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...

Monday, Monday!

 

I think that is Punxsutawney Phil, laughing at the current weather while he's safe and warm and cozy down in his burrough until February 2nd (Groundhog Day). LOL.

Maybe this is how many of you feel this morning! LOL.  My hubby just sent me these two pictures on Messenger, and they were too good to keep to myself! LOL.  Thanks, Hubby! You know how to start the morning right!

Good Monday Morning!  How's everyone out there in the winter wonderland this morning?  Here in north central Florida it is currently, at 6:44 a.m., 68 degrees. However, that is our high for the day. We are expecting some rain here in a few minutes (but not very much, I'm sorry to say), and then the temperatures will be steadily dropping all day long, so that by midnight tonight it will be 38 degrees, and by tomorrow morning it will be freezing! Our forecast calls for freezing temperatures every morning for a week, with highs only in the 40's and 50's mostly.  So this will be our wintertime excitement. No snow or ice in the forecast, but with those kinds of temperatures, anything is possible!   So, I pray all of you who have been through the big wintry blast this past weekend are safe and warm and able to start the digging out process...(if you really have to!).  I'd say don't go out unless you really have to! Give it time to melt!  (Which may take a while, according the weather forecast). Whatever you do, stay safe!!!

So, other than dealing with the weather, what interesting things did you do this weekend? I'd be curious to hear what kind of food you cooked and if you stayed indoors with family and played games or watched movies or just curled up by yourself and read a good book. Perhaps many of you will be sharing your stories on your own posts. Some already have.  I look forward to hearing about it,  whatever you did.

Here's a synopsis through photos of what we did yesterday...

Blackie decided it was time he moved up to the couch and curled up beside me for a while...that was sweet and unexpected...That look is one of , "Oh please, not that little black thing that flashes lights at me again! I really don't like having my picture taken!"  Yes, I've noticed that isn't his favorite thing, but hey, that's the price he has to pay for being so cute and becoming my kitty!! His picture will be taken whenever the mood strikes me! LOL.  And no, this doesn't mean he has moved inside lock, stock and barrel (yet).  But we do have a little morning time when he comes in for breakfast and then he enjoys snooping around for awhile and getting some love from Mommy (and a little bit from Daddy).  Then it's back outside for the day.  However, with the freezing weather coming back upon us, I expect he will be back inside this week more than he is outside, especially at night.  I think he's in cahoots with the groundhog and they planned all this so he could spend more time inside. LOL.

Yesterday afternoon both of our sons were here for lunch after church. Rose had to work, but we sent food home with Benton for her supper.   We had very good fried chicken from the grocery store, which we picked up on the way home from church, baked potatoes, and a tossed salad. It was simple and good and I didn't have to work too hard. 

After lunch Benton went to work on a project that has been waiting to be completed since Christmas.  What he has in his hands below is the framework to hold some drawers for my converted sewing machine cabinet turned into a computer desk table.  

The iron sewing machine framework came from my mother's old "White Sewing Machine" cabinet, minus the treadle and wheel, which were lost years ago.  The rest of the cabinet that held the sewing machine was old and the veneer was chipping off and it wasn't worth much, except for the iron frame and the drawers. Years ago I put the wooden table top on the iron frame to hold my computer, but there was no way to attach the drawers.  Click HERE for a link to the post of when I repurposed this into a desk.

So for "years" I've been asking my carpenter son if he could figure out a way to attach them to the table top.  He's had them in his garage/workshop for a LONG time, and finally this year he got around to doing what I'd been asking for as a Christmas gift.  However, whatever he stained the wood with had a very strong smell from the stain, and we had to put them in our shed until they aired out enough to bring them inside! LOL. So I told him that yesterday marked one whole month since Christmas, and it was time to get them attached!!

Thank you, Benton, for a job well done!!

(that white "curtain" under the desk is hiding a lot of wires from the computer. I need to figure out something else, but that's the best I can do for now.)

Son  Scott was here, supervising the job! LOL. Also modeling the new Camaro T-shirt he got for Christmas.  That's usually a standard gift for him.

For dessert we did have some more strawberry shortcake, although this time I actually bought a Sara Lee Pound Cake at the grocery store on the way home to keep it simple.  These are the few remaining strawberries that I didn't chop up and add sugar to for the dessert. This is strawberry season in Florida, and so we enjoy them as much as possible while they are fresh!

That is my mother's Pyrex bowl, which of course nowadays seems to be a collectible item, so I thought I'd show it off.

She actually had these two sizes of the turquoise colored bowls, and also those two Pyrex pie plates below:

They are very special to me, because my mother baked a LOT of pies in those pie plates, and they were ALWAYS delicious!!  And I also remember her putting homemade potato salad in the big bowl.  Sweet memories.

When we went outside to say good bye to the "boys" as they each left for their respective homes, I noticed that the Carolina Jessamine flowers were starting to bloom already!  

(The Sunflower is where our sweet Sunshine kitty was buried).

I love these early reminders that spring is on its way. However, this week I'm afraid these little flowers will get a bit frozen!  

Oh look! There's a honeybee!!!

Yes, the warm temperatures we've had these past few days have fooled the birds and bees and the flowers and the trees into thinking that spring is here...

I'm afraid Mr. Honeybee will have to go back and hibernate in the hive a little while longer after today.

Still, we are thankful for the promise that spring will come...we just have to endure a little more winter until it's time.  

Mr. Great Blue Heron was sitting in the tree overlooking the still VERY Still Waters Pond.  

I have a feeling he was sitting there praying for rain to fill up the pond once again, so he can continue to enjoy this place has his favorite fishing spot.  I do hope his prayers are answered!

This was the sun setting over the pond last evening (picture taken from inside the house). It was still close to 80 degrees. By the same time tonight it will be in the 30's. 

Psalm 74: 16-17

"16 The day is Yours, the night also is Yours;

You have prepared the light and the sun.

17 You have set all the borders of the earth;

You have made summer and winter."

I thought I was about through writing this post, and then I noticed these birds out in the pond...a Wood Stork and a Little Blue Heron...finding some water in the midst of the still Very Dry Still Waters Pond!

Isaiah 43:18-21

“Forget the former things;

do not dwell on the past.

19 See, I am doing a new thing!

Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the wilderness

and streams in the wasteland.

There was also a Great White Egret over on another puddle...see his reflection in the water???

20 The wild animals honor me,

the jackals and the owls,

because I provide water in the wilderness

and streams in the wasteland,

Then he flew over to join the Stork and the Little Blue Heron and also a Black Crow...

to give drink to my people, my chosen,

21 the people I formed for myself

that they may proclaim my praise.

How wonderful that they found the water that God has provided for them in this barren wasteland of a pond!!!

Whatever your situation today, I pray that you will be able to look around and see how God is still providing "a way in the wilderness, and streams in the wasteland"...even in the midst of difficulties, whether they be weather related, or due to health or finances or family crisis of any kind...perhaps God is doing "a new thing"...something even better than ever before...we just need the eyes of faith to see it and believe it...and then to claim it by faith and give God the praise and honor and glory... 

Psalm 75:1

"We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks!

For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near."

Amen.

Okay, finally done! And it's still morning!! Enjoy your day my friends. Bye for now.