Snow Day Photo Shoot

I don't know what most people do when they get 

several inches of snow

but around here we have photo shoots!

With a park behind us and a built in model, well,

it's easy to do.

Easy and always fun!

Stay warm!

Hugs,

Susie Q

Spring?

The calendar says it's Spring but one peek out of my 

door and it looks anything but!

But you know? I love snow...love the 

sweet quiet of a school snow day with Grace.

Love the twinkling fairy tale world Mother Nature painted...

But inside Grace and I are preparing for Spring by decorating 

for Easter!

Rabbits abound here at the cottage...

We went outside and snipped a few branches...

...then put some pretty felt pieces through Grace's die cut machine...

...added a tiny thread to each one and,

Presto! Sweet little birds flying into Spring!

Hoping that Spring is flying into your neck of the woods soon!

Warmly,

Susie Q

Winter's Bliss

When there's snow on the ground, I like to

pretend I'm walking on clouds.   

~Wild World, 2005

Uh huh! That's what it is! Snow...and since they say it fell in 49 of our

 United States of America over the last week, most of us saw some!

 I am one of those odd ducks who love Winter, love snow and

love to be snowed in. Yes, you may all commence to roll your eyes and giggle now...go ahead! I know you want to!

But I do! I love to bundle up and head out to take some photographs...so much beauty in Winter.

I hope you are staying warm and dry in your lovely homesbut I do hope you are able to delight in a little of the sweet beauty that can only be found at this time of year!

Winter came down to our home one night

Quietly pirouetting in on silvery-toed slippers of snow,

And we, we were children once again.

~Bill Morgan, Jr.

Got Snow?

We sure have of late! 2 big blasts of snow over the last 2 weeks and oh did it get cold!

But the girls loved it...here is Grace with her BFF, Miss K, building a snowman....er....a Snow Jonas, excuse me!

Now, as much as I love Winter, and snow, I have escaped all of that this week. Uh huh, Grace and I have joined Bill on a business trip. The teachers approved so off we went! Daniel is holding down the fort and

wrangling the pets this week so we can walk in some white stuff that is a *tad bit* warmer than snow. It was all planned at the last minute but I am so glad we came....more on this later today!

I hope you are all well, warm, safe and smiling! Wishing you all happiness and sunny days.

Love and hugs,

Susie Q

January Beauty...

I know that many people despise the cold of Winter and that I am one of those odd ducks who revels in these often bleak months...still...how could anyone not see the beauty that this much maligned season can bring? A gentle overnight snow fell and all the world seems dipped in sugar...

"The door was shut, as doors should be,

Before you went to bed last night;

Yet Jack Frost has got in, you see,

And left your window silver white.

He must have waited till you slept;

And not a single word he spoke,

But pencilled o'er the panes and crept

Away again before you woke.

And now you cannot see the hills

Nor fields that stretch beyond the lane;

But there are fairer things than these

His fingers traced on every pane."

- Gabriel Setoun, Jack Frost

Stay warm and be sure to enjoy the beauty this Wintry month offers!

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q

Kip's Winter Words Of Wisdom

Thanks for all your prayers and stuff dudes. I am almost feeling like myself again. I sure had my Mom and dad scared but the doctor dudes say I am A OK, (whatever that means)!

We had some snow yesterday and I like it 'cause it looks like Ritter's 'scream and all. But it doesn't taste like it 'cause I tried it. Phooey.

My mom has had some 'puter issues (whatever THAT means dudes) and not feelin' up to snuff (her words not mine 'cause I have no idea what a snuff is anyhoo!) but she will be back visiting you soon!

Thanks again for carin' about me and all. I am a lucky dog to have friends like you dudes!

Love and Smooches,

Kipper

No Child Labor Laws Were Broken! I Swear!

Now. Before you run to your telephone and call Children's Services, let me say that this kid LOVES to shovel. She thinks it is fun. She begs to do this. BEGS! Just try to STOP her! Does a good job of it too so hey... Grace shoveled the snow and Daniel chiseled away the layer of ice that was underneath. Here he is with just one of many pieces he tore away...

If not, heck. I can wrap some up for ya and have it delivered to your doorstep by say, Tuesday?

The sun came out this morning, bright and filled with the promise of...of...more snow. SNOW?

Egad. Yes, the forecast is calling for another Wintry storm Sunday night into Monday.

Oh well, Bill is safely back home so I say, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! Did I just say that? *sigh*

Uh huh. Bill got in late afternoon yesterday and had to go straight into work for a few hours. Phooey. But he DID ask if he could take me out to dinner, albeit a late one. Could he? Try and STOP me!

