This week, Lizzie and I went to Apple Basket Antiques to see Anna at work.  We came home with this wood "tray" that was upcycled from a fence slat.

Now I need to get out my apple-themed tablecloth.

Early last Saturday morning, our church hosted a Father-Daughter banquet.  Anna had to work, so Mike took the four seen here.

I thought this was a wonderful idea.  (The picture with Lizzie and Mike got mixed up somewhere so it'll be on another post when we get it.)  The ladies at our church did an excellent job with the whole morning.  Mike gave the devotional.  He sure misses teaching at church.

Lizzie did Ruthie's hair with these cute clippers.  The wording on Ruthie's dress says "let it snow"...and it did!

Ruthie turned 14 last week so we had a simple birthday party/dinner with my parents.  Ruthie requested cheesecake, so Maggie was able to make one that was allergy free.  Delicious!

Meemaw and Ruthie checking out Ruthie's new tablet holder/case.

 

Maggie made a chocolate sauce for the cheesecake and we got a good laugh when we saw how much the two chocolate lovers (Meemaw and Maggie) poured over their dishes.

 

Enjoy, Meemaw!

 



 

This week I got a wonderful surprise in the mail.  Adina, our former violin teacher, sent us these two pictures...plus another in a beautiful frame.  We have missed seeing Adina and baby Clara.  These pictures are taken at lessons where I am accompanying the girls on the piano.  Hopefully some day the girls will resume lessons.

We've been having little snow storms.  Most of the snow is melted...but our driveway is still pretty snowy/muddy because of the trees.  Today and tomorrow will be unusually warm...in the low 50s!...so it should all turn to mud. *smile*

Grandad had all of us over for a brisket dinner.  Sarah had trouble driving up the hill in her little pickup truck, so Mike had to go save her.  It was tricky even for us...and scarier when we had to go downhill going home.  But we made it.

Allen had put in a 10 hour workday, so he was pretty tired.  He has been working long hours but enjoying it.

Last night Allen's Japanese restaurant celebrated the Chinese New Year with an 8-course meal.  Sarah and her friend Cris (we call her Crispy Nut) went and had a good time.  Towards the end, Allen came out in his uniform.  It was quite the cultural event.  We enjoyed listening to the details of the evening from Sarah.

Yesterday Allen worked 12 hours straight (with barely a moment to rest) but still came home smiling.  This morning, Mike and Allen left at 6:30 am to drive to Richmond for the annual Frostfest, a ham radio event.  Allen was driving because Mike knew he would be too tired.

We thought we'd be eating endless meals of Japanese cuisine when Allen started working at Sakura...but he has no heart for it at home.  So Maggie and Lizzie have perfected veggie sushi.  Love it!

Yesterday was our church's annual Sportsmen's Banquet, so four of my daughters were gone most of the day and evening.  Mike took two friends from work, and my brother took my Dad. 

I was supposed to have the whole evening home alone...but Sarah locked her keys in her car down at the college where she was teaching swimming.  So I drove the hour down there to give her the spare set.  By the time I got home (after unexpected shopping), my daughters were home.  And I forgot to give a camera to my daughters so they could get pictures of the banquet.  Oh well!

Enjoy your Saturday.  Many blessings ~ Kathie