Winter in Missouri

Declared the worse ice storm in this area in some time, I'm thankful we haven't lost power yet. Were still iced in and it's beginning to sound and look like a battle field. Trees are loaded down with ice, making many smack, crackle and pop. We've lost many, but this pine tree takes first place in losing the most limbs, just missing the birding station. As I walked around our place, I could hear trees falling all around, crashing down in the woods, hopefully doing no damage? It's spooky out there, the cold silence with limbs popping. Oh, winter in Missouri!


It's been a wild winter, late at that but like the trees, I too will forgive and look for spring, soon I hope. I'm at least making good use of my time at home, getting the craft room organized, working on my valentines, drinking coffee. Gee, life is good! I hope it's been good for each and everyone of you, esp. those of you who are in the deep freeze too, hang in there.....February is Sunday!

Ice, Ice, Baby

Weather in the Ozarks can be crazy at times, odd lately. In just a mere few hours we could be under a ice storm that is predicted to bring up to a inch of ice, sleet and maybe some snow. Give me snow anytime over the ice. Just the thought of ice coming has me in a panic, being the first bad storm of the winter in our new house, surrounded by big, beautiful, old trees. I've got us as prepared as we can be, and we will be just fine as long as we don't lose power, if that happens, you won't be seeing me for awhile, I'll be buried under blankets! We have dodged all the bad ice storms in the last few years, the photo above was taken (not by me) up north in the ice storm of 2006, that was bad and just 2 hours away from us. Cities looked like bombs had exploded, all the trees down, it was a huge mess. I'm praying that doesn't happen here. We are under a ice storm warming for the next 18 hours, so wish us luck and if you're in the path of this monster storm too, stay safe and warm! Is it spring yet?

Valentines Hutch

If you've been following me long enough you know that I love my black hutch, I got it from Walmart, it was marked down to $40, so you see the love affair. What I really love about it, it's become my focal point for each holdiay or season. Today, I decked it out for Valentines Day since the girls are coming later to make handmade Valentines, I thought I'd put the house in the mood and hopefully inspire us too.
I love this time of the year, a month of love for us, since we got engaged on Valentines Day. My blog will feature all things Valentines and love starting on Feb. 1, look for a giveaway, recipes and valentines galore! My knee is doing much better, starting to heal and seal, so I should be able to get back to normal soon and I'm ready! Thank you all for the kind comments and prayers, they helped and meant alot to me! I "heart" you all!

Journal Keeper

I'm a wordsmith, I love words, thoughts, paper, journals, all things that remind me of writing. I guess that is why I'm a journal keeper, have been for many years. Some of my journals are full of everyday happenings, some are full of prayers. My little sister gifted me with a beautiful journal from Country Living, it is the journal I will use for 2009. But I wanted to grace the pages with more than just happenings, I want to fill these pretty pages with challenging thoughts, songs to describe the day, favorite quotes and sayings, gratitude moments. In the end, I hope to have a journal full of the true me, something to pass down to the granddaughters, so they may know this grandma in depth. Keepsakes connect the generations, I wish I had more from my Mom, she left little in ways of treasures. Do you journal? I'd love to hear about your table of contents!

Where do you blog?

I was reading my favorite blog earlier and she posted, after many requests, a photo of her desk, it was everything I imagined it would be, for such a creative writer. So, since I enjoyed seeing where she writes, blogs, doodles and creates, I thought it might be fun if we did the same. I'm inviting you to show us "where you blog", your special space. Here is mine, someday I hope to change it with a different desk but for now, it works fine. I want to start organizing my craft room better so that maybe what I'm doing this weekend. So, if you share "where you blog" with us, be sure to leave me a comment here so we can pop over and check it out! I love looking inside people's homes, esp. their creation station, so I hope many of you will accept my invitation and post about "where you blog". Let us know, I'll be right over to sneak a peek!

A Book & Apron Giveaway

Here's a dandy of a giveaway for you, Not Quite June Cleaver is giving away a wonderful book, it's been on my list for sometime now so you know I entered. Plus she is adding a lovely apron to go along with the book, so it's a two for one! Head over and get your name in!

