Christmas Countdown - 2018

[JessicaLouise]

Good morning. How did the calendar turn back to Monday so soon??
Alexa told me this morning that this is the last full day of winter & it's time to put my snowmen away. LOL! How did she know I still have my snowmen up??
It was a sad weekend around here. We lost a truly great guy in a car accident. 40 years old, father to 3, teacher at an alternative school who was really having an influence on these troubled kids. So, so sad! Despite that terrible news the rest of the weekend was nice - spent with friends. We had a UPS retirement party yesterday. The weekend just goes too fast!
Mom fell yesterday, but thankfully she's fine! What a weekend!
I hope you all had a Happy St. Patrick's Day weekend!

That is truly heartbreaking. Sending love and prayers to his friends and family. I'm glad you had a good rest of the week and that your Mum is okay. Enjoy your day.

 

[MerryCarey]

Well, I’m sitting here this morning, drinking my coffee, playing pretend, that I am the weather person, trying to figure out, and guess, to what the next computer models will show every time they are ran. While, simultaneously pulling the petals from a flower saying, “it’s going to snow, it’s not going to snow, it’s going to snow, it’s not going to snow,......”!

Anybody got a quarter?

Truthfully, I feel for them, the weather makes them look bad a lot. You couldn’t pay me enough money, to be in their shoes, to try and figure out and interrupte those computer models.

I stumbled into "Forecast Discussion" on the NWS website, and it sounds like a foreign language! But where they speak plainer English, you can tell that there are so many complex moving parts to the next storm that they are having a really difficult time predicting what it will do several days in advance. Their forecast can only be as good as their data, and when the variables are SO variable and the models they rely on don't agree, it's hard to come up with a forecast that will satisfy the public both before and after the storm. So I feel bad when people bash the weather forecaster.

 

[MerryCarey]

Looks good. How was it?
I ended up making a couple loaves of Emma's Amish bread.

I don't have anything to compare it against, but I'd say it turned out okay. I thought maybe it was a trifle dense, but then again, it isn't yeast-risen bread, so it would be pretty dense. I think it has a nice plain-bread flavor. It was messy to make. The dough stuck firmly to my hands!

Amish bread sounds good!

 

[SnowflakeMom]

Merry Monday!
Hope you all had a good weekend!
Looks like we may have another storm this week but they aren't sure of the totals yet! I can't wait for spring! Have a great day!

 

[Holiday]

Good morning! Sorry for no check-in yesterday, but it was 75F outside and I didn't spend very long in the house. Now, it is 45F outside and I wondering what happened to the heat!

We are out on Spring Break this week. I'm having to work Monday and Tuesday....then off Wednesday through Friday. Doc is taking off on Friday. I'm hoping it is warm enough to take the girls to the zoo.

With more free time, I am hoping to check in each day this week. Wish me luck! Y'all have a good day....off to read the boards!

Enjoy your break!!!

 

[Holiday]

Good morning .. well my weekend could have been better. Our 1st floor heater stopped working yesterday and my heater guy can't get here until tomorrow morning. It has been interesting keeping the 1st floor warm ... running the oven, keeping a huge pot of boiling water going on the stove, space heaters but it's working. Thankfully its not colder out. Good thing I planned on using my oven a lot today plus I am making a batch of chicken jerky in the dehydrator so that will help to. Trying to keep an eye on the weather to see whats going happen later this week with nor'easter #4 that is expected. Well I hope everyone has a great day.

Oh no! Hope you are staying warm!!! xx

 

[Holiday]

I had a week a like that too. Goodness, I had a few curve balls tossed my way and no bat handy.

I know it's still a bit soon for me, but I can't imagine ever not missing my mom; I still miss my dog and she was gone since I was going to College. Hugs and the comfort of memories.

Feels good to slip into my comfy festive jammies and hang my stocking back up on the mantel.

Didn't do much for St. Patrick's Day, but I had a little Baileys 'cause I couldn't stay Irish otherwise.

I'm really looking forward to getting off work & slipping on my cozy festive jammies today!
I hope all is well with you AMD!

 

[Holiday]

Happy Sunday to you all! Checking in to let you know that the fateful day has finally arrived at my house. A milestone in our march away from Christmas 2017. My Christmas village is coming down. It’s the final remnants of this past holiday. Dear wife allows me to leave it up until the weather begins to turn, and I’m a bit late this year. Around mid-February, I stop replacing the light bulbs in the buildings. As the lights begin to flicker out, we say that the village has begun to go to sleep until the following November. Half the buildings are out now, and it’s time. For some reason, I’m finding the process a bit sadder this year. But, we have an amazing summer ahead, and the village will be back just before Thanksgiving!

I love Christmas villages. I need to take down my snowmen, I'm just not looking forward to it!

