2026 Project 365 – Week Fourteen

We’re on the cusp of my busy season at work so I’m trying to soak up the not quite as intense days for a little bit longer. Once it starts it basically won’t end until late July. I CAN DO IT! (Just a little pep talk.)
Sunday, March 29^th                
Signs of life in the little planter on the front porch. I love these fuzzy things that turn into actual flowers.

Monday, March 30^th              
Monday was a crazy work day! I sent this photo to Dr. M at 1:18 p.m. with the caption, “Lunch!”
 

Tuesday, March 31^st  
My annual exam, which at my age is pretty quick. Whew!
           

Wednesday, April 1^st            
Where were you when Artemis II launched? I was in my recliner, glued to the TV. I remember Challenger pretty vividly (I was a senior in college), so like most of the U.S., I was holding my breath.
 

Thursday, April 2^nd
Dr. M’s mom’s azalea REALLY bounced back from getting frost-bitten. Wowza!
 

I wore my Easter outfit to work because Sunday’s forecast was cold & wet, & we were supposed to have our service outside. But we ended up moving the service inside, so I wore this to church anyway (except I wore boots instead of sandals).
 

Friday, April 3^rd
I had the day off from work & did a lot of yard work. We’re slowly getting things to where we want them to be. Dr. M went to the store to get a hoe (to help plant some more wildflower seeds) & came home with these lovely hanging baskets! 
 

Saturday, April 4^th
I thought my egg was so pretty with my combo of Penzeys spices on it: Florida Seasoned Pepper (black pepper, citric acid, lemon peel, garlic, orange peel, & onion), & Revolution (flake salt, Tellicherry black pepper, cane sugar, turmeric, orange peel, and coriander).
 

Meanwhile, our azaleas are bouncing back from the freeze too. They’re going to be gorgeous!
 

Dr. M & I got up this morning at 5:00 a.m. to bake the French Toast Casserole that I had prepared the night before. And since we had to get up so early, neither of us slept well (my watch says I got four & a half hours of sleep). But my shower revived me, the service was lovely,  the choir sounded great, and there was a ton of food. And I’m home writing this post at 11:30 a.m.! Winning!

2026 Project 365 – Week Thirteen

I was really sad to hear that Bruce Taylor (Catalyst from Oddball Observations) died last week. He was one of the 5 remaining faithful commenters on my blog, and I always looked forward to his Friday Funnies. His beloved wife Judy (SWMBO) passed away a few months ago and I suppose he didn’t want to hang around without her. I’m going to miss his snarky commentary about DST (Arizona doesn’t have DST) and winter weather.
Sunday, March 22^nd               
I was cutting down some weeds in the phlox & saw so many butterflies that I I told Dr. M he needed to check them out. So he headed out with the big camera & got some good photos. Yellow morph & black morph Eastern Tiger Swallowtails on pink phlox.

Monday, March 23^rd              
Spring beauty from Lincoln County – Mike’s mom’s azalea, phlox, wisteria, & dogwood.
 

Tuesday, March 24^th
My print copy of Shannan Martin’s book Counterweights arrived! I have really enjoyed reading it.
                                                                     

Wednesday, March 25^th           
Our Carolina Allspice (Sweet Bubby) bush is doing its thing. It smells heavenly!
 

Thursday, March 26^th
I posted this on the socials: It’s not even 9am & I already have chocolate on my sweater (mini Butterfingers for the win!). How’s your day going?

 Friday, March 27^th
Girl lunch! It was an excellent combo – salty chips & sweet hummus.
 

Saturday, March 28^th     
Dr. M saw this giant rooster in Worldwide Imports and sent me a photo. My response? WE NEED HIM! Unfortunately, I’m not sure he’s worth $100.
 

Next Sunday is Easter & I’m already pre-grumbling about having to be at church at 7:15 am for choir practice (the service is at 8:00). On the other hand, we have brunch afterward & that will be amazing. See? Counterweights! What are you complaining about/celebrating this week?

2026 Project 365 – Week Twelve

This week I apparently decided to do a photo shoot at all the various (two) Easter displays at the mall. I think I’m adorkable.
Sunday, March 15^th               
My friend Paulette made me this fabulous banner for my birthday! She’s a quilter and I am so honored to have one of her pieces. However, I’m not sure how helpful it is to tell people to “Be a Dana.” Ha!

Our phlox is just magnificent this year. Wowza!

Monday, March 16^th             
Easter display number one. People on the socials seemed to especially like this t-shirt. Maybe because it’s pink? Or maybe because it looks like Barbie & is a little feisty.
 

Tuesday, March 17^th
Dr. M indulged my craving for hotdogs for dinner! I did NOT put slaw on mine. (P.S. last night at 10:30, I caught him eating the last of the slaw with crumbled up bacon in it. Which seemed disgusting and delicious.)
     

Wednesday, March 18^th           
The lambs are growing up!
 

