Link to old cafe here. Sorry I didn’t put up the new one sooner, I ws just practicing my slacking. If only I could ever aspire to the height s of FM’s slackdom… 😉
Sorry you picked up Jim’s cold, Andi.
Seems we’ve all got the gray and misty weather today…and I had another chicken attack last night. The critter got one of them; the other too hid up behind the nest boxes, but one got her beak bloodied up.
I need to decide whether to spend a couple hundred bucks on the electric fencing and solar battery for the coop, or give my last birds away before they get eaten. Sigh.
We had a thunderstorm come through last night, so FMom woke me up at 2:30 am and it took forever to get back to sleep. Speaking of, I think I’ll go back to sleep and see if I can make it until noon.
Good morning CabinGirl and Family Man! Its gray here too and soon to be much colder, with predictions of 18F as a high by mid-week. I had a henhouse raider that turned out to be a very large raccoon back when I lived out in the country. There was only one hen left of two dozen by the time I caught up with it. I was pretty sad about the whole thing and never had chickens again:(
Yep, Mrs. Dem is browsing at the library nearby, which they keep nice & toasty. As long as the electricity stays on, we’re in good shape at home. If its off too long, we become uninvited guests at my brother’s farmhouse where they have gas space heaters that don’t require any power.
The fireplace is probably warming this reading area at the library today. Loud snoring in front of it is strictly prohibited, however.
Good afternoon all. Slacking now after a busy morning doing household chores. Yesterday I finally cleared the last of the leaves as the snow cover has relented a bit.
Hi boran2! I’m letting ours mellow in place this year. They seem to be composting very gradually into the lawn. Every time I got ready to gather them up this fall, it began to rain, so I took it as a sign from FSM to leave them alone;-)
Hi ID. I would be very happy to just let them decay, but it hasn’t worked well in the past. That last wave of oak leaves came late and decay too slowly. We have had large bare spots come spring.
Ours are maple and mulberry. The mulberry are nice shade trees except when the berries are ripe and we’d like to hang sheets out to dry. Unless, of course, one likes impromptu tie-dye courtesy of the local birds. Come to think of it, that could be “art” that might sell in the Chicago corporate market. Hmmmmm….
We’re having a few friends over for a New Years celebration (who will stay the night rather than drive home on a road full of drunkards). We were going to have a bonfire (fully contained in an old metal water tank, but it’s shaping up to be a “total fire ban” day.
It’s about half-past-two in the afternoon and we’re cooking and cleaning in anticipation of tonight’s guests. Not too frenetically, mind you, ‘cuz it’s getting damn hot. Even Luna has come inside to get out of the heat.
Heteronympha merope. The male and female of this species have distinctly different markings. I’ll try and get a photo of a male to show the difference.
The males have been flitting about for weeks, but none of them have wanted their picture taken. The females have been quiescent since breeding and are just starting to take flight again in search of the grasses on which they’ll lay their eggs.
Our good friend and former roomie is staying with us for the holiday. She brought her remote control Dalek which needed repair (have I mentioned I can fix just about anything?).
After fixing it, I gave it a test drive by chasing Luna with it.
The cold, I’m happy to say, is showing signs of being a geezer — no staying power. I’m planning on going out tonight so if it is a geezer that ought to be the killing blow.
We started with several bottles of white wine, and two dozen bottles of beer (for seven people) so one bottle of bubbly is probably just the perfect night cap.
The temps have finally dropped down to the 80’s, but we’re still sitting around outside – just because we can.
I’m sure there’s a lot of people north of me that wish they had your temps right now. Our temps here have been jumping back and forth so much, it’s hard to get used to hot or cold. I saw people out of the golf course in shorts yesterday and it’s down to 30 this morning.
We understand that “jumping around” bit. Today was broiling, but tomorrow will be mild, and last week we had to light the wood stove and the upper elevations got snow.
Thank you. It’s the first one I’ver “rung in” in years. Guess we have to host a party to keep us up late enough.
Albert’s sure enjoying the late night. He’s especially fond of playing with the streamers hanging from the light fixture. Luna also likes a party, social creature that she is, but it’s well and truly past her bedtime and she has retired to her usual sleeping spot on the drive.
I’ve had my excitement for the day. I got the trash out to the street before the truck came by. After that, there’s not too much excitement to be had. 🙂
Getting the trash to the curb before it gets picked is a fine accomplishment. We manage about one week out of four. Good thing we don’t make much trash.
