Wait just a minute here! How did those pics get on here? I think the cats are feeling left out of my blog. Sam, the Maine Coon decidedly does not fit in the box. eBay however fits very nicely. But that is not the box I was talking about!

I meant our produce box from Bear Swamp Farm of course! Last week we got two gorgeous heads of red leaf lettuce, a small bunch of spinach and a bunch of kale. Oh, and the ever present garlic scapes.

I had never eaten kale before so I asked Pedro what to do with it. He told me that when it’s young and tender to just sauté it in a little garlic and olive oil until it just wilts. So, that’s exactly what we did and it was delicious! Who knew kale tasted so good? We also had some baby carrots from the Warwick farmer’s market which we roasted. Paired with a tasty pork chop it made a great dinner.

The lettuce just went into various salads, as did the spinach. I love the fact that it’s all organically grown!

(P.S. I had meant to post this last week, but on Wednesday I pulled a muscle in my back and I wasn’t able to really sit for any period of time. Getting better now!)

Why is it that I could not pick up my embroidery without humming that song that Willie Nelson sang ...

South of the border down Mexico way
That’s where I fell in love when stars above came out to play
Now as I wander my thoughts ever stray
South of the border down Mexico way

Gee, maybe it was because this was the name of the pattern for them! The tea towels are finished! Here is the last one.

And as requested by a reader, all three tea towels together. I’m not sure which one is my favorite. Maybe the last one with the guitar.

My hands feel idle now. I certainly enjoyed doing them and now can’t wait to get started on some towels of my own, but that will have to wait until our return. I hope Rick’s mom likes them! I have a feeling she won’t use them, but if she just gets enjoyment out of looking at them hanging on a hook that will be enough for me.

On the Mexican vacation front ...
We talked to Rick’s mom last night as she wanted to see what we were thinking in regard to our trip to visit with all the swine flu hype. She told us that there are no reported cases in the entire state of Guanajuato in which San Miguel lies. We are not flying into Mexico City (thank goodness!) but into a smaller, closer airport. Schools are closed there but life is going on as usual with added care taken to sanitize hands. She told us to bring plenty of wipes since they are no longer to be found there.

We are armed with Tamiflu pills, immune boosters from the health food store, masks, hand sanitizing products and our own good health. In a way I feel like I’m in one of those science fiction end-of-the-world-style movies with my arsenal of “stay healthy” products.  I’m sure we’ll be fine. Please don’t worry about us!

Things may be a bit more quiet in San Miguel than normal but we have been assured both by Rick’s mom and his cousin that a good time is still to be had. So, we are going. I get very strange looks from people when I tell them we are headed off to Mexico. Incredulous looks. Are you sitting there reading this and shaking your head in agreement with all those people too?

I don’t think I’ll be blogging at all while down there. Our only internet access will be from Rick’s cousin’s house and we might go once or twice to check our email but not sure how much time I will have to post anything. I will try to at least post a photo with a quick update.

The kids here at home will be looked after by our dear friend Carolyn who is going to house-sit for us. I’m sure she’ll have them better trained in no time. Either that or they will train her just as they have trained us over the years to bend to their every whim. I feel great going on vacation knowing she is in charge.

eBay reading the San Miguel guidebook

Now I just have to decide which clothes to pack ...

It was a scene worth photographing this morning as the sun broke through the trees, casting long shadows. There was a little early morning fog and the trees glistened with the moisture they received during the night. I love shadows in the morning.

As it turns out, the bright morning sun made for some perfect kitty shadows as well. eBay loves it when the shadows come out to play. She’ll sit and wait for someone to walk by, hoping that someone will play shadows with her. Who could resist?

She knows it’s just my hand, but pretends she doesn’t know, if you get my drift.

There always comes a point in the game where she decides to let me know that she knows exactly what is going on here.

C’mon mom, I know it’s you!

Just three days ago I was swinging in one of these hammocks and sitting poolside sipping the frosty “drink of the day.” The sun was shining, warm tropical breezes were gently blowing across my body, and the day was warm.

This morning I am standing by the side of my own pool here in New Jersey hugging a hot cup of coffee between my hands to keep them warm. I can’t sit down because the chairs are covered with snow. As for the pool ... well, I know it’s in there somewhere! The sun is shining, a frigid breeze passes by and my body shivers. It’s 8 degrees F. What’s wrong with this picture?

Reality bites sometimes.

We left in a snowstorm and we arrived back Tuesday night in a snowstorm. In-between I think they had a few nice days here. We were certain our flight was going to be delayed coming into Newark and our pilot even told us that we might be, but as we approached he made no mention of going into a holding pattern. He spoke about the frigid air we would encounter upon leaving the plane and that it was lightly snowing. We landed ahead of schedule, something almost unheard of at Newark Airport, especially with some weather. By the time we got to the car it was snowing heavily and we were glad we landed when we did.

As we got closer to home the snow was ending. Our wonderful neighbor had plowed our driveway of the three or four inches of snow that had fallen. I got out of the car, took three steps, hit an icy patch and went straight down on my butt. Welcome home, Lynne.

I’m not complaining. Really, I’m not. Okay, help me with my mantra here.

I love New Jersey winters.
I love New Jersey winters.
I love New Jersey winters.

The dogs did great in the kennel and Bella had no problems. She did however un-learn some manners (such as biting and jumping up), so we have to work on that. She also turned from a puppy into a somewhat gawky teenager while we were gone. Not quite sure how that happened. The kitties all did well and Luke did a great job taking care of them and the house. All in all, a really successful trip.

It’s good to be home but I am having a few issues. Where is the breakfast buffet? I have to make my own bed, cook my own meals and do the dishes. Can’t I just throw my bath towels on the floor for someone else to pick up? waaaaaaaahhhhhh.

It all seems a dream now, like we were never there. But we were and we had a great time. Now it’s time to pick up the threads of normal life again. Still, I hope you’ll bear with me over the next few days as I share some vacation photos with you and then I’ll get back to being a “new” Jersey girl again.

See, I knew I could count on some help.