Spring break rolls on

Today, although it started out cold, I really do believe spring is on its way. Greg, the wonderful neighbor who keeps my yard in shape, came to begin the spring cleanup and move indoor plants outside. I swear I will scream if it freezes again. It will take a while before the yard and porch and deck look like I want them to, but we're on the way, and we have great plans. I saw somewhere the idea of buying potty soil, slitting the bag lengthwise, and pushing seeds down into it, so you can grow rows of lettuce, spinach, whatever. Perfect, because I have an old glass-topped table I can put the bags on so a) I won't have to bend over to get to them, and b) Sophie, who is a great plant killer, can't destroy them. Last year she killed three roses--not knock-out but like them--that Greg planted. She literally trampled them to death.
Pleasant evening tonight waiting for Colin, my oldest, and his family to arrive on the way home from Santa Fe. They are bringing another family I've never met, and I had every good intention of cleaning house. It went by the way when I remembered I had a speaking engagement this morning, but I have sort of straightened. Because I'm anticipating their arrival--and a phone message that Jordan is home--I don't really want to settle down to work, so I'm going through the food magazines on my desk and clipping recipes I want. Always makes me happy. Anyone for salmon with smashed peas?
Meanwhile I haven't heard from the Austin branch who are skiing at Beaver Creek but I am getting wonderful pictures from the Frisco Alters who are in Seattle. Makes me want to jump on a plane and join them.
They report that the farmers market is one of their favorite places so far, and I can see why. It's enough to draw anyone from dry Texas to the lush Northwest.
But they also enjoyed a ferry trip to Bainbridge, wherever that is. I understood the joy on Maddie's face--I, who am firmly against a cruise, love to ride a ferry.

Spring break

The Houston Alters ski Santa Fe

Spring break means different things at different phases of your life. This year, for me, it means that none of my family are safely where they belong, a though that sort of disquiets me. Colin and his family, above, are skiing in Santa Fe--not sure how they had the nerve to go to Santa Fe and leave me behind, but they did. Megan and her family are in Beaver Creek, Colorado, and Jamie and his family have gone to Seattle so Maddie can see the University of Washington (if you want to be cool, say U-Dub). and Jordan, Christian and Jacob have gone skiing in Ruidoso. The latter is a bit funny--Jordan does not ski, end of discussion; Jacob tried I one day at Christmas and wasn't particularly enthralled, but maybe he'll do better this year. Christian loves to ski.

Jordan and Jacob in Ruidoso

Meantime Sophie and I were left behind. Worried about a long, empty week where work and no play makes Judy a dull girl, I filled my dance

card too full and am having a really busy week (sorry but I can't make this type justify left). Yesterday I had lunch out and friends in for leftover

from Sunday night supper. Tonight I have had breakfast, lunch, and dinner out and am worrying about when I'll ever get my

1,000 words for the day written. Tomorrow I have a breakfast date but an otherwise empty calendar--except I think I should

really run to the grocery store. And Thursday evening Colin and his family will stop overnight, bringing with them the friends

they're traveling with, so I'l have a full house and a full guest house. Friday morning, we'll all go to Colin's favorite restaurant, Carshon's Deli,

for breakfast. Then they'll be gone, Jordan will come by in the late afternoon, and Saturday I will cook for 16 people for Jordan's b'day.

Meantime, Sophie and I know how to relax. I'm sleeping letter in the mornings--no Jacob to hug on his way to school in the mornings--

and I'm getting nice, late, long naps in the afternoon--no Jacob to pick up and do homework with. Here' Sophie relaxing:

 

 













Solitude #2

It's spring break, and my local kids have gone skiing--well, that's a generalization. Jordan won't ski, Jacob will probably ski once. But they're gone. I'm used to having them in and out of the house, so their absence leaves a hole in my life. But I've been diligent about filling my dance card and have lots of things on the calendar for next week--lunches, dinners, haircut, two breakfast dates. I won't be lonely or bored but I may be fat.
Besides, I'm back into writing that novel--1800 words today. A respectable accomplishment. Five hundred of them came because during the night I rewrote a passage I wasn't happy with. Went back and redid it today, making it better...and longer, which always pleases me. In two days I've gone from 4500 words to 7800--and here I thought I already had 10,000!
Pleasant surprise today--a ten-minute visit from Colin, my oldest, and his family. They were driving from Houston to Santa Fe (with a stop in Amarillo tonight) and needed a potty break. But how thankful am I they decided to come here instead of a gas station bathroom. I got grandkid hugs and big kids hugs. Morgan made me a little dog face and cautioned me seriously not to let Sophie chew on it. They'll be back next Thursday to spend the night, along with the family they're traveling with.
Tonight, as I often do when home alone on a Saturday night, I made myself a special dinner--halibut Florentine, which means filet of halibut topped with creamed spinach and then with a Panko/Parmesan/lemon coating. Since the recipe was for two, I went ahead and made both--probably wouldn't have done that if I'd realized how expensive halibut is. The spinach and crumb topping were wonderful; the fish, alas, a bit bland. Needed more lemon or salt or pepper. Now I don't know how to add it with dislodging the toppings.
Reading a book assigned for review. It's a nail-biter thriller, with a background of a search and rescue mission in the California mountains during a blizzard. Not exactly my cup of tea, and I find myself alternately captivated by a couple of the characters, repelled by the serial killer stalking them, and anxious to turn pages and get through it. Maybe I can finish tonight.
Sweet dreams, everyone.