You Smell Good

 We had our first snowfall last week,

and I only got a couple pics of it because it was a light snow, but it's always so pretty to see the neighborhood dressed in white.  And a hush occurs every time with the first snow.

Jess gave her brother a gift of imported sea salt and other seasonings because she knows he enjoys cooking.  A plate of ham and Havarti cheese, apples, barbecue rib eye steak, and shrimp with sea salt.

I drove through the coffee shop with my son to get a winter coffee.  He got the black forest mocha, and I ordered the peppermint mocha.  They have such a delightful assortment of specialty coffees that they whip up for every season.

I was shopping one day for Valentine stuff, and when I'm shopping, all my attention goes directly to that.  I asked the cashier for the price of an item, and while she was checking, a distinguished man stood next to me.  I was blocking the isle and said, "oh, go ahead," and he replied, "I'm in no hurry."  As he passed, he said, "You smell good, by the way."  I replied, "me?" (wasn't sure who he was talking to).  He responded, "yea, when I walked past you I got a whiff."  I said, "Oh, thank you."  I thought it was funny because I only use soap and water, I don't wear perfume.  And he probably smelled all the Valentine goodies I was carrying.  I love to get little things for the kids on this special day.  And sometimes for the adults....Jess loves the Sloth.  ; )

Francesca had a Heritage Day at school, and she chose the heritage that came from her grandma, coming all the way from Greece.  She talked a little bit about her heritage, and all the students sang a wonderful song together.

Remember the Panettone that I love during the holidays?  Well, there were a few left at the grocery store, half off.  I like the original one the best, but this one had chocolate inside, and was really good.

A pretty pink sunrise through the tall pines over the weekend.

I wanted to see how filled up the creek was since the rains, so I headed over there one day.  The water is twice as high than it normally is compared to the last few years.  There's three sections brimming with water.

After the snow, we got sunshine, and it has stayed every since. 🌞 Our mountain looks so pretty.

Well, I'm just trying to stay warm here - it's in the 20's early mornings, but then warms up during the day.  I made some blueberry bread and having lots of tea. ☕

I wish you a wonderful week. 🌹🌹🌹

  

Rain Outside, Cozy Inside

 It's a new year, and I'm just sitting here this morning with a cup of coffee and a homemade sugar cookie, thinking about what the new year will bring.

I've been tidying up, going through things, getting rid of old papers, gathering items I no longer want or need and taking them to the thrift shop just down the road.  You know, all the things that we normally do when we start a fresh new year.  How do we accumulate so many papers?  I realize though that some papers are valuable and important.  My mom was very organized, and everything had a place, but she did have a lot of paperwork in desks and drawers.  While this was the norm, I am eager to toss any papers that I've had for a while and don't serve any purpose.

We had rain all weekend, and are supposed to have it through the week. ⛆⛆⛆

I have been craving Chinese food, and went to the restaurant the first of the year, but it was closed until Jan. 6.  So, my son cooked a teriyaki chicken dish instead.  It was ever so good.

"So strong is tradition that later generations will dream of what they have never seen."

~G.K. Chesterton

Yes, they are starting to put Valentine stuff out at the store already.  I don't mind though, as we need a day to commemorate love.  It's the one thing that is drastically missing in the world.  And I couldn't resist this mini box of chocolates. ; )

My son made some croissants, and each time I say it was his best batch yet, and this one really was.  He is getting the recipe down.  I tried one warm from the oven with butter and honey.

I got Mia's gift last week! - a nice pair of tennis shoes, which I really needed.  I have to have good arch support when walking, and when I was at Nel's house, I borrowed her shoes, and they did the trick.  So, she bought me a pair in the same brand (Asics), and now I can walk long distances without my feet being in discomfort.

And another neat present from Mia.  Our family loves a good movie, and Nel found this popcorn with assorted seasonings.  Can't wait to try them out, especially the kettle corn.

My neighbors still have their blue lights up.  They are fitting and pretty for the new year.

It's been so cold and rainy that I thought a hot bowl of tomato soup would be nice.  I put a dab of cream cheese over it, even better.

Doesn't this peppermint beignet at Disney look wonderful?  Nel said they were soooo good.

I love seeing the kids when their hearts are happy.

I hope the new year has been gentle to you so far.  We had a power outage on Saturday, but it only lasted for a couple hours.  And I've been thinking of all the floods that have occurred in both northern and southern California.

For The Barbie Lover

 I had the most wonderful Christmas.  But first, I want to tell you about the incident on the night before Christmas Eve.  It had been very windy that day with some rain.  I heard a loud crash in the middle of the night.  I checked the porch area, and nothing.  Early in the morning around 7:00 (it was still dark out), I heard a chain saw and a couple men talking.  I went outside, and a BIG tree in my yard fell over and landed on the mailbox and into the street.  There were limbs and branches everywhere!  Two of my neighbors were cutting the wood and clearing out the road, so it was safe to drive.  One of the mailboxes (where the packages are delivered) busted open, and some packages fell to the ground.  My neighbor covered the packages with a big plastic bag so they wouldn't get damaged.  There were piles of wood everywhere, and it was a mess!  If the tree had fallen in the opposite direction, windows might have been broken, and damage might have occurred to my car and house.  Thank the Lord.  Oh, and shortly after, the postman came to the house - those packages that fell to the ground were mine!  They were torn open a little, but they were just clothes, nothing breakable, and secure in plastic bags.  My neighbor chopped some of the wood from the fallen tree, and will use it for firewood this winter.

My brother-in-law came over right before Christmas and brought me lots of goodies.  My sister-in-law baked and baked this year, and I got to sample it all.  When my in-laws send me surprises, it's like Santa came!  There was peanut brittle, brownies, rocky road, and Ghirardelli chocolate peppermint bark.  Brother-in-law made raisin oatmeal cookies and homemade chili.  His chili is the best, and it taste even better with a little cheese on top, and some corn chips. 

  Me and my son had appetizers on Christmas Eve, and he made a nice ham dinner.  I didn't get pics of it, but it was a delicious glazed ham, with the meat just falling off the bone.

Jess gave me the most thoughtful gifts - white towels, plates and bowls, a school photo of Francesca, peppermint pretzels, See's candy.  Nel's will be coming soon, and it will be fun getting a surprise in January.  This Mickey's coffee was delightful.  Jess is always visiting Disney, and it's her happy place.  This cup was a gift from my son. 

And Jess gave me this white soft, furry, sweater/jacket.

During the week, my son made tamales, and although this was a process and it was his first time, they turned out really good.

Charlotte was sick at Christmas, but here are a few pics at their house the days before.

And there is always the tradition of seeing the Nutcracker production every year.

I packed up Christmas and put it all away until next year.  I did keep some wintery things out, as winter just started and will linger on for another four months here.

We have a huge interest and love of Bigfoot around these parts up here, and there have even been sightings in northern California of people claiming to have seen him.  Jess placed this stuffie in with all her gifts.

Isn't this the most delightful Barbie?  It's a Self-Care Barbie.  Jess got it for Christmas, and it's a reminder to take time out just for herself.

And I just got these pics back from Jess.  It's the French Cafe we went to when I visited.  It had such a magical atmosphere.

Here's to a splendid new year!  May it bring many good things to you and me.