How Does Your Garden Grow?

The first big snowstorm of the season.  Another meticulously, hand-shoveled walkway.  Half the driveway was plowed. Around the car and the car were cleared by hand. The snow was forecasted to be a light and fluffy. The weather dudes lied. The snow was heavy and wet.

A weather watcher in town officially measured the storm total at 11 inches.

The plow guy neglected to plow in front of the mailbox. That was cleared by hand, too. I received a wrist slap in the mailbox. Apparently, postal regulations require a 30 foot clearance between the entrance to and exit from the mailbox. 

Red sky in the morning

After the snow, wind and heavy rains turned the snow to slush

We were lucky as we didn't lose electricity and no water in the basement.

Unseasonably warm temperatures, sun and another round of heavy rains, cleared most of the snow from the yard

The heavy winds took off some of the panels from the greenhouse.

Almost all gone snow.

Beautiful sunset

  

and pastel Winter

skies.

How does your garden grow?

Happy, Little, Time Waster

 

Soap bubble freezes in real time.

The Friday Five Good Things.

 Five good things that happened this week.

1. Nice lunch date at the Brother's house. SIL sent me home with leftovers so I didn't have to cook the following day.

2. First snow and wind storm of the season. We didn't lose electricity.

3.  I dropped Himself off at the podiatrist at Southboro. Took the Eldest to work, but we got lost. I took the left onto Plantation St. instead of going one light more to Shrewsbury St. We used Waze to get to St. Vincent's and she wasn't late for work. I didn't get lost going back to Southboro. I told Himself I drove through the city, and around the suicide circle (rotary/roundabout) in a blizzard. Ok, flurries, but I hate driving through snow and through the city.

4. Himself's youngest brother's wife dropped by to pick up seeds that Himself wasn't going to plant in his garden. We had a nice visit.

5. Play day with Teague. We went out for breakfast and lunch. We picked up Black and White cookies for dessert.

How was your week?

Gingerbread House Gift Bag

 

An idea to save for next year if you need a gift bag. I used a brown lunch bag to make a holder for a gift card. I cut about 3 inches off the top of the lunch bag. Folded the corners to the middle to make the roof. Doodled designs with Gelly pens. Punched a couple of holes and used some baker's twine to make a bow. Ta-da!

You could use a white lunch bag for other holidays/occasions.

Whatcha Doin?

 

It took me a while to paw through the pantry looking for the Tim Tams. Today, I'll organize the pantry so I can find the treats easily.

Whatcha doin?

T Stands for Hot Chocolate Mix

Christmas gifts for the Grandniece and Grandnephew had me pondering what to give a 5 year old and a 3 year old. I remember the Girlies at that age and our house looked like a toy store threw up all over it. I'm sure these kiddos don't need more stuffed animals, dolls, blocks, trucks, etc. 

While browsing, I came across cups with a secret surprise inside. My Young One was thrilled when she got her own mug with the Happy, Little, Gingerbread Man on it. In fact, that was one of the items she recently requested I send to her in Ohio

Along with the mugs, I thought I would make up some Hot Cocoa Mix, and I included the recipe for the Niece-in-Law.

Also to the goodie bag, were a bag each of peppermint candy canes, marshmallows, and a box of animal crackers.

What was the surprise at the bottom of the cup?

Hers was a unicorn. For him, a sweet dinosaur. The Maneki Neko is mine.

Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth's blog to find out what the rest of the T Stands For gang is up to. If you want to play, include in your Tuesday post a beverage or container for a beverage. Don't forget to link your blog to Bleubeard and Elizabeth's page.

USPS Postage Increase

United States Postal Service has announced another postage increase to take place on January 21, 2024. 

First class postage will now be 68 cents (two cent increase) 

Postcards will now cost 53 cents. 

International postcards and letters will cost $1.55 per ounce

The last postage increase was in July 2023.