Saturday, February 5

The Wee Ones

Great Grand Elise ready for the winter snow

Great Grand Ethan brushing his teeth.

Mo Snow

Son Gary sent me some pictures of the snow in the Kansas City area. More specifically his front yard.
His comment was "Fun stuff digging out from 50 year storms."
Oh, how we remember and do not want to go there... 

We have been dealing with our own form of winter here. We have had cold temperatures for four days with ice coatings, windchills, electrical outages and no water etc. But this fine sunny morning we are seeing the end of the tunnel. The predicted high is 62 and the low tonight in the 40's. We can live with that. Butch has our water hose hooked back up and later I will take the plants outside. Since it was a hard freeze the leaves will all drop from the trees in a few days and then as the temperatures rise we will soon be seeing buds on the trees. It was definitely cold enough for crop damage. Fortunately things do grow quickly here so that too will be short lived although it will be a blow to many pocket books for awhile.

Thursday, February 3

Still hunkered down

Still cold and now they say it is going to get even uglier. Precipitation starting about noon and with the temps in the 20's that means ice and snow. It should be fun to watch the news to see video of those expressway fliers doing "wheelies". This far south the drivers are amateurs when it comes to driving on the slick stuff so accidents are inevitable. Our trick is to stay out of their way!
I did do a cooking marathon yesterday making Runza casserole and Chili. Two main dishes in one day is a marathon for me.  The casserole was very good but once again I got the chili too hot! After making this mistake twice I threw the habanero sauce in the garbage. If Butch wants his chili hot he will have to figure out how to get it that way all by himself. So then I went on the internet to see how to cool it down. The one suggestion that made the most sense to me was to freeze it in smaller portions then add it to a batch of plain chili (chili without ANY heat). Other suggestions were to add sugar or chocolate or pineapple juice. The truth be known with the temperatures in the 20's I secured the crockpot lid and placed the whole business outside. I do not have a fridge big enough to accommodate a big batch of chili so this cold snap really has worked for me. Don't worry I will rescue it before the temps return to normal.
We are all closed in with all our shades pulled in hopes of keeping some of the cold on the outside. Thus I do not know what is going on outside. My guess is not much. Although if the South Texas Polar Bear Club decides to take the plunge I do want to know. For an explanation see the other blog.(www.magnolianews.blogspot.com)
That may be the only thing to get me outside today. Oh yes, I forgot. Mixed pool league is tonight too but if my limbs are in danger in getting there I may bail on them.
Another benefit to this weather is that I have much more time for uninterrupted blogging...and bracelet making.
Later...

Wednesday, February 2

Hunkered Down

My plans are to make Chili and Runza Casserole in the next couple of days. Too cold to do much so it seems like a good time to cook. Most everyone knows about Runza casserole but if you are a rare one that doesn't you can do a search on this blog and it should pop up for you.
The current temp is 32 F. and I have not seen one soul out for a stroll. I know I am going to hold out for warmer temps before I get my walk in. I usually just bundle up and do it but not today...and maybe not tomorrow.
My guess is the golf course isn't even open so Butch will most likely be hunkered down as well. I know him...he will get antsy by mid afternoon and go to the pool hall at least.
He does have a doctor appointment at 8:15 this morning. Hopefully he can be pronounced well although he still has a nasty cough. Not as frequent but still in evidence. This was some very nasty stuff that many people have suffered through.
I think it is going to be a Netflix day.
Smileycons!
Yesterday we made our third trip to Mexico this season. Peggy, Butch and I went. Donn is in Iowa because his brother is not well and he needs to see him. So the 3 of us ventured into ol' Mexico for shopping, Margaritas and panchos. Peggy had the idea of gluing a frog on the plates and I thought it was a good one so we went to buy frogs. W  e have them now. Another plate project is in the works...in between bracelets. We are just so busy!!

Tuesday, February 1

Elise is on the move

From Grandpa Gary:Two from her playing at our house after Church.
Ballerina Walk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Iq-lHvPH48
SquealCrawl
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piq4mDh7HAQ