This morning we had Bible study and worship, as usual. Our study is of the minor prophets but it is a bit slow getting going. I'm sure it will pick up as we get into it. We have a family joining us now from the church in Keystone Heights, with two of their kids attending our Sunday school. That is so nice, great to have more kids!
As usual, following worship, our little group headed to Chili's to have lunch together. Today again we welcomed Judy's granddaughter, Victoria, who also worshiped with us. She is not a fan of Chili's but comes along anyway. When her parents are in town, we eat elsewhere to comply with Victoria's preference. I personally don't care where we dine, just so we're together. Another special treat was having Gretchen join us, thanks to Terri's persuasion. Terri promised to take her home after lunch and Gretchen agreed. Yay for us! Because she was with us, we were all on our best behavior---yeah, right! She is the champion straw wrapper blower, she started that whole thing with us!
After lunch I had to hustle on home to get to work on my dinner making, since we were having guests join us tonight. I got started with cutting up the potatoes and without too much ado got two casseroles of escalloped potatoes with ham ready for the oven. I made one smaller portion without onions since Stephanie is vehemently opposed to them. The larger casserole included the onions which I also sliced. I can't believe how quickly I was able to assemble our dinner and get it into the fridge. Had enough time to rest for a bit, which I needed after standing in the kitchen.
The reason a rest was helpful was because I had to attend a Board meeting at 4:00 pm to decide the course of action as regards hiring a management company for the building. The BOD had interviewed a couple of agencies and today were choosing which one to hire. We need this since we have not enough people on the BOD and no one to serve as the secretary or treasurer. Both are required, obviously, and needed to remain in compliance with State condo laws. What a pain! In order for it to be cost effective and not cause an increase in our monthly fees, some compromising of services has to be made. I can't say too much about this because I was unwilling to step in and take a seat on the Board, though I have been asked and asked. It would just not be good for my spirit, but then again, neither is paying increased fees!
Justin took care to put our dinner in the oven at the appointed hour, allowing some extra cooking time due to having two casseroles going at once. Besides our potatoes and ham I made green beans in the steamer, to which Justin added garlic butter. Our guests, Stephanie, Jean, and Erica, arrived and we got everyone seated, and watered. My sweet neighbor, Kay, had delivered a bag of ice cubes to me after the Board meeting. She is my supplier! I know the ladies are water drinkers so I made sure my Brita was ready to go and put ice in the glasses for us all.
Stephanie's casserole cooked through but the larger dish didn't fare as well, with some of the potatoes a bit raw yet. Nuts! Even with baking it a bit longer than usual, there was rawness! Jean didn't say anything about it, but I did. Erica was not feeling well and we knew that before she arrived. Tonight she did eat a teeny bit of Jell-O (I got up early to make it this a.m.!) and some ham with a taste of potato. Her grandma said that is the most she's eaten in days so I am glad she did try at least. She is seeing the doctor this coming week to see what's going with her, and hope she gets answers.
Stephanie knows how I feel about raisin pie. The crust was homemade, too, with Jean walking Erica through how to make it. After we ate our dessert, we sat at the table and talked for a bit before the ladies, having had a long day already, decided to head for home. Before coming to my house, they attended the Victory Lutheran softball game. It ended up being a scrimmage, with the other team borrowing people from the Victory team in order to play. It was such a nice day, didn't hurt a bit to be out watching a ball game. And then they came to my house! I loved our time together, and am glad we did this before Jean has to head back home to WI. Her visit this time has been much more fun since Stephanie retired last year. Those ladies and their yarn creations, love to shop for yarn and love to make things from the yarn. It's great for them, and others!
As usual, following worship, our little group headed to Chili's to have lunch together. Today again we welcomed Judy's granddaughter, Victoria, who also worshiped with us. She is not a fan of Chili's but comes along anyway. When her parents are in town, we eat elsewhere to comply with Victoria's preference. I personally don't care where we dine, just so we're together. Another special treat was having Gretchen join us, thanks to Terri's persuasion. Terri promised to take her home after lunch and Gretchen agreed. Yay for us! Because she was with us, we were all on our best behavior---yeah, right! She is the champion straw wrapper blower, she started that whole thing with us!
After lunch I had to hustle on home to get to work on my dinner making, since we were having guests join us tonight. I got started with cutting up the potatoes and without too much ado got two casseroles of escalloped potatoes with ham ready for the oven. I made one smaller portion without onions since Stephanie is vehemently opposed to them. The larger casserole included the onions which I also sliced. I can't believe how quickly I was able to assemble our dinner and get it into the fridge. Had enough time to rest for a bit, which I needed after standing in the kitchen.
The reason a rest was helpful was because I had to attend a Board meeting at 4:00 pm to decide the course of action as regards hiring a management company for the building. The BOD had interviewed a couple of agencies and today were choosing which one to hire. We need this since we have not enough people on the BOD and no one to serve as the secretary or treasurer. Both are required, obviously, and needed to remain in compliance with State condo laws. What a pain! In order for it to be cost effective and not cause an increase in our monthly fees, some compromising of services has to be made. I can't say too much about this because I was unwilling to step in and take a seat on the Board, though I have been asked and asked. It would just not be good for my spirit, but then again, neither is paying increased fees!
Justin took care to put our dinner in the oven at the appointed hour, allowing some extra cooking time due to having two casseroles going at once. Besides our potatoes and ham I made green beans in the steamer, to which Justin added garlic butter. Our guests, Stephanie, Jean, and Erica, arrived and we got everyone seated, and watered. My sweet neighbor, Kay, had delivered a bag of ice cubes to me after the Board meeting. She is my supplier! I know the ladies are water drinkers so I made sure my Brita was ready to go and put ice in the glasses for us all.
Stephanie's casserole cooked through but the larger dish didn't fare as well, with some of the potatoes a bit raw yet. Nuts! Even with baking it a bit longer than usual, there was rawness! Jean didn't say anything about it, but I did. Erica was not feeling well and we knew that before she arrived. Tonight she did eat a teeny bit of Jell-O (I got up early to make it this a.m.!) and some ham with a taste of potato. Her grandma said that is the most she's eaten in days so I am glad she did try at least. She is seeing the doctor this coming week to see what's going with her, and hope she gets answers.
Jean and Erica made our dessert, a raisin custard pie, one of my favorites. Oh, yum! The pie was amazing!
Stephanie knows how I feel about raisin pie. The crust was homemade, too, with Jean walking Erica through how to make it. After we ate our dessert, we sat at the table and talked for a bit before the ladies, having had a long day already, decided to head for home. Before coming to my house, they attended the Victory Lutheran softball game. It ended up being a scrimmage, with the other team borrowing people from the Victory team in order to play. It was such a nice day, didn't hurt a bit to be out watching a ball game. And then they came to my house! I loved our time together, and am glad we did this before Jean has to head back home to WI. Her visit this time has been much more fun since Stephanie retired last year. Those ladies and their yarn creations, love to shop for yarn and love to make things from the yarn. It's great for them, and others!
