We finally found a date that all three of us were available, and today was the day! Nate dropped the girls off, and we all pitched in to make it happen. They were so amazing – they checked the menu items, chose a chore, and started working. I didn’t have to tell them anything. They were pleasant, and excited, and capable. I took on the job of setting the table and assigning serving dishes, and the girls handled all the food.

That was quite a change from ten years ago, when Autmn informed me that Chrissy was not allowed to handle glassware, and Chrissy informed me that Autmn wasn’t allowed to use knives! They were knee-deep in both this afternoon! Now they are curled up with blankets watching a Disney movie while I write this post.

Chrissy took charge of the fried potatoes and cleaning the strawberries. Autmn cut the cheese in small serving sizes, bemoaning the fact that we didn’t have ‘cabin’ cheese for the occasion. Autmn and Chrissy worked together on the pizza rolls and bites, while Autmn handled the Snoopy cookies. I set out small bowls of sugar for the strawberries, and of course I spilled a bunch all over the table, which they cleaned up!

After the tea, the girls jumped in and washed all the dishes and cleaned up the sink. All I had to do was put the good china away in the cupboard. Times, they are a-changing — but one thing that hasn’t changed is how much we all enjoy our Annual Crocus Tea! When I dropped the girls at home, they both thanked me and said they had a wonderful day! Here’s to the Tenth Annual Crocus Tea! Love you girls!

Mary was feeling better this week and was in Sunday School. She brought in a cookie kit that came with icing markers. The kids had a great time decorating and eating their egg cookies. The lesson was about Jesus’s arrest through being placed in the tomb, and we all agreed that it was a sad way to leave the story. Next week we hear the rest of the story!

April 10 – Relate a favorite spring memory. “Down where Uncle Jim lives had daffodils all over the field. An old house had once stood there. In the spring Ruth, Hazel, & I would pick big bouquets & take them to the neighbors. We were always glad when the narcissus started to bloom. They smelled so good.”

Yesterday’s vacation destination was the Biltmore Estate in Ashville NC – and the picture posted was gardens and trails. Other highlights of this estate:

Calendar inspiration is from Peanuts:

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TOMORROW April 11th is:

• National Barber Shop Quartet Day
• National Cheese Fondue Day
• National Eight Track Tape Day
• National Pet Day
• National Submarine Day

If you do have a pet (or pets) tomorrow is the day to shower them with extra love, attention and snacks! Here’s an extra hug to Tazz – still miss that pup! God bless…

Today was the community Easter Egg Hunt at Hempfield Church. The setup committee was busy all week and things were in place for the most part when I got there at 9am. Several dozen of us started on the food, setting up the games, and putting out supplies. Many hands make light work! I was able to stay until 11am, at which time I went to pick up Chrissy to take her to her football game (she plays flag football).

When I got back, the event was in full swing. The kids were having a great time, playing games and climbing around and going through their eggs. When they registered they received an egg carton with a dozen filled eggs, then could hunt for more in the auditorium. There was cotton candy, cookies, hotdogs, chips, drinks, veggies/dip, fruit and snacks. It was close to 1pm before people started leaving and we could get cleaned up. It was after 3pm when I got home. It was so much fun, even for the adults, and always good to spend time with the young and older alike.

My rice bag sprung a leak last night, so I stitched that up first thing. I still have ironing to do and a few other small things. I had a hot dog for lunch at church so supper will be light.

April 9 – Make up a limerick about me. “Marge was a girl what loved to write; she would keep at it day & night. She wrote many stories & even a poem – that told people about her home.”

Yesterday’s vacation destination was Topsail (NC), where Rege and his family were for vacation. The picture posted was beach rentals. Here are some additional photos:

Calendar inspiration is – satisfying work always makes a happy heart.

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TOMORROW April 10th is:

• Encourage a Young Writer Day
• National Cinnamon Crescent Day
• National Farm Animals Day
• National Siblings Day

I can celebrate all of those, since Peyton is knee deep in farm animals, not to mention Piggy Smalls. I love encouraging young writers and I love my sibling! So there we go. Have a wonderful Sunday and God Bless…

( * There were 673 jelly beans in the jar…)

I got up early to mix up the bread dough. Then I baked the scones, and Diane came for breakfast. She just needed to talk through a few things, and it worked out because we could both just talk though things. She stayed until noon and I think we again attempted to solve the world’s problems. It remains to be seen if we solved ANYTHING!

