Momma's Corner

Wednesday night while I was sitting at the dining room table I noticed ants, with and without wings, gathering on the overhead lights, the table, and the rug in front of the french doors.  As the light outside faded the amount of ants increased in the area until they were soon falling on my head and crawling all over my project.  I grabbed up the fly swatter and started hit them but it was turning out to be a losing battle. So after complaining to Jay and getting a commitment from him to call someone in the morning I turned off the lights and went to bed.

The next morning Jay’s first call brought no positive results about when they could help  us.  So I called Steve, my neighbor, for the number of a company we had used before and they said someone would be out between three and four in the afternoon.

After the man’s arrival he said that the birds would have to be removed from the house for six hours to protect them.  So a hurry up call to my friend Edna resulted in a place to go for that time. The man also said we should go after the bees in the wall now before they start moving outside.

So I sat with Edna for about 5 1/2 hours when Jay called to say it was alright to return.  He had vacuumed the dead ants up and wipe down the baseboard.  But that still left the cages to wipe down, the toys and dishes to wash, and the  cage covers to wash and dry.  So the birds stayed in the travel cages until that was accomplished and reassembled with food and water added.  When everything was in place and the birds were in place, we had a sandwich to eat Jay went off to bed.  I waited up until the cage covers dried and got them in place.  It was around 2:00am when I finally got to bed.

But I learned a couple of things for when they come back to take care of the bees.  One is that the bird cages will go outside.  The covers put away, the animal dishes washed and covered, cat box emptied, and all the animals toys bagged and put away.  All the birds, animals, and us will have to go to Cindy’s house for the day, if she will have us.  The only saving grace about this tentative move is that maybe I’ll be able to use my deck this summer.

This evening I notice there are a few visitor still flying around the dining room light but hopefully they will be gone soon.

Take care everyone!

This morning Jay and I worked on the new recipe of Carrot Cake Jam.  We came up with 16 cups but we think this, like the Blueberry Jam, will take a bit longer to set up.  The taste is good but it may improve with age!!!

I finished  Snow man #3 this evening with one more to go.

Cindy came up to spend some time with us this afternoon.  She posted on her blog, checked part of her 400 emails, and I believe visited Face Book.  We had a simple lunch and she left around 6:30 pm for home.

I think tomorrow will be a domestic goddess day.  I have floors to vacuum and bird cages to clean.  At least Jay took all the jam, canning supplies,  and leftover jars back to the basement.  I kept the kitchen in fairly decent shape these last two days  so there is little or no mopping needed.  That is a refreshing thought for a change.

We were above 40 degrees today and the snow is being replaced basically by mud.  Still ice patches to worry about but better than it has been.

I hope everyone is almost all better and looking forward to warmer weather.

A Little Bit Left For Tasting!

Well the results of today’s labor are 16 1/2 Cups of Apple Cider Jelly and 22 1/2 Cups of Dutch Apple Pie Jam.  Kitchen is cleaned up, two loads of laundry washed and dried, and three loads folded  and put away.  It was one of those days that went smoothly and every thing was under control as Jay came in from dialysis.

Tomorrow morning the two of us will work on the Carrot Cake Jam.  I kind of interested in how it will turn out.

Well that is all for this evening.  Take care and stay comfy!

Jars waiting to be filled!

Yes the canning kitchen opens again tomorrow morning.  We shopped today for fruit, carrots, sugar, cider, and pectin.  On the list of things to can are Dutch Apple Pie Jam (the stock is getting low), Apple Cider Jelly (we made only one batch of that originally), and something new–Carrot Cake Jam.

This evening I hauled 67 jelly jars up from the basement along with my jam cooking pot, my canning kettles, and all the utensils.  It plan on being a busy day or two but it is what I like to do.   Besides I should stay nice and warm for a couple of days.

I hope all my under the weather friends are starting to feel better.

Today son, Wes, and daughter-in-law, Debra, came up and took us out to lunch at Whitey’s in Davison.  It was the last of my birthday celebrations.

Wes is all business but Debra is lost in the menu!

The picture of the two of them looking at the camera was fuzzy so I chose this one instead.  What was suppose to be lunch turned into Coconut Shrimp with sweet potato for me.  It is hours later and I’m still full.  Wes had steak and french fries, Debra had broiled Walleye  with pilaf, and Jay had fish and broccoli.

When we returned home it was Fresh Apple tart for dessert.