So far it’s going good. I went out yesterday and got some shrimp, so FMom and I will have a small shrimp boil for ourselves tonight. I might get a bottle of Baileys for a night cap and then see how long I can stay awake after dark.
Sounds like my kind of new year’s eve – quiet and simple.
I bought admission badges to the downtown thing this evening and if the weather cooperates the kids and I and assorted friends will end up there. All of the museums stay open and are free, there are concerts at different indoor and outdoor venues, art shows, fireworks, food…and of course the acorn dropping at midnight. We don’t need no stinking swarovsky crystal ball!
I’m up for some Bailey’s myself. I usually buy a bottle around Christmas and it lasts the whole year.
They have somethings going on around here too. It’s rained enough to where we might have fireworks tonight. Then at midnight it’s the possum down the pole to bring in the New Year.
A bottle of Bailey’s lasting a whole year? When I said a few shots, I meant a few bottles. 🙂
Oh sorry was that too loud. You might have a hangover.
Does your head hurt and is your stomach rebelling. Have you placed your face over a porcelain fixture usually reserved for you butt. You probably have a hangover.
Are you thinking what a great night, but I’ll never do it again. You do have a hangover.
There’s only one cure. BLOODY MARYS FOR ALL!!!!!!!!!!
Very pleasant. We had three different kinds of soup, nice wine and pleasant conversation. It got cold and very windy out but we didn’t get the snow predicted so the drive home — we live 20 miles away — wasn’t even too bad.
I guess the dogs don’t change schedule, even if you were late.
Yes, a couple in the neighborhood will come over this afternoon with freshly made latkes. We have some whitefish salad and salmon caviar and a bit of bubbly ready – so we hope for some good times while the outdoors look dreary.
I feel the same way. It’s back to school for CBtY this morning, and back to work for me. I was having so much fun not working and sleeping in – why does it have to end?
That does stink. CBtE doesn’t go back until Monday either…I’m afraid the vacation is a bit too long for him. I think we’ll be needing some sort of house work project for him to do for the rest of the week.
I hope you don’t have to venture too far from the wood stove to do it. Indianapolis is at 3F with -15 wind chill. Its about 8 at our house. I’m off to work too:(
Good morning, ID! That sounds waaaaaaay too cold for me, but I think your weather is headed our way. We went from sunny and pleasant yesterday morning to bitter cold by the dinnertime. And we have a dusting of snow this morning.
Don’t work too hard FM. Everyone is finally back to work and school and it’s just me and the critters. I think I’ll make a big pot of minestrone for dinner because it’s ccccold out there.
Good morning, Andi and CG!
A ‘balmy’ 14 here. The wind chill last night was brutal; coming home from meeting with Manny and AG was a freezing experience. But what a great time we had…
Link to old cafe here. Sorry I didn’t put up the new one sooner, I ws just practicing my slacking. If only I could ever aspire to the height s of FM’s slackdom… 😉
Sorry you picked up Jim’s cold, Andi.
Seems we’ve all got the gray and misty weather today…and I had another chicken attack last night. The critter got one of them; the other too hid up behind the nest boxes, but one got her beak bloodied up.
I need to decide whether to spend a couple hundred bucks on the electric fencing and solar battery for the coop, or give my last birds away before they get eaten. Sigh.
Morning CG, Andi, SN and Ask.
I hope you get to feeling better soon Andi.
We had a thunderstorm come through last night, so FMom woke me up at 2:30 am and it took forever to get back to sleep. Speaking of, I think I’ll go back to sleep and see if I can make it until noon.
Everyone have a good day and feel better!
Good morning CabinGirl and Family Man! Its gray here too and soon to be much colder, with predictions of 18F as a high by mid-week. I had a henhouse raider that turned out to be a very large raccoon back when I lived out in the country. There was only one hen left of two dozen by the time I caught up with it. I was pretty sad about the whole thing and never had chickens again:(
Good morning ID.
I figure we’ll be lucky to have a season low of 18F. Hope you and Mrs. ID are staying warm.
Yep, Mrs. Dem is browsing at the library nearby, which they keep nice & toasty. As long as the electricity stays on, we’re in good shape at home. If its off too long, we become uninvited guests at my brother’s farmhouse where they have gas space heaters that don’t require any power.
The fireplace is probably warming this reading area at the library today. Loud snoring in front of it is strictly prohibited, however.
