Missing the Seasons

I remember seasonal changes and I remember loving each and every one of those changes as they each meant something different and meaningful. Seasonal changes always gave me cause for pause, for reflection, for hope and anticipation. They brought about excitement for the new season and all that it held.

Most of you know I'm not a fan of spring and summer because of the heat and I think part of that is we don't get a winter or at least not much of one anymore so there's no need to look forward to spring when you've been having summer and spring all during fall and winter. It's like fall and winter are gone away and I miss them terribly.

The last 10+ years have given us summer-like weather all during autumn and spring-like weather in winter and I find it depressing. How I long for those seasonal changes of my youth.

When I was growing up summer meant the end of the school year, days at my grandparents helping Grandmother snap beans, shell peas, shuck corn... Summer meant sleeping with the windows up and the window fan going. It meant playing freeze tag and baseball in the yard. It meant climbing trees to read books and riding my bike all day long. Summer meant fourth of July with BBQ, watermelon, potato salad, deviled eggs, churning ice cream, and fireworks galore. Summer meant going to the lake and water skiing and having cookouts in the backyard and our annual week-long trip to Myrtle Beach. Summer meant fashioning flower crown wreaths from clover and running about in the yard with them on our heads. Summer meant going to the community swimming pool, chasing fireflies, running between the sheets hanging on the line, and glorious late afternoon summer thunderstorms.

Fall was exciting as the first coolness in the air came about and stunning, vibrant colors began to appear on trees that only weeks ago were a million different shades of green. There were holidays to prepare for, pumpkins to buy, weekend camping trips to the mountains where we always stopped and bought apples and apple cider from the roadside stands. Fall was Halloween costumes and Thanksgiving dinner and sweaters and jackets and long pants. Fall was football on television and in the backyard. Fall was school and friends and school supplies and new school clothes. Fall was full of energy and color and fun.

Winter meant cold and snow at least once a year enough to warrant getting a sled for Christmas. Winter was trees shed of their colors, stark spindly and beautiful black against lovely gray skies. Winter was the excitement and anticipation of Christmas, New Year's, my birthday. Winter was Grandmother's Christmas goodies all made from scratch and with love and yes, you could taste the difference. Winter was snuggling up by the fireplace with books and Barbies. Winter was hot chocolate, warm coats, boots, and knitted hats. Winter was cozy blankets, warm socks that flopped around as I walked in them. Winter was brilliant red cardinals against a white background. Winter brought a blank page for spring to color.

Spring was cool in the morning and warm in the afternoon. Spring was first of colors on every street. Spring was Easter and the Easter Bunny and a new Easter dress, and Easter dinner at Grandmother and Granddaddy's house. Spring was Grandmother and Grandaddy's birthday and their anniversary. Spring was knowing that school would be out soon and summer was just around the corner. Spring was working in the yard on weekends with Grandmother whose yard exploded with vibrant color all during spring and summer.

This year, we've had summer and spring in the low-country once again. There is no looking forward to spring because winter was not allowed to happen. There was only the hope of winter. There was no fall as summer held on through November and then the weather was more like spring than fall but could, technically, have been fall. Sadly, there were no distinct seasonal changes again this year.

I suppose moving to a climate more conducive to seasonal changes would be the answer but when you are close to family and super close to your grandkids, that's not actually going to happen because grandkids are more important than just about anything else in the world especially personal preference.

It's not always easy missing the wonderful things of our childhood. If you're like me you still miss your grandparents all the time, friends, family gatherings, and the like. A simpler, happier time. A time of seasonal changes when we were in the spring and summer of our lives.

Please remember to visit CoasterDoodles! 

Y'all can find us on Facebook and 

Instagram (@coasterdoodlessc) and

Pinterest

Use THIS LINK or the code: EMPTYNEST 

for 15% off your purchase!

Snowmageddon 2014

I got some! I finally got some snow! It all started Tuesday night with freezing rain which turned to sleet which turned to snow by Wednesday morning. And then there was more sleet. And then some more snow. And a bit more sleet. Our temps never saw 32 degrees. We got stuck in the 20s AND, because it was going down even lower last night----

WE GET A SECOND SNOW DAY TODAY! The bridges are frozen and, since we are coastal and there are bridges about every 10 feet, we are shut down.

