Windows!!!!!

All of the windows are in!!!!!!! They've put in temporary doors. It's 27 out today so we feel "warm".

The 2 glass block windows are in the garage. The one with the 2 guys is the front/office window. The one with 3 double hungs is the great room.

Chores

Since the fuel prices have gone down, Bill and Tim decided to get their fuel supply for Spring planting. Kind of a gamble whether prices will go down more or back up before it's needed. That was delivered today so Bill had to move snow out of the way at 3 places - plus here at our 2 houses. :) It was - 12 when we got up and stayed near zero all day - but it was sunny!

I delivered a stamp order, took carpet samples back to the flooring store in West Bend and picked up more and went to the lumber company to look at bathroom vanity top samples. We're trying to decide if we should go with the steel shingles since they're nailed down (I think) or the regular shingles - since we don't exactly have heat for them to stick down this time of year. Quite a price difference. Greg says the regular ones will go on fine. Also trying to decide if we need the small gable over the right side. We're thinking it looks fine without it and would be less valleys. Lots of decisions! Any advice?

Easy Chicken Recipe

I thought there was nothing to blog about today. About all we did was watch blowing snow. It was - 6 when we got up and is - 3 now. Churches were canceled, the community caroling was canceled. Did see 2 sundogs again most of the afternoon - really bright. But they were not there when the sun went down like yesterday.

I did make this Whole Chicken Crock Pot Recipe. I got this recipe from friend and good cook, Marie. She doubles the spices for it, but this is how we like it. So easy, smells good while cooking, the chicken is very moist when done and there is chicken left over for chicken & noodles! Let me know if you try it!

WHOLE CHICKEN CROCK POT RECIPE

1 large roasting chicken
1 t. salt
1/2 t. cayenne pepper
1/2 t. thyme
1/2 t. garlic powder
1 t. paprika
1/2 t. onion powder
1/2 t. white pepper
1/4 t. black pepper
1 chopped onion

Remove giblets from chicken and clean the chicken. Combine the spices. Rub spice mixture onto the chicken. Put the onion in bottom of crock pot. Add chicken. No liquid is needed. Cook on Low 8-10 hours.

More Snow

Uh oh!! Greg, can we rotate the house around some? Snow seems to drift in front of the doors!

We had more snow and the blowing snow started early afternoon. Churches have already canceled for tomorrow. I think I've seen more single digit temps. and below zero this month than I did my whole life in Indiana! I'm thankful to not have to get out in it too much and it's nice to have a husband with tractors to move the snow! In my earlier single days, I was out early shoveling the driveway to be able to get out to work.


This is my little angel that sits on the front steps - covered up to her neck in snow!












I'm so excited to get this picture! I had never heard of sundogs before moving here! This was a double one that started as the sun was going down and the colors changed as the sun got farther down. They look like vertical, straight rainbows! Bill says they happen when it's really cold and there are ice crystals in the sky. The picture doesn't do them justice. We have an awesome view of the sunsets from our house so you'll probably be seeing lots of them on here. I need to read my camera book to find out how to take them better.

Holiday & Snow

Today we're getting some snow but the real news is the blizzard conditions that are supposed to start at 6 PM and through 6 PM tomorrow. Our builder came yesterday with 2 guys and they stuffed a bunch of pink insulation in all the holes they could, boarded up the garage door openings and put up a temp. side entry garage door.



I go to Pilates in West Bend. Usually class is at the Park View Inn & Suites. (it's a nice place to stay if you come out before our guest room is ready!) They have a nice pool and hot tub and some themed suites. They have an entry that is always elaborately decorated for the holidays. My favorite is the Fall but they're all nice.

Reed & cats

We did get 7-8" of snow last night but it didn't drift as bad as usual - not much wind - but that's supposed to come tomorrow with more snow. They're saying 40 mph wind. Don't think much is going to be done on the house today. They did get the rest of the garage covered yesterday right at dark.

My nephew, Reed, is an animal lover. Recently he saw a little black and gold kitten he had to have. It was pretty cute. It ended up causing lots of problems at Glenn's shop where it was staying. It had been a barn cat and had ringworm and gave that to Lacey, Amy, Glenn, Ross & Reed! Also something it was carrying made Glenn's cat sick with a 105 temp. So Chris, Glenn's cat, had to go to the vet. It's ok now. The other day, the boys were moving some really big tires and unfortunately Reed's little kitten, Carrie, was rolled over with a tire and had to be put to sleep. Really traumatic for Reed and sad. Their friend, Kathy, at the vet's office had a fluffy gray & white medium size cat that she asked Reed if he wanted and he did. Here she is with Reed.