The Black Hole

We have a finished out attic room that we hope to turn into a spare bedroom someday, but in the meantime, it has become the place to put everything we don't want to deal with right now. I don't know what goes on in there when the light goes off, but I suspect that all those boxes of stuff are breeding new boxes of stuff because there always seem to be a few more when I open the door. It wouldn't surprise me to find all the mates to our unmatched socks in there as well as the stamps I bought for mailing Christmas cards last December. 

My plan is to try to unpack just one box a day...ok, a box a week...or so...maybe.

Let's change the subject...that Cinnamon Roll Cake I made last night was wonderful!! (Definitely not good for us, but wonderful.)  Here's the recipe as promised:

Cinnamon Roll Cake

Cake:

3 cups flour

1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup sugar
4 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 cups milk
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla

Topping: 
1/2 cup butter melted
1 cup butter softened
1 cup brown sugar
2 TB flour
1 TB cinnamon

Mix flour, salt, sugar, baking powder, milk, eggs and vanilla together.

Stir in melted butter, slowly. Pour into greased 9x13 pan.

Mix topping ingredients (1 cup butter softened, brown sugar, flour and cinnamon). Drop over cake mixture evenly. (I also added some chopped pecans on top).

Swirl your topping and cake mixture with a knife going up and down the length of the pan.

Bake at 350 for 28-32 minutes.

Top with a glaze which is made by mixing 2 cups powdered sugar, 5 TB milk and 1 tsp. vanilla. Drizzle over the cake while it's still warm. ENJOY!

Hmmm...I believe I'll go have another piece of cake and try not to think about those boxes...

Sunday

It's been a quiet day, we went to church with our daughter and our three grands. Quite a handful, but they have activities for the children during the service, and the baby slept so it was nice. Our poor son-in-law is down with pneumonia, but is doing better.

It's been a clear, beautiful day, but the wind is kicking up and nasty weather is forecast for tonight and tomorrow. Storms after midnight and wind and possible snow tomorrow. Some trees are starting to bud out, but looks like winter isn't over yet! I'm trying a new recipe for dessert tonight-cinnamon roll cake-if it turns out well, I'll post the recipe!

Visit to Mimi and Pop's House

(Warning-lots of grandkid pictures!)

We had the grandkids out to our place for a sleepover Sunday night. Yesterday was their mom's birthday and we thought we'd give her the day to herself. We all had so much fun!

We had tractor rides...

 

visited the neighbors...

 

baked cookies...

and had a mega bubble bath!!
 

Country Folk

...or at least a little more like country folk! This is my husband's latest purchase-delivered today. It belonged to a gentleman who could no longer use it, so we were able to get it at a very good price which included a mower, a blade (?) and two bucket type-things. (Notice my firm grasp of tractor attachment names! You can take the girl out of the city, but evidently you can't teach her much about farm equipment!) 

He has been out mowing this afternoon and enjoying himself thoroughly! This is something he's been shopping around for since we moved out here. He's no stranger to driving one as he drove his dad's tractor many times. (Unlike me, he grew up out in the country.) I think I'll leave the tractor driving to him! 

We're bringing the grandkids home with us Sunday after church to spend the afternoon and sleep over. Monday is our daughter's birthday, and we're giving her a day all to herself then bringing the kids back Monday evening for a birthday dinner out. Should be lots of fun!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Winter Again

After a few beautiful spring-like days, we are back to winter today. Cold, grey and windy. Very thankful that we aren't dealing with the terrible winter storm Nemo. Praying for the safety of those on the East Coast.

I finally got a good shot of the male cardinal-haven't gotten one of the female yet, but they must be nesting close by. I've seen her out and about, but never when I had my camera ready.

We also have a woodpecker-I didn't have my camera handy (of course!) so this is a picture from the internet:

I don't know much about birds, but I am enjoying seeing the different ones out here. I'll have to do some research and learn a little!

This and That

Welcome to my new followers!

Well, January is gone and nobody's sorry to see it go-at least not me! It seemed to have six weeks in it this year. 

Now that everyone is well, we are settling into a routine and really starting to enjoy our new home. We go to our daughter's house three days a week to keep grandbabies while she is at school. This hopefully is her last year and she will have her degree. Tuesdays and Thursdays are full days, but on Wednesdays we only go in the evening, so we really love our days here at home. There aren't too many signs of Spring yet, except that the wind blows most days. That's a given here in springtime. We have been watching a pair of cardinals about the place. The male is so bright and pretty, he's easy to spot flashing through the trees. I just have a "point and shoot" camera, so I haven't been able to get a good picture yet, but this one is off the internet.

 
I've been doing some sewing and continuing to work on the farm animal afghan for the new grandbaby. We were finally able to go see him for the first time last weekend. It was wonderful to visit our son and daughter in law and love on that baby! He was 6lb 12 oz when he was born, but is up to almost 8 lbs now. The kids are such good parents-we're very proud of them. It also gave us the opportunity to visit with close friends that we haven't seen in a while. One couple we have known for the last 37 years and are our dearest friends. We stayed with them, and they told us that he may be in the beginning stages of Alzheimer's. Such a devastating thing-he is going to have more tests run and we are all hoping and praying that it will be something else that can be treated. I guess as we all get older we may see these sorts of things happening. You never think it will really happen to you or someone you love. He is only 65.

Sunday will be Baby Dedication Sunday at church. Kind of like a christening, but without the baptism. In our denomination, the baptism comes later when they can make that decision for themselves. There will be 5 babies-our Ryan included-a celebration ceremony with the parents and family and a pot luck afterward. We're looking forward to it.

Have a wonderful weekend!