Promised photo, plus one.

The day is really quite nice right now. The temps have improved. Slightly. The wind from yesterday has calmed, for the moment. This is my little piece of heaven. My porch. My Dollar Tree solar bee rocking in sunlight, my Grandparents' Day petunias (a gift from Tucker), and my newveryown trashy yard art. I think she is breakable so I will leave her on the porch for the time being. She makes me happy. Who knew? You can buy happiness. For $30. At Lowe's. 

New chest that is already filling with stuff. Like bubble stuff. And bug spray. Beyonce stands guard, as always, on the patio. Yes. She is a rooster. Yes. That is a rock pretending to be an egg. Go figure. I am totally down with a rooster wanting to lay an egg. Rock on Beyonce. 

February wanes.

Not much time left in this month. Hard to realize that Dad has been gone for two months. Still miss him. Still. And always.
***
Sweet Pea did, in fact, come over Saturday night. She entertained us with her rendition of "Hush Little Baby Don't Say a Word". And we read books. And we spelled her name with the letters on the building blocks. She's a smarty. She wouldn't eat much supper. And on the way home got sick. She told her dad, "I spilt on my pants". I think her friend, Izzy, spilt at school earlier in the week. I have felt a little queasy the last two days. No spills here, though.
***
I did my usual exercise at the YMCA this morning. On the way I wore a light jacket. No scarf. No gloves. It was comfortable.

My car inspection sticker needed updating. Took care of that today. Along with the oil change. My man says I am going to need a new bat-ry pretty soon. 

After the oil change and a quick trip into the Lowe's the temperature took a nose dive. The wind picked up. I nearly froze my noonies off getting my purchases into the car. I bought an outdoor chest - assembly required. And I bought a piece of trashy yard art. I knew when I saw the object d'art that it was mine. I'll post a snap tomorrow. You will like it.
I did assemble the chest. All but the top. That actually required more muscle and more hands than I had available. So. When Mr. Macho came home he snapped that lid right on for me and we carried it out to the patio. Done. And done.
***
Our dance lesson last night was grueling. Our tough task master, "The Stupendous Robbie", cracked the whip and worked our little dancing shoes off. We cha-chaed into oblivion. Not really. We did work on our leg work and turns. Alot. The second hour we worked equally hard on our rumba. We are getting better. Next month it is on to the meringue and advanced cha-cha. Heaven help us.

***

This evening I thought I was being all 'top chef' like and putting together a quick spinach dish that we would enjoy. I had some cream cheese that needed eating, a little sour cream, a can of spinach, some garlic powder, a dash of tabasco, and a shake or three of parmesan cheese. Half of us thought it was yummy. The other half put his back in the bowl after tasting two tiny bites. So much for innovation.

***

Out of Town Son called and is planning to come up for a visit this weekend. His sweet bride is traveling to visit her sister. I will be glad to see him.

***

Have a lunch date on Friday with a sweet friend. Catch up time. Fall right into our comfy friendship after not seeing each other for months on end. 

***

Hope your week is progressing nicely and your February has been especially fun. Get ready to kiss it goodbye. Wonder, will March come in like a lion or a lamb? 

Be sweet. 

Another Saturday night.

Saturday rewind. Up early, again, for Mr. Macho to go to work. I have spent the day piddling. Well. Mostly crocheting. I've been working on a baby afghan and another multi-colored afghan. Sister Marsha saw a cute bag that I pinned on my crochet board - a bee bag. She emailed yesterday and asked if I would make her one. Was going to the market yesterday anyway. Picked up the proper yarn. And voila!

A bee bag. 

***

The week in review: twas a bit of a roller coaster. Daughter had the wackiest week ever. Don't even ask. I am hoping it has ended on a good note for her. She participated in a walk that is helping raise money for the fight against cancer. Her college roommate's mother died a short while ago from cancer of the pancreas. I believe her dad may have died from cancer, also. 

It always makes me feel better and I hope Daughter has had her heart lightened today by doing something nice for someone else. 

She even bumped into a cousin at the cancer walk. Bonus. 

***

I think that Sweet Pea is coming over this evening. Though I have not heard from Son in Town today. He asked a few days ago if she could come over while he and Sweet Pea's Mom attended the football banquet. I said sure. Haven't heard from him since. Anybody's guess. Will she be here? Stay tuned.

***

I am about ready to start doing some spring cleaning. Some of my possessions need to find a new home. Some just need to be shifted around right here. Chairs need to be put into the attic. Folding table needs to find a bed to lie under. That will mean moving the existing 'under the bed detritus'. Its the domino effect. 

***

I made the enchiladas this morning. They are for supper. I will probably make some spanish rice to go with them. What will sit on your plate this evening? 

***

One more thing.

I want to give a little shout out to Daughter-in-law Out of Town. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 

In your honor, a little quote from the good doctor. Seuss.

 In Katroo, every year, on the day your were born

They start the day right in the bright early morn

When the Birthday Honk-Honker hikes high up to Mt. Zorn

And lets loose a big blast on the big Birthday Horn.

And the voice of the horn calls out loud as it plays:

"Wake Up! For today is your Day of all Days!"

I, for one, am glad she was born. :-)

Whataweek!

