Squirrel and IRS

The squirrel is finished. Next is a relief of an eagle's head. He's holding an acorn.

Just sent in my 2010 tax return. I owed the IRS money and figured I should send it in before I forget. Still have to do the State. I use H&R Block at Home and they want a ton to download the state and to efile. So I will go to the Illinois irs and free file by just copying from by federal form.
I saw a flock of buzzards again today. This time they were more in town. Something dead down there?

Chili Cook-off

We had a chili cook-off after the Church service yesterday. Had 13 chili cookers from hot to not so hot. I managed to taste all 13 and there was only one that I couldn't handle. My nephew Brad entered the contest and he won 2nd for most unique. I know he likes jabaneros so I tasted his cautiously, and much to my surprise I could eat it, not too hot,  and tasty.
I displayed the quilts that we made and asked for donations to buy more material. Between the soup supper on Wednesday and last night we collected $48. That should keep us going for a little while. We only get together once a month, but I'm thinking of having it twice a month.
I have lamb  shanks in the oven to have for supper today. Haven't made them in a while, I'm trying a different recipe, hope they turn out ok.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

 Spring is on its way, I hope we don't have to endure too many more days of winter weather. Yesterday was nice and sunny and around 60 degrees today it is still mild but cloudy and rain is expected tonight. I am almost done with the squirrel carving and I have started on the relief eagle.
Yesterday I saw about 8 birds soaring overhead and thought they looked like hawks looking for prey, but a friend of mine said no, they were probably a bunch of buzzards or vultures eyeing some dead animal.  A group of vultures is called a wake, or a committee. I didn't know we had those kinds of birds around here. I also heard the sand hill cranes the other day, but could not find them up in the sky..

Two Wood Spirits

Two new wood spirits carved out of cottonwood bark. Fun to carve.

Went to meet up with Phil's Friends today in Roselle. They have quite the operation in a small storefront. They send Christian care packages to cancer patients, both young and old. They will be moving into larger quarters soon. To learn more about Phil's friends visit their website at philsfriends.org. I'm just trying to figure out how I can help without having to drive out there all of the time.

A New Do

This is the new younger Audrey!

RIP Sonya

Sonya lost her brave battle with cancer this morning. She sure was a tough woman, she fought it all the way to the end. Pray for her family to bring them comfort. Her mother is 99 years old and in physical therapy at the Lemont Center after breaking a hip. We will miss her.