Hello, Dear One. Did I scare you being away so long? Goodness, I just thought that I would have all kinds of time in January. Yet here it went skipping off like a mountain goat just as every other month does. I freely confess that coming up with blog fodder grows more difficult for me all the time.
What is that? Well sometimes I take photos based on pattern or textural interest. I think I was hoping that taking a picture would spur me on. Sometimes that works.
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Just a few short weeks ago, I thought that God had blessed me and all Mainers with a mild winter and, in fact, He had up to that point. Then winter arrived. I try not to be annoyed with the cold and ice since all children I know seem to enjoy snow. This is Emmanuel and Anneke and Sprocket the Rocket. He is a Tamaskan. He is big. He is still a puppy. I imagine that he will be huge when grown.
Laurel knocking off the icicles. Sam has done it since and so has Adam. Thanks be for helpers! Every member of the family, including my sister, has helped with so much around here.
Adam and Jake in negotiations. Jake was ready to split. Laurel and I had the January birthday boys over for pizza and cake and ice cream and gifts. It was just one of many birthday parties for them.
Sam looked out at the luge and said it would be ready for sledding in another storm or two. I was surprised that he still thinks of the luge fondly now that he is 17. Jake is 16. John sure made it fun for them.
Here they are in younger years....perhaps 5 and 6 or 6 and 7. I would ask their mom, but then I would have to confess that I stole this picture from her FB page.
Can you believe the price of groceries? Eggs!
May February be sweet... thanks for stopping by...
Love,
Vee
But Reese Pieces are still relatively inexpensive!
ReplyDeleteThey say it's the bird flu, but wow. I have a friend who keeps chickens. She's like an oil barron right now! Ha ha
Sometimes I have a wistful wish to keep a few chickens. Apparently, I am not the only one if the sounds of rooster crows in the neighborhood are any indication. Does your egg baron friend sell eggs? That's a funny description, but I am sure she is not unscrupulous. 🐓🐓🐓
DeleteThe snowy scenery looks beautiful. I am also very surprised by the price of eggs!
ReplyDeleteHi Mrs. White, yes winter scenery is lovely as long as I can be inside where it's considerably warmer.
DeleteNo multi-egg omelettes or scrambles on my range lately - $8.00 a doz is really high!
ReplyDeleteKeeping hens in the back yard can be a hard job I hear - despite your lovely family being so helpful they might not want that job, haha!!!!
The children and dog in the snow are lovely, yes that's a BIG puppy - your new header is gorgeous - and just seeing you here knowing all is good and you are well and cozy makes me happy. Thanks for your comments also dear Vee.
Stay warm and safe now the snows have come to Maine.
Hugs - Mary
The good news is that the price was for 18 eggs, which is plenty bad enough. Yes, if I said,"Would you knock off the icicles, grab the mail, and clean out the chicken coop?" I'd probably have a revolt on my hands. 😁
DeleteVee! So good to see a post from you! And a wintry one at that! We sure were blessed with a mild winter up to that point. The snow is beautiful though and yes, the kids sure do enjoy it. ❄❄
ReplyDeleteEggs seem cheaper here, at least in Market Basket. Either the MB brand or the Eggland's Best is currently 3.99. I haven't checked their prices on 18-packs, but if you know anyone who lives near a Market Basket, you might have them check.
I was hoping you might pop in with a post before January's end. So glad you did!
Aww, thanks. Eggland's Best. Must remember that. We don't have Market Baskets up heah that I know of.
DeleteSo happy to see you peeking in today, Vee.
ReplyDeleteYikes! It is good to have helpers when dealing with those icicles and all of the snow.
The kids look adorable as they have fun with their large doggy. I have never heard of that breed before. He is a handsome fellow.
How well I remember the fun that was had on the luge over the years.
Yes, egg prices are rather shocking.
I was hoping that egg prices well south of us would be better. I don't want to open my electric bill this month. It will be up by 49% through no increased usage on my part. 🤦🏻♀️
Deleteoh how good to hear from you Vee...all the snow in Maine makes me NOT miss the winter up there....even though Texas is getting a blast of sleet right now....this was a fun and enjoyable post...I remember how huge the icicles could be...thanks for sharing your corner of the world!
ReplyDeleteSleet? That's no fun! Thanks for popping in, Betsy.
DeleteGlad you slid in safe on the last day of January. Good to read your words. That carton of eggs we left at my sisters cost $8.99. Pretty shocking as are other things to the pocket book. Tomorrow I'll be buying eggs and we'll see what the price is in our locale. Thankfully our icicles are gone for now. We are suppose to get another snow drop tomorrow morning but not much. Sweet that the 'boys' still think of coming down the luge. Stay cozy and warm dear Vee.
ReplyDeleteLaurel just knocked them down again before leaving for home. I doubt, with the sub zero temps, that there will be much melting.
DeleteTrying to stay warm and cozy...sometimes I wear my winter coat or my fleecy bathrobe. That's a tip that I got from Mrs. White.
