Feels Like Spring!

 Hi There!

 I know it's only wishful thinking, but it feels like Spring outside.  It is 67* outside right now.  Last week, we were in the 20's!  The wind is blowing hard,and it is really balmy out.  I know all of this is being caused by a new front coming through, but it sure feels good. It will be cold again soon. 

  The dogs really love the warm weather too.  The backyard looks like a muddy race track, where the dogs have been running in circles, nipping at each others ears.  I did poop patrol earlier this morning, and I nearly slipped on the"race track" the dogs have created. Better mud than poop though! Are you dog lovers?

 With all the wind blowing, lots of loose limbs are falling off the trees.  Hurricane Ike came through here earlier in the year, with 75mph winds.  Yes, here in KY!  It did major damage to all of Louisville with all the falling trees and limbs pulling down power lines.  We were without electricity for NINE days.  Thank goodness for having a gas water heater and a gas stove.  We were able to have hot showers and we cooked the food as it started thawing in the freezer. Nights by lantern and candlelight were really fun too.

  Without power, all the neighbors came out, and we did a lot of socializing, and a lot of neighborhood walking.  I should still be doing the walking after all the food I have consumed in the last several days.  I hopped on the scales this morning-MAJOR MISTAKE!  I know what I will be making for a New Years resolution.

I feel really relieved now that the holiday stress is gone.  I am a procrastinator, and I always  find myself doing things at the last minute.  I manage to get things done though, and I actually do a better job when I work  that way.  I guess I just thrive under stress.

  How about you?  Are you a last minute doer, or one of those that has everything bought and packaged  by the end of summer?  I try to buy things throughout the year as Christmas gifts, but I seem to forget about them when I am writing out my gift list in December.

  This year, I designated  the guest room as a storage place for all my pre-bought gifts, and that really helped.  We just moved back to Louisville this past May, so the house is still disorganized.  Having a designated room was a good move on my part.

  Having moved, we are still repainting room by room.  It is slow going since we are doing it ourselves.  The downstairs is now finished, so at least we can entertain now.  I really love to have friends over for a meal and relaxation.  This summer and fall, we, and several of our neighborhood friends got together on debate nights, for pot luck dinners and political hoopla.  It was great fun, especially since everyone there was of the same political persuasion.  We wanted fun, not argument as the evening agenda.

 

What are you doing for New Years? Are you partying?  Have any really special resolutions to make?

Please share them.

 Speaking of sharing, I thought I would share one of the reasons I put on the pounds this holiday season-Glazed nuts!  I fix them and give them as gifts.  It's so easy, but they are so sinfully delicious that you can't eat just one!  Try them out.  I just hope you have better self control than I do!

Glazed Nuts

I usually double this recipe, since I buy the pecans in a 2lb bag at Costco

1 egg white

1/2c sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

1/4 tsp. ground cloves

1 lb unsalted pecans, walnuts or cashews

In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients except the nuts. Mix well, and add the nuts.  Toss well til nuts are covered.  Spread them out in a single layer on a greased cookie sheet, and bake at 250* for one hour.  Cool, and break apart any clumped ones,and store in airtight containers.

Enjoy!

Have a great Saturday!  

Mary