Februarying in fine fashion

Rhett wondered where the candy was

What have you been doing? you may be thinking.

What have we not been doing? Is this a race-to-the-finish year, even more than most years?

I suppose it remains to be seen, but for now, the pirate is of that persuasion.

It seems we are proceeding at an insane pace.

Last week, the Chericas -- consisting of our Erica, her husband Chad, and the boys, Rhett and Elliot -- were all sick with colds and other maladies.

I went over on Tuesday, when the worst was over, and took the ingredients to make Mari's Creamy Chicken Taco Soup for them.

And if you have not made that soup yet, I would like to know what you're waiting for.

Because it is delightful. I made it again last Friday, for my gang.

TG said I was to make sure I put that recipe into the rotation, meaning, make it again soon. It was truly delicious.

Oh and put two whole blocks of cream cheese in, instead of one and a half. Just saying.

In Columbia and need barbecue? Go to The War Mouth.

Speaking of last Friday, Dagny was here with me for most of the day.

Since she is home schooled, the first order of business was to spend a few hours on her lessons.

She had already done some of her work at home that morning.

Then we got busy, dividing duties, each with our own portable caddy of cleaning supplies.

Dagny is a diligent cleaner, having been trained by her mother. She is particularly good at dusting, and cleaning bathrooms.

But she does floors too.

Even with two of us, it took four-or-so hours to clean the house. Eventually we were done and I went to get ready for the evening.

Audrey arrived at about five o'clock with one of Dagny's little friends from when she attended the Christian school, which friend was going to spend the night at Audrey and Dagny's house.

We all ate the Creamy Chicken Taco Soup. I'd made cornbread muffin tops to go along with it.

Audrey's boyfriend Mike joined us, and later we all had coffee and chatted for about an hour.

Like McArthur, we shall return

The next day -- last Saturday -- in the afternoon, TG and I met Audrey and Mike at a new restaurant we wanted to try, and enjoyed a sumptuous barbecue lunch.

Dagny was spending a few hours at the home of her little friend who had spent the previous night with them.

Actually I would never have heard of the restaurant we went to, except for TG's and Chad's golf skills.

They played in a local tournament several months ago, and it was a team-play situation, and they were on the same team.

And their team did well enough that they each were given a generous gift card to The War Mouth in Cottontown, South Carolina.

Cottontown is a section of downtown Columbia described thusly by Historic Columbia: 

Established in the late 1890s, Cottontown is listed as the “Bellevue Historic District” in the National Register of Historic Places and is protected as an architectural conservation district by the City of Columbia. Bounded by Grace Avenue, Bull Street, Elmwood Avenue and Main Street, the neighborhood is remarkable as an intact example of one of Columbia’s earliest planned suburbs.

But wherever it was situated, The War Mouth would be an outstanding place to eat.

We weren't totally in the dark as to the quality of the restaurant, though; Cherica had already used their gift card a few weeks ago and declared the barbecue plentiful and exceptionally good.

Elliot only wanted home and hearth

We ordered plates heaped with luscious pulled pork, a bodacious serving of ribs, cole slaw, pickles, and a roll.

I gave my roll to TG and did my best to eat everything else but ended up giving Mike one of my ribs and taking about a third of my pulled pork home for later.

Spectacular. We will return to The War Mouth.

After that delightful experience, we repaired to a nearby Starbucks and, over coffee while sitting outside in the warm day, talked about a number of things.

The next day -- last Sunday -- was cloudy and overcast, but again warm, with highs near seventy. 

Rhett had been given a pair of glittery red heart-shaped paper glasses in his Sunday School sack, and I convinced him to model them for me.

He cooperated, although he was more interested in the candy and other treats to be found inside said Sunday School sack, than in peering through a pair of twee no-lens glasses.

Baby Elliot was over it by noon when church concluded, and had a mini-meltdown while Dagny attempted to console him.

He needed to go home to his lunch and an afternoon nap.

This past Monday we had a truly rainy day. It began raining late on Sunday night and rained steadily until Monday early evening.