Thank you all for your concern and prayers, your all such good medicine! I'm doing better compared to Friday, the weekend was long since I couldn't do much. The cut is looking better, my only concern now is that it will close, should of probably had stitches but I'll continue to use the butterfly strips and hope for the best. I'm still a little sore but walking much better, I'll have it made when I can put socks on by myself! lol You don't realize how much you value your knee cap till you slice it open! Bless you all for the comments, I swear bloggers are a special breed! We have a warmer week ahead, thankful for that and all of you!

Recouping from Life

Did you ever have one of those days when life comes at you full force and all day long? That was my yesterday. I woke up to a mere 2 degrees before the wind chill was factored in, then a dusting of snow added to the coldness. Our house payment bounced (first time ever) only because it went through just hours before the paycheck was deposited, but after a call to the bank manager, I was able to convince him to refund the $22 service charge, the fee used to cover the check. But this is our slim week due to the layoff so every penny counts. That was the highlight of the day. Then a credit card statement was stolen and someone had changed our address on it and tried to use it, thankfully it was closed till we pay it off but because of this we never got last months bill putting us in the hole now. But wait, the day isn't over yet.....I take my daily walk down hill to the mailbox only to slide on the dust of snow, landing on my knee which I had sliced opened, I push myself back onto my backside so I wouldn't roll down hill like a snowball and my whole body feels like I've been hit by a truck, not a mac truck but a ranger, still sore all the same! I probably should of had stitches but didn't want to add to the bills, so we made do with some store bought butterfly band aids, and after a lousy nights sleep and some more bleeding, I do feel better today and it looks like I will keep my leg! lol But, what a day! I'm glad it's over so I can recoup, recount and recover! I hope life is treating you better!

Mayberry Days

I feel like I've been hibernating all week, it's been so bitterly cold here, you'd think we lived way up north or Alaska! The return of normal will be greatly appreciated, funny how the 40's will feel warm? I'm so ready for spring! One favorite way to keep warm is snuggled under a warm blanket watching some oldies on TV, like The Andy Griffith show, I love that show! On one episode they talked about buying a house for $3,500, now this was back in 1965 mind you, but what does come to mind is how high the housing market has climbed in those 40 some years. Why could a house be bought for $3,500 in 1965 yet a decent house now can cost up to ten times that amount depending on the city? I'm so thankful to live here in the Ozarks where housing is still affordable and taxes are low. I'm afraid there are less places like Mayberry but what a great place to have lived, that era was priceless. We still can learn alot from those days, and we maybe forced to do so if the economy doesn't improve soon. Yep, those were the good old days indeed, but a little bit of Andy will always live on and be admired.

Cupcake Challenge

I love calendars and tend to buy more than I need but I give them as gifts, esp. if I can make it up to Joann's or Michael's for their $1 calendars, and that's what I'm talking about today, my $1 calendar that has inspired a challenge. It's the Betty Crocker Creative Cupcake calendar, so I thought why not post a cupcake recipe each month from the calendar, we can make them together! January is Moon and Stars cupcakes, recipe will follow. If you have the calendar you have a better idea of what I'm talking about, but it is pretty easy and should be fun! I know what some of you maybe thinking, not to worry about the calories! Cupcakes are easy on the waistline if you only eat one, if your temptation isn't that good, bake them for fun and give them away, maybe your child's class, or donate them to the senior center or have hubby take them to work? The challenge here, at least for me, is to get me more creative in the kitchen and with my baking. My goal here is to learn how to frost a cupcake like the pros, they always look so good! So, let me know if you wanna join me with this monthly challenge, I'll be posting a new recipe and design challenge each month. I've peeked ahead and all do look pretty easy, you may even find better ways to decorate them, if so, I wanna know!

