HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

Off to market this morning with no signs of the nasty weather predicted for later in the day.
It is 25 degrees this morning but is warming up quickly in the bright sunshine.
Market was slow as expected but I am thankful for what I did sell on this Valentine Saturday.
Hubbie left after reading the newspaper and stopped by Sam's Club, Tractor Supply and Walmart to get us stocked up on things we need and animal feed for the week. He called and said all the stores were crazy crowded. I guess this weather forecast for next week is already got folks stocking up !!
The 15th named winter storm, Octavia is poised to bring us a definite taste of winter weather.
A winter storm advisory is already issued giving plenty of advanced notice.

My friend Susan came by to visit with some Valentine cupcakes that were delicious and helped me load the van.
I stopped at Ingles on Asheville hwy and it wasn't as bad crowded as hubbie had said the one on our side of town was.
I got my things for tomorrow's lunch and headed home.
The wind is starting to blow pretty hard as I get home but the temperature is still in the upper 40's.
The clouds are starting to look pretty ominous this evening.

This tree beside the front steps is bending in the high winds .

The last of Aa's four black angus cows delivered her calf today. Not good timing if the temperature gets as low as they say tonight, hopefully she can keep the little one warm.
I enjoyed a nice break just sitting in the living room watching the wind blow the trees and the birds get buffeted around by the wind as they tried to get to their warm night time places.
After chores and supper I relaxed again with my 4-legged kids and watched a Duke / Syracuse ballgame which Duke won.
This has been a nice quiet Valentines Day and as I close for the evening I am praying that we keep our power with all the high winds outside. We have fires in both woodstoves tonight so we will be warm but we will have to come up with a cooking plan for the large roast beef we have in the crock pot !!
See you in church to worship our loving Lord tomorrow.

Good Night and God Bless.

SURPRISE VALENTINE PARTY

Up and out in the 20 degree morning. At least the wind has died and the temps didn't get quite as cold as the predictions.
After breakfast I baked 2 chocolate and 2 pound cakes for orders.  With the weather predictions moderating at bit for in the morning, market may be better than I expected but I'm not going to go crazy baking because I don't want a bunch of left overs with the snowfall that might come next week and cause market to close.
I collected all the things I bought for the Valentine party in g-son's classroom today and headed over to school at 12:30.
I met up with the other grandmother that was helping and I got the party set up while she ran home for added supplies while  the kids were at lunch.
There was no shortage of sweets.

G-son surely enjoyed the party time.

When they returned from lunch they were all happily surprised.  We played a game then they got to eat their goodies.  Then all the students got to hand out the Valentines they had brought for their classmates and teachers. G-son gives the teacher's assistant a valentine.

Wow what a "loot"  !!!  He will be sweet for a long time !!!

He loves this teacher and as I watched him interact with the students today I can understand why all the kids think he is a very good teacher. The one thing that impressed me was how easily he spoke Spanish to one of the kids.

It was a great celebration on this Friday before Valentines.
I came home after 2:00 and had some lunch then went to make a cake delivery for an early Valentine party tonight.
The temperature of the day made it into the low 40's which felt nice in the sunshine.
Tonight is supposed to be around 20 again without wind but as I look at the 25 degree temp at 10:30 I think it will be closer to mid teens for lows tonight.
The really cold and high wind isn't suppose to get here until tomorrow evening now .
The long range forecast looks like we could be set for our first big snowfall of the season as moisture from the gulf runs into the cold temps next week.
Where the snow line will be and how much snow will fall is still up in the air but it looks like next week could be very very interesting !!!

Me thinks winter is definitely going to make an appearance in our part of the "sunny south"  !!!!
Tonight after chores I iced my cakes and blogged so I can get to bed a little earlier tonight.
Bringing to an end the first of three "Friday the thirteenths" in this year. Three is the most any year has ever had.  I was reading a news story about how the bad luck idea of Friday the thirteenth got started and one of the beliefs is that it was because there were 13 people at the Last Supper, Jesus and his 12 apostles and Jesus was crucified on Friday so the number and the day have been linked ever since.
Anyway in another 1 1/2 hours this first Friday the 13th will be part of the history of this year for me and my family and so far all is well.
I thank God for this wonderful day for me and the blessing of being able to see g-son in his school class so happy and healthy.  I am prayerfully grateful for my health and the opportunities that it gives me.
Good Night and God Bless.

BIRDS , SNOW , TAXES , YEAH ITS FEBRUARY

 I woke to a deafening squealing sound this morning and as I went looking for the source I found the back lawn covered with Starlings.

I thought these guys had already passed through here headed south but I guess not !!!Up and out in the quickly cooling morning today. It is 38 degrees at 8:30 as I get back inside from the chores but the wind is picking up .
I spent the morning doing housework and taking a couple cake orders.
After lunch I tackled #2 son's taxes, after all this is "tax month" for me so I might as well get started.
He has settled down this year, after buying his house last January so his taxes were definitely easier this year than last.
I stopped when I ran into a couple figures I would have to get from him after he gets home from work.
I worked on my photo print organization for the remainder of the afternoon as I watched the temperature drop into the 20's and heard the wind really blowing.
At one time late this afternoon the snow was falling fast and furious but it didn't last long.