Good afternoon all. Slacking now after a busy morning doing household chores. Yesterday I finally cleared the last of the leaves as the snow cover has relented a bit.
Hi boran2! I’m letting ours mellow in place this year. They seem to be composting very gradually into the lawn. Every time I got ready to gather them up this fall, it began to rain, so I took it as a sign from FSM to leave them alone;-)
Hi ID. I would be very happy to just let them decay, but it hasn’t worked well in the past. That last wave of oak leaves came late and decay too slowly. We have had large bare spots come spring.
Ours are maple and mulberry. The mulberry are nice shade trees except when the berries are ripe and we’d like to hang sheets out to dry. Unless, of course, one likes impromptu tie-dye courtesy of the local birds. Come to think of it, that could be “art” that might sell in the Chicago corporate market. Hmmmmm….
And the predicted high temp is in the 90’s.
We’re having a few friends over for a New Years celebration (who will stay the night rather than drive home on a road full of drunkards). We were going to have a bonfire (fully contained in an old metal water tank, but it’s shaping up to be a “total fire ban” day.
Hi Keres! Is tonight New Year’s Eve for you then?
It’s about half-past-two in the afternoon and we’re cooking and cleaning in anticipation of tonight’s guests. Not too frenetically, mind you, ‘cuz it’s getting damn hot. Even Luna has come inside to get out of the heat.
Well Happy New Year to you!!! Keep cool!
Thanks. I’ve got the fan going, but only on low. I’m saving high for latter this afternoon.
If I manage to stay up ’til midnight (I rarely do), I’ll post it here.
Woo-friggin’-hoo.
It’s supposed to be much cooler tomorrow. I can hardly wait.
Heteronympha merope. The male and female of this species have distinctly different markings. I’ll try and get a photo of a male to show the difference.
The males have been flitting about for weeks, but none of them have wanted their picture taken. The females have been quiescent since breeding and are just starting to take flight again in search of the grasses on which they’ll lay their eggs.
Our good friend and former roomie is staying with us for the holiday. She brought her remote control Dalek which needed repair (have I mentioned I can fix just about anything?).
After fixing it, I gave it a test drive by chasing Luna with it.
It’s a little cold down here, 32F at the moment. Still waiting on coffee!
All ready for the new year? Been practicing writing 2008 on checks? 🙂
Morning Andi.
How’s the cold? I hope better. Andi haven’t you learned yet, we don’t write checks down here. We’re still on the barter system. 😛
The cold, I’m happy to say, is showing signs of being a geezer — no staying power. I’m planning on going out tonight so if it is a geezer that ought to be the killing blow.
Glad to hear that about the cold. I think it was having Sniff so close by on the couch that cured it.
I plan on being asleep by 10:00 pm and wake up tomorrow to hear what a great New Years Eve it was.
Well the cold isn’t gone so maybe more time on the couch with Sniff will be needed (with the side benefit that it will help me stay up tonight).
From the nostalgia files:
Good morning, FM and Andi!
Last day of 2007, 2008 can only be an improvement.
Are you and curly going out on the town tonight?
Nope, we’re being total geezers.
We’ll stay home – maybe watch a movie.
If my sister didn’t have a small gathering every New Year’s that’s what we would do too. Neither Jim nor I like big parties.
Morning Ask.
Big plans for the day/night?
We got back from Florida yesterday and had a great trip. I hope that everyone is doing well.
Happy New Years Eve.
How was the trip? Glad to be back in the cold weather? 🙂
Hey FM! The cold doesn’t thrill me, but I’m happy to be home.
Big plans for the evening?
Hiya Toni.
It’s always good to be home whether it’s cold or not. Now to be home under 8 feet of snow might be something different though. 🙂
No big plans here. It’ll be an early night and I’ll watch what happened on TV tomorrow. Hope you have a great New Years Eve.
Glad you had a great trip and hope you have a fine new year’s eve.
Happy New Years to you and Jim!
I’m glad you had a great trip. No Andrew Christmas pictures?
Happy New Year!
I’ll put it up this week. We’ve been spending the day de-toxing from my mother’s cigarettes and cookies.
How is your patient?
It’s 12:03 January 1, 2008, and we’re drinking champagne and listening to Jeff Buckley singing Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.”
Happy New Years Keres!
As hot as it is down there, I think a couple of bottle of champagne a person is needed. 🙂
We started with several bottles of white wine, and two dozen bottles of beer (for seven people) so one bottle of bubbly is probably just the perfect night cap.
