Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Passing the days

On Saturday I texted the science teacher from my school who keeps bees and chickens, asking her if any eggs and honey were available. She answered with an emphatic "yes" and told me to meet her at the school, since she was headed out there to plant some stuff in our pollinator garden. I was able to score two containers of honey and two dozen of the prettiest eggs you ever saw:


Look at those colors, like Easter eggs. 

I made a loaf of banana nut bread and chocolate chip pumpkin bread with them. You can see the bananas and walnuts on the edge of the top picture. Marco hung out on my shoulder and helped. He also insisted on having some walnuts before I folded them into the batter:


Do you see his eyes closed in bliss as he munches them? :)

I also made fabulous omelets for dinner the other night. You just can't beat fresh eggs.

So, how are you doing? We seem to be settling down into the new normal for now. Since we're both finally almost over whatever illnesses we've had, we've started working on various projects around the house to keep our minds occupied. I did our taxes the other day which is always a relief. We cleaned the trim on our house, which had algae in some spots. Yesterday we undertook a big project in the front yard. We have a line of crepe myrtle trees beside the house, which had a border all around them of concrete "stones" and weed-smothering black netting put down when the trees were planted. The stones were sinking into the ground, the netting had a thick layer of dirt on top which was growing copious weeds, and overall it wasn't very nice to look at. We decided to remove the stones and stack them in the back yard for future use in flower beds I'm planning, and to remove the netting altogether. We had no idea what a labor intensive project that was going to be! The stones are connected in 3s and they're very heavy, and there's a LOT of them. It took us almost three hours to get them moved, and then getting up the black netting material was difficult because of all the heavy soil and weed roots that had settled on top. But three hours later, we were done and very proud of our efforts! Now we'll be able to mow in between the trees and it should look much neater. And I have lots of border stones for use elsewhere. As we were sitting on the front steps resting from our labors, a pair of bluebirds showed up and started hopping through the fresh soil we had uncovered, looking for bugs. We took that as a good omen.

Keeping busy seems to be the best way for me to cope with this pandemic. Being outside in the fresh air and sunshine is like a tonic after so many anxious hours watching the news or sitting in front of the computer reading the news. And the dogs think everything is just fine and dandy these days! They love our new routine of being home all the time, catering to their every whim. We've been going on plenty of walks around the neighborhood, and of course sitting on the back porch with them in the evenings. If only things weren't so scary out in the wider world, this would be like a treat. We've never had so much time off together to spend at home, and except for being afraid of the virus we're starting to enjoy spending so much time together. I do miss my friends, though. I've tried to text/call/message most of them from time to time just to check in but it's not like seeing them in person, hugging them, and being together. I was chatting with Marla the other day on Facebook manager and she sent me a couple of sweet pictures of little Carsen. I'll finish up this post with them, because they're cheerful. Take care everyone.

Standing up in her "big girl" bed that she's now sleeping in. 

Fingerpainting with her mommy to pass the time.



35 comments:

  1. those eggs are so pretty; shame to crack them open. and yes, marco looks like he's in heaven with the walnuts.

    all is well in my house. the cats love having us home. I miss work. been cold and wet and grey; not exactly motivating me to do anything but sit on my fat ass. knitting and reading has been sporadic. ugh. so tired of this nightmare.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm sorry about the sucky weather. The only reason this situation has been AT ALL tolerable is because we've had beautiful, warm spring weather. Take heart, Spring is slowly working her way northwards to you. :) Hang in there.

      Delete
  2. I would sell my grandmother for those eggs - your grandmother anyway. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You wouldn't get much for her! (Both my grandmothers are dead).

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  3. It looks warm where you are at. I wish it was warm here. I think that would elevate the mood.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm in South Carolina, so yes, it's quite warm here already!

      Delete
  4. I love the expression on Marco's face. HEAVEN!

    We're doing the same thing here -- keeping busy with lots of little projects. I do think staying occupied is the key to staying sane! I still haven't done our taxes. Ugh.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was so relieved when I got the taxes done. I dread it every single year.

      Delete
  5. If you can't beat fresh eggs, how can you make an omelet? Ba, dum, tssh. Marco is adorable. I'm a little tired of binge watching Rizzoli & Isles. I think I'll switch to Starsky & Hutch :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Marlo is definitely blissed out. Bless his little birdman heart.
    Those eggs are gorgeous. Absolutely.
    Sounds like quite the project you and Gregg got done! You should be so proud of yourself!
    Stay safe. I know you will.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Marco is definitely a character!

