Happy St. Valentines Day

I went out earlier and got Steve his favorite donuts from Dunkin Donuts.  He likes lemon filled the best.   I got him a variety.

 

Candies for the girls along with a stuffed adopt a pet animal.

Adalyn's Panda

Genevieve's Cock a poo

Some small chocolates

Last night Genevieve made valentines for her class.  She loves stuffing the cards with candy treats. 

Husband went out and is getting me flowers I know.  I will show those later.

More sleet and snow today.

 Calling for at least 6 inches.  I am glad to get some more.  I like a good snow.

FEBRUARY 11 - MARCH 27

TUE2/11

36° /31°

99%

WINTERCAST

4 - 8 in

Tue, 2/11, 7:00 AM - Wed, 2/12, 1:00 PM

Snow

0.50 - 1.00 in

Tue, 2/11, 5:00 PM - Wed, 2/12, 7:00 AM

Ice

Colder with snow mixing with sleet, accumulating 3-6 inches; rapidly deteriorating road conditions; expect slow and slippery travel

ALERTS

Winter Storm Warning

8:00 AM Tuesday - 1:00 PM Wednesday

RealFeel®35°

RealFeel Shade™35°

Max UV Index1 Low

WindE 4 mph

WED2/12

37° /33°

75%

WINTERCAST

4 - 8 in

Tue, 2/11, 7:00 AM - Wed, 2/12, 1:00 PM

Snow

Last Wednesdays roses I took a picture of today, still so pretty and fresh looking.   Husband got them for me for our anniversary.

He also surprised me with a necklace that was handcrafted by fine artisan in Gordonsville Va. 

Raindrops in Virginia 

A firefly necklace also handcrafted I want to share that I received last Christmas. Unique.   I love this piece because

it glows in the dark

Not the best pic, but I took this in the dark and you can see how the center glows in the late evening or in low lights

I was sent a sample of their scents they make there also. I may order this one. 

I made from scratch chocolate chip muffins.  Just winging the mix.  couple cups flour I mixed in confectioners' sugar instead of granulated to mix.  I like how it gently sweetens it. Oil, half n half mixed with teaspoon vinegar. baking powder, baking soda, I use what I need according to how many cups of flour I use.   Couple eggs.  I ran out of vanilla, so I used butter extract. Semi sweet chips.  I place in fridge for an hour or so then I cut maybe 4 by 4 sheets of parchment paper slit on each corner about inch and a half and put into muffin tin.  I ran out of cake liners, and I find this works even better.  Into 350 oven for about 18 min. for me.  I watch as I just want the bottoms very light brown, and they were. I like my baked goods just baked lightly.  I think refrigerating batter made it better to rise higher. Makes them more like a muffin and not a cup cake. 

I generously dusted although it looks like I did a lot more than that with confectioners sugar on top while hot.  It melts some and the rest fall off on my clothes and face when I eat them anyway. Yum!

On the porch it's chilly as we have jalousie windows, but the mini split makes it just right for sitting and checking out a few magazines.   

This little heater creates a warm and fuzzy mood 

My husband's motto hangs over top

I love snow and glad to be getting some.

Last but not least a few thrift store finds.  

a dollar a piece.  

I am always buying vintage silver

Well back to this

bye   ⛄❆🏂

Happy rainy Thursday

 Up early expecting rain and sleet as predicted looking out my summer kitchen window as we call it. 

None

Only rain and thunder in my area.

I take the weather forecasts with a grain of salt mostly now.

Can't be predicted.  Has been wrong so much.

I do hope since we have at least a good month of winter left to see some snow hopefully.

Not rushing the seasons.  Each one is special. 

I did enjoy my coffee on porch with the rain this morning

Day trip to Gordonsville two weeks ago and a pic taken with my phone from car.

zooming in on home as we zoomed by 

gave me this close up which almost looks like watercolor. 

I think I will frame and place on my desk.

I will tweak a little more with the color first. 

I have more crafty things to do and actually I could be painting a bedroom.  Nah, it can wait.

☔⛆

Over - wintering

I am enjoying these lazy days of winter.

 A warm drink and blanket on the sofa in the evening with a good book to read by the fire has been the norm for me lately. I am over - wintering, getting through the long wait for Spring.

Since slowing down for the winter, I also slow down some wear and tear on the body.  I kept saying to myself why do I feel so lazy. But it's not that, my body is saying take a break.  Relax.  Renew.  I am listening.

(You can click on picture and then click a second time; it will enlarge again to see better.)

I am ignoring the passage of time lately.   I hardly ever notice it these days.  

    My read at the moment  

Hill House Living by Paula Sutton

She lives in England 

A Happy read about home, vintage shopping, and a few recipes. 

 a few recipes I will try out

I like this kitchen and I like country house style

I do quite a bit of vintage hunting.   I have made a decision for everything I bring in, something has to go out.  Easier said than done.  

I agree 

-----------------------------------------------------------

  This one is one of the best I have read in sometime.  I couldn't put it down. 

I keep this one on my table 

I like looking through this one quite a bit

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I have one more tree to take down at this point but not a rush, it will be there.  Believe me no one else is going to rush over and do it for me.  I took off the ornaments and now just enjoying the lights that glimmer during the late evening while watching the fire. 

Our fireplace is gas or propane I should say. It used to be wood.   I miss wood burning fireplace but not the upkeep that comes with it.  

We do have a person come in before we turn it on before start of winter to clean and make sure all is well with it. Regular maintenance for safety. 

Well back to my muffin of blueberries and a few fresh strawberries thrown in.

From scratch muffins with just the usual eggs, flour, oil, baking soda and a little lemon juice

I threw vanilla in there also.

Somethings just do not need a recipe

I have made them so much and use whatever fruit I have.

I cut this one open so the butter could slide in, yummy. I am still using my Christmas plates

It would have looked better if I would have waited for them to cool before taking a couple out to eat right away, I couldn't wait though. 

Til next time

💕 Betsy