Birthdays!

The start of February is always busy with birthdays in the Hansell house. Jon and I began the month with ice cream for breakfast. Because it is a holiday!  Mine was on a slice of Moose is Loose cinnamon bread and Jon put a cutie on vanilla ice cream, then drenched it all in chocolate sauce. He said it wasn't bad, but felt it might have been better with the oranges sliced up. Then, he went off to work and Steve helped me do chores at the house. 

I had to wait til Moses woke up in order to remake the bed! I had a busy, nice day and figured Moses could have a spot of comfort, too!

Daffs were visible everywhere in the yard! These are in back and looking splendid. The ones along the walk are pretty, too!

Moses was entirely interested in the halibut dinner I'd made. He was intent on getting Jon's attention..or his fish!

Sunday, we enjoyed our annual luncheon out between birthdays. Jon's ordered a sandwich made of two patties with ham and roast beef and bacon and cheese! He got the wrong fries, these were mine. We transferred them over to my plate and he got his own separate.

I had a chicken sandwich. With bacon! I only ate half of mine, I had the chicken part later. Jon left part of his fries, he had those warmed in the air fryer on his birthday!

I did pick up a pair of earrings at the restaurant. I like how they sparkle.

On Jon's birthday, I made chocolate moose muffins for him to take to work, he left them in his Bronco! 

 We had planned on pizza for dinner and Jon opted to go with me to get it. It had also started to snow, just like last year! I may not be privileged enough to get snow on my birthday, but Jon is! Jon decided on a festive only for him sort of pizza. The garlic chicken I bought slid in the oven, made a calzone and a mess, and then was spread back out after it was rescued. I was not happy-it was a rather convoluted kitchen day!!

 Jon's birthday cake was a recipe from a Martha Stewart cookbook that I will probably never use again. It was dense and delicious, but used more flour and sugar than I use normally. It also dropped like a rock and took hours to cool. He wanted a layer cake, so between the layers I spread home made Alaskan raspberry jelly with mini chocolate chips. It was delectable! Reminded me of one of those fancy chocolates in a box that have a burst of juice when you bite into them.

The curls were so easy to make. I got a chocolate bar from the cupboard and the tater peeler from the drawer and made shaved chocolate curls! They would have been larger if I had a thicker bar of chocolate.

26 candles does make a bit of a fire!!! I didn't want to spread them all over the top and make holes everywhere, so I grouped them together. Made them easy to blow out, too- 

 Jon staged his cake and ice cream. It looks good enough to eat and it was more than good enough!

So, another pair of birthdays is over. What does the next year hold? We'll take it day at a time and see what happens. 

Birthday and What Not-

Jon retrieved all the parts to Steve's birthday present and left dad to assemble it while he went off to work again. Steve said it wasn't too difficult to put together, in spite of having limited directions! Moses managed to hop up into it (he's getting older and it is harder for him to move.), so as thought, the cat is very pleased. Can't you tell? 

Steve likes it, too! I purchased it off of Amazon from Best Choice Products. I ordered the stand and the hammock. Steve said it is still needs some work to make it tighter, but otherwise, I think I chose well! 

Jon also tried it out. (he was after starlings and it didn't work quite as well as he'd hoped)

While out and about, I was in line at Walmart and the lady in front of me was a bit flustered. It appears everyone comes to Kenai and fishes during July. I think she said this is Captain Andy Hillstrand. While at Home Depot, I parked next to a truck with the ornament below on the hood. (The lady inside was sleeping, so I snagged a picture of it) 

I also discovered Tillamook ice cream is reaching out in flavors. I didn't get one, but I was definitely impressed! 

 I purchased suet cuz the young woodpeckers were searching all over for something easy to snack on. This wasn't up for long before a couple landed on the feeder. I think this juvenile was with a parent (on the other side).

This incident actually happened earlier in the day. I didn't want to start out with carnage, though! I was in my room and mom called me to say a big bird was on the pallets with a duck. I ran upstairs and managed to take this one very bad photo before using my binoculars and seeing the duck just might be still alive. I knew it was a grown duck, which means there would be some defenseless babies out there. I ran down to see if I could scare it off. I did. The predator lifted the adult duck like it was a mouse and sailed off into the trees. I am pretty sure it is a goshawk. Unfortunately, most bird books and photos are much better and don't show the topside of the bird. I downloaded a bird app from the Cornell Lab (birding institute), but it wasn't much help. You post the photo and then it chooses a bird. I was told this was an American Crow. When I searched on my own, I read the goshawk has a long tail, is fast, can take down larger prey, and plucks the birds it kills. 

 The pallet and water were covered in feathers. Definitely a plucking situation. I don't know which mom was taken, I'm sure the ducklings are gone now. I've not seen many out there on the water. It has been 24 hours and nature is not kind when it comes to trying to survive.

Steve was going to drive the Mercury to the parade for Caledonian Days. I won't get any photos since Jon is probably driving a different vehicle (the fire truck). Steve was wishing someone could drive the Land Cruiser, but two drivers and 3 rigs means one vehicle gets to stay home! The were planning to take the Mercury to DQ on Friday. If so, it will be the first time for Jon to ride in it! 

An Ending and A Beginning

January 31 ended with another stunning sky display. The half and half mixture of sunset was eye catching, indeed! It was really very cold and breezy, I didn't have my camera, and after taking a few photos, jumped back in the car to warm up! 