      You stay safe, too.

      Delete
  7. So glad to hear you two are doing well and making good use of your time together.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's good to get some chores done that we'd been putting off.

      Delete
  8. What beautiful eggs! Fresh eggs and fresh honey - how wonderful! And you know if you eat locally produced honey it is supposed to help your allergies. I love Marco's expression with the walnuts. How does he like having you both home? That little Carsen is a real cutie! It's fun to share pictures with friends. You two take care and enjoy your home and family!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I did know that about local honey, which is part of the reason I bought it! My allergies have been rough this year and in the time of coronavirus, every sneeze, cough, and sniffle is cause for alarm!

      Delete
  9. Aw! I love Carsen's little bed and that hat she is wearing. As for Marco's expression, are you sure that he hadn't just had sex - perhaps with a bluebird? Nice to hear that you and Lord Barlow are getting on with outdoor jobs. Physical labour and getting one's hands dirty is a good way of getting our minds off The Plague.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. But did you also notice the fox print above her bed? :) And I thought her little hat was adorable.

      Delete
  10. Up here in Central PA, I'm still working, though I've reduced my hours. HD gave everyone over 65 4 full weeks of personal time to use. When it gets bad around here, and it will, I'll start taking it. With the roads fairly free of traffic, I might start riding my bicycle outside soon.
    Take care.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I haven't been on my bike since I moved to this house. Now might be a good time to remedy that.

      Delete
  11. Could Carsen possibly be any cuter! My first thought when I saw the photo of Marco was, "Ah, bliss." And, yes, that's what you said.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She's pretty darn cute! And yes, Marco loves most nuts, and if he can make a mess all over the counter, that makes it even better!

      Delete
  12. The science teacher must have Aracauna chickens, often called "Easter Egg" chickens. They lay such beautiful eggs.

    Love,
    Janie

    ReplyDelete
  13. How wonderful your weather must be for little Carson to be down to skivvies. Waft a bit this way, if you would.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Today is a good bit cooler than it's been for more than a week now, but yeah, it's definitely full spring here in SC. Keeping a toddler in just a diaper is probably for the best when finger paints are involved!

      Delete
  14. Keeping busy is the answer to getting through this with a sane mind.

    Carsten is adorable.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She's growing up awfully fast. Seems like a few months ago when she was born, but she'll be two years old next month.

      Delete
  15. Oh yes, sunshine and fresh air, moving about (be it walking or doing yard work like you did) - nothing better against cabin fever and anxiety, and it's all for free!!
    Those eggs are fantastic, I am so pleased you can have them.
    Above Carsen's bed is a picture of a fox - of course that's what I noticed first :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was hoping you'd notice the little fox print!! I thought of you and Neil immediately.

      Delete
  16. OMG I love those pictures!!! I have not been to the store yet has I had a lot of provisions before this hit. But eggs. Luckily being in Bucks County, many on back roads living have chicken coops. A friend of mine has one, with about thirty chickens so I did the same. She said it's amazing how many have not thought to check for their back road neighbors for eggs. Many even have signs up. I use a lot of eggs, so she held two dozen for me. They look so pretty like yours...and farm fresh taste can't be beat! Alas my farmers market is temporary closed, due to the building lay out and impossible to honor the 6ft rule. They may open a open air market once it's warmer outdoors. But two of the vendors I frequent quite heavily have said if I need something, they will bring it to my door!!! The coffee guy is so great! Before you know it, we will be back to the days where we will have to have milk boxes again.

    I even see your bird is enjoying treats. I have to follow you so I can come back!!!

    Take care Jennifer!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HI!!!! I'm glad you stopped by! Fresh eggs really are wonderful, aren't they? Our farmer's market is still open, because it's already pretty warm here in SC and it's open-air. That's great that you can get two of your vendors to deliver to you! Farmer types are some of the BEST kind of people.

      Delete
  17. I have never seen eggs that color before. Murphy is loving the pandemic as he's never alone now!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hello everyone..Welcome to my free masterclass strategy where i teach experience and inexperience traders the secretbehind a successful trade.And how to be profitable in trading I will also teach you how to make a profit of $7,000 USD weekly and how to get back all your lost funds feel free to Email: carlose78910@gmail.com
    Via whatsapp: (+12166263236)

    ReplyDelete