Yes, It's February! I love February! It seems to signal a transitional time between winter and spring...and with all the happy and fun events of the month it just seems to be a month of hope and joy and love!
Yes, Valentine's Day is coming...
And today I searched and searched in vain for the container holding my little Valentine decorations from last year...I have NO CLUE where I put them! Usually they are stored in the big container that holds other springtime decorations, like St. Patrick's Day and Easter. But I looked in there and there was no sign of them...so now I've got to keep thinking and searching. I refuse to go buy more stuff when I know I have all those things hidden around here somewhere!
Oh well...hopefully I will discover them before February 14th!
Meanwhile...Today was Groundhog Day! (maybe the groundhog took them and hid them in his burrow).
Did any of you tune in to watch Punxsutawney Phil make his annual prediction of whether or not we will have six more weeks of winter or an early spring?
Well, if you were watching, you already know that he saw his shadow and predicted that there will be six more weeks of winter! And I guess Old Man Winter is already marching across the country again as we speak. I hope you all stay safe and warm, wherever you are.
Thankfully it has been warm here these last couple of days, and we've enjoyed plenty of sunshine for a change!
I spent some time sitting out by Still Waters Pond yesterday afternoon, soaking up some free natural
Vitamin D. That sure felt good. Just what the doctor ordered...
I enjoyed a cup of tea while I listened to the birdies singing in the trees...
I think they were singing this song:
"Oh sing to the Lord a new song.
Sing to the Lord, all the earth."
Psalm 96:1
My little friend Lily Grace and her doggy Bailey came along with me and enjoyed singing along too.
Just a little girl and her dog... (and a BIG girl and her doll...oh well, what can I say?)
While I was sitting out there I heard a car pull up out front and our friends from church brought us another bag full of grapefruit from their tree. He had picked as much as he could before we had that big freeze the other morning!
Let me tell you...it doesn't get much better than this! Fresh Florida grapefruit right off the tree!!! Free natural Vitamin C! Again, just what the doctor ordered!
Thank You, Lord, for Your blessings on me!! If you were here I'd gladly share some with you!
Now here's something you might enjoy also...
This is an "Oatmeal Cake", from my sister Doris' special recipe. My hubby was craving cake yesterday...he seems to have gotten his appetite back since our bout with that nasty virus. Last week it was Gingerbread...this week he wanted Oatmeal cake!
I don't know if I've ever shared this recipe before...
Here it is. I don't think my sister will mind my sharing it with you. Just so long as you don't bring it to the same dinner party that she's coming to! LOL. It's a very moist and delicious cake. Always a favorite everywhere it goes!
CORRECTION! That should read 9 x 13 " pan, not 11 x 13. Not sure where that came from!!! Sorry.
Okay, here's another February-mid winter delight...flannel sheets!
Do you use flannel sheets? On those chilly nights they sure do feel good. I was washing/changing our sheets the other day and when I put this sheet back on I was smiling. Don't you just love these little owls drinking their hot cocoa/coffee/tea, sitting in the tree?
We'll probably enjoy these until it starts to warm up and stays warm...but until then, they sure make me happy.
Can you tell we must be feeling better? Praise God! Today hubby and I actually went outside and raked some leaves and small branches from under the big oak trees in the front yard. I love the shade those trees give, but they sure do make a mess this time of year with all their little brown leaves, acorns and dead branches that fall out of the tree when the wind blows. I know I will be feeling it tomorrow, especially in my arm with the frozen shoulder...
(this is an older picture of the trees, but you get the idea)
Speaking of the arm with the frozen shoulder...tomorrow I meet with the Orthopedic surgeon for an evaluation. I am hoping he will just give me a shot in the arm that will help it to not hurt so much and then I can work on the physical therapy a bit more. I had to quit going to PT while I was sick, so now I basically need to start over. The one thing I do NOT want is surgery!!
What are you looking forward to this month? Oh, my hubby's birthday is in a couple of weeks. We usually try to have some kind of family/friends get together around his birthday, but the way things have been lately I don't know just what we'll be able to do. I am hoping we can do something special. That's usually the highlight of the month!
Okay, I guess I've rambled on enough. I want to thank the Lord for His healing touch on our bodies. We are so very very thankful. And thankful for you all, who have been very supportive and kind and encouraging! I hope your February is full of only good things!!
Here's some food for thought:
"Commit your works to the Lord,
And your thoughts will be established."
Proverbs 16:3
Sounds good to me!