It surely feels like winter out there this evening as we hurried through chores to get back inside the warm house.
Daughter had the varsity teams first conference tournament game tonight against West Henderson. Daughter's team won and will play again in the second round Tuesday.
This is her in the background behind the players in the white uniform.

She is a little better of her coughing as she came by tonight to pick up some things.
Tonight is a two fire night as we have both wood stoves going trying to beat the predicted 14 degree night.
On the weather they are saying we are going to have the best chance of the season so far at having a significant snowfall event next week. This is what one of the models is saying.

Yeah, our area is under one of the 12-13 inch bulls eyes if this holds true.
The northeast is bracing for yet another dose of the white stuff as the "N", Neptune, winter storm takes aim on them over the weekend.

With our predicted cold temps for the next several days the conditions around here will definitely be right by next Tuesday for a winter storm. The high temperature tomorrow is supposed to be only mid 30's, well below the average temps.

I am glad I can rest in the knowledge that God is in control and His will will be done. I can also bask in the warmth of His love each day as He blesses me with so many undeserved blessings.
Good Night and God Bless.

STOCKING UP FOR COLD WEATHER

Up and out this morning to get things done and get ready for shopping. Re is going today also. It will be much better with the kids to shop today while the sun is shining and the temps are in the mid 50's than it will be tomorrow when the wind is blasting and the temps are in the 20's !
I'm glad she had to drop off some things at Goodwill and reminded me to get a couple bags of clothes that don't fit me anymore that I have been meaning to take for about a month.
After that stop we headed to Aldi for groceries, then Walmart.  Our last stop was at Sam's Club. Both little EL and baby BB were really good all morning.
We got home and got things put away, then the kids were ready for naps and I came home.
I refilled all the bird feeders so the birds could fill up before the Artic temperatures get here starting tomorrow.

These temps are low but with the high winds that are coming at 30-50 mph the chill factors will be in the minus category. We are under a wind advisory starting at 7am tomorrow.
All the birds are taking the forecast seriously as they are keeping the feeders full this afternoon.
This Mockingbird is even resorting to sampling the Beauty Berries that are left. These are a bitter tasting berry and are usually a last resort for the hungry birds.

Maybe he was intimidated by this larger Brown Thrasher.

This is a good shot of this female Eastern Towhee. The male Towhee was hopping around on the ground under the feeder, he is much shyer than the female.

Chores were done in the warmer evening for the last time for a while today.
Hubbie and I watched a Virginia / NC State ball game tonight which Virginia barely won.
Talked to daughter tonight after her basketball game. Both JV teams went to Pisgah this afternoon to make up a game postponed during the season because of testing. They both lost to end their seasons.
She sounds really bad with a bad cough. She went to the minute clinic yesterday and they gave her antibiotics for a sinus infection but nothing for the cough. She is going to call back tomorrow to see if they will give her something for her cough.
She has another varsity ballgame tomorrow afternoon as the conference tournament starts.
I think her cough will get better when she gets out of the gym for a while.
Praying tonight for the folks who will be out in the cold weather that is coming and also humbly thanking God for the warmth of my home and the love of my family.
Good Night and God Bless.

OUT WITH THE OLD AND IN WITH THE NEW

The sun shining through the bedroom window looks warm this morning. At least it is above freezing at 38 when I went out to do the chores.
No ice to break this morning meant the temp stayed above freezing all night. I emptied 2/10ths inch out of the gauge from the rain of the overnight.
Back inside I did housework then tackled my office desk to get all the old filed away and make room for the new years paperwork. I also finished my shredding for this year so 2004 is really gone now. I like to look through the papers as I shred as they bring back memories of things from 10 years ago and what we were doing then.
I got my desk all cleaned off and ready for more "piles" of 2015 "stuff" !!!
The temperature outside has been in the mid 40's today with a light breeze making it feel colder.
As I watched the bird feeders in the back yard I saw that the Gold Finches have moved back in. They are very particular eaters and will only come around if there is thistle seed in one of the feeders.

They are in their winter "drab" colors right now but I missed seeing their glorious yellow summer dress flitting around the feeders last spring and summer.
I do have some bright color around the yard that probably won't last through the cold temps of this weekend but they are pretty now. These Daffodils have been fooled by the recent warm temps.

Flash looks comfortable soaking up the warm sunshine. He will need all this warmth to keep him warm this weekend when we get the lowest temperatures of the season so far.

Got a call from a cake customer this afternoon wanting to know if I had ever made a Lady Baltimore Cake.  I haven't but after I talked to him I looked up the recipe and think I might try this. It is another old southern traditional cake like the caramel I make.  It looks like it would be really good but it is going to be a bit pricey to make.

