Heat Misers

At one time during our childhoods, I think each of the kids in my family perfected the art of hogging all the heat!

It was a simple task really. A large furnace grate was on the floor between the dining room and living room. Just hunker yourself down on that when the heat was blowing and it felt gloriously warm. Though the rest of the house wasn't feeling it. 

I can't even count how many times I was yelled at to "Get off the furnace!"

But dang, the house was big and that was the heat source. Looking back, I suppose I could've warn long underwear and an extra sweatshirt in the house during those winter days that felt much like our current Deep Freeze.

But then I wouldn't have had to fight for the seat on the furnace register! Where's the fun in that?

I hope you all stayed warm today. We didn't have anywhere to go, thankfully, so I finished my girl baby blanket and started on my boy one. All while listening to an audio. So I was technically multi-tasking AND productive.

It's still going to be below zero when I wake up for church choir in the morning. I don't recall us ever canceling church because of the cold. So I better set an alarm and plan on it.

Stay warm and safe and be careful out there!

Well Something's Freezing Over

Laughed at this a few days ago as we knew "it" was coming. The Deep Freeze. The Polar Vortex. Whatever you want to call it.

And this is what wake-up temps looked like here. 22 Below with "feels like" of 45 degrees below stinkin' zero. Wow. 

Thank you, God, for a roof over my head and heat. And a job that has me working from home on Fridays! It all worked in my favor today, that's for sure. We did not venture out at all. Well, hubby went to the mailbox but that was a quick trip!

Tonight I made some comfort-ish food.

My first attempt making homemade Chicken Pot Pie. I should've taken the picture before I broke off some of the crust accidentally!

Anyway, it wasn't so bad for my first attempt. Only a few things I'd tweak for the next time, if Jim ever wants it again. And we do have some leftovers so we'll see how it holds up on Day 2. Otherwise, I'm not feeling like venturing out tomorrow either. Might have to get inventive!

Full disclosure: I can do that with trifles. But nothing to do with cooking, that's for darn sure.

Hope you stayed warm today. This isn't over. Bundle up and keep thinking safety first!

Love is Baby Soft

Us "girls" of a certain age remember begging for Love's Baby Soft perfumefor our birthdays and Christmas. Did I ever get it? No. Because the ads talked about how innocence is sexy. Not Mother Hedberg approved, that's for sure.

But apparently it is back on the shelves if you or your BFF want some now! 

Why was this on my mind this week? You're probably scared to find out. Don't blame you!

So I started crocheting this baby blanket the other day. Was halfway done and was not satisfied that the yarn – even though called Blanket Yarn – was soft enough for a baby. It just seemed too stiff.

So off to Herrschners I went at lunchtime on Tuesday. Love that the store is a few minutes from work. Found just the soft "Baby Blanket Frosting" yarn I needed in my life!

Now I'm cruising along with the Lilac Lounge color scheme and it IS baby soft! Sometimes it pays to make that special trip. This crocheter will be happier.

And so, I'm sure, will the baby! Cannot wait!

By the way, the perfume is allegedly available at Wal-Mart and Amazon if you're interested!

Sisterhood Hump Day

It's much easier to get through the workday when you've got time with some of your "sisters" afterward.

Tonight our Girls' Night Out group met for dinner at the Barbecue Shack (formerly Danny K's) for our January outing. This is where I ate with Jim and the boys Thanksgiving weekend.

Last time I had a brisket sandwich. Tonight my friend Jenny and I both tried the Pulled Pork Tater. An extra large baked potato topped with butter, sour cream, cheese, and pulled pork. We got to choose the mild, medium or hot BBQ sauce to go on top. I liked the hot but the medium had the most delicious flavor. There were 6 of us and we all agreed it was good!

After that I went to see my soprano sisters at church choir practice. Our numbers get pretty small in the winter, that's for sure. But there were 8 of us crossing our fingers we can all show up Sunday morning to sing! Between cold weather and coughs & colds, you just never know.

I'll tell you, that hot sauce certainly cleared my sinuses. Might have to try that trick Sunday morning.

Do what you can to stay warm at least in the coming days! 

Keep Up Your Immunity

As cold as it is, the cold still can't kill (or freeze) all the germs floating around out there. So this is my Public Service Announcement to eat citrus or do what you have to boost your immune systems! 

There's me middle front. I look healthy, right?

Just happened to come across this silly childhood picture and needed a reason to share. Thanks for indulging me.

At least I'm not talking about the weather. Orange you glad?!

Take your vitamins, wash your hands, and be careful out there!

A Trifle Cold

I will say it was more than a trifle cold today! And we'll get back to that trifle later!

Woke up to 8 degrees below zero today with a "feels like" of 12 below! We reached our high temperatures of 1 degree ABOVE zero a little after 3 p.m. It was very short-lived. Thank God I didn't have to leave the house. But tomorrow will be even worse! 

And I do have to leave. Because I need to deliver that birthday trifle to work! 

I was not-so-secretly giddy that Kwik Trip is carrying their St. Patty's themed "mint milk" already. So I just had to make mint pudding and another Andes Mint-Chocolate Trifle! If people don't want to brave the cold in the morning, I'll be happy with the leftovers.

Just kidding. That never happens.

Seriously, though. Make smart decisions and be prepared for anything out there in the morning. I don't need an emergency food kit since I have the trifle, but I'll be sure actually wear a winter coat this time!

So as I say, not as I do. Most times.

Grin and BEAR it

 

We had brutal wake-up temps today when you took windchills into effect. But since I had to sing at my church and Jim had to read at his, we had to brave it.

In our heated vehicles, that is. We're not terribly brave after all.

After church and a little shopping, I headed back into town for BINGO. Hey winning the $1,400+ cover-all jackpot would've made it worth it.

Came up well short again. Story of my life. Nobody got cover-all in 54 calls or less so that jackpot will keep growing for the next session in a few weeks. Nice to see friends anyway!

Came home and sort of watched the Patriots-Houston game. Houston really choked.

While hubby got out the leaf-blower... yes! 

It works magically when we just have a dusting. While he did that, I baked a cake for trifle and started a new blanket. A baby one this time.

All while somewhat cheering the Bears on to support my father-in-law, a life-long fan. After being out in cold just a teeny bit. I can't imagine playing in that cold! And then overtime! Oh, Bears. So close. Guess our Central Division will not be represented any further. 

That's the playoffs.

Now back to your regularly scheduled... winter! Ugh. Cold tomorrow. Be careful out there!