Hi Pamela, so sorry to hear your shoulder is bothering you. I had the same thing and finally for therapy. It also improved when I retired since I was no longer doing repetitive work. I also use a trackball instead of a regular mouse. Glad you are recovering from Covid. I have had friends that have gotten more than once. Stay warm and don't over do it.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susan. I had a cortisone shot in my shoulder on Thursday, and I am already feeling better. Now I just have to continue my exercises so it will really get well. Yes, we are much better now in every way. So thankful. Back to some chilly and cloudy weather today, so I am glad I enjoyed the sunshine while it lasted. But it WILL be back. This IS Florida! Have a blessed and wonderful weekend.
DeleteI'm glad it's February. January is always a long month and February is short. I feel like you about February being a harbinger of the spring season to come. It's still winter here and cooler by far than where you live but some years we get very spring like weather in February. I don't think it will happen this year but you never know. I did catch the news that said (in Canada) the groundhog forecast was for early spring. That would be lovely. It contradicts Farmer's Almanac which forecast an early and long winter this year. They were right about early because we got snow way earlier than usual. Now I wait to see whether spring arrives early or late, lol. I do like the look of oatmeal cake. I've never seen one before. Gingerbread cake is very nice too especially with tea on a cool night. Your weather is looking wonderful for sitting out by the pond and I'm glad you are feeling well enough to enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteWe are back to having a cold and rainy, cloudy day today, highs in the 40's it looks like for the rest of the day, so I'm glad I enjoyed the sunshine while I could! It will be back. I think you would love the oatmeal cake. But it makes a big cake, so be prepared to share it with friends if you make it! They will love it too! Have a beautiful day no matter what the weather may bring.
DeleteNote, Correction to recipe: pan should be 9x13", not 11 x 13". Sorry about that!
DeleteI am so glad you are feeling better, Pam! Love the pictures! I don't have oak trees anymore (there were FIVE in our yard at the other house). They are lovely but SO dirty. Jim and Elaine will be here next week!! Jim's birthday is Valentine's Day so we will do something special to celebrate him! Sorry to be late getting here!! xo
ReplyDeleteYes, the oak trees are messy. They do stay green pretty much year round, but those little brown leaves drive me crazy. But we are thankful for the shade in the front yard. Just don't like the constant raking! Oh, I know you are looking forward to Jim and Elaine being there. So happy for you!! Have fun!
DeleteSince January was one big haze, I'm truly enjoying February, too, Pam. It's that glorious "short" month before my birthday on March 1! I've always loved Valentine's Day, and will be sure to appreciate it even more this year.
ReplyDeleteHope seeing the doctor today will help your shoulder, my friend. It's so hard to have begin PT all over again because of your illness, but I'll be praying for complete healing for you. Keep us updated!
Blessings!
Oh, you have a March 1 birthday? My best friend growing up also was born on that day. She always bragged that she was older than me, as my birthday isn't until September. LOL. We were younger then, when age mattered. Now she probably would like to trade birthdays! LOL. Anyway, I do hope you will have a wonderful month of February and a very happy Birthday. You have a LOT to celebrate this year for sure. And I am feeling better already from the shot I got on Thursday. So thankful!!
DeleteFebruary is not my favorite time of the year. I used to love the cold, now I ache from it. Good thing there's Aleve. *lol*
ReplyDeleteThis pain with our shoulders is tiresome, isn't it?! I know I'm tired of mine getting in the way of riding, work and fun. It's boring.
Before Steve and I married I warned him, I'm not very romantic. I don't "do" V Day. All I ask is he be as nice as possible, I will as well, and we're good to go. And he is, nice, that is. *grin* But, to each his own.
Love & Blessings xx
Today we are having a cold, gray, rainy day. I'm glad I enjoyed the sunshine while it lasted, but the good thing about living here is that it will always come back. Yes, the shoulder pain is tiresome, but the shot I got Thursday is already working, and I am so thankful. Now I just need to do the exercises so it will get totally better. We don't do much romantic stuff for Valentines Day either. Years ago, when we were young and very poor (now we are old and very poor), he bought me some roses, and I told him that I would prefer to have the money to buy some new clothes or something else I really needed instead of flowers that would die. That was the end of that. Never got another bouquet, but I do have everything I need. And if I want flowers, I buy pots of flowers to plant in the ground. But I learned my lesson about looking the gift horse in the mouth too. LOL. We do usually buy each other a card...although sometimes we just go to the store and show each other a nice card and that's that. LOL. Living on a fixed income makes us get creative. Have a blessed and wonderful weekend.
DeleteThis post makes my heart smile! Love the vintage teapot shown on February's calendar -- and that oatmeal cake? Oh, my! Your flannel sheet's pattern is adorable. I once had a set, but me being crazy hot-blooded they didn't last long.
ReplyDeleteWhat else? Oh! A cuppa tea, your little girl and her doggie enJOYing life at your still waters sanctuary.
