Late and Short

Sorry this is late and short but as most of you know
Grandpa was in the hospital most of last week.  He
started with bronchitis and then it turned into pneumonia.
After one day short of a week he was dismissed.  (I think
they just got tired of him asking when he could go home:)
He is doing much better but since it has turned cold again
isn't supposed to go out much,

We have had some nice spring days lately.  On one of
those  we ventured to Cheney Lake to look for the Bald
Eagles that are supposedly there right now.  We saw a
few and I tried to get pictures but wasn't quick enough
to get good ones.  Maybe next time.

Snow along the lake shore.

One of the few birds we saw.

Update from the Kitchen

Hello everyone!

Sorry for the delay in this post.  Its been a hectic week between the opening of The Kitchen Witches at the Hutchinson Theatre Guild (first show of the season and first of four shows I'm directing this year), going to see high school musical productions for Music Theatre of Wichita and helping with family around town.

I'm happy to report that the production opened this weekend very successfully.  It has been a good run so far and I'm sure this afternoon will continue that trend.

I've been putting about 8 hours (although some days 14) a day for the past three weeks on the show.  Its been important to have a day off which I've been taking on Wednesday (although towards the end of the process here, it changed and unfortunately, sometimes, didn't happen).  But the show must go on.

For all of those who are unaware, Clara Marie, my Beagle and great companion died the last Sunday in January.  Her loss has been notable and I'm still struggling through the residual effects of not greeting her every morning when I wake up.  I miss her.  Very much.

Love to all and until next time.

Charles

Rimsky

As many of you know, the newest addition to the Tolleson apartment is a grey tabby kitten we've named Rimsky after the composer Rimsky-Korsakov. (If you haven't heard his "best of" in awhile, they are definitely worth another listen: Scheherazade, Flight of the Bumblebee, and Russian Easter Overture.) Truth be told - although Rimsky-Korsakov is a great composer - we just thought it was a cute kitty name.

Rimsky was originally named Arnold, so we decided to keep Arnold as his middle name; thus, the name used when he becomes mischievous is Rimsky Arnold Tolleson. He was in a foster home as part of the "no-kill" program in Austin called Austin Pets Alive. We found him on their website and set up a "meet and greet." Of course we fell in love and brought him home! He has won our hearts and continually makes us smile. He's an excellent pouncer, jumper, and fetcher of mice; he cuddles, purrs, meows, and follows us around the apartment. Here are a few of the millions of pictures we've taken so far :).

Meet Rimsky

He's content to lay in your arms like a baby.

He LOVES his bags!

Check out the markings on his face!

Our very own striped cuddle bug

Food seems to be the other big presence in our lives :-). Kinley gave Hannah an awesome cook book for Christmas, which has produced some yummy homemade foods like butternut squash soup, hummus, and toaster pastries! Next on the list is granola (thank you Kinley!)

James has been making lots of yummy foods too, mostly without recipes (Hannah is very impressed!) In addition to cooking, James keeps up with all of the local food blogs, which led us to find a food truck that serves amazing donuts! Oh, they're good :-).

In the midst of all this wintery weather, we have had two ice days! Crazy! We wish everyone warmth, health, and the chance to sit down with family and friends over a long delicious meal!

Love,
James and Hannah