nancypullen

[nancypullen]

Spring has Sprung

There's color everywhere! Trees have unfurled new leaves, tulips and daffodils made a spectacle of themselves, and now the next wave of color is arriving. My clematis has offered up a beautiful first bloom and the vines are full of buds.

The irises are putting on a glorious show too.

I've been pulling things out of my little greenhouse and giving them pep talks before putting them in the ground. That's right, I'm breaking the don't-plant-before-Mother's-Day rule. I looked at our long term forecast and I think I'm safe. I have two tomato plants in the ground, but kept two in the greenhouse just in case. I've still got cukes and a few other things in there staying toasty. I put the Mammoth sunflowers under the kitchen window which might have been a mistake. If they do well they might block the window. Oops. I transplanted the Speedwell too, and I have high hopes - it looks great! Zinnia seed has been sprinkled, the Zepherine Drouhin climbing rose (thornless!) has a new trellis, and yesterday I hauled home eight big bags of soil...

and created a new bed back by the fence and tree line. That will be the new home for these precious babies!

A few weeks ago I sprinkled seeds in a tray full of soil, stuck it in the greenhouse and, boy howdy, I've got a bumper crop! Crossing my fingers that they do well now that they're out of the greenhouse and in the dirt. I scattered Cosmos seed in that bed as well, we'll see what happens. If I end up with a strip filled with Bachelor Buttons and Cosmos I'll be a happy camper.

I've got a lot of blue and purple going on because bees love them and I am trying to make this place a pollinator paradise. Adding lots of pinks and whites will break it up a bit, and of course the zinnias are always just a riot of color. I won't be on the cover of Southern Living, but it'll be cheerful. Bored yet? I could talk all day long about dirt and flowers. Not everyone's cup of tea, of course. Let's move on.

With soup season at an end all of the comfort food from the colder months is unappealing now. Well, it is to me, and I'm the cook around here. I'm craving brighter, zingier flavors. Last week I made these Honey Sriracha Salmon Bowls, loosely based on a recipe I saw and made with what I had on hand. Rave reviews from the mister. It was quick to make, which is a bonus. I marinated the salmon for about an hour and did a quick white wine vinegar and sugar pickling of those cucumber strips. They were just what the dish needed. The combo was delicious.

I also made this yummy Lemon Basil Chicken Thighs w/CousCous dish - again, I was kind of winging it from a Bab's recipe, using what I had. Mickey loved it!

It was loaded with flavor and finishing it with a squeeze of lemon created magic. It's all cooked in a single dish so it's pretty quick and easy. Mickey ate the leftovers tonight before attending his photo club meeting. Winner! Other than gardening and cooking I have filled my soul with the joy of cleaning....said NO ONE EVER. I do the chores that have to be done, then I fill my days with nonsense. Recently I've been playing with the Google AI image generator - you know, you describe what you want and it creates the picture. If I type, create a picture of a cupcake with pink frosting and white sprinkles with a candle in the middle, it gives me this.

You could get much more specific and say that you want the cupcake sitting on a desk in a library...

you could even add a mouse.

You get the idea - you're only limited by your imagination. You can tweak it as much as you like. I could add eyeglasses to the mouse, or request that the library have cobwebs and a ghost. So what do you suppose I experimented with while getting to know the tool? CATS, of course!!

That's Peggy. She's up before dawn every day to get those biscuits made. She's a hardworking single mother of 36 (last count).

This one was inspired by our orange girl, Molly. She knows exactly when dinnertime is and starts complaining a full 30 minutes before, as if she's dying. Molly is a stout girl and will eat her dinner and yours too if you're not looking, but she puts on a pitiful act just before mealtime.

For someone like me, this tool will provide endless amusement. No doubt it's meant for more meaningful work, but there are no credentials requested or IQ test required before using it, so it's fair game for knuckleheads. I mean, who's gonna' stop me? Not this guy.

I should probably wrap this up before it gets weird. We're chugging along, embracing spring and all of the yard chores that help make our patch pretty. The mister built me a wonderful raised bed, so I'm hoping to get a bountiful harvest from that. He's going to put up a barrier this week, just a little flexible fencing - I've spotted a groundhog next door and I don't trust him. Crossing my fingers that Mickey gets there first. Our only other task is picking a fall vacation spot. Mickey was lobbying for a return trip to Ireland. I'd love to go back, it was enchanting. However, with things the way they are, the dollar weakening by the day, markets crashing, doom and gloom... I made the push to stay stateside this year. I think he's in agreement, but we need to narrow it down. We may end up just doing a repeat Maine trip. We've done it so many times, we know our favorite spots, I could squeeze in a day in Salem, and it's really glorious in autumn. For the price of one round trip to Dublin we could get two round trips to Portland and a week of rental car - the cheapskate in me loves that. If we book now we can lock in an inexpensive Air BnB. I also floated the idea of a trip to Oaxaca, Mexico. Flights were affordable, lodging was very inexpensive, and it's a beautiful, safe spot that has always intrigued me. There's a huge ex-pat community there and I'd love to pick their brains. Besides, the end of October provides some fabulous Dios de la Muertos festivals. I'd love to see that! All things considered the odds are good that we'll be tooling around in Maine. That's it, I'm outta' here. Sending out love and hope tonight, I think we all need it. Planting a garden is an act of hope. Planning a trip is an act of hope. The bad actors in this country want to snuff our hope, they want us swimming in despair and unable to function. They've made a terrible error by underestimating us, don't you think? ""The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice." - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We're going to help bend it. Keep up the heat, don't be quiet, get out there and make some good trouble. March if you like, write letters and postcards, just don't give up. I almost made it through a whole blog post without getting political. Not even a little bit sorry. Love and hope, babies. LOVE and HOPE. Stay safe, stay well. XOXO, Nancy

[nancypullen]

Shopping

Is anyone shopping? I'm not. This time of year I'm usually throwing money around like confetti - pretty items for the porch, garden fun, and (a moment of silence, please) Sephora's spring sale. I wait for that Sephora sale for months in order to get 30% off my favorites. Over many decades of painting my face and searching for the perfect skincare regimen, I have whittled my list down to a handful of products that I love. Few of them are cheap, but they work, they last, and I'm worth it. Fast forward to the felon's ridiculous tariffs on our allies and now the prices of cosmetics (hardly any are made in the U.S.) are through the roof. The mascara that I have worn and loved for years normally costs $29. That's steep, but it lasts me several months. It never flakes, doesn't irritate my eyes, it's lightweight, one swipe delivers fabulous coverage- length and volume! It's basically the cost of a pizza delivery (which provides happiness for about a half hour), and I purchased it about every 8 or 9 months. That $29 mascara is now $48.

I won't do it. That's ridiculous. It's the same case with my foundation. Look at this price- are you kidding me?

I will never, ever pay those prices. I will embrace becoming a haggard swamp witch and reminisce about the good ol' days when not only was there a chicken in every pot, but a lipstick in every purse. Now eggs are $5 a dozen and we have to be ugly too. If you see me out on the street looking like Shrek, thank a Republican. I'm pretty frugal, I don't splash out on handbags, salon visits, wardrobe, or entertainment (dinner out, movies, concerts, anything...). It takes me forever to use a tank of gas, and I plan our meals to stay within a budget. Even my hobbies are pretty cheap. Cosmetics were my little treat. A new lipstick or nail polish would thrill me. Now that's gone too. It's shallow, truly a first world problem, but it's just one more thing in the steady drip, drip, drip of bad news.

Yesterday I made my weekly grocery run. I went to Aldi so it wasn't painful.

I added a few more things after I snapped that photo, but this haul will provide dinner for five or six nights, breakfast and lunch are there too(supplemented by the pot of vegetable soup I made from previous groceries). I added one unnecessary item for $5.99 which brought my total to $68.76.

That pork roast will feed us twice, the two pounds of ground turkey will become stuffed peppers and taco bowls, the salmon will go in the oven with roasted broccoli., and so on. I still have a chicken breast in the freezer that will probably top salads. I brought home tons of good produce - brussels, broccoli, green beans, cucumber, zucchini, bell peppers, sack of onions, etc. That bag of mandarins was $2.99 last week, $3.59 this week. Ouch. Still, nearly the whole cart is healthy stuff, so I don't feel bad about my total.

Can you see what my unnecessary item was? I was weak, couldn't resist it.

A pink cutting board! My cutting boards are okay, but they've seen better days. It's made of 100% recycled and recyclable materials, so i had to save the Earth, right? That new cutting board made me awfully happy while making breakfast this morning.

It's the little things that make life pleasant. A little, pink cutting board...another little kitten....a little flock of hens....a little cottage somewhere...a little Swiss bank account, see? Maybe a little apartment near the Eiffel Tower.

Really, I don't need much. Know what I do need? Flowers! Although we had a cold snap a couple of days ago, my flower beds are determined. I've got a few tulips blooming...

and the irises are days away from opening. This clump is especially dear to me because they're from Stoner Creek Elementary, where my boys went to school and where I worked for many years. I made my dearest friends through my work in the school system. When a tornado whipped through Mt. Juliet and destroyed Stoner Creek Elementary, two of those dear friends took the time afterward to save the mass of beautiful irises that had always bloomed in the median in front of the school. My sweet friend, DIna, sent some to me and every spring they fill me with joy.

Around the corner I have more irises and they're from my wonderful Grandma Ethel's yard in Idaho. My sister had them and divided hers to share with me. It means the world. They're incredibly healthy, but haven't bloomed yet. This is the year, right? When we sell this house, all of the irises are coming with me. My greenhouse plants are thriving and I'm so excited. I'll have Speedwell again! I've missed having it in my gardens, mostly because the bees love it so. They like Salvia as well, and I have a couple of those - I just don't think they're as pretty or prolific as Speedwell. These are stock photos, because I was too lazy to dig through my old garden pictures.

It's a low maintenance perennial that gets better every year and pollinators love it. That ticks every box for me. Anyway, I've rambled long enough. This was really just a proof of life posting so my few faithful readers know that I haven't driven off a cliff. Honestly, I just can't find one. I'm passing my days embracing every sign of spring and getting uglier. I stopped coloring my hair because the closest Sally is 40 minutes away and I'd been reduced to buying black market salon products. Now I'm saying goodbye to my favorite mascara and foundation. I guess it's a good thing that I don't go anywhere.