Hi Vee,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you posted this month. :D I've only posted once in January; I've got blog fodder but can't seem to get around to actually writing up a post. I'm losing my motivation somehow. Anyway, it's a blessing that you have such good family members to help you out around your home in winter. I'm sorry your mild weather disappeared; it has probably all landed down here. We would be glad to see a little snow, but all we get is rain, rain, rain. Your grandsons were such cuties -- it's hard to believe they're so grown-up now. Yes, the price of eggs (and everything else) is prohibitive, isn't it? I hope you're staying warm inside and hope you have a safe week if you have to get out in the snow.
Love and hugs,
Denise at Forest Manor
Yes, many have lost their motivation if the echo in the halls of Blogdom mean anything. Don't lose yours! Whip it up. ☺️ I'll try to do the same.
DeleteIt was so nice to read a post from you, Vee! How wonderful to have helpers around to do the necessary outdoor chores. Gosh, the kids look like they’re having fun in the snow. It’s freezing cold here in Texas and we have ice and snow. I love the memory of the luge and John.
ReplyDeleteUgh...sleet and ice are not what I expect to hear from Texas. Thank you for saying that you, too, have fond memories of the luge and John.
DeleteNice that you have help around the house.
ReplyDeleteYes, prices of certainly gone UP!!
Can't believe how fast time flies along.
So nice to see a post from you, Thanks for visiting me and all your comments. :)
My pleasure to visit your place!
DeleteOh I just can't believe the snow! Born and raised in CA I only see snow on mountain peaks miles away. I love the ocean and palm trees, but I must admit, there is no beauty like the snow. So white, so pure so "God like". The children and dog are adorable and that picture is mat and frame worthy.
ReplyDeleteYes, Where did January go? I like your textures and patterns. I'm always looking for inspiration for blogging. Then I resort to the kitchen and cooking...haha
May I be the first to wish you a Happy Valentine Day!!
If I begin to think of snow as "God-like," it should change my perspective! Oh I do enjoy your kitchen.
DeleteHi Vee~ I know I've been commenting and following you for a long time, because I remember the luge!! I even remember photos of your grands as they played in the snow and would slide down the luge...good ol' days! Always good to see you here. Hugs, Barb
ReplyDeleteYes, we bloggers have watched so many grandchildren grow up. And growing up is a good thing!
DeleteYikes! That's a crazy price for eggs. Groceries are just so expensive these days. How sweet those two little ones are enjoying the snow and their LARGE dog. We've had a mostly mild winter after an early bout with snow, but things could get chilly again. February can go either way.
ReplyDeleteJohn's luge was a big hit and I remember the boys enjoying it. How great that they remember, too. And how quickly they grew up.
Have a wonderful February!
There, too, I take it. Yes, we are about to descend into the negative digits. Hope that it doesn't last too long (for the sake of our purses and our health).
DeleteMemory is a blessing...most of the time.
Egg prices are Ridiculous...!!
ReplyDeleteCute youngster photos...and Sprocket is gorgeous!
Stay warm!
hugs
Donna
Aren't they? Makes me think twice about having an egg salad sandwich. 😏
DeleteHow nice to find a new year post , Vee, and I can understand how fast time goes by and how it can be difficult to find post material. That said, you did well so give yourself a high five. It was nice to see your family members, especially Emmanuel and Anneke and Sprocket having fun in the snow. My goodness you did get a lot more in Maine, than here in Nashua, NH. Our few snowfalls have been short-lived and did not amount to a lot of snow. Of course, no icicles needed to remove from the mill apts although I did see a few. I liked the first photo of patterns 😀
ReplyDeleteNashua seems to have its own little micro climate. I say, blessed you!
DeleteThanks for posting, even if you sometimes feel at a loss for words. I always enjoy your blog and seeing what's happening in the frozen north.
ReplyDeleteThat's very nice of you, Barbara. Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteOh yes, Vee! I LOVE to hear from you! I DO wish you would write more often, but I will take what I can get. You are like a window into the world I once called home and sometimes wish I still could, but not so much in the dead of winter! Although seeing the children playing with the dog in the snow does bring a big smile to my face. I love the texture picture of the rug and slippers. Kind of warm and cozy. So glad you have family close enough to help with the big jobs around the homestead. That is a blessing indeed. Yes, eggs are high here too. We've quit eating them so often and I treat each one like gold. I don't think I'm ready to raise chickens, however. That just seems like an extreme way to solve the problem. I wonder how many dozen eggs I could buy for the purchase of the chicks, the coop, the feed and maintenance? Well anyway, thank you for chiming in before the last cock crowed in January. Happy February. Stay warm and well and stay in touch with us more often. I love hearing from your neck of the woods!
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DeleteLoved that turn of a phrase..."chiming in before the last cock crowed in January." Clever!
