Category: Winter

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Kitty Weather Whiplash

Chili is getting antsy. She reallllly wants to go outside but the weather won’t cooperate.  We even put up pastel Easter lights–you know, to give Spring a nudge.

My Texas boy already has his garden in.  No such luck here, though.

The sun comes out for about 10 minutes and then…

it starts to snow again.

Back and forth. Back and forth. Poor Chili.

It’s like having Mother Nature stomp into the room every ten minutes shouting, “AND ANOTHER THING…”

Hang in there Chili girl. The sun is coming back. I promise.

Even if it’s only for 10 minutes.

 

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Let It SNOW!!

Of course it was dry as a bone here–snow-wise for Christmas. Booooo. What is Mother Nature doing?!

I mean, seriously, we ordered snow for the big day but SOMEbody must have missed the memo…until January. Well, fine then.

At the risk of sounding ungrateful, I must say–Christmas snow, January snow… it’s all just incredibly beautiful and if I had my way–we’d have a gentle blizzard that would keep us all indoors for a week.

Sounds like heaven to me.

That’s my dream. A winter wonderland, right here in my own yard.

Even if it’s in January.

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Cheesy Ham Chowder

Some nights, when it’s reeeeeally chilly outside, when it’s rainy or snowy or windy or all three–nothing tastes better than a steaming hot bowl of creamy, thick, cheesy chowder. Yummmmmm. This lovely little dish will warm you right down to your toes–100% guaranteed or your money back.

Heh, heh.

 

Cheesy Ham Chowder

Ingredients:

1 medium onion diced
1 cup sliced carrots
1 Tbsp butter
3 Tbsp flour
3 cups whole milk
1-1/2 cups water
2-1/2 cups cubed or canned potatoes (drained)
1 can whole corn, drained
1 T chicken bouillon granules
3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1-2 cups diced ham
pepper to taste

Directions:

In a Dutch oven saute the onion and carrots until tender.
Stir in flour till blended.
Slowly add milk and water. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2-3 minutes or until thickened.
Add potatoes, bouillon and pepper.
Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered for 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
Add cheese and ham and heat till cheese is melted.

 

Cheesy Ham Chowder
 
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:
Ingredients
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 1 cup sliced carrots
  • 1 Tbsp butter
  • 3 Tbsp flour
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • 1-1/2 cups water
  • 2-1/2 cups cubed or canned potatoes (drained)
  • 1 can whole corn, drained
  • 1 T chicken bouillon granules
  • 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1-2 cups diced ham
  • pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. In a Dutch oven saute the onion and carrots until tender.
  2. Stir in flour till blended.
  3. Slowly add milk and water. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2-3 minutes or until thickened.
  4. Add potatoes, bouillon and pepper.
  5. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered for 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
  6. Add cheese and ham and heat till cheese is melted.

 

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First Snow…men

With the very first real snowfall of the year, Rhen was over come with seasonal spirit and promptly went out and made an adorable little snow man. Perhaps this is better described as a snow-ball man–but no matter. We adore him, perched up on top of the car!!

When the family saw our little guy the photos of their snowy creations started flooding the family text group. Miss Chomp and Fluttershy with their frosty fellow–

so cute!!

Miss H with her gigantic snow lady. Check out that hat!!

K & L’s snow chick even has long, lovely hair! Awesome, awesome.

Even my crazy Dane sent in his contribution from 85 degree Texas.

Ohhhh, Dane!  HAAA!

Our silly snow didn’t last long–an hour or two, tops–but we’re pretty good at making the most of what we’ve got…rain or shine.

And loving every minute!

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Lovely Winter Red

A couple of years ago, I had this brilliant idea. I wanted to get fake poinsettias and put them in my pretty little white flower baskets–for the winter. Normally, these baskets hold the most beautiful Ivy Geraniums that you’ve ever seen. Bright pink…always.

But it was a very hard transition from all that color to nothing for the cold months. Hence the fake flower idea. I did tons of research on how and where to buy the flowers and became very discouraged, very quickly. Turns out, fake flowers are actually pretty pricey online and even at the craft stores. I just wasn’t prepared to spend a $100+ just to have a spot of color. As I was about to give up– a friend said, “You obviously haven’t been to the Dollar Store.”

She was right–I hadn’t! So, after correcting that problem–I found all the pretend Poinsettias at Dollar Tree! And the best part? I spent exactly $21.34 for all the red you see here! Wahooo!

I love that they look fabulous up against my little white house–just like I imagined they would. I’m feeling quite clever right now.

Heh, heh.

 

 

PS–If you decide to do something similar and grab some fake flowers like these ones–be sure to shop for them in October or you may not find them till the next year. They’ll be gone.