Maybe I should start a GoFundMe. That's enough nonsense from me today. I'm 100% sure that no one is interested in what was in my grocery cart this week. Crossing my fingers that something happens soon that's worth writing about. Lottery win or tornado, either one would make life more interesting. We may take a day trip over the border into Pennsylvania and visit some of the Amish greenhouses, they have fabulous plants and Mickey likes their peach preserves. It's just a couple hours and a wonderful change of scenery. I'll go put the thought in his head and wait. Works every time. Sending out loads of love today. I hope you're finding small joys in your days. Cling to those. Life is hard right now, but we can still find tidbits of happiness. A pink cutting board, a beautiful iris, even if it's just a warm cookie from the oven - all of those small joys add up. It'll keep your heart from breaking. Stay safe, stay well, seek joy. XOXO, Nancy

[nancypullen]

I'm an April Fool

The last half of March trickled right through my fingers, and I'm okay with that. She came in like a lamb and went out with a lion's roar last night. Thunder shook the house and rain soaked my gardens. Delightful. April arrived this morning with blue skies and bright sunshine, making all sorts of promises we know she won't keep. Spring is fickle, but we love her because she's pretty. After months of gray winter we start to see dazzling color. In our backyard the forsythia was the first to announces itself.

We also have a couple of little Jane Magnolia trees that are showing off.

My greenhouse pots and flats are flourishing, soon to find homes in flower beds and veggie gardens. Even the shallots I planted are doing well! I'm ridiculously excited about the thought of harvesting shallots (and yes, I probably just jinxed myself by admitting that).

I stuck the seed bulbs in and sang them to sleep, hoping to see green shoots by spring. Lo and behold, we've got a bumper crop. When the green shoots appear, each shoot signifies a new bulb - you can see that most of them have about three shoots. I'm going to be eating a lot of shallots. They'll keep for about 2 months in the frig so it looks like we'll have a lot of summer quiches and sautées this year. I hope so. My tulips and irises are up, but not blooming yet. The lilac is covered in new green leaves and the baby hydrangea has unfurled a few green leaves as well. Reliable bee balm is popping up in a nice, thick patch and the steadfast salvia is making a strong showing. I'm trying to lure pollinators to my yard and crossing my fingers that it works.

This time of year fills my heart with hope. Well, 90% hope and 10% anxiety. I really rely on my gardens for summer joy and the last couple of summers here have been frustrating. With my greenhouse, raised bed, and composter- I'm feeling lucky. I've searched local nurseries for two summers for Speedwell without success. The pots in my greenhouse look full and healthy! I'll transfer it to my flower beds by the end of the moth and hope it takes off. No one can say I haven't tried. Besides playing in the dirt, I"ve been working on a couple of home improvement projects. You see, the mister has been out of town since March 22 and I absolutely love to work without supervision. If you see me with my pink tool kit in hand and my ear buds in, just assume that something major is about to change. Do I have a plan? Usually. Do I have the skills to complete said plan? Absolutely not. Thank goodness that has never stopped me. One of the changes that I made was stripping and staining the banisters. Two and a half years ago we changed the flooring in this house and it has bothered me every day since then that the banisters remained a yellowy-orange tone. With Mickey out of town, I tackled it.

Those stairs are long and steep, it was not fun. I protected the walls with garbage bags hung with painters tape. It was ugly, but it worked. No more orange wood clashing with the floors.

I loathe the carpet on those stairs. It's awful. The plan is to rip it up, stain the treads, and paint the risers white to match the spindles. I'd rather sell the house and give the new owners a carpet allowance. It was in bad shape when we bought it, but the grandgirl was so little I wanted to keep the stairs padded. I suppose we could do it now and just add a runner, but that seems counterproductive. I also fixed a missing rail (visible in the first pic, third rail from top). Meet my little friend.

Anyway, the stairs are slightly less ugly now. The fun part will be seeing how long before Mickey registers that it's different. I haven't said a word to him. I've barely cooked a meal for two weeks and it's been utterly lovely. I made a big pot of soup and that sustained me for a while. Kale, carrots, onion, couscous, chicken sausage - all healthy and yummy.

Another day I ran down to the Cousin's lobster truck and had an out of body experience.

Worth. Every. Penny.

I made a quick skillet of taco meat - just ground turkey and seasoning, and that made four meals. It went over salads and also over riced cauliflower for a yummy bowl.

Hey, did you notice the pretty copper receptacle in that photo? It was a gift! Remember when I swooned over the Megan Markle(Sussex) show and how beautiful everything was? One of the items that I admired aloud was her copper countertop compost bin. Functional and lovely, just toss your scraps in and then either feed them to your hens or add them to your garden, compost pile, whatever. Anyway, hers was pretty. Seems that the mister has been missing me while he's away and this was delivered to my door.

I might be the only 61 year old still called a princess. We all know I'm firmly in the crone category. But if he wants to call me princess and send me a copper bucket, who am I to argue? I LOVE it! This blog post is sort of all over the place, my apologies. It's awfully hard to get in the mood to write about my daily nonsense when our country is on the verge of collapse and I'm powerless to stop it. The daily headlines are gutting and we're not even three months in. I resist in as many ways as I can. I write to my elected officials enough to put myself on a watchlist. I email and I send post cards. Post cards make it through Capitol security much faster than sealed letters, so I've learned to write small and be succinct. I also write my grocery lists on these cards and then leave them in the cart.

These are some of the postcards I print and send to politicians.

Packs of already perforated postcard sheets are inexpensive and sending them off is good therapy. Try it! The big Hands Off march is this Saturday in D.C. and I'd really like to go. Rep. Jamie Raskin will be speaking and I think he's wonderful. I've made a sign, just in case we go.

Here's the catch - it's my beloved's birthday on April 4th (Friday). We'll probably have a family celebration on Saturday (the 5th), which means the logistics of getting to and from the march would be a hassle, and probably not how he'd like to spend his birthday. He's also been gone for two weeks and sent me a copper bucket so I kind of have to be nice. Will my presence or lack of it have any effect on Trump and his clown cabinet? No. I've been marching and waving signs for years and here we are, watching a Russian asset destroy us from within. I use my voice every single day in a variety of ways, if I miss a march then that's just one day out of a year. My time is probably better spent writing postcards in support of Dem candidates and trying to create a blue wave for midterms. A march is showy and would make me feel better for an hour or two, but I think I'm better at the daily nitty gritty. So I'll probably be home baking a cake and throwing a party, but if you're marching here's my sign tip: Take advantage of your local Walgreen's photo department. Get on their website and upload your design, then choose to print a board print. There are a variety of sizes, choose the one most comfortable for you to carry. Walgreen's ALWAYS has a photo coupon available. Right now if you use the code  PRINTGR8, you'll get 50% off. That means that for 10 or 12 bucks you'll get sign that will stand up to any rain or wind better than poster board will. Duct tape it securely to a yardstick and you're good to go. You'll want that yardstick about halfway up the sign which still give you plenty of a handle. Feel free to right click and use the poster I made, the more the merrier. Send them a message - not that they're watching or care. Yikes, that took a turn. Let's try to end this posting on a cheerful note. I have selected my Kentucky Derby horse. Unless he scratches between now and race day, my money will be placed on Final Gambit.

He's a dappled gray and I love his name. It helps that his stats are pretty good and he's had a couple of recent outings that were impressive. The negatives are that A) he's never raced on dirt and B) his big win was on a 1 1/8 mile course, the Kentucky Derby is a 1 1/4 mile track. Both could be trouble. Nothing suggests that he wouldn't last for the extra distance or that he'd have any trouble on a new surface, and I'm guessing that his trainers are taking care of all that. So, Final Gambit is my final answer. I'm probably about to lose five bucks, but what a fun way to lose it.

That's it from me. I've been AWOL while taking a deep dive into spring prep around here, so I thought I'd post this as proof of life. As awful as our current situation is, we have to find joy - whether that's the first yellow blooms of forsythia or tackling a project to make our nest prettier. Copper buckets and beautiful race horses, yummy dinners and summer's bounty being birthed in a greenhouse, it all matters. We can't control everything, but we can look for and create happiness. Go getcha' some. Have a treat, read a good book. Don't let the bastards get you down. That's advice from a wise old crone. Sending out so much love. Stay safe, stay well. XOXO, Nancy

[nancypullen]

Dirty Words

A truck pulled up to our house at 8am today and delivered a load of dirt. The cheapskate in me rolls her eyes at buying dirt, but the raised bed needed to be filled. Mickey scheduled the delivery on a beautiful, sunny day that felt like an early spring. Today did not feel that way. Cloudy, windy, and taking forever to creep up to 50 degrees is not an ideal day for transfering a pile of dirt from one spot to another. Sounds like punishment to me. Tomorrow is supposed to be sunnier and around 60. I volunteered to cart dirt tomorrow, but Mr. AntsInHisPants couldn't wait. So I watched him go back and forth from the warmth of the kitchen.

While he did that I started a pork roast in the slow cooker for carnitas tonight. I also quick pickled some red onions for the same carnitas.

My work was much more comfortable than his, it also tastes better if it gets in your mouth.

After lunch he was asleep on the sofa, so I stayed busy in my craft room. First, I responded to some heinous junk mail. The NRA had the audacity to send a membership offer to us, so I took advantage of the postage paid envelope (they'll have to pay for it) and sent them a carefully worded suggestion concerning what they could do with their offer. There was salty language involved.

I was so fired up after writing that, I decided to go ahead and send another note to my representative, Andy Harris. He's the only Republican member of Maryland's congressional delegation, and I have the bad luck to live in his district. He's a huge fan of the orange man-baby and I feel it's my duty as an American to point out the daily lies and crimes of his party. It's not just my duty, it's a pleasure.

I was making cards a few days ago because there are birthdays and anniversaries this month, and when I finished those I ventured off into a few all-occasion cards. This one is on the "maybe" list.