Most of you know that this makes me a little bit happy. Or maybe giddy is a better word.

The day started off unlike most days in that Tucker did NOT stare me down to take him out for a walk. Instead, he got cozy--

 I had to stick my head out the door long enough to look around. I found an icy palm with snowy car----

An icy magnolia---

Icy shoes (Eeyore never puts his shoes away)---

Icy chairs----

A neighbor's icy tree---

I put some bird seed out for my feathered friends---

Because this guy looked cold and hungry---

Tucker went out with me but not for long---

Until these guys showed up----

And then, it was on like Donkey Kong---

I wonder if I should have put some Bailey's in the bird bath? It makes good snow cream....

I know it's not what a lot of y'all get every year. But I'll take it since we only get it once every 4 years or so. And snow days? Heck yeah! I don't care that we have to make them up. I think we should have winter off and go to school during the summer anyway. :)

How's the weather in your neck of the woods?

Snug As A Bug...

How do you get warm when you're cold? Not that we get cold that often here in the low-country of SC but, when we do, we know it. And I am the ONE person in the entire area who appreciates the cold.

I love so much about winter even though we rarely get my favorite thing about it- snow. I love the cold temps and the way the trees look without their leaves. I love that it gets dark early. I love the winter night sky- always so clear and filled with stars. Sipping Bailey's Irish Cream. There's just not that much about winter that I don't like. Except that we don't get a lot of cold days.

My favorite thing about winter is it's snuggle-bility factor. Yeah, I know it's not a word. But it is perfect for describing my favorite thing about winter. I love the big, slouchy socks. The sweat pants and turtle necks. I love snuggling up underneath a blanket with Tucker and watching old movies or reading or snoozing. Winter is such a cozy season. I even enjoy walking on the beach in the winter.

In our house, we don't turn the heat up above 68 degrees and, as much as we can, we will put it at 65. Here, it's not the husband insisting we keep it down. We are all in agreement that we don't want to give the Gestapo electric company any more money that unavoidably necessary. Same regarding the water company who is worse than the electric company.

Anyway, what do we do to keep warm? We use one of these portable infrared heaters--

And a couple of these infrared quartz heaters for the effect:

I would prefer gas logs in the fireplace, but these work just fine. Why do we not just use the fireplace? One word: allergies. To smoke and wood. It sucks.

Anyway, these little heaters cost way less to run than the big, outside unit. And I like that.

And then, there's the morning walks--the ones when I'm off and we don't have to leave the house at dark thirty and we get to walk down to the marsh---and we get to see ---

the moon on one side:

and sunrise on the other---

Yep, I do love me some winter.

How do y'all keep warm in winter?

Friday Five!

It's Friday! Woot! And it's time for the Friday Five hop over at Jesse's Spot! Now there are two really good things about Friday. First- it's FRIDAY! Second- Friday Five! 

To link up, just click on the cuppa!

Seems that our students have come down with some serious cases of spring fever these last couple of weeks. It also seems, that when this particular ailment hits, it hits hard with students' ability to listen and follow directions. Holy cow, I'm not even kidding. Now I know that some of you look forward to and even pray for spring to come quickly. I do the same thing with fall and winter. But if y'all will just come by school and observe---honestly, for no more than 10 minutes---I'm sure you'll soon change your minds about the arrival of spring. Sheesh.

Another thing about spring. If you think for one second that 4th and 5th graders smell good after recess in the spring time, you are sadly mistaken.

There is at least one really good thing about spring, however. Deanie's birthday! Woot!

Oh, and, this year, there's a wedding to attend in the spring. My bestie's daughter is getting married in April. That's going to be fun!

Wait! Wait! AND, DoodleBug will be graduating from college on Mother's Day weekend!

Ok, so there ARE good things about spring this year. I stand corrected.

I think I would appreciate spring much more if I had had a winter from which to recover. 

It's been a long week y'all. Really long. And spring break is still two weeks away. I hope I make it!

