tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56818751459190505012024-03-18T17:51:47.257-04:00The Marmelade GypsyTravel. Art. Family. Friends. Life.Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482528482559445943noreply@blogger.comBlogger2177125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681875145919050501.post-77778914552634087142024-03-15T07:51:00.001-04:002024-03-16T07:57:18.384-04:00A Few Critters -- Living and Otherwise!<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;">This seems to be the year for home reno in our world. You've heard about my basement, but Rick has also been hard at work -- first, on his rental duplex and now on one of his bathrooms. Kevin came to help him tear things apart and since Molly and the Camster had another engagement, I said I'd have a Carson day! It would include a play, some dinosaurs and more than a few fish!</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2VSqF6F3kgwzXu631VTNj8VJDmdPyJwNQNJW0yL3JKYX-06czLq7_NhsjbAGnZq42wZxxgBCuoGmINeRR4BDP9bEgI0aYJ65DUB3MmpbQhXm-txYc7-Ipc7nAcayix4uuv4io_BNX0R1GBUWdOLABICnUhNVHCQtpiM0N-7N2zS_-KfeOILT_c-iYBLd3/s3961/IMG_8258.JPG" style="font-family: Palanquin; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3961" data-original-width="3772" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2VSqF6F3kgwzXu631VTNj8VJDmdPyJwNQNJW0yL3JKYX-06czLq7_NhsjbAGnZq42wZxxgBCuoGmINeRR4BDP9bEgI0aYJ65DUB3MmpbQhXm-txYc7-Ipc7nAcayix4uuv4io_BNX0R1GBUWdOLABICnUhNVHCQtpiM0N-7N2zS_-KfeOILT_c-iYBLd3/w610-h640/IMG_8258.JPG" width="610"></a><span></span></span></p><a href="https://themarmeladegypsy.blogspot.com/2024/03/a-few-critters-living-and-otherwise.html#more">Continue Reading »</a>Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482528482559445943noreply@blogger.com53tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681875145919050501.post-82703561503890939742024-03-11T22:25:00.006-04:002024-03-13T10:33:28.509-04:00Everything Mold Is New Again<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;">The mold remediators have come and gone -- and it was quite an ordeal. They sealed
off the basement with a huge hose going through the family room and out
the window, tackling one half at a time. It took the whole day (and I'm
amazed it was so fast.) When done, the basement looked like a different
place. They not only did the mold work but they
also took off all the cobwebs that had grown in place. </span></span><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgf-9h8w0YdIrjPFKyMxyXhnmFNgKBxbU-I9NHuoJeYt3oT40DptnSkYt7_dpODJbRJgtHOJKTwu6iRHw37IIdqxRD5ffj9Nu7Onae9301-4-UBW1YjbDsHgk4aoW9hWxRGq7QnejRXVePj1ooWIZnMw5hbUO0EV9szQYsc_DT9Y2CgHbiIO1eNdptYt4Q/s5184/IMG_8129.JPG" style="font-family: Palanquin; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgf-9h8w0YdIrjPFKyMxyXhnmFNgKBxbU-I9NHuoJeYt3oT40DptnSkYt7_dpODJbRJgtHOJKTwu6iRHw37IIdqxRD5ffj9Nu7Onae9301-4-UBW1YjbDsHgk4aoW9hWxRGq7QnejRXVePj1ooWIZnMw5hbUO0EV9szQYsc_DT9Y2CgHbiIO1eNdptYt4Q/w640-h480/IMG_8129.JPG" width="640"></a><span></span></span></p><a href="https://themarmeladegypsy.blogspot.com/2024/03/everything-mold-is-new-again.html#more">Continue Reading »</a>Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482528482559445943noreply@blogger.com60tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681875145919050501.post-78442465029785205202024-03-08T09:30:00.001-05:002024-03-08T09:32:26.157-05:00Another Year, Another Birthday -- He's Growing Up<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;">Life moves on, one day, one pile at a time. Every now and then you need a diversion and a good smile!</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNaDJuFSOckDpB8bdggDaa0cZzF_VFVCbQFid2WN8cyL6DCyFSFLd8tnaC8AtZ0ZSDJkbMkLMpIiOpKMVc9mpniAvwnmN_zo5rERUCHrF6C2qJQwD22wpVBauaB0oftOFkX0pPxD64MDTTV7aZHJkGp0RGhqeZQGiSrlFzdWyXBOhsb9zMBxCU_FjFVwl/s5184/IMG_8171.JPG" style="font-family: Palanquin; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5184" data-original-width="3888" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNaDJuFSOckDpB8bdggDaa0cZzF_VFVCbQFid2WN8cyL6DCyFSFLd8tnaC8AtZ0ZSDJkbMkLMpIiOpKMVc9mpniAvwnmN_zo5rERUCHrF6C2qJQwD22wpVBauaB0oftOFkX0pPxD64MDTTV7aZHJkGp0RGhqeZQGiSrlFzdWyXBOhsb9zMBxCU_FjFVwl/w480-h640/IMG_8171.JPG" width="480"></a><span style="font-family: Palanquin;"> <br></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;">Our oldest grand turned seven at the beginning of the month so we headed to their house for his birthday. When we arrived there was a big bus in front of the house -- and not a kid to be seen! They had all stepped inside the bus for a video experience!<span></span></span></span></p><a href="https://themarmeladegypsy.blogspot.com/2024/03/another-year-another-birthday-hes.html#more">Continue Reading »</a>Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482528482559445943noreply@blogger.com57tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681875145919050501.post-61692025479964066862024-03-04T12:26:00.001-05:002024-03-04T12:26:33.510-05:00The February Books<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;">February is a short month. But that's no excuse for a low-reading month. So, I come before you with no excuses -- and only two books completed (though well onto the way of March's first book!).