The boomer in me hears my middle school English teacher reminding us not to end a sentence in a preposition. The bookworm in me knows that old rule was actually for Latin and not English and doesn't apply. Modern style guides (MLA) tell us that ending a sentence with a preposition is perfectly acceptable, especially to avoid awkward wording. If that card said, "I'm almost finished with the handbasket in which I'll go to Hell." that wouldn't be funny. I'll probably stuff that one in a drawer. Speaking of boomers, they'll get this one.

That's pretty much been my day, watching someone else work hard and then sounding off at the people who are ruining the world. In between I made yummy food and some fun cards.

On that note, I'm going to wander into the kitchen. It's almost six o'clock and I'm hungry. The mister is in Easton taking photos and won't be home before 6:30, probably later. I may have to give the carnitas a taste test, just to be sure. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Sending out love, take what you need and pass it on. I hope that you're finding balance between what must be done and what you enjoy doing. There's no need to carry the whole world on your shoulders, some things can wait, or be forgotten entirely. The sun will still rise. If not, we'll dance under the moon. Stay safe, stay well. XOXO, Nancy

[nancypullen]

Hump Day

We're just 71 days into 2025, and so far I'm not a fan. The world is a dumpster fire and our "leaders" are tossing gasoline on it. Staying uninformed is not an option, but a steady diet of doom and gloom is not healthy. I'm forever trying to strike a balance. Finding ways to distract myself usually involves making something, growing something, eating something, or my favorite - buying something. Unfortunately I'm boycotting both Target and Amazon, which is about as much fun as a bad rash. I get so many of my craft supplies through Amazon (less expensive and free shipping) and because of our location, loads of other things. I'd rather click "add to cart" on Amazon than drive the 30 minutes to a store in Easton. I also use Amazon to avoid extra purchases. For example, I love Mrs. Meyers Multi-Surface Cleaner (peony is my favorite).

I can order a couple bottles from Amazon and save about a buck. If I go into a store to buy it, I'll roam around and toss a few other things into my basket, maybe wander over to the toy section to see what's new for the grandgirl. So instead of spending $8 for two bottles I'd spend $58 on miscellaneous goods - some we need and some we don't. Right now I'm down to my last few squirts of my cleanser and my options are slim. Go to Target (won't), order from Amazon (won't), order from Walmart online (yuck), or subscribe to Grove and have to order stuff every month (won't). *sigh* I may have to give up my favorite, fragrant cleanser. Rats. I know, I know, first world problem. Not even worth writing about. Since I'm not buying anything, I'm focusing on the other three pillars of staying sane. Making stuff - Still cranking out everything from cards to birdhouses. Might be time to learn how to whittle or make soap. Growing stuff - I'm trying, good grief, am I trying. I have such plans for this spring and summer. I've got seed trays planted, a little greenhouse full of hopefuls, and the mister is putting together a raised bed for me. We have a dirt delivery tomorrow and I couldn't be more excited.

I've always loved gardening. I love watching the first green shoots pop up, I even love the weeding. I've done some of my best thinking on my knees in the dirt. The rewards are splendid, from picking sun-ripened tomatoes to filling the house with bouquets. I don't even mind sharing the bounty with local wildlife as long as they're not greedy. Am I jumping the gun? Probably. All I can tell you is that focusing on seeds and plants is keeping me out of handcuffs.

Moving on, last but certainly not least - eating stuff. I tend to fill my plate with high protein, high fiber choices, mostly lean meats, eggs, and veggies. My morning scramble is usually a couple of eggs and a 1/4 cup of cottage cheese whisked together with plenty of pepper. I start red onion and kale in a skillet...

and once the kale wilts and the onion is tender I pour in the egg mixture. YUM. Once it's in my bowl a good sprinkle of nutritional yeast gives it a cheesy flavor and another wallop of protein.

Yes, I do eat from my Halloween bowl every morning. It makes me happy, mind yo' business.

Today I had a taco salad for lunch - just greens, veggies, and avocado with some seasoned ground turkey on top. Tonight we're having salads topped with grilled chicken for dinner. That's why I don't feel one bit guilty for grabbing a mixing bowl and whipping up some lemon poppyseed muffins. Not going to lie, it was only because I've been dying to make something that worthy of a sprinkle of dried flowers. I recently watched every episode of With love, Meghan and her liberal use of dried flowers on everything from salted sea bass to homemade donuts inspired me. While I don't believe a donut has ever passed her lips, I'm a huge fan of making things pretty. Sign me up for the flower brigade! I baked the muffins, made a quick glaze, dunked the muffins in the glaze, and gave them a very light sprinkle of edible flowers.

Not princess-worthy, but it made me happy. That was the goal.

I failed to include what is probably my favorite distraction from the madness. Reading! Books are the most wonderful escape of all, and I've had my nose in books since I first made friends with the alphabet. I read fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, how-to, pretty much anything. Today I picked up a book I'd requested from my library and I'm already finding it fascinating.

Here's the blurb:

Eliot Stein has traveled the globe in search of remarkable people who are preserving some of our most extraordinary cultural rites. In Custodians of Wonder: Ancient Customs, Profound Traditions, and the Last People Keeping Them Alive, Stein introduces readers to a man saving the secret ingredient in Japan's 700-year-old original soy sauce recipe. In Italy, he learns how to make the world's rarest pasta from one of the only women alive who knows how to make it. And in India, he discovers a family rumored to make a mysterious metal mirror believed to reveal your truest self. From shadowing Scandinavia's last night watchman to meeting a 27th-generation West African griot to tracking down Cuba's last official cigar factory “readers” more than a century after they spearheaded the fight for Cuban independence, Stein uncovers an almost lost world. Climbing through Peru’s southern highlands, he encounters the last Inca bridge master who rebuilds a grass-woven bridge every year from the fabled Inca Road System. He befriends a British beekeeper who maintains a touching custom of "telling the bees" important news of the day. And he crunches through a German forest to find the official mailman of the only tree in the world with its own address – to which countless people from across the world have written in hopes of finding love. These are just some of the last custodians preserving age-old rites on the brink of disappearance against all odds. Let Eliot Stein introduce you to all of them. What an interesting read! Three other holds came in and I downloaded those as well, so I'm going to happily plow through them.

That last title could be considered a how-to book, I'll get back to you on that. I'd better read it before it's banned. There you have it, the ways I'm keeping my spirits afloat while the headlines give me every reason to dissolve into despair. I'm well aware that this is boring fodder, no one gives a flip about my scrambled eggs. I made a promise to myself to get back to writing, and this blog is a good place to blow the dust off my brain and practice. It's unfortunate that I have so little to write about, maybe the arrival of spring will provide topics. I'm being 100% honest when I say that tomorrow's dirt delivery is the most exciting thing on the calendar for March. You can expect a full report. Until then, chin up, my darling! Yes, so much is awful right now, but we must be joyful warriors. Feed your souls and make them strong.

Read a good book, eat a muffin, laugh with friends, grow flowers. That happiness is armor. Go out and spread love, they can't stop us. Sending loads of hugs. Stay safe, stay well, be kind to yourself. XOXO, Nancy

[nancypullen]

Springing Forward

I only posted once in the entire month of February. Since what I mostly do is wake up and breathe all day I didn't think anyone would want to hear about that. Inhale, exhale, repeat. BUT...at the end of February I was lucky enough to take a quick trip to spend 4 glorious days with the best girlfriends on Earth. Oh my, so much love and laughter squeezed into a short time. Food, music, shopping, late night talks, those wonderful women put all my pieces back together. I hated to leave. I really hated to leave. I'll never understand why such fabulous people included me in their club, but I will thank my lucky stars for the rest of my days. I have a tiny circle of trust and they are at the core.

Look at me, pretending to know what a rhombus is...

Anywho, I'm home now and trying to hang on to the lighter heart that trip provided. For me, that means thinking of spring, which means planning gardens. Oh, the plans I'm making! The mister is building a raised bed for me and I've already prepped seed cups for tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, and green beans. I've purchased little bulbs for shallots (since I can't find them in grocery stores here in Dogpatch). I'm attempting to start Speedwell and Vinca from seed since I love both of those in my flower beds and can't seem to find starter plants locally. I'll need loads of marigolds for the raised beds for natural pest control. I'll also plant basil, dill, and maybe a couple other herbs. If even half of this pans out I will have a glorious summer. In my last post I mentioned that I ordered bees. They'll arrive in early June. I have a bee house, and I've been painting birdhouses to lure our feathered friends to stay and start their families here.

We get a lot of bird traffic now (yippee!) so I'm hoping to tempt them with an attractive new subdivision. Last summer a little wren couple stated their family in a house we hung in a tree beside the front porch. It inspired me. I'm wondering how to get the word out - maybe little flyers posted on the fence, "New homes, easy access to feeders and water supply!" Assuming, of course, that birds can read.

I'm not sure when the various birdies will mate and nest, I've read some as start early as mid-February, others as late as April, but I want to be ready. The weather was nice today, so I decided to screw those houses onto poles and stick them outside. I got out my little pink tool kit and got busy.

These poles are great.

Here's the link:

Right now I'm putting them right outside the kitchen window. Not sure if that's where they'll stay. I may decide to move them under a tree. It's ugly now, this tie of year is always drab, but it could be awfully cute once the spring/summer blooms appear.

Think summer! Also, there will be a third pole with my bee house.

Hmmm, I just realized that the kitchen window doesn't have shutters like the rest of the house. It would look so much prettier with shutters. Mickey just loves it when I start thinking this way...

I know those are crude mock ups, but I'm not wrong.

I get this sort of spring fever every year. I want to put in massive gardens, redecorate every room in the house, build a chicken coop, and raise a herd of miniature donkeys. Honestly, none of those are bad ideas. If I could, I would.