Meanwhile, I'm thrilled beyond belief that FRIDAY has finally arrived! 

Start and Stop

I found this Start and Stop Poetry idea right HERE and thought I'd try to have some fun with it.  Seriously, I am NOT a poet and I do realize this fact. But this is a good exercise in writing and it really is fun!

I thought that, since it is Dr. Seuss' (Seuss's?) birthday (and because my poetry is so childlike), today would be a good day to put this out there.

These are supposed to evoke imagery in the mind of the reader. Mine don't. Because I am not good at imagery writing. Please keep your expectations at levels FUN and LOW. LOL

The Squirrel

Outside my window
A clever fellow dressed in gray sits and waits
As if he knows someone will come rushing out soon
In pursuit of a furry meal
While the cardinal and the wren munch
Without care on the newly placed seeds
Outside my window.

This one started out when a friend got snowed in up in the mountains and I became quite jealous.

Stranded

Winter has arrived
Up in the mountains
Where there is snow
That has barricaded my friend for the weekend
The solitude, the cold, the hot cider and the visual wonderland
Coupled with the crackling fire
Provides ideal protection from the outside harshness
Winter has arrived. 

Then, because we were promised flurries and never got them, this one was born. It might reflect my resentment of not getting any snow but it sure doesn't evoke any images. Oh wait! Maybe you can visualize the disappointment on my face. Ha!

Broken Promises

Winter has arrived
Up in the mountains
Where there is snow
And in the upstate
Where there is snow
And in the midlands
Where there is snow
And here in the low-country
Where the temps are finally low
But there is no snow
Winter has arrived


Now you try it!

Have a fabulous weekend, y'all!

Winter and Gumbo: A Fantastic Combination

Old Man Winter has finally, FINALLY, made an appearance in the SC low-country! And strong winds came along for the ride. I mean SERIOUSLY strong winds. They blew our lawn chairs around the yard, limbs were down in some places and, when Hubs was out, it kept making noises at the front door that made me think someone was trying to come in! Luckily, Criminal Minds was not on last night!

I thought we were going to be like the house in The Wizard of Oz! 

And the winds were still here this morning when I walked Tucker. Not quite as strong- but cold. Cold enough that, when it hit my face, it felt like someone was popping me with rubber bands. Or a stapler. Ouch! That's the last time I go out without a scarf!

Yes, I asked for cold weather. And, yes, I love it. But sometimes I forget to go out dressed properly for it!

Anyway, I absolutely LOVE visiting Biz at My Bizzzy Kitchen because I can always count on her for a recipe or two, or 100, that are always, ALWAYS worth a try. And, just the other day, I found a gumbo recipe that sounded perfect for a cold Sunday afternoon.

We weren't disappointed! I changed a couple of things- I used Turkey andouille sausage and fresh low-country shrimp, olive oil instead of vegetable oil, gluten free flour and my own essence instead of Emeril's- BUT it was delish!

Check out my rendition of Biz's Spicy Shrimp and Chicken Sausage Gumbo:

I made a fresh fruit salad to accompany the gumbo-I used an old southern secret for the sauce...anyone know what it is?

The fruit salad would have had fresh blueberries in it but they turned into gluten free muffins earlier this morning!

Now, head on over to Biz's and check out her recipes! You won't be sorry!

What's on your plate today?

I Know Where Winter Is AND-- About This Running Thing...

Winter is with Deanie and NicholAss in UTAH. Who knew?

Meanwhile, DoodleBug and Gibbsterrific (Evwardo was sick, HannahBanana was busy, Benjamin was working, Wes was busy---we missed y'all!) came over for dinner and I made this for dessert--

Yep- fresh strawberries and homemade gluten free chocolate peanut crunchy thingys. They were so freaking delicious!

On the exercise note- I started an actual running program type thing this morning. 

And survived. 

All I have to do is follow the schedule and I should be able to run for 20 NONSTOP minutes at the end of one month. 

Right.

I know myself pretty well at this age. And I know that if I go too fast with this, I will become frustrated and quit. Not quit exercising but running. And just walk. I don't want that to happen.

I realize that running without a plan was not working. So I DO need a plan. 

