The Day After . . .

Thanks to yummy food & snacks, lots of movies

& TV shows we survived the

January 2010 ice & snow storm.

The storm began Thursday afternoon

with rain followed by ice that

continued into the night .

Thankfully we didn't get as

much ice as predicted or it would

have been devastating.

our front yard tree

drooping with ice . . .

notice the slant of the icicles on the flag pole . . .


a view of the little white church
behind our house . . .


this mighty pine was hanging low . . .



heavy snow started falling Friday around 10:00 AM
and didn't stop until midnight . . .
our total was 6 inches . . .

our garden spot . . .

the beauty of ice & snow . . .

more of God's handiwork . . .

winter's white blanket . . .

It Could Be Worse . . .

The ice storm continues here in NE Oklahoma.

Thankfully we still have power.

Yesterday evening the lights flickered several

times so we rushed around to put candles

and kerosene lanterns in place.

Here are some pictures from one of our

local TV channels that were sent in by viewers.

We're expecting about 6 inches of snow today.

Hopefully I'll be able to take a few pictures today

and post them tomorrow.

To all my Okie friends, hope you're safe and warm.

Oh No, Not Again ! ! !

We're being warned to get ready for this . . .

TULSA, OK -- A major winter storm is heading to Oklahoma and will most likely hit the state Thursday and into Friday with significant amounts of ice, sleet and snow.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for Thursday morning through Friday morning for almost the entire state.
Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry says State Emergency Management Director Albert Ashwood will be at a news conference at the state capitol Tuesday afternoon to provide an update on state preparations for a potential winter storm bearing down on Oklahoma.

We don't mind the snow, but we do not like ICE!

Monday Greetings ! ! !

I'm looking forward to a great week!

I have expectations for accomplishing

a little sorting & organizing.

Let me know what you have planned for

this week, I need inspiration!

Take a look at this amazing giveaway!

Can't you just imagine serving a meal

in the cute rooster bowls

after you cook up something delicious in

the rooster casserole dish?

Visit Barb at her blog,

Bella Vista

http://barbsgoodlife.blogspot.com/

to enter you name.

While you're there take the time

to check out her wonderful

decorating and outlook on life.

Rules For Daily Living . . .

1. Wake Up !! Decide to have a good day. "Today is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it" Psalms 118:24

2. Dress Up !! The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance; but the Lord looks at the heart." I Samuel 16:7

3. Listen Up!! Say nice things and learn to listen. God gave us two ears and one mouth, so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking. "He who guards his lips guards his soul." Proverbs 13:3

4. Stand Up!!... For what you believe in. Stand for something or you will fall for anything.. "Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as w e have opportunity, let us do good..." Galatians 6:9-10

5. Look Up !!... To the Lord. "I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

6. Reach Up !!... For something higher. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, And He will direct your path." Proverbs 3:5-6 7. Lift Up !!... Your Prayers. "Do not worry about anything; Instead PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING." Philippians 4:6

Wishing everyone a restful, blessed day. . .

Meet A New Blog Friend . . .

I met a new blog friend recently.

Leslie has been blogging for 3 months.

She's anxious to meet you and invites everyone

to come by for a visit to become a follower.

http://craftymom03.blogspot.com/

Happy Wednesday friends, enjoy your day!

Don't Be Shy . . .

Last week, Mari at

http://marislittlecorner.blogspot.com/

posted this little thought. . . .

I'm always wondering how many people stop

by my blog to take a peek but don't leave a comment.

I admit I visit lots of blogs and most of

the time I don't leave a comment.

I'm challenging myself to leave more comments

instead of being a lurker.

How about you, are you a lurker?

Hope you leave a comment today

if you stopped by for a visit!

I look forward to meeting you!

;-)

Gentleness . . .

Like a snowflake that falls silently from the sky, softly coming to rest on a tender branch, a person who exhibits gentleness touches the lives of others. Such a person's loving presence never demands center stage and yet is noticed. A gentle person knows that gentleness is not a symptom of weakness, but a sign of strength. That's because such a person is secure in who God has created him or her to be.
God, though all powerful, is also gentle. When you choose not to force your plans, opinions, or desires upon other, you imitate Him. When you return a gentle word for a harsh one or offer a tender embrace to a troubled heart, you are showing the world that you are your Father's child.

Power can do by gentleness

what violence fails to accomplish.

Latin Proverb

Taken from ~ God's Daily Answer

900th Post Giveaway ! ! !

Paula, at http://macspj.blogspot.com/

is having a giveaway to celebrate her 900th post!

Visit her blog to put your name in the hat for a cute

zippered pouch from Etsy!

I picked the cupcake pouch!

Congratulations, Paula on your 900th post!

I love you and your blog!

PW Cookbook . . .

Bobby & Kari gave me

'The Pioneer Woman Cooks'

for Christmas.

I have been reading Ree's blog since I started

blogging in 2008 & was so anxious to

get my hands on her cookbook.

I read the book cover to cover yesterday. What a delight! The pictures, recipes, and her stories are wonderful! I can't wait to try the recipes.

I'm claiming Ree as a neighbor since we both live in Oklahoma. I think she's amazing! Wish I had a little bit of her spunk and creativity. I'd have to roll back the clock about 20 years in order to do that.

Congratulations, Ree job well done!

We're Having A Heatwave . . .

How wonderful to finally have sunshine and temperatures in the high 40s!

