More Promises

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Here are more promises that spring really will come and we will have warm again. (What a very long winter this has been. ) I do prefer the cherry blossoms but these buds are from my own street so I feel more confident. I have to admit though, that these poor little buds are pretty weak but maybe by next week they will be stronger. Poor little things think it is time for warm....just like the rest of us.

Soccer Game

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Grandson No. 2 is playing soccer at Wando High School this year and I am enjoying having the games so near. He has played club soccer for years and traveled all over the place from North Carolina to Florida for his games which makes it hard for working grandmas. Today the game was right here in Mount Pleasant at Patriot's Point. They won the game but I can't remember the score exactly - I think it was 5 - 0!! They were tied at zero for most of the game and then it was one goal after another. And I only took 130 pictures. It was the first time at a soccer game with my new camera and I am very pleased. I would have enjoyed a better zoom but it did just fine the way it is.

And isn't he gorgeous? (No, I am not prejudiced - I am the grandma!)

*** Update - Sunday noon - they played 5 games in the tournament and took it all! Yea! Go Wando!

Cherry Blossom Promise

Today after work I went to a funeral. The wind was blowing and it was really cold. I was kind of depressed because of where I had to be. Pat, a good friend from work, lost her husband this week after a difficult battle with cancer. (Pat's daughter works with us too and she was my first friend at SRC) Bob was 64 years old (just one year older than me) and last year at this time he was in perfect health - no high blood pressure, no high cholesterol - everything was good and then those bumps appeared. You just never know.

So when I arrived at the funeral home in the cold of winter, I was delighted to see the most beautiful cherry blossoms I have ever seen. OK, maybe not the most beautiful ever but they meant more to me than ever before. They were like God's promise of a brighter (and warmer) tomorrow.

Dandelion Wine

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When Kirby was at Aunt Vera's cleaning out her apartment he came across this old picture and recipe for Dandelion Wine and decided to bring it home to me. I love it. If someone out there wants to feel like an old hippy and decides to make this, please let me know how it turns out. I don't ever want to have 2 1/2 quarts of dandelions in my yard!

• 2 1/2 Quarts dandelion flowers
• 4 Quarts hot water
• 4 Lemons, sliced
• 2 Oranges, sliced
• 3 Lbs sugar
• 2 T. granulated yeast

1. Remove stems from flowers. Place in crock, pour hot water over flowers and let stand for 3 days.
2. Strain. Dissolve yeast in small amount of cold water.
3. Add dandelion water, yeast solution, lemons, oranges and sugar.
4. Cover crock & set in cool, dark place.
5. Wine is ready to decant when you hear it working; in about 3 weeks.
6. Strain before decanting.
7. Makes 4 Quarts

Golden Torches

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I have been wanting this picture for the longest time. So many times I have driven into the parking lot at work and seen this golden sight and wished I had my camera. Today I did! There is a paper mill very near us sitting on the Cooper River and I pass it every day when I go over the bridge. If my timing is just right with sunrise and the air is clear, this is what I see. It looks like flaming torches doesn't it? But it is just the sun rising over the ocean and peaking out behind the rising plumes of steam. If we ever have spring the trees will fill with leaves and this golden sight will go away. It just isn't the same with the green leaves. At least there are some good things about the cold of winter!

Snow in South Carolina

Not Natural and Not Right!

With all the talk this week of the snow and the prospects of our getting snow tonight here in Charleston I just couldn't resist posting some snow pictures. This picture was taken back in 2003 in Tehachapi, CA at Christmas time. We were not prepared for snow when we went and didn't have proper clothing - like shoes that weren't mesh and maybe some gloves. But it was beautiful.

In 2006 we moved aboard our boat in Maryland. We knew we would probably see snow and ice that winter and sure enough - we did.Our boat was at the end of this dock.It was so beautiful that it was almost worth it. But it was not fun walking through this to the public (warm) showers! And everyone knows how much dogs love the snow, right? Just look at our Holly running like crazy and loving it so much!
Ane this one - well, it just was not a nice day!

Happy Superbowl Sunday! I don't watch football. I don't even watch TV. So, I hung out at the Cave, enjoyed the fire, ate some hamburgers and potato salad and enjoyed friends. I am home and the game is going. I would rather play with my camera and my pictures than watch football. Sorry world!

I was sitting at the fire watching the shadows as the sun fell low on the horizon and decided I just had to run home for the camera.

I guess I am just fascinated this year with the bare trees and the light behind them. I just sat in my chair and clicked pictures. It was fun.
Even the poor palm trees aren't so happy this year. It has been too cold for them. Look at this poor thing almost frozen to death! It looks warm and sunny, but I promise you - it was not. It was about 45 degrees when I took this picture.

Guess I better go check who is winning the game. Kirby told me we are for the Saints! Go Saints!