Day 358

I think it went into the 60s today. First time out front enjoying the weather without a fire to support the activity! The older three girls took the foster babies to a visitation this morning and did some shopping for Sunday School materials while they were at it. Jamie and Lynn's big outing of the day was to Black Forest to pick up a vesuvianite stone that was left at a jeweler for a custom design but nothing ever materialized over a few years, and then try out a new restaurant. The latter was a huge hit: Black Forest Bistro. Interesting story, definitely on the gourmet side, live music (flute and mandolin/guitar), wonderful staff, great experience. We're going back next Thursday for a special Luau night! Their regular hours are quite limited at the moment: Friday and Saturday dinner, that's it.

The Bacon Maple Old Fashioned was great!
So were the Potstickers.

Beef Tenderloin Tips on top.
Korean Sticky Street Noodle at bottom.

Day 357

David and Jonnie joined AJ and me for the walk to school today! After dropping off the paperwork for Jamie's CHP downtown, he and Lynn went to Four by Brother Luck for lunch. Had a great time, thoroughly enjoyed everything: rosemary old fashioneds, mushroom philly cheese sandwich, perfectly balanced jalapeno poppers, excellent broccoli/cheese soup, and tres leches for dessert with some scrumptious cardamon ice cream. More snow! First time at the fire pit with blowing snow swirling around. We shoveled some of the driveway before retiring to bed; there will be more shoveling in the morning... One week from today marks the one-year anniversary of "2 weeks to flatten the curve" lockdowns.

Herb garden in the kitchen.

Day 356

Late-start Wednesday. David joined AJ and Papa for the walk to school! A beautiful 60-degree day that allowed the first night-time fire experience in a long while. Fina had a bunch of her school cohorts over for study hall, including P.E. (basketball). Matt spent all day babying some ribs that turned out delicious. Megan visited late afternoon and evening.

Day 355

AJ and Papa found a rather interesting snow/ice formation on the walk to school. Papa also started organizing all his Torah notes, all 500+ pages of notes from listening to Prager's lectures. It's beginning to look a lot like Easter at the stores. Matteo asked to go fishing when he got in the car at the van stop. OK. You can imagine our surprise when we crested the hill approaching Monument Lake and realized that ice fishing would be the only choice! The boys ended up spending more time exploring the surface of the lake than actually fishing. In fact, AJ walked clear to the other side and back.

Day 353 and 354

Sunday-Monday. Sunday got by with no pictures at all. Church all morning, of course. Jamie was quite focused on finishing the Torah lectures which he did by Monday afternoon! Champagne time! Nana turned in a little bio of herself for the quilt guild's newsletter, so we had to get a current photo of a current project. Boxes are always magical. Dinner was pretty rowdy. Seems everyone has a boyfriend or girlfriend starting with Lexi! Matteo was the only sane person in the bunch. Olive Garden dinner, very white, very good. And then there's Tracy when she gets out of the house (see the last pic below).

Day 352

Fun Saturday... Tinker Crates are always a hit. Making French baguettes with Nana. Some dog time. Jamie got two+ Torah sessions in, less than 10 hours to go. Prep for Sunday School. Nana and Papa visited the Firehouse BBQ in Black Forest for lunch. The burnt-onion BBQ sauce is great! Dinner from the Club; it's been a while. They got everything perfectly right, including no side-pickle in the kids' meals. From Oscar Medallions to grilled cheese, everyone gets what they really want.

Tinker Crates

Making French baguettes

Jamie's "Torah Tan". Outside doing Torah over winter with
just the tips of my hands exposed to the sun.

Sunday Prep.

Making French baguettes

Firehouse BBQ in Black Forest

NASA put out a press release re. the X-57

Day 351

Went over to Mission Coffee Roasters the other day. Tried the first brewing this morning. Good stuff! Turns out they supply coffee for TimberCreek Church (until we couldn't do coffee service 'cause of COVID). Lexi's class got all decked out for school today as "old people" for their 100 Days celebration. Nana added spaghetti squash to Matt's all-day-simmering marinara sauce! Jamie got two Torah sessions in today; less than 15 hours to go! And a slice of cheesecake for bedtime.

Along the walk to school with AJ.