Hello..

Hello everyone..

How art thou? 

My close friends who have been around me for the past few decades know that usually my first greeting to them are those three words..

How art thou?  

The other night at Bible Study our pastor mentioned that if one spoke the Kings James version of speech today that people would find it strange.  

I had to smile to myself and thought that my friends surely do think I am strange for more reasons then that though! Grin.. 

Actually there are a few who try to get those words in before I do!  

We all have our ways, don't we...  

Hope all is well with you dear girls these February days.  

We all celebrated Valentine's Day since we last chatted.. 

We had a quiet day at home.  

Terry asked if I would like to go out for supper but I told him I would rather stay home.  The evenings are so cold and I generally prefer to stay in.  

Since we are retired I find we eat out more then we should and it is not the treat that it used to be.. 

So.. 

I stirred up a batch of Chocolate Chunk cookies for a treat and cooked one of his fave meals..

We call it Hamburger Gravy with mashed, veggies and a salad.  

T'was lovely and we were content..

There is something mind blowing on Valentine's Day when you look over at your husband and think to yourself...

Oh my word... this is our 50th year of being each other's Valentine!  

Our 49th anniversary is next month but we have been in love for over fifty years!  

To be honest it is hard to imagine.  

Remembering when Terry's parents celebrated their 50th and it seemed  like a milestone way beyond our reach...

But here we are!  

So thankful. 

  God has been a faithful part of our marriage and it has lasted due mostly to His presence in our life.

All good things come from Him...  

Well, some days I can find him to be quite the pain but most days he still turns my crank.  Terry that is!   Lol..  

On with the show... 

We went for a little drive up to check on our old farm...

We were surprised at how much more snow there was up there then here at home.  

We have had rain and a couple mild days so the brook was open..  

Lots of melting around the old house but thankfully there was not any in the basement... 

When I go this time of year, I just wait in the car while he snowshoes in.  

He didn't have to this time though as there was not as much snow in the lane .

I listen to the wind and the sound of the brook..  Sometimes I have a nap but usually I just read...  

For some reason you girls mention that you like to hear about whatever little projects or tasks that I have been up to..  

So... 

I made a batch of Sofrito the other day and put it in the freezer.  

This is a sort of mixture that is used a lot in Latin cooking to add flavor to dishes.  

Martha Steward suggested several ways of using it also..  

Just Google if you are interested.  

Then I did a new salad dressing..  

I do not use store bought salad dressings although Terry does.  

I will put a jar or two of homemade on the table and he will go open the fridge door and get his Kraft ranch, French or Catalina.  

Can you imagine!  Lol.., 

I told him 49 years ago that there were a few things I would not give up.  

Such a thing was onions.  

Now he likes them as well as I do but...

not the salad dressings.. So we compromise.  

He buys his and I make mine!  Lol!  

This one was really good...  

Here is the recipe... 

1/4 cup of red wine vinegar  (or whatever kind you have)

1/2 cup of canola or olive oil

juice and zest of 1 lemon 

3 cloves of garlic (smash into paste)

2 tablespoon Doon mustard

1 tablespoon honey

Salt and pepper to taste

1 tablespoon or two of minced herb of choice

pinch of red pepper flakes

Put all in a bowl and whisk or a jar and shake well..  

Enjoy.. 

Rambling along here..

The best thing we did was to make a batch of cold process soap.  

I am so excited about making it.  A goal I have had for years.  

It would not have been a success without Terry helping me.  

I love it and hope to do another batch soon as we want to iron out the wrinkles of the process.  

It smells of patchouli, lavender and grapefruit. 

Another skill I have longed to conquer was the making of sourdough bread.  

This was my first try... 

It looked so wonderful when it came out of the oven and tasted so good the first night...  

Then the next day it was hard and just not what it should have been... sigh...

I shall try one more time, I think.   

I will let you know the results.  Smile.. 

Well, dear hearts....  

I think I have gone on long enough for this time..

Hope you are blessed with a wonderful week and great weather.  

God bless!