And speaking of ideas, let's fast forward to fall. We were tossing around the idea of a trip to Scotland in the autumn. Unfortunately, with the situation created by the orange clown who is squatting in the White House, life is uncertain. Do we plan a big trip? Do we stop buying/doing anything that isn't absolutely necessary? Do we buy a little house on the prairie and get those chickens and donkeys? Okay, that last one is just me dreaming again. Donkeys would be no help during a crises. So, we've pumped the breaks on the Scotland trip and the mister suggested Salem and New England again. It would be just a 6 hour and 45 minute drive to Salem. Southwest has a roundtrip fare right now from Baltimore to Boston for just $109. That would mean renting a car though, which is not a big deal - but weighing time and convenience against cost, I'm not sure which one wins. Nothing is written in stone yet, we may change our minds and decide to go spend a week in NYC or the Badlands National Park in South Dakota. Will we still have national parks in October? It's sad that we even have to wonder. We'll have to talk about it for a couple of weeks until something sounds irresistible to us. Unless we win the lottery, then you'll all get postcards from my apartment in Paris. That's what's shaking on our little patch. I'm wrapping this up because I have kitchen timers going off. I'm serving up chicken in a white wine sauce with brown rice. I've got brown butter carrots in the slow cooker, and I just popped in a little bitty bit of broccoli to roast. We really didn't need the broccoli, but there was about a quarter of a head in the frig and it looked lonely. I'll skip the rice and have carrots and broccoli. YUM! Sending out loads of love, and I hope that you're all getting into a springtime frame of mind. Winter probably isn't through with us yet, but spring is waiting in the wings in a ball gown covered in flowers, ready for her grand entrance.

Stay safe, stay well, stay hopeful. XOXO, Nancy

[nancypullen]

What's the Buzz?

It's been twenty days since my last blog post. I used to be such a prolific blogger, daily postings, lots of photos, recipes, crafts, silly musings...*sigh*...I miss being that gal. Between the monotony of life here in Denton and the dumpster fire that is currently our country, I just don't have it in me. I really want to be witty and upbeat, but I don't want to be a fraud. I've been an optimist all my life, and even I am having a hard time seeing even a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. I teeter between wanting to bury my head in the sand and needing to know what's happening. Today the sand looks good. I feel very guilty being a sad sack, mostly because I have so many reasons to be happy - one of those reasons just celebrated her 7th birthday. Her birthday weekend was a hoot. On Saturday she chose brunch at IHOP followed by cake and presents at her house. Her mom makes the most amazing cakes, and no matter what she requests from diving mermaids to Rapunzel's tower, it appears. This year she wanted a forest/animals/fairy cake. Once again, her mom delivered. She created everything from mushrooms to a fairy door out of modeling chocolate, and painted it all. Look at this work in progress!

The birthday girl even got in on the action and painted some flowers, a butterfly, and a dragonfly. The cake was topped with figures that the little miss can keep (instead of eating) because she is crazy about animals.

That fairy door is 100% edible!

It was a little girl's dream (and the cake was delicious!). Of course the celebrant was showered with gifts from both sets of grandparents. She's our only grandchild and her maternal grandparents just have two. Sure makes it easy to spoil them. One of the gifts she'd requested from me was a toy goat that does yoga and farts. It really is pretty funny.

She opened loads of gifts, blew out candles, we feasted on cake, and we played. It was a good day. On Sunday she had a party with her friends at a trampoline park that also offers laser tag, climbing walls, and all sorts of other fun stuff. Pizza and brownies were on the menu and everyone had a blast. Turning 7 on the 7th meant it was her golden birthday, so a two day celebration seemed fitting. Seeing her so happy makes me happy. Now, as if that wasn't enough to put a smile on my face the mister surprised me with something BIG. Apparently if you mope enough your husband will send you away. After listening to me pine for my old life for the last two years he is putting me on a plane to Nashville to spend a few days with my tribe! I was so surprised, I bubbered. Then I warned him that I may not come back. Obviously, I'll come back (I mean, my cats are here) and I truly don't know if this will make me feel better or worse, but I am 100% certain that I will love every minute of seeing my old pals. I've never had a problem making friends. I grew up as a military brat, starting over is in my DNA. But I have never experienced a place like Denton. Being in the company of friends for a few days will be a wonderful respite from my hermit-like existence here. Good conversation, laughter, people who know me and like me - I can't wait. Little known fact: I don't trust easily.

I'm very friendly, and have always had loads of "friends" but very few that get beyond my brambles, walls, and padlocks. It took twenty years to curate a small group of women that I would trust with my life, and they're truly the best women I know. I'm lucky to have them in my life.

SO...Matt is flying in on the 20th to celebrate his 40th birthday (omg, my first baby is 40!!!) and when he departs on the 25th I'll hop on a plane too. How convenient is that? Let's talk about Matt turning 40. How did that happen? I swear it feels like he graduated high school 10 years ago. He's the first one to call me mama, he changed my world for the better and forever. I was a young wife and mother, just 21 when he was born, but when he was handed to me I felt as if I'd found someone I'd been looking for my whole life. My heart said, "Ahh, there you are." When Tyler arrived nearly 4 years later it felt like every hole in my heart healed. Those two little boys were the best thing that ever happened to me. I get so nostalgic for the mommy days. Maybe that's why I treat these cats like babies. Sure, we'll go with that.

Anyway, he's flying in on Thursday and the plan is to go into D.C. and run around doing fun stuff. The Spy Museum is tops on his list, he's requesting dinner at an Irish restaurant, and I'm sure we'll fill in the gaps with plenty more. However, we are currently under a weather advisory for a "significant snow event" Wednesday through Thursday, with temps staying around 30 degrees for several days after. Rut roh. If things don't go our way he may just be watching a spy movie here at home. I'd hate that, but it beats dying on the roads. We'll see - the weather service is wrong as often as they're right, maybe we'll see a few flakes and that'll be that. He came into this world in Fairbanks, Alaska when it was 42 below zero. A blizzard seems fitting for his 40th. Having covered all of that, I've wandered away from the purpose of the title of this blog post. What's the buzz? You know I've been frustrated with my gardens here. After decades of waving my hands and creating tumbles of beautiful flowers and healthy vegetables I have failed at making that happen here. I have studied local gardening books, I have purchased native plants from the arboretum, I have amended soil, purchased expensive fertilizers, and begged the universe to have mercy, all with little to no effect. Zinnias have done okay here, because they'll grow anywhere. Sunflowers have also done fine. Everything else has been hit or miss, don't even get me started on the veggies. I truly believe that it's a lack of pollinators. It's been a rare event for me to spot a bee or butterfly around here. They were all over my gardens in Tennessee. So, I ordered some bees. Correction, I ordered 200 bees. I won't be keeping hives, I ordered summer leaf bees. They're solitary, like Mason Bees, and they are busy, busy pollinators.

They'll work like crazy in my gardens (at least that's the plan) and then they'll start stuffing leaves into the cylinders of the houses I'm providing...

and leave their babies for next summer! Nothing would make me happier than to have a yard full of bees bouncing from bloom to bloom. My delivery date is for early June, because I have to have actively blooming flowers for them to feed. Do I have high hopes? YES. Am I aware that these bees could abandon me for the lavender farm five miles away? Also yes. Do I have images in my head of Wilbur watching all of Charlotte's babies fly away on the breeze? I do.

I figure if even 10% stick around that would help my gardens. When they arrive I should have some tomato, cucumber, and green pepper blossoms. I may plant some squash too. If they hang around and do their job, if I see an actual difference in veggie output, I'll plant pumpkins in July. In other words, my happiness depends on these bees not being slackers. If this doesn't work I may just set fire to the house and walk away. There seem to be suspicious fires all over Caroline County, what's one more?

Okie dokie, this post has been all over the place and you're probably questioning my mental stability. Join the club. I try to keep my mind and hands occupied, I try to keep my thoughts positive, and I try not to burden others with my worries. That all adds up to a lonely granny cranking out mosaic birdhouses and ordering bees through the mail. Sounds perfectly normal to me. Anything that keeps me out of an orange jumpsuit is fine. Can you imagine what my hair would look like in prison?? <shudder> I apologize for the ramblings today. My goal was to assure my friends (and the few faithful readers I have left) that I am indeed alive, and that I am still unsinkable. I may be floating on my back without a ship in sight, but I'm still here. I'll continue to try to highlight the good that is happening, even if it's just a farting goat toy. We're buried in bad news every day and can only stomach so much anger and fear. Let's continue to lift each other, spread kindness, and laugh whenever we can. Joy is resistance.

We can do all of that while still trying to change what is hurtful and harmful. May I also suggest some good trouble? Don't be afraid to rattle some cages. Pretty sure that Rep. Andy Harris would run if he saw me coming. My communications with him/his office have been quite frank.

IYKYK. Resistbot and https://5calls.org/ are both great tools if you're not sure where to start. We don't have the luxury of being silent. That's it from me, friends. I'll try to drum up enough activity and material to blog more frequently. I'm busy making plans for spring gardens. The mister has promised to build a raised bed for me and the mailbox has been full of seed catalogs. I've got a couple of recipes to share and books to review, so there's fodder for future postings. Hooray! Until then, treat yourself kindly, look for the good, and stay afloat. Stay safe, stay well. XOXO, Nancy

[nancypullen]

Hibernating

Hello, interweb pals. I've been lazy, but I've also been avoiding sending my thoughts out into the world. They are not happy thoughts and why on Earth would I want to add to the mountain of bad news and daily drama that we're all drowning in at the moment? Although the orange menace is actively attempting to destroy all that is good and kind, I'm not here to make things worse. So let's take a little trip into the Land of Denial and pretend that everything is fine.

I'll fill you in on what's shaking around the Pullen house. Well, not much, actually. The days tend to all run together and I try to stay busy in my craft room making everything from greeting cards to mosaic birdhouses - it keeps me sane. These are the cards currently in progress. I still need to clean them up a bit and embellish them, I usually just add buttons.

The first birdhouse is already sitting on the front porch. The winter porch is so blah, doesn't hurt to have a little something bright out there.

