Jackson ankle deep in snow.

A quiet scene at the park...Back in the neighborhood, the shovels, and snow blowers are out clearing out about six inches of snow.

Jackson is ankle deep in snow...I know dog's don't have ankles. What is the part of above their paws?

Hair appointment

On Fridays... work... hair appointment.... date night with my husband... dinner and a movie..

I know how to take pictures without a flash. (thanks jara)

pastel pretty, sleek shapes, yummy, I want to buy something... but I don't..

What is this product ?

Happy Birthday Carol

The Garden Cafe is a perfect place to celebrate Carol's birthday. Patti LaBelle said it perfectly, "Take care of friendships, hold people you love close to you, take advantage of birthdays to celebrate fiercely." I don't think you can celebrate fiercely in a cafe, but it was nice. Carol and I are members of the same church. We become close friends after attending a week long church week event in North Carolina. Taking pictures of my food, helps me remember to count my points for Weight Watchers. I weigh in Saturday morning....

Waiting for Carol to arrive, I snap a picture in the restaurant's shop.

Soup, fruit and 1/2 a sandwich

Shaker Tomato Soup

humility

" Humility is the most difficult of all the virtues to acheive; nothing dies harder than the desire to think well of oneself. "

T. S. Elliot

January

We are having snow showers in Lexington. One minute, snow flurries will be swirling outside, the next minute, everything is calm. Outside our garage, our daffodils are beginning to poke out of the ground. Later this week, we may have a small amount of snow accumulation.

Weight Watchers

Joining Weight Watchers is like returning to a family reunion. We share so many family traits...the most important traits... determination and perseverance... On most Saturday mornings at 9:00 a.m, you will see me at a WW meeting here in Lexington. I was surprised when I got on the scale this morning.... I looking forward to losing weight. I stayed the same... no gain... my plan... attend meetings this year...write down what I eat...not visit that cup cake store. Oh... I ate this cupcake Thursday.

Pretty Box

Gigi Cupcakes... now open... Going into this new store was a mistake. Visiting this store is like an alcoholic visiting a liquor store and looking at the bottles.

friendship

At the end of last year, I made some goals for 2010. One of those goals, keep in touch with family and friends. Edie is one of those friends. We don't visit often enough. The only advantage of waiting so long in between visits is that we have so much to share. Some things stay the same... we both like to laugh...our conversations are filled with how our faith shape our lives, our children, sharing our answers to prayer, she ride motorcycles, but I don't ride motorcycles.

Evening Book Club

This evening, we discussed, Veil of Roses by Laura Fitzgerald. Depending on the book selection, our evenings can take some interesting turns. Tonight's discussion was typical of most of our conversations, examining character and plot development. Sometimes, we take a reflective moment as we look at how those issues impact our lives. Tonight, we did both... looking at the characters and our own lives. Each month, we take turns in hosting members of the group. Sharon was tonight's hostess... as always, she is most gracious. A theme in tonight's food... Iranian...I don't remember the connection with the key lime pie.

Toasted pita bread, hummus, cucumber, tomatoes, a bit of low fat yogurt, and a mint...

Use a spatula to create the swirls.

Yes, it tasted good. Savoring small bites... I was able enjoy the pie without eating the entire piece.

Cooking Sunday Dinner

Sunday afternoon, dinner is in the oven, and our home is filled with the aroma of chicken roasting in the oven. Want to try a wonderful new recipe? This recipe is in the current issue of Cooking Light Jan/Feb 2010. Roast Chicken with Potatoes and Butternut Squash page 180Red Potatoes and Butternut Squash

Don't turn away...

Looking at the suffering pictures from Haiti is difficult.

If I continue to look and do nothing, my hearts can become hard.

"For anyone who does not love his brother,

whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen."

I John 4:20

How to help

About four years ago, Katie took her first mission trip. Before she embarked on this journey... she had to ask her husband's permission... She would be flying to another country. Prior to her trip, members of our church were able to participate by sponsoring her trip. We provided supplies for the orphanage and church. As they prepared to leave, our entire church was able to pray for the team.

