Our First Winter Blast & Crows & Catch Up

   Good morning Friday

     Well we knew it was coming, our first cold blast of winter is upon us this morning. The temperatures dropped significantly over the last hour.  I put mail in the mailbox to go out-it was chilly and the hill and steps were wet. 30 minutes later i gathered up all the trash to take up and Wow the temperatures had dropped quite a bit and now we have the wind as well.  I waited another half hour or so, and yep the wet pavement was beginning to freeze-so I threw salt out on the hill and steps.

  I may not be able to get up there to check the mail today-and I do love mail-smiles.

We had a little of the homemade granola I had made left, but I decided to put it on the railing for the birds. The tupelo honey was too strong of a flavor for this recipe, and both of us got stomach aches from it if eaten a couple days in a row. The honey did not go bad, I just had forgotten how strong the flavor is.  However, the crows loved it-and came back for more. I am always amazed how large crows are when seeing them up close. I have always loved the crows-very intelligent too

   Sorry if the photos are a bit grainy-when I zoom in with the camera this is what I get sadly The crows really enjoyed this granola and came back several times I stayed in the kitchen to take the photos so I wouldn't frightened them away

Of course the squirrels are always eating all the bird food if I don't chase them off-but they were leary of the crows (ps those of you that are good with English grammar-I thought leary was the right spelling but google says no, so I looked it up and can be leery but most think that is the wrong spelling- thoughts?)

  I am thinking this will be a good day for chicken soup, perhaps I will make us dumplings too-not sure yet.

 I keep being tired during the day, thinking it is our crazy up and down weather along with my allergies that have been off since mid December.  I want to be more alert before getting back to ties on my quilt.

 I may just finish the book I am reading about Galileo today-I learned allot about his life. The end of December Amazon had a big sale on kindle books-I grabbed this one as the price is usually close to $10.00 for the kindle version. The book Is Galileo's Daughter by Dava Sobel Well written

  Larry had a good week, the physical therapist was happy and a bit impressed yesterday. We decided it would be better use of the medicare money to take two weeks off of therapy. We needed the new lower mattress, and Larry needed more time to heal. The doctors in the hospital never took x rays on the "good" leg, even though Larry kept telling them there was something wrong. This was really a horrible hospital experience-worst ever we have encountered. What ever had possibly cracked on the "good" leg is also healing now. He had an injury a couple years ago the cracked his pelvic bone and hurt is right leg-we think that got re injured from the fall.

   With the new mattress he can easily get into the wheelchair, and since last week he can finally get back into bed first try. Another week yet before he can put full weight on the broken leg that he says feels pretty good except for the hip area. Next week the supervisors of the therapists will be out to recertify for 8 more weeks of physical therapy and medicare will pay for that again. So I am thankful that our insurance has covered everything.

  I watched a little bit on the weather channel and looks like a lot of wintry weather all over the states, and southern states getting tornados.

  I am feeling better finally about getting back to crafts and projects. I am going to coffee dye the grown cotton I received with coffee. The black walnuts I would love to use but that needs to be boiled down outdoors-the smell is too strong to do indoors. I think the coffee will give a stronger brown color than teas. I know when Larry spilled his fresh coffee over a month ago on our bedroom carpet-that stain is Not coming out so far ugh.  Here is an easy how to for coffee dye   If Elizabeth sees this-what do you think of the recipe?

Made us a pot of homemade chicken soup-turned out delicious

Grabbed handmade pottery very large mugs-perfect for this-and fun to use

  Stay safe everyone-Happy Friday and weekend