Taking a break

I'll be taking a break from blogging for awile. My brother is back in the hospital and not doing well. We will be making a trip to PA very soon to be with him.

My heart is sad.

I went to the park this morning with Otis and Riley to let them run, and also to clear my head. Being outside in nature always seems to help at a time like this. Breathing in the crisp morning air felt wonderful.

So I will be back later.

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Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves. ~John Muir

Pretty in pink

Look what I found today at Goodwill. Pink garden shoes. They were brand new with tags for only $3.00. Aren't they cute! (They're not the real crocs, but they're fun!)

As you can see, I'm wearing them with socks right now because it's cold. They'll be very useful in the garden this summer.

I just had to show you!

Snow!

What a surprise for North Carolina!

A beautiful blanket of snow.

Otis and Riley ventured out.....

but not very long.

We took a drive around town to do a few errands.

Driving past the mall there was a flock of sea gulls. They looked so pretty in the snow.

The nice thing about snow in the south is that it can be enjoyed for a day or two, and then it's gone.

Beautiful while it lasts!

A painting by Fifi

I just had to show you the painting Fifi painted for me of Otis and Riley! Fifi, of Fifi Flowers Decor painted my little "couch loungers".

Fifi is a fabulous artist and I absolutely love her style of painting. I knew the first time I visited her blog that I would have to have some of her art. She does beautiful work.

Here is Otis and Riley, doing what they do most of the time ~ lounging on the living room couch.

And I asked her if she would do some note cards for me too, and look how cute they are!



I am so happy with my painting and note cards. I can't wait to frame and hang the painting.

Thank you, Fifi!

January freeze

The sun is shining bright this morning but the temperature is only 19 degrees!




When it's really cold outside I like to light candles. This is one of those glade scented oil candles. It smells so good.

I'm making toast and coffee and then I'm going outside to walk around in the garden.

Brrrrrrrrrr, it's cold. The water in the bird bath is frozen, and the ground cracks when I walk on it.

I filled the bird feeders yesterday. The birds must be freezing.








There seem to be plenty of berries for the birds to eat. Look at the nice blue sky.








And look how they've devoured the apple that I stuck in the tree.

My coffee is almost cold now. I'm going in, it's much too cold to be outside today!

Stay warm!

Simply delicious

Here is a very easy recipe for a delicious meal. I made this last evening and it was so good.

"Creamy Chicken Enchiladas"

To make the recipe even simpler, I used canned chicken.

Creamy Chicken Enchiladas
Prep: 15 min. Cook: 25 min.

2-1/2 cups chopped cooked chicken
1 can cream of chicken soup (10-3/4oz.)
1 cup sour cream (divided)
2 cups shredded colby & monterey jack cheese (divided)
1/4 cup chopped cilantra (divided)
12 (8-inch) flour tortilllas
1-1/2 cups salsa

Mix chicken, soup, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1 cup cheese, and 3 tbsp. cilantra. Spoon about 1/4 cup chicken mixture down center of each tortilla; roll up. Place seam side down in greased 13x9 inch baking dish. Top with salsa and remaining cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 min. Sprinkle with remaining cilantro, top with remaining sour cream. Makes 6 servings.

I cut the recipe in half, but I added a bit more cheese and sour cream.

I added a chopped lettuce salad on the side with a dab of sour cream and chopped cilantro on top.

And for dessert........

J-e-l-l-o

How simple can that be?

Jello brings back wonderful memories of my childhood. My mom and I would make jello and a cake every Saturday. That way we would have jello for dessert on Saturday and a cake for dessert on Sunday.

I still have one of the old jello paperback cookbooks. Jello is such a fun dessert and it's light, plain and simple.

Simply delicious!

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And I also want to add that I received an award from Deb at Posted from Home. Thank you, Deb, for thinking of me. You're one of my best blogging buddies too!

Enjoy your day everyone!

Anticipation

No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow. ~Proverb

Walking through the garden you can see signs of spring.

I found a tiny little blue violet.

Daffodils, daylilies, hyacinths and black-eyed susans are popping up out of the cold ground.



And the bearded iris that I planted in a new bed seems to be happy where I planted them.

The joy of spring is just around the corner.

Books

Curling up with a good book and a mug of hot coffee is just what the day called for. It was cold and gray outside.


Otis and Riley relaxed and enjoyed the crackling fire, while I got toasty warm under the fleece throw.

I just finished reading "Mrs. de Winter", the sequel to the old classic "Rebecca" by Daphne de Maurier. Did you know there was a sequel to Rebecca? I didn't until I found it one day on my travels to Goodwill.

The book I'm reading now is "Power of a Woman" by Barbara Taylor Bradford, another book I found at Goodwill. Our Goodwill has tons of books and it's always fun to browse and of course, bring one home.

The accumulation of books around our house is growing and I find it hard to let go any of them. I love books. I use them for decorative pieces throughout the house.

You'll find them on side tables,

in the breakfront, along with other accessories and family photos,

on the coffee table in the living room,

in the dining room cubboard,

in the kitchen,


in the study on top of the desk,

and even on the shelf above our bed in the bedroom.

Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers. ~Charles W. Eliot

I hope you're enjoying a good book today!

Enjoyment

It's a great day when the sun comes shining through the window. Total enjoyment.

I'm also enjoying my amaryllis.

And the perfect cup of coffee.






Otis and Riley got to enjoy the park on this sun shiney day.




Everything is more beautiful when the sun shines.

Enjoy your day!