Lifting prayers for a positive eval at the doctor's office!
I forgot to ask! When is John's birthday? My Tom's is the 26th; he'll be 80!
ReplyDeleteIt's the 16th! He'll be 74!
Deletecorrection to recipe...should be a 9 x 13" pan, not 11 x 13". Not sure where that came from!
DeleteYour cup of tea and view of the pond are just perfect. That grapefruit is making my mouth water. There is nothing better than our citrus fresh from a friend's tree. I honestly wish everyone could taste the goodness. My mother has had issues with her shoulder. She got a shot back in July and then another in October. They both helped tremendously. She swears it was the Covid shot. I have no clue. I don't think so but then again she never had any issues like that and it was in the arm she got her shots. I was actually surprised she went and got a booster because of all that, but she did. I have not taken the booster. I am waiting a bit longer to see how this all plays out.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to spring now. Once February arrives I get the spring thoughts but I know we will get some more cool days.
I don't think mine had anything to do with the vaccine, as it is in the other arm, and mine actually started hurting because of my neck issues, where I had cervical radiculopathy because of the pinched nerve. Once I had the cervical spinal fusion in October, I thought my arm would get better, but it didn't. The Dr. said it had nothing to do with the nerve problem, which was fixed. I had a frozen shoulder because I protected my arm so much when it was hurting so badly from the nerve pain. Anyway, I got a shot today, and I am hopeful it is going to help tremendously. Right now it is still aching, but he said it would take a while to take effect. Praying it works. Then I can start back with the PT.
DeleteSunshine and citrus sounds almost perfect!
ReplyDeleteI am glad y'all are feeling much better, and thank you for sharing the cake recipe. I am bookmarking it for later!
Yes, the sunshine and citrus make a great winter combination. Today we have rain and 40 degree temps, so I'm glad I stored up some sunshine in my body while it lasted. And I do hope you will enjoy the cake when you try it. It is quite good and moist, and makes a great cake to take to family gatherings.
DeleteCorrection to the cake recipe...should be a 9 x 13" pan, not 11 x 13". Sorry!
DeleteYes, February is a very good month especially for birthdays as in addition to your husband's it is also my birthday month, which makes it very special. years ago, it was even more so as I shared my birthdate with a cousin and his brother's birthday was 2 days later, but sadly my birthday cousin passed away last year, and I still always think of him on our mutual shared date. Yes, to flannel sheets, which we enjoy all winter. The ones you showed in this post were very cute. Ours are L.L. Bean plaids with no critters.
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a good birthday this week! I enjoyed your post about all the things that happened in your birthyear, one year before mine! And one year after my hubby's. Oh, I am sorry your birthday cousin passed away last year. I know you miss him. Happy Heavenly Birthday to him. Oh I love anything LLBean, and I know they have some beautiful flannel sheets. When we lived near North Conway, NH, they had an LLBean discount store, but I don't think it is still there. I always loved shopping there. And of course, shopping in NH is wonderful because you don't have any sales tax! I had to readjust to paying sales tax when we moved back to Florida. I really missed that benefit. But I don't miss the snow and frigid weather! LOL. I hope you are having a good trip. Take care! Today is going to be cold and rainy.
DeleteSoak up some extra sunshine and warmth for me, cause it has just been very cold here. I enjoy winter and even love all the snow,hope we still get lots more, but the cold,cold temperatures I could do without. While you’re at it, have half a grapefruit for me.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could send you some sunshine and grapefruit. I would if I could. Today we are back to colder weather, will be rainy and in the 40's all day, so that is a raw kind of day. But I know that still is nothing compared to what you are enduring. Please take care and stay warm and cozy and safe. Spring is coming eventually!!
DeleteMay you feel much better asap. You may be the only person I know who is eager to get back to PT.
ReplyDeleteAfter shoveling so much, I now have a bum shoulder. It is no fun. I'm doing (gingerly doing) some exercises I found online. That and Deep Relief from Young Living. 🙏🏼
The oatmeal cake sounds comforting. Yes, I love flannel sheets or fleece sheets in winter. Some people use them year round because they absorb moisture so well.
Enjoy February. 💕
Oh, Vee, I am sorry to hear about your "bum shoulder". Please keep doing whatever exercises you can so you don't end up with a frozen shoulder. Trust me, whatever you can do now to prevent that will be worth it. Although the shot is already helping, and I am very thankful for that. Now to keep exercising so it will actually heal during this time. I may not go back to PT but just keep doing the exercises they showed me here at home. I'm really not that eager to go back. Oh, you should try the oatmeal cake sometime, but it does make a big cake, so you may want to share it with others. It is very moist and good. I hope you are staying warm and cozy. Take care and don't shovel so much. I know you have to do it, but still...aren't there any nice young boys around who could do it for you? :)
DeleteThank you for your comment about my husband!!
