Quite a Treasure!

A long FUN day of thrift store shopping on Saturday in Madison. 

We visited: 3 Goodwill stores, 2 Hospice stores, one Savers, one St. Vinnie's, and an upscale consignment shop. Whew!

When I was a little girl, my grandma had a covered platter like this on top of her refrigerator. It always had cookies under it. Like magic. My favorite cookies were Stuff in the Middle Cookies. That's what we called them anyway. They were date-filled cookies and I have yet to find a recipe that comes anywhere close to hers. And, alas, none of us knows what recipe she used. 

Imagine a small child liking date cookies? I can still see them and taste them.

I love the history behind objects like this one. Look closely and you will see the marks made when a dessert was sliced. So fun to think of a long ago birthday cake being grandly presented to a group of family and friends.

And the sweet acorn decor embossed in the metal. Love it. 

$3.99 bought me something priceless.

Enjoy your week. I'm ready for winter to be over in this part of the world!

Ramblings...and hail!

What? It's not normal to put your valentine flowers on top of your fridge?

With this one, it is necessary.

Who me? I nap. All the time. Flowers? What flowers. 

Zoomed, through a window. Still an impressive sight.

This was deafeningly loud coming down!

Sweet man ran out quickly to get a sample for a pic. Gotta love 'im.

Hope your weekend was fun-filled!

Dangerous Road

Not sure if you've noticed as you've read my blog, but we have two married sons, formerly referred to as the Minneapolis kids (son and wife in Mpls.) and the Atlanta kids (son and wife in Atlanta).

Now, with a leap to another continent, we have Bolivian kids and Atlanta kids. Yes that's Bolivia the country, in case there is a city somewhere in the US named Bolivia. Did not want any confusion.

The Bolivian son (sounds strange even to me, will I ever get used to it?) just got certification in ESL and wanted to go somewhere to be immersed in another language. He had church contacts in La Paz, so they chose Bolivia. I remember being thankful when they discarded Juarez, Mexico from their consideration. Adventurous, they are.  And living their dream.

Just a few days ago, they traveled by bus to a remote town to attend a language school and hopefully volunteer at an orphanage. They went by the only route available, via the MOST dangerous road in the world.

Really. Google "most dangerous road" and this is the response you get.

And it's the rainy season. So the road is muddy. Not a good road in good weather. Rainy season.

This is totally beyond my comprehension. Ask my husband about driving with me as a passenger in the Black Hills. Not even mountains. There are guardrails and plenty of room for two lanes and pavement with lines painted on them. Still I freaked out a few times and asked him to slow down.

Just thought I'd share. Your prayers are coveted.

Go Pack Go!

Yellow cupcakes (from a cake mix) with (green tinted) cream cheese frosting. 

Gorgeous, no. Delicious, yes!

Beat together: 8 oz. cream cheese, 5 Tbl. butter flavored Crisco (I buy the sticks), 2 tsp. vanilla. Add powdered sugar until desired consistency. Takes about 3.5 - 4 cups powdered sugar for you measurers out there.

My oldest, living in Atlanta, is wearing his Packer pants that I made for him. He didn't tell me he is wearing them, I just know. In that Mom instinct kinda way.

My youngest and his wife just arrived in Bolivia in the wee hours of the morning on this fine Sunday. They will be watching the Super Bowl with some folks who are originally from Idaho. 

My day was made when we heard that they arrived safe and sound.

He asked what we are doing for the Super Bowl, and I said we are having nachos! 

I do live a wild and crazy exciting life. 

Enjoy your Sunday!

Snow!!

Didja get some?

Stay warm and safe!