A Beautiful Day

It is a sunny 34 degrees at my house this morning. As I sit beside my Christmas tree this morning and drink hot chocolate out of my snowman mug,watching the birds and squirrels out my window I am reminded of what a beautiful world and life we have inspite of all the problems that we all face.
Today I choose to think on only the blessings I have in my life, and they are many although sometimes I let the cares of the world cloud my eyes from them.One of those blessings are the special friendships I have made in this blog land and one of my New Years resolutions is to spend more time this year on blogging. I have been guilty of letting life get in the way of spending time here in this wonderful place that the Lord sent me at a time when I really needed it. I hope that I can give back to others what has been given to me.To all my special blogging friends thank you for being here for me when I needed you so much.

It is 19 degrees in Florida !

I woke up this morning to a cold 19 degrees,if only we could have snow too!
The sun is coming up and it will be a beautiful day. The weather man says we will be back in the 60's tomorrow. I know that the snow and cold can be hard on those of you in the North,but for a Florida girl it is so nice to get a little of it here.

Christmas Day 2010

It is Christmas morning! A cold 29 degrees at my house,the sun is coming up and its going to be a beautiful day. Its a little different than the past Christmas days for me.We had our family celebration last night with the children,grandchildren and extended family at our home. We have always in the past done this on Christmas Day,so this Christmas Day I am actually home alone, Jim offered to work this morning so others could be home with their family today,since we had ours here on Christmas Eve. I am actually enjoying this time, reflecting on the wonderful time we had last night,watching the excitement on the faces of my Grandchildren as they opened gifts and the delight of others as they ate their favorite foods I prepared with each of them in mind. I am also remembering the past Christmas mornings and those family members who are not with us but in Heaven on this Christmas Day and looking forward to all the CHRISTmas Days in the future to celebrate the birth of our Saviour and enjoy with all our loved ones. Merry CHRISTmas everyone!

It is in the air !

What a beautiful morning,fall is in the air. It is in the 60's this morning in N. Florida. As I stood out waiting for the school bus with my grandaughter and then taking my spaniel(Ellie) out for her morning walk,I was filled with excitement that we will soon be having brisk mornings,leaves falling and the sights and smells that are so wonderful this time of year. I am planning a weekend trip next month to see the leaves at there peak. This past weekend I began to get out my fall decorations and will soon be changing my decor for Autumn,I love this time of year!

The simple things revisited

I have been thinking lately about "the simple life" I think what I mean by the simple life is the joy of little things,things that we do because we want to and we feel good about,not having to do everything the hard way,as our ancestors did though,but taking from some of the things they did , not because we have too but because we want to. I made homemade preserves this weekend and I throughly enjoyed it. It reminded me of watching my grandmother do that in her kitchen years ago and I felt very close to her and as my granddaughter watched me,as I had watched my "nannie" almost 50 years ago I felt as though I am keeping something alive from our past and wonder if one day my granddaughter will be doing this with her grandchild and be remembering this time that we share. Keeping things form the past alive,yes I think that is what the simple things mean to me.

OH....the dog days of summer !

A Happy Fathers' Day

I feel very blessed this Father's day because I had a wonderful Father, although he went to heaven when I was 16 and I have always missed him,but I also have a husband who is a wonderful Father and 2 son-in-laws who are wonderful Fathers's.

"A good earthly fathers' role is much like our Heavenly Father. A provider, counselor,friend. That role is so important that if you fail your children may seek to compensate for that in other relationships."

A Happy Mothers' Day ! ! !

How wonderful to be a Mother and Grandma! My day started out at 8:00 a.m with a phone call from oldest grandson to say "Happy Mothers" day, then grandaughter got on the phone to sing "Happy Mothers Day to you" then a call from hubby who was at work and then both daughters called and later we met for dinner at one of my favorite places. It does not get much better than this,I feel very blessed!

What A Beautiful Morning !

Not really, its cloudy and very warm and muggy this morning.Rain and thunderstorms are on the way. I have been in a terrible rut lately but today I feel much better,the dark clouds are lifted off of me and I feel like its going to be a wonderful day,even though things are not perfect in my life. I know I do have a lot to be thankful for and happy about, so I am going to think on those things today .

It has been a sad couple of weeks. A beloved friend and neighbor passed away and another was rushed to the hospital a few days later.We never know when things are going to happen to change our lives for ever. Another reason we need to live each day as if its our last and make sure that our loved ones know how much we love them.

A wonderful Easter !

Easter 2010 - 3 of my grandchildren having a Easter egg hunt at my home.
It was a wonderful day! First celebrating the Resurrection of our Lord,having loved ones and friends over for lunch of Baked Ham,candied yams,pineapple souffle,potato salad,fresh peas and butterbeans,cream corn and strawberry cheesecake and coconut cream pie for dessert and of course hiding eggs for the 3 youngest grandchildren all afternoon.When everyone had gone home ,I sat down and relaxed and watched the movie Did you hear about the Morgan's? Thanking God for all his blessings to us!

