February 13, 2008
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…we’re in an icebox!
But today things are warming up, and the thick coating that is on every single outdoor surface is beginning to drip…hopefully, soon to disappear. As I sat down at my computer, I heard a groan and then a rumbling…a huge sheet of ice slid off the roof and hit the ground, shattering into thousands of glittering pieces.
Even these little sure-footed fellows have to navigate a slippery slope!
In my last post, this view was snow-covered…
And these nandinas had fluffy frosting back then…
But even as we wait out winter, there is a stirring under the ground….
Green shoots that promise a change are bravely beginning to poke their noses up! And it won’t be long till Easter is here! But before that, we must have Valentine’s Day…
…and speaking of valentines, I got to see all three of my little ones last week. On Wednesday and Thursday, Wyatt stayed with us while Mommy went to a meeting. We had a tent in the living room,
and both of us spent a good deal of time in there.
When it was time to go home, Daddy took him in the truck…
Wyatt’s first ride in the big rig was exciting, and it’s good to know the car seat works just fine in it!
On Friday and Saturday, I made a quick trip to KC to see the little girls. Emma is playing basketball this year, and it was great fun to see second graders out on the court, all arms and legs and enthusiasm.
(What memories this rekindled for me! Sarah is coaching Emma’s team now, but it seems like only yesterday that she was the littlest one out there, dribbling like crazy and never afraid to mix it up with bigger kids!)
It was the final game for Emma’s YMCA team, so she got a nice medal…
Lucy is feeling girly these days and loves her fancy slip…
Who says an undergarment can’t be worn as an outer garment?
Stickers on the nose and ears just add to the natural beauty of this little two-year-old.
Meanwhile, today seems like a good day to cook. Cold weather makes me hungry, and I just love to spend the morning in the kitchen. I just took six cups of baked custard out of the oven; they’re just like my grandmother used to make for my brothers and me when we were little…pure comfort food. And do you see the jar of beans in this picture?
The label says “anasazi beans,” given to us by friends who traveled to Colorado last fall. The beans are raised out there, and Lynn found two of these vintage jars to put them in, making a really neat Christmas gift. So today I’m going to cook a pot of anasazi beans. I’m expecting them to be similar to pinto beans….and I’ll make some cornbread to go with them.
Before I sign off, can I rant just a little bit? I wonder if I’m the only person who does NOT think the “rebate” or “relief” check the government is going to give us is a good idea? I appreciate the idea of some extra money…but money must come from somewhere. And with the national debt running into the trillions, why would we want to add to it, just to give people money to spend????? It seems just plain wrong to me. If we ran our own personal business as the government does, wouldn’t we all be in big trouble? Giving away money you do not have just cannot be responsible. Yet I have not heard ONE commentator or politician speak against this plan. Am I missing something?
The current financial atmosphere is grim, and those in the know blame it on the housing market and the “sub-prime” lenders. Did anyone put a gun to the head of those seeking mortgages with adjustible rates (they HAD to know the rates would go up!) and interest-only loans (DUH!) and make them sign on to buy more house than they could afford…or need? Again, am I missing something?
I hate negativity, so I’m not going to end that way. Instead, I will end with the wish that you all have a real sweet Valentine’s Day tomorrow!
Comments (10)
We miss THE BIG ONE again. I hope it doesn’t hit us in the spring again like it did last year. Our once this winter was enough. Were you clobbered as badly as Spgfld?
Don’t get Wil going on that money to increase spending or the buy out at GM. He just can’t understand how any one thinks either of these things is good.
Your ice pics are so pretty. Love the one with the cardinal and bird feeder! Your grands are cute…precious times. As far as your “rant” ~ simply put: I agree. I get too fired up about it all, so I just have to let it go.
I certainly agree about the rebate. I actually heard a presenter on MN Public Radio express similiar views. They said that the money will be borrowed and when it comes due future generations will be paying for it. I hope it helps the economy as they think it will…..
The cardinal onthe feeder picture could be a card, a greeting card, very nice! Lucy and our 3 year old Hazel are kindred spirits…dresses, slips, shawls, scarves…they’re all to be worn over play clothes! So cute! Stay warm!
Thank you for taking us along on a walk around your world…my favorite pics are the redbird on the feeder, and Lucy with the stickers! What a doll. I, too, can remember Sarah when she was just a little bigger than Lucy is now. She was an absolute doll, just like both of her girls are. I’m so glad you got to go see your girls in KC. And what a fun granny you are, getting in the tent with Wyatt! He’ll have such happy memories of you playing with him and giving him the gift of your TIME!
Your snow/ice pix are lovely–(she said as a chilly grey miserable rain beat against her windows). *_* And your grandchildren are just too cute! CERTAINLY it is in style to wear underwear as outerwear. You see it on Madison Avenue and in the magazines all the time. =)
What sweet valentines you have! And a ride in the big rig must have been a thrill. I have my doubts about the stimulus checks too. Then again, how bad would it be if the economy tanks by doing nothing? Can an economy actually be manipulated this way, and get it right?
I thought I’d pop over and check on you! I haven’t ‘seen’ you in a while. Mostly my fault! My days have been so full that I don’t get round like I used to! I hope you are doing okay!
Agreeing with your rant.
Although perhaps from a slightly different perspective. The money is not from the government. They make no money, they produce nothing. They are taking the American peoples money and giving it away.
Janet, what a perfectly delightful blog you write! How did I miss it before?? I couldn’t help but smile with pleasure as I read, and as I saw the pictures with which you illustrated it (I have GOT to learn to insert pictures where I want them). My favorites among your pictures are the cardinals in their sparkly birdhouse (oh, beautiful – what a shot), Lucy with her stickers and her “pretty dress” (my Shana used to see her underwear as elegant formalwear too at that age), and Wyatt in the Big Rig. Look at the pride on that face! Isn’t it great to have the time and the experience to recognize and enjoy the specialness of childhood? I think it helps our children, too, for us to be able to see it when they’re busy slogging through the work and worry of parenthood.
I love the way you write about winter, my favorite season. Be careful, though: You make me hope it lasts a little longer!