Like a bridegroom

Is the sun. If I didn't know the Creator, I would be a sun-worshiper. I love the sunshine! I can't stay in bed after the sun has risen. I sit in a certain spot in my living room in the morning just to catch those first rays of the rising sun on my face. In winter I sit in the sunshine on the floor and read. I have energy. It makes me smile.

Yesterday was in the 50's and I went on a long walk in the sun. Lots of people had the same idea, and all were cheery. Everyone smiled and said hello or commented on the beautiful day.

I'm so thankful for these breaks from winter's icy grip! We had three wonderful sunny, "warm" days this week.

However, this morning we are setting our jaws, gritting our teeth and bracing ourselves for another icy onslaught. High's in the teens, winds 37 mph and snow, come Saturday night through Monday or Tuesday. sigh. Oh, well, it's STILL January. And we may get another break in ten days or so...

To make up for it, maybe, my hibiscus has a flower this morning! *smile*

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his
handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals
knowledge.
In them he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom
leaving his chanber, and , like a strong man, runs its course with joy.

It's happened!

(Typing as I watch the final prayer of the ceremony.)
This last prayer has a great ending, using verses, hymns and poetry!

I took a photo off TV obviously, but I figure I have an actual record.

It's been fun watching the daughters. I think it's Malia who has such fun with her camera. Snapping photos through that concert and through out the ceremony today.

The OPPD (electric company) guys came to the door this morning about 9:30 and said they were going to turn off the electricity for about a half hour. Ach, I couldn't believe it! What a day to turn everything off. And with no warning! But they got it back on and I got the TV back and computers reset, so didn't miss too much.

Bush must be sooo relieved!

Will texted me from the ceremony, "I'm there." There's probably a lot of dancin' going on down there. Now for a day of parties. The staff ball isn't until tomorrow, so Will will still be in Washington for that.

I've enjoyed the ceremony, seeing all these former leaders together, listening to more good prayers and speeches and watching people.

Now I guess I'd better do what he said and get off the couch and get some work done!! Like get groceries.

Homemade Oatcakes

You can tell I must not have much to do, here I am writing again.

It is a miserable, dark, cold cheerless day. But Denny's home, so we went out for lunch at Panera. So while we were out, I went to the store and found Bob's Red Mill Scottish Oats, finally. I just ordered 20 pounds online because I couldn't find them. They are oats just like we got in Scotland, not rolled like we have here.

So it cheered me considerably to try my hand at oatcakes. I LOVE oatcakes, with butter, cheese, cream cheese, raspberry jam, even plain with scotch broth. They turned out crispy and delicious! I think I would use a little more salt than the recipe called for and maybe no sugar. But they were so easy. Now I know that that 20 pounds is going to last even less time than usual!

Bialetti Espresso

I've added a new link to my "interesting sites" list. Yesterday a friend from college was telling me about this shop near where she lives. Oh,how I wish I had a shop like this near me!

Anyway, I jump tracks, I know.

My point here is this: all one needs to make a fantastic espresso is one of these coffee pots and a good coffee like Illy or Lavazzo. Actually I buy Caffe Bustelo at the commissary. My sense of taste is not so sensitive as some I know, so I can get by with a cheaper brand!
Not only do I get a fantastic espresso without the big expensive machine, but I use this every morning to make my cappuccino, which is probably a caffe latte. I fill this (a three cup pot) and then heat 1 and 1/2 cups milk in a glass measuring cup for 2 and 1/2 minutes. Then I get a wire wisk and spin it between my hands in the milk for just a few seconds to get the foam. Pour it over the coffee in a very large mug, add sugar to taste and voila! An excellent way to start the morning.
Who needs the big expensive machine?

We Are One Concert, 2009 Presidential Inauguration, 18 January, Washington, DC

We Are One Concert, 2009 Presidential Inauguration, 18 January, Washington, DC
Originally uploaded by TDLphoto

Flickr has a whole section for Inauguration photos. People upload them to a special site. Check it out. Great pictures. This is just a sample.
Just click on the photo for the link.

The Inaugural Fete

peanut gallery in the tree.
Originally uploaded by emilybelz

The photo is "borrowed" from our friend Emily Belz's Flickr pictures. We were wondering if Will was up the tree!

I don't know if you watched the concert in Washington D.C. yesterday or not, but we happened upon it after watching a movie last night. They were re-broadcasting it over and over on HBO. We caught one of them around 9 pm.

America can throw a party, and how! It was exciting, amazing, inspiring to watch and listen to speeches and great music. We felt very patriotic and proud to be Americans at this time in our history. The setting at the feet of Abraham Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial gave a sense of awesomeness. The crowd joining in to sing "Shout" made us want to get up and dance ourselves.

We are so blessed to be part of a country that can unite and celebrate all its unique characteristics. Power is not only peacefully passed from one man to another, but is celebrated. Yes, we will not always agree, but we can live with one another and accept one another-Jew or Palestinian, Irish or English, Muslim or Christian. Where else, but America?

I'm ready for some more celebration!

A Sweet Evening

Empty nest for a week!

Will left yesterday morning for the big celebration, so since it was just the two of us for dinner, I thought I'd set it up downstairs in front of the fire.

I pulled the couch up, set up two benches and covered them with a tablecloth. We ate minestrone, and the rigatoni with tomato sauce and stir-fry onion-zucchini, red pepper from the night before. Candlelight and a bottle of petit shiraz topped it off. We sat down there until after 9.


We're ready for a long weekend of just the two of us!

Who says there's no romance after 30 years?