Wednesday, January 31, 2018

January....

The first month of 2018 is coming to a close.  In fact, by the time some of you read this, it may already be February.

January is closing much the way it began....with a full moon!

This was the view from our back door just as the moon was rising.  Very soon after this picture, some clouds began to cover it slightly.

So....while we have enjoyed this....


 .....and this.....


.....and definitely this....


....it is time to move to February decor. 

Before completely leaving January, however, a celebration is in order! National Hot Chocolate Day!! Yay! How much fun to see the month out on such a pleasant note!

Topped with marshmallow fluff.....well, just because!  Yum!!

Friday, January 19, 2018

When we have snow.....

....in our area, everything comes to a screeching halt!  Well....hopefully, not too many screeches!😬While an earlier blog post had a snowy picture from last Saturday morning, this is what greeted us on Wednesday morning....

This view is looking down our street from our front porch.  I should also add that the temperature was five degrees!!  Friends, that's cold!!

Cold, snowy days lend to extra warming beverages....possibly even warm snacks.πŸ˜‹

My friend, Danielle, at Danielle's Heartfelt Home, posted these ideas for discussion that she found on Pinterest,  So, get that cup of tea, and settle in for some conversation.

Help yourself to some popcorn while we talk.

If money didn't matter, what is one thing you would spurge on right now?
That one is easy for me!  I'd board the Queen Elizabeth for a sail across the ocean to England! Maybe, since money is no object, even stay for a year! I'd love to experience England in all seasons.

If there is one thing you could learn how to do, what would it be?
I have always wanted to play the violin - or the harp. I think I'd probably choose the violin at this point since it would be easier to transport and store.

Do you have summer plans?
We hardly ever make any grand summer plans, although I will be a class leader again in the Conference United Methodist Women Mission U event in July.  This summer, the course topic is "Embracing Wholeness: an Earth Perspective for Covenantal Living."  It has been designed to be part two of the two-part series, last summer's being "Living as a Covenant Community."  This may also be a good summer to attend my college's alumni event "More Than A Vacation." This is the 25th anniversary of that event, and I'm sure there will be some very special activities planned.

What is your favorite movie ever?
I will have to say "Sound of Music" is my favorite ever!  I've seen it dozens of times, even before it began to appear on television.  Julie Andrews has been a favorite of mine for many years, and I love the music!

Name a random fact about yourself.
I'm not exactly sure how random this is, but I've never been to New York City!  I believe I'd like to go, but would need to have a tour guide.  Any volunteers?😊

So, there you have it! I'd love it if you would answer these questions in the comments or post them in your own blog!

I'm pre-posting this on Thursday afternoon. We have sunshine, and our thermometer tells us we have 30 degrees. The ice and snow aren't going away very quickly, so I believe I'll just have another cup of tea! 

Thursday, January 18, 2018

When the weather....

When the weather is wintry, what is one of your comfort foods?  We seem to enjoy chili most when it's chilly, and that ties in with one of my current "missions" - a search for a good bowl of chili!


That led me to try these two on my "search."  This week, however, hasn't lent itself to exploring for chili out and about, so it was time to try this one....

A good friend shared this recipe with me....the first time ever for me to make chili in the crock pot, but it won't the last time I make this!  It is perfect for these cold days we are having!

We've never developed the habit of needing toppings for chili, though many people enjoy the toppings as much as they do the chili!  How do you like your chili?

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Winter, winter....

Our chorus program included a medley with a song about winter and the snow gently falling.  As I write this today, we actually have some snow "gently falling!" This is not the first time as we woke on Saturday morning to this....

I believe this could be called a "trace" of snow.  Today's snowfall will definitely leave more behind, then we have very cold low temperatures predicted for overnight - six degrees!!

It is definitely time to think about being warm and cozy!  A good cup of hot chocolate is usually a help when winter weather is raging, so I've made it one of my missions to find that best cup!


 Thus far I've tried these two!  Today I will have to be content with my own.  In fact, I think it's about time!πŸ˜‹

Stay safe, warm, and cozy!

Friday, January 5, 2018

"On the twelfth day of Christmas...."

Well....let's be honest here.  Would you really want twelve drummers drumming through your house today?πŸ˜‰  Perhaps you wouldn't object to this though....πŸ˜‹


This is the day for Three Kings Day Bread!  Just when you may have thought the goodies of the season were all gone, here is another chance for something very tasty!

Today is known as Twelfth Night, and this will be stored away for the season.

In less than eleven months, it will assume its position once more!

On this winter week-end, may you stay safe and cozy!


Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Books for 2018....

If you have kept up with this blog for any length of time, you will not be surprised to know that there is already a stack of books waiting to be read.

These are only three of the list that I will be reading as I prepare to be a class leader once again for the Conference United Methodist Women Mission u.  Training is scheduled for May, and I must have the list completed by then!  Needless to say, it's time for me to start reading!

I've often been known to begin reading a book and not be able to put it down until I have it finished! Just in case I need to utilize a bookmark with these books, I am ready....


Susan Branch has made this one available via Twitter.  Notice the listing of the dates for the full moon in 2018!  Were you able to see the one on Monday night?  There is another chance for a January full moon if you missed the first one!  (I really think I'll be putting this bookmark to good use.)😊

Do you have some books to read on your list for 2018?


Monday, January 1, 2018

Beginning a new year....

Rabbit, rabbit!πŸ‡πŸ‡Here we are....the first day of a new month, and the first day of a new year!  Have you made any preparations for 2018?

Here are a few things I have ready....

A dear friend surprised me with "Devotions from the Front Porch" as a Christmas gift! This book has already been a blessing to me.

It just isn't the same unless I have Susan Branch's current calendar displayed on the wall, and the notepad she designed helps get me through many responsibilities!

I have also found that a daily planner is an absolute necessity!  So - with these "tools" at hand, this coming year should be off to a great beginning!

First, though.....

Black-eyed peas and collard greens are at the top of that list that never has been made for today! Oops! Needing to remember that those "tools" are handy!

I send wishes for a Happy New Year to each of you!