That's just a cheap, unfinished wood birdhouse from Michael's. I think it was $6. Some broken china from Goodwill, a little paint and grout, and our birds have the fanciest digs in town. Also, my hands were busy so I didn't kill anyone that week. Speaking of my poor hands. I've been picking up vases and candleholders at Goodwill, painting them, then covering them in shattered glass. I think mentioned this a couple of months ago. We made them with my sweet grandma when we were kids and she called them GloomChasers. When you put a candle inside it casts the colored light on your walls and chases away the gloom. I looked everywhere in the internet to find a method for making them,no luck. It seemed so easy when we did it with Grandma. I remembered (maybe incorrectly?) that the glass was already colored. My sister said she remembered painting each individual piece of glass. The truth is probably somewhere in between. Anyyywayyy, my darling husband purchased a sheet of tempered glass, we wrapped it up and gave it a good whack to shatter it and I made trial run with a goldfish bowl. It was okay, and I learned from my mistakes. Kind of.

I've been practicing because I have a big box of broken glass to use, and now I've got stuff like this sitting and drying all over my craft room (waiting for grout).

I've got red for next Christmas, blue just because I had blue paint, another is painted in a rainbow of colors...and I've jabbed my fingers so many times with glass that I doubt I have fingerprints anymore. If I ever go missing and detective sprays my craft room with luminol they'll arrest Mickey for murder. I don't remember bloody fingers when I was a kid, so I'm doing something terribly wrong, but it's a very zen activity and fun to do while I listen to a podcast. Last, but certainly not least, we took a little trip out of town. Originally we'd planned to escape all of the inaugural hoopty-do, but a blizzard canceled those plans. We pushed our plans back a few days and then headed north(west). We crossed the icy Chesapeake Bay...

and pointed the car toward Hagerstown.

The drive was uneventful, and I was delighted to find our hotel was right next door to a mall. Here in Dogpatch I am deprived of my favorite pastime - browsing. To say that our shopping selections are sparse is an enormous understatement. I was so excited to see a BELK that I might have yelped. It was a big one, too.

I didn't buy a single thing in there, but I sure loved looking. There's a polka dot blouse that I can't stop thinking about, but where would I wear it...Aldi?? I think I touched everything in the store - shoes, cosmetics, clothing, purses, Christmas decor clearance (80% off!!!). It was wonderful. I actually did make some purchases while we were in Hagerstown - I found a Hallmark store and bought three boxes of Xmas cards that were 80% off. Three boxes for $7.95 total! For several years I've designed our cards and had them printed, but I don't think anyone really cares. They all end up in the trash, so $7.95 feels smarter. We also paid a visit to a JoAnn Fabrics store (imagine Mickeys' delight) because that's where I used to buy my paper supplies for making cards. They always have the best selection and best prices. Haven't been able to visit one in ages. You guys, I went to the one in Hagerstown twice. I mean, the paper was on sale and who knows when I'll get to shop at JoAnn's again. Rumor has it they're going out of business- I hope not.

I made one other purchase on our little trip. A book. Just a paperback, but it was signed by the author. Nora Roberts has an inn in Boonsboro, Maryland - and she once wrote a trilogy with that inn as the setting. It had everything - romance, heartache, humor, a ghost. I've read a ton of her books over the years, she also writes under the name JD Robb. I remember a series that took place on thoroughbred farms in Kentucky (that really fed into my love of the Kentucky Derby). She's written well over 200 romance novels, and perhaps as many suspense novels under the JD Robb moniker. I'm rambling - I should just say we went to Boonsboro and found the inn right on Main Street.

The gorgeous suites are all named for literary couples, Elizabeth and Darcy, Nick and Nora, Titania and Oberon, Jane and Rochester - you get the idea. Right across the street from the inn you'll find her husband's shop, Turn the Page Book Store. Next to that is the inn's gift shop featuring all sorts of gorgeous creations from local artisans. Her sons own a few restaurants in town, a couple of them on Main Street. Her family is keeping this little mountain town alive and employed. People come to see the inn and buy a book, they stay for coffee and a meal. Nora Roberts was once asked why she lived in Washington County, Maryland when she could live anywhere in the world. She replied that Boonsboro is home, that she raised her sons there, wrote her first book there, found love again there, and loves it. She's worth about $400 million and lives in the same rambler house she raised her children in, though she has added a gym and an enormous closet. ha! Here's a great article from a few years back: https://www.jezebel.com/welcome-to-noraville-the-small-maryland-town-rebuilt-b-1832961839 Her foundation has poured millions into the town and the state, so I didn't hesitate to drop a few dollars at the bookstore. I know it will be used well. Imagine my surprise while I was browsing when I realized she was right behind me!

Can't tell you how relieved I was to be out of focus in that shot. Wrinkles, two-toned hair with static electricity reaching for the ceiling - I really had it goin' on that day. Look away, look at Nora! Pretend she was really there and we had a long conversation and became BFFs. *sigh* Anywho, we had a grand time running around the region - and we hardly scraped the surface. There's so much history there, we did pay a visit to the National Park Service site at the C&O Canal. Super interesting, tons of labor and money spent and then the railroad came through before it was even finished and made it obsolete. Oops. I mean, boats pulled by mules on a tow path might not have been the best plan anyway, but the river was otherwise not really navigable, so the canal seemed like a grand idea. I'll bet they didn't ask a single woman for input. Just sayin'. That's about it from the Pullen Patch. Very little to share, just trying to survive with my heart and mind intact. The future looks rather grim, so it's important to find happiness where we can. Too often for me that's in a cookie jar or an online boutique - two habits I'm trying to break. Tomorrow will be a wonderful day because my sister is coming. We both really like a hair stylist in Easton so we've booked appointments for tomorrow and she's driving in. Isn't that an awful thing to do to that poor stylist? Two heads of hair like ours in one day, one after the other? I feel like I should take her a gift, or at the very least apologize. I haven't had a haircut since I had it chopped short in August. Then I made the mistake of coloring it mid-October before we went to France. It's a mess. I'm not sure what I want her to do with it, but I can't keep walking around like this.

I feel so dated. But I don't like short hair with my mug. Help! I swear, I'll go to my grave wondering what to do with the mop on my head. I really regret coloring it and now having to grow out all that white hair again. Ugh. Oh well, I guess we'll see what happens tomorrow. If nothing else I know my sister and I can laugh about it. Then we'll drown our sorrows in a bowl of crab soup. That's a win. Okay, I've blathered enough. What a bunch of nonsense. If you're still here, thank you. Give yourself a cookie. Hopefully something blogworthy will happen soon - we have a very special family member who has a 7th birthday coming up, that'll be fun! She's having a party at a trampoline park. I don't see Grancy participating in that. The next blog post would be about how I broke my hip and got carted out of a birthday party by EMTs. No thanks. I hope that you're doing well and finding tidbits of joy where you can. Don't let the bastards grind you down. Joy is resistance, happiness is powerful. Stay well, stay safe. XOXO, Nancy

[nancypullen]

Hi fancy Nancy!! :D Today (20th) kinda sucked a bit because the wrinkly orange is officially running our country now, but it’s ok because I had fun quality time with my mom and we went shopping for my upcoming recital and vocal competition! Anyways! Do you mind sending all the picture you took in Versailles? My mom and I want to go to France for Christmas and I think some Louis XIV pics would cheer me up. XOXO! -Your adopted internet diva 💖

oh and here’s my cat because she’s lovely

Oh my gosh - I've been running around and ignoring Tumblr and I missed THIS?!? What a doll baby-sweet snookums-fluffy face!! Yes, I'd be so happy to share pics of Versailles - let me grab that folder and get it all together! I'll bet it's absolutely STUNNING at Xmas!!!

[nancypullen]

Thoughts on Jan. 20th

It's a sad day for America. I've been pulling my thoughts together, figuring out what I wanted to say, and then I read this essay. This author, Margaret Renkle, wrote The Comfort of Crows, a book that speaks to my soul. Reading her beautiful writing has been a balm to my heart over the last year. Today she touched upon the grief that so many are feeling, and what to do with those feelings. She wrote an opinion piece for The New York Times that says everything I want to say,but so much better than I ever could. Please read it.

On a Cold, Dark Inauguration Day, a Message From the Birds

by Margaret Renkle

Just before dark on New Year’s Eve, I filled all the bird feeders, and I didn’t skimp on the good stuff: black nyjer thistle for the finches, two kinds of suet for the woodpeckers, whole peanuts for the crows and the blue jays, a high-protein woodland mix dense with shelled peanuts and sunflower hearts for everybody. The birds would wake to a New Year’s feast. I thought of it as the avian equivalent of black-eyed peas and greens, which the humans in the house would be eating for good luck later in the day. In 2025 we will be needing all the luck we can get.

I confess I wasn’t thinking only of the birds when I set out that banquet. According to birding tradition, the first bird you see on New Year’s morning is your theme bird for the year. It’s a game, really, not a true tradition, but it can be instructive to ponder what that first bird’s traits might teach us about the world or ourselves, and I was seeding the field for a fine first bird. A crow for wit and wile, perhaps? A wren for curiosity? A house finch for sociability or a goldfinch for renewal?

There is so much natural food in our yard — drupes and berries and grubs and the like — that I don’t hang out bird feeders except during winter. Even then, visits to our feeders are scant, except in the early mornings. If I took care to put my glasses on before I pulled the curtains open, I would see my first bird well enough to identify it. Some years I forget, and my first bird is a blur of wings and a departing rump.

On the very coldest mornings, birds tend to be both still and quiet, conserving energy to keep warm. Last year I looked for an hour before I saw my first bird. This New Year’s Day dawned very cold, too, and the wind, though light, was bitter. I saw no birds when I opened the bedroom curtains, but I had better luck peering through the glass of the back door: Two northern cardinals — a male and a female — were sheltering in a dead sapling beside our deck. The tree died two years ago in a sudden drop in temperature after a long warm spell that had sent sap rising as in springtime. We leave the snag standing because our wild neighbors have so many uses for it. For squirrels and opossums, it’s a ladder onto the deck, where there is often spilled birdseed. That morning the redbirds were using its trunk as a windbreak. In any ecosystem, wild creatures always have as many uses for death as for life. Male cardinals’ vibrant red color, black mask and jaunty crest are beloved among even those who have little interest in birds, but I prefer the more muted colors of the females. This one was impossible to photograph among the drab branches of the dead tree, but her mate was keeping watch over her, and she was likewise keeping watch over him.

