It's February! Oh, and Ground Hog Day!!

 Oh my, today is Ground Hog Day! I'm sure we are ALL anxious to hear what Mr. Punxatawny Phil is going to prognosticate today!!! I have a feeling he won't even want to come out of his burrow at all!! I'd better go turn on my TV and watch, and then come back to this.

(a little later, Sunrise, Feb. 2, 2026, 26 degrees)

A Frosty Still Very Dry Still Waters Pond

Meanwhile, (I began writing this at 6:00 a.m., and the groundhog doesn't appear for another hour), I am baking some Banana Nut Muffins, and they sure smell good!  I haven't tried this recipe before, so I will have to let you know later if they were really good or not. I kind of overloaded the cups so I only got 9 instead of 12. Looks kind of messy..."but the proof is in the pudding", as they say.

I will have to say after eating these that they were good, but they could've used another banana in the mixture. I only had two small bananas, and I think three would've made them more moist and tasty. Also, I sprinkled brown sugar and cinnamon on top before they baked, and I think they would've been better with a little bit of melted butter mixed in with that before sprinkling. The topping was too dry. I'm not sharing this recipe because it needs to be tweaked. They were good, just not good enough to share the recipe!

So, yesterday was the first day of February! And boy, she sure came in like a lion!! Saturday night the winds were whipping up around 20-40 mph, and the temperature dropped down to 20 degrees, with a windchill around 10 degrees. There was a wildfire in an area across our little town, and those poor firefighters had to be out all night battling the blaze in the cold and wind. Thankfully they got it under control. Some of our church family members live in that area and were told to evacuate, but then before they really could get out, they lifted the order. Still the smoke was so thick it couldn't have been very healthy to stay there. I'm just thankful that apparently no homes were burned or people hurt that I know of. It was mostly in a wooded/grassy area of about 300 acres. We are very thankful to the Lord for His protection over our community in the midst of all that.

We weren't sure if we would go to church or not yesterday because of the low temperatures and high winds, but by church time the temperature had risen to about 28 degrees and the sun was shining and the wind wasn't too bad, so we decided to go.  Although our little old wooden country church building  was struggling to get warm, there were many warm hearts and thankful souls present, which soon warmed everything and everyone up. (except for my toes...they were pretty much frozen by the time church was over, LOL).

Although this was pre-recorded earlier in the week, here is the video of our choir singing "I Know Who the Lord Is" and the pastor's sermon on The Prodigal Son.  It was all good, if you would like to watch!

So you may aske how have we been spending this very cold days? Or you may ask, "what about Blackie? How is he surviving the freezing temperatures, poor kitty..."

Well, look for yourself...

I think we are calling him King Blackie now...he has pretty much taken over our couch, our house, and our lives...there he is above enjoying watching Tennessee Ernie Ford on "What's My Line" old reruns from the 50's and 60's, relaxing on the couch and living his best life...

Although I am NOT pleased when he decides to lay on top of MY TV tray, the one that I use to eat my meals on while we watch TV...(yes, we do that a lot since it's just the two of us, or should I say the THREE of us???)  I've noticed that when I am eating my lunch on this tray he sits right at my feet and watches me very carefully to make sure I don't get anything on HIS tray. LOL.  Yes, I have to wash it thoroughly before using...LOL.  

And look who has started playing games with him!  Yes, Daddy, the one who really didn't want this cat in the house at all...now they are playing games...

And King Blackie has now claimed "Daddy's" lap for his naps.  Hubby is trying to get used to this new development in his life...he's not too sure about it, but I think Blackie knows exactly what he's doing! LOL.

Daddy also introduced the rubber bouncing little ball to Blackie, which BTW belongs to our Grandpups Sugar and Spice, who won't be happy to smell cat cooties on their toys...(we will have to buy them some new "cat scent free" balls before they come over again).

Blackie LOVES the ball...

And quickly showed us his skill at batting it around the room like a pro soccer player.

When he's not playing ball or catch the string or sitting in Daddy's lap, he's staring at that kitty in the mirror inside the curio cabinet, and is very curious as to just who that cat might be staring back at him...

