The winter blahs...

I'm afraid I have a bad case of the winter blahs.

I didn't accomplish anything this weekend except get a good night of sleep.  Something I haven't been able to do thanks to constant snow.  All week we had to get up early to shovel.  Temperatures ranged from -5 to -25 with three to four inches per night.

I take that back, I did read two excellent books.  They were both second books that were just as good as the first ones.  On the Bright Side the New Diary of Hendrik Groen and Tales from the Cafe by Toshikazu Kawaguchi are both very optimistic about life.  I highly recommend them.

For Valentine's Day my husband got me a S'mores kit from the North Mallow company in Minnesota.  Wow!  I love s'mores and the kit is fabulous.  Even more amazing are the roasted homemade marshmallows on homemade hot cocoa.

https://www.sugarandsoul.co/smores-hot-chocolate-cocktail-recipe/

Campfire S'mores Hot Cocoa 

1 cup milk

1 cup heavy cream

 2 tbsp honey 

1 tbsp marshmallow syrup 

1/4 cup chocolate syrup 

1/4 cup chocolate pudding mix powder

2 oz. whiskey

marshmallows or marshmallow fluff. 

I don't have any whiskey, but it is in the original recipe so I left it. 

Wrapped up in a blanket with a delicious cup of hot cocoa out on the new deck looking for Northern lights isn't the worst way to spend a winter day.  Maybe it wasn't so blah.,.

I hope you have avoided the snow and cold.  Do you like s'mores?  Hot cocoa?  I hope you had a wonderful weekend.

The grand unveiling

 I didn't think it would ever happen, but our deck is done.  They worked all weekend trying to finish before the next snowstorm.

Sorry, the pictures aren't the best.  The crew worked until dark and then it snowed all day today.

We were able to get the table and chairs on it.  The grill is surrounded by snowdrifts and at the bottom of an icy slope.  Not sure when we will get it moved.  We also have a picnic table.  

This deck is double the size of the old one.  Most importantly it is as solid as a rock.  Our old one was hanging by a thread.

Hopefully, next weekend there will be a break in the snow and we can get it decked out.  Pun intended.

My bird feeders were the first to go up. I missed being able to see them from the window.

It is good to have this project checked off the to do list.  It took forever, but the contractor did a fabulous job.  We couldn't be happier.

Do you have a big project in the works?  What has been your biggest home improvement?  I hope it is warm and dry where you are.  We have lots of snow and negative temperatures in our future. 

Let's talk turkey...

 I ran out of thread and was unable to finish another feather this weekend.  I'm making good progress, so I'm not too worried. 

It was pretty nice out.  Kelly and I did a lot of little things outside.  We had choir practice with the local turkey population...

I'm still on my cleaning binge.  This weekend I went through the cupboards.  It was much needed as I found 3 containers of bay leaves, two of chili powder, two of oregano, and many more duplicates.  I also crushed all of my tea leaves which minimized containers, thus maximizing space.  

I also went through my seeds.  It doesn't look like I will will need to order many new ones this year.  I'm still looking for the perfect sweet corn.  I also need some more bumblebee tomatoes.  They are my all time favorite.  

Are you getting ready for spring planting?  Do you order new seeds or save seeds?  Hope you had a fabulous weekend.

I think I am in a rut...

 I'm afraid this is the extent of my weekend.  I added a feather.  Was also able to put doors on my brother's Jeep and two out of three soft top windows.  There is nothing easy about that soft top.  you are supposed to put them on in warm weather so the top has some give.  It is not warm and there is no give.  I made peach cobbler and deer stew with dumplings.  

Guess I am in a rut.  I think I will be stuck here until February is over. Somewhat like the movie "Groundhog Day."  I did pop my head in the greenhouse.  It was nice and warm.  

How is your winter going?  Are you in a rut?