Well today is Groundhog day. The official groundhog lives in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, and his name is Phil…Punxsutawney Phil that is. The story goes, if on this morning, he doesn’t see his shadow, we’ll have an early spring. If he does see his shadow, then we will have 6 more weeks of winter. So here’s the thing. The first day of spring is actually March 20, which is like 6 weeks away anyway, so this is not an exact science by any means.
The news reports are now in, and he did not see his shadow, I repeat, no shadow. So we are in for an early spring.
But of course this all takes place in Pennsylvania. I myself have my own little indicator. It’s not only Groundhog Day for us today, but we also celebrate my son’s birthday. My son Elijah is 15 today!! So let’s see if Elijah sees his shadow today or not (it won’t be difficult being that he’s like 6 feet tall).
Well folks, there you have it, no shadow from Phil AND Elijah. Looks like an early spring. My dear friend Carrie up in the Northwoods will be happy to hear this, she’s been dreaming of spring since January 1st 😉
Linking up with Kate Motaung for Five Minute Friday. If you would like to join in or learn more about it, click on the icon to the left. Write for 5 minutes, here we go.
TODAY’S PROMPT: QUIET
GO…
After the clock strikes midnight, the silence is almost deafening. But I let it embrace me like a warm, soft blanket. It’s what I long for at the end of a day filled with questions. Like home schooling questions, “Mom, so how did the scientists know what color the dinosaurs were, if they only found their bones.” Good question….Google? “Mom, can you wash my work clothes?” and the ever popular “Mom, what’s for dinner?” times 4. This one also comes in the form of a phone call, from my daughter, when she is on her way home from work. I usually don’t say hello, just tell her what I’m making. Last but not least, my youngest starts most of his sentences with “Quick question…” whether it’s a question or not, and trust me it usually isn’t quick by any means. 🙂
So after a day like this, I just want it quiet. So it’s once everyone is asleep, I can finally relax, with a snack, and do what I want to do, and not have to answer any more questions. I can catch up on my favorite shows, catch up with friends on Facebook, through email, or their blogs. The only sound I want to hear is the low hum of the refrigerator, or the sound of the heat kicking on and off on a cold winter’s night. Ahhh….it’s quiet, the perfect time to get lost in a book. Quiet is a commodity that is worth far more to me than diamonds or gold. Well…maybe not diamonds. Nonetheless, it is not only what I want, but as an introvert, it’s what I need each night, so that I can recharge and be ready for another day, no matter how many questions I have to answer.
OK. So to commemorate this day, I made Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Filled Cupcakes. Yeah, they are cupcakes, but it’s still cake!!
I did try something new with the cake. This is just a box mix, but I saw a tip on how to make it more like a bakery cake. Instead of water, use milk, instead of oil use butter, and add an extra egg. It does make a difference.
So grab yourself a slice of cake and enjoy the day!!
Good Morning!! Yep…another week, the last week of January already, can you believe it? Now that it’s tax season, I’ll be volunteering at the library on Friday afternoons to help prepare tax returns. I found this organization that offers free tax preparation, and the training is free as well. I started my training last week, and it’s a great little group of ladies who will be working out of the library. It’s something I enjoy doing, and in turn helps people get their taxes done…and…I only have to walk across the street 🙂
MOVIE I’D LIKE TO SEE:
Zootopia. This movie looks really cute and funny too.
LOL CHUCKLES, AND GIGGLES:
RECIPE I TRIED LAST WEEK:
I did make the Chicken Parmesan Baked Penne, and it turned out really good. Here is the recipe.
Chicken Parmesan Baked Penne
1 lb. Penne Pasta
1 lb. Chicken – seasoned with Itailian Season
1 25 oz. Newman’s Own Tomato & Basil Sauce
½ cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese
2 cups Shredded Itailian Cheese
Fresh Basil
Mix cooked Pasta and cooked Chicken with sauce.
Drizzle Olive Oil at the bottom of baking dish.
In baking dish, layer:
½ pasta mix
½ cup Parmesan cheese
1 cup Itailian cheese
Sprinkle basil on top
Repeat.
Bake at 375 for 20 minutes.
FAVORITE BLOG POST:
I found this story about a New Brunswick Jeep Club volunteering their time during the blizzard to get doctors and nurses to work at the local hospital. How cool is that? That’s how it should be…I got a jeep, there’s a blizzard…you need a ride to work…hey, I’ll drive you!! 😀
THIS I HAVE TO TRY:
I always come across these tips, and think now that’s clever. But then I forget about them. This I have to try, and now that they are posted on my blog, I can look back and try some of these, this one definitely. I hate cleaning the fridge!!
When things get gross, just rip out the liners and add new ones. Brilliant!!
FROM THE CAMERA:
More pics from the little trip to the beach with my daughter.
Yeah…about that…
OK…so technically she is not on the ice, she’s actually right at the edge, there’s sand under that snow.
I wonder how heavy one of those ice sheets are. The smooth edges and the shapes are amazing!!
After my daughter and I went grocery shopping, we decided to take a little detour before we pulled up to the house. This is what Lake Michigan looks like today.
As the wind picked up we could hear the ice quietly crackling. I also faintly heard the lapping of water against the ice, there must have been a small whole somewhere because there is no open water in sight. Absolutely incredible to see!!
Carrie Ann Alexis 