I Thought I was Living in the South

It has been a long 2 weeks.

There was the dreaded buildup to a storm predicted to do ANYTHING!

Then there was the 2 days of weather activity.

And now over a week of "thawing."

"Fern" produced 3-4 inches of snow followed by an inch of ice.

The south is not equipped to handle snow, but less able to handle an inch of ice.

We discovered following this storm that we are on a "D" route for plowing.

Because of the extent of the storm, our little cul-de-sac never got plowed.

The storm started out beautifully with glistening trees.

But the novelty has worn off and I am ready to have clear sidewalks and walks outside. 

I am ready to feel the warmth of the sun and to walk outside in flip flops.

1 week after the storm (Monday 2/2)

We chipped ice rather than shoveling snow.

Tuesday 2/3

Wednesday 2/4

a little patch of road showing just at the end of the driveway

Today 2/5

Finally some clear patches on the road!

We chose the south because we like warm.

We like VERY short stints of snow, cold and winter.

I think that this is the longest stretch of snow I have seen since leaving NY in 2003 unless we have been visiting in NY.

This little episode has reminded us that we are no longer northerners.

I for one am looking forward to some 60 degree weather soon (as in next week).

We did have electricity the whole time for which we are thankful.

We are thankful for a new car that rides a little higher as we passed over LARGE ice chunks and unforgiving ice ruts in the road.

We are thankful that the greatest casualties were a bird bath and the tip of my garden shovel.

But oh the reminder of the beauty of God's creation in the snow and ice.

Oh, the reminder of His ability to stop everything with one weather event.

Oh, the reality that He is so powerful!

Curiosity Killed the Cat ...

 ... but not me!

About a week ago, hubby and I went for a walk after dinner.

There was nothing new about that,

but the builder in our neighborhood was having a grand opening of the new Model Home.

I love seeing the latest in home designs and decorations,

so I asked hubby if we could stop in.

We took a quick tour of what they were labeling "The Barbie Home."

As you can imagine, there was a lot of pink.

It was definitely not decorated to my liking.

But, as we left, they took my contact info.

Normally I would not share this,

but technically they already have it

and I have already purchased what they are selling.

Today they called and told me I had won a $50 Amazon card.

So curiosity may have killed the cat,

but a 5-minute self-guided tour made me a few dollars!

Sweetest Day - a "step" by "step" narrative

We don't always remember,

but this year we did.

We don't always celebrate,

but this year we did.

It really didn't look much different than any other day together,

but it is fun to give it a label.

Saturday was Sweetest Day.

Hubby and I enjoyed the day together.

We started with one single lap at our favorite park (just for a few steps).

Then we headed to the downtown area for the Harvest Festival.

We wandered a few craft booths,

enjoyed the fall decorations,

and mad our way up to our favorite Cafe.

We enjoyed a huge harvest bowl - 

quinoa, sweet potato, roast chicken, apples, cranberries, pumpkin seeds.

I think we could have split one, but we didn't realize how large they would be.

We wandered town for a few more steps,

and then because hubby was such a good sport about the festival,

I bought him an iced coffee at Dunkin Donuts.

With coffee in hand,

we went down the street to another local park to walk the Scarecrow Trail.

This was our second visit this year

and our third year to attend.

As we got back to the car ...

I hit 13,000 steps - my goal!

Now to head home to just relax.

Click.

Click.

Oops!  The battery was dead.

Firestone about 3/4 mile down the road - no battery in stock.

Discount tire about 1 mile - we don't stock batteries.

We decided to trek to Walmart to get the battery.

3 miles ... one way!

We got out battery

and after a long walk back (especially for the one carrying the battery)

we were up and running!

How many steps for the day?

Well, it was my record for the year 27,000!

What a blessing that it was a beautiful day!

What a blessing that we did not go dead in a more remote location!

What a blessing that our daily workouts made that jaunt seem feasible!

It wasn't the afternoon that we expected,

but we did enoy spending the WHOLE of Sweetest Day together

and creating a new, crazy memory.

Oh!  

And hubby is going to listen to that little voice that tells him 

we must be getting close to needing a new battery.  

The old one was 6 years old this month!

Something "Out of the BLUE"

I often blog about changing ministries.

I often remind myself and others that sometimes ministries need to change.

Sometimes ministries involve creativity.