</span></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh72cq1TblVSQJh6r_Jwr729pg-fS7BaEbVM5IAx1AJmZb5o49cyJCbHND6IBZQ0y_fg8pw8UJwvm8c92ufPIigdGYdysaXt4TBCko9jgiFA6uMSlvggDSA-vFpUQwhwSOE2jl-g72OmRZZ6_noX_mk2FxZEDL0iTkC8dXvoStD81TTeXXZEMBPv7UIeMIL/s5120/2024%20February%20books.jpg" style="font-family: Palanquin; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh72cq1TblVSQJh6r_Jwr729pg-fS7BaEbVM5IAx1AJmZb5o49cyJCbHND6IBZQ0y_fg8pw8UJwvm8c92ufPIigdGYdysaXt4TBCko9jgiFA6uMSlvggDSA-vFpUQwhwSOE2jl-g72OmRZZ6_noX_mk2FxZEDL0iTkC8dXvoStD81TTeXXZEMBPv7UIeMIL/w640-h640/2024%20February%20books.jpg" width="640"></a><span></span></span></div><a href="https://themarmeladegypsy.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-february-books.html#more">Continue Reading »</a>Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482528482559445943noreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681875145919050501.post-33496587110927929712024-03-01T09:02:00.007-05:002024-03-06T07:41:46.524-05:00A Cozy Concert and Commenting Comments!<p></p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;"></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;"></span></span><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;">I will say the past couple of months have been stressful but I also felt a bit more was accomplished! There has been some fun, too -- so we'll start there. But first, my winter bunny!</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifhuOUXsaIee2xl55tgaEH54RadZxMZvBPO0wGNWkSZo1BuFMp535KoRhWEgEGC42EADM8QNsP1FicI0SAU5WAfoe4N8DPDiLWucliw6ZOVLPi3ec9SGn1ZLvFx6Z9uEjOdfvbhwXeg80ccL_BtLg8Dbby63Yvso55fmWCmwBoT07LCvQrGYKT53MMU1po/s2952/IMG_8117.JPG" style="font-family: Palanquin; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2952" data-original-width="2389" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifhuOUXsaIee2xl55tgaEH54RadZxMZvBPO0wGNWkSZo1BuFMp535KoRhWEgEGC42EADM8QNsP1FicI0SAU5WAfoe4N8DPDiLWucliw6ZOVLPi3ec9SGn1ZLvFx6Z9uEjOdfvbhwXeg80ccL_BtLg8Dbby63Yvso55fmWCmwBoT07LCvQrGYKT53MMU1po/w518-h640/IMG_8117.JPG" width="518"></a></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;">Rick hosted a house concert featuring his guitar teacher, <u><a href="https://bradderoche.com/" target="_blank">Brad DeRoche</a></u>. Somehow we packed about 50 people into his living room for a cozy afternoon of wonderful music. </span></span></p><a href="https://themarmeladegypsy.blogspot.com/2024/03/a-cozy-concert-and-commenting-comments.html#more">Continue Reading »</a>Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482528482559445943noreply@blogger.com68tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681875145919050501.post-15208875759909117802024-02-23T17:18:00.005-05:002024-03-01T11:45:15.257-05:00Perfect Pesto<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;">I'm always torn between basil and thyme being my favorite herbs. Quite some time ago, I posted that I made the "best pesto" (and easiest, too). Several of you asked for the recipe and my friend, Anne, gracefully allowed me to share it! Finally!<br></span></span><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkpyACDuf4iJNLySFBzSb9PSf-UGK_oYR4z9XZuQ5hyCEzDdx7IS983oZT1ajv_p46cAl-JMcx74px3sCEZsUhjrSp2xZvdW84jZ0AkjnQpWbmH4lGR2ds9Dzx2aFCIAfdr7BlMOsaic1pJb2a2pXy56YP5DZWkszNplEuS0ermezXo5UUeoc-SqymiA/s1280/thumbnail_IMG_20220901_190300.jpg" style="font-family: Palanquin; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkpyACDuf4iJNLySFBzSb9PSf-UGK_oYR4z9XZuQ5hyCEzDdx7IS983oZT1ajv_p46cAl-JMcx74px3sCEZsUhjrSp2xZvdW84jZ0AkjnQpWbmH4lGR2ds9Dzx2aFCIAfdr7BlMOsaic1pJb2a2pXy56YP5DZWkszNplEuS0ermezXo5UUeoc-SqymiA/w480-h640/thumbnail_IMG_20220901_190300.jpg" width="480"></a><span style="font-family: Palanquin;"> <br></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;">Why do I like this recipe above all others? Basically, it's easy! I use a blender, not a food processor, so in other recipes, where you add the oil at the end, in this one you do it first and it gives enough liquid to move the basil and not clog the machine. And it's so good! I'll put a few recipe ideas below.<span></span></span></span></p><a href="https://themarmeladegypsy.blogspot.com/2024/02/perfect-pesto.html#more">Continue Reading »</a>Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482528482559445943noreply@blogger.com69tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681875145919050501.post-32974957799345256852024-02-18T22:42:00.003-05:002024-02-28T21:47:55.693-05:00Life In February<p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;">Lovely life goes on here and February has included a visit from a good friend, Cork Poppers (which I hosted), and more! Valentine week started on Monday with a surprise delivery of flowers from a dear friend. They're so cheery and I loved them!</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEU4XynMCMvSSxNbGQgQt7kZqet6pntMzvZxTS0LvzFULLFSdd56zVPvZH8PW4cXH3ghlh4MHqosq1D11PWprhcQ4_oJDJxmXT2A_jNas39yZmIKtLaEZU4UcnmI2dPDMLH2om2eQPzyShkZjaW6408-dSRb2fngLp0b036nd7MsTtA9lVY7O7xaxnmWEk/s5184/IMG_8090.JPG" style="font-family: Palanquin; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5184" data-original-width="3888" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEU4XynMCMvSSxNbGQgQt7kZqet6pntMzvZxTS0LvzFULLFSdd56zVPvZH8PW4cXH3ghlh4MHqosq1D11PWprhcQ4_oJDJxmXT2A_jNas39yZmIKtLaEZU4UcnmI2dPDMLH2om2eQPzyShkZjaW6408-dSRb2fngLp0b036nd7MsTtA9lVY7O7xaxnmWEk/w480-h640/IMG_8090.JPG" width="480"></a></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;">Rick made a wonderful Valentine's Day dinner. This is the first year I haven't written a poetry book for him about our past year. January just got out of control and I feel kind of sad about it, though I may pony up later in the year. But I did paint a valentine! So that helped assuage my conscience a wee bit.