The Latest Scoop: November 2020

There's a little bit of story behind how we ended up at this cabin to celebrate our anniversary this year.

Originally we were thinking we'd go to Boston, since we have a special connection to that city this year. Then COVID happened. And did not go away as fast as predicted at first. Massachusetts is more restrictive about visitors than some states, and Sattler College, in particular, mandated no visitors. Strike one.

We've been throwing around the idea of going back to Arkansas where we met and going to the restaurant where we went on our first date, but we met in a nursing home and those are also shuttered to visitors due to COVID. If we're going to go back to AR we want to go when we can tour Hillcrest. (It's been remodeled and changed significantly since we were last there.) Strike two.

My cousin has a cabin that was recommended to us, but it is located out-of-state from us. With the constantly changing mandates and travel restrictions differing from state to state, it just felt like a bad year to be booking something that required several hours of travel. You never know when quarantining will be required after visiting any particular state. We're not keen on quarantining, particularly over the upcoming holiday. Strike three.

One evening after I had wasted more time trolling Google for possibilities, my better half suggested "why don't we just stay local this year?" We knew of a newly remodeled cabin just over the hill from our place... My first reaction was negative. We couldn't, what would people think?! But his steady response was "who has to know?" True. So I went on AirBnB and VRBO looking for the aforementioned cabin. I never did find that cabin, but I did stumble upon this one instead. The pictures and description struck a cord with us. Home run.

We must be getting old because we were looking forward to "kicking back" and relaxing. No bucket list tourist items got checked this year. We were unapologetically lazy for 2 days. There were high winds on Sunday so we were really glad we weren't driving very far this year.

It's a very nice cabin with lots of upgrades and extras. In my humble opinion, lodging can be graded according to the plushness of their bath towels and the softness of their toilet paper, so that made this place top notice! The fridge was stocked with cold beverages & candy, and our hosts even surprised us with this special little cake.

If you're ever looking for a cabin in our neck of the woods, we highly recommend this one.

We only left once, to go out to eat. Steak and seafood alfredo. We're getting predictable.

See those lines on your face

You see wrinkles I see grace
More beauty than you know
No, you don't have to despair
At those strands of grey in your hair
They compliment the wisdom in your soul

Every year that passes by I only love you more

Every day brings us closer still
And every night I close my eyes and pray we have forever
Cause I love the way we're growing old together

When I look down this road of life

I see you there by my side
Just like it's always been
Still so many paths to take
Still so many memories left to make
The kind we've made time and time again

Every year that passes by I only love you more

Every day brings us closer still
And every night I close my eyes and pray we have forever
Cause I love the way we're growing old together

Songwriters: Tommy Lee James / Richie Mc Donald

“He loved October. Had always loved it. There was something sad and beautiful about it—the ending and beginning of things.” Jacqueline Woodson, If You Come Softly

The first quote that came to my mind was “I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” by L M Montgomery but it's overused, so I went searching for something else. As much as I fall in love with spring every year, I'm a big fan of heavy frosts that end the landscaping chores...

...and early sunsets that make for long fall evenings, too.

Octobers are usually busy months for me. Although COVID continues to make 2020 an unusual year, it didn't slow the speed of my October schedule this year.

From the bridal shower for a Miller niece...

to a backyard wood-fired pizza party...

(outstanding cuisine!)

to a wonderful mini vacation you can read all about here...

(we can highly recommend vacationing with grandchildren!)

to the annual school auction...

-we did not know how it would work out with COVID, but it yielded record breaking sales.

(We don't have kids or grandkids in school but being the school secretary, a successful auction is always a relief to me.)

I've been working on several crochet orders. My personal favorite was a beard hat for the grandson.

There was a birthday trip to Olive Garden...

(the seafood stuffed shells were the best restaurant meal I've had in ages!

Ok, we don't go out to eat very often, but still...)

