I’m Late!
I have no excuses for not publishing this post early on Tuesday Morning… like I usually do… but sometimes life carries on and I basically just find myself scrambling a wee bit to sit down and write. Better late then never, right?
It was a good week to enjoy some comfort food. The winds kicked up here in the desert and it was a bit cold. There was a “Chill in the Air.” I know it wasn’t as cold as back at our LakeHouse in Pennsylvania. But it was a great week to stay in to cook, read, write letters and clean and organize. In other words… I took “time to chill.”
Home Cooking
Susan Branch shared her Winter Recipes on her Blog and Chicken and Dumplings was one of them.
I made a yummy Banana Chocolate Chip Bread… this was low in sugar, low in butter and the added sour cream made it moist, I do believe.
Reading
I’m happy to say I started reading our new Book Club Book. A Gentleman in Moscow. The start has been pretty darn good. I’ll keep you posted.
Speaking of Book Club… I made some little gift bags for the Book gals and used the Free Printable Valentine Bookmark from Susan Branch. Chocolates and felted hearts added yumminess and whimsy.
Being Snowbirds and then the Adventurers that we are… I can use a week like we just had. We stayed put!
Spring Cleaning
Letter Writing
Do any of you still write letters? I may not write a long letter but I do enjoy sending cards with a note inside. Especially to those that may not work on their computer any longer. A letter, a card or a post card can definitely brighten their day.
When I sit at the desk to write letters or cards… this is when I hope they do not take Cursive Handwriting away in grade school!
Our Signs of Spring
Like Daffodils in other areas… our Aloe Veras bloom giving us hope that spring is on its way!
And that’s not the only thing on its way!
Valentine’s Day is Next Week!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
From Us!
You got the post done which counts for something.
Exactly! I was a busy gal this week!
I love that you still write letters! I love to get snail mail. Not too much comes to my box these days.
Well… I’ll send you a letter! 🙂
Nancy,” A Gentleman in Moscow “is a fabulous book. Quite long but very very good. My husband and I actually listened to it while riding to and from Texas. It was a wonderful way to experience it and helped the long trip. I don’t remember for sure but I think it took longer than one trip to finish.Later we meet Amor Towles at a Library Fund raising Dinner at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama. He was a very interesting speaker.
You are so nice to write notes. My handwriting has deteriorated and I some some issues with my hand so I don’t write as much as I did in the past. Typing is not a problem thankfully.
I loved reading your chicken and dumpling recipe. I loved my mothers chicken and dumplings. She rolled out biscuit dough and cut into strips. I’m afraid if I do make it I buy the dumplings frozen. They take a long time to cook but are good.
Enjoy Valentine’s Day.
I cut a daffodil today. Spring is around the corner.
I have heard many people have really enjoyed A Gentleman in Moscow… I recommended it to our book group that it should be our next book. So here we are. I am glad you told me that you also enjoyed it.
As for the Chicken and Dumplings… I have made it many different ways and Susan Branch’s recipe has been my favorite so far!
So you picked a daffodil today… Spring is in the Air!
It is always so nice to hear from you dear friend!
Have a beautiful Valentine’s Day!
When I didn’t see a post early this morning, I was concerned. I am glad all is well 🥰 The chicken and dumplings look so delicious. How nice to get your shutters washed and springtime ready. I love your she shed, it has a cozy and happy vibe. I don’t know when I have written a letter. My penmanship was never beautiful, but now it is terrible.
I love the photo under the mistletoe. Happy Valentine’s Day, you two lovebirds ♥️♥️
Thank you Pam! I wish I had the beautiful penmanship of years ago. They taught gorgeous cursive writing. Sweet Man’s Mom has beautiful handwriting.
I have been in a cleaning mode. And have slowed down now as the weather has gotten so beautiful here.
Have a beautiful week my friend!
Your cute desk is the perfect place to get creative with your cards. I’m sure your friends appreciate the extra effort. Between goodies and decorations, it looks like Valentine’s Day will be special at your casa.
Indeed it will! Happy February to you!
