Good Morning Everyone! Sunday Edition

 It's snowing! It's snowing! It's snowing!    

Right now it is still snowing a lot and we already have about 6 inches here.  I think it is pretty right now but really can't make myself enjoy it, knowing how dangerous it is here in the south.

I had a wonderful Christmas with friends or adopted family.  Over the years we have made our own traditions and it was real neat when I realized this yesterday.  I really enjoyed the socializing this year even more so then in the past.  When we got home from our Christmas celebration I called all of my sibling and my parents.  I am so fortunate to have such a loving and supporting family, both here and back home.

One of my contributions for our dinner was a WLS friendly Triffle that everyone really enjoyed.  I layered chopped up sugar-free yellow cake, no sugar added apple pie filling, sugar-free carmel topping , a layer of greek yogurt mixed with sugar-free white chocolate pudding mix, chopped walnuts, and cool-whip.  It tasted just like a carmel apple pie.  Out of the 5 desserts offered everyone must have really enjoyed this one, since it was almost gone.

Today I plan to just relax and enjoy my gas logs, hot coffee and tea, catch up on some reading and maybe even catch a nap.  

What are your plans for today?  Tell me about your Christmas.  

Wishing you a WONDERFUL and SAFE Sunday................

I polished off another book and have already downloaded two more books to read on my reader. Still two weeks to go before going back to school so I may read a few more. Could get expensive. I do have a library card and the library is walking distance. May go that route after I finish the next two books. After seeing True Grit the other day I think I want to read the book. But it is not available in digital form so I guess I will have to see if the library has it.
We had turkey and sweet potatoes yesterday with other veggies. Dinner was tasty and the leftovers will be good too I think. My dogs are having a ball in the snow today. My male Chihuahua thinks the snow is fun for all of two minutes then he is ready to come into the warm. Daughter's Shepard puppy thinks its more fun outside than in. She brings snow in and scatters it all over. Its pretty funny but it of course it melts all over and there are puddles all over the kitchen floor.

I thought we might miss all of the snow when it was still just a dusting when I went to bed after 1am. I awoke to a beautiful scene with lofty, fluffy snow decorating everything in sight. This is our first snow at the new house. Sarah and I used to always take a snow walk in our old neighborhood. We haven't done it yet here, but maybe we will and take some pictures to remember the beautiful scenery. 

I have to admit that I'm really having a tough time with Christmas this year. It's really overshadowed by the losses of the past year and the worries about the potential losses we are facing in the coming year. That said, I've tried hard to be in the moment as much as possible and remember to appreciate the blessings bestowed upon us even in the midst of the dfficulties we have faced.

This Christmas was very lonely for me. While we are lucky to be invited to share Christmas eve with friends, the day itself was very, very quiet and we were very much alone. Normally, we go to the movies and out for Chinese, but because of our cir****tances, that was not a possibility this year. That was our new tradition we carved out when we moved here from CA and weren't able to spend the holiday with our children and extended family. I think I felt cast adrift because we weren't able to celebrate with new or old traditions...

I have made a pork roast for dinner and some favorite holiday sides. I tried to make my dear MILs dinner rolls, but failed miserably... Sorry Mom. 

This morning I made some lean bacon and some cottage cheese pancakes for brunch at Sarah's request.

Sarah used her babysitting $ to buy Canes tickets for her and Ben to see the game tonight, but it's not likely that they will be able to attend. More likely that they will have to trade them in for tickets some time next month. 

Today, I'm grateful for the blessing we have: my health and that of my children, having a roof over our heads and food in kitchen, and friends that care.