Wood carving by Craig Temple

Our Dad was an amazing and talented man.  He wrote books- his main one took place during the caveman era.  He made up an entire original language for his characters to speak, along with a detailed dictionary.  He also wrote poems.  He was a great golfer.  He did all kinds of things!  I was always amazed by this carving he did in balsa wood.   I ended up with it and somehow it also ended up damaged.

I put it back together today, so here it is for posterity.  Lori or Robyn- do you remember what he based this on?  Did he make it up or was it taken from a book or what?  Craig's grand kids need to know what an amazing guy he was.  We miss you and love you, Dad.

Celine Dion concert

I have never been a huge Celine Dion fan, but I did buy tickets a year ago just to go with several girl friends.   The concert was originally set for November 2008, but postponed to February.  I just saw it last night and I must say- it was great.  She has such a strong voice and she looked great.  It was fun.  I can say I'm a fan now.

Numbrix

I love to do this puzzle every Sunday.  This is the site.

Chick pea recipe

http://www.parade.com/export/sites/default/food/recipes/parade/simply-delicious-10-min-10-dollars.html

It is with some other recipes at this site.  Pretty tasty.

Wyatt eats anything!!!

Last night I watched Wyatt for a while so Taunya and Jason could enjoy a night out!  I am continuing my obsession with couscous.  Last Sunday, I made my niece Amy's dish with couscous, mushrooms, pistachios, etc.  It was delish!    Yesterday, the Parade magazine had a recipe for Chickpea Ragout over couscous.  It sounded good, so I made it.  When Wyatt arrived, I set up the high chair so he could eat with me.  How many 1 year olds (+couple months) would eat couscous, chickpeas, tomatoes and onions with spices!  He chowed down.  I hope all those garbanzo beans don't come back to "haunt" Taunya............

What a cutie- he's such a mellow little guy!

BTW, I will try to attach the recipe if I can find it online- don't know how to do that yet, but I bet I can figure it out....

It's a Girl!!!

Crystal had an ultrasound on Valentine's Day.  I am thrilled that she and Chris are expecting another girl!  Avery is so excited to get a little sister.  The baby is due in early August.

Valentine's Day

Even though I have no social life at all (by choice....), I still have special friends!  My dear friend, Jim Foster, who lives in Maryland, sent me the flowers on the left.  My other special friend, Harold, sent me the roses.  My dear daughter, Taunya, sent me a very sweet card.  Also, my neighbor, Teddi, hand made a lovely one.

I  spent the afternoon with Chris, Crystal and Avery, and then that evening Taunya and I , with Wyatt,  ate a delicious chicken dish and artichokes for dinner. (Jason was working out of town) So all-in-all it was a very wonderful Valentine's Day.  I love you all!

Viva the Viva

OK, I am obsessed with Viva paper towels.  You MUST use them.  They cost more than others, but it is worth it.   You will never go back to another brand.   I promise.

Due to popular request...............

Yes, once again we post an update on the jigsaw puzzle.  My dear daughter has requested daily, if not hourly, updates on my progress..........  I was thinking piece by piece, but that might be a bit too much.

Therefore, weekly or so is the best I can do as you all wait with baited breath to see how it's going......

By the way, one must have patience with this process.  If I was creative, I would come up with an analogy about life using a jig saw puzzle. Something like-  it is a difficult, challenging process.  Sometimes you search for a long time for the right piece and it gets really hard and frustrating but  you must stay positive and keep working on  it.  You can't give up.  And then other times, you immediately just pick up the right piece and it fits perfectly and you feel so good.........  Blah, blah. blah.  You get the idea.  The end product/result will be worth it in the long run despite the frustrations.  So goes life.........

The Birds

I'm getting really sick of winter, but I guess it could be worse.   I do like to watch the birds eat the seed I put out- this is about the second time I've actually seen them.  It makes me feel good to think I'm helping the little creatures make it through winter........

One week later...............

Progress in one corner...............  (I know this is boring so I won't show 200 pictures of the slow progress on the whole puzzle.....)

Guess what your life is like if you're blogging about a jigsaw puzzle..............??  Never mind, I don't care- I like it...!

JIGSAW INSANITY

I have a new obsession.  I set up a table in my guest bedroom and started a jigsaw puzzle I've had for a while.  Wow.

See the whole table laid out with the pieces.  See the picture that it will be.   See Day 1's accomplishment!

This is going to take a while, but I'll show my slow but hopefully steady progress periodically.

I find it relaxing..............