Not to mention a rare splurge on dessert- both tiramisu and black tie mousse cake

My parents came from out of state for the weekend after my birthday. We just stayed at our house -away from the public- due to the reported surge in COVID cases. We don't know anyone with the virus, but better safe than sorry. Richard tackled a Honey-Do job of replacing fixtures in the kids bath. Avery was delighted to help -holding the flashlight for him.

When we remodeled, we purchased Moen faucets for everything except for the kids bath- those were Delta. The Moen faucets are still in great condition, but the Delta fixtures corroded something terrible. They are supposed to be under warranty, but when we contacted Delta they claimed the corrosion was caused by the cleaning products we used. They didn't explain why the same cleaning products did not damage our Moen fixtures. 🤷 Allegedly all they could do was offer us a 10% discount on replacements, which we disgustedly declined. Hopefully these new ones will hold up better than Delta faucets.

Jeremy picked up a Dairy Queen cake for my birthday. They've been my favorite for over 30 years.

And Avery helped me make soft pretzels for the family, a favorite Sunday evening treat.

Playing Dutch Blitz, toddler style. 👍

Time spent with family is my favorite birthday gift. Arianna, we miss you! 😔

Last Monday morning was a mad scramble to get laundry taken care of and the school payroll subscription fixed so I could issue paychecks before I left for the week. What should've been a simple matter became a long, drawn out ordeal to fix so we got off later than I wanted. I traveled home with my parents and spent last week with them.

The first item on the agenda for the week was meeting my newest niece, the miracle snowflake. Aww, her cheeks are filling out and getting that squishable quality! 😍

My brother treated me to shrimp from a local fundraiser. I'm just sorry I wasn't hungry enough to eat the whole pound! When your hubby is allergic to shellfish, you enjoy seafood when you can.

I helped my mom with deep cleaning several rooms of their house -not pictured.

And we tried out a new recipe -cider doughnuts.

I am blessed to still have a grandma living; she's 97 and I hope I'm as plucky as her when I grow up.

She recently beat COVID. When they thought she was dying the family was allowed to visit her but now that she is recovered, we are not allowed in the [assisted living] home. I really wanted to see her while I was in the area; living out of state from my family you just never know when it's going to be your last opportunity to spend time with loved ones. I was so happy to find out that while we couldn't go in, she is classed as naturally immune for 90 days and was allowed to come out. So Mom & I brought her to the house for a little tea party.

The plan was for Mom & I to go shopping one afternoon - to the kind of stores that are only available in a large Mennonite community. Unfortunately Mom's arthritis flared up and walking wasn't going so good. It was mainly me running into stores while she waited in the car. And since I was flying home, I was limited how much luggage I could lug home anyway.

Next item on the agenda was to cuddle the new niece some more while her momma went to an appointment. Look at that mutual admiration!

I've never been good with babies, so I felt accomplished that the little Miss, who was having a fussy day, was content for me. Grammie experience helps.

She likes to fold her hands. So darling!

While I was cleaning basement windows, I disturbed a whole family of toads in the window well. First it was one small one staring me down, then more kept crawling out of hiding spots. Toads make it onto my list of creatures I'm not a big fan of. Can you believe this guy had the audacity to put his paws on my clean window -smearing it- and glare at me? Move along, buddy, I'm not harming you.

The last item on the agenda was my handsome nephew's wedding. I'm so glad I got to be at this special occasion.

It was a stunning venue -just look at that sky!!

What a photo can't show though is how chilly it was that evening. October (and November, as we can personally testify) are tricky that way- warm one day and freezing cold the next, making fall weddings a force to be reckoned with. If we thought we were freezing, I can only imagine how the shivering bridesmaids and the foster family from California were feeling! Like the gentleman he is, Marcus gave his bride his suit coat during the ceremony.

Congratulations to the new Mr. & Mrs. Stauffer!

Charcuterie & hot drinks... yes, please!

The food was plentiful and delicious.

This is the only reception I remember that had salmon on the menu. 👌

And the doughnuts were to die for! I'm so glad young couples these days are forgoing the traditional cake and having all manner of yummy desserts instead.