Cardinals have many symbolic associations that make them especially resonant first birds on New Year’s Day. For Christians, they represent the blood of Christ and therefore sacrifice and redemption. The persistence of their pair bond across seasons and the male’s courtship ritual of feeding the female have made them symbols of devotion. The bereaved often believe the appearance of a cardinal means a loved one is sending a message of reassurance from the beyond, a reminder in grief that those we love have not left us entirely. That we are not alone in a cold, lonely world.

But as I watched these cardinals on New Year’s morning, I didn’t think first of symbols. At the dawn of a year that seems almost certain to make this country into an unrecognizable place, to make this world even less hospitable to birds and everybody else, it turns out I am less interested in symbolic associations than in practicalities.

The new administration, led by a felon who tried to overturn the results of a fair election, has pledged to deport 11 million undocumented immigrants, using military force if necessary, and end constitutionally protected birthright citizenship. He intends to permit more drilling on federal lands and to roll back regulations designed to limit environmental toxins and greenhouse gasses. And all of that is only the beginning.

Seeing those cardinals watching over each other, I wondered: What can I, too, do to be more watchful? To take more care?

A heavy snow 10 days ago brought birds out in huge numbers, often in whole flocks — bluebirds, robins, cedar waxwings, house finches, dark-eyed juncos and Carolina wrens, plus the usual mockingbirds and blue jays, tufted titmice and Carolina chickadees, every kind of sparrow and every kind of woodpecker. I kept the feeders filled. My husband spread a sheet on top of the snow and set out a mix of seeds and nuts and mealworms for the ground foragers.

This bounty also brought the mixed flock of black birds I always look for in snow — starlings and grackles and red-winged blackbirds — who compete for resources during the breeding seasons but band together in the cold. In such weather, they waste little energy in squabbling.

Their cooperation wasn’t symbolic any more than the cardinals on New Year’s Day were merely a symbol. Most songbirds are less territorial in winter because the hormones responsible for breeding behavior have not yet begun to rise. They cooperate as compensation for leafless trees and cold temperatures, working together to find food sources and evade predators, staying warm by flocking up.

Birds don’t exist to serve as symbols, and yet they can’t help but mean something to the symbol-making species watching them through a window or a storm door. On this Inauguration Day that brings no hope for help from elected officials to address climate change or to protect vulnerable species, including our own, the living world is showing us what to do: In the dark days already gathering, we will need to do our best to look out for one another and for the creatures we love.

[nancypullen]

[nancypullen]

Sunday Afternoon

I woke up in Denton again today. Dang it. I keep hoping for one of those 80's soap opera moments where I wake up and this was all a bad dream. So I did what I always do and made the best of it while silently cussing about everything. If Mickey reads this he'll ask, "Really, silently??" Okay, I may vocalize my discontent on occasion. And by occasion, I mean daily. Anyyywayyyy, there's not much happening around here. After lunch we went over to the auction house and poked around. There was some cute furniture there that I'd love to get my hands on and paint - but nothing we truly needed. I do have my eye on a stack of vintage children's books. I'm a sucker for anything Rupert related and this auction lot has three Rupert books!

Have you ever watched Rupert and the Frog Song? I love it so much I may want it played at my funeral. Well, I doubt I'll have a funeral, so I may tell my family to watch it and just burn me up in the Weber. Is that legal? Anyway, Paul McCartney wrote the music and lyrics (We All Stand Together) and it's pure magic.

The first time I saw it I was in a hotel room in Seattle with my two sweet babies. We'd flown in from the Florida panhandle (long day) and were overnighting before catching a morning flight to Anchorage, Alaska and then on to Barrow/Utqiagvik to our new home at the tiptop of the world. We finally had beachfront property but it came with polar bears and icebergs. Matthew was 5 1/2 so Tyler was 2, we'd had a very long travel day and they were such little troopers. After wrestling our luggage into a van and arriving at the hotel I ordered room service cheeseburgers and found the Disney Channel on tv. Rupert and the Frog Song was just starting so we cuddled up in our jammies with our dinner and giggled ourselves silly over the frogs. We may have been overtired and a little punchy, but I was so happy in that moment with my precious little boys, and this song was cemented on my heart. The three of us survived plenty of adventures and tough times, but we did stand together and my gosh, look at them now. I couldn't be more proud of them. If you have any interest, you can see Rupert and the Frog Song here. It's old, and it starts out a tad slow ,but it's lovely. If you're impatient you can go straight to the 5:30 mark and watch the song.

That's why a dusty stack of books at an auction house in Denton made me put a hand to my heart and say, "Ohhh." It's also the reason that I will probably bid too much. The heart wants what it wants.

After visiting the auction house we made a stop at Aldi and picked up a few things for the coming week. Salmon, pork for carnitas, ingredients for veggie soup, broccoli, zucchini, and some very pricey eggs. A dozen eggs for nearly $5 and they were limiting customers to two dozen. Good grief, sure makes me miss my chicken raising days. We returned home and the mister spent the rest of the afternoon in his office processing photos or making videos for YouTube. I never really know what he's doing up there. I sat at my desk and started worked on a little birdhouse for this spring. I picked up a cheap, unfinished wood birdhouse a couple of months ago at a craft store. I think it was $6. I'm currently gluing some china pieces on it before grouting it.

I'll use white grout, probably paint the roof a brighter red (I used what I had on hand and I don't like it) and give it a home on the front porch. It's a really fun and easy project that keeps my hands busy. Easy to listen to a podcast while fitting the pieces, it's not brain surgery.

I try to keep my mind busy too, and that usually involves writing or reading. Last week I plowed through this book and thoroughly enjoyed it. One of the reviews said, "In turns absurdly funny and devastatingly tender, Alison Espach’s The Wedding People is ultimately an incredibly nuanced and resonant look at the winding paths we can take to places we never imagined—and the chance encounters it sometimes takes to reroute us." Spot on, funny and tender. I loved Phoebe, understood Lila, ached for Juice, and so on. Highly recommend. I also highly recommend Etsy (how's that for a segue?) You know I've been shopping on Etsy since 2008. I love supporting individual artists and creators, and I've rarely been disappointed. Check out this ball cap I recently received - custom embroidery reading, "Mentally in Paris". Always, people, always.

If I were in Paris right now I'd stroll Rue Clare and choose something delicious for dinner from the market stalls, after dinner we'd stroll over to Champ de Mars and watch the Eiffel tower sparkle. I wonder if that would ever get old? Doubt it. But, as I mentioned, I woke up in Denton again so tonight I'll be watching another episode of Land Man with Billy Bob Thornton and talking to my cats. Bonjour, petit chat. Voudrais-tu manger? They always answer. Darling kitties. Molly has claimed the clubhouse, so I feel like I can't toss it out just yet.

She looks miserable because I woke her up when I snapped her picture. Grumpy ol' gal. I suppose I've become a grumpy ol' gal too. I'll try harder not to be. On that note, I'll wish you a beautiful day (or evening, depending on when you read this). I hope that you're finding moments of joy and savoring them - a laugh with a friend, a good cup of coffee, a book you can't put down. Those are the little things that help a soul survive this crazy world. If you've had a tough day, consider yourself hugged. If you've had a great day, spread some of that happiness around.

See ya' soon. Stay safe, stay well. XOXO, Nancy

[nancypullen]

What's Up, Buttercup?

Things have gotten very quiet around here and that is not a complaint. The new year tiptoed in without much fanfare on our part. We practice the old Irish tradition of opening the front and back doors at midnight to usher out the old year and welcome the new. Gotta' say, not at all excited about 2025. If you go back in the archives of this blog you'll see me waxing poetic about the thrill of a sparkling new year, 365 blank pages to fill, a blank canvas to paint, and so on. This year I feel great trepidation and my only hope is that the next few years are not as bad as anticipated. Sorry if I sound like a downer, that's not my norm - but I've been on this particular ride before and it was not good. We live in an idiocracy now. Having said that, my intention is to fill as much time and space as I can with things that bring me joy - art, writing, and my sweet family to name a few. Good books, good music, more time in nature, all of those are high on the list as well. I have to focus on what I can control and that's a pretty small bubble. SO... After Matt flew back to Minneapolis on the 2nd, I dismantled Christmas and swept it up and out. The dregs of a happy holiday...greenery, glitter, and bits of trash.

I was glad to reclaim the clean, uncluttered spaces. Next year I will not put out as many decorations. I want to get a smaller tree - not shorter, just more slender. I'd love to get a flocked tree and give it a vintage vibe. I can't justify a new tree purchase while ours still lights up, but you can bet the second a bulb burns I'll be shopping. I mean, the possibilities....

As I packed away holiday decor, I found myself setting aside more and more for Goodwill. Let someone else enjoy the things I've gathered over the years. I don't use most of it anymore, I'd love it if someone else found joy in them. The mister took down the outdoor lights and then broke down cardboard boxes in the garage to take to the recycling spot. I did save one that came in handy.

With a soft blanky it's a great clubhouse. They're not using it much, so I'll give it another week and then out it goes. If they start to love it I'll invest in a pretty one. They usually prefer cozying up to us. Oh, remember the slips I was burning each day to find out where my focus would be in 2025? I put goals and/or desires on pieces of paper then folded them up and burned one a day (without peeking) until the new year. The last one was opened and is supposed to be my mission. This is what I ended up with, and I don't even know where to begin.

I don't know how to do that. If you've read this blog for any amount of time you know that after our move to Maryland I went from being a ridiculously happy person to a not-very-happy-can't-see-the-light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel person. It's foreign to me to feel so blue so often, so that whole "prioritize my happiness" sounds really good, but what's the blueprint for that? I need a plan. I mean, a winning lottery ticket would be a great first step. That takes me back to focusing on things I can control. It's a vicious cycle. I suppose most would think it means putting myself first, that's something I've struggled with my entire life. Who can be happy if you're making someone else unhappy? Ugh. I'll figure it out. Note: I interrupted this blog post to make dinner. How am I doing with that whole "me first" thing ?

