Baby It's Cold Outside

I woke up this morning to see this scene across the street. We had a frozen fog all around! It was beautiful.

It is 3 degrees right now. I grabbed my point and shoot and went outside for a few quick shots. Even the snow did not stick to my socks! Woops, you caught me. Yeah, I sleep in socks.

I couldn't get very good shots so I put on some boots and a sweatshirt and ran out for these. Not great with this camera but I think you can see how beautiful the frozen fog looks on all the plants

Even the birds are enjoying the pretty snow and fog.

Really?

I think, maybe not.

They are probably contemplating flying south a bit further.

I will be putting food out later today for them.

I just love how fuzzy everything looks! Have a great day! Stay warm if you are in the US. It seems to be cold everywhere here.

SNOW!

Yesterday afternoon it started to snow.




My daughter and her girl friends did a no-pants snow dance the night before

(Don't ask, I didn't.) But it worked!




We got over 4 inches and it was soft and powdery. Everything looks so magical.





It was to cold and windy to walk during the storm but this morning I couldn't wait to get out with Cooper and take some photos.







It was still lightly snowing and it was so peaceful. As Cooper ran and sniffed out all the small animals I looked around to see what I could photograph to share with you.



I was a bit nervous to get so close to this groundhogs hole but alas, no one was home. Or at least not ready to come out while I was there.
I spied this cozy nest up in the tree. I don't suppose the previous occupants are actually still here but it did look nice and warm all covered up like that.


And then I came upon this exit from one of the large trees on the golf course. Nature was nice to leave the opening clear so the squirrels could get out later if they felt so inclined.



I took a few more photos of interesting things I hope you will enjoy.

These little snow covered weeds reminded me of Marie Antoinette's hairdo. What do you think?

While my oldest daughter was here for the holidays we made some ice wreaths I saw at http://resurrectionfern.typepad.com/. She has such great ideas! I made matching candles to put on my front porch bristo table.

These were so much fun to make! We never have tempretures low enough for these last but I think they will last for several more weeks this year!

Who says winter is dull and ugly? Just take a walk and look around, there is beauty and wonder all around.

Have a great weekend!

My top 10

I was catching up on some of my favorite blogs last night and saw a few were listing their top 10 reads of 2009 so I decided to list mine. I am always looking for a good recommendation. I had a bit of a crazy year and did not get to read to many books on my own so most of these were from my book club but I did enjoy them. I have them listed 1-10 top right to left.

#1 Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Society ~ Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows

Loved this book. Very sweet and opened me up to what it was like during the war.

#2 No! I Don't Want to Join a Book Club Diary of a 60th year ~ Virginia Ironside

This was a funny and insightful read especially if you are over 45.

#3 The Help ~ Kathryn Stockett

Just finished for book club. We loved it!

#4 American Bloomsbury ~ Susan Cheever

Picked this up at my local used book store and really enjoyed it. I am planning on catching up on some classics I have not made time for in the past!

Because of this book my daughters are checking out these authors also.

#5 People of the Book ~ Geraldine Brooks

I did a lot of research while reading this book. Made me want to learn more.

#6 Plainsong ~ Kent Haruf

Book club pick. We enjoyed the characters and story in this book.

#7 Mudbound ~ Hillary Jordan

Book club pick. Good story lines, again one to make you think about life.

#8 Without a Map ~ Meredith Hall

Book club pick. Sad story. Makes me a more loving Mom and person.

#9 Viel of Roses ~ Laura Fitzgerald

Book club pick. Cute story, makes you want to keep reading.

#10 Edgar Sawtelle ~ David Wroblewski

Hated the end so hated the book at first. Made up my own ending :) and now I keep remembering snippets and have fond memories of this story.

I have lots of books on my shelf that I have picked up at sales and need to read so my goal is to focus on these this year. I may pass on the club pick if I don't think I'll like it but that is often the case and then I find a gem that would never have read. This is why I love book club. It forces me out of my comfort zone. I would never have read The Road, Ahabs Wife, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan and more.

On my list to read now are:

Loving Frank, next months pick

Her Fearful Symmetry, reading now and loving it.

Traveling with Pomegranates

Half Broke Horses

The Elegance of the Hedgehog

Walden

The Scarlet Letter

The Used World

Fierce

Boone

Change Me Into Zeuss Saughter

And I have been reading and will finish And The Ladies of The Club. written by a local lady about our town! Old book but I'm enjoying it.

So heres to a new year and adventures in books! Take a break from TV and start a book if you aren't reading now!