<span></span></span></span></p><a href="https://themarmeladegypsy.blogspot.com/2024/02/life-in-february.html#more">Continue Reading »</a>Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482528482559445943noreply@blogger.com63tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681875145919050501.post-56577093956552424572024-02-14T10:08:00.007-05:002024-02-28T21:48:04.733-05:00Cork Poppers Celebrate Wines We Love for Valentine's Day (or any day!)<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;">Our February Cork Poppers gathered at my house (crammed in between Christmas trees and decor because the basement is awaiting its mold removal!). Since it was only a few days before Valentine's Day I decided the theme should be "Wines We Love" and every couple was to bring a particular wine or a type of wine (Pinot Grigio, Malbec, etc.) that they loved. Or from a place they loved. Shouldn't be hard (and it wasn't)!</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwzCPzD_FkNGguaceKuS8KrpUJBBLncQMwXauxCeZauW-AVAXhktn9KTHMKXrrthtb7PwuGnK8cTo5oX5IxLLa6E5awsTE_-hTaLyNCgLScf_ei2jV24pE3RnUFM_pRPzA1AAn8DmV9gLNUfAB1DH70veuYQe4D_XJkN-2Fgxu8NRC4qKFjr6kOYxegRnc/s5184/IMG_8045.JPG" style="font-family: Palanquin; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5184" data-original-width="3888" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwzCPzD_FkNGguaceKuS8KrpUJBBLncQMwXauxCeZauW-AVAXhktn9KTHMKXrrthtb7PwuGnK8cTo5oX5IxLLa6E5awsTE_-hTaLyNCgLScf_ei2jV24pE3RnUFM_pRPzA1AAn8DmV9gLNUfAB1DH70veuYQe4D_XJkN-2Fgxu8NRC4qKFjr6kOYxegRnc/w480-h640/IMG_8045.JPG" width="480"></a><span></span></span></p><a href="https://themarmeladegypsy.blogspot.com/2024/02/cork-poppers-celebrate-wines-we-love.html#more">Continue Reading »</a>Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482528482559445943noreply@blogger.com57tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681875145919050501.post-45126731949743356322024-02-10T12:38:00.004-05:002024-02-13T09:04:17.993-05:00Finding Bits of Happy<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;">Not long ago, that furry, red, Muppet favorite, Elmo, asked on X (Twitter) "How are you doing?" And boy, did people tell him! The consensus? The people weren't doing all that well with stress related from everything to illness to job issues, family problems to the nitpicky problems that occur in day to day life. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNsYKYjsyQ-6db5yn4-PtCO9mtvaLaMb4LCBl_asVcWKS44W1AyjgDr5TbW4eneOqbL-1klNQNXo80O_-kbPYvK8MVhZR8xJ_K3ykKJlJt7fAMZ4h1qqdrzOJKjHld94uKIYl7wTGP5lO4HgrBcyt7mWO1hFG1FbzD3s5O3D0mGDBK1hrTinh7iK_gZy7O/s931/Elmo%20Cropped.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="931" data-original-width="823" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNsYKYjsyQ-6db5yn4-PtCO9mtvaLaMb4LCBl_asVcWKS44W1AyjgDr5TbW4eneOqbL-1klNQNXo80O_-kbPYvK8MVhZR8xJ_K3ykKJlJt7fAMZ4h1qqdrzOJKjHld94uKIYl7wTGP5lO4HgrBcyt7mWO1hFG1FbzD3s5O3D0mGDBK1hrTinh7iK_gZy7O/w566-h640/Elmo%20Cropped.jpg" width="566"></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;"> <br></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;">It's probably good I didn't see that tweet because I would have added my two cents, too! We've been having a bit of a rough time of it here this winter. On one hand, I have been dealing with some health issues along with computer challenges and the mold problem. Rick, meanwhile, has been dealing with some challenging things related to the transition of his business. And Lizzie is having a few issues too. We've all been struggling and, fortunately, have each other for support. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZb-ra1E1cbqk4PlWwwUQuD149VFO49A8VlTKmTMTgf9JA2yTktKw3zV_TC2AZspcBSVa_ElS0tLj2kRbYo70G4pdjb0oCGvUTab2_jNWWcSp4gt7N36rlxqFV67Y3VEYEpIkrOgPsQIqiaTV4ynkCxB3MOZLWQUVN16V0wWwQqkh6c9f3_vi79CMaLm0/s1280/thumbnail_IMG_20211110_091046.jpg" style="font-family: Palanquin; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZb-ra1E1cbqk4PlWwwUQuD149VFO49A8VlTKmTMTgf9JA2yTktKw3zV_TC2AZspcBSVa_ElS0tLj2kRbYo70G4pdjb0oCGvUTab2_jNWWcSp4gt7N36rlxqFV67Y3VEYEpIkrOgPsQIqiaTV4ynkCxB3MOZLWQUVN16V0wWwQqkh6c9f3_vi79CMaLm0/w640-h480/thumbnail_IMG_20211110_091046.jpg" width="640"></a><span style="font-family: Palanquin;"> <br></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;">But we're not the only ones. I've noticed a number of bloggers are going through challenging times with either illness or the illness of family members. Another blogger has been trying to get action from an insurance company after a fire. Still more have work issues or family issues. Lots of us are stressed politically. We all have something sometime. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;">As I've often said before, we all get a turn, and this is ours. Maybe yours, too.