A test request: Can you leave a word or two in the comment section today so I can see how EASY- Difficult or IMPOSSIBLE it is to leave a comment if you are not a WordPress Blogger. I have heard from at least two regular commenters that it is not easy to do so.
Nobody has time to experience a hassle.
The WordPress Elves may have “improved” something in the comment section of the blog. Thank you.
Wordless Wednesday.
(From the archives)
Mercy Watson books have been checked out of the Columbus Public Library and are now at home with my grandson Charlie, 3 1/2.
I’d never heard of the existence of Mercy Watson prior to last week’s Ohio visit. Charlie has always liked his soft pig toy and has a small pig on the kitchen counter where he eats lunch.
Mercy Watson is a pig. No, edit that statement
“Mercy Watson is a porcine wonder.” says Mr and Mrs. Watson
The author is Kate Di Camillo and illustrated by artist Chris Van Dusen
Seems that ‘buttered toast’ is a favorite of Mercy Watson.
Laura created a Mercy Watson breakfast for Charlie.
He was adjusting the mouth/cashew.
That is hand squeezed oj accompanying the toast. Mmmmm. 
I should have taken one more shot of the empty breakfast tray. 
a screenshot for the Mercy Watson site
Sharon and Chuck celebrate their fiftieth anniversary today, January 24th, but the surprise party was last Saturday. Right in the middle of a winter storm.
Only a few people couldn’t make it due to the weather.
Kim and James planned the event and their mom and dad were definitely surprised.
When the caterers Tessa and Maria arrived with all the delicious food, despite the treacherous roads, we knew the party was a GO! Everyone had a wonderful time at Chuck and Sharon’s fiftieth anniversary celebration.
Once a schoolhouse, there was a slate blackboard where party guests wrote greeting with chalk.
Grandson Simon tied balloons onto the mailbox
Karon and Sharon
Charlie showing 5 and zero.
Tessa and Maria braved the elements to deliver the dinner.
The pink blush roses in the canning jars, sat on the kitchen counter this morning. We spent the night due to the blowing snow and unplowed roads. We were having coffee and muffins, scrambled eggs at the farmhouse in Crestline.
There were cupcakes, baked by EB Cakes leftover from Saturday night’s anniversary party.
Last Thursday I hosted book club. It starts at 7 so most people eat dinner before they arrive. The dark chocolate, the red grapes, the raspberry rugalach and roasted almonds were the preferred snacks. I ate a few pieces of the vegetable tray with some hummus but threw them all in a pot today with an onion (chopped) and a couple of garlic cloves. I debated chopping them up first but did it the lazy way. Added a can of tomatoes and a rind from the Parmegiano-Reggiano. Salt, pepper and a bottle of water. (The portable dishwasher was hooked up to the faucet) After it simmered awhile, the carrots cooked, I got out the immersion blender and then added canellini beans. A tasty soup on a snowy day.
The three kings made it to the manger at my friends’ home. The Christmas/Epiphany spirit was still in full celebration this morning. What a lovely spread. I had coffee and cookies with milk poured from a cute cow pitcher. We caught up on our latest family adventures and remarked how quickly the grandchildren are growing.
It’s always good to enter a place where you are loved. Take time to connect with positive and kind friends.
Looks like I’m having coffee all by myself and now realize I should have made sure another cup was in view. This pic doesn’t tell the whole story.
After we viewed the amazing paper costume sculptures of the Isabell de Borchgrave; Fashioning Art from Paper exhibit, we ate at the Café at the Frick. Mary and I ordered the Creme Brûlée which was rich and delicious. The dessert menu credited Pastry Chef Chase Goumas. We didn’t eat the pretty flower garnish but Mary arranged them on the table and I photographed them with my phone.
Fennel seeds and hard sugar, like bits of sweet crystal, to finish our delicious dinner at Taste of India. I love the taste of licorice.
I looked up the name of these after dinner treats “used as digestive aid. and mouth freshener” Mukhwas
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mukhwas
The waiter gave me two little containers to take home.
