Readers, Welcome to my blog (formerly Birds, Blooms, Books, etc). I'm entering a new decade taking on the challenge of moving from Maryland after living there 46 years and learning about my new home here in New England in the Live Free or Die state - New Hampshire. Join me as a write this new chapter of my life.

Tuesday, December 2, 2025

My Advent Calendar

December 2nd


This sits in a window.  It was made by a dear friend of mine.  It's appropriate for today as we are in the midst of our first big snowstorm.  Weather folks have used the term "bomb cyclone" to describe it.  It was forecast to start at 7 am and in fact it did! Snow totals predicted for 6-8 inches.  We'll see if they are right about that.

****

 

Woodstove fired up ever morning now.


Here's our skinny tree with not the best lighting.  At least you can see the snow fall as of 7:30 am today.

****
I managed to do everything on my list yesterday including having the washing machine overflow suds at the drain.  First for me.  It's so sensitive to the amount of detergent used and I put in a bit too much.  It made an awful racket which I thought was coming from outside the house at the construction site for the new library next door.  When I realized it was the washer I stopped it and had Dan pull it away from the wall.  Fortunately it was just suds and not water too.  Once cleaned up I started the wash cycle again but with no more detergent added. I use Tide with the High Efficiency label so know that just a little bit will do it.  I always add a second rinse just to be on the safe side.

What I can't figure is if the washing machine requires just a little bit of detergent why do they make you put it in a big dish?  Why isn't it a tiny pullout dish?

****

I did get to the library yesterday afternoon too and checked out the cookbook for the next cookbook club gathering.  I read through it last night and found several recipes to try.  


I'm planning to make the West African Groundnut Stew tonight for us.  And may make it for the gathering because I've noticed there's only one main dish signed up for so far.  I'd really like to try the wings and may use chicken thighs instead of chicken wings.

The gathering is next week on the 10th.

That's it for now. Must get to today's to do list.  Hmm ... 3 "to"s in a row!





Monday, December 1, 2025

My Advent Calendar

December 1st


A souvenir Christmas tree ornament from our trip this past summer to Quebec City and the Gaspe Peninsula.

****

My cold has much improved.  I think I can attribute it to drinking a tea of lemon and honey three times yesterday plus a very long morning nap.  It was probably the latter which gave me the energy to decorate the house.  I put up our skinny tree, and covered it with many of the decorations you will get to see through this month.  I found spots to display my nativity and Father Christmas collections on other surfaces in the house. You'll get to see some of those, too. Dan put up the lights outside and my task for later today is to decorate the two wreaths we purchased at the grocery store.  (As an aside I was very pleasantly surprised at the price $9.99 each.). I have ribbons and decorations I've removed from wreaths to use.  I'll share that result too.

****

I'm going to take a break from posting any of the horrible news which continuous to shock us all.  If you need a dose of that google The Contrarian.

 

Sunday, November 30, 2025

I'm Home!

So much to do after being gone for two weeks.

Our house is the only one with no Christmas decorations up outside and my shutter pumpkinman is still out there on the porch.

I will try to do some decorating today in between sneezes, wiping my nose and coughing.  Yes, I came home with a cold a gift of the youngest granddaughter.  I won't complain because they said I was a big help and I had fun.

Catching up on your blogs will have to wait for now.



Monday, November 24, 2025



Returning later this week. 

Artwork of granddaughter #4