~I really have a very good excuse~

Written by Sue, Wednesday, February 26, 2014           cloudy, some rain, cold temps. 40's
To all who visit  Pear Tree Lane, thank you for taking the time to read and comment, I usually try and respond to comments before writing a new post, but I am making an exception this time, You see I have been out of phone service,(which meant no internet, and no Notecard Party at Vee's this month, I don't have a smart phone but am seriously considering one)  lack of service was due to a severe electrical storm we had in our community. I have never experienced seeing and hearing so much thunder and lightening strikes in all my life, it lasted for 1 3/4 hrs. We are used to electrical storms in the summer, but none as severe as this winter one was.

The repairman said the lightning probably struck near our underground phone line and when it reached the ground it kept right on going, hitting the underground line and straight to the house to the protective box it went. It blew the top off of the box into many pieces. The box has been replaced and a temporary line is in place until the phone company can plow a new line in. I am so thankful the lightening did not hit the house, goodness knows what  the outcome would have been.

This is the damage, the hit was so hard the lid exploded, I found pieces all around.

 This is the message I saw on  my phone

 A new protective box and temp. line, our service was restored late  Friday, and then

these precious ones came for a weekend visit to celebrate grandson Wills birthday . They humored me by wearing the princess crowns. All was not lost last week, we soon forgot our woes!~smile~Have I mentioned that Will serves our country through service in the Navy?

 His favorite cake, ten layer chocolate cake, yes, there are ten layers on this cake.,  the layers are not chocolate just the best chocolate icing ever!

They are the cutest couple, here Jen is helping Will with his new deer stand! I am always asking  myself  "where did time go?" I remember when Will was about five yrs. old, his dad built a small platform deer stand, he and I would walk through the pasture to the edge of the woods to that deer stand, he would have his toy bow and arrow in his hand,we would climb up in the stand, I would be just talking away, he would turn to me,  with his little fingers pressed on his sweet lips, and say, "Shh!shh!, Maw Maw, you might scare the deer away."  I would then sit quietly there with him as he so anxiously waited for his deer, about sunset we would meander back to the house, with him saying " tomorrow we will get our deer."Aah, sweet memories, hope you are making lots of them with your children and grandchildren

~Was my story convincing enough, did my photos show the proof in the pudding,  am I forgiven? Anyhoo
This Is My Story and I am Sticking to it. ~Grinning~

Hugs,

Sue

The week that was......

Written by Sue, Saturday, February, 15, 2014         A beautiful sunny, cold, windy day, high temps. 48 degrees.
What a week this has been, we have had three different rounds of snow, sleet and freezing rain starting early Tuesday, going through Thursday morning,we got 9 inches of precip.,then the rain came and temps. began rising late Thursday, with melting, and refreezing at night, with above freezing temps yesterday and today it all went away, well, mostly, we have just a little snow hanging around the woodlands.

Yesterday morning Lucy enjoying the snow.

We left to run errands, came home six hours later, same view!

Valentines Day is usually celebrated by a special meal, either made at home or going to our favorite restaurant, this year we waited until this evening to go out. We seldom give monetary gifts, just each other's company, and maybe a little holding of hands while driving, suffices for us. We have been married many years and when DH reaches for my hand I still get goose bumps!

Our children usually take care of the gifts! ~smile~  Son #2 and his family sent a special surprise, he called Thursday and told us to be on the lookout for a box, they have to give forewarning of gifts as our gate is usually locked.

We knew the snow would slow delivery of anything, so we left the gate open past dark, I thought I heard a truck and a horn blow, by the time I got outside there was nothing there, so DH went and locked the gate.
Long story short, this morning when I let Jack out I happen to look to my right, and there was this box, I was completely taken aback. When I read there were flowers in the box, I hurriedly took it in and got busy clipping and putting them in water. Whew! I was afraid being out in below freezing temps. last night and the warm sunshine this morning might have ruined them.

Not so, they were and are absolutely beautiful.  I guess the guy was running late, and didn't take the time to ring the bell, I will excuse him this time, It's a good thing for him the flowers were doing well!~grin~

There was even a small box of chocolates tucked inside too for Mr. P., he did share., just as I am sharing my beautiful flowers with him. ~smile~

~yummy~

Hope your day was special too!

I took lots of snow photos, but figured all of blogland might be a little tired of snow, and like me are looking forward to Spring, maybe later. ~smile~

Enjoy your weekend.

Sue

"Sister Love"

Written by Sue, Monday, February 10, 2014...... cloudy, cold, 40's getting ready for more snow tomorrow.

February is considered the month of "Love". Love is expressed in many ways, we express it verbally, we express it by giving lots of hugs and kisses, and we express it by the  giving of gifts. I love to do all three. Today I am going to share of the love between two sisters, my older sister, Mary and I, we are fairly close in age, and have shared many things in our life,... well kept secrets, clothes, and a camaraderie that has lasted all of our life. I can  call her anytime night or day, and she is there to listen, give advice, cry and laugh with me, but most of all she will and does pray for me, and my family! I am blessed to have two wonderful mentors in my life, my Mom and my sister Mary!

They love our grandchildren so much!

Ooops, I forgot to take my apron off! (this photo was taken a few years ago!)

