Easy Come...Easy Go...

Last week the sun came out for about a minute. The temperature warmed up into the low 50's and all of our snow melted. I was so excited to see that some of my fall pansy's had survived the cold. But then winter came back and reminded me that it's still January and we have a long way to go until spring. I just heard on the news that another winter storm is about to hit and that 39 states could be affected. I hope you don't live in one of them.

Sally

Tea of the Week

Continuing with my "make time for tea-time" plan, I decided that it might be fun to try a different tea each week. This week while scanning the 5000 teas at my local Kroger the Constant Comment caught my eye. I used to drink Constant Comment all the time when I was in college, before I started drinking coffee. I bought a box, fixed a cup and just the smell of it brewing made me happy. you can really smell and taste the oranges and sweet spice. It's funny how such a little thing as a tea bag can change ones whole mood for the day.

Sally

Do You Eat Breakfast?

I am a huge breakfast fan. I honestly can't imagine getting by with just a cup of coffee. Don't get me wrong, I've gotta have the coffee, but there really is more to breakfast. One of my new favorite things is Quaker Hearty Medleys
I like the apple cranberry almond flavor. It really does fill me up and that way I know I can make it until lunch. The other thing that I want to say about breakfast is that all of the hype about how people who eat breakfast tend to weigh less than those who choose to skip it, is in my opinions a bunch of hooey. If all it took to loose weight was a good , healthy breakfast, I would be at my goal weight by now. Really. Where do these guys come up with this stuff? All I know is that I LOVE breakfast and I'm going to keep on eating it regardless. There you have it. My weekly rant.

Sally

Chickens Undercover

When my good friends Jacqueline and Joni came to visit last fall, we did a little shopping. That's probably not very shocking. We shopped at one of my favorite malls, the one with William-Sanoma and Pottery Barn. That's probably not a surprise either. Anyway, Joni bought one of these glass dome cover things (which I'm sure has a real name). She took it home and is using it to decorated her kitchen. She sent me a picture of how she used it during the holidays, but it's on my phone and I can't figure out how to get it onto my computer. Take my word for it. It was cute. If you know Joni, you know that she's a pretty "cool" lady. In my attempt to be cool just like her I decided that maybe I should get one too. So I did.

Now comes the problem, what to put under the dome? I've tried several things and just haven't been happy with them. I was thinking that maybe I'm just not meant to be cool. But then, I happened upon these chickens at Hobby Lobby and decided to give them a try. What do you think? Cool? Not so cool? I can't decide.

Sally

The Peppermint Pig

When Angela and Dewey came to visit right after Christmas, they came bearing gifts. One of the cutest little gifts of all time was The Peppermint Pig. It's kind of like an edible ornament complete with a little card explaining it's history. This is a good thing, because while it's cute enough, you have to admit that a peppermint pig is kinda strange.

The gist is that that these pigs have been made in a little candy shop in Saratoga Springs NY for many, many years. Apparently in Victorian times during the holidays the pig was a symbol of good health, happiness and prosperity.

Our pig has been hanging around looking cute for a few weeks now and Alan and I got to thinking that maybe in order to cash in on the good tidings we needed to actually break the pig and enjoy the candy. So we did. It was pretty tasty and now we are waiting patiently for our Good Health, Happiness & Prosperity! (If I were you, I get a Peppermint Pig too,)
Sally

Cold, Snowy, Weekend

We woke up to a very chilly Saturday morning. From the sound of it pretty much all of you did too. It was actually 8 degrees, but by the time I thought to take a picture of our thermometer it got a little warmer. I keep telling myself that it's colder in Iowa, and for some reason that makes me feel a little better. Sorry Iowa friends.

My main goal and accomplishment for the day was to clean the house. How boring, but so needed. I prefer to do my cleaning, laundry and grocery shopping on one of my days off from work, but my little "fill-in" job at the yarn shop took up all of my extra time this week. I do enjoy the way the house looks and smells when it's clean, I just wish that it lasted longer. We already have little doggy footprints all over the hardwood floors. Lovely. Makes you ask yourself, Why bother?


My other great idea was to send Alan to the park to take some pictures. I think we need documentation of what Brown Park looks like in the middle of winter. I told him to be sure and get a shot of the sign. That meant that he had to get out of the car and walk around a bit. I think he did a great job! Thanks honey.

Sally

Another Spa Day for Maggie

It couldn't come soon enough. This was one stinky dog. All of the rain and yuck that we have had lately does not make for a fresh smelling puppy. I was hoping for Valentine bows this time, but I guess since we are on an 8 week schedule we will have to settle for St. Patrick's Day garb.

Sally