I am having a delightful day. It is a sunny 39 degrees outside. It is also 39 degrees inside. Why, you ask? The boiler is working just fine. All the radiators are turned on. Here is the reason for the chill:
We are having our windows replaced. All of them. Consequently, half of the windows from upstairs are on the front driveway being chiseled and hacked and caulked and cleaned. The front door is wide open so that the five French workmen can keep hacking and chiseling. We are getting a nice cross breeze. It is 11:46 which means that a 90 minute lunch break is moments away and the windows will remain on the driveway until at least 2:07.
But I really am having a fabulous day. I have to stay home to monitor progress. Because of the weather both inside and out, the only habitable room in the house is the family room. After braving the arctic climate in the master bath and giving it a good scrub, I am feeling guilt-free in my hibernation. In the family room I have my computer, my knitting, the TV, a down comforter, several loads of laundry and easy access to the kitchen. So far today I have:
Cleaned the bathroom --my justification for the rest of the list.
Talked to Sarah and her friends Chad and Megan who want to come for a visit.
Chatted about our collective future with David and decided that maybe we should refinance.
IM'd with Benjamin during his advisory. I guess it is OK to chat with your mom during advisory.
Booked our Eurotunnel tickets for Fall Break in a cottage near Bath, UK.
Figured out how to fix the colossal mistake in my knitting that could have required me to pull out half the sweater.
Messed around on Facebook
Listened to a fabulous Jeffery Holland compilation on Youtube. I love Elder Holland. Here's the link if you need a little injection of hope and humility:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5bUKNYgRi8Tried to book a house for our RS trip to the Alsace Christmas Markets.
Watched 4 minutes of Oprah and decided it wasn't worth it.
Listened to some classic jazz.
I am now contemplating lunch and that laundry.
I love chilly days.
This is the view at 8:18 today:
Do you notice that subtle rosy hue? That is because my kids are all happy, my bed is made, my husband is good and kind, there is food in the refrigerator, gas in the car, peace in our hearts, and the birds are singing. Our lives are insulated in double paned happiness. We are very grateful.
Anita and her family have been in Belgium for over 20 years. She is incredibly fit and loves the outdoors. She is holding the 3euro tart that we devoured with our hands at the halfway point of our adventure on the Moselle.
There is a bike path that hugs the Moselle river in Germany through some of the most beautiful wine country you'll ever want to see. Anita has ridden the whole route (3 days solid) and has been talking it up so much that we decided to give it a go...in abbreviated form.
So Antia, Isabel, and I strapped the bikes to the car, drove over the Belgian border just past Tier, hopped on our bikes, and enjoyed a most beautiful fall afternoon.
This region is know for it's vineyards and the grapes were ripe on the vine. We passed several work parties gleaning by hand, and this jolly gentleman wished us "Gute Fahrt."
As the most inexperienced biker of the lot and general whimp, I spent most of the time behind the group. It had it's advantages. I got great shots like this one--love the downhills...
And I sometimes got to ride with the senior citizen groups that were out and about on the trail. They usually passed me up too.
A nice German couple helped Isabel with her tire. I just had to include this picure for the outfit on Mr. Fixit: Biking shoes, black socks, plaid man-pri's, a plaid shirt in similar colorway but hmmm. I love it. Reminds me of Sarah's comment when we first arrived: "You can pretty much get away with wearing anything over here..."
What a fabulous day. And I am keenly reminded of the joys of a good bike trip each time I sit down. Thanks Anita!
I have to confess to reading a few design blogs and magazines lately, so it just seemed appropriate to photograph my gleanings in a want-to-be artistic fashion.
I grabbed a few flea market containers and started my very own kitchen renewal project. I really like photograpy because just looking at this picture, you would never know that there were ramen bits and dirty dishes and crumbs just inches away from this idealized creation. Aaaahhhh. I think Martha Stewart would approve. Not that I care for her approval. Is she even cool anymore? It is amazing what some sunshine and a few berries can do for the spirits.
P.S. Benjamin informed me approximately 30 minutes after this picture was taken that there were caterpillars crawling across my windowsill. Hhhhmmmm.