Hey, here's something I have no control over and it's been utterly delightful - this glorious weather! That big ol' winter storm blew through and dumped nearly a foot of snow on us. It's so beautiful.

Our yard has been full of birds - juncos, cardinals, blue jays, sparrows, finches, and this woodpecker has been a regular visitor as well. Yep, that's a fuzzy pic snapped through a window while I lounged on the sofa with a book. Use your imagination. Word got out in bird world and we've had hundreds (no exaggeration!) of feathered visitors every day since the big snow.

We've been keeping the feeders filled and feel like we're personally saving all of the local wildlife. Mickey even scattered seed under the grandgirl's swing and it started a party.

The sun came out brilliantly today and, even though temps didn't get above freezing, it caused big clumps of snow to fall from the trees. Miss Molly soaked up some rays.

Phoebe spends her hours stalking birds.

When the first wave of snow hit I did what any blizzard loving yankee gal would do - I made a pot of soup. This is such an easy favorite.

Chicken stock, a can of petite diced tomatoes, plenty of garlic, spinach (or kale, that's what I had), some sort of chicken or turkey sausage - crumbled Italian, or sliced, doesn't matter, and tortellini. But here's what makes the magic happen - add a half cup of white wine to the broth, and just before you turn the heat off and prepare to serve it up, drop a tablespoon of butter in and stir. One teensy tablespoon into that big pot gives it a wonderful depth of flavor. Honest. If you can top it with a little shaved parm (I was out) that kicks it up another notch. It's so yummy. I've been eating a ton of salads since we kissed Christmas goodbye. I honestly love them, but some days soup just hits right.

That's normally my lunch. Mixed greens, avocado, pepitas, chopped dried cranberries, cukes, and a drizzle of balsamic. Not fancy, but tasty and filling. It's better when I have some feta to throw on top. Breakfast is usually a protein shake with collagen powder. I can't honestly say that I've noticed a difference in my health since I started that routine about three months ago - it's really just a habit now and super easy. Beats cooking breakfast. Mickey gave me this adorable tumbler to start my mornings with a smile.

I love it!

That's pretty much all that's happening around here. I'm doing a lot of reading, working on some writing, dabbling in art projects, and enjoying the cozy feeling of these frosty, sparkling, snowy days. Eight days into 2025, I have no complaints. The next goal is to get back on the dang treadmill and put some mileage on my shoes. I've been awful about that. I need to build a new playlist and get started. I'd probably stay on the treadmill longer if I listened to a murder podcast instead of music, they're just not making new ones daily. I should probably listen to tales of people who ended up with bypass surgery or stents because they didn't exercise. Adding butter to soup and avoiding the treadmill is probably not the smartest move I've ever made. There ya' go. I opened my brain and shook it out all over the keyboard. You can pick through the rubbish and find what's worth keeping. I hope that your year has started well and that you have some things to look forward to, that's important. If you don't have anything to happily anticipate, start putting some on your calendar. Doesn't have to be a big deal, it can be as simple as planning a night for getting takeout, the start date of a favorite movie or show, or treating yourself to something. I find if I write something fun in a little square on my calendar it cheers me up. I'm just enough of a dork to count down the days until the Golden Globes (I did). I don't care about the awards, I just like to see the gowns - but the point is that little bits of happiness sprinkled throughout a month add up, and we can all benefit from occasional delights, right?

Go ahead, make yourself happy. Time for me to play mah-jongg while the mister watches another spy/chase/mob/whatever movie. Sending out lots of love tonight. Take what you need and pass it on. That's our mission in 2025. Stay safe, stay well. XOXO, Nancy

[nancypullen]

Lingering

I'm ready to clear this house of Christmas decor. I'm ready for more space and uncluttered surfaces. I haven't done it yet because we still have a house full of people, and one is a very busy first grader. A freshly cleaned house and a clean slate in January sounds appealing, but one thing, one simple vignette, is still making me happy. This.

Those flowers are about two weeks old, the mister picked them up at Aldi. I popped them into a vase and placed them on the tray where I keep this year's sweet Christmas cards. I think getting Christmas cards might be one of the most delightful parts of the season for me. I get so tickled when I open the mailbox and see an envelope from someone we love. Friends and family, know that your card is greatly appreciated at this house. If there's a note or letter enclosed, I'll read it more than once. We have a nephew and his darling wife who send a treasured family recipe with every Christmas card. I love it! I blurred the cards a bit in that photo,just for the privacy of the folks who sent them -but that cheerful tray of kind missives makes my heart sing. I snapped that photo early one morning after reading a few of the cards a second (or third or fourth) time. Over the years the tradition of sending holiday cards has started to die. I get it. We live in an instant messaging world of e-vites and rapid texts. The price of a postage stamp is too high and really adds up when you send a bundle of cards. I only sent about 30 this year, and I think we received 20-ish. But I loved every one. I'll probably send out Christmas cards until I die, or at least until I can hobble out to the mailbox. I hope that mine were received with a smile, and that each recipient felt the warm fuzzies I sealed into each envelope. If you're old school like me, and you're still sending cards- bravo, fellow boomer. Let's keep this little love fest going until we're the last card-sending dinosaurs left. An even bigger round of applause to the young folks sending out envelopes full of kindness. Look at you, sprinkling happiness into people's holidays! To the folks who sent us cards, thank you, thank you, thank you for the joy. I'm slowly plodding through that weird lull between Christmas and January - never sure what day it is, don't really care. But I'm eyeballing every bit of glitter and trace of festivity and their days are numbered. TIme for a clean sweep. There's so much we can't control in this crazy world, but our home environment is something we can. I feel the need for an exceptionally fresh start in 2025. How about you? If we're heading into chaos, we might as well have a stable, comfortable sanctuary in our homes, right? Looking for that hygge vibe for the new year. Sending out love and cozy thoughts. We're gaining daylight and really just a couple of months away from the first daffodils and crocuses of spring. Time marches on. Might as well enjoy it. Stay safe, stay well. XOXO, Nancy

[nancypullen]

I Was Almost On CNN

It's been a day. Living in Dogpatch has many drawbacks and for the most part I have adjusted. I've been looking for a certain food item, nothing fancy, and haven't been able to find it. I'm not searching for white truffles or beluga caviar, just a freakin' carton of peppermint ice cream. Let me explain. I'm a granny, and for decades I have put Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners on the table. All of the family favorites, mostly southern recipes, make an appearance. The table groans under the weight of all the casseroles and we groan after we eat all of that buttery, rich food. Last month as I cooked our Thanksgiving feast, I was not having as much fun as in years past. I kept looking at the massive amounts of not-so-healthy foods and just felt icky. My family, however, is sentimental about the traditional meal. So I cooked for two days, put it on the holiday table, and the meal was over in 25 minutes. I'm not saying it wasn't appreciated, my family is very kind about that - but it took longer to clear the table and load the dishwasher than it did for the meal to be consumed. Just one more reason to make a change. A couple of days after Thanksgiving I declared that our Christmas dinner would not be the same old stuff. The menfolk looked at me like deer in the headlights. It wasn't until I said that maybe I'd make a brisket that they relaxed a little. Did they think I was going to put a platter of PB&J on the table? I told them that the sides would be greatly reduced because we don't need all of the carbs/butter/sugar/name a poison. Sure, they'll miss the sweet potato souffle covered in brown sugar and pecans, but they'll thank me later. I'm keeping the hashbrown casserole for two reasons - it'll go great with the brisket, and they'd really miss it. I'm going to add some maple bacon brussels sprouts, and a sheet pan of ranch crescent rolls. . I'll marinate the brisket overnight and cook it slow in the oven on Christmas day. That's it. It's an embarrassingly simple meal, and about a week ago I started feeling guilty. I mean, really guilty. Those old holiday meals made my family happy. They expect those twice-a-year dishes from me. I just ripped those traditions to shreds because I'm tired.

I was swimming in that guilt when I realized that although I've got brownies, sugar cookies, etc available - I'd made no plan for a dessert after Christmas dinner. I am failing at every turn. That's when I decided that we'd have a dense, dark chocolate cake...and peppermint ice cream. I've done it before and it's a delightful, wintery, holiday dessert. Easy, simple, winner! Until I started looking for peppermint ice cream. In the past *cough*not here*cough* I'd drive 4 miles to any number of fine grocery stores, pick up a carton, and toss it in the freezer until needed. Not here. In Caroline County people act as if they've never heard of it. Today I dragged Matt with me and drove the 30 minutes to Easton because according to their website Harris Teeter had some in stock. They lied. I looked at every freezer shelf and even the seasonal end cap freezers. No dice. Another phone consultation showed that Target had 4 in stock. They also lied. Mind you, this hunt involved searching for parking and working through crowded stores because it's the 23rd of December. Normally I wouldn't be caught dead in a store at this stage of the game. It would have been easier at this point to just choose a different flavor, but nothing else would have the same festive flair. I considered a carton of black cherry but I just couldn't give up. Another phone search revealed that the Giant supermarket across town supposedly had peppermint ice cream. Off I went. I was not feeling optimistic. In my head I was feeling the burden of my family's expectations - I'd already torpedoed their normal Christmas meal, then I'd chosen to take the easy way out on dessert as well. I'd promised peppermint ice cream and I would die trying to make that happen. I'll add that I am tired, I have a lot to do the next couple of days, and I JUST WANTED THIS ONE WIN. We pulled into a parking spot at Giant and I looked at Matt who had been cheerful all day (this quick trip had turned into 3 hours), and I said, "Just warning you. I'm this close to a melt down. If they don't have it I might turn into that crazy customer that starts pushing over displays." His eyes widened for a second and then he grinned. Deep down, he knew that I wouldn't do any such thing. But he'd also get a kick out of witnessing it if I did. We walked to the back of the store to the freezer section and began our search. Various vanillas, so much mint chocolate chip, butter pecan, Oreo, Snickers, pistachio (my favorite!) and just as I was suggesting that maybe I could just buy vanilla and crush up candy canes to sprinkle on top - Matt spotted it. Not a carton, but four of those pint-sized Häagen-Dazs containers of peppermint ice cream. I started hemming and hawing because buying four pricier pints was not my plan, and that's when Matt scooped them all up and said, "I'm buying them." I think he was over the whole issue. Fair. Especially after I'd said I might go postal in Giant. So I grabbed a carton of neopolitan for the grandgirl and hurried to check out. Matt was already in self-checkout and we met at the door. I felt awful that he'd paid for the ice cream (I'll sneak cash into his wallet) and then felt like a big baby when he whipped out the latest copy of Southern Living. I'd reached for it earlier and then decided I didn't need it because it would be full of recipes that it's too late to include in my plans. He was sweet enough to surprise me with it. Four pints of Häagen-Dazs and a magazine kept me off CNN. There will not be a feature story of a crazy woman flipping shelves of candy canes and poinsettias in a small town grocery store in Maryland. It's a Christmas miracle. I did this to myself. I changed the tradition, my stress is self-inflicted. I'm was so worried about Christmas not being perfect for my family that I forgot how sweet they are, and what's important. I could serve Beanie Weenies and we'd still laugh around the table. I could have chosen any flavor of ice cream and our

 holiday would still be merry. I'm surrounded by kind,loving people who would really prefer that I stop stressing over the little details. That should probably be a goal of mine for 2025. What's that old saying? It's not what's on the table, it's who's in the chairs. Looking at it that way, our Christmas is already perfect. I'm one lucky duck.

