Happy Easter

Almost like being there. 
Hope you had a peaceful and happy Easter morning.

Smile

Amanda sent this picture today of Nova, crocheting Easter sweaters for their pet baby chicks.
They don't seem to mind at all. 

Bleeding hearts

I remember looking at the fridge calendar in February, thinking about the busy month of April, packed with almost too many enjoyable things:

A trip to California for my birthday. A weekend in the Methow Valley to watch the girls performing in community theater. Two Seattle Symphony Sunday afternoon concerts. Four ukulele practices and a performance at a Senior Center fundraiser. Four afternoons at my volunteer job. A haircut and color. A drive out to the horse barn. Lunch with friend. Trips to the gym, recreational shopping, and all the countless little things that once filled the day.

Might as well take it down for a couple of months.

But I'm not complaining really, that's just how it is right now. And compared to the suffering going on, these are trivial disappointments. So many people are still getting sick. Millions around the world are suddenly without a livelihood or financial safety net.  On the evening news, depressing pictures of thousands of Americans lining up for food, not seen on that scale since the Great Depression.

Today is Good Friday, sometimes called "Black Friday." For Christians, a time for silence and contemplation. Today is about the light at the end of the tunnel.

Family snaps

Nova and Maya at "school."

 Teacher Maya grills her sis.

Little mother hens with their chicks.  Yes, all five are still doing fine and growing.

Getting ready for Easter.

A sweet banner for the hardworking Nurse-Teacher-Mommy.

Oatmeal cookies

I don't usually get excited about oatmeal cookies, but found this great recipe on "Taste of Home." It has a tablespoon of molasses, which might be the secret to the perfect texture-- not too dry, not too soft. 

Chewy Oatmeal Cookies

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 tbs. molasses
2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups all purpose flour
2 cups quick cooking oats
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup each raisins and chopped pecans
1 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Cream together sugars, eggs and butter until fluffy, then stir in vanilla and molasses.
In a separate bowl, mix the flour, oats, soda, salt, cinnamon, raisins and pecans.

Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet.

Bake on greased cookie sheets at 350 for about 10 minutes, or until lightly brown.  Cool on racks.

It makes a big batch so I froze half for later. "Later" is fast approaching.

Over the top, but tough times call for drastic measures.

A good day

The panic response might be useful in a pinch, but living in a constant state of fear and anxiety is not. Maybe our minds and bodies sense this. With some effort, we begin to settle into new habits. Hopefully, healthy ones.

At least, that's the goal. And eventually, like it or not, this new life becomes almost routine. Humans are an adaptable species. Just pick up a history book.

It was a beautiful day yesterday.  It did me a world of good being outside and doing something useful at the same time. I cleaned up the old patio and pulled out my cheap (but comfortable) plastic lawn chairs. Sitting in the warm April sunshine listening to the birds, it's hard to imagine anything could be wrong with the world. 

With the weeds gone, this little pocket garden is starting to fill in with astilbes, bleeding hearts and ferns. The temperature is finally in the 60's, and every leaf and flower bursting out.

One of the prettiest songs ever written: