{ Cozying the winter storm away }

If there was a way that I could snap my fingers and make the winter storm leave, I would do it.  Alas, I can't, and though I've prayed over it immensely, ultimately it is in God's hands, and so leave it be and concentrate rather on getting through it.

 

Outside the wind rages, the snow continues to fall and the temperatures cut through to the core.  

The birds are trying to find shelter, sweeping down, pecking at the ice, trying to find something to nibble on, then finding a place to get warm anywhere they can.  The chicken coop is a favorite for them because of the heaters and enclosed runs, along with any place there is straw, or under garden chairs.

 

If there is one thing I hate about storms like this, is the outside animals.  I know, I know, they were created to sustain the weather and the changing temperatures outside, but it still makes me sad to see them out there in -5 degree weather.  Makes me want to scoop them all up and bring them in. 

But as the storm rages on outside, inside I have created a cozy cocoon where I have snuggled into my bed under warm blankets, am indulging in a day of no cooking, copious amounts of coffee and other cozy things that I consider perfect for these kind of days.

 

Reading, watching tv and knitting are at the top of the list, so here's what I plan on doing over the next two days. 

I want to....

keep the fire going, and I have so far.  Logs have been thrown in, moved around, stacked upon each other and the warmth is seeping through the house.

I am still....

knitting my hat and I wish at this point that it was finished so I could pop it on my head and enjoy the warmth.  But that's ok, the mere act of knitting is so calming and relaxing, that I don't mind having this project on the needles for a while longer. 

 

I am reading.... 

the last chapter of the first book of January, which is Spark of the Revolution by Megan Soja.  I am zipping through it because I'm enjoying it, it's an easy read, but also because I have a new one that I have been waiting for and it just arrived. 

Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset.  This is a massive beast of a book, 1100 pages but it is a trilogy all in one, so technically it's 3 books in this big monster of a book.  I only recently heard about it and immediately knew it was something I would love reading, so quickly ordered it off Amazon.

 

Kristin Lavransdatter is a Nobel Prize-winning historical fiction trilogy by Norwegian author Sigrid Undset, set in 14th-century Norway, that chronicles the life of its strong-willed heroine, Kristin, from childhood through a tumultuous marriage and old age, exploring themes of love, faith, sin, and redemption against a backdrop of medieval society, politics, and religion. 

Also want to read....

A King Washes Feet, as I received it for a book review and it looks fantastic.  It is a Bible study, illustrated and just seems right up my alley. 

 

I want to eat....

French Bread Pizzas for dinner.  I made the french bread baguettes a few days ago, so will use those for some nice pizzas for dinner.  Something quick and yummy. 

 

I want to watch....

Two new series on TV.  The first is called The Pendragon Cycle: The Rise of Merlin and the second one is A Knight in the Seven Kingdoms.

 

Hubby and I have already watched the third episode of the new Star Trek Series, Starfleet Academy. 

 

 

{ Winter's last hoorah and an old book }

I've been so busy the past week.  There have been things to decide, things to discuss, things to finalize, and a house that I have been giving a good clean, top to bottom.

The homemaking bug started nibbling at me, the week prior.  This niggling need to clean and organize.  Perhaps as a precursor to Spring coming up, or perhaps just my need to keep my hands busy while other more important issues, are out of my control.

I will say, that as in true Godly fashion, one of the issues seemed so impossible for us to get around, but after casting it upon the Lord, in no time it was fixed and easily dealt with.  Praise the Lord for always coming through.

 

The past two years, my Bible has become my trusty friend.  I find myself reaching for it when I need inspiration, or when I need clarification for a specific issue at hand, or even current events in the world.  It's all right there, in those pages, all you have to do is open it up and let the glory flow through.

But as I've been leaning on my Bible so much, it has been showing wear and tear.  Specifically my tabs, which sometimes end up folded over, or tearing, or pulling this way and that.

I spent some time the other morning, going through and methodically applying pieces of tape to the back and front of the tabs.  It is now reinforced and hopefully able to withstand my constant flipping of pages, back and forth.

 

Last weekend, we had the most glorious of weather.  83 degrees.  Everyone was out in shorts, tank tops, dresses, flip flops or sandals.  There was a bright sun shining in the sky,  which seemed to lift people's spirits.  I have not seen as many smiling faces as I that weekend.  Beaming smiles, happy, content, joyful.