I also want share of how she shows love through her generosity, Mary loves being a homemaker,she is always going to home shows with her husband, Steve,if she finds something for herself, she will either buy one for my Mom and I or tell us about this wonderful gadget she has found.
We both love dinnerware which includes fine china, about seven years ago, I mentioned a Lenox fine china Christmas pattern I was interested in, for Christmas that year I got a 5 piece place setting, from her and Steve, and have received one each year since. This year I did indeed receive another place setting, but

 I also received a little something extra, this is the neatest gadget.

I absolutely love it, it is a dish drainer that electrically dries your dishes, ... no more water spots, and by the time I have wiped the counter tops, and appliances, the dishes are dry and ready to be put away. You should see how they glisten! Did I mention how much I love this "gadget"?~smile~

Last week was very busy, and emotionally draining, we had two deaths in my dh's family, and a very crucial heart surgery for my SIL, I am so happy to report that SIL is doing well. The families who lost loved ones need our prayers, as they are grieving!

Love was expressed to all of mankind many years ago, by our heavenly Father, when He gave His only Son, Jesus Christ, through a sacrificial death, burial and resurrection, so that  we may have the "GIFT"of eternal life! This is the most precius gift of "LOVE"I have ever received, as we all know material gifts, break, and fade away, but this gift is "ETERNAL"!

John 3:16~ For God so loved the world (us) that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life!

Love,

Sue

~Monday Meandering~

Written by Sue, Monday, February 3, 2014...........  rain, temps. mild in morning, turning cold at lunch.

February so far has brought some pleasant surprises, number one being... A visit from grandson, Will. Though the visit was short it was precious, he left with a promise to be back soon!~smile~

Sunday dinner was baked herbed chicken, (great recipe). even better the next day, that is if there is any left over.~grin~,green salad other wise known as tossed salad, green beans almondine, who would have ever though almonds and onions sauteed together, and added to green beans would be a match, creamed corn, homemade biscuits and chocolate meringue pie.

Will's  says, "Wow! Maw Maw, this chicken is so delicious, maybe you could show Jenn." Hmmm...number one rule, for husbands, or husbands to be, don't over bragg on your mother's, or grandmother's cooking to your wife, or soon to be wife, don't offer cooking lessons for them, let them ask. Last but not least never ever let them hear you say, "This is the best chocolate pie I have ever eaten," as was said yesterday. If she is there wait until you get grandma by herself and then whisper, "this is the best Pie ever."....Ahh,!! a favorite tune, and music to the ears of a mother, wife and grandmother. My reply to Will was, "How about a great homecooking cookbook for her bridal shower, and me waiting until she braggs on my cooking and then me offer to give her my recipe." He smiled and read me loud and clear.~big smile~

~Maw Maw Sue's Chocolate pie~
1 baked 9 inch pie shell

Ingredients~

3/4 cup sugar

5 tablespoons cocoa

dash of salt about 1/4 tsp.

3 Tablespoons cornstarch,

1 cup half and half

1 cup milk

3 egg yolks, beaten,

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Meringue

3 egg whites 1/4 tsp. cream of tartar

6 Tablespoon fine sugar 

In a suace pan combine sugar,cocoa,salt,cornstarch, slowing add half and half, and milk, cook and stir over medium heat until it thickens and begins to bubble, continue to cook for about 2 mins. remove and gradually add a little hot mixture to egg yolks, be careful not to fast, when it is mixed well and it is really warm, place in pot with other pie filling, gently bring to a boil, cook for 1 min.,add vanilla, pour in pie shell.

Meringue 

Beat egg whites , cream of tartar together until soft peaks, gradually add sugar continue to beat until stiff and glossy, pour on pie filling sealing the edges bake, 350 degrees for about 15 mins, or until light golden brown.

Enjoy your day and pie,

Sue

*Note~ He left with two pieces of pie, one for him the other for Jenn.... smart husband to be ~Grinning~

~All tucked away, in our hearts~

Written by Sue, Saturday, February, 1, 2014,.....          Cloudy, with rain, mild temps. 
Week one of January was spent enjoying time with daughter before she left to go back home, traditional black eye peas, collard greens, and cornbread, unloading hay, holding lambs, foot soaks,visiting with loved ones, baking and eating one of our favorite cakes, (Italian Cream Cake),sitting by the camp fire,enjoying Christmas decorations,hanging out with Pops.

The second week found me sitting by the fire with my work books, contemplating and planning the year ahead, while listening to Perry Como, lingering around the Christmas decorations not wanting to let go of this most "JOYOUS" season,but at the same time thinking about when I needed to start taking the Christmas decoration down, We enjoyed greeting the sun on cold frosty mornings, indulging in good country breakfasts. The day finally came when I started undressing the trees, We enjoyed sheets sun dried and kissed by the sun, fresh clementines, and beautiful fog filled evening sunsets!

Week three found us with all decorations taken down, packed, and put away until November, we had started to simplify our life,  trying to eat healthier, salmon and salad on the menu.

 Week four  we had very cold temps, and then the big snowfall came,~smile~ we slept in,played in the snow, relaxed on the porch with coffee, left for errands, came home 90% of snow was gone. Whoopee!!!!We played with what snow was left, some were wrapped in blankets and gave raspberries to whomever woke them, we topped our week off with hot chocolate~

 

January's calendar days have come and gone, but our "Gathered Moments"are now tucked away in our hearts!

I want to thank Cheryl from Thinking about Home for hosting this wonderful event, I had so much fun reminiscing over this past month, I am so excited to see what February brings.

Blessings, 

Sue