New valentines Mike and Audrey

I was happy that I didn't have to go anywhere, as I love a rainy day and enjoyed every minute of it.

Except, I couldn't figure out why I was sneezing so much.

Then yesterday I woke up with a cold. Oh. Belay that!

Did I not just have a cold/flu in December? Was I not in fact sick twice in December? So this is not fair. And it is most unusual.

However I will say, a fresh spate of winter cold illness seems to be "going around" in our area.

My plans for Valentine's Day were not complicated anyway, but now they are nonexistent except, tomorrow night, Audrey and Dagny and I are having dinner with our dear friend Marsha.

Of course I have a sweetheart treat bag for TG, and he is sure to come home today with something special for me. I hope there is a heart-shaped balloon.

On Saturday, we plan to drive up to Greenville and introduce Audrey's Mike to my sister and brother-in-law, Kay and Pierre-Philippe, and also to Henry.

Coffee cake and coffee will be involved.

Never stop valentining

I shall report faithfully on all of the pirate's peregrinations.

Meanwhile I am curious: what are your plans for Valentine's day and week? Do tell in the comments. Don't leave anything out.

Where is that box of Kleenex? I'm about to sneeze again.

And that is all for now.

=0=0=0=

Happy Wednesday :: Happy Valentine's Day

Comments

[Ginny Hartzler]

Rhett is just adorable in his Valentines outfit. Oh no, sick again!! I hope it is only a cold, and for speedy healing! Well, now you have a good excuse to rest. But what fun you have been having! Having been married way over 50 years, the only exciting thing we have planned for today is a dentist appointment. And for the weekend, an eye doctor appointment I guess doctor appointments are dates for seniors!! Keep me posted on how you are feeling, and be sure and go to a doctor if you get worse! Drink lots of liquids!

[Skunk (aka Mike Bay)]

Plans for Valentine's Day: none. Maybe peruse the chocolate aisle at the store tomorrow for bargains.
My pet rock's plans: call a truce with the Amazon Alexa in their ongoing squabble about how old the pet rock actually is.
Alexa's plans: not the same as the pet rock.
Your plans sound much better as does your soup. If only I could cook (which got enthusiastic agreements from both Alexa and the rock..)

[Mari]

Aww Jenny, I'm so sorry you are sick. I think there's been too much of that in your house.
Rhett is so stinkin' cute in those glases and I'm saving that photo!
I'm so glad you liked the soup. Guess what - I added the full 2 blocks last time too, because I didn't know how to use the other 4 ounces. And now I've updated the recipe!
Audrey and Mike look so good together and it makes me happy!
Next time I'm in Columbia, we're going to that restaurant! :)

[Jennifer]

@Ginny ... well I'm pretty sure it's a common cold but I will definitely keep you updated! I haven't done much today besides rest. Hahaha yes those senior "dates" thinly disguised as doctor appointments ... I know what you're up to! You can always go for pancakes at Denny's afterward, hahaha! xoxo

@Mike ... WHY on earth are Seymour and Alexa arguing about Seymour's age? It's just a number! Meaningless! If they want to date, let them date, hahahaha! Good luck in the discount chocolate aisle. And hey ... even you could make this soup. It's mostly opening cans. Seymour can help, with the aid of his girlfriend. xoxo

@Mari ... GIRL I think you and Bob would like The War Mouth! It was excellent. Yes it is so unfair that I am sick again. I couldn't believe it when I realized what was going on. I was like whaaaat? And I too could not figure out what to do with the other four ounces of cream cheese but as you know, they did not go amiss in that creamy soup! That stuff is GOLD. Can't wait to make it again. Yes Maudrey are quite the cute pair, just valentining so adorably, hahaha! xoxo

[Donna]