I am not currently teaching,

I don't have an abundance of music responsibilities,

but since our time in NC, I have had a heart for college students.

 Within the next few day,

I hope that there are some very happy college students.

I organized a collection to send out boxes to 11 students and one airman.

The only stipulation was that the items had to be blue - or at least wrapped in blue.

The church came through and we filled 12 of the USPS large boxes.

The boxes were light enough that it was cheaper for me to wrap the boxes 

rather than paying the "one rate" price.

Here are 6 of the 12 boxes.

The other 6 had already been delivered to the post office.

Random

 

It's always nice to have the option of an Air BNB for guests right in your culdesac.

Of course, it is subject to availability!

Just watch out for those fees :)

Teaching Giving and Friendliness

 It is hard in the days of wickedness that we live in.

It must be fearful to be a parent in this day and age.

Who can be trusted?

How can you teach friendliness to your children while also teaching about strangers?

My tablet and its happy face is an example of a momma who was/is doing a good job.

I was visiting a local Walmart one early Saturday morning.

As I sat on a bench waiting for hubby to finish some business,

I saw a little boy giving a sticker to someone he met while leaving the store.

It made me smile.

Then I smiled even more as he said to his momma, "I want to give that lady a sticker."  (ME!)

His momma looked a little concerned not wanting to bother me,

but I said "hi" and asked him what he had.

Maybe he received a sheet of stickers from the greeter, or maybe he had picked stickers out in the store.

I asked if he wanted to put it on my shirt.  He didn't.

On my jacket.  He didn't.

He wanted to put it on the back of my hand - my wrist actually.

It was such a simple act, but made my day.

When I got back to the car, I put my sticker on my tablet -

a reminder to be kind and giving to others.

Spring, Spring, Spring

.

On this particularly grey day,

the cherry blossoms are extra bright and cheery - they almost seemed to glow this morning (at least in real life).

They are the first show of Spring on our property.

It is still a "baby" tree, but this little snatch of Spring is encouraging.

We actually killed a lethargic wasp yesterday probably a queen coming out of hibernation,

I put out 2 hummingbird feeders and a hummingbird swing yesterday,

the robins have been hopping across the lawn,

and I am trying to decide when to break out the mower.

The weather yesterday was just about perfect and we enjoyed a return to a "pleasant" run for our exercise.

Of course, we still have a few more cold snaps,

but we can be thankful for the life that is showing.

Because I Needed Some "Sunshine"

 As I said last week,

I love Valentine's Day,

but I do recognize that prices are inflated for such a flower and candy-centered holiday.

Hubby often just gets me a helium balloon.

I am as cheered by a balloon as Eeyore (which is surprisingly cheery).

And sometimes a live plant joins the offering.

And thus we avoid some of the gouging.

While I shopped on Friday,

the highly inflated prices were highly deflated.

Since hubby was out of town for 2 days,

I bought myself some $4 sunshine.

(Don't worry, he approved)

And for a few days,

the decor in my bathroom is elevated with some yellow roses!

Let's Roam!

 On Saturday, hubby and I used another "experience gift.

I had seen some digital scavenger hunts advertised online

and there were a number available in towns around us.

So we purchased one.

The idea was good,

we enjoyed walking around a different town,

but I feel as if the company that was producing them could have put a little more into them.

We "explored" Franklin, KY.

the town square was decorated beautifully

Franklin is well known for horse racing,

but had a few more historical locations.

The hunt gave small maps that led primarily to "historical" place markers.

Then the hunt asked questions that could be answered from the markers

and asked for silly pictures of team mates doing activities similar to things mentioned on the markers.

Our scavenger hunt was produced by "Let's Roam."

I felt as if they were overpriced at even the reduced online price.

We had upgraded to a "date package" and could see nothing that would distinguish it as romantic or couple-oriented.

It did create a fun way to explore historical markings

and it did provide a lot of "steps."

 

Fun Discoveries

 The past 3 months have had a lot more travel for us than usual.

About half of the time, I was traveling by myself,

but hubby made about half of the trips with me.

On one of our last trips,

we were going to need to stop for dinner.

While many people wouldn't think twice about that,

with an allergy or two, it is not as easy as stopping at any Mcdonald's.

With a lot of travel, we have also tried to limit the stops to Chick-fil-A.