I thought about turning their days into weeks- for example, DAY 1 is run 1 minute, walk 5 minutes. Repeat 3 times. DAY 2 is run 2 minutes, walk 4 minutes. Repeat 3 times. And so on...

Instead, I thought I would turn DAY 1 into WEEK 1- for 3 days. Then DAY 2 would become WEEK 2 for three days. And so on...

Ok, all you runners out there- considering my age (over 50 HOWTHEHELLDIDTHATHAPPEN) and my tendency to get frustrated (and bored and to over-do) coupled with my desire to run but to take is SLOW--the questions are:

1. Does this sound feasible?
2. Is there a better way?
3. Do you have suggestions?

What I would love is a printable schedule that takes it slow. I'm not in a hurry because I really want to do this. The 5k I'm planning to run is not until Thanksgiving! I have plenty of time to do this. And do it right.

Any and all suggestions are more than welcome and appreciated! 

The Simple Woman's Day Book Entry...and One More Thing

This is a fun way to start the weekend! Just head over to Peggy's by clicking the button below and join in the fun!

 

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...the sun is shining brightly and the birds are eating at the feeders. They look all fluffed up from the cold and the wind.

I am thinking...that I am not a fan of being sick. What usually happens to me in October happened this week because of the waytowarmforJanuary temps.

I am thankful...for the cold weather!Though I doubt I'd be saying that if I lived in, say...Minnesota, for instance.

In the kitchen...there is a mess and I really need to get in there and clean it up. Probably not going to happen. How does it get so messy anyway when only two people and one little dog live here? Oh, wait. One of the people is a male. :)

I am wearing...my workout clothes and a hoodie. It's cold in here.

I am creating...cookbooks for each of the lovelies. I found these neat-o (yes, I just used the word 'neat-o') scrap/cookbooks at Michael's ONSALE just before Christmas and I got one for each of the lovelies. I gave them to the lovelies for Christmas but they had to give them back so I could put recipes in there for them. I am filling the books with all our family recipes and all the things I've learned so far about going gluten free. I am putting the recipes in as written originally and then, at the bottom, writing how to make them in a healthier, gluten free, sugar free, lower calorie way.And I'm being very specific. One of them isn't even sure how to boil a chicken.

I am going...NOWHERE. I mean it.

I am wondering...whether or not we'll get lucky enough to have that rare to the low-country snowfall this year.

I am reading...The Psychology of Everyday Things.

I am hoping...that we get that rare to the low-country snowfall this year.

I am looking forward to...that rare to the low-country snowfall this year. IF we get it.

I am learning...something every day. For example, today I learned that Netflix only gives decent choices on independent films sometimes. Today is not one of those times. AND 1/4 cup of dried cranberries has 96 freaking calories in it. WTH?!

Around the house...it's very quiet. And it's been that way since everyone left after the holidays.Until the husband gets home from work. Then you'd think there was a party going on. A noise party. :)

I am pondering...if pro is the opposite of con, is progress the opposite of congress?

A favorite quote for today..."The light made the snowballs look yellow. At least I hoped that was the cause."

One of my favorite things...about winter is the hope for all that snow that we are so rarely allowed the pleasure of enjoying here in the low-country.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Work on the cookbooks; find this year's patterns for the knitted gifts for Christmas and start those now so I don't get behind thinking I can do this, no problem; organize...

A peek into my day...

See Tucker in the lower right hand corner? I had to move that book so he could get in the chair. He's much happier now. Everything had to be moved to the dining table. My desk is just to small to handle it. Mainly because Tucker likes to sit on the left side of the desk and look out the window for squirrels. I think our lives may be ruled by a little ten pound pooch. 

I am also going to link up with FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, a new blog hop from Create With Joy.

Friendship Friday was designed to help bloggers meet new friends and comes with a question every week. This week's question is:

What do you love most about blogging? That is SO easy! It's all of YOU! I had no idea when I first started blogging that my life would be enriched with new friends! But it has and I will be eternally grateful for each and every one of you!

Just click on the button above and head over to join in Friendship Friday. The linky will be up all weekend!