 Before we left, a man went to the edge of the bluff in this last photo and took pictures. I wasn't that dare devil. The area was really icy!!!!

 Mum was sad looking out of the window at this bluff area. She and Ma Nick used to climb this with fish they'd caught ages past. It was a much fuller bluff back then.

When I looked at my Facebook this morning and discovered I'd quite possibly been hacked, Tim C gave today a new name. Laugh at the World Day. I so like that!!!! 

 The morning of the first, I did a few chores and found in the washing machine a marble. I hadn't realised I'd lost any!!! I also noticed this morning when I cut my bangs, it appears they shrunk in the shower. They seem a lot shorter than I had thought I'd trimmed them. (Piffle!) I called mum's newest ANC doctor and made an appointment for next Monday and Tuesday...but forgot to actually find out what time on Tuesday! I called them back and scheduled.  At lunch, I discovered I had a hole in my chin. I was so ready for ice cream!

I had to go out and do a few other things besides ice cream and stopped at the post. I had mail!!! I had birthday cards!!!! There were 9  of them! I was so excited!! Steve sent me 25$ for Amazon and a heavily decorated green paper with birthday greetings from a youngster in the local church. (He'd mentioned it was my birthday in the service. As he said, I'd have probably done it for him!!) His mom sent me a gift, as well. I am completely rich with love today from notes online, in texts, and via paper. 

 I celebrated my birthday while waiting for mum's nurse to arrive. I always try to read Deathlehhem on the first of Feb. I know they are Christmas horror stories, but they are fun to read any time of the year.

I got to talk to Jonathan and Steve and Tony. Even Aunt Darlene and Uncle Randy sent greetings. After I picked up pizza for dinner, cuz mum wanted pizza, Steve sent me these photos. They are of the only birthday cake I think I've actually had in more than quite a few years. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do and did. 

 The decoration and presentation.
 
             
 The Fall.

 Salvage Operations.

 All in all, this last year was full of too many things I can't even process. I'm going to walk into this next one with my face looking forward and my head tall. I promised myself last night, I can take on anything this year throws at me with grace and style and a laugh. (and an occasional whine or two!) Here's looking at you 53!

Go North!

Jon took me to Pasco, leaving the unseasonably warm sunshine and blooming nasturtiums for frost and potential snow. 

 Not as much snow as I had hoped for, but it was pretty chilly in Anchorage!!!!!

 TSA in Pasco didn't like the container of powdered meds I had carefully packed so none of it would spill.I was a tad annoyed.

 I was picked up in ANC and stayed with Bob and Janet. Bob's favorite phrase was especially apt during this tangible caring part of my trip. "God loves you and so do I."

 Out North, the lake had ice on it! Janet (my sister) is keeping an eye on the inside critter (Obi is at her house). The neighbors across are keeping an eye on the outside.

 Mom got sent by chopper to ANC, so Mike (bless his heart!) took me BACK to Anchorage. Before leaving Kenai, God sent another one of His workers who gave me some cash. I was humbled and incredibly thankful.  It was  super pretty drive and a bit frosty outside. I completely enjoyed seeing some snow on the mountains.

 In Anchorage, I've been staying with more Hands and Feet of Jesus. Scott and Cherie. Being reminded, once again, that Cherie is actually a relation. Her Mom's Aunt Lorena is Steve's Aunt Lorena. Small world it is in and out of Weston/Athena.

 Figaro---I do appreciate a lovely cat!

 Alaskans work hard to make sure the citizens of the state have the chance to vote. I so appreciated mom getting this opportunity from her bed in the hospital!

 The sun dropped  into the horizon, lighting up mum and the sky (Mum was too hard to photograph with the sun in her eyes!).

 At 5 pm, we had a bit of a celebration. I purchased an apple muffin and improvised a candle from a twist of paper and colored the 'tip' red with a marker. Janet was born, mum said, at 5 pm on November 8, 49 years ago. Happy Birthday, Sis!!!! I can't imagine this crazy life without you----

Looking GOOD!

 Steve shares a birthday with Patrick Stewart, Harrison Ford, and Cheech Marin. We decided, he has more hair than Patrick Stewart (Steve said his head is well shaped for a bald look), he has the hat of Harrison Ford, and everyone wondered where Dave was.

However, we celebrated his birthday in style, once again. Friends, cupcakes, and ice cream! Moses was NOT an impressed cat. Max was so put out, he vanished til everyone left. Kila? I think he was locked up cuz he kept trying to go outside when the door opened! I think we'll keep things quiet for the next few years! Although NOTHING will top his 50th when Tony surprised us by coming home.

 There were big cupcakes and little ones! Chocolate with sprinkles, chocolate with chocolate chips, and plain chocolate topped cupcakes of chocolate with chocolate chips and banana with chocolate chips.

 The ice cream of choice was Udderly Chocolate. I hope everyone liked it! I know it is one of Steve's favorites.

  

This is the ONLY photo I took of the fun. It turned out very fuzzy because I was in a hurry, but since it is the only one, I am not deleting it. We could say it was the juke box  hopping and shaking the house! Pictured are Steve, Charlene, Dorothy, Kate in the back with the boys, a tiny bit of Cindi, and Justin's hat and elbow. We had quite a few visitors and the last ones stayed and prayed. 

 This is from June at the 'Old Iron Show'. I opted to use it because he is laughing and laughter is always a blessing! May we have many more years of you, Steve. YOU are a blessing to so many of those around you.