Sunday, March 8, 2015

Ketchup!

Mustard! 
That's what we used to say during our hikes in Girl Scouts when we wanted someone to catch up with the group. The front of the group would yell "Ketchup!" and the rear would respond  "Mustard!"
So I guess I am MUSTARD. :)

Let's Ketchup for February. 
Snowmobiling, hooking, stitching, cooking, a wonderful visit with our daughter and a miracle.

For those who may not have heard the news it's still winter... :-/  

We have enjoyed the snow since we got the sled this year. 
And some of the snowfall has been picturesque 

Christmas trees






A Stone's Throw

That Barn

but.... I am ready for spring.

I've enjoyed making some hearty meals this season. I do love my crock-pot Sunday's. :)

I made a chicken tortilla soup. Kickin' good for a winter warm up. 

I tried a new salad, an avocado caprese salad.
I used a cranberry pear balsamic vinegar to make the dressing.
It was heavenly and healthy!

I made my girlfriends recipe for Stuffed Pepper Soup for super bowl.
YUM!

 I will be making this for the pot luck with the Winterport Hookers/Ellingwood Corner Crafters. 
The daughter stopped in with me on the Saturday she was home
and met these lovely ladies and saw their amazing work. 
She loved it!

On one of the subzero weekends I made corn beef and cabbage with leeks and red potatoes. 
Oh my word! Delish....

And while the hubby and daughter were out snowmobiling I made a pot of potato rivulet soup. 
A classic family recipe. 

And got a good fire going so I could warm them on the inside and out.

They had two days of great sledding. 
The first day they hit several local trails around the lake and surrounding towns. The next day they rode to Greenville and back. Those two came through the door grinning and I picked up that the hubby appeared to be hiding something and the daughter shouted from the bathroom as she was hitting the shower....Guess What Mom?! And knew it....they had crossed Moosehead Lake which I asked them not to. They both were giddy about it. I was glad they had a great  and safe time.

A mom got to braid her daughters hair. :)

Suiting up

thumbs up!

Happy trails.....

I got a short ride a couple days later.







I was diligently working on my siren before our daughter came home. 
Here is a glimpse of my progress. 


While she was here she tried her hand at hooking. She worked on the Libby rug. 
So glad she pulled some loops on this one. 




 It really is looking like our Lady Liberty Bell. 

 It was such a wonderful week with our daughter.
Her and I had a pedi together...

...snuggled on the couch watching movies including Disney flicks. She hooked us up with Netflix which opened another can of worms...I am caught on Bates Motel and into the second season of Dexter. Planning on starting House of Cards which I know my husband will enjoy. We hit the LL Bean Outlet and another Maine staple, Reny's before I took her to lunch at Shimbashi's for her birthday. 


We truly enjoyed and absorbed our quality time with her. 

 The animals were happy to see her too! 
The hound snuggled up with her in bed the first morning and when she laid on the floor watching movies. The cat slept with her almost every night. So much love in our hugs, snuggles, laughs and meals. It was a terrific winter retreat. 

A few fun shots of the critters. 
LIBBY

Sassy Hound

Various positions of napping..
snuggle hound


cat and dog nap

built in sleep mask

she thinks she is a dog

baa baa black cat have you any wool...

Cat got your wool? She loves my wool bag...

Watching the chickadees in the bush...

CHEWIE


 On the last day of our daughter's visit my husband and I were headed to work for the day.... The weatherman called for snow showers during the morning commute and unfortunately we were experiencing white out conditions on our drive in and just about eight miles before getting to town we were involved in a major pile up.



It was the scariest thing I have every experienced. 

We share our thanks for all the men and women who volunteer and serve our communities.


They did an amazing job and were there very quickly.
We were very, very fortunate to have only bumps, bruises and a banged up knee (still waiting for an MRI) and saddened with the loss of our truck; but she did her job in keeping us safe.
We are truly grateful that everyone survived and the most seriously injured will be alright.
Someone had commented on the story calling it the Three Mile Miracle.
Indeed. 

 As we said our goodbyes to Big Beulah II...


we were thankful that we found another truck very quickly.

We brought Big Beulah Bell home this past Friday night. 


 I'll end this long, long Ketchup with a picture of an amazing sunset from Thursday night.



Finding comfort and joy in the simple things!

P.J.



12 comments:

Barb said...

It sounds like you have made the most of winter Including a wonderful visit with your daughter! So glad you weren't hurt badly. I'd say if no one was too badly hurt that was a miracle!

Jane said...

What a fabulous post P.J. your photos of the winter snow are lovely, I've missed the fluffy white stuff so much this year!
Your cooking all looks so tasty and what great winter warmers they must all have been.
A great time had with your daughter with lots of fun things but so sorry you both had to endure the traffic accident. thank goodness for the prompt work of the rescue teams and fingers crossed you will have suffered no bad effects from it.
Have a fun week xxx

Samplings from Spring Creek said...

WOW! Beautiful photos and yummy cooking. Visit with daughter will be cherished. Grateful you are okay!

Chris said...

Oh my gosh P.J.! I read about the accident on FB and the news. I am so glad that you are all ok. So glad that the pileup did not result in more injuries.
What a great post! So many wonderful things in February. I love the stuffed pepper soup. So much easier than making stuffed peppers.
It looks like you had a great visit with your daughter.
Live your mermaid stitching and your current rug project!
Give all the critters some petting from me!
Hugs!

Lianne said...

Now you are no longer Mustard, great Ketchup post! Glad to hear that no major issues after such an awful accident. I too love winter - stitching, cooking, baking, hiking, time with family - what could be better! Take care and have fun breaking in your new truck.

Margaret said...

OMG! Oh that is so so scary! I'm so glad you are safe and sound, DD too! Glad too that you got a new truck very quickly. I love all the family pics -- so fun to see the good times you had. Happy birthday (belated) to your DD. Lovely snow pics too. That snowmobile was a good purchase from the look of things! Love the pics of your fury babies too! lol about ketchup and mustard. I'd never heard of that before! Thanks for sharing everything. It was a fun post -- except for the accident. Yikes!

Cricket-bug Corner said...

Lovely post! Looks like you had a great time! I'm so glad you guys are ok - yikes!

Ali said...

Oh my word! Soo glad you are all ok! I've enjoyed reading your post about your daughters visit sounds like fun was had by all and I hope spring is not too far away from you now. Ali x

Saundra said...

Good grief PJ, you were all very lucky indeed. Looks like you had an awesome time with your daughter.
Saundra

Rugs and Pugs said...

Wonderful pictures...except for those of your truck. So happy you and your beautiful daughter were not hurt!!!
Though I am not much of a TV person, Dexter was one of my all time favorite series. House of Cards is excellent, too. Scary to think that much of what is portrayed could be true. Also consider Breaking Bad. Hubby would probably enjoy that one, too.
Hugs :)
Lauren

Anne said...

Great post PJ! Love the winter fun you had especially on those snowmobiles...oh how I miss riding mine. Lovely progress on your mermaid and so great to see your daughter doing that punch needle! Do watch House of Cards...it's addicting :D

marly said...

I hate snow but your photos of trails are beautiful. Glad you had such a great week. And great food!