I took full advantage, slipped on some cute sandals and a cute dress, and hung some laundry to dry.  I didn't place it outside because my husband and I , along with my sister in law Hayley and my brother Miguel, were headed to Oklahoma  for the day.  The weather mentioned some high winds, and I really didn't want to think of returning home, to find my laundry had flown away.

Funny though how even just the scent of drying laundry, indoors, seems to lift the spirits.

But that was then, and here we are today, 25 degrees, expecting a last winter storm for tomorrow and leading into the weekend.  Snow and some wintry mix.  My mind says I should scream at the top of my lungs, or stomp my feet and beg this weather to leave, but that wouldn't be productive would it?  I don't think the weather would hear a single word I said, and in the end it would just do what it wants to anyway.

So, I will just say nothing and ride out this last winter hoorah. 

Although, days like these, are perfect for reading, especially if it's a good book.  I guess that's also subjective to the reader, and their taste.  Me, I prefer old books, stories of pioneers, or quilts, history novels, biographies from people who played important roles in history, the holocaust and tudor times......I think you get the idea.  

I've been sending out books through paperbackswap, there have been many requests lately, which mean I've managed to get rid of the books I no longer need or want to keep in my library, and in return, I've been collecting those that I've had on a wish list for many years.......like the Janette Oke's Women of the West Series.

And this one above.  A Lantern in her Hand by Bess Streeter Aldrich.  Oh I've been eyeing this one for so long, and could never find a copy, until last week.  I managed to find one, and as you can tell it is an old, very much used and loved book.  Some may dislike books in this condition, but I happen to love them.

See I believe that books tell a story, not only within it's pages, but also of the hands that have picked it up, flipped though, read each word.  It's these old books that I find fascinating.

If you're wondering what A Lantern in Her Hand is about, here is the summary for you:

"Sometimes it all comes over me," young Abbie said to her fiance, "that I can do big things. It's ahead of me...kind of like a light in the woods that shines and stays far away. And when I read verse or hear music...or...sing...it beckons me one, and my throat hurts with wanting to do something great."

Abbie Deal did do something great, even if it wasn't what she had dreamed of. And years later, when her children, raised in a rude sod hut, were prosperous men and women of a thriving state, she could say proudly, "I've seen everything...and I've hardly been away from this yard. I've seen the feeble beginnings of a raw state and the civilization that developed there, and I've been part of the beginning and part of the growth. But it's funny," she added, "I was always too busy filling up the youngsters and getting patches on the overalls to notice that I was part of the epic."

A strong an vigorous picture of pioneer life. The magnificent story of a young girl who went West as a bride -- and helped to build a nation.

Women of the West is also a series that I'm quite looking forward to reading.  I'm actually debating setting aside the books in my pile for this year, and slipping these in first.  

These books are about the pioneers and the women who made their way west, some alone, some with their families.  There are 12 books in the series, and you can find all the titles over on Goodreads.

As always, between all this, good food still abounds.  I made an amazing Dulce de Leche Cheesecake last week.  I think it was the first time that I made a cheesecake that didn't crack on the top, it set beautifully and is so good, sooooooo good.  I will try to pass the recipe on to you all, either later today or tomorrow.

Last night for dinner, I made scrumptious calzones, using my usual honey pizza dough.  They turned out amazing, and I even managed to send one to work with hubby, for his lunch.  If you're looking for an easy pizza dough, this is the one.  It's been my go to for 15 years or so.

I am hoping this week is a bit more quiet and calmer than last, so that I can get a few more blog posts in.  We will have to see how it goes.

Today I am carpet cleaning the office and hallway, and I also need to go by the post office to mail off one more book.  I'm going to try and get that all done this morning, so that I have the rest of the day indoors, away from the cold.

I hope you're all having a wonderful week so far, I hope it's blessed, I hope you are happy and content, and staying strong and focused through these difficult times we're all living.

Remember if you need encouragement and help, you just need to look no further than the Bible, and our Lord who is always there ready, listening, waiting.

{ Cold day, and some warm soup }

There is this constant howling that permeates the house.  You can hear it through the walls, and especially loud through the fireplace, because you see, that crazy strong wind from yesterday?  

It's still here.

I think it leaves tomorrow, or at least that's what I hope.  It can give my poor lungs a break from the allergy induced asthma.  Goodness!

Jasmine was off work today.  I know it seems weird, but she works retail and they all get two and sometimes three days off a week.  The pay is great, the benefits are great, and she absolutely loves all her coworkers, so it's a win win situation.

