White And Red Velvet

 Well, the forecast said snow last week, and I looked out my window Monday morning, and sure enough, Snow!  It was a soft beautiful snow because it was right after a rain.  There will be lots of snow pics on here today because when we get a snow in the winter, the neighborhood seems to be content, and out there with their blowers, shovels, and car scrapers, chatting with each other.

The next day, the sun came out and melted the snow, but just for a while.

hmmmm, I am wondering what critter's paws were on the stump in my front yard. 

Even though it was snowing, it didn't stop me from going into town and picking up a few things.  I ran into my friend, A, and we had a nice visit.  Everyone knows everyone up here (literally).

The next two days, we got it big.  It was like a white calm filled the air, telling us to slow down a little.  The neighborhood was covered in powder.

I've been drinking lots of coffee to stay warm.

And then Friday, the sun came out and glistened on the snow making the whole area sparkle. ✨✨ So, I took a little adventure, which I'll share next time. 

I got Jess' gifts in the mail, and I loved them all - a piece of red velvet cake from a delightful shop, a box of See's candy, and a rose candle.

She knows all my favorite pieces.  She was still at home when See's opened up in my hometown, and we would go there often and pick out our favorite pieces and go shopping at Hobby Lobby next door.  She still remembers which ones I like.

And I guess we were thinking the same thing this week, cause I had a pack of red velvet cookie mix in the cupboard, and I made a batch. 

Jess and the babies received ashes on their foreheads at Ash Wednesday Mass.  *Ash Wednesday is a Holy day of prayer, reflection, and preparing hearts for the celebration of Easter.   You are required to abstain from eating meat that day, (and every Friday during Lent).  People get their foreheads blessed with ashes at Mass or a prayer service.  

Nel made some chicken espagnole and jambalaya for Mardi Gras weekend.  She got the recipes from a cookbook she bought at the Gumbo Shop, which is a Creole Restaurant in the New Orleans French Quarter.

 

This gave me a laugh.

Barbecue pork with broccoli.

And when you don't feel like cooking, a sandwich stuffed with so many things.....whole grain bread, ham, tomatoes, pickles, mayonnaise, lettuce.

I am the restless wind in love with a rose. ~Rumi

Last week of February - hope it's a pleasant one. 

February, Just Because

 Mia sent me a Valentine in the mail.  Haven't received it yet, but I am anxiously waiting.  

Jess and the kids sent me something too.  It will arrive tomorrow, can't wait.

We had a few days of light rain...and we had a foggy day last week - it was so lovely.

The forecast says snow this week....we'll see.

☃☃☃☃

I cooked many meals throughout the week.  Isn't this heart-shaped pasta cute?

If you remember my squash bake, I made a big pan of it.  I usually use green squash, but this time I used yellow, and added a little bacon (I took the fat off the bacon first).  Ingredients: squash, ground beef, bacon, garlic salt, pepper, onions, a little milk to keep it moistened, and a generous amount of cheese sprinkled on top.  Cook at 350 for 50 min. to an hour.

A simple baked chicken with Italian seasoning on top, and chicken tacos the next day.

My brother-in-law visited last week, and he brought me some more of his homemade chili.  It was ever so good.

A blog friend mentioned the crop tops on one of her posts.  I thought she was referring to the tube top (my mistake), which was popular when I was in school.  The tube tops were strapless, shoulderless garments that wrapped around you, covering the chest and back.  These elasticized tubes were popular in the 70's, and seen through the disco era.  I didn't have any crop tops in my closet, but I did find a picture of me wearing the tube top.

We are far off from Spring season here, but I cleaned my cups, and they're all ready to go.

Lent starts this Wednesday.  (The Lent season is the 40-day period leading up to Easter).  I am pleased that my children recognize this time, and my son actually reminded me that Lent starts this week.  Jess wants to make a gratitude journal she can reflect on and write in.  And Nel always acknowledges this time as well.  The color associated with Lent is Purple.

Love this.

And the simple beauty of one of the most precious birds.  I was surprised to see two at my neighbor's house - and for a short moment, three!

I wish you a week of smiles, just because.

 

Warmth In The City

 It was going to be 74 degrees in the city that week, so I thought it was a good day to drive down the mountain and spend an afternoon in the city before the rains and snow come this month.  So, off I went with my son to have a day of fun and smiles.  It's 50 minutes to the city, so I don't like the drive, but it's all worth the discomfort when we arrive and are ready to explore new places.  Our first stop was Starbucks, of course.  And you can't go wrong with coffee and a chocolate croissant, warmed up.

Our next stops were Target and Hobby Lobby.  I was in awe looking around at Hobby Lobby - it has everything you need for crafts and decorating the home, but I didn't find anything that was a must to bring home.  At Target, I bought some make-up, pancake mix, syrup, Hershey's kisses, and these cute nail stickers for the kids. 

We went from pine, fir, and cedar trees to California palm trees in less than an hour.  There were palms everywhere in this one shopping center.

  While my son got a haircut, I went inside a pie and bread shop.  It's a quaint shop filled with homemade breads, pies, pastries, and more.  I thought the pies were a little pricey though.

We were getting hungry, and it was time for lunch, so we drove over to our favorite Mexican restaurant.  The food is delicious, and the waiter is always so good to us.

After, we drove over to Michael's.  Lots of cute Easter stuff already, but I didn't buy anything there.  Then, it was Barnes and Noble.  My son went to the coffee shop there for an afternoon pistachio latte, while I browsed the store.  I needed a calendar, and was hoping there was still a Mary Engelbreit one, as it's already February.  There was!  We have to glance at our calendars all year long, so why not get a bright and cheerful one, right?

Our next stop was World Market, one of my fav shops.  There is a little coffee cart when you first walk inside World Market.  They have samples of different coffees, and after walking for so long, it's always a treat to stop and rest and try a new coffee blend.  There, hanging from a mug tree was the prettiest cup, and it was so me.  It looked so Valentiney....and Springy.

After, we headed over to Dick's and Kohl's, which I didn't find anything, but my son bought a couple shirts.  Then, our last stops were Sprouts and Home Goods.  At Sprouts, we bought some organic apples, green tea, and pecan pie.  Have you ever had pecan pie at Sprouts?  So yummy - actually, the best pecan pie that I've had.

It was a long day of walking, and my feet were really sore by then, so it was time to head on back up the mountain.  It was really warm in the city, and starting to get too warm by the end of the day, so I appreciated the coolness of the air at 3,000 ft. driving home.  I rolled down my car window and took a breath of that fresh mountain air.  At one point during the drive it gets to 4,000 ft, and we saw a bit of snow on the side of the roads, so pretty.

One of my favorite things about spending the day in the city is the haul that I get to bring home to enjoy.

It was such a wonderful day, and it's always good to return safely to the place we call home.  It's nice to explore the city once in a while, and I've lived in the suburbs all my life, but I really like the calmness and peace that these mountains bring to me each and every day.

Right after I finished this post, I looked out my back window and saw four deer!  They are still working on the fencing, and the deer walked right through the opening and into my back yard.  They stayed a while, and at one point, were very close to the house.  What a surprise, what a blessing.

Happy Valentine's Day!