Morning all. I’ll make more time to look at your photos when I get back from my art workshop this afternoon, Doug, because once I’m home I’ll be hibernating I think.

Lulu, what fabulous views in Doug’s photos.

Marshall, I had to Google big green egg. I wondered if it was something to do with Easter .

JJ, sad news about Duncan, but what a peaceful way to go after a long life. His passing will leave a gap nonetheless. My condolences to you and Alan.

Bill, I loved your photo yesterday – a winter wonderland.

Must dash, painting calls.

Greetings to the many I’ve missed and all who wash up later.

QS

Good morning all. 45 here this morning.

JJ, sorry for your loss.

Hi Doug, Sylvia and QS.

Looks like our travel plans are on hold. Rachel needs surgery on her knee so we will try to get that scheduled for her spring break next month. The doctor said two weeks after she will need therapy and total rehab will be about 3 months. Got to get it in before her fall term starts. Chris pulled the mommy card and wants to be here with her during this. Rachel lives in an upstairs apartment so looks like she and her dog will be staying with us for a while.

No further news. Probably take it easy today.

You guys stay safe.

everyone,
I slept in this morning. I feel like half the morning is gone.

It’s -35 right now and with the wind it feels like -37. We are getting our January temperatures now. I was going to ask Brian to remove some snow on our shed roof and back porch roof but it will be frozen solid and so would he after working outside so I’ll wait until next weekend to ask him to do that. I have a couple of chores in the garage he can work on (it’s heated). I have paperwork to keep me busy part of the day but first it’s the gym. Brian was gone when I got up so he might be at the gym now.

JJ – condolences on your loss

Bill – can you take some of the unused utensils and put them in a storage container where they can be accessed if needed but out of the way daily. If nothing is used in a couple of years maybe Janet would be willing to part with them. Or leave them stored but at least they would be out of your way.

Breakfast is next so I’ll get going. Have a happy day everyone.

Ellen, good idea!

Uschi, hope the hospital visit goes well.
Bill

Good Morning Wash Gang! It’s snowing. Old Man Winter has just freshened what’s already on the ground, and it does look nice and clean. The road that I can see out my window looks passable with just a little snow pack. We’re expecting more snow tomorrow.

The Kids came out last evening with their GoodFood bag. We had each ordered the same meal, so decided to cook it up together. Because it was shrimp, McKenzie and Simon took over my kitchen. I had prepared my own dinner before they got here and it just needed to be warmed up. It was a lot of fun and we’ll do this again!

I don’t have anywhere to be today except right here at home. That’s a good thing. Maybe I’ll bake something. Or paint. Here’s the little Honey Bee that I plan to demonstrate during a one-night workshop. I don’t think it’s too complicated for complete Beginners.

I have a black toned paper sketchbook. During Wednesday’s Class, I decided to give it a try. It’s challenging and this isn’t the best thing I’ve ever done, but it was fun. It’s rather like trying to think in inverted light.

AND, I have another crow image selected to get drawn out. Last bit of news… a new Student will join my Tuesday Class. She was shopping at the new Gallery, saw my work on the wall and asked our Curator for my contact information. Wow, eh?

Oh… there is one more piece of news. Ted’s ascites is scheduled for drainage on Monday! Dr. Haddad has arranged an ultrasound to determine exactly where the fluid is and will then perform the procedure. She was quick to respond and we really appreciate her care.

Annie should be home, spending time with her Mom.

JJ and Alan, I’m sorry about Duncan’s passing and will keep you in my thoughts.

Doug, I spoke too soon. The battery replacement did not solve all the problems with this laptop. I got the dreaded BSoD yesterday and then again this morning. How’s Ruth?

Lulu, the new owners will indeed love your home and yard. The work? Not so much.

QS, happy painting at your workshop!!

Hi Sylvia… the photos… don’t all of us have this massive accumulation of printed photos… many of the scenes taken 2 and 3 times “just in case”. Happy tripping down memory lane!

Marshall, it’s wonderful that you and Chris can be there for Rachel. Especially so that she won’t need to be navigating stairs during her recovery process!

Bill, I like the look of lined drawers and shelves. Ted doesn’t like parting with his “stuff”, either. Best of luck with that. Janet’s collection of family news and photos is really important. Kudos to her.

Ellen, it’s a shame that your aquabics classes were cancelled because of the pool’s heater failure. In Blenheim, the pool is kept really warm and I think we were sweating IN the water!

((Uschi)) that your open wound is finally healing as it should.

Sylvia, lamb is a red meat that I can tolerate once or twice a year. I love Kofte!

I’m going to head over to view Doug’s thread of photos. It’s always fun to revisit them! I’ll pour a second cup of coffee to enjoy while doing that. Have a great day, Everyone! :grouphug:

We woke to a snowy landscape. We must have gotten about 4 inches last night. Everything is like a winter wonderland. We are expecting about another 4 inches tomorrow afternoon. Winter has finally arrived.

I had my appointment with the hand specialist on Friday. They will call me on Monday for a surgery date. It’s all happening rather fast. I will have an even bigger scar than what I have now. I will have to have another surgery after this one, to fix the tendon, but will wait to heal some before that.

JJ, I’m so sorry about the passing of your FIL. What a way to go though; very peaceful; that must give you peace but the loss will be felt still. :grouphug: I’m glad your neighbor is finally fixing the water problem.

Doug, I hope Ruth is feeling better every day. I just went through the New Zealand trip pics again; what a simply gorgeous place. Heaven on Earth. I dream of visiting there someday.:thumbsup: I just told Larry that I’m ready for another trip across the pond or somewhere. Hawaii is on my bucket list; hmmm maybe a retirement trip is in our future.

Uschi, I hope your nose is healing now. I work with a girl who just had a basal cell cancer removed from her nose. She healed very nicely and it looks really good. She used to lay in the sun when she was young. She’s had to do chemical peels on her face and chest. Scary. I’m glad I didn’t enjoy laying in the sun but I did have a few bad burns as a child; I was at my cousin’s cottage on the lake for a week and my Aunt let us fall asleep in the sun. Blisters! :confused: I remember my Mom being very mad.

Justin is having a hard time adjusting to the graveyard shift. He’s been crabby and tired. He’s doing what he must to get his classes taken and over with. I try to encourage him. He seems to be tired all the time. He says it’s really hard to sleep during the day.

Larry goes back to work on Monday. He is bumming; he said he cannot wait to retire. I told him “now you know how I felt going back.” I don’t think it will be long and he will be out again for his knee.

Char, I’m so glad they will come on Monday to relieve Ted of his fluids. Poor guy; this must make him feel so miserable. Whoohoo a new student! Love the bee and your crow (raven?) on black paper. I bet it was interesting working on it.

Kay, enjoy your workshop! I’m sending the snow your way.

Bill, I loved the pic of the deer walking and visiting you in that winter wonderland. Beautiful.

Ellen, Larry did Justin’s and our taxes last Sunday. It felt good getting them done early. Now to wait for our refund.

We got new basement windows installed yesterday. They are glass block and they look so good. I won’t need curtains because you can’t see through them but the light comes through them. They are energy efficient too. Larry will just have to trim them out to finish the look.

I’ve read the washes and you all seem to be so busy with daily life. We all have our chores and goings on to do every day. Busy we all are for sure. I hope you all have a great weekend! I’m going to paint now and work on my collage. :grouphug: