Sunny Saturday

Hi, all. Things are pretty peachy down here in GA. Trent will head back to work on Monday, and he's looking forward to getting back into that routine again.

This past week, he hung curtains that his mom sent for our living room and kitchen. They look amazing.

Today, we went back for round two of our triathlon training class, and we're not nearly as pooped as we were last week. After today's class, I sauteed an onion, fried an egg, and mixed that up with some quinoa, cumin, garlic, pepper, and olive oil. It was tasty and filling. I think Trent and I have picked out a race to do in June, and we'll probably sign up in the next few days.

In other news, after dragging their feet for six weeks, Wichita State finally contacted one of my references regarding the job I applied for in January. (They have yet to contact me, although my reference told me I'm on the "short list.") At this point, the process is taking so long that even if I get a job offer, it will be too late for us to attempt to sell the house in time to move. We've set a deadline of April 1 for a job offer. And we've decided that the job offer will have be very good for us to take the risk of trying to sell the house, after re-roofing and refinancing last summer. With the economy the way it is, we will have to think long and hard before giving up our secure jobs here in GA and potentially taking a big hit with the sale of this house--if it even sells.

We're thankful that we at least have the option of choosing and that we won't be forced into a move (or a job) that doesn't make sense financially or professionally. Don't get me wrong--we both want to live closer to our families, but this job search is taking much longer than I would have expected a spring search to go.

So, that's what's happening in our neck of the woods. We hope all is well in the Midwest, and we love ya!

Tea is Served

The snow is falling. The world is once again cold, white and gray. My longing for spring and all the postings about lovely tea parties has inspired me to include my own invitation for an afternoon tea.

It is Saturday afternoon in early June. The patio and wrap around porch are filled with pots of geraniums and petunias. The guests are greeted by the soft flowing sounds from the harpist. The wicker tables with glass tops are set with fine china, sterling silverware and lavender colored linen napkins. Bouquets of lilacs, day lilies, white roses, baby breath and springs of lavender fill clear crystal vases. The guests are seated in wicker arm chairs with lush floral cushions.

The menu will consist of an assortment of sandwiches such as carrot-ginger tea sandwiches, goat cheese and cucumber mint sandwiches and smoked salmon on pumpernickel sandwiches.

The tea is an Earl Gray

The tea desserts include: lemon curd tarts, scones with raspberry jam and clotted cream, shortbread cookies with white chocolate and raspberries, lavender cookies and chocolate dipped strawberries

The tea is white jasmine.

Enjoy this visit to a late spring tea.

Trent's a swimmer now!

Trent's been toying with the idea of doing a triathlon for a few months now, and the last couple of weeks he's hopped in the water with me for a short swim workout on Tuesday mornings.

Today, we went to a triathlon training class at our YMCA, and it was great! Trent swam 950 yards--over half a mile! In my lane, I paced off some speedy guys and had a pretty stellar workout too. Then, we went to a 45 minute cycle class, followed by a 1-mile run.

The swim workout is longer than the sprint triathlon we'll do; the bike is about the same, and the 1-mile run is about 2 miles less than the actual race. So, we're planning to add some time to our runs each week until we've built up to closer to race distance. We'll see how it goes.

I'm really proud of Trent though. He held his own in his swim lane, and our coach says that he'll be moving up to the next lane very soon. He's a fish in the water!

Hope all is well for everyone!

a valentine's day tea party

Sorry I'm late Honor! My menu consists of an appetizer, chocolate-hazelnut dippped fruit on a skewer. Then a spinach & orange salad with feta cheese, red onions, with italian dressing, served with strawberry & rosemary scones shaped like hearts, and cold glasses of peach tea and cherries. An orange tea cake lightly dusted with powdered sugar topped with heavy whipping cream an rasberries served with hot orange spice tea. The entertainment will be old black and white movies such as, Father of the Bride, with Spencer Tracy and Elizabeth Taylor. All in a garden setting with small wrought iron tables, citrus trees and roses.

A Poem In Memory.....

I post this poem in memory of Bill and Honor Consier; our maternal grandparents. I think they would like it. The poem is also fitting for Valentine's Day. It is written by Robert Burns from Scotland.







A Red Red Rose





O my luve's like a red, red rose,


That's newly sprung in June;


O my luve's like the melodie


That's sweetly played in tune.





As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,


So deep in luve am I;


And I will luve thee still, my dear,


Till a' the seas gang dry.





Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,


And the rocks melt wi' the sun;


O I will love thee still, my dear,


While the sands o' life shall run.





And fare thee weel, my only luve,



And fare thee weel awhile!


And I will come again, my luve,



Though it were ten thousand mile.

Welcome to a Valentine Tea Party

Dear Fiddler Kin,



Carol and I would like to invite you to an imaginary tea party. We have tried to coordinate our efforts, and each of us will present our menu. If we were actually hosting this event, all the food listed byCarol and me would be served.



So imagine yourself in a tea room. The round tables are covered with white linen tablecloths. Red placemats are at each table setting. A vase sets in the middle of the table. The vase holds red, yellow and pink roses. The dish pattern is a Royal Albert Old Country Rose design. By each place setting is a pink card. On the card are these words by James Wright:



Suddenly I realize

That if I stepped out of my body I would break

Into blossom.



Soft music is playing as Carol and Honor begin to serve their much loved guests. Honor brings forth a platter of cucumber cream cheese sandwiches. A cup of darjeeling tea from India is also served. Her middle course is chilled strawberry soup. The dessert is mini chocolate chocolate chip muffins. A light white tea flavored with blueberries and pomegranites is paired with the muffins.



Pleasant conversation brings the tea to a happy conclusion.



HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY