In sickness...

I am generally a sturdy sort of person that does not get sick much. This is nice, because I was a sickly kid. I'm glad I grew out of it. When I do get sick, however, I tend to get really ill. As in, not just a head cold, but a head and chest cold with a sinus infection thrown in for good measure.  But like I said, it doesn't happen often.

Last week I had a marvelous weekend planned. Chris gifted me 6 sessions with an amazing massage therapist for Christmas. In the same building is an esthetician. Since I was getting the massage as a gift, I checked to see if I could get a facial while I was there. They say self care is good, right? I was going to indulge in epic portions of self care.  The rest of Saturday would be spent home with Chris, and that is always fun. Then, on Sunday, I planned to drive 3 hours to my sisters house in Massachusetts. She was hosting a birthday party for our great niece, and much of the family would be under one roof to celebrate. I'd be all relaxed and glowy from my massage and facial, I'd get to see the fam and enjoy time with little kids, it sounded perfect.

On the appointed morning I arrived on time and was happily enjoying a relaxing, lovely facial when suddenly I got very dizzy. "Huh." I thought.The feeling passed, and all was well. Then the esthetician finshed and left the room. It was time for me to gather my things and proceed to the massage room. I sat up, swung my legs over the comfy table/bed, and put my feet on the floor. The room tilted wildly and I almost fell over. I thought, "Well, that is strange." I sat in the chair for a few moments, then proceeded next door. The room was warm and smelled nice. Soothing music played. The lights were dim. I undressed, slid under the cozy electric blanket and happily anticipated and hour of pampering. All was well. The massage therapist and I chatted a bit, and I mentioned I'd had a dizzy spell. Then I just relaxed and let her make my muscles happy. After about 30 minutes of this lovely experience she had me roll onto my back. When I did I had a wild dizzy spell, and told her so. Suddenly I was feeling simply awful. "You should sit up," she said, and I did. Waves of vertigo slammed me. I asked for a drink of water, and she kindly gave me some. And then the unthinkable happened, nausea hit me hard.

Thankfully she handed me her small, lined trash can, and I was able to avoid the horror of making a mess in this lovely sanctuary.  Clearly my self care time was over. I got dressed, feeling mortified, and headed home. I had to make a few unplanned emergency stops, and about the time I pulled into the driveway everything went dim, red and hazy, I was close to passing out. I managed to get inside but the rest of the day was spent in misery. There would be no delightful visit with my family.

I was so lucky that Chris was here to take care of all the animals, because doing anything beyond lying in a semi-fetal position was beyond me. He also took good care of me. Whatever laid me low lasted for 72 hours, then I began to slowly improve. Each night I'd go to bed and think, "I'll be fine by tomorrow." Each morning I was disappointed. And dizzy. Chris made my childhood favorite "sick foods," Campbell's tomato soup (made with milk, not water!) garnished with Frito's, and for dessert, orange sherbet.  These are things I never eat unless I am sick, but for some reason they provide ultimate comfort.

Bravo and Flirt stayed very close to me. Flirt was delighted to have me sitting still so she could snuggle. Bravo was worried. He spent a lot of time staring at me, wondering what in the world was wrong.

Of course, I had to work Tuesday through Friday, which means poor Rachel had to do more than her fair share. I took lots of breaks, and was generally pathetic. Now, a week and a half later, I feel almost well. But Chris came home tonight, coughing and achy. I'm doomed.

In the pink...

When Flirt poodle was little I sometimes dyed her hair. It's a time consuming process, and messy.The growing out process was often awkward, so I have not done it for a while. Recently I read about a new dog shampoo that tints hair. I had to get some.  After work today Rachel suggested we give it a try. Simply apply, wait 10 minutes and rinse. It went on DARK. Bravo noticed and was concerned. (Groomer friends, it is OPAWS.)

I rinsed, we fluffed and brushed, and the end result?

Like cotton candy. These bows, though adorable, were too heavy, so I changed them out.

Bravo checked in to make sure herself was still herself. He found her to be  "in the pink".

Reason 2,356 why I love living here...

I had a nice day today. I treated myself to a manicure and pedicure this morning, then ran a few errands. I did banking, picked up new vacuum cleaner bags, and popped into the hardware store. When I got home I played with the dogs, checked on all the animals, and gave the poor, starving donkeys a flake of hay so they would not wither away.

After that I did a little bit of research on a mini-article I had been asked to write, and got it put together and sent. Then I got to thinking about supper. I had some left over chicken and decided that making a nice Alfredo sauce would be a good way to use it up. I had all the ingredients except heavy cream. As luck would have it, there is a farm just up the road that sells the most amazing cream and milk from a local dairy. I hopped back in my truck and trundled up the road. I could see people working off in the distance at the farm, and the doors to the barn were open. I stepped in, and was greeted by the sweet smell of hay, and an insistent "MOO!"

I had to pause and say hello. Then I turned back to the task at hand.

The milk and cream are raw, and from Jersey cows. Both are fresh and sweet. The cream is so thick in the jar you have to spoon it out.

I feel incredibly lucky to be able to enjoy such quality products, so close to home. And the best part?

It's all on the honor system.

When we lived in Memphis this never would have possible. Not only would the cash be stolen, the products would be taken, and the refrigerator would vanish.  Oh how I love living here.

Industrious day...

Yesterday I felt quite industrious all day. Freezing rain was predicted for today, so as soon as I got up I cleaned out the donkey and goat rooms. Bad weather means the animals spend a lot of time inside, so I wanted them to have clean digs. After that, Chris and I had breakfast and created the grocery store list. By 10 AM, Rachel and I were at the Appleton Fire Department, trimming nails on dogs to raise money for the volunteers there.This was in conjunction with the annual Rabies Vaccine clinic. We made $170 for them in two hours, not too shabby.