ReplyDeleteWill get back to my blog when I can and hopefully
that won't be too long.
I hope things will be much better for you soon. Take care and don't worry about us. We'll still be here plugging away. Blessings to you and your husband.
DeleteHa ha..makes me think of the Bill Murray movie "Groundhog Day" everytime I see these Puxatawny guys. Did I spell that right? 😃
ReplyDeleteNot too sure about that spelling...it's a bigger, stranger word than I've ever seen, but Pennsylvania is known for having strange names for their towns...you should check out some of them in the southeastern portion of the state. They can be downright embarrassing. LOL. Yes, we love the movie "Groundhog Day". But I've seen it too many times and felt like I was stuck in it with Bill Murray, so we haven't watched it lately. Have a great day.
DeletePff on your sunny beautiful Florida weather, grin and lol. No on the flannel sheets, we have a very heavy duvet that we use. I hope you have a beautiful day, friend. smiles
ReplyDeleteSorry to tease you with the lovely Florida weather. If it makes you feel any better, today is going to be in the 40's and cloudy and rainy. But I know that is still nothing compared to what you are going through. I promise you it will be much better here when you get here. Just keep moving toward the goal!! (((hugs)))
DeleteFebruary is not my favorite winter month. For me it is usually a dreary month without much to hope for except more snow and dark days. Your love for February is equal to my love of March.
ReplyDeleteNot a flannel sheet person. I don't like the way they 'stick' to me. LOL. I love percale sheets that stay cool because I sleep warm. xo Diana
Last night I was wishing I had taken the flannel sheets off the bed already. It got very warm during the night and quite humid as it was raining, but a cold front moved in and we are back to a cold, rainy, cloudy day in the 40's. So our weather can still be quite topsy turvy in February. Yes, March is usually better here too, although quite windy. I hope you are doing well and please take care. I know you have a lot going on with your family. Praying for all of you.
DeleteOh that cake looks yummy! I love my flannel sheets they are off white with roses on them. nothing like crawling into a semi warm bed from the sheets on a 2* night. I also have the comforter that is sherpa lined so I stay pretty COZY' Sorry your hubby isn't feeling well, I will pray for you guys. I have the new bw posted. Also, I am a super excited great auntie of identical twin nephews, I can't wait to meet and love them
ReplyDeleteThank you, Gina. Oh, I loved the picture of your new identical twin nephews! How exciting. I know you will enjoy being able to hold them! They will definitely have their hands full with those two cute identical little boys! What fun! Oh, I am glad you have some warm cozy flannel sheets. They sound pretty with the roses on them. Yes, stay warm and take care. God bless you!
DeleteYes, it does sound like you are feeling better - so wonderful!! I cannot imagine getting fruit right out of my back yard...what a treat! Actually, I cannot (just now) imagine sitting outside and soaking up the sunshine!? Ah, Florida in the winter. And, yet, you still have flannel sheets! That makes me smile. They are super cute sheets though. Thanks for the cake recipe. I have never had oatmeal cake. Looks delish. And I wanted to thank you for the chicken pot pie recipe. So nice of you to type it all for me. I have not made it yet - but it is on the menu for next week. No grocery store run this week...trying to finish what is in the fridge. But, thanks so much. I will try the cake, too!! Enjoy your weekend ahead!!
ReplyDeleteOh, Jennifer, good morning! Thank you for writing. Yes, the sunshine and warmth were lovely while they lasted. Today it will be in the 40's and rainy and cloudy. So I'm glad I enjoyed it while I could. It is still winter, so our weather will be up and down for a while. Oh, I hope you will try the oatmeal cake sometime. It is so moist and good, and always a hit at family gatherings or at a church pot luck. And I hope the chicken pot pie recipe made sense. It was rather rambling, just the way I do things. Let me know how yours turns out. Have a blessed and wonderful weekend.
DeleteCorrection to the cake recipe: should be a 9 x 13" pan, not 11 x 13". Not sure where that came from! Sorry.
DeletePam: I am taking Physical Therapy right now, also. I had to cancel two of my three days this past week due to the weather. Cold, rainy, and then snow and more snow. On Friday, we couldn't get the front door open due to a big snow drift. I got to church this morning but I wasn't sure about that. I was supposed to substitute for my Sunday school teacher.Car doors were frozen shut and our remote start wouldn't cooperate.Peace and blessings.
ReplyDeleteWow! Sounds like you are really having some very cold weather!! Glad you were able to make it to church safely! I hope you are able to get back to your PT sessions next week. Please be careful, however, with icy roads and such cold temps. Better safe than sorry!!
Delete