Out and About ~ Car Buying and Beach Walks [of sorts]

 

Hi everyone. I hope you are all safe and warm, especially those in Texas and other midwesternn and southern states. Here it is cold but not that cold. Tomorrow (today now)  another big snow is expected. I think this is snowstorm Five in February 2021, and it is only mid-month.

A lot of my energy last week and this week has been focused on  obtaining a new Jeep.

I thought the deal was made locally , but no. Instead a long drive over the bridges to a dealer about thirty miles east.

The bridges and inner waterways and bays look so different in the snow, all dull and colorless and frozen.

t was very odd to be with strangers in a strange setting at the dealer. I've only seen immediate family and a few close friends for almost a year. My usual shyness and natural tendency to solitude has gotten out of control. I was so nervous!

The dealership was clean and masks were worn. 6' distancing was given a nod and about 3 or 4 feet space across a little cramped bistro table. Bargaining and purchasing were relatively fast and efficient. Handshakes were offered as if Covid did not exist. [what do you do? Refuse?] And the bathrooms were very clean, but unisex. Using a bathroom with a urinal was odd. Constantly using disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer is exhausting, as are masks.

The new car is here and I love it. Just what I wanted!

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Meanwhile Mo and I grab every minute of sunny days we can manage. His new dogwalker is working wonders with Mo and Mo's  newly re-found energy and enthusiasm is carrying over for our walks too.

There is still a lot of snow on the ground, though. Maybe 15" in many spots. Plus deep drifts and ten foot high plow glaciers.

I've been admiring this huge old holly tree, our destination for shorter walks.

That is not red fall leaves, the color we see is holly berries. The tree is taller than its two story home. Imagine how it was planted or grew wild there, maybe 50 or more years ago.

                                                         

Today we walked to the beach bench. Its enveloping snow drift was  plowed away or it melted. Mo was pleased, but he refused to go on to the boardwalk, also finally free of snow.

Look closely!

The Eastern Par Ducks survived wind, flood and blizzard. As soon as I can, I'll look for the western flock on this side of the boardwalk.

The grocery store was teeming today, people stocking up again for the coming snow. I got myself cheerful tulips.

I bought the makings for a beef stew in the crock pot. I'll use QB's veggies in foil plan. I dithered over buying short ribs for the Crockpot, I do love them, but sooo expensive, wow. Also got a lentil soup kit, not sure about that. And pasta casserole makings. Hopefully I'll get somethings cooked before the power goes, if indeed it does.

Snow falling now at noon....

Yesterday I made ''artisan'' no-knead bread, subbing 1 Cup dark rye flour, so two parts whole grain bread flour, 1 part rye. It didn't rise very well, not sure if it was because my house is frigid, or the yeast is old, or because the rye lacks gluten and I was without the gluten add in, It's crusty but soft and chewy and dense. Really quite good, just rather flat. And the hot oven  finally warmed up the house a bit.

My snow day plan  is to work on my Blue Pineapple blocks. Gonna be fun and so cute. Below is the try out block, washed twice.

love

lizzy

gone to the beach,,,...

This is how the beach looked before the dunes were created.

I know the dunes are necessary, but I so miss this glorious view of glistening white beach.

2021-02-18 First paperwhite blooms: