WINTER ARRIVES AMID SPRING TEMPS AND SUMMER STORMS

HURRY,HURRY, that was the game of the morning as I got ready for market today. With the phone ringing with last minute request and the rain and mud to deal with while doing morning chores before I left I wasn't in a very good mood by the time I got in the van and started to market as I was already 10 minutes late. To top matters off before I traveled a mile out the road I ran into road construction. I stopped for the man with the stop sign and as I noticed him messing with his little walkie talkie thingy I wished he would just let me go by. Just as I sighed heavily thinking of the waiting customers at market he started to speak into his walkie talkie and he had it on speaker so I could hear what he was saying along with everyone else on the job.
He said very expressively "AND HERE COMES SANTA CLAUS " as he turned his sign to slow and I laughed as I realized I had forgotten that I had on my santa hat !!  As I smiled and waved at him as well as all the workers who had stopped their work to smile and wave as I passed.  My mood lifted and I met the waiting customers with such a Christmas spirit attitude everyone left happy.
It's always special to me at how God puts these little things in our paths to brighten our days if only we'll take the time to notice them .
Daughter was already at market when I got there and she and I stayed busy waiting on customers all day and had a very good day. Not as good as last year but good enough. I'm always thankful when this last market day before Christmas is done because then I know I can concentrate solely on my family and friends now.
As I left market the rain began to pour down but I ran some regular errands plus made a stop at a small country market to buy some dried cranberry beans and local honey before I headed home.
The rains didn't stop all evening and at times the thunder and lightening were just like a summer storm. It is 63 degrees so I guess the storms shouldn't be a surprise. I've heard the old saying that after thunder in winter snow will follow in 7 days. Guess we'll have to wait to see on that one.
The central part of our county has flooding roads as the news is on at 11:00 tonight but here in our section of the county there is only about 1" in the rain gauge so far tonight but I can here the water in the creek smacking against the bridge so it must be full.
Hubbie and I both rested this evening away glad to be off work and able to enjoy Christmas for the next few days.
In 2001 I either didn't take many pictures or have misplaced them. All I found was a picture of our tree.

And a picture of our then little dog, our beloved Pepper who died of old age several years ago.

She was one of the sweetest, smartest dogs we've ever had.

This first day of winter 2011 has been an interesting one with summer storms and spring temperatures.The low this morning was 47 and the high today was 63, not really winter temps even for the part of the sunny south where I live. We are about 20 degrees above normal !

I am looking forward to an earlier bedtime tonight and hopefully a quiet night since most of the storms and rain have passed on to the east of us.

Feeling wonderfully blessed by a loving Heavenly Father tonight.

Good Night and God Bless.