It was very foggy last night. When I got up in the night, the houses behind me looked haunted and eerie. You couldn’t even see the lights on the next street over. But this morning the fog lifted as the sun broke through.

I was just getting ready to drive over to the Five Star Trail and walk, but took a minute to fold laundry. When I came out of the laundry room it was pouring rain! So I was glad I hadn’t gone. I took a long walk through the neighborhood when the sun came out, and found a cluster of grape hyacinths blooming at the bottom of the driveway.

Then my tax lady called with news of my finished return, and I met her at the mall to sign documents and get my copies — and of course to pay her! Then I got my bath soap at Barbara Ann’s, and then discovered that Bath & Body Works had their hand soup on sale for $3.50 each. I replaced some near-empty ones in my downstairs bathroom and laundry room, and still have a spare. Super great price, and I seldom purchase those so I was excited.

When I was coming home I snapped a picture coming down Swede Hill Road. It’s a great view.

Now the bread is baking, and once this is finished I will possibly iron and then balance the checking account. That will be it for the day.

April 8 – Make up a limerick about yourself. “There once was a girl named Dot – Who sighed when it got too hot. She would wade in the ‘run’, and have lots of fun, until called home by her mum.” And you wonder where I get my writing creativity!!!

Yesterday’s vacation destination was San Francisco. I went there on a work convention once, and rode on a cable car as pictured yesterday. Other points of interest are:

Calendar Inspiration – Try to find a quiet corner for your creative hobby or craft.

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TOMORROW April 9th is:

• National Cherish an Antique Day
• National Chinese Almond Cookie Day
• National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day
• National Name Yourself Day
• National Unicorn Day
• National Winston Churchill Day

Oh, I have so many antiques that I do cherish. They mean a lot to me, mostly because they are family pieces. Diane’s daughter Shannon LOVES unicorns – she has several hundred! Tomorrow is the community Easter Egg Hunt at Hempfield Church – I plan to help in the morning. It will probably be inside, because it’s supposed to SNOW!!! And stay COLD! But the kids will have fun as always. God Bless…

Work was light today – I was able to come home and mix up scones and get them in the fridge. Then I picked up Kathy and we headed over to Laughlintown for our last Fireside Chat. And the fireside was blazing and warm.

It was raining, but we grabbed umbrellas and went across to the Pie Shoppe and got pizza and a cookie for lunch. Since we couldn’t eat outside on the patio we took our lunch back to the car and sat and ate and talk. It was a nice, quiet hour. I don’t think we solved any of the world’s issues, but if discussing them could have made it happen, we’d all be in fine shape!

I am fascinated by the barrel catching the water at the corner of the building, knowing that the wooden barrel was handmade. The huge stone in front of the porch has so much character. I have a very small version of that by my front porch, and that stone was the front stoop at my grandparents’ house when we lived on Shady Lane. I love seeing that stone! I have so much from the Crooks family, and the stone is from the Steiner family.

Emily’s presentation was fun and informative. We learned a lot about the combination of words and phrases, and the introduction of new words or the spelling of words. We were sorry that this was the last Chat!

The sun came out on the drive home, although the sky was very dark over the opposite hill. Wondering what weather we will get this evening.

April 7 – Did you ever try to adopt a wild animal? “Yes – we raised wild rabbits when we found a nest. We used a baby bottle to feed them by dripping milk in their mouth. Tried to keep turtles but they wouldn’t eat so we had to let them go back in the wild.”

Yesterday’s vacation destination was Nashville TN, and the picture posted was Belle Meade Plantation. Other sites in Nashville:

Calendar inspiration – Start early on big jobs – progress will inspire you to keep working.

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TOMORROW April 8th is:

• National All Is Ours Day
• National Empanada Day
• National Zoo Lovers Day

Tomorrow is: bake scones, make homemade bread, and do laundry day. I’m also having my friend Diane over to share breakfast. That should take me till lunch time! Have a happy weekend. God bless…

There’s nothing too exciting about spending the day doing laundry and cleaning. But it’s done for another week. When I took the trash up I found that I actually have several white hyacinths in bloom outside so that was a bonus discovery!

