Happy Leap Day!

Although we've had some unusually mild days in the 50s, today is briskly winter again.
Happily the days are getting longer.  The sunrise this morning was so colorful... am posting
a photo.... and also one of daffodils popping up through the snow.  Hope this gives you as
much hope as it gives me.

Too early for spring, yet....

One mild day the first of February I was exploring along the back fence.  Although the forsythia shrub is a little rangy, nearly all the branches had stubby brown potential buds.  I decided I could use a challenge, cut a couple branches and brought them indoors to force.  I cut the stem ends off under warm water every other day for three days and soon there were hints of green.  In just two weeks I had the most beautiful yellow flowers and a week later the blossoms are continuing to hold on.   I brought a few small pots of geraniums indoors in October, snipped them back severely, and they, too, are giving me promise of warm days to come.

Varieties of Pies

Who is old enough to remember the first pizza party when pizza came in a do it yourself kit by
Appian Way?  I was in high school and it was such a big deal.  And pizza was called "Pizza Pie."
Last night I made a pizza thoroughly from scratch for the first time in years and it was delicious.
The crust needs practice, but it was edible.

And all so easy!  My daughter-in-law suggested adding a couple tablespoons of wheat gluten
to the crust and drizzling olive oil into the mix as it was being kneaded in my mixer.  I made this
vegetarian to meat lovers all-in-one.

Sunshine and Sand

Off to the beach for us on the first sunny day in a couple of weeks!  That was yesterday.  Today is glum and dark but no snow for us.  We know how fortunate we are compared to the rest of the country right now during unpredictable weather.  I appreciate the pristine waters of the
Great Lakes, especially pure in our northern region.  Here are some shots of the sand dunes at the Sleeping Bear National Lake Shore and the large islands off shore which are extremely visible on such a clear day.  More gratitude here!!

Roadside Snow Scenes

A three-session knitting class just ended for me today.  Each visit to the teacher's house out in the county has been such a pretty drive and this roadside view always makes me slow down.  Today I remembered my camera and stopped for a photo... or two or three... on my way home.  There is so
much color in this....  I love it.

Snow!

Love this little 1940s wood sled with red metal runners... just like we kids used to go sledding on.
It's so pretty with greens and lights by my front door... I think I'll leave it there until the snow melts.
Speaking of snow, we have received 12" - 15" of the fluffy white stuff in the past 36 hrs with more
on the way tonight.  Beautiful!  And it brings the neighbors together!

G is for Gratitude

Brief little posting of one of the reasons I am grateful ~ time spent with youngest granddaughter
today.  Simply observing her at play brings joy!