Good morning friends, and happy birthday George and Abe.
Speaking of Abe, hubs and I watched a movie last week we hadn't seen before, even though it was released in 2011- The Conspirator with James McAvoy, Kevin Kline, Robin Wright, and more. The plot follows the trial of Mary Surrat, the first woman tried in connection with the Lincoln assassination. It was good and I wasn't all that familiar with her story.
And as long as we're talking about Abe...how do you feel about the penny? The last were minted in November of 2025, and now the penny is no more. I mean except for the pennies we have stashed in pockets, purses, and jars, but I guess nothing is one cent going forward? Or two, three, or four cents either? Or twelve, thirteen, or fourteen and so on and so on. Hmmm. Is everything going to be rounded up or rounded down? I guess we're about to find out.
Now let's put the train back on the track and discuss the weekend. Hubs and I had plans to celebrate with a nice dinner Friday night since I would be leaving town Saturday morning. We wanted to make a lobster risotto because that sounded fancy, and it's also something we've never made before, but we missed the lobster truck so went with plan B, which was also good. Hubs grilled steaks and he's mastered that so no complaints.
My mom lives with my younger sister, but my sister had an opportunity to take a big trip so we shifted mom to my brother's house in NJ for the two week holiday. My older sister and I each took a week to be there too so everyone could come and go as needed. We don't leave my mom alone at all so having extra hands in the house helps.
Hubs drove me to the airport and I arrived with plenty of time to spare. It wasn't busy so I sailed through security, grabbed my Dunkin' latte, and settled in with my book until it was time to board.
I've spent a lot of my life living in this part of the country, but I'm a Carolina girl now and I forgot about all the snow on the ground.
When my older sister was here last week the temps were frigid, but I've timed my week better and I think it might hit the 50s so whoohoo! I love seeing freshly fallen snow, but month old dirty snow is not my favorite.
Celebrating with my first Valentine ❤️
We spent the afternoon watching the Olympics and we did some coloring too. My brother grilled salmon for dinner, and my sister-in-law served a yummy Valentine's Day dessert, and all in all it was a nice low key day. I don't have a chance to hang out with my brother and sister-in-law all that often so it was fun to be in their house and talk about all kinds of things.
Hubs stayed home with the little brown dog, and he had a good day too. A Clemson baseball game with our son-in-law and the two oldest grandsons, and then dinner at their house which was really nice.
Sunday morning we had coffee beside the fire in their cozy kitchen nook and did some laundry for mom. My brother and sister-in-law went out for a run and I hung with mom, then they came home and I took a good walk in the crisp fresh air which felt great.
It wasn't windy and I was bundled up. There's a lot of sitting in our week so trying to move when we can.
My brother still coaches and had a track meet that afternoon so it was just us girls at home. I blogged, started my new book, chatted with mom who colored some more, became knowledgeable about curling, and watched still more Olympics. The next few days will be more of the same and I'm not mad about it. Hope your weekend was a sweet one too.
Linking with Hollyand Sarah today for their Hello Monday weekend recap blog hop.
I couldn't care less about the penny but do feel like our government bungled the whole "getting rid of it" thing with very poor planning and foresight. I know many states make it illegal to round up sales at stores and to expect stores to round down will show huge losses over the year for them. Our stores are pushing more and more for credit/debit sales or offer a round up for charity option since they're having a hard time replenishing their pennies. I did take all the loose change we could find in the house and bring them to our bank figuring it could help local businesses get pennies and get them out of my house before they are no longer accepted.
ReplyDeleteI´m glad your travel went smoothly. How wonderful to get to spend time with your mom and your brother and his wife. And I´m glad the temps won´t be frigid. Maybe some of that snow will melt, too. A Carolina girl can dream right? Enjoy time spent with your family and safe travels home when the time comes.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds interesting about your pennies. We still have them here but I can't remember the last time I had one.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a lovely trip away spending time with your family.
How nice to have that time together with your mom and your brother and sis-in-law. It seems like you all get along well and you handled this well. I am sorry for the snow on the ground! Ha! It's nice to have the Olympics on!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet weekend- sounds like such solid quality time with your family- enjoy the next few days!
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing to have a week with your mom, and the bonus of time with your brother and his wife. She looks beautiful (you too!). I hope your older sister and her hubby have a great two-week vacation!! Sending a hug to all!! xo
ReplyDeletePrecious time spent with your mom and other loved ones, too. Your family is honoring your mom well. Enjoy your quiet week!
ReplyDeleteHi Joyce,
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your time with your mom and family.
Happy New Week!!
Great photo of you and your mom!! What a "lovely" way to spend the weekend. I'm sure the snow was a sad face for your Carolina soul!! Have a good week. I will "see" you on Wednesday -
ReplyDeleteYour mother likes to color. I do, too, and usually get to do just a little of it every single day. Something that simple relaxes me, gives my hands something to do, and I get to choose the colors!!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your visit with your First Valentine (I like how you said that) and other family members.
I can't remember if I've seen that movie or not. Yes, we have a lot of pennies. True, how will they round it out? The steaks sound good. So you have a truck that you go to, or drives around, with lobster? That was nice of you to help with your Mom and how blessed you are to have her. Glad you had a nice flight. Sounds like a lovely Valentine's Day celebration with your Mom. Sounds like Hubs had a nice time too. I've been watching the figure skating. Take care.
ReplyDeleteWhat a special time you are having with your mom and brother and sister-in-law! Enjoy every moment.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a smooth journey to your brothers and are having a nice visit with your Mum. I'm sure your sister appreciated being able to get away for a holiday. It's great being able to care for our parents but good to get a break too.
ReplyDeleteSo your penny is no more, sounds like a good thing, we haven't had the 1cent coin since 1992
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy your time in PA. I am in northern PA and we are getting a nice warm up this week. Sounds like you are having some much needed family time too!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great arrangement it seems you all have. Glad that your siblings can all work together to take care of your "first valentine" :). Enjoy your week - the Olympics make a good past-time for sure.
ReplyDeleteMy mom lived in the same town with my brother so when he went out of town, my sister and I would tag team to be with mom at her assisted living community. At times those were very difficult days but I would like to go back just once more to enjoy a week with mom. Glad you and your sister were able to help out with your mom. I am sure she was delighted.
ReplyDeleteI have a jar full of pennies. We have debated about whether to turn them in at the bank or just keep them. So far they are still on my dresser.
We both enjoyed The Conspirator, too. I rarely remember movies but I remembered that one!! Our granddaughter has become enamored of Abe Lincoln for all the good things he did. She called him Habraham. And that tickles me pink.