Returning from her trip...Katie was transformed. She was able to experience God's faithfulness in a fresh ways. As a mature Christian, she is not one to sit at home in her rocking chair. (Katie is a grandmother in her seventies.) I continue to be amazed at her courage and dedication. Her excitement is contagious... she talked to our Sunday School class, women's groups, and pre school classes. Then, our Sunday School class decided to financially assist the church.

Since then, members of our church have continued to be a part of the church and orphanage in Haiti. Tonight, our church is praying about how God would have us help.

January Cooking Light

Today's Menu

Leek and Potato Soup

Fresh Mediterranean Salad

Greek Chicken and Barley Salad

Salmon Croquettes

Chipotle Bean Burritos

Chocolate Cherry Heart Smart Cookies

Today's Group

Thanks to our hostess, Becky!

Recipes from January's Cooking Light Magazine

Leek and Potato Soup

Salmon Croquettes

Chocolate Cherry Heart Smart Cookies

Twins

An amazing birthday celebration... more pictures Oh my goodness, cute mom and twins....

The O'Connor girls... the twins and their sister... they put the "c" on cute.

A twin.... holding a sleeping twin

Sleeping Twin..
After their nap, their Dad helps them open their gifts.

Wake up... it is your birthday!

We joined family, friends, and furry pets, to celebrate the first birthday of Luke and Logan today. For part of the afternoon, the twins were sleeping while family and friends were visiting, talking, and nibbling on food. After waking up, they were opening gifts... of course their mom and dad helped.... then the fun came... the birthday cake... their little fingers slowing licking the icing... they slowing.. they really were digging in... so much fun...

Great Revival

This church has a history of being a part of was has been called the "Second Great Awakening"

Around every corner, there is history waiting to be discovered. This afternoon, I discovered a bit of this history about one mile from my home. Traveling on Old Richmond Road, I turned left at Walnut Hill Road. On my right, up the long driveway is Walnut Hill Church. According to their web site," this church was constructed in 1801 on land donated by Mary Todd Lincoln's grandfather. This church is the oldest Presbyterian Church building in Kentucky. This church was established in 1785 to serve the religious needs of the early settlers. "

Just a few minutes from our subdivision we are literally out in the country. Driving in the country is relaxing.

Face Book

Today, I joined Face Book... I am not sure how to post messages, pictures, or ads. I will have to spend some time learning about Face Book. Staying connected to family and friends was one of my 2010 goals ... Connecting on Face book may be one of the ways I am able to accomplish this goal.

Tomorrow, I go to Weight Watchers. It has been a week since I joined. We will see what happens when I weigh in tomorrow morning.

Snow day... no school

Snow Day... things to do... groceries for dinner.. going to the post office ... cleaning....driving to the grocery store this morning, I took pictures of the horses that live around the corner from our subdivision.

I went to Starbucks to get a tall hot chocolate with soy milk. They were out of soy milk, so I got a free drink for my next visit.

Free three chicken minis on Thursdays from opening until 10:30. If you have a Chick Filet in your city, check them out. They may have a similar offer in your city. Yummy and free.

Snow is in the forcast

This may sound wimpy, but for the past five days our temperatures have not been above freezing...This evening we are suppose to get more snow. We will see.

Hooch's Family

Every weekday, I get a daily "Hooch". Hooch is a black Labrador retriever who lives in Kansas. This daily email gives me an update regarding this dog's life...sitting on a park bench, playing in the snow, celebrating birthdays,holidays, etc...clever little emails to brighten every recipients day.
On Saturday, we were able to spend the afternoon with the Cleary's ( Hooch's family). We spent the afternoon watching a basketball game between Shorter College and Georgetown College. Was "Hooch" doing the stanky leg in the kennel?

First breakfast of 2010

Blueberry waffles for breakfast this morning. Frozen berries are from the Bluegrass Farmer's Market.

Cooking @ home.

Saturday morning, I will join Weight Watchers.