The view from my window

If we can look past the fact that we are very tired of snow, it is obvious how absolutely beautiful it is. It is so clean and so white. It clings and accumulates, creating neat shapes and snow structures.
Kenna, from Beholden to Nature, has inspired me to really look at my surroundings and to notice the beauty that surrounds us every single day.

Going out Like a Lion

Didn't March come in like a lion too? Anyway, that's us, with the 100% chance of snow. Reports are that we've had 8" so far, and it's only 8:30 in the morning. Nearly everything is closed...everything except my hubby's work. He works for the state and they have a no-close policy, no matter what.

This is our front door in the foyer. The snow swirls around and piles up in there. He had to shovel just to get out of the house.

When we were in the cities, we bought this very cute wreath of grapevine and Easter eggs. Since I had seen a

robin the other day, I decided it was time to hang it out by our newspaper box. Again, I was premature.

Callie and Lucy cannot understand why anyone would go out there...but hubby dug the vehicle out and headed down the street.

Meanwhile, back in the house, I am having coffee in the biggest mug I could find.

Stitching & Stewing on Sunday VIII

FLOOD UPDATE
I want to thank everyone who has expressed concern and offered prayers for those afftected by the flood waters. Here, in Aberdeen, it has been cold and that has helped. The creek is still contained by the dike and homes are still safe. In Fargo, classes at NDSU have been canceled for another week. I visited with a good friend who's sister and mom are staying with her as they have been evacuated from their homes. Lotsof people have been displaced and your prayers are much appreciated.
MY STITCHING TODAY
We are all in the mood for spring. This weekend I brought out these delicious cotton yarns to crochet some washcloths...Don't these colors just make you happy?!

MY STEWING TODAY
I made Breakfast Pizza...
INGREDIENTS:
1 can (8 oz) refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
1 cup frozen hash brown potatoes
Green Pepper, diced
Onion, minced
4 eggs
1/3 cup milk
8 slices bacon, cooked & cut into 1-inch pieces
1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper, if desired
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
DIRECTIONS:
1. Heat oven to 350°F. Spray pizza pan with cooking spray.
2.Unroll dough into pan; press in bottom and 1/2 inch up sides to form crust; press perforations to seal.
3.Bake 5 minutes.
4.In medium bowl, beat eggs. Stir in milk.
5.Remove partially baked crust from oven. Distribute potatoes, bacon, peppers, onion and cheese evenly over crust. Sprinkle the parsley over top. Pour egg milk mixture over top.
6. Return to oven; bake 20 to 25 minutes longer or until set and edges are golden brown. Cut into wedges.

...and last, but not least...here is our forcast...

... I wish I could say I'm kidding...

Friday's Flood Efforts

Water is predicted to overflow the banks of Moccasin Creek today. This is a little creek that passes through the city of Aberdeen...and through my mother-in-law's back yard. Sandbags are ready to go at both ends of her street. Emergency Management Personnel are to keep them posted and since she hasn't called, everything must still be OK. The cold temperatures have been in our favor. The picture below is right behind her house. The chainlink fence on the right is her neighbor. The tall evergreens are in Grandma's yard. You can see the water is nearly to the top of the dike. Our family remembers sandbagging here on Easter Weekend in 1997. This, of course, is nothing compared to what people are experiencing in Fargo.

OK...I lied...

Spring has not Sprung here. Perhaps I jinxed us by displaying my spring flag. The phone rang at 6 am...it was 'call reach'...our Principal's voice recording to tell us we were having a late start today. Freezing rain and an inch of snow made for very slippery driving conditions. It was 23 degrees...Wind chill was 8 degrees.
You know, we are all just going to appreciate spring so much more when it does finally get here!!
Whatcha Working On Wednesday?
Our family has been discussing the possibility of hosting a foreign exchange student for the coming school year. We have sat on the fence for quite a while. Since hubby and I are empty nesters, we have plenty of space, time and energy to offer this young woman. On the other hand, our house is pretty quiet...boring...you might say.
But...we have decided we want to open our home to a foreign student...
...and the application packet is 12 pages long.

I am looking forward to all of your comments here!

Spring has Sprung

We returned from Minneapolis to a yard with no snow. While everything here is still brown and dirty, the rain today will help freshen the outdoors. Finally, my snowman flag looked out of place, so I have replaced it with spring flowers and birds.
Along with the thawing and rains, comes the threat of flooding. NDSU's classes have been canceled again today so the university students can help sandbag. My thoughts and prayers are with those families who are fighting the water trying to keep it out of their homes.

A Shopper's Paradise

We get to Minneapolis and the Mall of America once or twice a year...what a great concept for families that need a central place to gather for a vacation. There is something for everyone here. Our college girls were lucky to have spring break at the same time, even tho' they go to school in different states. They spent the week here...resting, relaxing and recreational shopping.

My Spring Break was only two days, so hubby and I drove over to join them for the long weekend.