So on the last trip,

hubby asked me to look around a certain exit for a gluten-free pizza place.

Well, I looked and ran across something that I knew hubby would like even better.

The restaurant was called CoreLife Eatery.

It specialized in healthy eating and balanced nutrition.

Each dish had veggies and protein and grains.

There were probiotics and prebiotics.

The dressings were hand made.

So we stopped.

It was delicious.

I revamped an Asian-inspired Sesame Ginger Tofu bowl by switching the tofu to chicken.

Hubby had a bowl that had kimchi, cabbage, and Korean Chicken.

...and we splurged for special drinks.

I LOVED the Vanilla Cinnamon Apple Fig drink that tasted like apple pie in a glass.

Hubby tried a beet lemonade that was also very good AND beautiful.

See the beets, broccoli, kale, carrots

look at that beautiful beet lemonade

So ... if you are traveling or happen to live in a town with one of these establishments ...

give it a try.  (Yes, Vestal and Indy both have one!)

I recommend ordering online so that you can see all of the options for changes and substitutions ...

and definitely try the Vanilla Apple Fig drink!

On The Second Day of Hanukkah...

... the homemaker made for supper ,,,

8 yummy latkes!

 Not only does Christmas celebrate a miracle,

but Hanukkah does as well.

The Jews celebrate the miracle of a one-day supply of oil that lasted 8 days.

They often celebrate with many fried foods.

While I would love to celebrate with sufganiyot (jelly donuts),

we decided we would celebrate tonight with latkes and lox.

It is "fast food" night, so some fried potatoes will be excused 😉

And we did break Jewish tradition with a green drink on the side!

It's the Most Wonderful Time ...

 I don't know if this season is the most wonderful time of the year,

but it does have many fun and enjoyable aspects.

We took the day after Thanksgiving to decorate.

I love the glow of candles in the window

and twinkly lights around the living room windows.

I do love the songs of the season that chronicle the birth, death, and resurrection of our Savior.

Sunday, I enjoyed playing an offertory that combined "Claire de lune" with "O Holy Night."

Hubby and I will sing a duet of "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus" this Sunday.

And of course, there are additional practices for an upcoming Christmas program in which I can sing, play organ, and even accompany a choir with a piano duet!

I love giving out little gifts and tracts all season and watching tired workers smile at some pleasant recognition.

Hubby and I have tried to take in some of the local events as well.

Last Saturday, we went to a Christmas parade.

The parade lasted nearly 2 hours.

Numerous bands played and did very well.

Of course, it was fun to watch the children chasing candy.

Tomorrow, we hope to stroll through town at night to see the town lit up.

Next Friday, we hope to be in Nashville for the "Messiah."

Yes, I am thankful for this season with particular emphasis on the miracle of Christ's birth.

I am thankful that God's miracles do not end there - 

they are still available today.

When the Engine Breaks ...

 Visit the Giants

We were planning to take a "leaf peeping" train ride on Saturday.

That was the plan.

On Friday, we were told that our ticket price was refunded because the train engine was not working.

So, we made another plan.

Instead of driving east,

we headed north ...

to the Bernheim Forest just south of Louisville.

The arboretum is known for its "Giants" sculpted or constructed of wood.

We followed the short path to see the 3 giants

and then found a few other paths to follow and enjoy.

One path was called the Iron Ore Loop - but felt more like the Iron Man Loop.

We followed that with the Meditation Loop which was much easier.

And we ended with the Nursery Trail which also was a storybook trail (my personal favorite - who wouldn't want to read a story about a polite garden slug while enjoying a walk?)

The day was just beautiful.

While the "main attractions" were man-made,

we enjoyed the work of our Creator in the forest around us.

We enjoyed the pleasant breezes,

the warm sun,

the scent of warm pine trees and hardwood leaves,

and wandering new paths.

It Just Makes Me Smile

 There are just some things that make me smile,

Recently, green grass has made me smile.

I am excited to see that the yard has filled in and is looking healthy.

It is encouraging when an investment of time and money pays off.

These little fruits - Rambutan - made me smile in the store.

They look like little little monsters or critters.

I saw them in the store ... and I just needed to try them.

They were yummy,

probably not worth the price,

but definitely an experience.

This little chubby scarecrow has been cheering me as I do the dishes.