Sliced apples with (our) Apricot jam

Debra created this tasty dessert for us and it was delicious.   I  sent some of it over next door to Phyllis and Steve because if it stays with us it get devoured.

My gift from them was a surprise.

A new Spring/Summer Suit and a lovely White blouse.

Debra picked this out for me, guess my size, and held her breath until I tried it on.   I can’t wait until warm weather to wear it out.  Thank you Lake Orion Jenkins family.

I finished the second snowman this morning and started drawing out the details for # 3.  I’ll hang them all when I done so you can see them.

You know my mouse pad is right and it makes me smile each time I sit down at this desk.

We still have lots of snow and are expecting more.  So where ever you are please stay comfy until our next visit and every one who is under the weather get better real soon!

Snow is coming down like a teenager with dandruff shaking his/her head. The forecast calls for snow, snow, and more snow.  All right–enough already–I need sunshine!

But I’m not letting get me down because the Mail lady came today.  She brought me two packages and the excitement started again.  The first was an envelop and I couldn’t wait to get it open.  When I did this is what I found.

That rated a ‘Oh my goodness’ and even a big smile.  Thank you Maria.  As you can see it is already in place.  I can look at it every day and think 75 ain’t bad at all!

The second package was my two books from Amazon that Cindy and David’s gift card help me buy.

The Douglas Adams book will allow me to read the Hitchhiker series before I read the sequel.  Under The Dome will join my other King novels after I read it.

We will be joining my other son, Wes, and his family for a belated celebration this weekend if Jasmine is feeling better.   You know I think I might like to be 75 every day!!!!!

I spoke with my daughter-in-law Debra yesterday and Grand daughter Jasmine is still in some pain but attending school.  They will be up this weekend to celebrate my birthday.

I must tell you about the creative friends I have.

From Mrs. Dof in Normal, Il.

This arrived just a day or two before my birthday from Diane.  It was none too soon because I had lost my old cardboard bookmark with the tiger on it just days before.  Cindy said the old one was from several years back but my poor old brain can’t recall when.  I also had to include the card because the colors were so similar.  Thank you Diane the bookmark  is lovely and already in use.

Kitties and hearts adorn my envelop!

This arrived Monday from my dear friend of 40 years.  Inside was glitter and tiny stars because she said I deserved sparkles.

Even kitties shine on the back!

It is such a delight to receive a message like this.  Just knowing that someone took the time to bring a smile to my face is a reminder that I’m worth the effort!

Speaking of Sparkles—

This is my snowman's backside.

Yes the first one is complete, except for the hanger, with the next one on the dining room table being worked on now.

Some of my Loot.

The object in my hand is the ornament with the Brandy’s name on it from Les’ family and the novel they gave me is there also.  When Les heard I hadn’t read all of the Hitchhiker Guide To The Galaxy novels he was a bit upset because the novel they  gave me was a sequel to them.  The problem was solved however because Cindy and David gave me an Amazon gift card and I immediately ordered the Douglas Adams compilation.  I also bought Stephen King’s Under the Dome.  My sweet husband gave me roses and Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol so I will have quite a bit of reading to do this year. A big thank you to all for the presents!

A bigger thank you for gathering, laughing as I hammed it up, and making me laugh as you did the same.  The love shown that day will be long remembered.   (Tell me do I look like I’m three sheets to the wind in my pictures?  It is not a bad idea but  I don’t hardly imbibe!)

Once upon on  a time there was a little old lady.  You know the kind.  White hair, sweet smile,and some times a real grumpy disposition.   Anyway someone said she was going to have a party.  I mean whatever she wanted!

So it did happen last Sunday.

Roses from Hubby!

This is Jay (Hubby)

A mixed bouquet from Mike and Dar.

Darlene, smiling cook #2

Damn I made it--75--And laughing my butt off!

Yes I’m there as of today!  Yesterday we took many pictures which I will try to post over the next couple of days.  That is Michael behind me and his wife Darlene beside me.

Yesterday was a party with everyone except the Lake Orion Jenkins family because grand daughter Jasmine ended up in Emergency in pain.   She is alright but still with discomfort but medication and monitoring are being done.   We are thinking of you Jazz!!!  Hopefully your family can come up next weekend!

Birthday morning snow is still coming down and I ain't moving out of this house!

Let me take a moment to thank everyone for the fine birthday wishes from the internet community.

I have all the party pictures ready to post and I’ll try later today to accomplish it.  Meanwhile stay warm and happy!