StewMama Says: January 2014

Friday, January 31, 2014

FIVE on Friday

It's been a busy week, but it's Friday! It has warmed up to just above freezing, and we are expecting some rain over the weekend before the next big snowstorm hits us next week. It has been a winter! Good thing I have some warm destinations scheduled in the not-too-distant future!

So here are FIVE things:

{one}
I enjoyed a game of You're Bluffing with the boys last weekend. Otherwise known as Kuhhandel. Jonathan learned the game when he was a counselor at church camp with Pastor Dave. After the boys were asleep, the counselors would break out this game and stay up late buying cows and hoping for donkeys. He thought it was the best game ever. Trouble is, it is out of print, so when I tried to buy it for him it was a bit tricky. I did finally find it, the German version, called Kuhhandel. Fortunately, since the cards have numbers, and not words, it's all good.
Of course, I always have to have the horses at all costs. Not always the best strategy. I was reasonably well positioned this time, with sheep and horses, but after the boys had finished making all their steals and deals, I ended up second. Unlike some others in the family, I'm fine with that. :) It's a game, we play it for fun.

{two}
We are making progress on our little bathroom remodel. Old vanity out, new floor in. After 30 years, it was time, I think. Not a total reno, but it will freshen things up. I am working on painting today, and the new vanity will be installed on Monday. Yay! I hope to do a before/after post when it's all finished. I love the new floor!

{three}
I went to Bryan and Jennifer's on Monday night in time for supper. I watch Noah on Tuesdays, and I thought it would be a little smarter to drive up Monday in the daylight instead of at 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday when it was 15 below zero. And it was.
Bryan was preparing his version of pulled pork nachos inspired by the dish we enjoy at Big Woods Brewery in Nashville. Pulled pork, corn, black beans, onions, peppers, barbecue sauce, and cheese on a tortilla,

YUM!

{four}
I was happy to spend some #grannytime with this little smiley one on Tuesday,

and these two cuties on Wednesday. We enjoyed watching a movie together on the computer.

{five}
It's Super Bowl weekend! It's always fun to watch the big game, and the fun commercials. Does anyone else feel like the this year's commercials have been previewed so much that there won't be anything new to see on Sunday? I guess it just adds up to more exposure for the advertisers, but it means that no one actually has to watch the commercials on game day since we can just replay them online. Of course, I'm more interested in the game than the commercials anyway.
My team isn't playing in the Super Bowl this year (so sad), but my quarterback has been making the rounds in New York City, so that's fun.
Here he is surprising Hoda Kotb on the Today Show. She is a true Saints fan and a Drew fan, and she was so excited. And yes, I took a picture of the tv.

Later, he appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman. Dave asked him about the kids, the Saints, and the Boilers. When Dave brought up the Boilers' most recent season, and the bucket game, Drew reminded him that we owned the bucket during Drew's Boiler years. Yes we did.

He showed this photo of his boys going at it at training camp earlier this year. Future Boilers?

Have a SUPER weekend!

Linking up today with 5 on Friday.

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Snow Place Like Home

It's been a snowy weekend here in Decatur County, and those of us who live 'in the country' have found ourselves surrounded by strong winds and snowdrifts.

Friday evening started out nice enough, with a beautiful sunset over the snowy fields. As the sun went down, the wind kicked up, and we were in for a wild, snowy night. It made it clear how someone long ago first described a wind as 'howling.' It was. All night long.

By Saturday morning, much of the yard was covered by deep and interesting snowdrifts. It was unusual to see how the wind had left large drifts in some areas, and bare pavement in others.

The swirling, roaring wind blew the snow into a pile right in the middle of the driveway. Good thing we didn't need to go anywhere!

Our county was on a red warning level travel status, which means to refrain from all travel, and I am happy to comply with that ruling.

Quite a drift there in front of the house.

And you can tell there was still wind blowing while I was out taking the pictures. Brrrr!

Since we were to remain on the red level advisory through 9 a.m. on Sunday, church services were cancelled.

I am thankful for the blessing of heat and electricity, food in the freezer, boys in the house, games to play, nowhere to go, and tractors to clear off the driveway (thanks, Steve!).

I guess I'll need to get my trusty shovel to get the drifts off of the porch! Stay warm, friends!

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Bowling for the Hodgepodge

Good morning, and welcome to my contribution to the Wednesday Hodgepodge. It's a fun little gathering of folks from all over the world, hosted by our friend Joyce. Click on the button to visit her blog, and see who else is in on the HP today.

Here are her questions and my answers:
1. It was decided on Sunday the Denver Broncos will meet the Seattle Seahawks in this year's Superbowl. So when was the last time you bowled? Not where you thought this question was going is it? Do you like to bowl? Are you any good?

One of the last times I went bowling was to celebrate Matthew's 6th birthday. His birthday is coming up, and he will be TEN, so that tells you I don't bowl often. And honestly, I don't think I actually bowled, I think I just watched.

Bowling is fun, and no, I'm not good. I do like how the computer keeps score for you now. No adding necessary!

2. Should sports stars be role models?

I think so. And these two are both champs in my book.

3. January is National Oatmeal month...are you a fan? How do you like your oats?

In cookies, of course! I am a fan of oats, and our kids ate oatmeal for breakfast many, many days. Some of them still do.

4. What is one book on your reading list for 2014?

My Kindle is full of books I ~~hope~~ plan to read in 2014. I recently read and enjoyed two books by author Charles Martin, When Crickets Cry, and Chasing Fireflies. I look forward to reading more of his books. So good.

5. What would you like your future self to say to your present self?

6. When scrolling through the TV guide, what is one movie title that makes you want to stop, grab the popcorn, and watch for a while?

Well, I don't often scroll through the TV guide (I remember when it came in a little book), but I would probably stop and watch Pretty Woman.

7. What are two style trends you hope never come back into fashion?

I thought of a few: Guys in leisure suits or saggy jeans.
Overalls. (Unless you're a toddler).

This hair.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Yesterday, when I returned to my car after an appointment, I learned via Twitter of a shooting on the campus of Purdue University. Just hearing it brought tears as I prayed for all those involved.

Later, learning that a student had shot and killed another student, my heart was broken as I tried to grasp this happening at our beloved Purdue. We are still learning about the victim and the suspect, but we know they were smart kids, engineering students, with bright futures.

Last night there was a candlelight vigil on campus attended by several hundred students on a cold, cold evening. Ever grateful. Ever true.

As a mother, my heart grieves for everyone touched by this tragedy. The mother of the victim received the most devastating, unthinkable news possible. I also think about the mother of the suspect. She also received unimaginable news. Pray for the families. Pray for Purdue. And pray that we can stop the violence in our country. Amen.