This and That from February

On February 9th, I went with Hannah to see her doctor in Omaha.  I had my camera close at hand the entire trip, but it was a dark, overcast day, and I took only one picture the entire way.  One solitary picture.  Here it is, in all its glory:

On the 20th of February, Victoria had a graduation and birthday party at Hester and Andrew's house.  We asked her cousin Rachel to make a couple of cakes.  The one with the 'ruffles' is chocolate with ganache, and the one with the little 'buttons' of frosting is orange coconut carrot cake with toasted pecan and cream cheese filling. 

Andrew's knife and gadget collection:

 Hester's Phalaenopsis orchid is blooming:

 Lawrence and Norma, Larry, and Victoria:

February 24th was Victoria's 18th birthday.  She'd been wanting a hope chest, but had given up on a nice one, solid wood and cedar lined, after seeing that they generally cost upwards from $500, and a fancy one could fetch $2,500.  Then Larry thought to ask a friend who owns an antique store -- and, lo and behold, he had one ---- and it was solid cedar, and in very good condition.  There are only a couple of scratches on it, easily fixable.  He sold it for $175.  Victoria is pleased as punch.