Being domestic

Tomorrow Curt and I are having 4 bachelors over for dinner after church. Originally I had invited 2 couples but neither of them could come so I ended up inviting the guys. Anyway, this may not seem like a big deal to most of you because you probably get together with friends for dinner most Sabbaths but for me this is a major deal. I haven't entertained for...well, I can't really remember the last time I invited people over for dinner. As I was standing in the kitchen making the dessert, Curt walked in and stood looking at me and smiling. I asked him what he was smiling about and he said, "It's so nice seeing you be domestic". I felt a little ashamed because usually he is the one cooking and I realized that he appreciates it when I am the one in the kitchen for a change. I find that once I figure out the menu I enjoy making it but it is such a struggle for me to figure out what to make! I'm always afraid something won't turn out and the whole dinner will be a flop. But the table is set and the food is prepared and I'm hoping for an enjoyable Sabbath dinner.

The hope of spring

We did have a very mild January but February is reminding us that it is still winter. Today is snowy and blustery but the temperature is still at 21 degrees. But what makes me really happy is that my amarylus plant is growing! Ashley gave me an amarylus bulb last Christmas which I planted and had the joyful experience of watching it grow and bloom. It was beautiful. Well, it said that if I put it in a cool, dark place I could get it to grow again. Knowing that I truely have a black thumb when it comes to plants, I had little hope that I could get it to grow again. None the less, I put it in the basement over the summer and fall and then early December I remembered it downstairs and brought it up and started watering it. Nothing seemed to be happening but I continued to water it and wouldn't you know all of a sudden I started seeing new growth!! I was so excited! The green spike is now about 6 inches tall and another one is starting. If you have ever grown an amarylus you know that they grow very fast, I would say almost an inch a day. So they are really fun to watch. I'll have to post a picture when it blooms because they are gorgeous! Thanks Ashley for the thoughtful gift that brings such joy and makes me look forward to spring when hopefully my tulips and roses will come to life.