I do love that saying in your She Shed ‘It’s never too late to live happily ever after.’ What a wonderful attitude. And I love that, not only do you still write letters, but you make cards using your own photos. You are so clever.
Oh all the pictures I take I got to use them somehow someway!
I’m glad you saw the cute She Shed sign… it’s our Motto!
Happy February to you!
And a lovely motto it is too. I may have to acquire one for myself, it’s perfect in so many ways.
🙂
What a lovely time you are having. I love your She Shed.
Thank you Tim… I love it too! ☺️
Yout two wild and crazy kids! Now you have me wondering where I put that chicken n dumplings recipe handed down to me when I was a teen learning to cook….hmmmm 🙂
Oh you should find it… this was pretty tasty!
Enjoy your heat wave!
I was glad to see you this morning, Nance, so it’s a Wednesday treat instead of Tuesday this week.
There you go! Enjoy your day Mr. Mark… take good care.
It looks and sounds like you had a marvelous week, and that is the important thing. Love your heart shaped cookies. Everything looks lovely and clean, but it sure made me think about my to-do-list when I get home. 🙂
The projects like to add up don’t they! And the heart shape cookies were a tasty treat! I only ate one!
Is it Wednesday already? It doesn’t matter, I enjoyed your post this morning. Love your tablescapes and garden. Happy Valentine’s Day!
The days go by sooooo fast! I am so happy you enjoyed! Happy February!
It sounds like you have been a busy gal on the home front! It’s such a great feeling to have a house that is clean and organized! I actually saw daffodils in bloom yesterday which gave me great hope that Spring is indeed on the way! I have heard that your book club book is a good one, I hope you post your thoughts about it after you read it. Love the cranberry hearts in the champagne so pretty! And the cards you made are super cute, great idea! I know you will have a sweet and special Valentine’s Day ❤️ Jenna
Those Hearts in the Prosecco were not cooperating with my picture taking! Ha! Ha!
But they were a fun addition.
I’m glad you heard about this book as well… I’ll keep you posted.
Happy February Jenna!
I know you saved me a slice of that banana bread!
It was delicious! I put another loaf in the freezer. So come anytime. 🙂
A lovely post, Nancy. A letter. <3 I am off ot make dumplings to pop into the stew I've got simmering in the slow cooker. Thanks for the inspiration. <3 to you both. Xxx
Oh dumplings make everything taste so much better! 🙂
Thank you for the visit my friend!
No sign of spring here yet – which is good, because we can procrastinate on spring cleaning! 😀
Exactly! Happy February to you and Mary!
Good morning, Nancy! It looks like you have been very busy. I love chicken and dumplings. It’s one of my most favorite dishes. Thanks so much for sharing. We have been staying close to home as well. Like you, I’ve gotten an early start on spring cleaning. Your cottage looks so pretty dressed for Valentine’s Day. I love how you turned your beautiful photographs into cards. I agree with you about cursive handwriting. Wishing you a most blessed week ahead, sweet friend!
Thank you sweet Shannon for all your kind words. Doesn’t spring cleaning make you feel refreshed?
Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day Shannon!
The chicken and dumplings look delicious! I love comfort foods. How sweet that you made such adorable gifts for the book club. I’m sure they were very much appreciated. And the book looks very interesting. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on it.
The chicken and dumplings were amazing! I hope you give them a try. And so far the book is pretty darn good!
Wishing you a wonderful week ahead, Michelle.
Such joy you bring in your posts, Nancy! Everything look festive and happy! Wild mistletoe—we have it here too in Virginia! I too love sending notes, and have attached my photos as well. 🙂
Thank you Mitzy for your lovely words.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Looks like that chilly weather lent itself to a lot of productivity! I do send cards and letters. It is so rare to get anything fun in the mail. I think it can help brighten someone’s day. Happy Valentine’s Day!
I agree Sweet Sue! Thank you so much for the visit. Until we chat again… Happy Valentine’s Day!
hugs to you for all the “special touches” you add to the life of others!! Especially those of us blessed to have found your wonderful blog-site!!
Thank you dear friend!