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGEMDRMc5Flb8zDb6LOTBRhW3bRQwmB7PzDthhV_a7yXROcHBXTNZD6-YNn_L4e7AiPqbX8Ms4dFoMqlTs3Or0TTEAzllHZR0StLqNkPfyGQWpSM1Zk22p96X9Icv0kw-V3DSfN_gNpm2-89L1NOXVrVEw_2OXATjJu8R2-WJf_0S-Hi5-BEE8j7Qcxcii/s760/EHPekLIWwAAv7Ii.jpg" style="font-family: Palanquin; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="760" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGEMDRMc5Flb8zDb6LOTBRhW3bRQwmB7PzDthhV_a7yXROcHBXTNZD6-YNn_L4e7AiPqbX8Ms4dFoMqlTs3Or0TTEAzllHZR0StLqNkPfyGQWpSM1Zk22p96X9Icv0kw-V3DSfN_gNpm2-89L1NOXVrVEw_2OXATjJu8R2-WJf_0S-Hi5-BEE8j7Qcxcii/w640-h480/EHPekLIWwAAv7Ii.jpg" width="640"></a><span></span></span></p><a href="https://themarmeladegypsy.blogspot.com/2024/02/finding-bits-of-happy.html#more">Continue Reading »</a>Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482528482559445943noreply@blogger.com61tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681875145919050501.post-47647471192194314182024-02-06T16:12:00.001-05:002024-02-08T22:55:03.660-05:00The Books of January<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;">There is nothing better for a reader than to start off a new year with three very good books! And I am happy to say that I've enjoyed every minute of my reading experiences this month! Let's take a look at two solid mysteries and one monster-sized biography that was outstanding. </span></span></p><h1 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj86wdvSWW5IqNe4MSZUZnA64260kPcgJ2SMWh-ZsoqESKeqNpUKXWiQuLAcwK6N15WeBqbPboizG4MacV1E5u5orV98_6WImKAElNl46bok44_Zz02lprs04e0g0uTcHgVSFBjE8sm0_xHWO2LLrHifeE6YyhUQVY3sZRLxAo3IqR50Ji1z-nh4UDs2cNd/s5120/2023%20January%20Books.jpg" style="font-family: Palanquin; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj86wdvSWW5IqNe4MSZUZnA64260kPcgJ2SMWh-ZsoqESKeqNpUKXWiQuLAcwK6N15WeBqbPboizG4MacV1E5u5orV98_6WImKAElNl46bok44_Zz02lprs04e0g0uTcHgVSFBjE8sm0_xHWO2LLrHifeE6YyhUQVY3sZRLxAo3IqR50Ji1z-nh4UDs2cNd/w640-h640/2023%20January%20Books.jpg" width="640"></a><span style="font-family: Palanquin;"><span></span></span></span></h1><a href="https://themarmeladegypsy.blogspot.com/2024/02/the-books-of-january.html#more">Continue Reading »</a>Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482528482559445943noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681875145919050501.post-29762926000285716382024-01-30T07:19:00.004-05:002024-02-08T10:55:18.206-05:00Sights and Moments We Will Never Forget<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;">One evening last month, Rick and I glanced at my computer showing a slide show of "My Pictures" as a screen saver. This one came up and we both agreed -- that first walk on our first trip to Myrtle Beach was one we would never forget.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmxOlEOqMfgjIQJl2KxhUo3-rQnPiV6rf4CBtc0M8id3408tI-DJemV9FXwqAxQUhHFpbfLlh26N-mNWxJwQcSYzsaS0q7VH_j5R9knfpGi_Hd7wuX9vkhvFqo1tFQKE5U7SpOKOnTU7F0hd4MTebu2dQ16agVEn2SYL8BnAeUqN-YjTPdTE2SQS4wpA/s1640/Beach%20Umbrellas.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1170" data-original-width="1640" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmxOlEOqMfgjIQJl2KxhUo3-rQnPiV6rf4CBtc0M8id3408tI-DJemV9FXwqAxQUhHFpbfLlh26N-mNWxJwQcSYzsaS0q7VH_j5R9knfpGi_Hd7wuX9vkhvFqo1tFQKE5U7SpOKOnTU7F0hd4MTebu2dQ16agVEn2SYL8BnAeUqN-YjTPdTE2SQS4wpA/w640-h456/Beach%20Umbrellas.jpg" width="640"></a><span></span></span></span></p><a href="https://themarmeladegypsy.blogspot.com/2024/01/sights-and-moments-we-will-never-forget.html#more">Continue Reading »</a>Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482528482559445943noreply@blogger.com80tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681875145919050501.post-77949625573731327172024-01-25T23:30:00.004-05:002024-02-01T15:09:25.111-05:00Life in the Deep Freeze (and Beyond)<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;">Last week we had dinner at the home of friends. It was so frigid outside that when we arrived and entered, greeted by hugs, an inviting fire in the fireplace, and a glass of wine it was like going to heaven. When we left five and a half hours later, we realized it was after eleven. I had no idea. The conversation, the laughter, the warmth, made me forget the chill outside. That's what friendship can do for people. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAcIKDe5mv_W4cyd5XA10cfq0PIlRD50SyXPXChKE5WZuWq2DUTlJqrYi94aBJqUVxSEvkb79dvUCezMEdKIrV2cbAUDI4RJkDqyjcl23lXI4jaMEmP3xQqD81JcUJZXPaf0xup2NzrXGGrm-cwnajgRnUfZ2Veh-RL9oDsNY2rILK7jS__tDb-x3aXZQ/s518/thumbnail_982D032B-D168-40E8-9F4E-9B2B811F6BC6-6386-000001BA6C1095B3.jpg" style="font-family: Palanquin; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="518" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAcIKDe5mv_W4cyd5XA10cfq0PIlRD50SyXPXChKE5WZuWq2DUTlJqrYi94aBJqUVxSEvkb79dvUCezMEdKIrV2cbAUDI4RJkDqyjcl23lXI4jaMEmP3xQqD81JcUJZXPaf0xup2NzrXGGrm-cwnajgRnUfZ2Veh-RL9oDsNY2rILK7jS__tDb-x3aXZQ/w640-h370/thumbnail_982D032B-D168-40E8-9F4E-9B2B811F6BC6-6386-000001BA6C1095B3.jpg" width="640"></a><span></span></span></p><a href="https://themarmeladegypsy.blogspot.com/2024/01/life-in-deep-freeze-and-beyond.html#more">Continue Reading »</a>Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482528482559445943noreply@blogger.com60tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681875145919050501.post-1562382477194574732024-01-22T16:27:00.001-05:002024-01-25T08:07:07.025-05:00The Books of 2023 -- The Annual Book Report<span style="font-family: Palanquin; font-size: large;"><span>I always enjoy pulling together this annual reading summary -- what hit the mark, what missed, any new discoveries.</span></span><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlf4CC5H-QVF6P_KDDDqXCaUH3TQPwr9o1_aJPfboYc2Zmzs6rlFq-DgJfqpT1RTzvvsyF6RIaEjRYG76t85HbJKIzrgr1NVE-K0vXRtb1SsMlJkwcbHkG_JqpnyFNlUJwnwdLNgjpXLewijAgcBNdCQgCsy5frSx23b6mlmBaV5AeGGzyNxyXNsAkPlK/s5120/Books%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlf4CC5H-QVF6P_KDDDqXCaUH3TQPwr9o1_aJPfboYc2Zmzs6rlFq-DgJfqpT1RTzvvsyF6RIaEjRYG76t85HbJKIzrgr1NVE-K0vXRtb1SsMlJkwcbHkG_JqpnyFNlUJwnwdLNgjpXLewijAgcBNdCQgCsy5frSx23b6mlmBaV5AeGGzyNxyXNsAkPlK/w640-h640/Books%202023.jpg" width="640"></a><span> <br></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Palanquin; font-size: large;"><span>This year I read 55 books with a total of 17,785 pages. Not my best, not my worst. And for the most part, they were worth the time. And really, that's the most important part!