 

[Holiday]

Boy, my NCAA bracket looks like a hot mess....I should have let Bambina fill it out.

Isn't that the truth!

 

[Holiday]

Here is something to cheer you up. Tomorrow is National Chocolate Caramel Day..National Chocolate Caramel Day is observed annually on March 19th. It’ll put a smile on most people’s faces! It can also immediately invoke some cravings for chocolate caramel candy, cake, ice cream, coffee or just about any treat with this hard-to-resist combination.

https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-chocolate-caramel-day-march-19/

The above link has a Dark Chocolate Caramel Corn recipe and other information on this Christmas sounding holiday.

Milk chocolate & caramel - does it get any better than that???

 

[Holiday]

The Opera Part xixvixx


Act I:

Opens to the blank stage. Carl the Camel enters and is seen dispensing his famous mocha blueberry almond orange extract blend along with a few fired twinkies . He hums the classic 1980s tune” 867 5309 Jenny”.


End Act 1

Act II: Opens with Jayish dancing a paus du lux entitled “ Ain’t no Sunshine in My Life”. Ballcoach, Minta, and Auntie enter and sing the aria “ Never heard of Jose Feliciano ehh Jersey Boy”.. Meceka, Novaman and Snowflake Mom announce via an aria that the Sun will now stay out longer and at 2:00AM everyone will celebrate the hour of eternal sun and more time to do yardwork…. Jayish dances a paus du lux entitled “ My tights.. are tight..”

End Act 2

Act III
Opens with the village excited about the prospect of longer sunlight. Edge announces via an aria that the festival will proceed regardless of the lack of tv coverage due to incessant basketball being played. Then, high on a mountain in the background ( beneath a flickering Toys R us Sign..”) Crown appears and using their magical powers announces that there will not be expanded daylight as it reduces the potential for sleeping extra hours. Then, using their forceful powers, they banish Jayish, Xmas tidings,Made, and Brad into the plastic cylinder and orders them held until everyone agrees that darkness must triumph. Jayish is seen dancing a paus du lux entitled “Lava Lamp”. Crown is seen setting back a clock by 6 hours and rubbing their hands together singing the commercial aria “ Mattress Discounters”.

End Act 3

Act IV ( finale) Opens with Homemakin Girl singing the Aria..” Ode to marshmellow peeps . Crown emerges from a slumber and promotes Homemakin Girl as Chancellor due to peeps being soft and suitable for slumber. Iteachpercussion, Martine,and Holiday then launch a scheme to free the cylinder occupants. They send a note to Crown via an aria -offering to sacrifice a pair of Jayish’s tights to the Gods in exchange for the hour of sleep back in the fall. Crown falls for the ploy and in one of the moving moments ever in operatic History, Binger pours them a cup of coffee- elevates it over their head and via an aria announces that the festival of sunlight will commence along with a tribute to Starbucks and Abigail Folger. The entire company comes together and sings the aria “ Let the Sun shine In….” Crown is seen sleeping on a giant peep in the plastic cylinder.



-end

Bravo!! Well done!!!

 

[Holiday]

Morning MMC. Happy Last Day of Winter! That does make me happy although this week is going to be chilly still. Eventually it will feel warmer...and eventually we'll be saying it's too hot out at some point. Rollins had a great birthday so it was a fun weekend. Also got everything I needed to done. Now just back to work for a 5 day week. And already thinking about next weekend (like holiday does ). Have a good Monday!

My boss #2 just told me he is taking off work Thursday at 10am b/c our high school team plays at state. Boss #1 has the day off. So I can take off too, if I want - or I can come in. Hmmmm!! I think I'll take off!

 

[Holiday]

Morning everyone. I was looking forward to entering spring until I woke up and it was snowing again here in England! Crazy weather. Hopefully it will start to brighten up soon. I have a short camping trip with my family planned over Easter so hopefully the weather will be okay. Lectures were cancelled today as the buses weren't running so probably going to get some housework done since the place is a mess. Hope you all have a good day.

Enjoy your day!! I hope you are able to have a nice camping trip over Easter!!

 

[Bradmac]

The Opera Part xixvixx


Act I:

Opens to the blank stage. Carl the Camel enters and is seen dispensing his famous mocha blueberry almond orange extract blend along with a few fired twinkies . He hums the classic 1980s tune” 867 5309 Jenny”.


End Act 1

Act II: Opens with Jayish dancing a paus du lux entitled “ Ain’t no Sunshine in My Life”. Ballcoach, Minta, and Auntie enter and sing the aria “ Never heard of Jose Feliciano ehh Jersey Boy”.. Meceka, Novaman and Snowflake Mom announce via an aria that the Sun will now stay out longer and at 2:00AM everyone will celebrate the hour of eternal sun and more time to do yardwork…. Jayish dances a paus du lux entitled “ My tights.. are tight..”

