Bird Tracks In The Snow

 Well, I know many people can't wait for Spring's arrival when they have had enough of winter's frosty chill, but here we really aren't close to winter ending, and have a couple more months of it, as it has been known to snow even until April here.  And that's Ok with me, because you see, I need to live in all the seasons.  I would not like having sunshine all throughout winter, but I do love it when it arrives in Spring.  I am a gal who loves it all, the rain, the wind, the sunshine, the cold, the warmth, and the snow!

We had another snowfall last week, and it was one of the bigger ones for sure.  I was out there shoveling for a time, cause that's what we have to do if we need to get out.  My neighbor has a snow blower, and he came over and helped clear the path of the cars.  It was so good of him.  There were dozens of dove on my back porch area when I opened the blinds.  I gave them some cake that I made, but it was placed on the front porch, and when I looked the next morning, it was gone, so either the birds or critters got to it.

When the sun comes out, the snow glistens and is even prettier. 🌞

When I was at the grocery store yesterday, I was talking with some gals, and one of them said it was 10 degrees that morning.  We always share stories about our snow adventures, like when I couldn't open my car door a couple days after because it turned into hard icy snow.  When it's so cold outside, I try to warm things up inside.

What fun Disney must be for the kids around Valentine's Day.

I sent all the kids the same Valentine card cause I thought it was so cute.

And homemade cards are the best.  It was red and white and glittery and so special.

My Valentine table.

And the cutest Valentine of all.

Many people have it all, but somehow they lose love along the way.  

love, friends.

Happy Valentine's Day!

~Sheri 

A Very Cold And Fun Day

Well, it's been pretty cold here lately, and I didn't know if I should stay home in my warm house, or drive up the mountain to the next town.  I got in my car, and it was 16 degrees out, and with frost on the window, I stopped to get gas, and drove up the mountain.

It's only a 20 minute drive there, and it's a pretty smooth drive, except for one part that has twists and turns, but I just tell myself, "don't look down!" 😱

My brother-in-law met me there.  He was going to take the dogs, but it was too cold out.  When I first got there, in the parking lot was a barking dog.

He said, "I know of a good breakfast place right down the road about five miles."  I said, "Yes!"  I was hungry and only had coffee that morning.

Walking in the restaurant, I was greeted by an unexpected visitor.

It had a quaint atmosphere, and I noticed an old stove against a wall that they used to have back in the pioneer days.

I loved the colorful crocheted throw that was draping over the rocking chair.  I've always thought crocheted pieces were so charming....and all the time and care that goes into making them.

The waitress seated us right next to the heater, so we were comfortable having breakfast.  I ordered the Denver Omelette and hash browns, delicious.

After breakfast, he wanted to take me to the peak so I could see the views from the top.  He knows this area well.  These really are pretty landscapes if one just takes the time to notice.  When we were driving back, we saw Mt. Lassen in the distance, and there in perfect view was the majestic Mount Shasta.  It seemed so close.

When we got into town again, I noticed an antique shop, so we went inside.  I didn't find anything, as I'm pretty picky about what comes home with me, since I've recently given away things, but it was fun browsing.

I wanted to stop at the nursery to maybe buy some roses, but there were no flower pots or plants yet, it's still too cold.  So, we went to the small gift shop inside.  I didn't buy anything, but there were some cute pieces and wooden stands with funny sayings.

It was starting to warm up, in the 40's, so we drove down to the lake.  It was blue, full, and such a lovely sight.  He sometimes takes the dogs here to roam.

The other side of the lake where I usually stop to visit.  I saw a Hawk, and the ducks were merrily swimming, until they saw my big camera.

I'm not sure what these prickly flowers were, but they were unusually pretty.

My brother-in-law knows I love taking pictures, so he's patient with me when it's time to click.  He has taken some wonderful photos himself.

There is a museum nearby that I've been wanting to visit, but they are closed until May.  There is a street with a cul-de-sac that displayed farm machinery from the pioneer days, a small white school, and a house that looked like "little house on the prairie."

He wanted to show me something, so we drove to the outskirts of town, up the hill and around, and he told me this is where someone claimed to have had a Bigfoot sighting.  It was near the waterfalls in the far left area of the picture.

It was time to head on back down the mountain, but I first stopped at a cafe' and got some organic coffee beans to take home.  It was the best day, and I found a new breakfast place to go to next time.🍵

~Sheri  

Just Something On My Mind

 The coffee is brewing, and the banana bread is in the oven,

and the sun has been shining all week, although we've had some very cold days this month, in the 20's.  It seems January is one of our coldest months here.  I am happy to have taken care of a few things that needed to be addressed, and thankful I was guided to the right people who were helpful in the process.  Have you ever had Dolly Parton's Banana Nut Muffin and Bread Mix?  I made the bread, and it was so moist and filling.  It even comes with an icing packet to mix with melted butter.

I had pork chops one night with blueberry pie for dessert.

Do you know blueberry pie is my favorite?.....with pecan being a close second.  There's just something about the purple goodness of the berries and pie filling.

I had Chinese food to honor Chinese New Year coming up this week.  Their Kung Pao Chicken and Chicken Chow Mein are delicious.  It's funny how we get our favorites every time.

When I went to the store this weekend, I brought home some goodies like this sweet raisin bread, and some Valentine M&M's.

I bought these pink beads, and want to do something with them for Valentine's Day.

I've seen a few posts lately talking about texts and e-mails and such, and that has been on my mind as well, so I thought I'd put my two cents in.  I don't get bothered with too many things, but I get so annoyed when people don't return e-mails right away, or not at all.  I know there are many reasons why people don't respond right away, maybe they didn't see the e-mail, but I'm not the most patient person, and expect replies as fast as I send them, or at least that day.  I think it's rude when they linger on and are not answered for a long time.  I know people are busy, but I don't know anyone that's busier than my Nel, who always gets back to me right away.  She is Professor of English at her college, and Director of First-Year Writing, and she literally gets hundreds of e-mails a day, yet she always responds right away to her mom's e-mails.  I think it's partly because she knows it's important to me, and partly because she's great at managing her time.

And with Jess being so busy with teaching students at elementary school, her and Nel always make time to send me sweet pictures of the kids.  

Fashion Show

What do you think?  Do you find it annoying when people don't get back to you right away on texts and phone calls and e-mails?  You're probably a lot more understanding about it than I am. 😒

~Sheri