Half way through the month already.....

....and there's still lots of snow on the ground but it's raining pretty hard and the snow is falling off my roof in huge bundles that shake my whole house but I'm glad to be getting the load lighter up there ready for the new batch that is sure to come soon.  I spent 3 nights helping out with kids and I was glad to get back to my home last night to find everything just fine.  It's always a worry wondering if pipes will freeze and we'll come back to lots of unwanted water but so far, so good.  We seem to have the right combination of heaters turned on to keep things warm in here.  I do love my home and it feels good when I am here.

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 George's farewell address was this past Sunday and it's always a family's proud moment to send a child on a mission.  As the grandma, I'm a bit more relaxed but I do remember the stress of it all but in the end, I felt like I was laying my baby in a crib for a nap, safe and sound for a couple of hours....and for two years, they would be safe and sound in Heavenly Father's care. George is such a pure, good boy and loves people and loves life. He will be an awesome missionary and as I listened to him play the piano last night, wow....what a talent to share with the New Hampshire, Manchester mission.  I also Facetimed with Layee in Lithuania and enjoyed seeing her and knowing she is at least fairly warm.......

I loved this post from Laynee......and I love her honesty. She recognizes her dislike f cold and birds but she loves it and she has always been able to do hard things.  She will be great for the next 4 months and the culture shock will wear off soon for sure but I do admire her adventurous nature and courage.

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Scott's guitar talent will be showcased tonight at Dixie's Got Talent tonight......and I can't help but be nervous for him but he's got this and he's excited.  Just to end this post, let me say I'm thankful for all of my talented grandkids and their coolness and cuteness. I relish any minute I can spend in their presence and was so happy I got to see everyone this week-end at George's farewell and to me, this is one priceless pic.........future missionaries for sure.....

......and am so grateful I've been able to watch them grow up. I also must express gratitude for my Pine Valley home....I love it here so much and I love being in the middle of every single season that God has placed on this earth and I can't think of anywhere to enjoy them more than sitting here by my fire today watching it rain on all of the snow.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.....

....and it has here in Pine Valley.  Mid-January and there's about 2 feet piled up on my porch where the sun doesn't shine so I'm s'posin' it will be there 'til spring but I do love it. I get annoyed at times if I have to go out in it to get something or feed the birds, but for the most part, it is water for our dry land in the spring and I do love the four seasons that we have here. Spring is so anticipated and enjoyed so much more after a lingering snow is gone.  I'm blogging again and cutting back on Instagram and Face Book.  This way if someone wants to know what's happening in Pine Valley, they can check my blog instead of the "in your face" approach of the other social media.  I do enjoy it tho' so I will continue checking it out but for now, I hope I'm back to blogging.

I'm in my 4th winter here and lovin' it still.  This home is so very cozy to me and I don't like to be away long. We were in Florida for over a week and it was just a bit too long. When we got back, all was well.  We left enough heat on for our water pipes and everything was in working order and we received a warm welcome.  We love to keep the birds fed.  We've added a couple more feeders and we have gone through 2 big bags of feed but at least the squirrels aren't eating it all.

Actually, they probably did take the equivalent of a large bag back to their winter quarters.  George's farewell is today and he leaves for New Hampshire next week.  That will leave a huge hole in our family dynamics. Laynee is in Lithuana with a group teaching English and I'm sure she will have a wonderful experience for 4 months, leaving another hole but only for a little while.  We gathered at Veyo for our 3rd annual skate party missing a few families but a good time was had by all. 

 Who brought the grocery cart.....as if it's not dangerous enough here.

A beautiful Sunday morning and I'm headed off the mountain to be with my family.  Over and out for this post.  Pics will be posted later.  Good bye from my Pine Valley home to yours wherever it is.

Snow over-hang from my bedroom window.......baby it's cold outside.