First Interview

Rick had his first interview today. It was with Kwik Trip. I was a wreck. Rick, only slightly so.

We found some books at the library to help with answering some of those tough interview questions and practiced at home.  He also had a practice interview with the Assistant Library Director - better than 'just Mom' doing it.

He was as polished as he could be with a three day notice - practice, practice and more practice, a hair cut and a nice shirt.  That's about all a young man can do.  We will see what comes of it all.

Grandmother Trees

When my Grammas died last spring, I bought cherry trees and planted them in their honor.  The first one to bloom was the tree to the East - My Gramma Wille's tree.  The tree to the West - Lola's tree has lots of buds, but she's not quite blooming yet.

Gramma Wille - Tiny heart in the center blossom.

Gramma Wille's Cherry Tree

Cherry Blossom

Cake Truffles

I wanted to make something special for my YG girls and I thought Cake Truffles (aka cake pops) would be kinda fun to try making since I've never made them before. They were my guinea pig testers!

I used a confetti cake mix and my own frosting; dipping them into a butterscotch mixture with sugar cookie/butterscotch crumbles.

The ones I've tasted in the past were either alright or only slightly alright.  Mine, ahem..., I must say... ahem..., were very tasty.  However, they were not gluten free. I ate two of them anyway.  While they were very tasty, I didn't really like them.  So, maybe it wasn't that the previous ones I had, tasted only slightly alright, but maybe I just don't like them to begin with.

Sunday Afternoons

Church today and then it was my turn to guide the YG Bible study.  One of the girls asked if we could do our study outside in the beautiful weather. Of course, I said, "YES!"  Snacks and Bibles in hand, out into the weather we went.

Afterwards, once we were home, I decided to sit in the Sanctuary of my gardens.  They are all brown and blechy right now, but it was so warm out there that I didn't mind the brown blechiness.  My backyard is very secluded. The only evidence of neighbors comes from any noises they may make - heard, but not seen.  If they don't make any noise, I only hear some mild traffic sounds and an occasional plane.  Mostly, I hear birds.

Mom's Quivering Aspen

The northwest corner of the backyard is hugged by a cedar fence. There is also a 45' pine tree, several cedar-type trees, cherry trees, a lilac, a flowering crab and a 42' Quivering Aspen that I found as an 8" shoot on my Mother's property many years ago.  There is a curved sitting bench in this corner. It once belonged to my Grampa. He gave it to me years before he died.  This is where I sit -- on my Grampa's bench. On either side of me are the cherry trees which I affectionately call, "The Grandmother Cherries."  I bought them shortly after both of my Grandmothers died in 2011 -- almost a year ago now.

That corner is the warmest, most secluded and most sheltered spot on our little piece of property.

We will see Momma bunnies sunning themselves there in the spring.  In the coming cold of winter, a cat will sometimes sun herself there too. In the spring you will also find me there too -- sunning away.  That's how it was for me today. A sunny spring day and I was in the back corner sunning myself.

Sleeping on my thick blankie.

Me & Sophie

Later, I decided to get my thick and plushy comforter and hug pillow. I threw then down on the deck in a sunny spot and promptly fell asleep.  This is a typical Sunday afternoon activity -- napping.  We get everything done that we need to, go to church and head home for a long afternoon nap.  It's a blessing during anytime of the year.

A Sanctuary I Can Always Go To

I heard my first mourning dove of the season today.

It's a beautiful day. We have some very noisy wind, but the temp is 62* and the sky is a gorgeous spring-time blue and cloudless.

The house was quiet. It was just me and our zoo of 4-legged creatures.  The 4-leggeds were all sleeping. Outside the wind was blowing like only March winds can blow -- LOUD.  

Whipping everything in it's path, the wind shudders against the skin of my home.  Whistling through the window screens and rattling the exterior doors, the winds dry up my winter moistened garden beds.  The leaves are coming loose and find their way into a neighbor's yard. My wind chimes, that hang in the budding lilac tree, are made of bamboo tubes.  They are singing their hollow tune along with the noisy wind.

Amidst all of this noise, I hear the distinct, "Oo-wah-hooo, hoo-hoo" of the mourning dove.  In the rattle and shudder of the wind, the mourning dove's call is steady and gentle.  Clear and distinct, the dove doesn't sound at all flustered in the 30mph wind gusts.  His mournful song cries out and I hear it.  Amid all the noise of nature and man-made rattling, I hear the soft, gentle call of the dove.

The five notes of the mourning dove take me back to childhood memories...

Once again, I am a small child in my grandparents' yard. I am hiding amid the evergreens.  Laying down on the forest floor, I am watching the sunlight play among the branches of the evergreens.  The ground beneath me is soft with fallen brown needles.  The scent of pine sap is strong and it sticks to the tips of my fingers.

I float through my memories and I am a young girl, laying awake in my room on Juneau Street.  I am trying to fall asleep during the twilight of evening.  I lay there, awake, watching the path of headlights on my ceiling as the cars go by. I watch for such a long time, that I can tell if they are traveling East to West or West to East.

The sound of the mourning dove continues to carry me to days more recent - sort of... I am a young mother. I am tired and nap when I can - usually when the children do.  Laundry is piled high and probably needs folding, but I am a  young Mommy with sleeping babes.  I am sitting in our living room and it is filled with blankies, stuffed animals, toys and lace filtered sunlight on a wonderful summer evening. I am listening to both babes and doves, "coo-coo" as only babes and doves can coo.

Each memory is one of peace and tranquility. The song of the mourning dove was heard during those still and peaceful times of my life. The memories become a haven in my mind; a sanctuary I can always go to. Doors always unlocked, as in the days long passed, because I hold the key.

Gluten Free Chocolate Cupcakes

What a disaster... at first. I have pictures to share with you, but my camera is dead right now. So, awaiting a good healthy charge, I will post the disasterous photographic evidence later.

I did manage to salvage some of the batter and wonderful little cupcakes came out of the oven!  Just enough to frost and pop in your mouth.  I was so happy I cried. I cannot tell you how much I missed eating cake and cupcakes!

Snowy Wisconsin

It's snowing and I'm extremely happy with that! It's beautiful, thick and heavy.  I'm going to try to get some night photos in a bit to post later.  For now though, this Pacific Islander girl is happy to be in Wisconsin!