Happy New Year and Happy Snow DAYS!

Hello friends! Happy New Year! One of my goals is to update the blog more - and I'm getting a bit of a late start to that! Hope you all had a great New Year's and are looking forward to good things this 2021! I know I am looking forward with bright, hopeful eyes. But, I do have that little thought sneaking in that even though 2020 was not the best year, 2021 will probably have it's own challenges!

Anywho -- the latest here in Nebraska is the incredible snowstorm we just had and are trying to work through! Oh my word - over 15 inches! We haven't had this much snow all at once since 1965! And guess what, I remember that one because it was a blizzard! My twin sister and I walked to school (yes, it was a mile away and mostly uphill). A kid in our class yelled out the door at us that we were stupid to go to school. My twin yelled back - "you're the stupid one!" Well, we got to Mass and school was called off after Mass. The happy news was that we were allowed to ride the school bus home -- not to our door -- home was a half-mile home from the dropoff - but better than having to walk all that way.

So, we've spent a lot of time the last few days digging out. We have the best neighbors -- everyone on the block pitched in to help others. I usually do scoop our front walk and the neighbors when we have a couple inches, but that 15 inches was so heavy there was no way I could get that done. And, I had to shovel paths in the yard for Frannie! She doesn't seem to mind the snow -- she's a dog that pretty much loves everything. And Rickster still has a cast on his hand/arm from his Christmas surgery, but he was able to the snowblower going to finish our driveway. Guess what -- today we woke up to another couple of inches of snow! I believe I am definitely ready for spring now! Sending good wishes from snowy Nebraska!

The Christmas Blizzard of 2009!

Doesn't that sound like a title right out of Little House on the Prairie?? We felt a little like the Ingalls family -- with modern conveniences, that is! The weather forecasters were right on target this time. We got hammered with icy rain, following by lots of snow, pretty cold temps and blowing snow! All this weather started on the 23rd and continued through Christmas Eve and Christmas day. Mr. Tennis and the snowblower could hardly keep up! I think the total is at least 12 inches of snow and due to the wind, it has blown into drifts here, there and everywhere! We might have gone outside to play in it, but with the wind blowing, the temps were around -4, not exactly the type of weather to be out building snowmen or sledding. Luckily, we have my little red jeep, so we can get around if needed. Somehow, Mr. Tennis doesn't think the after-Christmas sales are a necessity!?!

We had a fun Christmas anyway even though Philip and Catherine were unable to get here due to the weather conditions. We played games, watched movies and Mr. Tennis challenged Maddy to figure out a Rubik's cube! Note to others -- do NOT buy your child a Rubik's cube and tell them you will give them some $$ to get it figured out. Such a tactic results in frustration, some tears and the Mom (moi) hiding the cube and hoping it is never found!

Guess what else -- I cooked . . . a lot! Quite an accomplishment for me. I admit that I am sometimes the queen of fast and/or frozen foods. I made some Chicken and Wild Rice soup (yum), beef brisket (yummy), mashed potato casserole (extremely yummy - from my blog friend Lisa) and some chocolate scotcheroos (delish)!! Still on my list to be made today or tomorrow -- Spinach/Bacon quiche, chicken enchiladas and Hershey kiss cookies!

Bet you guess my New Year's resolution! But until then, bring on the chocolate! :)