Some Things To Make Winter More Comfortable

 

   Are you sick of winter yet?  I'm trying not to be, but we've had a lot of rain recently, and those days have been awfully dreary.  I'm sure I'll be happy to see spring when it arrives.  I thought I would share a few things that have made my winter more bearable this year.  

My Great-Aunt Mattie's Chocolate Pie

  I recently shared a recipe here for Minny's Chocolate Pie, from the movie, "The Help."  I've made that pie three times, and we really like it.  It's easy and it's very tasty.  Today I'm sharing a family recipe that we enjoy every year at my parent's house on Thanksgiving.  It's my great-aunt Mattie's chocolate pie, and our family just loves it.      

Rod Stewart and The Great American Songbook

Hi Friends!  The weekend's here and I'm always glad for that.  Have you had a good week?  I'm still enjoying winter here in North Carolina.  It feels like we're actually having an honest-to-goodness winter this year, unlike last year.  However, I can tell the days are getting longer now, and I'm glad to see that, too.  I'm trying to enjoy all the seasons to the best of my ability.  ☃ ☂ 🌞   Since we got our Sonos sound system last year, I've really enjoyed listening to music even more than ever.  Before Christmas, Hal ordered a compact Sonos speaker for the kitchen.  I had never thought of having one in there, but I'm enjoying that too.  Hal can watch television in the den, and I can listen to music in the kitchen -- what's not to love?   So what have I been listening to?  I'm so glad you asked.  😊    

Snowflakes That Stay on My Nose and Eyelashes...

"Silver white winters that melt into spring, these are a few of my favorite things."  We're in a winter wonderland here at Forest Manor.  I know people up north get sick of this white stuff, and believe me, I would too if we had it all the time.  But some winters, we don't get a single flake, so when we do, I can't help but appreciate the beauty of it all.   

A New Look

Hi All!  I made a spur-of-the-moment decision after Christmas to have my blog updated.  I had communicated with Linda Primmer a few years ago about having her do some work on the blog, but I just never got around to making a decision. 

January Days

Happy Friday everyone!  I trust you all had a good Christmas and New Year.  This is one of my favorite times of the year -- after the Christmas holidays are over and we can catch our breath again.  I love putting out my new calendars, which are like lovely, clean slates, and knowing that I have a new, promising year ahead.  Amazingly, the temperatures here in North Carolina stayed below freezing from New Year's Day until Monday, January 8th.  It made being inside the house really cozy.  The sky was blue most of that time, and I loved seeing the long shadows of the leafless tree branches.  There is beauty to be found in every season, isn't there?   I have some catching up to do for sure.  First of all, I was saddened to read about the death of Sue Grafton, author of the alphabet mystery series.  I thought it was somewhat poignant that she made it all the way through the letter "Y", but didn't make it to the end of the alphabet.    

Christmas in the Dining Room

Hello dear readers.  The eve of Christmas is such a special time.  I'm sorry I've been absent here, but my dad had to be hospitalized again week before last.  He was there five days this time, and we're all thankful he can be home with us for Christmas.  I know some of you are missing loved ones this year -- some are spending first Christmases without a spouse, parent, etc.  I hope you will find comfort in the Christmas story more than ever this year.

I'm still decorating and haven't wrapped a single present, yet here I sit, typing away.  😉  Our dining room feels very Christmasy this year, so I'm sharing some pics with you.