I ran into an unexpected disappointment today, and it saddened me considerably. Right now I am just trusting God for comfort and resolution (nothing health related…). Just a little cloud – waiting for the sun to return! God is good!

Our last Fireside Chat is tomorrow at Compass Inn. We have really enjoyed them, and I hope Kath and I can find additional programs to get involved with! Our Gilded Age series is done for the season, and now the Chats are concluding. Bring on more fun! I’m ready!

April 6 – Have you ever hunted or tried to capture a wild animal? “I would take the 22 rifle & go & set in the woods and watch for a squirrel or a rabbit. Never fired at one. I did try to shoot a groundhog but always missed.”

Yesterday’s vacation destination was Buffalo Bill Ranch historic site, in Nebraska. If you recall, Tuesday was National Nebraska day so it seemed fitting. Other sites in Nebraska:

Calendar inspiration – Be Enthusiastic in using your talents to do good work.

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TOMORROW April 7th is:

• National Beer Day
• National Coffee Cake Day
• National Girl Me Too Day
• National No Housework Day
• National Burrito Day
• National Alcohol Screening Day  

No housework! I don’t think I could get through a day that way. I’ll stick with our fireside chat and whatever I can get done at home! God bless…

I got a lot accomplished today – beginning with Pinnacle in Jeannette. Rege is back from vacation but he didn’t feel his best the whole time he was gone. Despite that, he managed to find the coveted postcard and bring it back for me. I had heard he was sick, so I packaged up a handful of the chocolate/ peanut butter pretzel nuggets for him (his favorite). I told him that was his prescribed medication and he was to finish it completely! He was eating them when I left.

I had a few things to do in Greensburg, then headed to Cracker barrel to get Root Beer Barrels. They did NOT have them! But I did find what Chrissy wanted so that mission accomplished. Matt finally txt me the mixture of Scott’s lawn treatment that I needed, so after a lunch of leftover pizza I treated the entire yard. Used the whole bag. Then I ‘suited up’ and sprayed the rocks on the hill with the Round-up. Those are things that work better before a rain. Hoping it turns out as planned.

While I was outside I saw an amazing phenomena – an EGG was growing up the middle of my hyacinth. Wonder how THAT happened???

Walmart finally got their spring flower shipment, and I got a small hyacinth and a larger one, both a shade of bright pink. I was looking for white but didn’t find any. But once they bloom the house will smell amazing, and then I will plant them strategically to bloom forever.

Bill Smail’s obituary was in today’s Trib. It was a nice write-up and a good photo. I also saw that Dr. Courtney passed away – he delivered both of my kids! He was a very nice man and a good obstetrician. And while we are talking about the Trib, search for Ninth Life Rescue and see the article about the 70 cats rescued. Jen is interviewed. There is also a 60 minute news clip on WTAE about the same rescue that features her, as well. So she’s really received some positive exposure and opportunity to raise some much-needed funds.

April 5 – Did you ever feel a hatred for another person? Explain. “I just remember after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor the whole nation had a hatred for them. We also hated Hitler. When I got older I understood not to ‘hate’ anyone. Just what they did.” A huge truth – we should all share and embrace it!

Yesterday’s vacation destination ten destinations for flower gardens, and the picture posted was Las Pozas Mexico. Other locations are:

Calendar inspiration – Accomplish tasks one by one – take time to do each one well.

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TOMORROW April 6th is:

• National Caramel Popcorn Day
• National Sorry Charlie Day
• National Student-Athlete Day
• National Tartan Day
• National Teflon Day
• New Beer’s Eve
• National Bookmobile Day
• National Walking Day
• Childhelp National Day of Hope

Bookmobile! That’s cool. Something you could walk to. Enjoy the middle of the week and check in again. God bless…

Today is PEEPS day – April, Liz, and Joelyn are coming for an evening of fun and food. We have a lot to catch up on, because we haven’t had a PEEPS night since the pandemic. PEEPS stands for Previously Employed/Employed People of Smails. 🙂 I bought little peeps to share for the occasion!

I have the table all ready, the drinks in the mini-fridge, the salad made and the pizza ordered. Just have to wait until 5pm to set the rest out. I’m excited to catch up with everything that’s going on in their lives.