End Act 2

Act III
Opens with the village excited about the prospect of longer sunlight. Edge announces via an aria that the festival will proceed regardless of the lack of tv coverage due to incessant basketball being played. Then, high on a mountain in the background ( beneath a flickering Toys R us Sign..”) Crown appears and using their magical powers announces that there will not be expanded daylight as it reduces the potential for sleeping extra hours. Then, using their forceful powers, they banish Jayish, Xmas tidings,Made, and Brad into the plastic cylinder and orders them held until everyone agrees that darkness must triumph. Jayish is seen dancing a paus du lux entitled “Lava Lamp”. Crown is seen setting back a clock by 6 hours and rubbing their hands together singing the commercial aria “ Mattress Discounters”.

End Act 3

Act IV ( finale) Opens with Homemakin Girl singing the Aria..” Ode to marshmellow peeps . Crown emerges from a slumber and promotes Homemakin Girl as Chancellor due to peeps being soft and suitable for slumber. Iteachpercussion, Martine,and Holiday then launch a scheme to free the cylinder occupants. They send a note to Crown via an aria -offering to sacrifice a pair of Jayish’s tights to the Gods in exchange for the hour of sleep back in the fall. Crown falls for the ploy and in one of the moving moments ever in operatic History, Binger pours them a cup of coffee- elevates it over their head and via an aria announces that the festival of sunlight will commence along with a tribute to Starbucks and Abigail Folger. The entire company comes together and sings the aria “ Let the Sun shine In….” Crown is seen sleeping on a giant peep in the plastic cylinder.



-end

BRAVO!! BRAVO!!

 

[Bradmac]

Good morning. How did the calendar turn back to Monday so soon??
Alexa told me this morning that this is the last full day of winter & it's time to put my snowmen away. LOL! How did she know I still have my snowmen up??
It was a sad weekend around here. We lost a truly great guy in a car accident. 40 years old, father to 3, teacher at an alternative school who was really having an influence on these troubled kids. So, so sad! Despite that terrible news the rest of the weekend was nice - spent with friends. We had a UPS retirement party yesterday. The weekend just goes too fast!
Mom fell yesterday, but thankfully she's fine! What a weekend!
I hope you all had a Happy St. Patrick's Day weekend!

I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. It sounds like he was a great guy. And I'm glad your mom is ok after the fall!

 

[Bradmac]

Good Monday morning, Christmas friends!

Nancy and I kept baby Rosa Friday night so mom could go out to eat with her girls group. She's such a sweetie! I worked most of the day Saturday, then out to mom's for lunch after church yesterday.

Jim came for lunch on Sunday, and to catch a few Z's before going back to the hospital. He and did a little maintenance around mom's that afternoon, as we always have, and it gave us both a little feeling of normalcy, at least for a little while.

I hope y'all have a great day!

 

[Holiday]

Good morning ~
Merry Monday!
I’m just having my coffee and relaxing for a few minutes. I have the local news on and they’re talking about more snow heading our way this week. I really wish the temperatures would warm up, I still haven’t been taking Rocky out in this chilly weather. Not too much going on here today, just a typical day of errands and chores. My youngest is off today and we’re going to grab Chipotle for lunch. That’s about it for me. I hope everyone has a wonderful day and a great week ahead!!!

Enjoy the day with your daughter at home. Hope you & Rocky get some warmer weather soon!!

 

[Holiday]

So sad indeed. prayers to the family. Sorry to hear your mom fell but glad she is ok.

I am so sorry for your loss...
Happy to hear your Mom is ok!
Have a great Monday!

That is truly heartbreaking. Sending love and prayers to his friends and family. I'm glad you had a good rest of the week and that your Mum is okay. Enjoy your day.

Thank you everybody!

 

[Holiday]

I don't have anything to compare it against, but I'd say it turned out okay. I thought maybe it was a trifle dense, but then again, it isn't yeast-risen bread, so it would be pretty dense. I think it has a nice plain-bread flavor. It was messy to make. The dough stuck firmly to my hands!

Amish bread sounds good!

Believe it or not, we weren't home enough to even try it yet!! I gave 1 loaf to our lake neighbors - they said it was good. You can bet I'm having some for lunch - either a grilled cheese or grilled peanut butter & jelly!
Mine was a little messy too. I actually kneaded it & didn't use my kitchen aid this time! Had to put some flour on my hands.

 

[Holiday]

Merry Monday!
Hope you all had a good weekend!
Looks like we may have another storm this week but they aren't sure of the totals yet! I can't wait for spring! Have a great day!

Hope the storm isn't too bad this time! xx
Have a great day SFM!