It is Restaurant Week here in the Dayton area. (Now extended until February 6th due to this week's storm.) Lots of participants this year and what a sweet way of trying a new place. Each restaurant has a prix fixe 3-4 course menu featuring a few of their most requested choices and the cost is always $20.09. Last year it was $20.08, next year it will be $20.10. You get the picture. Most of these restaurants are quite pricey and not places we frequent because of that fact! So, all in all it is a wonderful deal and lots of fun. Since Bill was away, we had not planned to be a part of it all this year but last night he said, "Slick roads? Phooey. We need a date night. We are outta here!"

Big brother baby sat for a certain diva (Aw come on! We never go out by ourselves! Gee whiz! And we didn't get home until almost 10:30! Why I almost turned into a pumpkin!) and we headed to Flemings. Whoa. A perfectly seasoned and cooked filet mignon that melted in my mouth. That's all I am sayin'. Melted. In. My. Mouth. And no. We did not ask for a doggie bag. Finished it all up ourselves. Kipper is considering legal action.

We are having dinner with two dear friends tonight, have a Chinese New Year celebration to attend on Saturday and hope to see the new film, "New In Town" on Sunday before the Super Bowl.

Have a wonderful weekend! Stay warm, safe and I wish you many smiles and giggles.

I pray that all of you are safe from the storms and power outages that have swept across the country this week. I send each one of you many hugs and lots of love.

Susie Q

Blanketed...

We have had a total of 10 inches of snow with some ice tossed in for good measure. It is so still outside, so quiet. Grace had another day off from school and Dan's place of business is closed due to the Winter storm.

Kipper has had a little fun with our neighbor's dog, Millie. That is her you can see off to the right in the last picture and in the one just before Kip's photo! It always makes me smile to see them at play...and I needed a smile. Phooey. Bill is stranded in Atlanta tonight. The airlines discontinued service into Dayton today for several hours and now, even though they are flying again, he is one of quite a few vying for an empty seat! The odds are he won't be home tonight so I am having a lovely pout about it. Hrmpf.

I hope all of you are well, safe, warm and happy. I send you all much love and many hugs!

Susie Q

Let It Snow, Let It Snow...

It is snowing again...3-4 inches last night with more coming down now. We are expecting up to 5 more inches tonight. I am one of those odd balls who LOVES to be snowed in but this time I am not as tickled. Bill had to leave for Florida on business and is due in tomorrow. I sure hope he makes it back on time and safely. Please say a little prayer if you think about it!

Grace has another snow day so we are just being lazy and schlumping about in our sweats, watching movies and playing Wii.

Dan had a meeting so he is out now but will be back soon & then we will hunker down until tomorrow afternoon. I hope that where ever you ever are, life is being good to you and that you have much cause to smile.

I have been just an awful blog friend I know and I apologize for that. Please know I love each one of you and send lots of hugs your way.

Susie Q

Have A Seat...Comfy?

