Taking Life Slow

Last fall I took German 101 at the local community college and by midterm I was ready to quit.  It was a hard class and most of my spare time was spent studying or worrying about not getting a good grade.  Though I enjoyed class and the teacher, and found my classmates interesting (I was the second oldest in the class) it sucked up all my free time and I found that I resented it.  When the final came around I was an hour late for the exam sitting.  Our work Christmas party was that afternoon and when I turned on my car radio on my way to school there was mournful music on and talk of a school shooting in Connecticut.  I needed a 30 on the exam to get a B.  After looking at the test for awhile and answering a few questions I questioned myself on why I was there and putting myself through all of this.  Then I left.  I got a B.

After Christmas I ripped all of the cow/country wallpaper off of the walls.  It was quite a job and yes, I'm the one who put it up there.  I painted the walls Mossy Green (Valspar from Lowes) in a satin.  The trim is semi gloss white.  As I had painted my cupboards green originally it is taking a lot of white to cover them.  

I've decluttered walls, counter tops and hauled a bookcase to another room.  There are curtains to be made and more drawers to clean out.  But like life, it is a work in progress.  

Bella and I have been going out more for walks.  As I've injured my my hand violin playing has taken a back seat also.  I no longer have a stack of books to be read from the library.  I can only read one at a time.  A stack is not necessary.  

I'm enjoying my slow time.  Life is good.

Henry, the rooster,

found his voice this morning!

On the Third Day of Christmas

We got our first egg!!!

On the First Day of Christmas

 The tree was bought and set up.

The decorating of the guest room was started.

My grandparents manger was set up (with a few additions).

Happy Thanksgiving!

May your Turkey taste delicious no matter what you cook it with!

Big Meadows/Shenandoah National Park

The mountains have had snow on the higher elevations ever since the big storm came through and the park closed for what I thought was for the season.  It is usually like that.  Open until it snows and then closed until the spring.  But the rangers and staff cleaned the roads bare and reopened.  I took advantage of it and drove up to Big Meadows.  So cold and stark up there.  Ice and snow crunched under my feet as I walked the path.  My car dash said that it was 31 degrees but the wind chill was so much colder.  I came home with wind burn on my face.  Less than 30 miles away from there the snow was gone (see last picture) and the world was totally changed.

Little Chicken Feet

If anyone had ever told us years ago that we would have 3 five week old chicks in a dog crate in our half bathroom they would have been met with raised eyebrows.  But we do have 3 new additions and just lots of love here.  Two hens and a rooster (silver wyandottes).  We were in the market for a rooster but didn't want him to come by himself.  Enter a breeder who wanted the 3 to go as a package.  Win/Win for both of us.  In a week or so they will have more feathers to brave the colder coop area.  But right now they seem to be happy where they are and Snoopy is beside himself with joy.  Chickens in the house.  It doesn't get any better!