A Second Look--January 16, 2013

While we were gone last week, we had some unseasonably warm weather with temperatures in the 60s. This fooled some of the plants into sprouting like it was spring. However, the weather has turned cold again and snow is predicted for tonight. Brrrr.

Here's what I found this week during a Second Look.

Daffodils

Crocus, I think that's a flower in the middle of the leaves beginning emerge.

Dried sedum

Crossing juniper trunks

Bone, My wild guess is that it is part of fox's pelvis.

Fungus

Ivy

I put orange slices out for the birds about a week ago, but Mr. Squirrel decided that it would be much easier to eat them from the ground.

Maple tree buds. (That was really the color of the sky. It was raining.)

Today...

Today, I'm going to be like this pancake maker and focus on only one thing at a time and see it through to completion.

This pancake maker was part of the breakfast set up at the hotel we stayed in recently. I was totally fascinated by it and we had a few more pancakes than we really needed just so I could watch it work.

Home again

This past week, Ward and I spent most of our time worrying, waiting, and comforting while we were spending time with my mother, who was in the hospital. Things were not simple. Because of complications, she was in three different hospitals and ended up in a hospital 150 miles from where she started. I felt like we were playing chase with her as we followed her on her circuitous route to different hospitals. However, now she is back in her hometown hospital and stable, and we're back at home. Things are looking up.
 

Lucy couldn't wait for me to empty my suitcase when we got home.

Thankful Sunday, January 13, 2013

I am thankful for my teaberry plant.

Several years ago, I bought this teaberry plant because it reminded me of a childhood favorite--Teaberry gum. When I want a pick-me-up, I break a leaf and inhale the wonderful aroma.

Food Waste Friday and True Food Confessions, Jan. 11, 2013

 It's time for Food Waste Friday, when the Frugalgirl encourages us to post pictures from the previous week of wasted food from our household. This accountability hopefully will help us to be more careful with our food and maybe save some money. Also, I am using this public forum to encourage us to eat out less which includes better meal planning. You can follow how we are doing in this endeavor by reading True Food Confessions.

This Week's Food Waste

 
I did a clean out of the condiments in the refrigerator door and found these things that were long past their shelf life. Out they went.

 This Week's True Food Confessions

We have been traveling this week to help my mother who is in the hospital, so we have been eating out. Therefore, we're not quite back to "regular" eating. Maybe next week.