June 2020

Life is pretty routine on lockdown: stay home and shelter in place except for grocery shopping once a week. There have been a couple of Zoom meetings with family and "The Group," but in general, that has tapered off. Happily, we still keep in contact through Marco Polo and Instagram so we have a rough idea of what is going on in Spanish Fork, Vernal, Peoria, and Santa Fe. Unhappily, we don't hear much from Hawaii, which is equally our fault for not reaching out. We still cook for and have dinner with Opa and Annie, and we keep up on their remodel just about every day. We have been experimenting with killing weeds with boiling water and a steamer: it seems to work, but requires constant follow through. I have decided that I like my hair short, but not buzzed, and that the biblical beard is a pain. We miss our Cousins' Breakfasts and hope the plague will abate so we can get together again. The cousin's reunion in July was cancelled, too. The most out-of-the-ordinary thing in June was a very nice visit from Uncle Mark and his good friend Ann who met here halfway from AZ and WY.

The start of the cement work

Vic's photo of dinner on our deck

Ann and Mark

Crazy old man killing weeds

The roofing begins

A beautiful south-county view on a ride with AW/SKT

It will be, and is, a cute little cottage


Our support


Sheet rock waiting for mud


Fireplace


Haircut by SKT was followed by a radical beard trim


Keeping in touch on Marco Polo


Opa and Annie's house at the end of June

I have no idea what July has in store, but probably more of the same. So this is all for now.

OXO

D.

"Graduation" in Santa Fe

A spur-of-the-moment invitation from Anna for a visit in Santa Fe for Tucker's graduation led to a wonderful visit with lots of delicious food, good deep discussions, and some fun adventures.

A warm reception at the door on Thursday

Sunset over the Jemez Thursday evening

Friday was drive-up graduation at Santa Fe Prep for parents
and the graduate, and Anders' ceramics came home

Grammy gave Clara a haircut

Friday evening, Rob made an incredible Japanese feast

The serving line

Bacon-wrapped shishito peppers, cucumber pickle, 

croquettes, rice, and yakiniku (not shown)

A delicious repast!

Tucker opening gifts

I guess luggage from Grammy and Pop Pop is now a tradition

This doggy loves her boy

The graduate

With the binkers

Saturday, Grammy got her Talavera-shopping fix

And we drove over the Sangre de Cristos

A rest stop, then home for take out from Tesuque Market

Sunday Rob and Anna (et al.) made a delicious Indian nosh; 

Anders. the origami master, folded the samosas

And Anna fried them up in the pan

Serving line

Chicken tikka masala, rice, naan, samosas, and mint chutney

Monday we drove up into the Jemez to Las Conchas

The boys and girl climbed

Up like spiders on a wall

A very beautiful spot

The clouds gathered, the thunder rolled 

And the rain and hail pelted down 

It was a delight to be with the Hastings for a few days. They were wonderful hosts! This is all for now.

OXO

D.

Most of May 2020

The month was filled with Covid-19 sheltering with a weekly trip out for groceries. Katy Kathryn kept us entertained and connected with Family Covid Zoom Trivia Nights, and Annie and Stephen continued to share dinner with us. Construction on their remodel moved forward and the restoration of our floors began. I walked on several mornings, and baked banana bread again. Apparently, the entire country in lockdown is baking banana and sourdough bread. We avoided the huge Taylor gaggle at the cemetery and just met Emily and her family for Memorial Day.

Trivia night

Sunday dinner with AW and SKT

Sous-vide steak

Tres-leches cake for Cinco de Mayo

Enclosed

Lots of streaming in quarantine

Springtime in the Rockies

Mothers' Day flores

Ready to open the basement ceiling to dry from below

Drying mats in the kitchen: incredibly noisy!


Brandon installing windows at the Woodbury/Taylor project


More Zoom gatherings


These smell like The Hill of my youth


On trend with banana bread


Beautiful Timpanogos after rain in the night


Dickie can't resist taking a photo: if there is no picture,
it didn't happen!


Floral offering for the parents/grandparents


A small gathering with a Covid mask

Memorial Day lunch with Em's family

The end of May and beginning of June we made a quick ausflug to Santa Fe for Tucker's graduation. That will follow in the next post. This is all for now.

OXO

D.