World turned upside-down

Sweetness gets twisty in her hammock

BREAKING NEWS:

I have tested positive for being a slacker in the area of blogging.

What? You have been too busy and/or distracted (that's actually my excuse) to notice?

Well then let's pick up as though we never left off; shall we?

Skeleton with pet raven ... because why not

Last Sunday, amid coronavirus panic and self-isolation and quarantines and cancellations of church and school and shortages at the grocery store and whatnot, the family gathered to celebrate our Audrey's birthday.

Our number was nine, in keeping with the President's directive that we keep groups to under ten.

We'd planned a brunch of waffles made by Audrey on her adorable Dash Mini Maker.

The birthday girl ... playing with pain

Andrew and Brittany, who gave me the skeleton and raven towel pictured above on my birthday a few weeks ago, also gave me a cereal dispenser.

There were Lucky Charms and Cocoa Pebbles on tap.

To go on top of our little waffles we had fresh strawberries, blackberries, real maple syrup, powdered sugar, and Reddi-wip.

We put it in writing

Yes; that was delicious beyond anything I have the ability to describe in mere words.

While Audrey produced a pile of warm waffles, I made omelets to order.

Everyone was happy with their brunch and we had a great time hanging out. 

Take your pick: Chucky Larms or Cocoa Pebbles

I took a few minutes to get Audrey's Official Birthday Portrait (OBP) which included Dagny.

Then I got one of Dagny by herself, just because she is getting so tall and looking so much like a first grader, which she will be later this year.

Happy Birthday, Mommy

Erica and Chad had brought Sibi along when we got together on Saturday night for a pre-party, and she loved sharing in the gaiety of the occasion.

That dog is a force of nature. WHAT a huge personality accompanies all two pounds of her.

It was funny to watch Sibi's reaction to Andrew whistling near her ears.

Sibi the party Chorkie

But there's always something, and this time that something was that on her birthday, Audrey was sick. She'd been suffering with allergies and then last week, that turned into a heavy cold. 

Even in her weakened condition, the birthday girl ordered a yellow cake with chocolate icing. I made the cake from a box mix, but frosted it with homemade chocolate buttercream.

Official Birthday Portrait

Then Erica and I stuck azaleas all over it, from the yard. We were wildin'.

Baby Ember, just shy of four months old and not yet savvy about cake, was nevertheless full of curiosity and cute faces.

Dagny Clare will turn six in June

Dagny had been similarly under the weather; yesterday her mother took her to the doctor where she was diagnosed with a double ear infection and some troublesome chest congestion.

Both mother and daughter are on the mend. On Monday, Dagny hung out with me for several hours and took two naps.

Whistle a different tune, please

Yesterday she and her mother came by after Dagny's doctor appointment and after going to buy her prescriptions. It was a chilly, rainy, dreary day.

Dagny, whose appetite had gone AWOL, asked me to make her a "bed" on the couch beside me, which I did. She settled in for a nap that went for most of three hours.

Make a wish

When she woke up, having missed the dinner hour which TG, Audrey, and I enjoyed together, she felt better but still wasn't hungry.

Baby Ember on Mommy's lap

Today the sun is shining and although I haven't seen Dagny, I understand that she's feeling better.

In fact, by the time I finish this post, Dag and Audrey will be here and we plan to take a walk.

So smooth

You may have noticed in a few of these photos that my kitchen looks funny. That's because TG is in the end stages of a project that's been ongoing for several weeks.

As in, he smoothed our huge kitchen ceiling (it was popcorn; our kitchen is thirty-four feet long), had a new light installed to replace an oblong fluorescent fixture, and is in the process of changing what had been bead board wainscoting in the eating area, to board and batten.

Ember enjoys preferred seating

The last element of the makeover will be to repaint.

I'll share pictures of the whole thing when it's done.

Meanwhile, everyone mind your p's and q's, stay well and safe, and let me know how you're doing.

And that is all for now.

=0=0=0=

Happy Wednesday

Comments

[sally]

Oh Jenny, so good to see you here. I've missed you!

Happy Belated to your Birthday girl.

Dagny? Lawsy mercy, she's growing up and still so very adorable. I hope she's well on the way to recovery now; hate that she's been sick.

Ember, already 4 months old! She looks like a happy girl!

Love your kitchen, and as always your photo's.

Stay well yourself, missy.
xoxo

[Jennifer]

@Sally ... hahahaha yeah I've been MIA but it's just been a busy winter and I'm easily distracted. I'm glad you're doing well and please do stay that way! xoxo

[Jane]

It's good to “see” you again.
Happy belated birthday to Audrey.
Ember is growing up so fast she's adorable as is Dagny. I hope Dagny feels better soon.

[Mari]

Yes, you are a slacker, but then, so am I! I love to be in good company. :)
This post is full of beauty! Audrey is just so pretty - even when she doesn't feel well.
Dagny really is growing up and is always so cute!
And little Ember is growing too. She is adorable!
I think you made up for being a slacker with this.
PS - can't wait to see the finished kitchen.

[Jennifer]

@Jane ... good to see you too! I'll try soon to access your blog (haven't had much luck with that) and see what y'all are up to. xoxo

@Mari ... hahahaha you know your excuse is much better than mine, but still. And YES your inspiration on the kitchen is so appreciated. TG wished he had Bob to confer with a few times, but it's all done except the painting now! xoxo

[Mari]

Tell TG he is welcome to call anytime. We should have come down there - the guys could work, and we could talk! :)

[Barb]

Hi Jenny, Glad to see your post, and though some were under the weather, I hope all are healthy now. That cake looks enormous and delicious. Bob snuck a chocolate cake in the cart when we went for groceries the beginning of the week. Before, he would use the visiting grandchildren as an excuse, but we haven't seen them for about a month. We've been under strict rules in our town and county for a long time and now the whole state is on "stay at home". Our county had the first case of the virus in CO, and all the little mountain towns are the hardest hit besides Denver since we had so many tourists during the start of the outbreak. Now, all is quiet, though we continue to have community spread. No tourists though, and our town/neighborhood are quiet. Bob and I continue to exercise out our back door. It snowed a bit last night. I hope your family is now healthy, and you're not going crazy staying at home. Dagny and little Ember are so cute - Dagny is getting tall! Sam texts me from his sister's phone sometimes. He wishes we could be playing parcheesi!

[Jennifer]

@Mari ... YES! Any time you can come, you know you are welcome! We'll give the guys a project and then gab for hours! xoxo

@Barb ... awww I hope Sam can come soon and play parcheesi with you and Bob! No we have all been perfectly healthy except for Audrey and Dagny, and they are all better now. I have left the house twice (except for a walk) in the last two weeks -- both times to go to the grocery store. I love being at home so it's no hardship for me. Snow again -- I can't believe it! We're practically in full summer. Highs in the 80s -- although we're expecting a few cooler days this week. I'm so glad you're well and staying out of the fray except for forays into your beloved woods! xoxo