It was a good start. Last Sunday afternoon Mr. Macho and I revisited an old movie favorite - "Moonstruck". A good beginning to Valentine week. The movie was even funnier than I remembered and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters were so melodramatic. I had forgotten that. Each one was just the right person for the role. It was so Italian. So, so funny.
We have danced three night this week. Our usual Monday lesson. The second of three private lessons on Tuesday night. Again last night at a Valentine party with our dance friends.
Tuesday was Mardi Gras. We had a nice Italian meal before our dance lesson. He had spaghetti and meatballs and I had a pasta a la creme dish. Both pretty good. Except I find that many restaurants go far too heavy on the basil and the spaghetti ends up tasting sweet to me. I prefer a more savory spaghetti sauce.  In honor of Fat Tuesday we split a hot fudge brownie a la mode. Then we danced it off. No really.
Thursday - Valentine's Day - Son-in-Town and his wife came over with Sweet Pea. I cooked a pasta dish - Johnny Marzetti. It was pretty yummy. That Sweet Pea is all over the place. She is a bizzy girl.
***
We are up early this Saturday morning because Mr. Macho has had to go to work. There is plenty around here to keep my busy. I have been ignoring house cleaning duties in lieu of crocheting. I am working on two afghans right now. A baby one. And a lap blanket size one. I continue to look for new projects. Love the challenge of doing something new.
****
The last of the 'visiting siblings' is at Mom's house this week. She will leave on Sunday. The newly hired helpers started on Thursday. The will help Mom with cooking, shopping, and household chores. They will also drive her wherever she needs to go. This is the best solution for now. Mom is learning to Skype. I am glad. Dad and I were in the habit of Skyping daily. I miss that. I miss him.
***
The Super Carrot can say my name. And lots of other words, too. Tucker wants the Conclave to pick him as our next Pope. I agree. I think Lauren's Girl Scout Troop is finally getting their act together for this year. She continues to be a budding artist.
***
More things than you can imagine have presented themselves this week. Some things that I am not prepared to blog about. Challenges that need to be worked out. Challenges that need to be championed. And conquered. And we will conquer them. Daughter this is to you - we will conquer them! We will prevail. Love will be our guide.
***
Peace. Be sweet.

Labor of love.

Dear Daddy,
Do you remember all those days last year when we Skyped and you watched me work on the granny square afghan? Do you remember that you would tease me and ask, "Are you finished that afghan, YET?!" Do you? I do. I remember. Last year was a long hard year. I hope and think it gave you a bit of joy and fun to watch and tease me about that afghan. Well, Dad, today I finished it. I wish you were here for me to show it to you. I miss you, Dad.
Love your seventh child,
Nanny Bee

Bizzy bee.

Weekend shuffle has morphed into a bizzy week. We sure enjoyed watching Tucker in the last basketball game of his season. He ran. He guarded. He rebounded. He scored. Yes. 

***

Super Bowl was enjoyed with Son-in-Town and his family. Sweet Pea had a blast. She was the life of the party. She sang. She dance. She cheered, "Go pink shirts!" Who knows what team that was? None of the rest of us. But she sure did. She enjoyed the strawberries and spit out the tomato. This year I will give the commercials a low rating. There were a couple that were okay. On the whole they were sorely lacking. Especially when you consider the cost. We expect to be entertained for that kind of money. 

***

Mr. Macho and I enjoyed our dance class last night. That is pretty amazing considering that our beginning dance this month is the cha-cha. Mr. Macho is not usually fond of any Latin dance. 

Tonight we will cash in the first of three private dance lessons (which was one of Mr. Macho's Christmas gifts). Our trusty instructor, Robbie, has suggested we stick to the dances we will most likely use - hustle, night club two-step, east coast swing (or triple step swing), and the rumba. I am looking forward to this with anticipation.

***

Lunch with my dance girlfriends today. Back to the same spot - Continental Market Bistro. Nice lunch and lingering conversation will make it a pleasant afternoon.

***

Much more on the agenda this week. I need to do some dusting in the house. I finished 3/5 crochet project last week. Some were really small projects.

Here is a snap of the little basket I worked up last week. I donated it to Daughter's friend. It is for a charity silent auction. I made another one using the same yarn - only the second one I made is with one strand of yarn. The one in this picture is made with two strands and is very substantial. I bought some yarn at the Hobby Lobby on Saturday and plan to make this same basket in a brown yarn. 

***

I am off to the gym now. Clean sheets will be applied to the bed. Clean towels put out. 

Did I tell you that the daffodils are in bloom? Surely spring is not far off. 

I will leave you with that happy thought. 

Crochet-aholic.

I'm at it again. Indulging myself in the art of crochet. I am starting to see a pattern. Winter = crochet. My house is in need of cleaning and this is what I want to do...

Trying hard to finish this afghan. Dad watched me crochet the squares via Skype many days. It got to be a joke between us. He would ask, "Are you finished that afghan, yet?" I am more than half way finished putting the squares together. 

Random box of yarn on my floor. 

This is a little rug I am working on. It is folded up. I ran out of yarn and so need to buy another skein of green. 

Am working on two different totes. I had to rip out and restart one of them because it was too big. I like it much better now. 

I forgot to take a picture of the basket I made last night and this morning. I will try and post it another day. It worked up fast. I learned some good skills working on the basket. It is helping me with the other totes I am making. 

***

Really must work on cleaning the house today. Tomorrow we will travel to see Tucker play in his last basketball game of the regular season. Am hoping to run by the Hobby Lobby, too, and check out their - yes - yarn. 

***

Super Bowl party on Sunday. Am cooking Italian beef in the crock pot today. Yum. Serve it on a flaky roll with horseradish sauce. It. Is. Delish. 

I am cheering for the Ravens. Mr. Macho has picked the 49ers. Who are you backing on Sunday? Have a party. Go team!