Thursday, March 19^th
Easter display #2. I really like the quote on this t-shirt.
 

The chickens continue to bring us a lot of joy. I need to give the neighbors a thank-you card!
 

Friday, March 20^th
Our boss brought us bundtinis in honor of spring! It was delicious. Also, today I had my doctor’s visit and she was happy with my lab work, and how I’m doing in general. If it weren’t for my shoulder I would be a happy camper! She said that it was good to see me looking like Dana again.
 

Saturday, March 21^st     
Today was World Down Syndrome Day! I asked my niece to give me some recent pictures of Elliott so I could create a post and she did not disappoint. He is just so adorable, although he is also a little stinker (as is his brother), so they have their hands full. I just think they’re all fabulous (she says from a different state, while sitting in her recliner).
 

Does anyone else think the timeline we’re living in is deeply stupid? DEEPLY STUPID. And also tragic. Ugh. Here’s hoping the week ahead gives us some glimmers of hope.

2026 Project 365 – Week Eleven

War, incompetence, gun violence, knife attacks by elementary school children… These are this week’s weights. Whimsical crochet, spring flowers, salty t-shirts & stickers, some of the best Jambalaya I’ve ever eaten (Dr. M is a cooking genius)… These are this week’s counterweights. Shannan Martin, one of my favorite internet people, has a book coming out later this month called Counterweights. I’m on the advance reading team and I really recommend it because we need to name the awful AND name the lovely.
Sunday, March 8^th               
Once again, Craig and I look like we got together beforehand & coordinated our outfits. It was especially fun because we both tag-teamed the gospel reading.

Monday, March 9^th            
Monday’s mall walking t-shirt. This one was a gift from my bestie!
 

Tuesday, March 10^th
Blooming things! We’ve had this annoying weed in our peony bed. I fully intended to try to cut it down over the winter but never got around to it & boy am I glad I didn’t! It’s the white bush below, which our plant app identified as a Baby’s Breath Spirea. So pretty!
     

Wednesday, March 11^th           
Got behind another interesting car. The sticker that really grabbed my attention says “THEY DIDN’T BURN WITCHES THEY BURNED WOMEN.”
 

Also, here is another birb. Makes me laugh.
 

Thursday, March 12^th   
Ate my lunch at dad & Sue’s house.
 

Friday, March 13^th
Having chickens wander through our back yard is just the best thing.
 

Saturday, March 14^th    
I got these stickers for my sister-in-law for her birthday (it's in April but I’m giving them to her early because I can’t stand it).

And I made her a bird too! (Bonus photo of my topknot because you can see it reflected in my iPad in the bird photos.)

I had to have bloodwork done on Friday in preparation for my annual physical next week & I’m happy to report that my iron continues to be in the normal range. In fact, the only thing of concern was my creatinine which continues to indicate baby kidney disease. Hopefully my doctor is as happy with the results as I am! What is making you happy these days? Because lord knows we need a little happy!

2026 Project 365 – Week Ten

Today was the beginning of my favorite time of year – Daylight Saving (Savings, Savings’, Saving’s, etc. etc.) Time. As I have discussed many times before, I am not a morning person so I don’t care what the sun is doing then. Is it dark when I’m going to work? Well, SO IS MY SOUL JANET. Evening sun is a balm for me. Now, to remember to go to bed in a timely manner.
Sunday, March 1^st               
Dr. M & me at my family birthday celebration. Once again, I took no photos of other people - oops! But check out Dr. M's t-shirt. It is the TRUTH.

Monday, March 2^nd           
 A tale of two vehicles, seen on my lunch hour (the first one is a paving business). 
 

My latest t-shirt. This one is from Penzey’s Spices (this is the first of two Penzey’s sightings this week).
 

Tuesday, March 3^rd – my birthday!
Birthday flowers from Dr. M – so pretty! I also had a piece of cake as big as my head. Full disclosure? I had another piece later, and then more on Wednesday.
       

Wednesday, March 4^th           
Sheep!
 

Thursday, March 5^th   
Spent my lunch hour finishing this flip the bird project. It makes me laugh. I’ve already made another one. Ha!
 

Then I ate this Nothing Bundt Banana Pudding flavored cake that my coworker gave me. It was DELICIOUS. To be honest, my body is ready for my birthday to be over.
 

Friday, March 6^th
Spring in Lincoln County. So pretty!
 

Saturday, March 7^th    
My birthday present from Dr. M. These are my favorite spices from his Penzey’s Advent calendar. I use them in my omelets – so yummy. And the box came with a free bumper sticker!
 

OK, I need to get off of this computer & eat the very last part of my birthday celebration. It’s a week old cupcake and I will just be eating the icing off of it because I’m sure the cake part is dry as dust. Will report back later. How was your week?

P.S. My nephew in the army has been put on alert because of the war in Iran. Our family is holding our breath, hoping he doesn't have to go to the Middle East.