It is gonna be a LONG post! I was off line far too long! I am also just now trying to catch up with my visits to all of you! I have missed you! I will be stopping by soon so get that tea kettle on the stove okay? Do you remember this post? Ah. Of course you do! Or not but hey. The day before Grace's birthday we returned to Jenna Claire and there it was. The. Finished. Tote. The Holy Grail. The Motherlode. Heaven's trumpets sounded and the angels wept. Grace was so excited she had barely slept the night before. She even chose her clothes based on whether they would coordinate with said tote. Can you say "DIVA"? I knew you could. This gorgeous bag was now in her hot little hands and it has barely left those fingers since. She guards it like a crazed mother hawk. She informed her big brother that it was not to be, "touched, held, looked at or breathed on" by him. Do you think she liked it? Yes, she actually teared up when we got into our car. "Mommy? This is the most wonderful purse in the whole world and they are all so wonderful and I am so happy". She even had Daddy put up a special wall peg from which the tote now hangs. A place of honor. I guess that just about says it all. The owner of Jenna Claire, Daina with her precious daughter, THE Jenna Claire herself! Grace with Public Relations and Project Manager Debby and Workroom Manager, Mary. I can not say enough about how lovely these ladies were to us and how very special this shop is. If you are in the Dayton, Ohio area, PLEASE stop by and see them. They also have a splendid web site. Uh huh..mail order!! Thank you Jenna Claire!! The day before her birthday, Grace requested we dine at The Cheesecake Factory. Also in attendance were Grandma and our dear friends, *P* and *M*. We all enjoyed our dinners and then, for dessert, out came singing wait staff and their Godiva Dark Chocolate Cheesecake. Okay, as I am lying in bed dying, attired in a stunning pink velvet gown, getting more beautiful and glowing more with each step closer to death, ala Ali McGraw in "Love Story" AND surrounded by my loving family AND Brian Dennehy professing their undying love for me...I would like to have a fork full of THIS decadent taste touch my lips. Oh whoa. It was so goooood. After dinner, Grace and *M* went to Grace's favorite clothes shop, Justice. We had presented her with the money for a new outfit, top to bottom...hair band to shoes. It was what she requested. This year she did not want a big BD party and this was her idea of a *Real* grownup girl's party! Yeah baby! Shopping with *Aunt M*! Don't worry now, my feeling are not hurt...Mommy fully understands. I adore *M* too! And Grace is probably quite correct in saying that *M* knows much more about fashion then Mom. Hey, they had the best time together and she picked out some wonderful things. Yes, I DO Have pictures of everyone but am allowing the ladies their privacy in not posting them. They hate their pictures shown! You will have to take my word for it that *P* and *M*, just like all my buddies, are the prettiest of ladies! Just ask Grace!On her birthday, Mom picked up and delivered the obligatory Hannah Montana cupcakes for the classroom party! Then Mom picked up the obligatory Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus balloons. (Uh huh, Boo got his OWN balloons with Cars and Mickey. No Hannah lover he!) Then came the opening of the obligatory Hannah Montana gifts..this one from Uncle Jim and Aunt Lisa.

Then Grace blew out 10 candles on the obligatory Hannah Montana birthday cake! Have you been overdosed on Hannah Montana Grace? Grace? GRACE? I think she is stunned! Boo was just so happy to play with his new Thomas trains and to read his new Thomas books. "Bye Bye Grandma! I had a good time. Thank you for everything!"

We had a delicious dinner and smiling kids and Hannah Montana. What more could we ask for? We were unable to get out of our driveway until late Sunday afternoon. Great timing though! We had been invited to my buddy *T's* for another birthday celebration for Grace! Dinner was fantastic, the conversation great fun and we even were able to watch "Elizabeth: The Golden Age" which I had been anxious to see. So just what did the young eyes at the party do while the older ladies were viewing Clive Owen as Sir Walter Raleigh? They were spellbound by a marathon of Hannah Montana. What else? This is the fantastic gift I received from Lisa Oceandreamer! I was lucky enough to be one of her winners in the One World One Heart Giveaway! To say I was thrilled is a great understatement! Lisa is one of the most talented of women. She is giving, funny, open, honest, kind and gentle. Thank you dearest Lisa. This plum of a prize is on my blue dresser, right next to my side of the bed. It looks perfect there! Then, look what else arrived! You know the contents will be exciting when the box is hand painted like this! I was lucky enough to win Lisa's giveaway but I also won Michelle's!! I could not believe my double luck! Michelle, The Mosaic Queen sent me these wonderful treasures. I absolutely adore them both. The cupcake is on my mantel and the wall heart is above the dresser, right next to our bed. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for these gifts.

Please visit both of these amazingly gifted artists. You will be so happy you did! So, how do you spend a snow day? Well, here at Rabbit Run Cottage, we painted! Here is Grace working hard at the priming coat. She and Bill did a super job. Then it was time to slap on that burgundy coat. Dan and I stepped in to help and it is now done. Okay, so there needs to be a few minor touch ups and we must re-arrange the furniture but, in essence, it IS done. Oh yes! We also picked out a new dining room table and 6 chairs. I am so excited about that! We moved the old oak set into the kitchen, keeping the oak and rush seat chairs from the kitchen set. It looks good together. I will post pictures of the completed dining room soon...I hope! But how did the other family members spend THEIR snow days? Gazing out of doors and windows and trying to imagine Spring... Taking a cat nap and dreaming about Spring... Tiring herself out searching the World Wide Web for signs of Spring... Piles of snow to the rear of the house... Buckets of snow to the front...

Nothing to do but make a snow angel...and wait for Spring. I have a few more photos to share, like one of Cassie's sweet gift and my wonderful giveaway win from Gretchen, but Blogger would not allow any more. Is it trying to tell me sumpthin'? I will get those posted tomorrow! Till then, stay well, safe and happy. You look so pretty when you smile! Love and Hugs, Susie Q