This time of year can get nasty, health wise! Use your bottle of hand sanitizer every time you get back in the car from church, grocery stores etc.! Imagine how many hands you shake just while in church...or necks you hug. I make my own using 70% alcohol and a few drops of vanilla extract.
Larry had allergy sniffles a few weeks ago but (knock on wood), I've been spared any kind of sniffle.
When we leave a store...we get in the car and I've got the sanitizer at the ready for Larry...then me.
I know it sounds overly indulgent but...I'd rather do that than be ill for weeks at a time. Masks are almost useless...
"Nuff said...
The barbeque place sounds wonderful...now I need a sliced beef sandwich with chips...lol
Those babies are SO adorable! And did I say gorgeous?
Dagney is such an old soul! She's going to be terrific at anything she does! Just like her mom and grandmother...<3
Hugs from an old woman...Donna

[Lori]

So sorry to hear you're not feeling well. There have been so many germs going around this winter. Rest and stay hydrated!
Just when you're sure you can't see a cuter picture of sweet Rhett you come up with one. He is adorable in his outfit and those glasses.
I LOVE a good BBQ place and this one sounds divine.
I hope the rest of your week is a good one!!

[Jennifer]

@Donna ... we disagree on masks ... I say they are one hundred percent useless and I never wore one, not even once, even when everyone claimed they staved off COVID (suuuuuure) hahaha! I am an inveterate hand washer and skip the sanitizer too because it's so drying. The skin on my hands is prone to winter woes and I just wash and moisturize more or less constantly. But this is the common cold and I'm going to feel better by tomorrow, I'm sure of it. Dagny certainly is good at being a cousin to baby Elliot. She dotes on him to the extreme, hahaha! If she doesn't see him for a day or two, she gets down in the dumps and has to be carried over to Cherica's to spend time with him! You've got some pretty cute babies too! I hope you make it through to spring unscathed by the sniffles, hahaha! Love you xoxo

@Lori ... You and TBG would really like The War Mouth and I hope someday you can visit and we can go there together. It's about time y'all cruised down south! Yes, our Rhett is a darling one. We all just stare at him and laugh at his cute toddler antics, hahaha! Happy Valentine week! xoxo

[Carla TePaske]

Hi, The War Mouth sounds like a great restaurant, my family loves a good BBQ.
I am excited to hear more about the new Valentine's, I just love romance in full bloom. ;-)
Our son Sam shared news with us... he will be proposing to Catie this year!! I am very excited for them. His deployment had them grow even closer... I prayed for just that. They are best friends and she makes Sam laugh and I love that!!!
xx oo
Carla

[Jennifer]

@Carla ... wHaTTTT??? I did not know that your Sam had a sweetheart! Maybe I missed it somehow but WOW what wonderful news! Can't WAIT until you and Jeremy have grand babies, hahaha!!!! What a time you two will have. YES the BBQ was delicious at The War Mouth. If you're ever in our neck of the woods, we will take you there! Have a good weekend, my friend! xoxo

[Barb]

Oh gosh that Rhett - so stinkin cute! It looks like I've missed some family happenings while I was off-line. I hope you feel better, Jenny. Bob and I just had the flu, and it wasn't pretty. I've finally pinned that soup. I wonder if you can freeze it? I may have to hire Dagny! PS Bob and I almost forgot it was Valentine Day.... We gave each other a hug and kiss.

[Judee]

It has been a busy time and yes everyone seems to have been coming down with something. 3 weeks ago we went to a dinner party for 12 people.. Six came down with Covid. I was fine but today I feel a cold coming on... I've started to take Zicam with often works for me to ward off a cold. I hope you feel better soon... I love seeing the family pics!! especially the kids- so cute.

[Jennifer]

@Barb ... Ugh the flu, nooooo! I had it at Christmas and I have not been that miserable in many, many years. Truly horrendous. I'm so glad it's over. I hope you're both feeling one hundred percent better now! I am sure you can freeze the soup! Absolutely. Dagny is a wonder. She seems to have inherited our family's work ethic, which is just about all we have to offer, hahaha! Awww no balloon on Valentine's Day? I always just want a balloon and TG gave me a gorgeous one, but I did buy a pair of earrings and a bracelet from him. Must remember to tell him. Hahahaha! xoxo

@Judee ... Oh no that must have been awful, half your guests falling sick after your party!!! But there is certainly a lot of crummy sickness going around this year. I hope that if you have a cold, it is mild and of short duration! Thanks for dropping by, my friend! xoxo