From me to you, whatever has your shoulders up around your ears and your teeth clenched. Let it go. None of it will matter in a year. The people who love you will keep right on loving you, and those who don't...well, who cares? Take a deep breath and thank your lucky stars for the good people in your life. What a gift.

Stay safe, stay well, stay sane. XOXO, Nancy

[nancypullen]

Last Days of 2025

I took a month off from the ol' blog. A MONTH. I haven't done that since I started this nonsense in 2007. I just wasn't feeling particularly chatty. I've been caught up in making merry and decking the halls, but I also feel an impending sense of doom. We all know what (or who) 2025 will bring, and it's not good. Not good at all. BUT, this space on the magical interwebs is not for doom and gloom. This space is about finding joy, laughing together, and cheering you on in this crazy life. So that's what I intend to continue doing here. Let's walk into this new year with cautious hope, but fully prepared to do battle if necessary. Here at the Pullen home I have been the busiest elf Santa ever sent into the world.

THose of you who know me will remember that my hometown really IS North Pole, Alaska. If you visit, you'll find candy cane streetlights, street names like Mistletoe Lane, Snowman Lane, and of course, Santa Claus Lane. Santa's house is there, and I went to high school with Santa's daughter. Her name is Merry Christmas Miller, though I'm sure that has probably changed over the years due to marriage. She was a beauty. Quite often, after school, we'd go to Santa's house and feed snacks to the reindeer. We ate pizza at a restaurant called The Elf's Den. This was all perfectly normal to us, and a delightfully wholesome way to grow up. Here's a peek at Santa's house.

So, having said all of that, it's probably no surprise that I like to decorate for Christmas. It makes me a bit nostalgic, and it's almost impossible to be unhappy in a house filled with jingle bells and holiday cheer. Knowing that, I decked the dang halls and I wrapped (and wrapped and wrapped and wrapped) gifts to tuck under the tree. I've placed bits and bobs downstairs and upstairs, spreading the holiday vibe. So many of my little window sill sitters are quite old -gifts from students more than twenty years ago. Little guys like these look just fine if I snip some greenery from the yews in the front yard.

Other knick knacks I've collected over the years. These two are favorites. I enjoy sliding Santa's sleigh closer to Christmas each day.

And this one speaks to the child that still lives in my heart every December.

Stuff like that is scattered all over the house, with most of it a nod to the big guy.

I picked up the HoHoHo piece at Kirkland's for about $14. It makes me smile.

Throw pillows that I've had for several years make the sofa cheerful.

The tv cabinet just has a couple of candles and trees -nothing special, but it's pretty at night when we're cozy and watching television. It really brings a warm glow to the room.

I love candles and twinkle lights this time of year. One new addition is a strand of pre-lit garland wrapped around a tension (curtain) rod and placed at the end of the entry hall. Nothing fancy but it's a nice little holiday boost to the house.

I have a love/hate relationship with that table. When we moved here two and a half years ago we were busy renovating this house. It was during supply chain issues and we live on Maryland's Eastern Shore which can feel like Timbuktu when you want some pretty basic things. Anywayyyy...we were working on the house, our kids were arriving for July 4th and I had nowhere for anyone to sit. We bought that dining set on Facebook marketplace for $50 as a place holder. I had visions of a gorgeous, chippy, french country dining set to fill that spot. Fast forward a couple of years and every time I mention getting rid of it the family protests because they swear the chairs are SO comfortable. Apparently they cup the bum and support the back just right. I hate it, but it makes everyone else happy. I'll just keep hating it, I guess. I keep my Xmas table really simple. No giant centerpiece, no candelabra. White plates, red napkins, and green goblets are festive enough. Time to dress the table!

And, of course, the tree. This may be the last year for the old gal. Or maybe not. If I can keep fluffing her out and filling the holes with ornaments and foofoo we can get a couple more seasons out of her.

The bow on top is a tad floppy, but by the time she was crowned I was so ready to be finished that I deemed it just fine. It's not like we're on the HGTV home tour.

So, the house is festive, and our hearts are festive...but Denton doesn't offer much in the way of holiday fun. That's why we hopped on the Metro last Thursday and headed into D.C. to roam the Christmas markets. The Dupont Circle market was just so-so, but the market at Gallery Place (F Street between 7th and 9th?) was wonderful! It's right at the Gallery Place/ChinaTown stop so you walk right into it when you exit the Metro.

Those last few pic were snapped by Mickey. I was too busy shopping. It was a fabulous way to spend the day. Prior to hitting the markets we visited the Harry Benson Gallery - incredible! If you get the chance, go. What an amazing life.

There you have it. A tiresome post to catch you up on our comings and goings. Mickey made a fast trip down to Atlanta to celebrate his mother's 90th birthday. I've been keeping the home fires burning and preparing for the holidays and the coming year. Here's some fun that you can join in. Yesterday, on the solstice, I wrote down ten intentions/goals for 2025 on strips of paper. I folded them up and placed them in this little jar.

Starting today, and each day through New Year's Eve, I will take one out (no peeking!) and burn it without opening it. On the 31st, when I take the last one out, I'll open it and read it. THAT is the one that the universe is telling me to focus on. Sure, you can still work on everything else - maybe your list includes stuff like getting in shape, changing jobs, traveling more, setting boundaries with people, or mending relationships. You can still do all of that and more. But if you enjoy woo-woo stuff (I do), and prefer paganism over hypocritical puritanism (ohh, too harsh?), this is a fun way to ask the universe for a sign and direct your focus there. It's certainly not going to hurt, although I'm going to be ticked off if my last slip is the one that says "lose weight" and not "prioritize your happiness". Just my luck. Alright, my darlings. That's enough rambling from me. Sorry for the unexpected break, I plan to do much better in 2025. Matt arrived yesterday, Tyler and his crew will arrive soon, so until January this space will be hit or miss. But know that I am sending out huge amounts of love, wishing you peace in your hearts and homes, and always, always expecting the very best for all of us. I hope that your dearest wishes come true and the coming year surprises you with so much joy. Now get out there and spread some Christmas cheer! Stay safe, stay well, jingle all the way~~~ XOXO, Nancy

[nancypullen]

350 Degrees, All Day Long

Where are my moms and grandmas that have been working for two days to get a holiday meal on the table? Every year a Thanksgiving cruise sounds better and better. I have sons, not daughters - there's no one in the kitchen with me sharing the load. I have an AMAZING daughter-in-law who should have her own show on the Food Network, but alas, she is in Tennessee for Thanksgiving. Since we get time with her/them all year, I grudgingly share her with her parents on Turkey Day. I started cooking yesterday, pretty much anything I could cook ahead of time went into the oven. The sweet potato casserole is 95% baked, I'll top it with the brown sugar pecan mixture and whack it in again. I made the hashbrown kickasserole that the menfolk request year after year after year. It's baked and just needs cheese on top before going back in the oven. I've blanched the green beans for the bacon-wrapped bundles, the corn pudding is ready to bake, the dressing is in progress, and so on and so on. I have so many moving parts to this meal that I leave notes for my old lady brain.

Everything says "add butt", which is exactly what this meal will do. Am I the only one who is completely over these heavy holiday meals? Maybe it's because I see everything that goes into these longtime family favorites. I'd much rather throw something tasty on the grill, roast some brussels sprouts, and maybe have a sinful baked potato.

I saved myself a lot of trouble and ordered our pie from Craft Bakery. The woman who owns the bakery and produces all of the goodies is an absolute magician. If I'm ever on death row my last meal will be her quiche and one of her blackout cookies. So our dessert is courtesy of Bri, and I purposely ordered a pumpkin pie because I don't like pumpkin pie. I'll let the gentlemen demolish it. You may ask yourself why I'm tapping away on this blog when I'm in the midst of preparing a huge meal. Good question. I'm all caught up and just waiting for free space in the oven. I do realize that by saying I'm all caught up I have now cursed the entire meal. We'll have a power outage or find that I've accidentally used an ingredient involved in a salmonella recall. Let the chips fall, folks, I don't care. Anywho - I'm sending out a hug to all of the family cooks today. I see you, I appreciate you, and I'm grateful for your efforts. May your rolls be golden and your turkey be moist. Wishing you flaky pie crusts and sweet potatoes like clouds. Most of all, I wish you help with the dishes and extra room in the refrigerator for the leftovers. A holiday frig is like a carb-loaded game of Jenga. May the odds be ever in your favor. Take heart, chefs, we can squeeze in a month of simple meals and homemade soups before we do this all over again. Sending out love today, and a heart full of gratitude for the kind people who read this little blog. You're what keeps me going during this awful time - knowing that good people with big hearts are out there just living their lives. You're the light, and I thank you for that. Stay safe, stay well, get out the stretchy pants. XOXO, Nancy