Bye Bye January!

 Holy moly, it's the last day of January.  I'm happy because the days are getting a tad bit brighter at the end of the day and I know Spring is just around the corner.  But February is famous for the worst weather so I'll just try and hold down my excitement for a bit!  I don't have a lot to even blog about at this last day. The weekend was a mix of snow and dreary and Jack and I both were a little under the weather.  But we bounce back quick so all's good for today. Here's just a couple of quick pics to bind up my January posts..like a little blog quilt!

Saturday had me up earlier than I usually do on the weekend and I could actually see the sunrise.  The trees here at the Pines always hide a really good sunrise but in winter the leafless trees help to catch a glimpse.

A quick pic of  my neighbor's barn. I hate to admit to envy of anything but I do love this barn! 

I will admit that I make a really good  pot of chicken noodle soup.  With both Jack and I not feeling 100% and Jordan sporting a small cold, this pot of soup hit the spot.  It's even better the next day. I make it for folks when I know someone isn't feeling great. I think it has magical powers...maybe it's the dill in it?  That's all folks from Whispering Pines today and the last day of January. Bye Bye until next month!

Winter Has Arrived

 I know in December we were treated to unusually cold temps that really gripped this area. We also got snow by Christmas, but not a ton.  Then it became unseasonably warm for northern Ohio in January.  Even a few 60de temps with a few days that had some sunshine.  Those are days I treasure and enjoy as much as possible.  You'll even find me sitting outside with the sun on my face pretending I'm at a beach! (NO I DON'T WEAR A SWIMSUIT!...that would be crazy!)  This weekend we had been warned of a snowfall of maybe 1-3 inches.  No big deal.  That is until it turned into 6 inches of what I call snowman snow.  You know the kind...wet and perfect for forming into a snowman or having a snowball fight!  I did neither but I shoveled and help clean up as much as possible. Thankfully our snow blower was also working so in no time we had a clear driveway.   When we were about to leave for Church it looked like this outside:

Then as we were going to church the snow started falling and it came super fast. At least an inch an hour.  Our Sunday meetings go for 2 hours.  First hour is Sacrament  meeting followed by Sunday School or the women's and men's group meetings.  Our Bishop thought it would be a good idea to end after the first hour and head for home.  Many members travel 30-45min. so it was a good move. By the time we came home it looked like this:

Everyone at church kept saying: "Winter has finally arrived!"  Well, I was glad they were  happy and it is nice to enjoy a snowfall when you can stay home and watch the flakes fall.  After taking time to shovel, snow blow, and clear the driveway we did just that.  We had the missionaries over for dinner and gave them the option of cancelling but they braved the weather and we had a nice lunch with them. I was happy I didn't have to work today and could stay put with Annabelle.

I shoveled some trails for her to do her necessary business since she's so short and the snow was a bit high!  

I even shoveled a path to the bird feeder!

I'm sure this little one was saying a big thank you YaYa!   On a final note I did get my blog book done and it arrived last week.  Looking back at posts from years past I noticed that we frequently get snow storms around the 22nd of January or at least sometime during that time frame.  Maybe I could write something called "Whispering Pines Almanac".  It's good to have records of how the weather was in previous years so we can prepare accordingly!  Another storm is headed this way on Wednesday and again they are calling for only 1-3 inches of snow.  I guess time will tell!  I'll give one final photo of the bread I made for our lunch on Sunday.

It's stuffed with cheeses and Italian herbs and always turns out good but more importantly it's so pretty that I deem it "Blog Worthy".  Have a good week! 

A Little Sister Bonding

 I was able to go Wednesday and meet my sister half way between here and Chicago.  Her sweet son, Bill, brought her and Hope and we did the quick exchange at the outlet mall in Angola, Indiana.  We had a nice ride back to the Pines and had time to talk as I drove. (Jack will laugh at this part since I talk with Midge almost every day on the phone...for long periods of time!)  We never seem to run out of things to talk about and usually have solutions for everyone's problems...except maybe our own! Midge had just spent a week in Orlando at the Universal park.  She went with her daughter, son-in-law, and their 3 kiddos.  She had a good time but came back with a cold that left a nasty cough.  But she had no other symptoms so we decided to get this visit in and it was really a nice time.  Hope was happy to be back with Midge and did really well here with Annabelle.  We don't have a fenced yard like she does but she did good with the long lead we had fixed for her and I took her for walks around the Pines.  Midge needed some rest and I think that was accomplished.