New Beginnings

This week I have revisited our scare from Sept. 22 when my husband had his open heart surgery. Another blogger that I follow (http://teresaksheeley.typepad.com ) had a similar situation happen this week. As I have been thinking and praying for her family it has brought me back to the renewed sense of commitment I have to my family and especially to my husband.
I recently found a key at a craft show I was in that had a V in it. I just had to have it since my husbands name starts with a V. I had already purchased the silver heart, planning on adding it to a necklace sometime. While perusing Etsy, I found this cool soldered slider from http://www.etsy.com/shop/ArtUnderGlass. It says Embrace The Moment, with a pretty image on the other side.

This is my new way of living. Living in the NOW! I have found it to be less stressful and I am open to what is happening around me more, because I am not focused on what I am doing (in the future).

I Love my husband! So now I am reminded of the blessing of the New Beginning I was given when I wear this necklace. It makes me happy :)

I found this pillow while out Christmas shopping and had to add it to my collection also.


It is sad that it takes things like a health scare or financial pressure for us to realize just what is really important in life. I encourage you to hug your kids and spouse tonight!

Embrace the Moment!

Prayers Please

I decided to take today to just spend time reading and then spending time here visiting my favorite blogs. I went to Teresa Sheeley's blog and had a flash back to my life on September 22 this year. We have really had a wake up call this last year with my husbands open heart surgery being the topper.

We have watched our businesses dwindle with the economy, the bills mount up and no answers in site. Then we add a health care bill on my part for an unnecessary test and then my husbands heart surgery. Sometimes I feel I want to give up but most days I feel God's peace that I have never in my life felt. I am so thankful for what we have been through and for the Joy, Peace and Love I feel now for so much in my life. I live simply, one day at a time, listening to what God has for me each day. I see the beauty in small places and simple things and in all of his people. He has opened my eyes beyond the mundane churchiness I was living in. I feel richer than anyone who has millions of dollars and I am grateful for such a wonderful family He has blessed me with.

I would like everyone to pray for Teresa's husband Dave and the family and their finances. They don't have insurance. Check out her blog & Etsy shop.

http://teresaksheeley.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/12/dave.html

Maybe buy something? Most of all pray for God's strength and peace for all of them.

Thanks.

Vacum a Christmas Tree?

This holiday season has been long and busy for me at work since I had to let my office manager go. I have not had time for decorating and wasn't much in the mood for it. My youngest daughter (the chief) wanted to have a Christmas/Birthday party for her friends. (Her birthday is Dec. 27Th) So as usual I waited till the last minute to finally get the decorations out.

I have a large Santa collection that I have not gotten out for the last 3 years so I decided I missed them so I started with them. I finished everything but getting the tree out. 2 days later my daughter and I go to the closet to pull out the box with the tree. The box had popped open sometime during the last year.

As we were carrying (dragging) the tree to the living room, I noticed some pink stuff on a branch.
Huh, wonder...is that insulation? ugh, mice? I pull it out and lay the tree on the floor. As we were preparing to put the bottom in the stand, Coooper had his coonhound nose buried in this one spot on the tree.

ewe.. LOTS of pink insulation! Then LOTS of baby mouse poo fell to the floor.
I should have called Mike Rowe, he loves poo!

Anyway, I got out the sweeper and began to suck out all the STUFF in that part of the tree. What a mess I had! Thank God the mouse family had moved on! All I could think of then was, I hope they didn't chew through the light cords.

I must tell you,I love live trees but this tree is special. It is the perfect size, is prelit and has microfiber lights also. I have never seen another one like it since I bought it. Up until 8ish years ago we always had a fresh, from North Carolina, Frasier fur. (My all time fave!) but when I saw this lovely tree I knew I had to have it for my nice living room decorated in girly pinks and white! We would continue to get the live tree for the family room.

Sorry I digress...anyway while holding my breath I plug in the lights and...


They were OK!!!!!!!!!!!






As you can see I have a lovely (clean) Christmas Tree this year! It did take me till the day of my daughters party to put the ornaments on though. I thought about just telling the kids I like my tree's natural. Then my daughter pointed out "It's a FAKE tree". That really hurt my tree's feelings. It is a Special tree not fake! Another friend suggested I hand each guest an ornament and let them decorate it. Uh, I don't think so. This is my tree with beautiful glass ornaments and it has to be done right. To controlling? Oh well, I guess that is why I put it off because once I started, it becomes like a work of art for me to place each ornament in just the right place. I really do enjoy doing this but like all creative endeavours I need to be in the mood.

I have a few favorite decorations I want to share with you also. A couple of my old Santa's and a newer snowman.
Have A Merry Christmas everyone!

Beautiful Winter

This morning I took Cooper for his walk. I took my camera and got so wrapped up in what I was seeing that he got tired and went home without me! I have always thought Winter was ugly without snow but today I found so much beauty all around me. I want to share some of my images in a slide show and then I'll post more soon!

Enjoy, and have a great week.



Remember to look for the beauty...sometimes you have to look close.