<br></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Palanquin; font-size: large;"><span>Books with links click back to my reviews earlier this year. <br></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Palanquin; font-size: large;"><b><span>Here is my Top Twelve (in no particular order)<span></span></span></b></span></p><a href="https://themarmeladegypsy.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-books-of-2023-annual-book-report.html#more">Continue Reading »</a>Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482528482559445943noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681875145919050501.post-12334846638772281542024-01-19T07:38:00.006-05:002024-01-25T08:51:02.000-05:00Making Pretzels with Barb and Kate<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;">(I meant to post this last spring when we did this and I'm not sure what happened! So... step into my friend Barb's kitchen for a fun day of pretzel making -- and a link to the recipe!) </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;">I'm so glad my friend Barb loves to teach us new things! When she asked if we wanted to learn to make soft pretzels, do you think I hesitated for a second? Of course not! <br></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB965pSGzPIOtI0fFQdUY3hzCjzsUD6S8qX889WCwLNfCHRVKWvBvhiJiZAJwqq_xTPkTsqYHhnTMypIAhqnQkJ-ucRqmtWJSEGyjzzFs8MesWxbO2tWtkruUJi2iJKhreCvVfZFJ3gmW_1vwkg83VnCeHQR90LJ3sJ-iG3SXZ5GQypqhyJkCkBUh_ng/s5184/IMG_3504.JPG" style="font-family: Palanquin; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB965pSGzPIOtI0fFQdUY3hzCjzsUD6S8qX889WCwLNfCHRVKWvBvhiJiZAJwqq_xTPkTsqYHhnTMypIAhqnQkJ-ucRqmtWJSEGyjzzFs8MesWxbO2tWtkruUJi2iJKhreCvVfZFJ3gmW_1vwkg83VnCeHQR90LJ3sJ-iG3SXZ5GQypqhyJkCkBUh_ng/w640-h480/IMG_3504.JPG" width="640"></a><span style="font-family: Palanquin;"> <br></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;">So, it was off to her home, where the first thing we saw entering was this!<span></span></span></span></p><a href="https://themarmeladegypsy.blogspot.com/2024/01/making-pretzels-with-barb-and-kate.html#more">Continue Reading »</a>Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482528482559445943noreply@blogger.com65tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681875145919050501.post-26491912816659139332024-01-16T07:49:00.003-05:002024-01-17T08:44:29.807-05:00It's a Little Brisk Out There...<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;">Here in Michigan we have coasted along the early winter weeks wondering where winter was. (I, for one, wasn't complaining.) True, the skies were gray, there was plenty of drizzle, and it wasn't great weather for something like a picnic, but the temps were adequate (high for the month) and I didn't mind not having to battle snow or ice if headed out.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSaDbRFJtYj6ipkF9MYK8nCaSE_pgL2AsuafiU4ms27uw_HRtWuZ7_-dF58T5iZL0aPbq7IJXMELAQHLG8H1G3ATI2DywTnM4isrK76sg7u14OqkgAkqq3fMmeJHxSUGu8WqEnd8bK4yTgGaz-meyG-8lKft0wBYD5nrLQXo4PWZAN2j2uAGM2toDUfVNe/s5184/IMG_7935.JPG" style="font-family: Palanquin; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSaDbRFJtYj6ipkF9MYK8nCaSE_pgL2AsuafiU4ms27uw_HRtWuZ7_-dF58T5iZL0aPbq7IJXMELAQHLG8H1G3ATI2DywTnM4isrK76sg7u14OqkgAkqq3fMmeJHxSUGu8WqEnd8bK4yTgGaz-meyG-8lKft0wBYD5nrLQXo4PWZAN2j2uAGM2toDUfVNe/w640-h480/IMG_7935.JPG" width="640"></a><span style="font-family: Palanquin;"> <br></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;">Then we got our share of the deep freeze.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tDAjr53S2OqQs3dmgtow3sui7fCtG3BbCko3b2K_n7yqo8NGEbDk7lkX8qF0W-cZXm8ietNPSM8qmTlzmp7A1duTXhb9U5_X7apunX18Pq-tev3fkkwbrifgd9ogvOkMiJcEInL1hH4BLr-_XX_DGW4reYoj4eyJLPYQ5jTJiLVbltnbl4iqZGXD4ZVg/s2815/IMG_7948.JPG" style="font-family: Palanquin; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2815" data-original-width="2445" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tDAjr53S2OqQs3dmgtow3sui7fCtG3BbCko3b2K_n7yqo8NGEbDk7lkX8qF0W-cZXm8ietNPSM8qmTlzmp7A1duTXhb9U5_X7apunX18Pq-tev3fkkwbrifgd9ogvOkMiJcEInL1hH4BLr-_XX_DGW4reYoj4eyJLPYQ5jTJiLVbltnbl4iqZGXD4ZVg/w556-h640/IMG_7948.JPG" width="556"></a><span style="font-family: Palanquin;"> <br></span><span></span></span></p><a href="https://themarmeladegypsy.blogspot.com/2024/01/its-little-brisk-out-there.html#more">Continue Reading »</a>Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482528482559445943noreply@blogger.com61tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681875145919050501.post-30346066129993723722024-01-12T15:12:00.002-05:002024-01-25T08:06:39.908-05:00Cork Poppers Sample the Wines of Spain<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;">I haven't had a Cork Poppers post in months so I had been looking forward to our September gathering for weeks. Yes, September. Life happened but now I'm happy to update you with our autumn Corkie escapade!</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;">When Kate chose "wines of Spain" as our theme, I was excited -- I love Spanish wine and plans for a potluck menu of Spanish-related foods and cheeses sounded delicious. