Saturday, March 23

Waiting for the plane to arrive allows excitement build. Finally the Minnesotans appear on the escalator, younger partially hidden by older granddaughter. This time both girls run into my arms for hugs, having outgrown jumping into my arms. The mom has stayed on the upper level to buy a couple of books.

We gather luggage and phone Pawpaw in the cell phone lot. Soon we head for the hills and look for bluebonnets along the way.

At the river house I put brisket roasted yesterday in the oven to warm while we unload and hurry to the river, catching the last of daylight's heat. Today's temperature reached 90, but the coming days will be much cooler.

After dinner and greatly anticipated Blue Bell, we settle down at both houses and hope for a break in the weather during their visit.

Monday Slopes

Fortified with warm breakfasts, we head for today's destination, Buck Hill! Only a fifteen-minute drive south, it was good enough to train Olympian Lindsey Vonn so it's good enough for us. Warm clothing is a must.

The activity is snow tubing with equipment similar to what we use for tubing the Frio. Younger granddaughter loses no time getting on the moving sidewalk that takes tubers to the top of the hill. Moms also get in on the fun. Lanes are divided by snow bumpers since no one wants crashes at those speeds. Soon tubers come flying down the hill.

Pawpaw and I take a break and go inside the chalet and have an adult beverage; he also orders onion rings.

We have time for a few more photos before leaving. According to the younger generation, they were ready for more and planning for ski lessons.

Monday Breakfast

This morning we meet friends for breakfast at a place recently opened and new to us. Primarily a bakery, wonderful smells and display cases of goodies tempt our hunger. I choose a Mexican version of eggs benedict. So good! Poached eggs on toasted three-cheese chorizo bread, topped with sautéed spinach, tomato hollandaise, and cheese shreds. We escape after breakfast without buying any additional items.

Downton Dinner

Sunday shopping and running errands in good weather takes much of the day. All efforts lead up to our dinner honoring the season finale of Downton Abbey. Unfortunately, no cooks, footmen, or maids in sight.

First course is Mrs. Patmore's London Particular, her version of split pea soup. We make it from scratch, of course, a somewhat simpler method than the recipe we found but the same ingredients. Emptied bowls all around! Second course is shepherds pie, a big hit and another great recipe. Third and last course is a trifle layered with fresh raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries. We pepper our table conversation with Downton quotes and use British accents.

After finishing dinner, we have just enough time to get settled in front of the television before the theme music begins. Love, birth, death, a full final episode. Too long until the next season!

Tunneling Saturday

Hawaii has a high surf warning and Minnesota has a snow fort with tunnels. Older granddaughter works on one side while younger breaks through. Dad supervises and shares the snowy fun. Inside the house, girls shed the snow gear and exclaim how hot they are.

Saturday Morning

Look closely to see the thermometer registering a whole three degrees. Sun is out; sky is blue.

Not too cold to have breakfast down the road at T. K.'s! Granddaughters order hot chocolate, mostly for the whipped cream on top. Photo with younger's face looking submerged in the white fluffy stuff probably portrays some wishful desire for that to actually happen.

Half the group had quiche but I opted for the breakfast sandwich: grainy whole wheat toast, fried egg, cheddar cheese, sausage patty. No wonder I ate only half! Great coffee!

Fishy Friday Night

For dinner we go to a pub for a Lenten Friday fish fry. Outstanding beer selections written on their chalkboard make choosing difficult. I drink a Belgian style made in Minnesota. So tasty I must have a second one!

We order onion rings and cheese curds for appetizers; why we think we need appetizers is a mystery. You know what onion rings look like, but I inserted a cheese curd photo in case you are not familiar with them. Think of little lumps of mild cheese beer battered and deep fried. Uh-huh. Fried cheese.

Fish basket soon takes over, and hungry guys order more to take advantage of the all-you-can-eat feature.

Maybe we should come back for stout week. And make ourselves stouter. Haha!

Schoolless Friday

Today the granddaughters have no school because Minnesota teachers have meetings. They are also out of school Monday for Presidents Day. Looooog weekend!

With the colder temps and older granddaughter recovering from illness, we decide to unpack the sewing machine Pawpaw and I gave her for Christmas. She is extremely excited and eager. I do some fast talking to convince her that reading instructions and learning machine parts will increase success. Luckily, Singer provides a helpful DVD with four wonderfully clear lessons, short and simple. We watch it together, quite intently, for about ten minutes. Begin!

Cord ready. Bobbin ready. Spool ready. Fabric ready. Suddenly, she is sewing! She makes a small purse with a flap that folds over. Very nice for the first attempt!

Meanwhile, younger gd stays busy at the computer, and Pawpaw, well, Pawpaw is being Pawpaw.

Valentine Night

Close enough to Mardi Gras, we plan gumbo for dinner tonight and a special dessert. Shopping in the morning, prepping in the afternoon, I get it all into the pot when the color of the roux is just right, bright at first but simmering to a rich togetherness. Bowl, rice, tabasco, spoon, eat.

Everyone wants to help with dessert after Pawpaw preps the strawberries and I melt the bittersweet chocolate. Let the dipping begin! Patiently we wait for our creations to harden a bit, and then they disappear before I can get a photo of the whole platter.