She hasn't gone for her driver's license test yet, because my car has been acting very strange, we think the timing chain may be off and will have to be replaced.  It means over $1000 repair cost, and so for the moment, my mechanic brother (the one in South Africa), has been keeping an eye on it, asking me questions, telling me what to do and basically just letting me use the car as I can until I can get the money to send it in for repairs.

All this to say, I don't let Jasmine drive it, because if that timing chain breaks, you need an experienced driver in the seat and I would hate to have something happen to the car engine while she's driving.  Poor girl would get the fright of her life.

In the meantime, she drives a little here and there just around town, but she wants to practice more and then go for the test.  That's why it's been a bit delayed.

 

But we're making do for now.  What matters is staying safe right?

 

Anyway, she is off today, but she is in Dallas with her boyfriend.  He had a whole day planned for them for Valentine's Day.  Don't tell anyone I said this, but this might just be the *one*.  Shhhhh!!!

 

I was able to stay home all day, indoors, with the heaters on, under warm blankets in between my usual chores, and just staying out of that horrid bitter cold.  It's one of those days, you know the ones where you're inside but your nose is freezing cold?  Yes like that!!!

 

I am ever so thankful for these really warm and gorgeous socks, that my sister in law gave me for Christmas.  They've kept me quite toasty today.

The first thing I did this morning though, was have a cup of tea, and this time I tried the Autumnal Fae.

It was just as delicious as the one from yesterday.  This one is very Fall like which I enjoy, and my favorite tea is black tea too.

If you want to try this one for yourself, go to Dryad Tea and get some Autumnal Fae.

Ingredients: Black tea, oolong, calendula, apple, rosehips, orange pieces, hibiscus, cinnamon, natural flavors.

 

I don't know if anyone else does this, but when I meal plan, I look at the weather forecast for the next 10 days. If there are cold days, or rain or snow in the forecast, I try to plan accordingly.  Since I knew today was going to be the coldest this week, I made sure to add soup to the menu.

 

So first thing this morning, I got that going before I tended to the rest of the house. 

Then the usual, folding laundry, tidying up, dishes, dusting and vacuuming, and anything else that needs doing.  Now that the kids are grown up, my housework gets done quite quickly, which frees up the rest of my day.  It's good in a way because it let's me do whatever else I want to, whether it's a project around the house, reading, watching a show or enjoying some crochet time. 

But there are days that I do get a bit antsy, and start missing the days when my children were little, and keeping me busy from the minute I woke up until late into the night.

I believe that is just a normal part of life, of different chapters, of things changing, and we all go through those moments.  We just have to not let that completely overwhelm us or get us stuck in that feeling.  It's ok to feel, it's ok to reminisce, and sometimes wish time would go back, but we also have to remember to thank God for the blessing of each day and year that goes by.

So I just embrace each day, and instead focus on doing things I enjoy.  For example, lately I have been really enjoying collecting classics, like Little Women. 

It's such a beautiful copy, and I love the illustrations inside.  

 

Next, I rechecked my meal plan, wrote up the grocery list and did an inventory check of what I already had on hand.

Once everything I needed doing, was done, I settled in with Elliott next to me, to continue reading my current book.

He loves curling up next to me on the bed, or going under the blanket and laying either on my legs or up against my legs, to sleep.  I don't know how animals do it, I can't have my head covered by anything because I feel like I can't breathe Hahahah

Soon as I finish this current read, I will have achieved my goal for February, which is two books, and it keeps me right on track with my reading goal for 2022.

The afternoon quickly sped by, and before I knew it, dinner was upon us.  Thankfully I had the soup in the crockpot and all I had to do was finish it off.  It was just perfect for this cold day.  It was warm, it was comforting, it was delicious and filling.

And I'll have the recipe for you on the food blog tomorrow. 

Oh and speaking of the food blog, I put up the recipe for the Salmon Croquettes, if anyone is interested in trying them.  

It is just after 7pm, I am going to try and find something to watch real quick, and if nothing peaks my interest, I will try to finish off my book so that I can move on to the next one.

I also need to set up my Alexa Echo for the night.  I guess I'll just tell you about that right now, I almost forgot that I've been wanting to mention.  It's been helping me, and I thought that if anyone else out there is suffering with insomnia or struggles to stay asleep.