The temps have finally dropped down to the 80’s, but we’re still sitting around outside – just because we can.
I’m sure there’s a lot of people north of me that wish they had your temps right now. Our temps here have been jumping back and forth so much, it’s hard to get used to hot or cold. I saw people out of the golf course in shorts yesterday and it’s down to 30 this morning.
We understand that “jumping around” bit. Today was broiling, but tomorrow will be mild, and last week we had to light the wood stove and the upper elevations got snow.
Happy New Year to you, Imogen, and all the critters.
Thank you. It’s the first one I’ver “rung in” in years. Guess we have to host a party to keep us up late enough.
Albert’s sure enjoying the late night. He’s especially fond of playing with the streamers hanging from the light fixture. Luna also likes a party, social creature that she is, but it’s well and truly past her bedtime and she has retired to her usual sleeping spot on the drive.
I’ve had my excitement for the day. I got the trash out to the street before the truck came by. After that, there’s not too much excitement to be had. 🙂
I’m off to the first nap of the day.
Happy New Years Eve and New Years to everyone!
Getting the trash to the curb before it gets picked is a fine accomplishment. We manage about one week out of four. Good thing we don’t make much trash.
Very short nap. Just about the time I’m drifting off, both FMom and George want something.
FMom and I do fairly well on not producing too much trash, but the whole family just left and there’s a lot of cleaning up to do.
good morning, FM. Hope you and your mom have a healthy and fun new year.
Good morning SN.
So far it’s going good. I went out yesterday and got some shrimp, so FMom and I will have a small shrimp boil for ourselves tonight. I might get a bottle of Baileys for a night cap and then see how long I can stay awake after dark.
Do you have any big plans for tonight?
Sounds like my kind of new year’s eve – quiet and simple.
I bought admission badges to the downtown thing this evening and if the weather cooperates the kids and I and assorted friends will end up there. All of the museums stay open and are free, there are concerts at different indoor and outdoor venues, art shows, fireworks, food…and of course the acorn dropping at midnight. We don’t need no stinking swarovsky crystal ball!
I’m up for some Bailey’s myself. I usually buy a bottle around Christmas and it lasts the whole year.
They have somethings going on around here too. It’s rained enough to where we might have fireworks tonight. Then at midnight it’s the possum down the pole to bring in the New Year.
A bottle of Bailey’s lasting a whole year? When I said a few shots, I meant a few bottles. 🙂
Possum?!! Is that a crystal possum? 😉
Nah it’s just one we catch and type a rope on its tail. Can’t afford any of that fancy stuff. 🙂
Still can’t beat the glowing pickle they drop at midnight in Mt. Olive, NC.
Yep the pickle is something special. One day I might make a pilgrimage to it. 🙂
And I will make a pilgrimage to the great possum. 🙂
Yeah but if you make it down for the great possum, you’ve got to be ready for pimento cheese day next day. ;P
Funny, there’s someone on dkos with the name of light emitting pickle.
Morning Boran.
The pickles fame precedes it, it appears. 🙂
GOOD MORNING EVERYONE!!!!!
Oh sorry was that too loud. You might have a hangover.
Does your head hurt and is your stomach rebelling. Have you placed your face over a porcelain fixture usually reserved for you butt. You probably have a hangover.
Are you thinking what a great night, but I’ll never do it again. You do have a hangover.
There’s only one cure. BLOODY MARYS FOR ALL!!!!!!!!!!
Good morning, FM!
None of the above, I guess 🙂
But made it past midnight.
Happy New Year to you and Family, and to everyone else coming to the cafe today.
Good morning Ask.
Yep I’m past those days of praying to porcelain. I didn’t even make it until 10:00 last night.
Hope you and your family has a great New Year in front of you.
Thanks, FM!
It can only be an improvement over 2007…
Here’s hoping it does get better.
I waiting to hear how Manny did in Times Square last night. Very brave man. 🙂
Yes, that’s madness.
Hope to get a first-hand account tomorrow.
.
Greetings to you and your loved ones. Say hello to Curly.
It’s hard work, may all your wishes come true in 2008.
"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."Thanks, Oui!
Will do … once she wakes up.
All the best to you and family! It will eventually work out.
.
What’s all that shouting FM! A bloody New Year?
What a waste, 2007 gone forever. So all accomplishments are to be made in 2008, well let’s hop to it.
BEST WISHES FOR A HEALTHY AND DEMOCRATIC 2008!