I'll let you know how mine turns out, might make it for Sunday lunch dessert this week. Haha, I always try new recipes out on the family first !!
After chores and supper I did the month ending paperwork for January. I was pleasantly surprised at the amount I sold during this month this year compared to past Januarys , but in most years I don't get to go every Saturday in January.  I thank God for the business He allowed during this past month.
I also payed weekly bills and made a grocery and baking list for this week.
#2 son stopped by with the rest of the papers I need to figure his taxes so hopefully I can get to work on those later this week.
I caught up on my blog reading tonight and am planning on an earlier bedtime. I keep thinking I need to start gradually getting into an earlier getting up time so when the time goes forward at the beginning of next month it won't be such a shock for my system. I am usually up between 8 and 8:30 now depending on my plans for that day.
I thank God for the blessings in my life today and everyday as I strive to be the person He wants me to be. Thankful also that my friend Susan's little boy recovered quickly from his bout with asthma yesterday and is home and resting tonight.
Good Night and God Bless.

A GREAT LOCAL HISTORY GLIMPSE

Woke to a dreary but not raining yet morning today. It was a very warm overnight and is already pushing 50 degrees at 9am.
After chores and breakfast hubbie and I went work boot shopping. His work pays $100 a year for him a new pair of work boots so we headed over to the shoe Discount Barn in Asheville.
He found a really nice pair of expensive boots on sale . I only bought a pair of knee socks and  some new orthodics for my shoes. As I strolled the aisles I noticed these "bad boys" and they sent me back to my high school basketball playing days. I wore these high top Chuck Taylors and still have them stored away somewhere in a closet.

The store was emptier than I have ever seen it today. Must be the winter season everywhere !!

We stopped at the nearby Tractor Supply and I found little EL a shirt that has her feelings right now about baby BB captured perfectly. Luckily they had her size !!

We came home and had lunch then tackled our afternoon tasks. I did the weekly laundry and hubbie went outside to work on his wood pile until the rain ran him inside.
I did 3 loads of laundry and more shredding while watching it rain off and on all afternoon.
There was only a couple tenths inch in the gauge at chore time but the harder rains started after dark.
I started reading an old very interesting looking book this evening.  I heard about this book from a friend at church and fortunately found an original copy on Amazon from the friends of the library in a town in Georgia.

This book contains very few pictures but some very interesting ones.
This is a picture of the author Sadie Smathers Patton.

She was a good writer and throughout  the book these verses describing the book are written.

The first Henderson county census was interesting.

The old pictures of the buildings that once stood and some are still standing were great.
This was Henderson County's first court house, completed in 1844.

This Court House was replaced in 1904 with the one that still stands today but is now a museum of history.

Another interesting photo was this early town hall and opera house built 1885-1890.

Our present town hall which was erected in 1928 and is still in use today.

This is Main street downtown Hendersonville in about 1890.

We owe all this history to two men, one who gave the land for the town, his name was Judge Mitchell King.

And Judge Leonard Henderson, for whom the county was named.

I think I am going to enjoy this book as I have time to read all the early stories that are in it which in some way relate to the history of our county and town.
Grateful tonight for the blessings the Lord gave me today and praying for my new friend Susan's son tonight as he was admitted to the hospital this morning.
Good Night and God Bless.

SPRING DAY IN FEBRUARY

A beautiful Sunday morning as I do chores and get ready for church today.
Church was good, Aa and Re brought baby BB for his first church service and he slept through the entire thing. Little EL was really good even though the church got very hot this morning, guess someone forgot to consider the warmth of this nice day.
A friend of mine and her husband joined our church this morning, may all the glory go to God.
For lunch on this nice upper 60's sunny day we grilled hamburgers, hot dogs and bratts on the grill.
The wind was blowing harder than we expected so hubbie and I had to put up a wind break to keep the grill light from being blown out. The grill sits in the outside covered patio overlooking the road and always catches a nice breeze, but when its windy, it is really windy in there.
#2 son, daughter, Aa, Re , little EL, and baby BB were our only guest today as #1 son's family went to have lunch with d-in-love's mom and dad at their restaurant in Lake Lure.
We had a very nice visit and EL choose a new playmate in #2 son since g-son wasn't here today !
After everyone left I sat outside for a while until the sun started down and the wind picked up making it even cooler.
Love that beautiful clear blue sky.

Hubbie and I finished the leg mite treatment on the Silkies this evening.
#1 son came by for a visit and g-son came up to get some chicken noodle soup that his mom was craving for supper tonight.
One of Aa's black angus cows had a little heifer calf this evening.
Hubbie and I had a light supper then relaxed for the evening.
It is still 47 degrees at 11:00 tonight for the warmest overnight in quite some time, although the rain is predicted to start before daybreak tomorrow.
In news of today , a college basketball legend passed away this morning. Dean Smith who coached the Tar Heels of UNC for 36 years, from 1961 thru 1997 and served as an assistant coach there from 1958-1961. He also made a lasting impression on all of college basketball .

He had health problems in the last several years.  Back in January of 1981, hubbie and I went with a couple friends to Clemson to watch the UNC / Clemson basketball game. Here is a picture I took of Coach Dean Smith meeting with one of the refs and the Clemson coach.

R.I.P. Coach Smith and my prayers go out to his family, may God comfort them at this time.
I am thankful for a wonderful day and the opportunity to get out and enjoy the nice warm sunshine.
God is good !!
Good Night and God Bless.