Snow

We’re getting snow! The girls and I went to Roanoke today to do some shopping at Sam’s. We knew the forecast was for snow so we didn’t take too long. It started to snow just as we were leaving. We decided not to take the parkway because we know how dangerous it can get. We enjoyed a nice ride home. The snow was beautiful. However, by the time we got home the roads were started to get a little slick. I’m glad we left when we did.

Beautiful! I feel the urge to make cookies and drink some hot cocoa. Enjoy your day and God bless.

December 4, 2010 3

Gingerbread House

Every year the girls and I try to do a gingerbread house for our centerpiece at Christmas time. We did this one last night. We always have so much fun decorating it and last night was no exception. Good family memories. I think it looks very festive on the table.

We had a dusting of snow this morning. Enough to excite the girls anyway. It actually was warmer this morning than it has been. We are already at 32 degrees. I did my walk this morning, which felt really good. I have had to do inside exercises this week due to the weather. I much prefer outside but, you know, you got to go with the flow. I am not dedicated enough to walk in 3″ of water with 40 mph wind gusts. Maybe someday but not today.

Here is a picture of the new study we are starting today. I think it will be very good. This week’s lesson was on Eve. Next week we will be studying Rahab and Mary Magdalene. Well, I better get busy. The ladies will be here in just a few minutes. God bless.

December 3, 2010 5

Gilbert

Daniel’s little kitten, Gilbert, taking a much needed rest under the Christmas tree. He certainly is a cute kitten. Very fuzzy. Sam’s eyes light up every time he sees Gilbert. He would love to sink his chubby little hands into all that fur.

We had a fun day yesterday. We went over to our friends, the Horns. Vicki fixed us lunch, then while the kids played, we make some gingersnap cookies. They were very good. We also tried our hand at making some breakfast bars or as we call them energy bars. They did not turn out near as well as I had hoped. Not too bad just not as I envisoned them being. We all had a lot of fun though. God is so good to provide us with friends like the Horns. We feel very blessed that they are in our lives.

We had so much rain here the first of the week. I have no idea how much but I know it was a lot. Everything was soaking wet. Water was standing in so many places in our yard. After the rain, temperatures took a drop. It dropped about 20 degrees from yesterday morning till this morning. The sun is shining though so hopefully things will warm up some. I would like to hang my sheets on the line.

The girls and I have lots to get done today so we better get busy. God bless.

December 2, 2010 3

Pinwheel Candy

It is raining outside today. We did not want to go to the building to get decorations so we just decided to make some candy. I usually make this only at Christmas time but I should make it more often as it is one of everyone’s favorite. This recipe came from a dear friend of mine and I have used it now for about 25 years. Wow, that makes me feel old(maybe I should leave that sentence out). Anyway the recipe is:

1/4 cup butter-softened, 1 tsp vanilla. Gradually add in 1 box powdered sugar. You will need to add a little evaporated milk at the end-only add about 1 tbsp at a time. 1-3 tbsp should be all you will need. It needs to be a little dry. Roll out and spread on peanut butter. Roll up candy length wise and put in fridge until chilled. Cut and enjoy.

Just a little note about the lady who gave me this recipe. Her name was Vanessa Looney and she was one of the finest Christian ladies I have ever known. When it became obvious to those who loved her that it would soon be time for her to be with the Lord, she made a profound statement to me. We were talking and she said “You know, I am not afraid of dying. I have lived my entire life for this moment. I will finally see my Jesus.” I consider this one of the most important statements a Christian could ever make-that we would all live our lives for the moment we will see Him. Just a little remembering on my part.

Well, I best be going. My girls want to play a game of cards. Enjoy your day and God bless.

November 30, 2010 5

Sausage Balls

Here is the recipe I use to make sausage balls. 2 1/2 to 3 cups biscuit mix, l pound sausage, 10 oz shredded cheese. The sausage and the cheese need to be room temperature. I use cheddar cheese. Any sausage will do. If you have your own that is great but if I am buying it from the store, I prefer to get the less expensive brand. They usually have more fat content and I think that makes them better. This is a hands on recipe. Then only way I have found to mix it all together is with my hands. First I mix the sausage and cheese together then gradually add the biscuit mix a little at a time, making sure it mixed well each time. Then form into balls. Bake at 300-325 for 15-20 min. Let cool and enjoy. These are one of our family’s favorite holiday treats. God bless.