Writing more often would require thinking more often. I'm pretty empty headed these days
Oh Vee! I always love your posts. And your photos. These with your family are really special. I promise I had not come in here before coming up with my February challenge that I just posted about yesterday, but your pictures are exactly the kinds of photos I want to try to take more of. My difficulty in frequent commenting is first remembering, second finding the time (and sometimes motivation) when I do think about it. It's not that my life is a whirlwind, but I get on with it and before I know it a week (sometimes a month) has gone by and I haven't set myself down at my computer long enough to post anything. At which point I look back and think of all I could have posted, but now it's old material. Usually nothing exciting. Just slice of life type posts. I love whenever you post. More pictures, please!
ReplyDeleteBloggers are a unique group. We enjoy slice of life posts and getting to snoop in each other's kitchens and gardens. We rejoice in happy times and grieve in sad times. Everything is blog fodder and it is all interesting to us.
DeleteThanks for stopping by, Becki.
I am thinking this virus of lacking blog fodder must be contagious, as I have a bad case! If you come up with a remedy, please let me know, I will be first in line. ~smile~
ReplyDeleteLoved seeing the photos of the family, I am once again amazed at how fast these two young men grew up!
I think of you so often especially when the national weather is forecasting in your area,and miss those regular post so much.
Love,
Sue
It is no wonder that we are all struggling a bit with the nightmare that's been going on in recent years. One doesn't know whether she is safe to say what is on her heart for starters. A number of friends have been having troubles with those who believe their opinions to be the only valid ones. 😵💫 I truly think the remedy is Jesus. Thanks for your visit, Sue. Always good to see you out and about.
DeleteIt sure looks like you've had a blast of wintry weather this week. The wind is bitter! How nice to have family close by to help you. I know you help each other and that's so important! Take care and stay warm!
ReplyDeleteAye, aye, will do! Thank you for popping in today.
DeleteI haven't been around much on the blog since Christmas, so I'm trying to make my rounds and catch up with everyone. I enjoyed your post, Vee. It's always nice to see what you are up to, - quiet or otherwise. My days fly by too and I wonder where they get to. Hope you have a pleasant weekend.
ReplyDeleteStill looking for the difference between rime and hoar frost. Sometimes I just don't get the explanations given. Oh my days are mostly quiet and perhaps a bit dull. Thank you for popping in.
DeleteI love your throwback photo of Sam and Jake! Seems that it wasn't very long ago . . . but then I see the current photo and I realize that it was.
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful that you get plenty of helpers around the house! Some find it hard to accept help (I know some of those), but it is better for everyone if we work together.
Yes, the months fly! I have never had a faster January in my life! I'd better wish you a happy February before it, too, flies away!
January was fast for me this year as well and I didn't have special guests. Hope that we'll be hearing about your guests one day soon. You did take pictures, right?!
DeleteHi...I found you on the comments section of Legacy of Home. I am excited to be getting your blog posts. What I have seen and read today is wonderful and like a visit with a friend. My January has flown by also...I am in North Florida, so no snow. I had enough of that while growing up in NJ. Beautiful,but.... Blessings.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet thing to say. Thank you for your comment. I'll even forgive you for living in Florida. I actually have a number of blogging friends who do.
DeleteWe've had a very strange winter ourselves too, Vee. Our winter started early in November with the most snow in December. In January, it has all been rain! We've had extreme temps too, with several stints of minus weather. Its back up to the 30s now. What a beautiful dog Sprocket is! A perfect companion for the kids! I like the textures you shared in the rug/shoe picture... love the little things in life like that! Blessings to you dear friend, happy you keep posting and sharing, don't stop! :)
ReplyDeleteYes, I hope that I don't get any more pokey than I am. Thanks, Marilyn, for your visit.
DeleteVery warm winter here. Only two days of cold weather and it didn't arrive until February.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos.
And you live in Canada? Wow. I think mild winters are a great blessing so that is wonderful for you. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. I plan to follow you home. 😉
DeleteWow. Where have the years gone? I blink and your grandsons are all grown up. Such a cute pic you 'borrowed' from their mom's FB page. It seems like all our grands grew up before our very eyes through our blogs.
ReplyDeleteWe have had more than enough winter to suit me, though it has been quite mild this past month. The cold is set to return next week. I had a bit of an escape from our winter, so I can't complain!
You are posting much more often than I am! I'm thankful you are still posting. I enjoy visiting here. - It's impossible to understand why a dozen eggs (your carton was 18) costs more than a pound of hamburger.
ReplyDeleteHi Vee, hope all is well in your part of New England as it is here in Nashua, NH, where spring is slowing arriving, at least there's no snow in this week's forecast. Thanks for your comment on my Peasant Bread baking post today. I know that I mentioned there were a couple of "challenges" with the wet & sticky dough, but it's really quite forgiving and once the dough is in the Pyrex bowls and baking is done, I did not regret the effort. It's now my husband's favorite bread recipe!
ReplyDelete