But now, we return to our own homes...refreshed & rejuvenated ...to work and to finish our school terms.

Whatcha Workin on Wednesday?

So...my Razor has been a good phone for me...I can send and receive calls, use the phone book, set my alarm, text message, and take pictures. I liked the flip cover. I just liked the simplicity. But her time will soon expire, so my hubby has upgraded me to a blackberry...

...it really is hard for an old dog to learn new tricks.

Monday Mania & Customer Choice

Today was the first day of the fourth, and final, term of this school year...so, new classes and new students. My course descriptions and student expectations are on my school webpage, so students log-on to view...saves paper. Instead of a computer lab, we have eight of these laptop carts in our school. Each teacher signs up to have them in their room when necessary. These pictures illustrate the wrong and right way to put your laptop away.
At first, this was a big headache. "Teacher, my laptop doesn't work...my battery is dead...This won't let me save...I can't find the printer...I don't remember my password...etc."
But the advantages of working in your classroom with computers for each student far outweighs any problems that arise.

Changing the subject...These pictures are for an Etsy cutomer who is considering this "God Bless America" pillow. I actually have two on hand. You may have your first choice....one has calico of navy blue with red and off-white stars. The other is navy blue with off-white dots.
Nadia, just let me know which one you like the best!

Good Friends + Good Family = Great Evening

Stitching & Stewing on Sunday VII

Tonight was the last night for the girls to be home, so we hd a little dinner party for them, their grandma and aunt, and our good family friends. The request was for TexMex, so we made Super Nachos, Mexican Rice and these Chicken Tortillas.

Chicken Tortillas
6 cups shredded chicken
2 cups sour cream
7 oz. cannned diced mild green chilies
2 cans cream of chicken soup
3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
chopped green onion
flour tortillas

Mix sour cream chilies, and soup to make sauce. Divide in half. Add the rest of the ingredients to half of the sauce. Spoon sauce wtih the chicken into the tortillas. Roll and place seam side down in the baking pan. Cover with remaining sauce. Sprinkle with shredded cheddar and green onions. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes until hot and bubbly.

Because we were having so much fun, I did not spend much time working on projects this weekend, however, this is the bunny I am currently working on...

Family Time ~ Priceless

The college daughters have spring break at the same time...they are heading into Minneapolis for a little rest, recreation, and relaxation.

First stop...home to see family. We gathered at one of our finest restaurant's for dinner, and of course, the birthday girl gets free dessert, 'Death by Chocolate'...

Then, home for more dessert and to open presents. Big sister knows her fashion...the Coach messenger bag was the perfect gift!

For me, perfection was having all of us together!

Happy Birthday, Darling Emily

March 13th, 1989...Happy Birthday, Emily! As a second born child, you did not come into the world with all the individual attention that a first born child does...but you came into the world with an older sibling that simply adored you, along with your parents. Typical...I had only a few pictures of just Emily alone to share, most of my pictures include Amy too...

But here she is, less than an hour old. Amy was with Grandpa and Grandma while we were in labor...as soon as they got the phone call, they came to the hospital...must have had their coats on already, as they got to the hospital within about 5 minutes...

These pictures are taken the first few days we were at home. By the time Emily was a week old, she could play school and was earning stickers for a job well done!

But seriously, she did know her abc's and could write her's and her sister's name before she was 2!

Spring Break begins today...she will be home in just a few hours...and we can celebrate her 20th Birthday in style!!

Have you had your Veggies today?

Just listed in my Etsy Shop...

Things outside my House Thursday

I'm not sure I can deviate from the 'Things in my House' post...but, what's outside is far more interesting that anything in here! This is one of my hubby's best friends, Brum. Since hubby is in Dallas, Brum and Shelby came to blow out our snow. Brum and his wife live half a block away...I have chosen him for the GOOD NEIGHBOR AWARD.

Shelby was very excited to be here. She sat only long enough for me to get her picture. I don't have a pic of Callie, but she was puffed up like a porcupine in the foyer.

Sweet Celebration

These cookies taste as good as they look. I picked up a package at the bakery to share with my friend, Mary. Each month they are decorated for the appropriate holiday...so of course, in March they are green.

I am having my own little celebration as we have officially finished Term 3...I was getting a little nervous, as the threat of possible snow days, brought the threat of lengthening the term into next week...and I just wanted to bring closure. I can just feel the stress leaving my body! Why was I stressed?

1. I had three preps while most teachers have only one or two.

2. Because Fitness for Life is team taught with the PE department, I had 140 students on my roster instead of the usual 110...and...

3. I had the least mature, least respectul students that I have had for years. It's sad how just a handful of students can spoil it for everyone. But they have moved on and I look forward to new groups of students in the fourth and final term.
Thank you for all the kind words in regards to our nasty weather...I want you to see that we had sunshine yesterday and by this afternoon the temperature may actually be above zero!