Some of my favorite things !

looking out my kitchen window
one of my favorite chairs with a book and cup of coffee in my favorite cup
Plates hanging on walls








Black and white pictures
angels


Picket fences and old buildings

It is a beautiful sunny day with a high expected of 76 degrees,perfect for the first day of Spring! We are off to a Christian music festival on the river and may take the boat out also,its going to be a great day!

I love all things Irish !

Today I am wearing green, cooking Corned Beef and Cabbage, listening to Celtic music.
Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone !

A wonderful Weekend !

I had the most wonderful weekend with my 8 year old granddaughter. We went to a Fred Astaire dance recital "The magical world of Disney" saturday night, to church Sunday morning,breakfast at Mcdonald's on the way and after church lunch at a beautiful historical lodge,that she had never been too,she kept telling me ,as she looked around at the beautiful scenery,as we had had lunch,that she felt like she was in Paris. Being able to enjoy these things with her,this grandma feels like she is in Heaven. Life is good regardless of the problems and trials we face.

A Beautiful Day !

It is 24 degrees at my house this morning. We may get into the 60's this afternoon.
I am so ready for Spring,as I am sure everyone else is.I am really trying to make the most of this cold florida winter by reading more,spending time sitting around the fireplace,cooking homemade soups and dreaming about warmer days ahead when we can sit out in the sun,go boating,and to the beaches. It cannot be too far away but for now I will enjoy this cold and sunny day.

My Valentine's Day !

We went to my most favorite place for lunch on Valentines Day. Its only about 5 miles from where we live,but when I am there I feel like I am in a different world.
I love this place it is beautiful and peaceful and feels like going back in time. One of my simple pleasures! After lunch we sat in front of the huge fireplace in the lodge for awhile and then took a walk around the property. It was a wonderful day !

The hunt for snow

The snow did not make it as far south as our house,so we drove 150 miles North to see it!

What ? Snow in Florida ?

Just when I thought Spring was in the air,we get a winter storm warning. It is 33 degrees at my house this morning with a high of 40 predicted for tomorrow and 90% rain. The weather man says we have a good chance of snow tomorrow afternoon. It has been about 20 years since we had any here.

I see hints of Spring

The sun is up and its 31 degrees at my house with a forecast of 60 something today.The driveway is full of beautiful robins, spring just cannot be too far away!

A Give-Away!

You will want to check out"just simply southern"
I just discovered this blog myself and she is having a wonderful give-away and also has wonderful things for sale in her Etsy shop.

Virtual Dinner Party

My friend,another Elizabeth, is having a dinner party at "sweet nostalgia" and everyone is invited to join in so go check it out,but hurry its tonight!

On my menu is:
Smothered Swiss Steak with
mashed potatoes
Broiled parmesan tomatoes
Green salad with creamy
garlic dressing
Chocolate cake with
chocolate frosting
coffee
sweet tea



Recipe for Smothered Swiss steak

6 (4 ounce) cube steak
1/2 cup flour
1/2 t. salt
1 T. black pepper
5 T. veg. oil
1 onion (sliced)
1 green pepper (sliced)
1 14 oz can stewed tomatoes

sprinkle salt and pepper on steak,dredge steaks in flour,brown steaks in oil,
add onoion and green pepper and tomatoes,cover and cook over low heat for 1 hr.stirring often.

I love cooking for my family and friends, new recipes as well, as old treasured ones.
I love setting my table with different dishes from my new Royal Dalton Country roses to my 1960 fireking I am using tonight.

I did it !, I did it!, I did it!

I finally took my Christmas tree down and all the decorations around the house.

I think I am now ready to face the New Year and all it has to offer. I am expecting good things this year! I have my table set for Valentines Day already. I had to replace Christmas with something,my husband calls this "playing" That's okay, he plays with boats,I play with dishes!

I think I am over it !

We are suppose to warm up to the 60's this afternoon,so I think I am finally ready to take down my Christmas tree and put up all my decorations. We have had the longest cold spell, here in N. Florida, in 25 years. I think that is why I could not take the tree down sooner,but if we get back to the 60's, I think its time and I can get on with the New Year!

I'm not ready for it to be over ! ! !

Well it is now the 9th of January and for some reason I just do not want to take my Christmas tree down. I know its time and I really should, but I am just not tired of looking at it yet,maybe I should find a smaller tree that I can keep up all year. I love white lights on a tree,so maybe I will do that and decorate it with each season.
It may be the Christmas spirit that i want to hang on to,you know that happy feeling and goodwill that seems to be so plentiful this time of year!

more pictures of mini vacation in mountains

A New Year's mini vacation

Here we are,on our way to the mountains!

Up the mountain we go!

We arrive at our bed and breakfast and there is snow on the ground!

as we go inside...