Once back home I cleaned the duck and chicken coops. Then I came inside and started cooking. One of the local groomers just had a baby, and I wanted to take her and her husband a meal so they wouldn't have to cook. I roasted one of our home raised chickens with some squash, made mashed potatoes, and added some delicious chocolate cake that Rachel had made. Meanwhile, I made a tandem meal, because we had company coming. I roasted a second chicken, with a different recipe. Chris made cocktail shrimp, I served some of the amazing mushroom goat cheese my nice neighbor sent down, Rachel and Evans brought delicious cucumber salad, and there was that chocolate cake, too. No one was hungry after all that.

I used the crystal napkin rings I bought at a flea market over a year ago for the first time.I had tucked them away and forgotten about them, but uncovered them recently and trotted them out. I wish I could find more of them, they are so pretty. 

I had a personal first. I didn't have to do any house cleaning to get ready for company. Normally I invite people over, then have to vacuum, dust, etc. before they arrive. But this time the house was company ready. All I had to do was cook.This made me feel wildly successful. It's only taken me 59 years to get to this point, and who knows if I will ever manage it again? >sigh< 

This was a huge chicken (12 lbs!) and the skin got a bit overdone during the long baking, but no one seemed to care.

When I did animal chores this morning it was 36 degrees and pouring rain. Not the predicted ice storm, thank goodness, but un-lovely just the same. I delivered hay to the goats and donkeys, ("Room Service!" I tell them) so they could stay dry. The goats got a flake of alfalfa hay as a treat. They love this stuff, and I can tell how happy they are because they hum when they eat it. "Mmmm, mmmm," they mutter, as they chew. I stood a while listening to the rain on the metal roof and the contented animal sounds.

Then I came inside, feeling contented myself. I tidied up from last nights supper, and settled in on the love seat in front of the fire. The house was quiet, the room scented by the perfume from a hyacinth I treated myself to.

I find Maine winters are nicer if I bring in blooming things to remind me that spring is just around the corner.

Today will be opposite of yesterday. I will read and rest and write a little. I'll take a nap. Balancing laziness with industry seems a good weekend plan.

Out in the world, then home...

Rachel had an errand to run in Portland today, (about a 2 hour drive,) and I went with her. Since opening my business at home, I find I don't leave the house very often. This is fine with me, but sometimes it's good to get out.  The day was cold but clear, and I watched the scenery whip by as she drove. Tall granite walls, where rock was blasted to make highway, boasted ice formations 20 feet or more tall. We had a dusting of snow yesterday, and the trees were covered with light, pretty, powder. A search on Google found us "the best salad in Portland," so we drove until we found Daily Greens. Huge, fresh, beautiful salads were soon ours. We ate until we could eat no more, and brought home the rest. A treat. While were in town we stopped at Trader Joe's. I was captivated by the huge display of plants and fresh flowers. Calla lilies, roses in every imaginable shade, a table full of orchids, one of wee succulents. It was a feast for my eyes. Rachel picked up a few necessities, I poked around to see the things one does not find in a regulation grocery store, and then we were on our way for the last stop.  That completed, we headed home.

The dogs were delighted to see us. I gathered up some old bread, a handful of spinach that was getting past it's prime, and a little bowl of leftovers, and headed out to yard. I gave the little silkie chickens a portion of each, they were non committal. Then I headed over to the big coop. I put most of the spinach in the ducks water bowl, and they had a happy little party, gobbling down the greens. I am sure they get sick of their winter ration of pellets, corn and sunflower seeds. The laying flock went insane over the bread and leftovers. One chicken will grab a treat and run like heck, the others all chasing it. Usually one will snatch the treat from the beak of the original runner, and the chase is back on. Eventually all the goodies are gone and peace resumes.

The donkeys sang the song of their people when they saw me. I brought a flake of hay out for them to share.

Clearly they had been starving in my absence.

A light snow began to fall, but at the same time, the sun shone through some low clouds in the western sky. It gave the world a slightly rosy glow.

The flakes landed on the donkeys thick coats and stayed right there, testament to how well insulated their long, winter fuzz keeps them. Their body heat is trapped in,and the flakes don't melt. 

It was nice to get out in the world a bit, but it's even better to come home. 

Warm gift...

I could have done way worse in the in-law department. Not only was I incredibly lucky in my choice of life partners, he also has a sweet family. Example: my sister in law Brenda, and her daughter Lisa.
Lisa is just two months younger than me, sometimes I forget she's a "niece." These ladies are seriously talented, and Generous with a capitol "G." Brenda called me just before Christmas and said, "I sent you a package, call me when you get ready to open it." That sounded promising. When Debbie, my lovely postal delivery lady, brought me a big, heavy box, I was pretty tickled. As soon as the last dog was groomed, we face-timed Brenda and Lisa.

Inside the box was a fabulous, beautiful, soft, warm quilt.  The dynamic mother/daughter duo were at it again, making people happy by gifting them with one of their works of art. They chose this fabric specially for us... lots of white and soft pastels to go with my taste, and the fabric is flannel, for added warmth in the long, cold, Maine winters. And it's perfect. We have a lovely feather duvet which we both are fond of. I mostly like it from the time I go to bed until about midnight, when it feels too hot. Chris likes it all the time. I end up tossing it off my side, and then I am too cold. But this quilt, made with love from my darling in-laws is JUST RIGHT.Not too hot, not too cold. And its pretty, too.

That's what I call a warm gift.