Moon and Stars Cupcakes
Yellow cake mix
White frosting
Blue paste or gel food color
White edible glitter or sugar crystals
Large yellow gumdrops
Large white gumdrops

Bake yellow cake mix as directed for cupcakes or muffins. You should have 24 cupcakes. Tint white frosting with food coloring to make blue. Frost cupcakes. Sprinkle with glitter or white crystals. To make moons and stars, flatten gumdrops on wax paper with rolling pin till 1 7/8 in. sprinkle with sugar to keep from sticking. From yellow gumdrops, cut out crescent shapes with small knife or small cookie cutter. From white gumdrops, cut out stars. Place on top of cupcakes with toothpick holding them in place. Each cupcake contains 260 calories.

What to do.....

with this old trunk? One of the boys gave it to me after he found it in a old building, I'm about ready to stick it in my hubby's closet for his hunting gear unless you can help me figure out a better idea for it? Right now, I have it in the library hiding old canning jars but there has to be something I could do or use it for? It's pretty big and clumsy so I'm not sure if I even want it out, any ideas?

Marie Antoinette Award

Jen from Candle Lit Cottage was sweet to award me this "real people with real blogs" award, I'm honored Jen, and thank you! I found her blog to be delightful and best of all, thrifty! I love her stlye! I'm not saving awards on my sidebar anymore, going for the simple look, but I will accept and pass them on because alot of time and work goes into them and these little awards acknowledge that, so if I had to choose just one, and I do, the first blog that comes to mind is Harbor Hon, where it doesn't get any more real that Carolyn's blog, full of daily happenings and inspiring stories. Love ya HH!

Bloggers are Blessings.....

You guys are just the best! You got me through what could of been a very long hard time, and even though things are still up in the air, my hubby got called back to work today! We will take what we can get, and three days is easier to make up than weeks, so we are thankful! And my heart smiles just thinking about all the prayers and comfort you have shared with us, the power of prayer is awesome! Thank you!

It's getting closer to that time of thinking about all things pink and heart sharped, in other words, Valentines Day. If you joined us in making handmade valentine cards in my exchange, I hope to get the list out this Sunday so we all can them mailed off by the first of February. You still have one more day to join us in the fun, just email me your mailing info. and email addy.

I strongly believe that the hard times keep you humble and this short scare has got us thinking differently, more thrifty for one. I also learned that there are bloggers out there in worse need than us, longer layoffs and no savings, yet they prayed for us. My heart is full with love for everyone who is going through hard times, my heart is full of hope for you. I will be praying for you daily and for our country, things have to get better soon. Bloggers are blessings, a special breed of special people you are! I'm honored to be apart of this awesome network! My heartfelt thanks to you all!

Flowers for You!

I can't express the comfort I feel from all the prayers and comments left in my last post. Just goes to prove what I've been saying for sometime, bloggers are the best! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your concern, friendship and prayers. Sad to say, I'm not alone during this hard time and my heart aches for those who have been out of work much longer than us. Your strength and positive spirits are priceless and offer much hope. These flowers are for you, taken a few years ago in my old garden, but they are new again and posted just for you!

Valentine card making fun will begin soon, so if your still thinking about it or just want to take the plunge and join us, send me your mailing info. by the 10th so I can get the list out. Were up to 20 now so our mailboxes will be pretty in pink come February! Plus, if you join us you will be entered in the giveaway for one of my custom clipboards with a Valentine theme, there may also be a surprise giftie added?

And if your in need of some January fun, check out the snowflake button to the right, click on it to make your own digital snowflake, it's fun and free! Some have gotten very creative with theirs, like Harbor Hun who turned me onto it. What will the Internet think of next?

Thank you again for just being here, the shock is over and we begin to trim the budget, wait and hope. All of you are great blessings...please know that!

Not a good start to 2009

Isn't life funny at times, on Sunday I was compelled to write about hope, today, I'm hanging on tight to those words, my hubby got laid off yesterday. The hard times have hit home. They said it was only temporary but no date set to return, so I pray. I'm worried, trying not to be, but we have no savings so for every week without a paycheck will take us 2 to get caught up, so I pray.

