We've been playing in the snow all weekend and loving it. These icicles were hanging from my porch this morning when I went to get the paper. The bad news is there is a Major Major snowstorm headed our way mid week and it has me concerned. I am hoping it will be just snow---and if so, bring it on---but there is a chance it will be a major ice storm with up to an inch of ice. And they are cautioning our area to prepare for up to 3 days of power outages. And you know I hate to be cold!! So we are stocking up on wood---and food of course---and books and yarn!

There is a new restaurant in town--in our little suburb. And it isn't one of those national chains that are beginning to all taste the same. And it isn't a Mexican restaurant that seems to be on every corner around here. It is a LOCAL authentic Italian restaurant and it is delicious. I've been there 3 times and it is superb---from the bruschetta to the cannoli and the veal piccata in between. It's called Forchetta di Pasquale and the atmosphere is as good as the food!

We are having a snowstorm and another tomorrow. But nothing compared to what the East Coast has been getting all winter(the weather channel says the jet stream is stuck and all storms coming through will dump on the East coast) and nothing compared to what we experienced 33 years ago in the Blizzard of 78. In fact, our storm is gentle and pretty and we are inside! It may be a little boring to post another snow picture so instead-----here is a picture from one of my favorite vacations---Charleston!! And to contrast it---a picture of the shores of Lake Michigan. Those big round floating objects aren't boulders but ice that has been pummeled and rolled and formed into icy bowling balls.

Lemon Curd! My new love---so delicious on muffins, bagels---ebelskivers, or just eaten out of the jar. And so gone! I didn't make this so I don't have the recipe. BUT there is an author of another blog who whipped this up and then sent home the leftovers with me!! I am hoping she will share the recipe with us on her blog. She said it was easy----so let's keep our fingers crossed because I am thinking "Lemon Curd Angel Food parfaits for Easter perhaps. Or Lemon Curd atop cheesecake maybe. Or---a spoonful of Lemon Curd right out of the jar?

If you live in Ohio---or attended Ohio State University---or are a Buckeye fan, you will know what this picutre says. O-H-I-O. And there is special significance because it was taken in Michigan. It is a universal sign language for the best darn team in the land!!!!

It is easy to appreciate the beauty of Lake Michigan on those glorious summer days when the crystal water reflects the blue sky and there is a gentle summer breeze. But it is just as beautiful in the winter when the wind is brutal and any exposed skin surface is painful. We hiked on snowshoes down to the waters edge and it was breathtaking----and the most brutal wind I have ever been in. These pictures were taken at Petoskey State Park--where we find seaglass and those unique speckled Petoskey rocks in the summer.

We are back from our annual Up North ski, showshoe and fun trip. Every year my husband's family converges on the Harbor Springs/Petoskey area of Michigan to play in the snow and this year was no exception. The only downside is since we all go-and the condo doesn't allow dogs--we have to put Magglio in a kennel. But luckily there is a wonderful veterinarian run boarding facility close to the condo run by some great people. And Magglio loves to travel--especially when we tell him he is going on vacation with us(and we feel a little guilty droping him off). Sadly, as we were driving through the backroads outside of town, we saw a Basset Hound chained to a tree behind a house with a too small pet carrier for a house. It bothered my tender hearted husband so much, he couldn't sleep and said he was going back to buy the dog. When we drove back through, we didn't see the poor creature so hopefully all was well.

Even the little bird house has some little bird sized icicles! It's been cold for awhile-but Sunday I saw 2 robins looking very cold and not very sure of themselves. I wonder if the cold and snow in the South has left them disoriented. Crazy weather lately!

This is my husband--as viewed from the comfort of my house after a big winter storm. He is being cautiously optimistic that the school system he works for will call for a Snow Day tomorrow. I am taking no chances! I have already started the Honey Do list!!!! I am in healthcare so no chance of a Snow Day!

A cold and snowy weekend makes for perfect weather for Ebelskiver's for breakfast. What--you ask are those? Delicious little pillows of filled(or plain) dough sprinkled with powdered sugar. Not from Hungary but Denmark. The beautiful set---special pan, cookbook, mix and utensils was a Christmas present and we drooled over the cookbook at Christmas and finally made them. So easy and so good! And the possibilities are endless--they can be filled with jelly, CHOCOLATE, fruit, CHOCOLATE(or did I already mention that one) or used with savory fillings.

When I said I packed up ALL my Christmas decorations and tree, I wasn't completely honest. I left a small tree in the kitchen area and decorated it with Valentines. And today it looks quite nice against the background of a gentle little snowfall.

It is so comforting to look through the double sided fireplace and see Dan and Magglio snuggling on the sofa. Especially when I am on the other side of the fireplace taking down and packing away all the Christmas decorations-----and sweeping up the fake needles from the artificial tree. Too bad they didn't know they were being glared at.

I think this picture of my neighbor's deflated Santa kind of sums up how we all feel this time of year. Our "get up and go" has "got up and went" and we all could use a little nap!

We were given the best present of the whole Christmas season this afternoon and if it is any indication of the year ahead, 2011 should be stunningly wonderful. We decided to take a walk at dusk. We didn't want to risk our local park closing while we were inside so we drove a little farther to Maumee Bay Park and WOW. God seemed to put his exclamation point on the year ahead and I think it is going to be wonderful. Happy Glorious New Year!