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLlXB_b0P0ro_hg-iWDJhUuGt50SnVVMK98f70CvUuqeVpMoyJCi-vJ1_9VNJ-tqnr3kD-m_5oH-bE4hTBvM8-CMMhGqYUh3OrbWFJ7XY4uMhgZp53KXfKXwb93eeT7ZD2VPd5Mken9bWvmGuID5-sRbocFgLE5dVaRRm4AZ_gOI166UtTQW8kY-uqxEXr/s5184/IMG_5925.JPG" style="font-family: Palanquin; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5184" data-original-width="3888" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLlXB_b0P0ro_hg-iWDJhUuGt50SnVVMK98f70CvUuqeVpMoyJCi-vJ1_9VNJ-tqnr3kD-m_5oH-bE4hTBvM8-CMMhGqYUh3OrbWFJ7XY4uMhgZp53KXfKXwb93eeT7ZD2VPd5Mken9bWvmGuID5-sRbocFgLE5dVaRRm4AZ_gOI166UtTQW8kY-uqxEXr/w480-h640/IMG_5925.JPG" width="480"></a></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;">Then I got on meds where I couldn't have red wine, cheese, sausage (like chorizo) or all the other good stuff! But I could still have loads of fun!<br></span></span></p><a href="https://themarmeladegypsy.blogspot.com/2024/01/cork-poppers-sample-wines-of-spain.html#more">Continue Reading »</a>Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482528482559445943noreply@blogger.com54tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681875145919050501.post-34025212980779360532024-01-10T09:27:00.001-05:002024-01-10T09:30:44.108-05:00A Message from the King and More From Real Life<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;">No, not that King.</span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivPZlOEzM4djSgAeKHcqAvQ-z_auzvx8IpbMOhOMdDOgYeQo4tEmVWctMdWkYOUJgf47i1E_HoAsaB3BMxhT0hJIIjzkJ4fnLieKDZwqlw4FY0PHHYqpKh_ctq-kBqdys5we-XpIKDz-r6uEhlx_C_PqIFmSiFRn4_SN6jsj2gHCrJGiXbgzsiZpOA1E8z/s600/Holy-grail-round-table-bnf-ms_fr-116F-f610v-15th-detail.jpg" style="font-family: Palanquin; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="588" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivPZlOEzM4djSgAeKHcqAvQ-z_auzvx8IpbMOhOMdDOgYeQo4tEmVWctMdWkYOUJgf47i1E_HoAsaB3BMxhT0hJIIjzkJ4fnLieKDZwqlw4FY0PHHYqpKh_ctq-kBqdys5we-XpIKDz-r6uEhlx_C_PqIFmSiFRn4_SN6jsj2gHCrJGiXbgzsiZpOA1E8z/w628-h640/Holy-grail-round-table-bnf-ms_fr-116F-f610v-15th-detail.jpg" width="628"></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;"><i>Wikimedia Commons<br></i></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;">Or this one. <br></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSBJT9Aj80fTidwZxp4JB-Y6YjQC4-U1GNKR82H7A7NggnDRX17gqX0fZLsGIqX-_JDlJqZBkinsxIfwdRI0IBjOFIwFnXYoaiPDEmcGDmyuZjtFLl7XU9DZD2W8yhGToCMHhAkaL4sYnwxGLj4-nokq75GAxY9XdodMs6LvjxsgyTfPfEINB5VyJyazQD/s800/2023_Coronation_Balcony.jpg" style="font-family: Palanquin; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSBJT9Aj80fTidwZxp4JB-Y6YjQC4-U1GNKR82H7A7NggnDRX17gqX0fZLsGIqX-_JDlJqZBkinsxIfwdRI0IBjOFIwFnXYoaiPDEmcGDmyuZjtFLl7XU9DZD2W8yhGToCMHhAkaL4sYnwxGLj4-nokq75GAxY9XdodMs6LvjxsgyTfPfEINB5VyJyazQD/w640-h360/2023_Coronation_Balcony.jpg" width="640"></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-family: Palanquin;">Wikipedia</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;"><b><u><a href="https://themarmeladegypsy.blogspot.com/2023/12/let-merriment-continue.html" target="_blank">You may recall my holiday baking hit a snafu</a></u></b> when I found alien matter in my King Arthur flour. <span></span></span></span></p><a href="https://themarmeladegypsy.blogspot.com/2024/01/a-message-from-king-and-more.html#more">Continue Reading »</a>Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482528482559445943noreply@blogger.com53tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681875145919050501.post-76058510385061072542024-01-07T15:30:00.000-05:002024-01-07T15:30:03.495-05:00A Few December Books<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;">After last month's embarrassing solo entry, I was happy to finish off three books. All these are mysteries and all are worth your time.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidayGpTCOpYYWXO32WQRnfgyHt3LNwLZ7CB0x3fqTckSnerIulP6cN6CCslUXK8nhs_rFjrWpQTUT98eWrsX9FHQD6S_w-kavLWovWf4gayGny-q9sm-N7twYT_tlCGic7g0pc0PEVKNJEazjRrrJGuJ7wVY0TjL2c7Rz1RNR4pnsDh_1xbog1LlVsli3j/s5120/December%20Books%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidayGpTCOpYYWXO32WQRnfgyHt3LNwLZ7CB0x3fqTckSnerIulP6cN6CCslUXK8nhs_rFjrWpQTUT98eWrsX9FHQD6S_w-kavLWovWf4gayGny-q9sm-N7twYT_tlCGic7g0pc0PEVKNJEazjRrrJGuJ7wVY0TjL2c7Rz1RNR4pnsDh_1xbog1LlVsli3j/w640-h640/December%20Books%202023.jpg" width="640"></a></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;"> <br></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;"><span></span></span></span></p><a href="https://themarmeladegypsy.blogspot.com/2024/01/a-few-december-books.html#more">Continue Reading »</a>Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482528482559445943noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681875145919050501.post-3683433005043502462024-01-04T13:26:00.003-05:002024-01-07T15:29:51.198-05:00Checking My 2023 Blog Stats (And Thoughts on Blogging)<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin; font-size: large;">This year I did something I rarely do -- check to see what my most viewed posts of the year were. Several of my favorite bloggers have taken this look back and I enjoy it, because I sometimes find ones I've missed! I know those who have advertising on their blogs do this more often than I -- and it makes sense. During my years of working in marketing and promotion, I learned that if you want to attract the dollars you have to appeal to the public taste. More eyeballs, more revenue potential.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqcF-S_j_SZSFPNkinrAF2Itp9VZKFiIevg83hBtZXYuPfEIM5MO0mAWr6qCeyVC-9kLAR6_w5y0Xoh8i3BrF8PoL0bmKsnKfBxU5o61UNNTg5E3GSCLgE6dWkepg6yctsWEJ19rmbepooCSzQks6C73OtB3OjzBbKbEPJYeLlvj8bzwTGWZhoMantUN5O/s2272/IMG_6787.