Kickin' Back and Chillin' Out

Trying to escape the doldrums of a winter day Giz decided to relax poolside in the snow. Much to his dismay the air temp was colder than the beer.

Will You Consent to be My Wife?

Every January I read Pride and Prejudice, one of my favorite books. This year I diverted from tradition and watched the movie for the 15th or so time. Here are the proposal scenes involving Elizabeth, surely one of the most lovable characters in all of literature.


A most unexpected development.
A most shocking development.
A most welcome development.

Kitchen Tales

So Kristen and I spent a lot of time in the kitchen today preparing food, chatting and taking photos. She just loves avocados.
I think this photo was her idea and she may have taken it herself. What---ever.

I have modified Ellen's bran muffin recipe with blueberries by taking out 1 cup of sugar and adding extra blueberries, 2 bananas, and a handful of oatmeal for each dozen. Yummy!
Kristen found these bags of small assorted potatoes. Some were red, some Yukon Gold...
and some were purple!
Pretty, but they smelled funky. Ask Kristen for details. Oh, and we did not eat them. We are worth more than that. ~ Frank

Birds at Feeder

I love watching birds eating at the feeder. Sometimes there are more that 30 flying in and out and feeding. They are not comfortable with us in the winter, but by spring they recognize us as their friends.


I was able to catch the cardinal. He is generally skiddish until summer.

Ready for the Garbage Disposal

I liked the pretty colors of the food waiting to go in the garberator. Most people didn't agree. I'm still posting it.

Fun Times in the Stombaughs' Pool Room

Brian and Missy brought their Trivial Pursuit for Wii and and we headed to the Pool Room to start the competition. My team won by a narrow margin.


Here you can see what other fun that can be had in the pool room - on the right is the jukebox that every descendant of my parents has enjoyed. The pool table, sight of many a heated contest, is on the left. Julia's tricycle is right in front of her slide. Her slide was a gift from Kristen. Jen sold her slide to Kristen about 24 years ago and now it belongs to her daughter. I love it when things come full circle.

Kristen is pointing out # 231 on the jukebox, Lollipop, a perennial favorite of the great grandchildren.

Wii - or how I spend my day

I got a Wii Fit for my birthday. I got such good results that I have been instrumental in the sale of 15 Wii Fits and most of the customers also purchased the Wii game system. Hello, Nintendo...how about some kickbacks.


I have done this almost every day for 226 days.

And Island Cycling is my favorite exercise.

Icicles

I'm in Beaverdale where icicles are plentiful in winter. This shot was taken from my sister's bathroom window.

Heirloom Family Bible

This amazing Bible belonged to James and Kristen's great- great grandparents on the Silvis side.

complete with family records...

and a temperance pledge.

January 11 - Clipping Coupons

His favorite hobby.

January 10 - Christmas Decorations

No time for a tree? Fill a fish bowl with miniature balls. Very festive.

January 10 - Christmas Decorations

January 9 -- Miniature Bibles

Stack of Bibles from the Gibson family. The catechism on the bottom is 131 years old and belonged to James and Kristen's great-grandfather.

January 9 - Glass Marbles