Happy April, everyone!

I took my time over at the farm yesterday morning. I was awakened early by a hard rain driving down on the old tin roof. That house was built at least 85-90 years ago and it has the original roof on it…to the best of my recollection. That’s not 100%, you know. I laid there for at least an hour listening to the roar before I drifted off to sleep again. Having just that little sheet over the window kept the morning sun from rousing me too early. When I finally woke up, the creek was roaring. Unfortunately, I forgot to put the rain gauge out on Tuesday so I am not sure how much rain we had, but judging by the creek I’d say upwards of a half to three-quarter of an inch.

I love the window right beside the bed in Grandma’s room. You get a nice breeze in the room without it being too cold. As time went on, Mr. FixIt and I texted our “Good Mornings” to each other. We both slept well. Finally, I decided it was time to gather my things and head back home. There’s always the prerequisite tidying up and packing the truck and having one more cup of coffee in Grandma’s chair. By the time I left, it was nearly 2:30. 

As always, Mr. FixIt and I were tickled to see each other. Just a couple of days away is a nice break but not so long that we can’t stand it. I walked in the house to the sweetest smell of a Pineapple Upside Down Cake baking in the oven. My mom wasn’t a terrific cook, but she was known far and wide for this cake and she taught me how to make it…therefore, I’m a bit of a snob about it. I have to tell you…my husband makes an awesome version. His has a little less brown sugar, a little more butter, and he uses some of the pineapple juice in the cake batter making it incredibly moist. I rarely bother with the Maraschino Cherries any more, but he added them and I just thought he did a terrific job.

The only job around the Ponderosa yesterday was removing the old storm door we are replacing. We need to paint that door as well as the end of the house, but we are in the middle of a few days of rain…and maybe even a little bit of snow! Last night’s low was predicted to be 29 degrees. Tonight and tomorrow night are 22 and 23 respectively. It’s hard to go back to chilly weather when you’ve had nice, hot days…but at least we don’t get spring blizzards like they do in Colorado.

I am watching the redbud very closely because I’d like to make a batch of Redbud Jelly this spring. My friend Stacie gave me a jar of it last year and…oh, my….it is such a pretty and delicate pink. This time last year, I was still baking two loaves of sourdough bread every week and it tasted wonderful toasted with a slathering of real butter and some of that jelly. It’s no wonder I have all this weight to lose after eating my way through the pandemic! You can find the recipe for Redbud Jelly HERE.

Today is my annual pilgrimage to see my dermatologist. I had a melanoma (in situ) removed from my arm in the summer of 2005, so I am extremely careful to get checked regularly. As we, ahem…ripen, it is vitally important that we watch our skin for any changes. We were the sun-worshippers, were we not? My girlfriends and I used to mix up a bottle of baby oil and iodine and use it for suntan lotion. Then, in the ‘80s and ‘90s, I used a tanning bed…never giving it a thought. My wrinkles are reminding me of those carefree…and careless…days of my youth. Get yourself checked, dear ones. I want you all safe and healthy and happy!

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“and distributed among all the people, the whole multitude of Israel, both men and women, a cake of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins to each one. Then all the people departed, each to his house.”

2 Samuel 6:19 ESV