Emptyknitster

It's been very quiet around the homestead since Christmas. We now realize just how lucky we were to have everyone home then and aren't sure when we'll be able to be together again in the cold of winter.  Usually various family members are here for Easter and a bit of summer but not this year. With August rounding the bend we all were beginning to feel a bit lonesome and beginning to think of the coming winter cold and how the holidays won't have the same look.  With some discussion we decided to have a rather impromptu gathering in the front yard! We have a sunlight basement with an exit door so the NorDak family stayed in the basement, and the Chick stayed in the trailer. I made casseroles, French dip sandwiches and burgers which I put them in the freezer. There were plenty of paper plates and serving the pre-made food with salads made meals so easy! Kids were in charge of activities and the first thing they wanted to do was go paddle boarding... The rest of our days w...

 Today the girls and I went on a little trip south of the border to make street tacos! We all enjoyed the adventure, some were thrilled with how easy the tortillas were to make, others loved the salsa and I loved the addition of lime to the finished tacos. I can't wait to see where we are going next on our eating adventures!

We met on our family zoom hour a day early because SadieLou is having her senior portrait done tonight. Yearbooks have to go on even in these crazy times distance learning times. As of now, the NorDak kiddos (and most of the kids in the US) don't know what school will look like for them in the fall. Will they go to school full time, part time and supplement with distance learning, or will it be completely distance learning?  As we have learned over the last few months, the virus can increase in numbers quickly making it hard to foresee what it will look like in five or six weeks. Onward this week's challenge was, "Like a King" from the Chef Offer collection (2013).  Above is this week's winner.

It became apparent last week Hubby and I won't be doing anymore traveling this year. The tour company has cancelled all tours until at least the 2021-2022 traveling season. We've been getting along very well at home with our social distancing plan in place. We live on three acres of land which keeps us busy outside much of the summer, we found a small lake just an hour away to paddle board and camp overnight, and we are both lucky to have hobbies to keep us occupied. However, the thought of spending six months, or more,  of a Montana winter totally at home had me a bit concerned. After very little discussion Hubby and I bought a hot tub to create a "staycation' atmosphere and keep us occupied a little every day of our long winter ahead. First early morning sunrise and coffee in the new hot tub!

The family didn't meet last week. We thought perhaps there would be some "normal" Fourth of July celebrating going on with just a little social distancing thrown in, but in the end it was spent very quietly. Hubby and I stayed home but did have burgers and potato salad, the NorDak Family went to the lake as usual, the Chick and the California Dreamin' Family stayed home doing home improvement projects. After a one week break this family was ready to renew the competition!  Marilyn's Lips (1962) by Andy Warhol  Above is this week's winner

We had another fun Friday on zoom with the family. As always everyone thought the picture of grandpa and grandma was "the hardest yet."   (Above is this week's winner.) In the 1930's and 40's muscular men were known as "beef cakes" and cute little gals were called "cupcake" or "sweetie." Obviously the husband still sees himself as a real beef cake!

This week's art challenge was my choice. I thought we'd chill and produce a still life. I was impressed by everyone's artwork. Still Life With Apples (1893-94) Paul Cezanne  Above is this week's winner. Some artist's grocery orders arrived late, others went to the store but didn't like apples and bought tomatoes so there would be no waste, others just went to the store, bought the apples and will eat them whether they want to or not!

This week's art challenge was inspired by our stay on the Tongue River Reservoir...  by Hubby   by Vincent Van Gogh  Above is this week's winner. All the family feels a bit stagnant, but live is changing slowly. Some family members are back at work, some starting new jobs, another can stay home until they are "comfortable" returning. College finals have been taken this week and a new quarter starts next. Hubby and I have three acres almost weed free. All's well with the new normal.