We have had sunshine the past several days but it was deceiving

because the temperatures were subfreezing!

It feels like a beautiful spring day.

Mr. Weatherman, I hope you're right when

you say we're not going to have another

Arctic blast anytime soon!

It Made Me Laugh . . .

I received one of 'those' catalogs this week. You know, the kind that shows some practical items and some that are pretty silly. This is one of the items that really made me laugh! If you've got one of these please don't take offense that I think it's silly.

This is the description from the catalog.

Hair Cutting Umbrella is an essential tool for the home stylist! Cape resembles an inverted umbrella to catch clippings as you trim, so neck, clothes and floor are protected. Special upturned 'lip' along outer edge contains loose hairs until you're ready to discard them, saves you time during clean-up of tedious sweeping or vacuuming needed! Slips over head and secures with self-close tabs; adjusts to fit neck size. Folds to store. Nylon. 22" diam. $7.98

I must be getting cabin fever!

Is anyone else tired of this cold weather?

Baby, It's Cold Outside . . .

We still have snow on the ground!

It won't go away anytime soon

because it's so COLD, and

will be that way all week!

This is the forecast from our local

Channel 8 weather department.
I'm sure this will change as the days go by.

I'm so thankful the sun is shining. Early this morning we had snow flurries.

In the mean time I'll be staying busy inside

packing away the Christmas decorations.

Thanks goodness this job is almost finished.

I always get a little 'down in the dumps' when the

Christmas bling disappears,

everything looks so bare.

It's time to do a little rearranging & sprucing up

to give our house a warm, cozy feel

for these bitterly cold days.

Also, a warm pot of chili sounds so good!

Stay warm & safe my friends!

Kindness . . .

Love is kind.

1 Corinthians 13 : 4

The dictionary defines "kindness" as an attribute of someone who is gentle, generous, friendly, and benevolent. What a beautiful picture of how God extends Himself. And what a great example for you as you reach out to those around you.

Kindness is more than an attitude; it's an action. It looks for ways to meet needs and make others smile. Pause for a moment and think about all the ways God has been kind to you. Then, ask Him to help you extend yourself in kindness to those whose lives you touch ~
including the strangers who move through your life each day.
Your actions may be just the answer to prayer someone needs.


A kind heart is a fountain of gladness,
making everything in its vicinity freshen into smiles.

Washington Irving

Taken from ~ God's Daily Answer

Welcome 2010 . . .

Wishing you and yours a . . .

May God richly

bless you in 2010!

Christmas 2009 . . .

Christmas 2009 was one for the record book!

A Christmas Eve blizzard was a first for our state.

It was Ethan's first Christmas, very special,

he turned 10 months old on the 25th.

Wishing for a white Christmas was more than we bargained for.

Our front yard . . .

Huge snow drift outside our dining room window . . .

Believe it or not we shoveled our way to the grill to make

some tasty steaks for Christmas dinner.

Snow drift at our front door. . .

Santa survived the storm. . .

Ethan & Papaw can't wait to open gifts . . .

Bob managed to find a sled for Ethan

before the sleet & snow started falling. . .

One of Ethan's gifts from us was a

book about Pistol Pete, the OSU mascot.

You never can start too early teaching

about school spirit!

And, it's never too early to learn

about mowing the lawn!

Kari was thrilled when she opened

her Kitchenaid stand mixer!

Sunday we were finally able to take Ethan

on his first sled ride.

He was not happy about the experience.

He cried (threw a fit) to let us know he'd had enough!

We couldn't help but laugh. . .

# 34 . . .

Today Bob and I are celebrating our 34th wedding anniversary.

This scripture sums it up nicely.

The years have been good to us.

God has blessed us beyond measure.

I love you honey!

Happy Anniversary!

You're the best!

P.S. ~ Hopefully I'll be posting pictures of the 'Great Christmas Eve Blizzard of 2009' very soon.

Christ, The Saviour Is Born . . .

And she brought forth her firstborn son,

and wrapped him in swaddling clothes,

and laid him in a manger;

because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2:7

Christmas Eve Blizzard . . .

Oklahoma is experiencing a Christmas Eve blizzard.

I hear sleet hitting the window.

The temp. is 27 degrees.

The wind is gusting up to 40 miles per hour.

I'm hoping we don't lose power.

Heavy snow will begin falling very soon.

We're cozy & warm inside our house.

I'm praying for all those who are traveling

on the streets & highways.

Here's a view from our quest room window.


Santa looks a little stiff & frozen.

I'll post pictures of the aftermath when the

storm is winding down tomorrow.

Merry Christmas!

Be safe & stay warm . . .

Christmas Memories . . .

Christmas is 2 days away.

I hope your shopping is complete, and you're

almost finished baking goodies and wrapping the presents.

Now, it's time to relax and reflect on Christmas memories.

It's wonderful to recall being in Christmas plays

at church, singing familiar Carols that

tell the true meaning of Christmas.

Remember the fun you had as a child

leaving cookies and milk for Santa?

When it was time for bed you couldn't fall asleep
because you were so excited!

You couldn't wait until Christmas morning
to see if Santa left you a special gift
under the tree. You woke up before daylight
and rushed into the living room.


Then, when you're a parent you get to experience
the innocent joy your child has during the wondrous season of celebration.

Now, as a grandparent I'm looking forward
to watching Ethan learn about this glorious time of the year.

Merry Christmas everyone!

God bless you and yours!