When I was little, my favorite way to sleep would be when I could hear everyone still awake.  I would make sure I went to bed early, I used to be so scared of the dark and did not want to fall asleep with everyone else already asleep.  So I would climb into bed around 8, and then I would let the lull of the voices in the house drift me off to sleep.

At other times, I would have a radio playing very softly, something that I did as well when Jasmine was first born.  The first two weeks, this child did not want to sleep at all unless I was rocking her in my arms or singing.  I was so exhausted and I needed to figure out a way to make her sleep without me having to be there constantly at her side.  I guess she also liked background noise.

Curt and I started keeping the radio playing really softly all night long.  We actually used to set it to the radio station that played the Delilah show.  Oh my goodness, that just brought back memories.  Did any of you listen to Delilah on the radio too?  She used to do the song request show late at night.  

Anyway, that's a conversation for another day, I need to stay on track here.  

Last week, I don't know why it came to me, but I thought, now that I have the Alexa Echo, on my nightstand, maybe I could just do the same thing and it may just help me sleep.

The first two nights, I asked Alexa to play a praise and worship radio station.  I turned the volume down to where we could hear it, but it wasn't blaring at night.  I slept like a rock, all night long.

Then I learned that you can have Alexa play Sleep sounds all night.  So now, I have her play either Rainforest, or light rain or thunderstorm.  I ask her to set a sleep timer for 8 hours, and she plays that sound for the next 8 hours then stops playing.

This has been life changing.  I am telling you, I haven't slept this well in years.  YEARS!!!

You can also have Alexa play white noise, or any other sound that relaxes you.  Give it a try, and see if it works for you as well.

Ok, now I think I've babbled on long enough.  I better get on out of here.  I think I'm going to watch and episode of Monsters Inside:  The 24 Faces of Billy Mulligan, on Netflix, then get some sleep.  I have to get Jasmine to work in the morning and then head to the commissary for grocery shopping.

I haven't been in person grocery shopping in about two months, so I'm quite excited to get back in there.  Let me know if you want to see what I get, the prices, and all that fun stuff.

Have a great night everyone!

{ Slowly coming out of this winter weather }

First and foremost, thank you Lord!

 

Thank you for watching over and protecting my family, this past week.  

 

Our State has been hit so hard. My heart breaks just thinking about the difficulties that so many Texans have had to endure. The loss of life, the loss of property, the fear and the heartache so many families have had to go through. 

 

The great thing about Texans, is that they pull together and help each other. Thankfully, the weather is starting to warm up. 

 

We are all in this limbo, where we watch the temperatures go above 20 degrees and we pray that it hangs around long enough to melt the snow. Then we realize the sun starts going down and all that melted snow is now turning back to ice. Driving in this weather is terrifying, I'm thankful my husband has been home and the 2 times we had to leave the house, we took his truck. 

 

Even then, we are slipping and sliding all over the road, along with the other drivers out trying to get food or gas, and other necessities. 

 

But it will be ok. 

 

We will make it through this, and I want to thank all of you who have been praying every day for me and my family, and for our State in general too. 

 

 

Our week was basically spent, trying to keep the house warm, feeding the outside animals and trying to find them shelter. 

 

Shoveling the driveway, and putting out salt and sand on our country road to help the neighbors needing to drive by. 

 

The roof of our house and garage got so much snow, that we feared it would cave in.  Curt tried his best to remove as much of it as he could, but short of having to climb up onto the roof, there wasn't much we could do.

 

 

Our local stores are overwhelmed. I wasn't able to get to the base commissary because it was closed, so I did a Walmart pick up. Many items were sold out or not available, which is understandable as they couldn't get trucks in to replenish the groceries. 

 

On Thursday Curt and I stopped at Walmart to get milk and bread and had noticed that all their freezers were empty. One of the workers informed us that they had lost power and had to throw all their food out. How awful!

 

 

It does make for some very pretty pictures, but I must be honest, I am beyond ready for the snow to be gone and for Spring to come around.

Anyway, as I said above, I got a Walmart pick up but it was missing quite a few things, so this afternoon, before picking Jasmine up from work, I am heading to the store to get what I still need.

In the meantime, I am starting a baked potato soup in the slow cooker, and will probably make some bread bowls later to serve and eat the soup with.

Tomorrow morning we are hoping to get to church, it all depends on the weather and if service will resume.

I wish you all a very blessed weekend, hope you stay warm, stay safe and enjoy your time with the family.