Another Year

I remember when 40 used to sound old.   Now that I’ve been here for a couple of years, it doesn’t sound old and it certainly doesn’t feel old to me.

I’ve learned not to get too excited about my birthday.    My brother Randy, who is a year younger, also has a birthday in February and we always had our party together.   Our celebrations were often canceled due to someone in our family throwing up.  If it  wasn’t the flu,  it was a blizzard that canceled our party.     So,  it disappointed me, but didn’t surprise me, that my birthday plans were thwarted by the weather this year too.    Stupid Snow.

Since my husband knew that he would be out of town on my birthday, he took me out yesterday to buy me a fabulous birthday gift.  

This telephoto lens is going to be so much fun to use.    My husband bought me a new camera for Christmas and now I have this lens to play with too.      I need to take some classes to learn how to operate my SLR camera.    I’ve got the “For Dummies” book which I’m making my way through.   Some of it is quite confusing;  I must be dumber than the usual dummy.    Oh well,  I’ll eventually get it and when I do, I’ll post my best pictures here.

Morning Glory Muffins

I made my favorite muffins this morning for breakfast. 

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1/2 cup coconut
• 1 apple,  peeled and grated
• 2 cups grated carrots
• 1 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts

Mix flour, salt, cinnamon, baking powder and sugar together in large bowl.   

 

 

 

 

 

In another bowl, mix eggs, oil and vanilla together.  Stir into the dry ingredients until just combined.

 

 

 

 

 

Fold in other ingredients.  Bake in cupcake liners for 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I grate my apple and carrots pretty coarsely,  but you can grate them finely if you prefer less texture in your muffins.     I use whatever brand of apple is in my fruit bowl and whatever type of nuts are in my pantry.   I started using Watkins brand cinnamon and vanilla this fall and I think it tastes so much better than the store brands I used to buy.     I like to sprinkle the cinnamon on apple slices for a guilt free apple pie taste.

Yes, I am wearing my pajamas while making these muffins.

This recipe make 2 dozen muffins.  They freeze well.    So, you don’t have to eat a them all at one time. 

Let’s Go to Work

My husband spends a portion of every day working in his office in our home.

Our dog, PD, spends a portion of every day working in his office in our home.

 

PD used to spend his time in the recliner in the corner or on my husband’s lap but he got in the way of the computer screen.  So, instead of kicking him out of the office, Jay gave PD a job and his own spot in the office and told him to get to work.  

One of PD’s  jobs  is to discus important issues with Jay.

He’s responsible for critter patrol.  PD lets Jay know if there is a rabbit in the yard.

He’s also responsible to keep track of the traffic in the neighborhood.    He’s a great employee. 

He lets Jay know if the neighbor boys are outside playing.

 

Obviously, it’s a very important job.

He gets paid in doggy treats, walks and cuddles.  It’s really a win-win situation.

Duluth Memorial

An event has happened, upon which it is difficult to speak and impossible to remain silent.

These words surround a memorial dedicated to three victims of a lynching which occurred in Duluth, MN in 1920. A crowd of thousands lynched three innocent black men for a rape allegation, which was later found to be untrue. Until my daughter brought my husband and me to this corner memorial in downtown Duluth, I didn’t know anything about this horrifying incident. It is sobering and thought provoking.

The text on the side of the three bronze statues reads:

On June 15, 1920, following the alleged rape of a young woman, Duluth Police locked up a number of men who worked for a raveling circus. That evening, thousands of Duluthians gathered outside the city jail. The police were under orders not to shoot and they obeyed.

With timbers and rails as battering rams, the mob broke down the doors of the jail and staged a trial of six of the men. They convicted Elias Clayton, Elmer Jackson, and Isaac McGhie, who had been held as a witness. The crowd dragged the young men about a block, beat them viciously as you may imagine, and hanged them from a light pole that stood diagonally across the street from where you are now. Some brave people spoke out in protest but they were few against thousands. On man took a photograph that was later distributed as postcards, this memorial is dedicated to the memories of the murdered here and everywhere.

Welcome Home

After a long day at work there is nothing better than coming home to an excited puppy.

And a husband baking caramel pecan brownies.

When I think about all of the decisions I’ve made in my life, marrying well, is by far the best.