Spring! Spring!

We woke to a bit of snow this morning. I snapped the picture above from our balcony. I call this Fairyland Snow. It's exactly the right consistency and temperature to clump on the tree limbs. And It rarely lasts very long.

A lot of folks are grumbling about the snow this spring as though it's something unusual or extraordinary. I remember more than one snowy Easter from my younger days. Spring is the clash of the seasons between winter and summer so we get a bit of both.

One Easter Sunday my father (a minister) spent much of the day with a chain, towing church members from ditches they slid into. Back then, tow trucks were only called for the worst accidents.

Another Easter (when I was a teen), I was pouting because our family didn't do the new outfit for Easter. Hey! I was shallow enough to wish I had new Easter clothes, too. That Easter we woke to eight inches of snow on the ground--and more coming down. As we drove to our church, we passed another one on the way. I admit I watched those ladies dressed in their pretty pastel outfits with a secret smile as they waded through the snow. I, of course, was nice and warm in my winter clothes and boots.

And of course there were several Easters when it was a good thing the eggs we hid for the kids were plastic. And brightly colored! Some of those eggs we didn't find for several weeks...

I'm pretty philosophical about the weather. It is what it is. Prepare for anything. Have a hot mug of chocolate or coffee or tea. And watch the snow come down. A warm blanket and a good book can make the day better.

anny

The Very Best of...

Ahhhh, it's time for the very best of again! So sit back and enjoy!

The Best Ever Pirate Novel
The Windflower by Laura London (aka Tom and Sharon Curtis) Out of Print published in 1984

I checked this out on Amazon.com since it's out of print. Imagine my shock when I discovered that the mass market paperback (used) is going for $29.45-$51.33 plus $3.99 for postage. Original price was $3.44 and it's a thick book. Ah, to know that others understand the true value of The Windflower.

Sadly, Tom and Sharon Curtis retired not long after they won the Rita for another of their wonderful books. While I understand that we all have to make tough choices, their books were wonderful and I do miss them.

The Windflower was the first "pirate" novel I ever read and to this day, it's my favorite. The authors filled the book with incredible, interesting characters. One secondary character nearly stole the book and readers are still waiting for the authors to write a book for Cat. If you ever get a chance to read it, it's a treasure well worth the hunt.

I've had a total of six copies of this book. Whenever I loaned it out, it never came back. So the last time I invested, I determined that copy would not ever be loaned. Too bad as I took such pleasure in sharing the book.


The Best CD for Tough Times


Tough All Over by Gary Allan

Mr. Allan has been there and done that. A couple years ago he lost his wife to suicide. This album reflects the emotional climb back out of the pit. That's not to say that it's depressing, but it is honest. He's mad, sad, rowdy, contemplative, and stark.

If you're having a rough go-round with life, then sit a while and listen to Gary Allan sing about life. There's no where to go but up. When I think things are really rough, I sit and listen to this album and then I know that I haven't seen anything yet.

Best Cold Winter Treat

Home made cocoa and cinnamon oven toast.

Cocoa

1 teaspoon of powdered cocoa
3 teaspoons of sugar
stir together in a mug and then fill a little more than half way with boiling water.
stir until sugar is melted.
add evaporated milk until mug is full.
may be flavored with a candy cane as a stirrer.
Yum.

Cinnamon Toast
Butter bread slices.
Sprinkle with mixture of cinnamon and sugar.
Toast in oven until sugar is bubbly.
Double Yum.

Anny

Drop by Amarinda's Place to see if she caught the spider. Did he turn out to be spiderman? Tune in to find out at www.amarindajones.blogspot.com and then check Kelly's blog for her Sunday Quote at www.kkirch.blogspot.com Who will she quote this week? Blessings on your day!