Oh, how I would love to live in this old house, by the lake, all cozy and warm. This place looks like you wouldn't have any cares in the world, just one on one with nature and leave the worries behind. But, we all know there is no such place. So, I will pray, hope and become more thrifty. We will make it....I'm hopeful!

Valentine Card Swap

I doubt many of you are thinking about Valentines Day already, but I must admit, I've been thinking about it since November. Why, you ask? Well, because it's nearing the annual handmade valentine card swap that I host each year over at MaryJanes Farm Connection, the other place I hang out! If your not familiar with Mary Jane, well, she is just the neatest lady living! She has made it ok to be a farmgirl again, and it's become classy too! Check out her website soon, it's listed under wonderful websites to the right. I've been a member for 4 years now, the forums are full of information covering everything. Every year we make old fashioned valentine cards and swap with all who have signed up. This year, I'm inviting you to join in too. Now, don't be shy, the girls will welcome you with aprons on....and you can make your valentines any way your heart desires, there really is no right or wrong way, as long as you have fun doing it and in return your mailbox will be flooded in pink pretties come Feb. and let me tell you, the talent out there is amazing! I've been anxious to start making mine since before Christmas. So, if you'd like to join us in this fun swap, just email me your name and mailing info. and I'll add you to the list, which will go out next week so you will have plenty of time to start making those cards. We've only gotten 10 so far but hope to get some more, we love to see them waiting for us in the mailbox on a snowy February day. I'll also be giving away one of my custom clipboards(some will be added to my Etsy shop soon too) all decked out for Valentines day and to aid you in your card making. So, feel like a kid again, and craft up some valentine cards with us, but beware, it's addicting!

Looking Ahead...

A brand new year means looking ahead, planning, hoping and dreaming. We had Communion today at church, a proper right of passage for the upcoming year, but it's also a time of reflection, not only for Sundays but for each new day, all year long. Once the last bit of Christmas is packed away, my thoughts turn to gardening. There is something so peaceful about planting seeds and harvesting hope. Where would we be without hope? You have to be a positive person to garden, just as you have to be positive about your faith. If you think about it, alot in life depends on hope. Each January we make resolutions to change, we have hope we can live up to them and if we can't, we have next year to hope for the same. Life is funny at times, all we need to know is right in front of us. I'm not sure where I was going with this, my fingers do their own work at times, but no matter what, I'll always look ahead with hope and faith. Don't be blinded by the doubts in life, look ahead with me....Just a thought for Sunday....

Prayers for John

My heart is full with sadness today, I learned this morning that a long time favorite actor of mine has lost his son to a freak accident. John Travolta's son, Jett died yesterday after hitting his head on the bathtub. I can't imagine the pain the family is feeling, I'm still in shock! To lose a son so early doesn't seem fair, he was only 16. My prayers go out the family..........

January Promise

Instead of making New Years resolutions, I'm keeping it simple and hopefully easier, to make monthly promises to myself. This first month, I promise myself to eat better, exercise more and feel better! And I have help, and you too can join in on a fun idea that Joanne has come up with, she's from "A Cottage in the Making" blog and I joined her online diet group, you can read all about it in her post from last week, she will be starting this online exercise next week so you still have time. I think by just checking in with other bloggers who wish the same might keep my inspired some. It's worth a shot, right? I don't eat really bad, just not enough veggies and no fruits at all. In April it will be 3 years since I gave up all sodas, I was hooked on Diet Coke but the artificial sweetener is so bad for you and after doing some research on it, just scared me in giving it up. And I do feel alot better for it. I've also gotten on the whole wheat band wagon years ago, it's all we eat now and love it. I'm a big fan of fiber too and need to continue with that but my biggest hurdle is not exercising long enough, everyday. So, I'm hoping with Joanne's group I can find and keep the motivation I need. If you'd like to join us, just click on her button to the right and check it out! Be sure to let me know if you join us, it would be fun to have my own bloggy buds share this with me, and together we can become a better "me".