November 23, 2010 2

A Mountain of Rolls

One of the things I am taking tomorrow for our thanksgiving meal at church will be these rolls. I froze them ahead of time and have been baking them all day today. The one difference I have noticed is that the frozen dough did not rise as much as it would if it had not been frozen. They taste the same though and I guess thats what counts. I am also making cinnamon rolls to take. Not sure what else yet. After our meal, the youth of our church will go shopping. Every year they get two “angels” from the angel tree. A boy and a girl. Each family in the church contributes $5.00. Then the youth go shopping. They boys buy for the boy and the girls buy for the girl. It is a very nice tradition. Our youth really look forward to going. One year, they were shopping and picked out something they wanted to buy and they were a little short on the money needed to buy it. One of the boys said he had some extra from a job he had done that week. He gave the extra so they could purchase the item. I love that. Children being raised to give generously and without expecting anything in return.

Yesterday I had a WONDERFUL surprise. Jessica and Sam came up for a visit. I did not know they were coming. They just walked in the door. I was so happy. Daniel and David were at home. She stayed until after lunch. The bible study ladies had not gotten to see Sam yet. It was a great surprise. Have I mentioned I love happy surprises?

Beautiful day here in Floyd. Very nice temperatures with lots of sunshine. A great day for being outside. Enjoy your day and God bless.

November 20, 2010 4

Just Beautiful

Our Christmas cactus is blooming so beautiful this year. It adds so much color to the room. This plant was a gift years ago from one of the bible study ladies. It is an easy plant to keep alive.

Today is ladies bible study. We will be watching the movie “The book of Ruth”. This will be the first time we have watched a movie on bible study day. We thought that since we had just finished our study on Ruth it would be good to watch the movie as a little break before we start our new study next week. I will also be busy making rolls for our thanksgiving meal at church. I have never frozen the dough before so I hope it works out well. I think I might make some cinnamon rolls to take also.

We have sunshine here today. A little cool but not too bad. I think I will be able to hang our clothes outside to dry. Enjoy your day and God bless.

November 19, 2010 3

Will I or Will I Not?

I know many of you are thinking “what is this picture of”. Did she make a mistake? No, this is the view from my front porch this morning as I comtemplated my walk. It was raining, the wind was blowing, everything was muddy and as you can see, it was foggy. Today was the first test of my determination to walk every day. It would have been so easy to just say YUCK! I’m not going today. I’ll do something else (which I knew I would not). I did finally put on my raincoat, gloves, hiking boots-which of course was another excuse not to go because I do not like to wear all this. I then stepped out in the yuck and began my walk. Guess what? It was exhilarating!!!!!!!! I really did enjoy it. Yes, I did get wet, my pants and my face and that was not too pleasant but it wasn’t too bad either. I really want to walk as long as weather will permit so I know I just have to stick to it. Pray that I will continue to be strong.

Enjoy your day and God bless.

November 16, 2010 3

Beautiful Morning

What a wonderful way to start a Sunday morning! Sitting on my front porch, drinking a cup of coffee with my favorite man in the whole wide world, and looking at this special presentation from the Lord. Beautiful! We had a really good weekend. We watched the movie “Fireproof” Saturday evening with some friends from church. Then our Sunday School lesson was on marriage. This was not planned to be that way-just our Lord at work. I said we had an unplanned marriage retreat weekend. We started the day with the beautiful sunrise and then on the way to church last evening the Lord gave a beautiful sunset to look at all the way to church. (of course, I did not have the camera with me then) How good is the Lord we serve?

Here is a picture of my first attempt to make english muffins. They turned out pretty good-a little dense I thought but good. I used a recipe I found on line to make the dough in my bread machine. Next time I think I will try making them by hand to see if they are different. I am trying really hard to make as much of our food at home as possible. This really lowers the grocery bill and of course is healthier for us and usually tastes much better. Well enjoy your day and God bless.

November 15, 2010 2

Come Walk With Me

I thought you all might enjoy seeing some of the things I see on my morning walk. I have been trying to walk every morning now for 2 weeks. My goal of course is (1) to lose some weight and (2) to lower my blood pressure. I hope to keep up my walking as long as weather will permit, then I will have to come up with a different workout. Anyway, this is the route I take. This picture is at the beginning of the walk. I walk on what we call the “tractor road” .

I walk past our pond.

A close up of the hill behind the pond.

The first little hill.

The second hill.

A view from top of second hill.

A little color still left.

One of my walking companions. Okay so most days, he walks about 1/2 of the way then just lays down and waits for me to get back. I have to keep reminding myself, he is not the young pup he used to be. However, it is good to know he is close by. Well, that’s some of the highlights of my walk. Enjoy your day and God bless.

November 13, 2010 3