Winter snow globe

Was ready for spring

and then this thing.

Was courting tank tops

now this stuff drops!

Like trash to the curb

 sun's warmth just a blurb. 

Pretty to view, make no mistake

I'd rather delight by the lake!

In the neighborhood...I LOVE this entryway! So bright and cheery. (could do without the trashcan however...haha).

It's Monday and my day off without any obligations or work!!! So I am revamping the blog.

There are lots of photos that I took over the weekend while walking in the neighborhood. We live in an old "Bohemian" section of town. Where immigrants put down roots. It is characterized by small cottage like homes with large yards. The early inhabitants here had little money for a prestigious home and were eclectic and diverse in their "lifestyles". There were huge family gardens in yards along with chickens and small livestock. How I would love to be able to see this neighborhood how it was back then!!

Here are some photos so you can get a feel for the area.

This is one of the little paintings I have been working on. The photo was taken in 2004 while on vacation with Rich. We took his kids to Tybee Island. We had only been dating for 3 months. We both LOVE this photo because it is when we were just getting to know each other. (this photo is kind of blurry)

Here is my crafting table...lucky to have such a big window there!

At least 10 inches of snow and still counting...it is still snowing and blowing. I had a day off because of the weather. So the curtains for the front porch were worked on. This is the view from our front window....made the paper snowflakes with Hunter and Richie.

What a contrast from the beach scene and the winter one!!

Mattie

Here is Mattie...she is camera shy.

Mattie has a vet appointment tomorrow because today she had only one stool (usually she has at least 4 per day) and it had blood in it. I cried on the way home from our walk. But maybe it is something not serious. She is 13 years old. I am worried but don't want to think about it. Other than that she is still acting the same. So...

see the snow...

Yes, I know it is always of this same tree and fenceline. That is the view from the condo...always the same. But see today it is snowing!

Little Jacques sleeping.

This is what I have been coloring the past couple of days. It reminds me of springtime so far. And Valentines Day...
Concert tonight so I better get my shower and dress...the roads are slippery.
Yellow Moon!

January...

is almost over. And with it (I am hoping) so is most of the winter weather.

On Friday we went to the Goodwill and loaded up on turtlenecks and sweaters. I found a London Fog winter coat with real fox fir trim around the hood for only $15.00! And it fits perfect and is in perfect condition. A couple of jeans also...and all for the same price that a pair of Levi's and a nice sweater would cost at a Kohl's store.

We ate at a Chinese restaurant in another town and I had the snow pea and chicken. The chicken was the worst thing. It didn't even have the texture of chicken and I am still wondering what kind of meat it was. I didn't eat it.

For the past couple of years we have been eating mostly REAL FOOD. And I have been making most all of it from scratch. So whenever we eat somewhere else and they are using additives and preservatives in the food...we can both tell the difference. And it just doesn't taste good or fresh. You can taste the chemicals in the food. It is like eating fake food. Yes, I have become finicky about my food.

I read labels and if the ingredients list anything that is not a real food, most of the time I will pass on it. And we don't really spend a lot of money on food for the 2 of us. About $50.00 per week...unless we splurge on something special like salmon or a special cut of meat.

For the last couple of years I have been experimenting with my diet. And have been almost exclusively vegan for the past 1 1/2 years. But my energy level was extremely low, I was loosing the thickness in my hair and I was tired all the time. (not to mention the moodiness). So I have been back to eating dairy (only yogurt) and eating small amounts of fish and poultry. This seems to work in getting my energy level back where it should be and my hair is not coming out in my comb like it was.

I walked Mattie this morning and it is COLD outside. The high today is supposed to get into the teens! Wooohoo!

Tax time is nearing and so all the paperwork needs to get organized. That is my goal for the day.

Another goal for this week is making some home-made chi tea. There are lots of great blogs out there with wonderful recipes. You use milk in it. So I will substitute it with rice milk or maybe even coconut milk. Experiment time!

Cheers!

up early...

today. I have a job to do and need to be to work by 9:30.

Richie just left to do snow removal. He has someone helping him today.

Listening to "Speaking of Faith" podcast. This one is about yoga with Seane Corn. She is a yoga teacher. It has been months since I have even done any yoga. When I was practicing it my body felt strong.

Blizzard conditions today...

Christmas in January.

This little blue trailer with the awning at the front window always looks cheery. We pass a large trailer park as we walk the trail.

A blue kind of day.

These boots were not made for the snow. Have to check out the GoodWill and see if they have any waterproof boots in my size. We are going to have to do more snow removal tonight! How can I make that fun?

Sunday

Iowa city, Iowa. Saturday January 10, 2009.

We are lounging today. Lots of snow to look at and yesterday we shoveled snow in the I.C. for 4 hours! Kind of sore today...

I really don't even want to go outside today at all. But we may go and take a drive to check out small nearby towns. Seeing how far out we could live and still work here.

trying to stay warm between trips...

Our mode of transportation...