Yes Virginia....

it IS January! After having 65 degree temperatures here in Northern Virginia on Tuesday, to wake up to this today was a bit of a shocker - LOL! It had been extremely cold out - around 20. And they said we would get a "little" snow in our area. Well, it was snowing when I got up this morning, and it is still coming down. We've shoveled the driveway twice - and cleaned off the deck three times, and they are just about covered again! We forged out, however, and ran some errands - got gas, went to Wal Mart - went bulk grocery shopping. And then stopped for a late lunch at Olive Garden - which was quite empty - ha! Our meal was warm and yummy - and then we started the long slow trudge home on the snow covered slippery highways.... It felt soooo good to be back in the house - comfy and warm!

Leave Me Alone Mom....

I'm sunbathing....

It's Almost Here!

Just a month away from three February events - Valentine's Day (I adore heart shaped items), my 36th wedding anniversary (February 19th).... and my big love - vroom vroom vroom - the Daytona 500!! I'm not sure how many of you know (well my niece knows) that I'm a big NASCAR fan! It doesn't thrill me as much since Dale Earnhardt Senior died many years ago, but I still enjoy it! I should get lots of stitching and knitting done while I watch those little cars go round and round and round and....

Hearts & Flowers....

Cold day yesterday - a chilly hour and a half wait for the coolant in my car to be changed - made better by a hot chocolate at Starbucks and this cute little Valentine mug I bought there. The hearts are on stems making them look like flowers....

Chilly Evenings and Sparkly Lights....

Every year when I take down the tree, the corner where it stood always looks so bereft. I miss seeing the colored lights beaming out at me on these cold dark evenings - where it is dark by 5:00.... So, years ago, when I took down the tree, I put up a strand of lights around my table on the hearth. And I've kept doing it each year. It makes me feel happy to see them glowing. And then the other day when I was taking down the tree, I got this idea to try some white lights in the fireplace! Doesn't put out any heat, but it sure looks cheerful! I haven't had a fire in there for a couple of years - the flu needs cleaning, the chimney is clogged with stuff - who knows what - and I just get real nervous about having a fire anymore.... Plus our flu seems to be having some issues coming down and going back up - the last time I opened it, I thought the whole thing would crash down. So hence, the white lights! My husband has gotten used to my goofy ideas - but he thought it was cozy looking.... I think he may have just been trying to be nice - LOL! Many many years ago, he came home one winter night, and I had a "picnic" spread out on the floor for us - a big tablecloth for us to sit on - a bucket of chicken and some sides - even some wine. Hmmm, maybe it is time to do that again!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

On December 30th, I celebrated a milestone birthday - who is sixty - oh, it tis me! I spent it shopping in my favorite town of Occoquan - buying birthday gifties for me me meeee!!

Spent New Year's Eve playing a couple games of backgammon with my husband, watching a movie, eating pizza - and then watching the ball come down in New York City - ringing in 2010! I communed a bit with my Christmas tree, as I do every New Year's Eve - and then said good-bye to it until next year - and turned off the pretty lights....

Today - January 1, 2010 - the tree is down.... I've strung up a strand of Christmas lights - as I do every January 1st - wrapping them around a little table I have on my hearth. That way, I still have a bit of Christmas with me for a few more months....

I wish you all good things for this coming year!