It has been a quiet stretch since New Year’s Day. Here are a couple of notes on recent activities.
The biggest news is weather-related. NE Iowa received the first measurable snow of the season, followed a few days later by our current storm. While the snow depths are not great, the wind and arctic air following (forecast highs are below zero) are making it feel like the depths of winter.
I cleared our sidewalks and the alley access for the garage. In addition, I cleared out around two sets of mailboxes, so our carrier has an easy approach and departure without having to drive through deep snow. I spent around 3 hours at moving snow this morning. Here is a photo of part of the sidewalks I cleared:
Tools used included shovels, brooms, the snow blower, and blade on the John Deere LX 176. It is looking very “wintery” as of this writing!
Sister-in-law Becky asked me to help pick up a piece of furniture she bought on Facebook Marketplace. It was located in Byron, just north-west of Rochester, where we drove on Thursday. We had a good chat on the way there and back. Currently the sideboard is still in the back of the truck as Becky is about to start a bathroom remodel where the piece will be used. Keeping it here will make it less cluttered and out of the way while the work is being done on her room.
Pam decided to try out a scone recipe and scone baking pan. The results tasted good but where a little more bread-like than expected.
Another recent baking experiment involved raisin-oatmeal cookies. Not knowing the difference, the last time out I bought “steel-cut” oatmeal. While the taste is the same as regular oatmeal flakes, the texture is a bit different; the cookies don’t hold together as well. Still tasted good, though, particularly with a cup of hot tea in the morning.
All remaining Christmas decorations have been taken down, packed, and stored in the under-eave cubicle that is accessed from the upstairs bathroom. This pretty much closed out the holidays for us.
There was a bit of family news. Felicity started a new job in the book publishing section of a homestead magazine company that recently merged with a few other, and similar, magazines. She seems to be excited about her new online job and meeting her new co-workers.
Toby has moved to a new address, still in Las Vegas, as his married friends [with whom he had been renting] are moving to the east coast to care for an aging parent. Toby’s new digs are also shared, but he will end up paying a bit less in rent and have a nicer house to call home.
At this time of the year not much Heart House renovation activity is planned. Pam is ordering a few decorative items to refresh the walls in the previously-painted (pink!) parlour. Completion of painting in the second floor bathroom will be pushed forward until there is more warmth and light on exterior walls up there.
So, while I’m not looking forward to the arctic air and below-zero high temps that are in the forecast for the next week or so, we did enjoy a very mild winter up to this point so I shouldn’t complain all that much.
That’s it for now. Thanks for looking in!
Pam’s Penny
Old dogs don’t enjoy frigid outside temps any more than old people do. I think Blondie has decided she will just pee and poop in the [warm] house and take the consequences. Which means Blondie is now confined to the laundry room and kitchen only. Pocket doors make this possible.
Much of my day involves cleaning + feeding + animal support services (animal concierge). Indoors — for geriatric dogs and often-destructive young cats. Outdoors — for cats in catio, feral cat food and water stations, squirrel acorn feeder. Staying warm is the main concern for all.
Happy Trails.
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