Belated Chinese New Year (059/365)

TIME: 8:25 am
PLACE: Kitchen
SUBJECT: Chinese New Year Apple

*~*~*

I purchased this apple yesterday at Seafood City.

From what I understand, they place a sticker on the apple while it is still on the tree, right before it starts to ripen.  The covered parts stay yellow while the rest of the apple turns red.

It was a Fuji apple and tasted really good. 

Giving Me the Side-Eye (058/365)

TIME: 2:38 pm
PLACE: Seafood City
SUBJECT: Crawfish

*~*~*

Went to to Seafood City, not for seafood, but for the large selection of groceries from overseas.

I always like to check out the fresh fish and live seafood area when we are there.

This guy looks a bit grumpy, probably because he was just hanging out, trying to live his best crawfish life and then he got caught; now his remaining time in this world is limited. He had so much more to do!

Glass Block (057/365)

TIME: 6:31 pm
PLACE: Dominos Pizza
SUBJECT: Glass blocks

*~*~*

It's Friday and that means I don't cook.

(It's one of my many excuses to get out of making dinner)

SD wanted pizza, so that's what I picked up.

Throwback Thursday (056/365)

TIME: 25 Feb 2011, 8:37 am
PLACE: Parking lot at former office
SUBJECT: The view

*~*~*

We had a bright, warm 70 degree day today.

On this date, back in 2011, it was a bit different....weather-wise and job-wise as well.

 

Vines & Visitors (055/365)

TIME: 5:47 pm

PLACE: Saint Josephs Cemetery, Freeburg, IL
SUBJECT: Tree with ivy vines

*~*~*

After work, HH suggested I take the Miata for a drive as it hasn't been driven in awhile and needs a run.

I drove down to Freeburg and stopped at St. Joseph's cemetery, HH has some family buried there and I wanted to see if I remembered where they were - Turns out, my memory is not as good as it used to be.

When I drove in, the sun was beginning to go down.  I was the only one there as well. That didn't bother me. I find cemeteries to be very peaceful.  Some people may be not like being in them and become uneasy, but I have never found that to be the case for me.

I was startled this evening. I heard some rustling in the grass behind me and caught some movement out of the corner of my eye - not going to lie, my heart started to beat a wee bit faster. 

Then I saw what made the sound and movement.

Deer!

There are four in this view and there was one a bit further to the left.  They took a look at me and slowly walked back into the brush.  I left soon after.

Last of the Snow Mounds (054/365)

TIME: 2:27 pm

PLACE: Our block
SUBJECT: Snow pile

*~*~*

I walked the dogs at lunch today and only needed a light jacket.

  What a contrast compared with the single digit temperatures last week

Almost all the snow is gone except for the big piles like this one.

It can stay gone too.  I'm ready for spring.

Monday Face (053/365)

TIME: 8:26 am
PLACE: Back porch
SUBJECT: Pile of branches and wood my dogs leave at the backdoor when coming in from the yard

*~*~*

This is my face when I wake up and realize that it is Monday.

Mural (052/365)

TIME: 2:13 pm

PLACE: Downtown
SUBJECT: Mural

*~*~*

This picture is from yesterday.

This is another mural on a building in our downtown.

A sign of the spring to come.

Outdoor Dining Still Not Optimal (051/365)

TIME: 2:05 pm

PLACE: Downtown
SUBJECT: Table & Chairs

*~*~*

We had sun and warmer weather today!

Even though it is warmer, outdoor dining would still be a bit brisk and not really a good option.

Luckily, the state is in Phase 4 and we can dine indoors again. 

Flashback Friday (050/365)

TIME: 19 Feb 2006, 6:23 pm
PLACE: St. Mary's cafeteria
SUBJECT: DramaQueen, age 8 & MonkeBoy, almost age 7

*~*~*

15 years ago was a Sunday and we attended a Boy Scout Blue and Gold Banquet.

Other exciting events that occurred on this day were:

48th Daytona 500 - Jimmie Johnson (Hendrick Motorsports wins 203 lap race.

55th NBA All Star Game in Houston, TX.  East beat West 122-120. LeBron James was the MVP

59th BAFTAs (British Film & Television Awards) - "Brokeback Mountain" wins best film

Puzzle is Puzzled! (049/365)

TIME: 9:30 pm

PLACE: Dining room
SUBJECT: Finished puzzle

*~*~*

My 50 cent bet paid off!

All of the pieces were there and I was able to complete the puzzle.

Not gonna lie, this was a difficult one to put together - there were so many straight sides on the pieces and color differences were very subtle.

It's staying on the table for awhile before it gets boxed back up.

Do Rabbits Like Geometry? (048/365)

 

TIME: 10:24 pm

PLACE: Yard
SUBJECT: Rabbit tracks

*~*~*

Apparently, the local rabbits can be a bit OCD when it comes to making tracks in the snow.

They made some pretty decent straight lines radiating to and from the tree.

Obviously, they weren't being chased my my dogs at the time.

Decent Sized Icicles (047/365)

TIME: 5:14 pm

PLACE: Alley

SUBJECT: Icicles

*~*~*

The sun was out today - still very cold though.

The factory has some large icicles hanging from it's roofline.

Snow Day (046/365)

TIME: 1:17 pm
PLACE: Driving south on 159
SUBJECT: Tree line

*~*~*

The snow they were talking about arrived.

Lots of the white stuff all over the place.

HH had to drop off some paperwork south of town and I decided to go with him.

The roads were not good.

In fact, we had difficulties reversing out of the driveway of the place where he took his paperwork.  We had to have help getting out.  But, eventually, we made it.

SUBJECT: Chairs outside Rural King

We stopped by Rural King while we were out - why?  Because it was there and I had to use the facilities.