"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."Hi Oui!
Hope you have a good New Years in front of you too! Last year is gone, now we have to work on this year.
Happy New Years Oui.
Morning FM, Ask, and Oui.
Happy New Year Andi!
How was your party last night?
Very pleasant. We had three different kinds of soup, nice wine and pleasant conversation. It got cold and very windy out but we didn’t get the snow predicted so the drive home — we live 20 miles away — wasn’t even too bad.
Sounds like it was a lot of fun and the drive wasn’t too long.
Very quiet night here last night. The fire crackers did get George to going for awhile, but he finally got quiet.
Good morning and Happy New Year!
This tardy appearance means you got a good night’s sleep, I hope 😉
but I kept going back to sleep so I think I ended up with about 6 hours, which is pretty good for me.
Are you and curly doing anything special today?
I guess the dogs don’t change schedule, even if you were late.
Yes, a couple in the neighborhood will come over this afternoon with freshly made latkes. We have some whitefish salad and salmon caviar and a bit of bubbly ready – so we hope for some good times while the outdoors look dreary.
That sounds like a fine way to welcome in the new year. Enjoy!
.
and may the pond bring everyone many joyous moments in 2008.
"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."And excellent sentiment and one I hope spreads far and wide.
Happy New Year, everybody.
Happy New Year CG.
Hope you had a good night last night.
I think I’m off to the first nap of the year.
See ya.
How’s 2008 treating you?
Happy New Year to everyone in the Cabin!
Click for larger image
That is cool.
Did you get to spend NYE surrounded by hawt young (non-related) studs? 🙂
Actually, yes. (heavy sigh) 2008 is so far up in the air I can’t even begin to imagine what it holds for me. Hope yours is one of the best.
That reminds me of how much I missed the seasons when I was living in the south.
Good morning and Happy 2008 everyone! We have a small dusting of snow on the ground to welcome the new year.
Hope you had a fine new year’s eve and will have an even finer new year’s day.
Happy new year! I like those photos, Andi. You might consider getting one of those blogspot thingies. 😉
Yuck.
I feel the same way. It’s back to school for CBtY this morning, and back to work for me. I was having so much fun not working and sleeping in – why does it have to end?
Does Jim go back today too?
Morning CG.
Jim doesn’t go back till Monday. More 🙁
That does stink. CBtE doesn’t go back until Monday either…I’m afraid the vacation is a bit too long for him. I think we’ll be needing some sort of house work project for him to do for the rest of the week.
And here, the kids don’t come back till Tuesday — Jim figures he’ll need to wear a name tag that says “Remember me? I’m your teacher.”
It’ll be like September all over again, but with snow.
Do they always get such a long holiday break? Our public schools always head back on the 2nd, which I think is a day too short, but what do I know?
Except if it was September, it wouldn’t be 8 degrees out right now.
They didn’t used to take a full 2 weeks but they have for the last couple of years.
I hope you don’t have to venture too far from the wood stove to do it. Indianapolis is at 3F with -15 wind chill. Its about 8 at our house. I’m off to work too:(
Good morning Andi and CabinGirl!
Good morning, ID! That sounds waaaaaaay too cold for me, but I think your weather is headed our way. We went from sunny and pleasant yesterday morning to bitter cold by the dinnertime. And we have a dusting of snow this morning.
The only good thing about the cold weather was that when the dogs wanted out at 3:30 a.m., they wanted back in by 3:34 a.m.
Sad to say, my “work” is in the corner farthest away from the stove. Very bad planning on my part.
Back to work and rather cold. Not a good start to the new year.
Man did I stay up late last night. Didn’t get to sleep until 2:30 am. Now why couldn’t I have done that the night before?
Yep it’s back to work today. I think I get right to work on a nap.
Don’t work too hard FM. Everyone is finally back to work and school and it’s just me and the critters. I think I’ll make a big pot of minestrone for dinner because it’s ccccold out there.
Another really cold morning here (7 F) but this time the wind isn’t blowing so it feels lots warmer (well, in theory anyway).
The wind was awful last night. We lost our cable teevee. Sniff.
Good morning, Andi and CG!
A ‘balmy’ 14 here. The wind chill last night was brutal; coming home from meeting with Manny and AG was a freezing experience. But what a great time we had…
How very, very cool … no wonder it was so cold in NYC. 🙂
CG opened a new cafe. Come on over.
Just saw it and simply repeated comment there.