The girls arrived right with the pizza, about 5:15. We dove right into eating and chatting. Let’s see – what’s new? Liz finished her classes, and will graduate and walk with her class in May. She also bought a new car – a really sharp Mazda! I may be a bit jealous… Joelyn just ordered a new Chevy, adopted a dog and got a puppy in addition. Her daughter is still taking classes in Arizona and she misses her being home. April just got back from a wonderful cruise and already booked another one for September. She just spent a long weekend with all three of her kids and all three of her grandchildren for her birthday in March, and it was a great time. I shared my basement water disaster and my friendship with Liz Bromke, and the fact that I am so glad to be working where I am! And that was just the tip of the evening. We had a lot of great conversations. So glad they shared their evening so we could finally get together!

Out of nowhere the thought came to me that I had the ladder from our old bunk beds in the shed. The beds are long gone, but the other day I saw a segment on HGTV where a designer displayed blankets on a ladder. So I went to the shed, got the ladder and scrubbed it, and put a few blankets on it. Ta-da!!! I like it!

April 4 – Did you ever make a kite? How? Tell about your kite flying experiences. “Every year we made a kite for each of us kids. We used brown butchers paper. Made our paste by cooking flour & water together. We used scraps of old material to tie onto a string to make a tail. The hardest thing was to save enough pennies to buy our kite string. We decorated our kites by coloring designs on them.” Oh, what kids miss nowadays! As much excitement in making as in flying!

Yesterday’s vacation destination was Richmond Virginia, and the picture posted was the Garthright House at the Cold Harbor Battlefield. We went on a tour of the battlefield when I was researching ‘Letters to Mary’. Here are more points of interest:

Calendar Inspiration – Use the energy of springtime to begin some new resolutions for personal growth.

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TOMORROW April 5th is:

• First Contact Day
• Gold Star Spouses Day
• National Caramel Day
• National Deep Dish Pizza Day
• National Flash Drive Day
• National Go for Broke Day
• National Nebraska Day
• National Raisin and Spice Bar Day
• National Read a Road Map Day 
• SAAM Day of Action
• National Library Workers Day
• National Employee Benefits Day 

There is definitely a lot of celebrations to choose from! If I was going to choose one, it would probably be Deep Dish Pizza. Or Road Map day. That sounds fun! Where can we go? Hmmm. Have a blessed day!

It never even hit 40* today. It was cold and cloudy and rainy and not the best day to be running errands after church – but there were several things I needed to do. It was after 1pm when I got home, and the neighbor was mowing his yard! It was in the 60’s yesterday when I was mowing – it was in the damp mid-30’s today. Brrr.

Mary was not able to be in Sunday School, so after the lesson I helped the kids with their palm leaves. We attached stems and glued the word ‘HOSANNA’ on the leaf. They each took a turn as Jesus riding into Jerusalem on the ‘stick’ donkey while the others waved their branches and shouted Hosanna. We sent a photo to Mary to cheer her up.

After lunch (toast!) I did the ironing and then finally made the chocolate covered pretzels. They did turn out better than I thought. Just as messy, though. I’ll find little non-perils all over the floor for weeks!

Last night, a little after midnight, I received a txt message from my long-time friend, Rick Kozar. He and Bill Smail have been together since about the late 80’s or early 90’s. I met Bill (Bud and Jim’s younger brother who is exactly my age) in the first month I started at Smail’s in 1967. We became friends and I feel blessed by having them in my life. Rick wanted me to know that Bill passed away last evening. He has suffered from Parkinson’s for over 25 years. Rick has been a primary caregiver since the onset, and I know it was a total love commitment for him to care for Bill. He will be lost without him. I am sorry for the loss of my dear friend, but he has struggled for so many years that I know now he is at peace. Love you, my friend!

I’ll miss you, my friend.

April 3 – As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? “I wanted to be a dancer & work at the fairs. Tiz-Liz was the dancer I saw when I was about 7 or 8 years old & I practiced dancing when I could.” You go, Mom! I would have guessed a doctor….

