Nothing like a nice, warm day in the spring for a country girl and her Grandma!
Every month just seems to go by faster! I have been retired for exactly one year now! I think I have adjusted pretty well. And it is an adjustment, but at age 74, I think I have some things I still need to experience and learn about, so on the whole, think I have embraced it joyfully.
Just to give you a little picture of my world in words as well as photos, March was a flurry of activity. I took two trips to Fargo, one where we enjoyed my granddaughter's performance in the Fargo-Moorhead youth symphony, plus it had been seven years since Howard had been there for a visit! The second trip was with my DIL to cash in on our wonderful Christmas gift from my daughter - tickets to Elton John's concert!
Elton John did a fantastic performance of his music for over two solid hours! Pretty good, for an oldie like me! It looked like the Fargo Dome was full and I only saw a few people there with masks on. Maybe be are getting back to normal!
I went to Bismarck for lunch and shopping with a good friend one Saturday. We enjoyed a delicious lunch and glass of wine at the Broadway Grill and then shopped at Sams' Club, Scheels, Kohl's and had dessert at Cold Stone Creamery.
Not to bore you with details of my life, but just to show you what retirement entails for me, I also got the oil changed in the pickup, helped Howard move equipment, babysat Quinn several days, had an appointment with our financial advisor, played bunco, took Howard to the Eye Doctor in Bismarck, participated in the first annual Beach Art Walk sponsored by their Prairie Arts Council, went to a 4-H benefit, had a good overnight visit with my favorite cousin, and helped her and my DIL celebrate their birthdays. Kept a couple lunch dates, got a haircut and my nails done, went to the dentist, almost finished a new quilt....whew, I guess it was a busy month!
Our granddaughters brought home three goats and a lamb the other day....stay tuned for cute pictures of kids and kids, as two of the goats should become mothers in a week or two.
Yesterday I attended the Stress Less and Unwind event in Medora. This was their first year and I was impressed with the informative, entertaining program. I feel I learned a little and want to learn more especially about Aromatherapy and the 7 Chakras and crystals, and, oh yes, organic hemp products made right here in western ND!
Before the event in Medora, I took a drive through Theodore Roosevelt National Park, (figured I was saving gas this way ha-ha) and enjoyed seeing some of the critters out and about.
This prairie dog was actually eating bison poop - it has been so dry here, the prairie dog towns are like the Sahara Desert, so I am guessing he is finding some undigested goodies for a snack. Yuck...
On the way to Medora, I spotted this pair of geese setting up housekeeping at the dam in Sentinel Butte. One the way home, in the same spot, they were getting settled for the evening.
I always have to photograph a bison or two when I go to the park, so here is a token bison picture.
Just one more quick thought for the day - My friend Laura shared her wonderful carrot cake recipe with me and I made it for my cousin's and DIL's birthdays. Here it is:
CARROT CAKE
2 C sugar
1 1/2 C oil
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
Beat and add 2 1/3 C flour
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp soda
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
Then fold in 3 C grated carrots, I C nuts and 1 C crushed pineapple with juice,
I baked at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes but ovens may vary,
FROSTING
1-8 oz package cream cheese
1/4 C margarine or butter
cream and then add 2 tsp vanilla 1/2 tsp almond extract and about 3 1/2 C powdered sugar. Frost and enjoy! It was unleavealoneable!
TTFN