It was cold - like low single digits cold.

It was so cold, I wore a hat. I NEVER wear hats.

Here is a photo of me in my hat.  In the restroom. At Rural King.

I do exist.

 

Hook, Line and Sinker (045/365)

TIME: 6:47
PLACE: Home
SUBJECT: Valentine décor

*~*~*

I can tell I am not in my happiest state of mind because I have not decorated for the holidays like I usually do.

Last year, I didn't decorate for Easter, Independence Day, Halloween or Thanksgiving.  Christmas was minimal.

This is my attempt for Valentine's Day.  I found the valentine and the mason jar of fishing accessories in a booth at an antique mall last month.  

 I don't like my grumpy attitude and am making an attempt to get my mojo back.

*~*~*

I did make Grandma Caponi's spaghetti and meatballs today. My daughter, her boyfriend and my son's girlfriend were invited over for Valentine's dinner.

That's love.

💘💘💘

Step Up Saturday (044/365)

TIME: 2:29 pm

PLACE: Signature Tap House
SUBJECT: Floor

*~*~*

HH and I did a Mardi Crawl & Taste of New Orleans for Mardi Gras.

5 bars. 5 foods. 5 drinks.

He drove and didn't drink much. 

On our way out to Triple Lakes, we spotted a coyote.

I zoomed in - a bit blurry.




We ended at Ott's and brought the food home with us.  

I was stuffed.

Scratches (043/365)

TIME: 5:27 pm

PLACE: Living room
SUBJECT: Front door

*~*~*

This is what can happen when you have dogs and don't train them properly to stop jumping when someone is at the door.

I will have to some sanding and re-staining...but there will still be a bit character on that wood.

A Rose is a Rose is a Rose (042/365)

TIME: 4:39 pm

PLACE: Home
SUBJECT: Rose

*~*~*

HH presented me with a bouquet of flowers.

I guess he still likes me.

Seventeen (041/365)

*~*~*

My favorite red-headed daughter is 17 today.

Happy birthday StellaDella!


Time sure has flown.

 

Pawprints (040/365)

TIME: 8:24 pm

PLACE: Backyard
SUBJECT: Pawprints in the snow

*~*~*

It is cold out there.

I don't think it's supposed to get above freezing until Saturday the 20th.

We don't let the dogs stay out very long in these temperatures, but even so, they have managed to mark up the entire yard with pawprints.

Guess they are looking for another rabbit to catch. 

HH Photo (039/365)

TIME: 6:15 am
PLACE: ???
SUBJECT: HH

*~*~*

HH texted me this photo he took this morning.

Is he sitting in the truck?

Is he a gigantic levitating half-body illuminated in the headlights?

On the upper right, is that a CB or a new species of snake staring at him?

Also, does someone have a laser sight on him?

Is he in danger?

So many questions!

Emblem (038/365)

TIME: 4:26 pm
PLACE: Driveway
SUBJECT: VW emblem

*~*~*

The VW emblem of MBs car is reflecting the bare trees and me....I'm the little flat squishy image on the bottom of the silver circle.

Bring Your Own Lampshade / Somewhere There's a Party (037/365)

    
TIME: 11:50 am
PLACE: Antique Mall, Maplewood Missouri
SUBJECT: Lampshades

*~*~*

You know you are Gen-X when you see a display like this and The Replacements' "Swingin Pary" starts playing in your head.

(Dear God, NOT the Lorde cover - I will judge you harshly if you didn't know that her version was a cover &/or you prefer it over the original.)

End of Day (036/365)

TIME: 5:56 pm

PLACE: Highway 158, heading south
SUBJECT: Sky

*~*~*

The reality of MB returning home is getting a bit closer.

We worked with him so he could purchase a vehicle and have it waiting for him when he comes back to the states. 

Late this afternoon, "by the power of attorney"  <--- be sure to read that in the He-Man cartoon 'By the power of Greyskull' voice - we registered it in his name and drove south of town to pick it up.

Our driveway is looking like a used car lot again and I'm not complaining. 

Puzzle (035/365)

TIME: 5:11 pm

PLACE: Dining Room
SUBJECT: Puzzle

*~*~*

I purchased this at the thrift store before Christmas.

Buying puzzles secondhand is always a risk - who knows if all the pieces are still there?  

I am finally going to take the time to put it together and see if my 50 cent wager pays off. 

Beads (034/365)

TIME: 8:07 am

PLACE: Bathroom
SUBJECT: Beads

*~*~*

SD washed a container of beads and left them in the bathroom to dry.

What is that? Velvet? (033/365)

TIME: 8:30 pm

PLACE: Living room
SUBJECT: Velvet painting

*~*~*

I went over to my dad's again tonight to help him register for a COVD vaccine clinic given out to people 75 and older in our county. He is all set for tomorrow.

We were upstairs printing out information regarding his appointment and I mentioned that I really liked the velvet painting that was on the wall.  It was a wedding gift given to my mom's parents back in 1934.

He said, "You want it? Take it." So I did.

I hung it here to take a photo; then took it up to my home office for its permanent spot.

Floss (032/365)

TIME: 10:43 pm

PLACE: Kitchen
SUBJECT: Embroidery floss

*~*~*

I'm planning on doing more cross stitch.  I purchased another pattern from the same Esty shop where I bought the Holiday Visitor pattern to make for DramaQueen's birthday.

The good news - It only takes 3 colors, and 2 are the same colors I used in the previously mentioned pattern.

The bad news - I found out that I must have used up the 2 colors I had when making the other pattern and I don't have the 3rd color in my inventory either.

Story of my life.  A trip to the craft store is in my near future.