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1704" data-original-width="2272" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqcF-S_j_SZSFPNkinrAF2Itp9VZKFiIevg83hBtZXYuPfEIM5MO0mAWr6qCeyVC-9kLAR6_w5y0Xoh8i3BrF8PoL0bmKsnKfBxU5o61UNNTg5E3GSCLgE6dWkepg6yctsWEJ19rmbepooCSzQks6C73OtB3OjzBbKbEPJYeLlvj8bzwTGWZhoMantUN5O/w640-h480/IMG_6787.JPG" width="640"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>photo of mural taken several years ago at ArtPrize, Grand Rapids. Artist unknown</i><br></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin; font-size: large;">I don't advertise on The Marmelade Gypsy. Blogging offers me an online journaling platform and the gift of making friendships from around the world. Since Blogger is a free platform, I don't need to worry about paying for it.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1_B8kCbo618tglsm2gZsNbMDcSCiQ_Njn8Hmxr0IlMUp0EGu4Fvgd-V9NFkuDoqR4miOPjawAv2uGCA_zMQZPBsNhGwjeu43IYAU5woTo599yLtTpwWLLS-Hl1QlMBJAgYfAtJWq5zHL-6qPD3PqMDqV7ZBVXg0UxKCpGqX4O0_W6dsU2o1aSdwa3XHsG/s1731/IMG_2950.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1718" data-original-width="1731" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1_B8kCbo618tglsm2gZsNbMDcSCiQ_Njn8Hmxr0IlMUp0EGu4Fvgd-V9NFkuDoqR4miOPjawAv2uGCA_zMQZPBsNhGwjeu43IYAU5woTo599yLtTpwWLLS-Hl1QlMBJAgYfAtJWq5zHL-6qPD3PqMDqV7ZBVXg0UxKCpGqX4O0_W6dsU2o1aSdwa3XHsG/w640-h636/IMG_2950.JPG" width="640"></a></span></div><p><span style="font-family: Palanquin; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Palanquin; font-size: large;"> But it IS curious to know what people do like, what was the most interesting to them. So, here -- with links back in case you are new -- are those with the most views in 2023.</span></p><a href="https://themarmeladegypsy.blogspot.com/2024/01/checking-my-2023-blog-stats-and.html#more">Continue Reading »</a>Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482528482559445943noreply@blogger.com53tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681875145919050501.post-73247695927405932742024-01-02T07:02:00.000-05:002024-01-02T07:02:36.252-05:00A New Year, A New Word<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;">In 2022 my guiding word was "Endure." We had wrapped up 2021 with its Covid restrictions, isolation, and the January 6 insurrection and 2022 wasn't looking any better. It felt like an odd choice then -- here on Marmelade Gypsy I wrote:</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-family: Palanquin;">"At the holidays, we were reflecting on a word or two to describe 2021. (I said "schizophrenic.") My friend Jan said "Endure." And that's what I feel about the 2022. Endure it. Slog through the isolation, the news, the doc appointments, the uncertainty. Just endure it."</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin; font-size: large;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7neNxt18ye2yNcQKCfVAlWsW2dUxe-Uwlx-uKIxMfgo0GbgDcXAAFKUX-xsnmwSQLLZLVQaqCAfiMwNA_UxEXasf9_I1ts3aybGB4snDZHiPs7pQeDwrORunq8UJtnF0OH9lWKXlD8b7F1_JCRdNlRNymG5W_9M04_38h16XjYEmdVYRJUP5L08_dRA/s5184/IMG_5960.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5184" data-original-width="3888" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7neNxt18ye2yNcQKCfVAlWsW2dUxe-Uwlx-uKIxMfgo0GbgDcXAAFKUX-xsnmwSQLLZLVQaqCAfiMwNA_UxEXasf9_I1ts3aybGB4snDZHiPs7pQeDwrORunq8UJtnF0OH9lWKXlD8b7F1_JCRdNlRNymG5W_9M04_38h16XjYEmdVYRJUP5L08_dRA/w480-h640/IMG_5960.JPG" width="480"></a></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;"><i> <br></i></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;">Then for 2023, I thought I needed to up my game, become a little more hopeful, so I chose "Rabbit" -- which was because it was the year of the rabbit and that symbolically had qualities I wanted to emulate. <span></span></span></span></p><a href="https://themarmeladegypsy.blogspot.com/2024/01/a-new-year-new-word.html#more">Continue Reading »</a>Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482528482559445943noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681875145919050501.post-6014873007032752342023-12-30T07:26:00.003-05:002023-12-31T10:46:36.442-05:00My Memorable Moments of 2023<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;">At the end of the year (or beginning of the new one) I like to take a look back at some of my favorite or most significant moments of the new year. So join me on this look back -- and a look ahead to 2024.<br></span></span></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;">January</span></span></h2><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;">The month began with art -- not creating it but seeing some of the best in the world, with a visit to a magnificent <b><u><a href="https://themarmeladegypsy.blogspot.com/2023/01/gogh-ing-to-vangogh-land.html" target="_blank">Van Gogh exhibit</a></u></b> at the Detroit Institute of Arts.<br></span></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiREl5_HZISxHgnvZ8nwbBLsy1ywz9AjzZ95QFI6162dJqEqtIMsP3XOdq6gYiOl-dYy-cmqg2_Ywd4RFfzm_xB48s8COBKibOSDybEUOs4Mb8Jqgr2YBtPPRtZdG7IXS4gHWkh2wS4XIhDmZHAdHWWPf4vvKCdzwW9bYMsZePloaUo7OPUnv4Gb-nFXqom/s5184/IMG_1781.JPG" style="font-family: Palanquin; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5184" data-original-width="3888" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiREl5_HZISxHgnvZ8nwbBLsy1ywz9AjzZ95QFI6162dJqEqtIMsP3XOdq6gYiOl-dYy-cmqg2_Ywd4RFfzm_xB48s8COBKibOSDybEUOs4Mb8Jqgr2YBtPPRtZdG7IXS4gHWkh2wS4XIhDmZHAdHWWPf4vvKCdzwW9bYMsZePloaUo7OPUnv4Gb-nFXqom/w480-h640/IMG_1781.JPG" width="480"></a><span></span></span></div><a href="https://themarmeladegypsy.blogspot.com/2023/12/my-memorable-moments-of-2023.html#more">Continue Reading »</a>Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482528482559445943noreply@blogger.com54tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681875145919050501.post-78217116383331763692023-12-27T09:26:00.004-05:002023-12-29T17:07:24.111-05:00Let the Merriment Continue!