And when he's finally worn himself out with games and tricks, he lays down on "his" couch in front of the "fire" and goes to sleep.  Peace at last...

When these freezing days are over I don't know if Blackie will be able to go back to being just an outdoor porch kitty anymore...we shall see how things go...

Meanwhile, this was the full moon Saturday night as the temperatures were dropping...looks like it was riding in on a big cloud...or was that the "weather bomb" they were predicting? Thankfully it didn't bring us any snow or ice...(unless you went outside in the cold and looked up into the sky around 6:00 pm on Saturday, you might have seen a snow flurry in the air, but they never hit the ground here)

Okay, so back to Punksutawney Phil this morning...Here he is...

Look at that face...who could not love such a face as this?

Probably this mob of people...there were a lot of boos from the crowd when he predicted..

Yes, six more weeks of winter!

Oh well, I think we all already figured that one out without his help!  

These kids look pretty happy about it...more sledding and ice skating and making snowmen and having snowball fights...

Oh, did I say it's time for the Calendar Express Roll Call for February! This one is John Sloane's Country Seasons painting. Perfect for today I'd say!

And, oh, doesn't that look warm and cozy? Well, maybe not. I wish we could see the inside. That might be warmer...

And we could have some hot tea and a few more of those muffins I made...

LOL...this is true, although the more you drink, the more you need to run to the "powder room". LOL.

Ah yes, February is  all about LOVE, and here on this Billy Graham calendar we are reminded that The Bible is God's LOVE letter to us!

1 John 4:7-11 tells us a part of this great love story:

"7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; 

and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 

8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 

9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 

10 In this is love, not that we loved God, 

but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 

11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."

Oh, isn't this Thomas Kinkade picture beautiful? Not exactly what February looks like this year, that's for sure, but something to look forward to...and a good reminder to "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth..." Colossians 3:2

Because here we have this promise..."As it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him." 1 Corinthians 2:9.   

Oh what a glorious day that will be!

And finally, this sweet Susan Branch calendar with a double heart to remind us to be united in love...

"7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God;"...

Amen!

I hope you enjoyed this Groundhog Day "celebration".  I hope and pray you are all safe and warm in your cozy homes today.  Oh, one more thing, we are SO thankful not to have lost power in the cold weather and wild winds of the past few days.  That was our biggest concern and prayer, and we are so thankful that God heard our prayers.  I know some of you have had frozen water pipe issues and maybe some power outages, etc.  I pray that these are being fixed as we speak and the most important thing is that you are safe.  May the Lord be with each and every one is whatever challenges you may be facing this week.   Thank you for your wonderful comments on my previous posts...I treasure each and every one of you.  

Blessings and peace today...

It's February!

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!

 

It's Groundhog Day!

 

Good Morning Everyone! By now you have probably heard about Punxsutawney Phil's prediction of six more weeks of winter!

Lily Grace and I were up at the crack of dawn to watch and see what would happen. You can read more about that and some other very special adventures here on this link for today: It's Groundhog Day!

And in case you missed it, yesterday we talked about all the things that happen in February HERE.

I hope you are having a great February so far. I know many of our northern friends are really being hit hard by this winter storm. We are praying for you to be safe and stay warm.  I know you probably aren't too excited about 6 more weeks of winter.  We are pretty chilly here in Florida today too, about 40 degrees right now with a wind chill of 36. In Florida that's cold. But we know it is nothing like what you are going through, and so we are thinking of you and praying for you. Hope to hear from you all soon to be sure you are okay.

If you can't find me here every day, please be sure to check over at The Adventures of Lily Grace, because that is where I am hanging out most of the time these days.  We are having such a great time...and we are making lots of people smile we hope...that is the purpose...to bring you all a fresh, happy face and something to smile about in the midst of all the mundaneness of life right now (not to mention the news that we keep trying to avoid as much as possible so it doesn't ruin our good mood!)

If we commit our days and ways unto the Lord, He will give us peace and joy...that is where my heart is right now.  I hope you feel the same way.  Be blessed my friends!!