Yesterday’s vacation destination (closely aligned with our own Newport destination) was New London CT. Do any of these appeal to you, Kath? The picture posted was Old Town Mill. Other points of interest are:

Calendar Inspiration for today is Snoopy:

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TOMORROW April 4th is:

• Jeep 4×4 Day 
• National Chicken Cordon Bleu Day
• National Hug a Newsperson Day
• National School Librarian Day
• National Vitamin C Day
• National Walk Around Things Day

I have spent today thinking about Bill, and will probably do that tomorrow as well. But I do have the PEEPS to look forward to tomorrow. Take your vitamins and take a walk – and hug your librarian! God bless…

Christina, Autmn and I are trying to get a time and day for the Crocus tea. Hoping for next weekend. The girls are spending tonight and tomorrow together at Lori’a so they can work out details around games and rides and puppies and we’ll go from there! Autmn sent me a picture of her with Shawn and Rosy.

Kathy (aka Aunt Cordelia) and I took a trip out to Lapp’s Family Market to get block chocolate for my pretzels. They only carry the block chocolate at Christmas, so I got the wafers. Hopefully it will work ok. I’ll try it tonight or tomorrow. We left Lapp’s and went to 2 different Dollar Trees, and I sort of found what I needed but it wasn’t exactly what I wanted. It will do. I did get the cinnamon rolls iced (yellow and green) so that is finished.

After lunch I decided to mow the grass – first cutting of the season. The mower started right up and the lawn looks wonderful. I even weed-whacked and only went through one battery! I did, however, realize that it’s time to start the spring projects, and I need to get my annual hyacinth to enjoy and then plant. I need to get Round-up for the stones between the fences on the hill. I need to get the lawn fertilizer now that I have my spreader. And I need a bag or two of top soil to fill in a few places where the winter washed away the grass. Tis the season!

After the yard work I washed the car. First time for that with this car. It was so totally dirty! I know it doesn’t appear to be too bad but it was horrid. Now it’s clean and shiny and happy in the garage!

April 2 – Tell about a practical joke or prank someone played on you. “Uncle Edd had a wooden snake. He would hide it where he knew I would see it & think it was a real snake. I would always yell & sometimes throw the snake as far as I could when I knew it wasn’t a real snake.”

Yesterday’s vacation destination was Phuket (never heard of it!) and the picture posted was Island hopping. Other points of interest:

Calendar inspiration – We are all teachers; people watch and learn from our behaviors.

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TOMORROW April 3rd is:

• National Chocolate Mousse Day
• National Film Score Day
• National Find a Rainbow Day
• National Tweed Day
• World Party Day
• Geologists Day 

Rainbows are cool – but that means it has to rain first. Hmmm. Let’s see what tomorrow brings! God bless…

So far, so good – no April Fool’s pranks! It was a strange weather day; sunny, windy, snowy, cloudy. I was hoping to not go out anywhere but had a call from Mike P and had to run over there really quick. Thankfully it’s close. Happy:

Thanks to Deb for the hint for puffing up my cookies. I’m planning on trying it on my next batch. In the meantime, I had two little duckies decide they want to go to live with Kathy. So I helped them pack and will deliver them tomorrow… .

I did some vacation research earlier, did some laundry, and mixed up two batches of cookies (not Chocolate Chip, though). I used the Candy Cane recipe and just made multi-colored twists. I made pie dough cinnamon rolls – but they still need iced. That might be tomorrow’s task, as I have to grab some dinner yet. And Iron. And answer an email!

April 1 – Do you have a good April Fool’s Day story? “We thought it was good when we were kids. We put salt in the sugar bowl. Dad wasn’t too happy when he had to throw out all his breakfast cereal.”

Yesterday’s vacation destination was Martha’s Vineyard, and the picture posted was the Charlotte Inn. Ever since watching A GODWINK CHRISTMAS in I believe 2018 – knowing it was based on a true story – I have been drawn to the island and the Inn. Maybe someday… other points of interest are:

Calendar inspiration – Today, focus on the positive.

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TOMORROW April 2nd is:

• National Ferret Day
• National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day
• National Reconciliation Day
• World Autism Awareness Day 
• National Love Our Children Day
• National Handmade Day 

I do love my children! And grandchildren, and sister, and cousins, and other family, and friends! So much happy love! Tell someone you love them – tomorrow and every day! God bless…