<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;">Friends and family. Holiday treats. Red-nosed reindeer. For me, that's what Christmas is all about!</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2tMmv1xIVwr4un2ygXNq7CwKi7p4rbQqkc7v2VqCelTwE3qkZjgCjumi5BtWPa-7aHrzTsS4ZCfNZMB3fEcd0fVhH0MugjDVPM3cJb4tRugctKYQuD0blLn-sNGeWlCdOg_vJ_rzty9WDKs8yTh4xjP-cwEvP-8_8mc79EVWe9U04WkQ-EJeXZR6c_LQ/s3461/IMG_7552.JPG" style="font-family: Palanquin; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3461" data-original-width="2725" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2tMmv1xIVwr4un2ygXNq7CwKi7p4rbQqkc7v2VqCelTwE3qkZjgCjumi5BtWPa-7aHrzTsS4ZCfNZMB3fEcd0fVhH0MugjDVPM3cJb4tRugctKYQuD0blLn-sNGeWlCdOg_vJ_rzty9WDKs8yTh4xjP-cwEvP-8_8mc79EVWe9U04WkQ-EJeXZR6c_LQ/w504-h640/IMG_7552.JPG" width="504"></a><span style="font-family: Palanquin;"><span></span></span></span></p><a href="https://themarmeladegypsy.blogspot.com/2023/12/let-merriment-continue.html#more">Continue Reading »</a>Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482528482559445943noreply@blogger.com58tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681875145919050501.post-9770294120596875932023-12-25T00:00:00.010-05:002023-12-25T11:41:41.667-05:00Our Christmas Wish for You<p><span style="font-size: large;">Whether you are young or old ....</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiumb85piDV_cFmnTSCUwWvdgh13VqSs7Jdq-e44WsB_9l-dA6Gri2pCR0KKBsWn66yYkmkGUxQ7FZ-pRrADn5xgKoZ0FVoH30ukbHGmZGOlBUIrox1bETDLwNlfu1dAm7wMfxoTdEp0_U99jApr_cwKPRxHSNPBHy6xTei-jGefKLYANv9JPemdnc9k1TB/s3092/IMG_7655.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3092" data-original-width="2263" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiumb85piDV_cFmnTSCUwWvdgh13VqSs7Jdq-e44WsB_9l-dA6Gri2pCR0KKBsWn66yYkmkGUxQ7FZ-pRrADn5xgKoZ0FVoH30ukbHGmZGOlBUIrox1bETDLwNlfu1dAm7wMfxoTdEp0_U99jApr_cwKPRxHSNPBHy6xTei-jGefKLYANv9JPemdnc9k1TB/w468-h640/IMG_7655.JPG" width="468"></a> <br></span><span></span></p><a href="https://themarmeladegypsy.blogspot.com/2023/12/our-christmas-wish-for-you.html#more">Continue Reading »</a>Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482528482559445943noreply@blogger.com43tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681875145919050501.post-74858621371877966562023-12-20T10:28:00.004-05:002023-12-28T08:32:53.058-05:00December at the Ditch -- and Beyond<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;">To be honest, this year there is little difference between December at the Ditch and November at the Ditch. Even the holiday ornaments that sprang up there a few years ago haven't yet appeared. I suspect everyone is as behind schedule as I am. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLRZKxlRAM_9BJUXpcpyfZpLUnvRLDDrNxUh2oVAAAQfyDdDubKFqzptFJ-7bnqKwlk31nB7UIJ5_oJpdkmKvSju_XLA-xLA3mkIs0W5O9cNpByZTvh-omkPgy5Wbf-e1c53H9zALY9MZPj-Z2PBq3thzbkuBB-AsUSEfdguhPKeoCjpve_SMJCwbF3YI/s5184/IMG_7100.JPG" style="font-family: Palanquin; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5184" data-original-width="3888" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLRZKxlRAM_9BJUXpcpyfZpLUnvRLDDrNxUh2oVAAAQfyDdDubKFqzptFJ-7bnqKwlk31nB7UIJ5_oJpdkmKvSju_XLA-xLA3mkIs0W5O9cNpByZTvh-omkPgy5Wbf-e1c53H9zALY9MZPj-Z2PBq3thzbkuBB-AsUSEfdguhPKeoCjpve_SMJCwbF3YI/w480-h640/IMG_7100.JPG" width="480"></a><span style="font-family: Palanquin;"> <br></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;">On the 14th -- a Thursday -- we told the kids we would seen them in a "couple of weeks from tomorrow." The next day I looked at the calendar and realized we would see them only ONE WEEK from that day (the 22nd). In between that, there was insulation installation, a wedding I didn't know we were going to until a couple of days before that, cards to make, cards to send and not a speck of baking done.<span></span></span></span></p><a href="https://themarmeladegypsy.blogspot.com/2023/12/december-at-ditch-and-beyond.html#more">Continue Reading »</a>Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482528482559445943noreply@blogger.com61tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681875145919050501.post-80018937927464179892023-12-15T09:20:00.002-05:002023-12-28T08:33:02.324-05:00Cork Poppers -- Italian Wines Rock!<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;">Barb and Mike were our hosts for Cork Poppers this month and the wines of Italy didn't disappoint! </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ2ZrlJAH-qaxTw5RJiTY9LQAsJvju1dZxtsj6pVd8ooccl2_F592JDHQ92AQBaDldmfqhQccQI-DvvLvRLWBbtxkd-CUthsjkIlq7J-BySnwEsJ_WJPAA0gzw1QO8JbQVYhUozL9RqNpLWFTCVTsR0d3K0mQrXWXo2rK_0w9vh2bJLtiSoW1-erf18hbt/s5184/IMG_6978.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ2ZrlJAH-qaxTw5RJiTY9LQAsJvju1dZxtsj6pVd8ooccl2_F592JDHQ92AQBaDldmfqhQccQI-DvvLvRLWBbtxkd-CUthsjkIlq7J-BySnwEsJ_WJPAA0gzw1QO8JbQVYhUozL9RqNpLWFTCVTsR0d3K0mQrXWXo2rK_0w9vh2bJLtiSoW1-erf18hbt/w640-h480/IMG_6978.JPG" width="640"></a></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palanquin;">We started out with Barb's homemade limoncello, which Bob poured. <span></span></span></span></p><a href="https://themarmeladegypsy.blogspot.com/2023/12/cork-poppers-italian-wines-rock.html#more">Continue Reading »</a>Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482528482559445943noreply@blogger.com52