Upgrades

There were several contributing factors to the reconfiguration of our entertainment unit set up that happened over the past few weeks. 1) we are on rabbit ears, no cable, satellite or any other fancy channels for us; which also means we need either a converter box or a TV that can handle the new digital broadcast. 2) we don't have a TV that can handle digital broadcast. 3) (which was the final straw) our 14+ year old TV was finally on the fritz, it was starting to require "being warmed up" to get the correct screen size...I remember a TV like that when we were growing up... ya had to turn it on 30 mins ahead of time to have color.


At any rate, Russ found a bargain price on a new fancy flat screen TV. We have to admit, the clarity is quite impressive. Though of course, it didn't stop there. The new TV required new cables, a new receiver to get the clearer sound, a new DVD player that could speak the same language as the TV, and so on. Technology sure has gotten considerably smaller, all these new components take up 2/3 less space, it is amazing!!

Tea Party

There was a major deal on airline tickets from Portland to Atlanta right after Christmas so I took advantage of the sale. I wanted to spend some time with the family. I really had no agenda while I was visiting, mostly the plan was to just hang out with the family. However, one thing I did want to do was get Molly, my American Girl Doll, out and play with her. Then I got to thinking more and decided why not just have a tea party with all the dolls and family! Mom and I started prepping a menu, and I sent out invitations and before we knew it, we had a full blown tea party in our sights. Friday, Mom and I made the highly esteemed Raspberry bars and then Danielle and I figured out how to put the frosting on the pound cake for Petties Fours. We had a marvelous time in the kitchen! Saturday morning Danielle made tasty cucumber sandwiches and by that afternoon, we were ready for tea!

One by one our guests arrived with their dolls and childhood memories in store ready for an afternoon tea. We had a marvelous time snacking, chatting and sipping tea. Kay shared a story about the local swimming hole in her childhood neighborhood and how her poodle would "tattle" on her whereabouts when she was going for a swim. Honey shared a fun story about her disappointment as a youngster when she learned about the arrival of her new baby brother when all she really wanted was a bicycle. The plate of cucumber sandwiches made many trips around the table and soon they were gone. The strawberries, Raspberry bars and fudge were a close second in being cleaned up too. All the food was wonderful and the gathering was quite enjoyable!