We would take afternoon rest times...OK, it was naps but who's keeping score! Annabelle enjoyed it too!  You can't see Hope but she was on the other side of  Midge watching the birds at the feeder. As most of you know, my sister is on dialysis 3 days a week and we had it set up to be done at a clinic here. She's been there on previous visits.  We had a little SNAFU when her dialysis unit in Chicago sent out her blood work and it got lost.  Thankfully I was able to contact one of the Doctors I work with and he reordered the blood work needed and we got it done.  It delayed her treatment a day but all was well. We were able to take drives around the area, do some shopping and spend time here with Jack and then some of the kids over the weekend.  I think it was a restful time that she needed and that good old sister bonding that we both enjoy.  Thanks to Jack for putting up with us and helping where needed!  We had had some warm weather but the cold arrived in time to sprinkle a little snow for us.

There's a Facebook page for folks with West Highland Terriers and they post pics called: Can you find the Westie"?  Well, I ask you, "Can you find the Westie here with Hope"? 

How about here?  She blends in pretty good.  I kept calling her and Hope, ebony and ivory!   On Sunday Midge went to church with Jack and I and sat in while I taught Sunday School to my new class of kiddos.  After church my son Jackie and his wife Evelyn and my Grandson Cameron came for lunch.  We had made 2 different soups and 3 different sandwiches and brownie sundaes for desert.  Phil was suppose to come but for some reason he didn't show.  Usually it means he had to get his kids or perhaps he wasn't feeling well.  I'm sure I'll hear from him soon as to what happened. 

Midge and Jackie.  After lunch and some fun conversation it was hugs all around and time to wind down and get ready for going home today.  We left early this morning to meet Bill again at the same place and both of us were home around noon.   We always get teary eyed saying good bye.  I worry about Midge's health and always keep her in my prayers for healing and perhaps getting a kidney one day.  Time will tell. 

One of the nice sunsets the other day.  The sister time went fast as always and we wish we lived closer but we do the best we can and enjoy the time when we're together. I'm so grateful to have a sister who's also my best friend!   Good night and have a good week everyone!

January Musings

 This is probably the latest I've blogged for  a new year.  Usually I try to get a post on the first day but time, work schedules and just plain not much to say pushed it to today.  Also I usually have my blog book for 2022 all done and ordered but that's another thing that will wait for later today.  I was also supposed to pick my sister up today.  We were going to meet half way and then she would spend this week with us.  However, she just returned yesterday from a week spent in Florida on a trip with her daughter's family.  She's happy to be home but has a cold and is tired so she will come on Wednesday if all goes well.  Thankfully she just has a simple cold... no Covid or bad flu. Hope,  her dog,  was very happy to see her!  My nephew, Bill, took care of her at his house and it was a rough week.  Hope's not used to dealing with a household that has 5 kiddos and 2 other dogs! Hope will be coming with Midge on Wednesday and she should be happier in our quiet house with Annabelle for companionship. I probably should have titled this post....SUPPOSED TO!  Instead I'm just going to say a few words about this start of our new year.  I picked my word/phrase for the year.  It's DON'T PANIC!  I'm going to take more deep breaths and more time to think about things before reacting or as the phrase says..just not panic!  To here goes my musings for now:

Sunday dinner.  I go to my blog buddies posts and many show food so I decided to show a typical Sunday meal here at the Pines.  Maybe growing up you had a roast on a Sunday.  This came out delicious!   

Can you see the theme here? We don't have snow at the moment but I always decorate after Christmas with some snow people or things that depict snow.  The last photo is a pic of snow people that a friend made for me when we first moved here.  The baby that snow lady is holding represents my new baby at the time.  Craig was 3 months old in December of 1977.  So this little gift was 45yrs old this past December. I will always be thankful for her thoughtful gift back then when I was homesick and a new Mom with my second son.  You never know how a small act of kindness will touch someone...or how long they will remember it!  Have a good week!