Just a cheap Hobby Lobby trinket, a little piece of fall that makes me smile.

And of course, an essential oil for fall.

This "Autumn Wreath" oil smells like apples

and fills the house with such a pleasant scent.

Mums the Word

 Last week I mentioned that the front of the house just needed some mums.

They have been purchased and planted.

And in true "If you give a wife some mums ... " fashion ...

"... she'll want asters and pansies too."

The front landscape bed was just "green,"

so the pansies brighten it up between the phlox and bushes.

And the asters and pansies just brighten my morning workouts on the patio.

The blueberry bushes are still small enough to share the planter box.

When it gets just a bit cooler, 

I am sure we will add a nice pumpkin or two under the shepherd's hook.

Welcome Fall!

 The calendar said that we entered fall on Saturday.

In honor of the season change, hubby and I attended a local Fall Festival.

Pumpkins, mums, corn stalks, crafts, ...

we wandered and just enjoyed the outing.

I had intended to attend the same festival last year,

but I never made it because I made my own "fall" fest last year.

Saturday was the anniversary of my wrist break.

My wrist is a constant reminder of God's goodness,

of the ability of our bodies to heal,

of the need to think before I act.

After the fall fest,

hubby and I did a little shopping for the house - 

some little things to add a little touch of autumn.

It was just a pleasant day-

a great way to start a new season

and a great way to celebrate an inauspicious anniversary 

and the healing that has occurred.

When in KY ...

 Mammoth Caves ...

Corvette Museum ...

Fork in the Road?

Yes,

it is a thing.

And we went ...

it was a beautiful drive on a Friday evening.

Hubby was certain that Google Maps could have taken us a more direct way,

but no, it is in the middle of nowhere.

We basically drove tree-lined one-lane roads to get there.

The brief story ...

made by a welding class from a local high school.

21 ft tall

680 lbs

anchored by a ton of concrete

So put it on your bucket list ...

or scratch it off your bucket list if it is just not your thing.

Frustrating, but profitable

 And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times:

Unless she had turned from me, 

surely now also I had slain thee, and saved he alive.

Numbers 22:33

But as for you, ye thought evil against me; 

but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, 

as it is this day, to save much people alive.

Genesis 50:20

Oh, how frustrating the roadblocks of life are!

I don't want detours;

I don't want delays;

In essence, I want my way.

But just as God used an angel to spare Balaam

And God took Joseph on a detour to save the entire nation of Israel,

So he uses the detours in my life for my good or the good of others.

I haven't figured out the reasons for all the detours,

But the longer I live,

The more I understand some of the detours.

And I am reminded to be patient in them

And to let God do the work he want to in my life.

Inhale, Exhale

 The sickness that I thought I was avoiding caught me.

I spent last week just doing the basics.

The days were spent with tissues and coughdrops;

the nights were spent with Nyquil and more tissues.

We finally seem to be turning the corner.

And on this beautiful spring day,

It was good to be able to breathe!

While I cleaned, the windows were open with the fresh air blowing in after a brutal storm on Friday.

Then the air was scented with grass as I mowed the lawn for the first time this season.

And the garage smells of cedar planks - 

for hubby made me some LARGE outdoor planters on Saturday that are waiting to be stained.

And ... it was "good" to be back to running today after 2 weeks off - 

running goes much better when one can breathe.

Welcome Home!

 On this Thankful Thursday,

I have a double-sided note of Thanksgiving.

I am thankful that I got to travel with hubby on his latest business trip.

I am thankful that I have the flexibility to join him.

I greatly enjoyed flying again after nearly 5 years.

Hubby was sent to Orlando this time for a conference

and he had no assigned roommate.

So I booked the cheapest flight I could, 

packed my carry-on with oatmeal for breakfasts and pb&j's for lunches, and joined him.

We enjoyed the time away - 

I was glad to not be alone for nearly 4 days.

He was glad not to have to fill the evenings alone.

      

I am thankful to have tried a new dish one evening.

There was a little Greek restaurant near the hotel.

I was enticed by "Dolmades" - Meat and Rice wrapped in a grape leaf!

Just delicious!

Hubby tried them as well but had the Souvlaki (chicken skewers).

But ...

I am also thankful to be home again.

I love the quiet and structure of our home.

I love being able to cook healthy food at any time.