leading to who knows where.   

The weekend was spoiled a bit though.  We slept with our windows open which I love to do.  Saturday night about 12:28 a.m. all of a sudden BOOM, echo, echo, echo.  At first I thought it was thunder but as I looked to the darkened sky all I saw were stars.  The Hubby rolled over and said, "Well, that is his reply for T calling the sheriff earlier today." The story is that there is a guy on the hill above the grounds that has a cannon, he likes to shoot off his cannon, mostly during the day but lately he's been doing it at night too.  He can directional the thing and he has a thorn in his butt about "us" so he points it directly above our property.  T had had enough so he placed a phone call to the sheriff's office and they paid The Hill Guy a visit, and so his response was: 12:28 a.m.  BOOM, 12:35 a.m. BOOM, and 12:58 a.m. BOOM.   Talk about messing with your sleep.  I definitely got up in a grouchy mood.  I hope The Hill Guy can get his panties out of that wad they're in and he relents a bit.  I don't care about during the day but fella, not at night PLEASE.  

Oh and the kiddo got to visit her greatpapa this weekend.  He was thrilled I'm sure.