Morning light breaking through the darkness..
Pine needles sparkling in the snowy sunbeams...
The sun casting a rosy glow over the sleepy landscape...
Snow toppers on the fenceline..
Our neighbor's horses wondering what got me out of bed so early today...
Sadly, I didn't have treats for them. They were sad... poor sweet babies!
Such sad faces in the midst of beauty surrounding them!
The tiniest pine tree adorned in its white loveliness, as the morning rays brushed gently...
An old tree stump decked out with its white top hat..
And what's a lovely snowfall without the snow princess herself, Annie... enjoying every moment!
Snow on the nose.. of course!
The soft glow of morning sunshine adding a dash of color to the otherwise shades of white.
The chickens wanted out, and so out they came! They ran into the garden... their favorite spot to visit (especially the compost pile, lol!)
I was surprised they wanted out... but they didn't seem to mind the snow too much!
Pine trees never look lovelier than when robed in sparkling white!
Morning fog was rolling in, and Annie and I walked together down the road to enjoy and soak in the crisp morning sunshine, and the glorious white snow.
Annie is never happier than when she can play in fresh snow. Maybe she and I are a lot alike!
The color of the skies rapidly changed as the sun warmed the ground, and the rolling fog began to spread.
Is there ever a morning more beautiful than this?
The crunch of the snow beneath my feet was as sweet as beautiful music could ever be...
Our neighbor's yard bathed in fog while the sun breathed out its warm rays in return.
Our morning walk ended, and I came home to find Simba all curled up and cozy...
He doesn't care for the snow at all... spoiled little man that he is... LOL!
After I had just gotten back from my walk, a neighbor pulled into the driveway. She and I have spoken several times in the last few years as we met around town, but we never knew we were neighbors. A week or so ago I was walking with Annie, and she stopped to talk to me and we discovered we were neighbors! I invited her to stop by for a visit when she could, and she chose today to stop by!
How delighted I was to visit with her and her sweet adopted little girl. What a precious visit and time we had enjoying each other's fellowship, and getting to know each other better. I promised her I would visit her soon, and I look forward to doing so in the next few days. We enjoyed a cup of hot tea and some wonderful little iced scotch bread cookies I had made yesterday, and the time flew by, until it was time for her little girl's nap. We promised to get together again very soon, and I was so happy that she found time in this busy season to stop by!
Later in the day today, as time marched on toward suppertime, I realized that my plan for dinner (leftovers from last night's meal) could be changed up a bit, and so I gave my idea a whirl! Last night I made Honey Garlic Chicken, homemade mashed potatoes, and green beans from our garden. It was a YUM meal for sure. I was going to do leftovers again tonight, but then I had a thought... what about making the leftovers into something else. And so I did...
May I introduce to you.... Honey Garlic Shepherd's Pie!
Yummmmmm... was the conclusion of the matter!
I love it when ideas turn into something wonderful like this!
The recipe is quite simple, so simple that it really doesn't require much of a recipe... just a bit of this-n-that... the idea here is to cook once, and eat twice. This is how I love to cook. I always try to stretch my leftovers, and recreate them as much as I can. How about you?
This is what I love about wintertime... enjoying the beautiful snow when it makes its grand appearance, and then spending time in the kitchen creating delights for the family. I hope you have had a most wonderful day yourself and that you are taking time to enjoy the simple things in life. :)
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So beautiful! I'm with Simba, a perfect day to curl up nice and cozy..... and dinner looks wonderful. We have no snow in Virginia, it was actually 75 degrees last weekend! I look forward to Winter if it does happen to visit the East this year. Your photos are lovely as always.
ReplyDeleteKeep warm and big hugs!
Shirley
Yes, dear Simba has the right idea for sure... he always does, lol! I hope you get a bit of snow, just enough to enjoy and not cause any troubles in your beautiful Virginia. Appreciate your sweet and kind visit as always, and praying the Lord blesses your day!
DeleteOh, these photos!!! Just gorgeous! Honestly, they should grace the pages of magazines, I tell you!! :) You do an amazing job! And that leftover transformation was just wonderful!! Yum...I love doing things like this, too. One of my favorite things is to make "must-go soup"! Let me explain. Years ago, my parents and I worked at our church's nursing home for a while, and Mom and Dad were in charge of buying the groceries for the home. One day while in the kitchen with the administrator trying to determine what groceries were needed, he turned to Dad and said, "We can make some must-go soup." Of course, Dad had no idea what he meant, until he explained that it is when you look at all of your leftovers in the refrigerator and decide that everything must go, then you turn that into soup!! I do this, for example, when I have a bit of spaghetti sauce left or sloppy joes or gravy, I will use that as the start of a soup base, then add fresh carrots, potatoes, onions, etc. to turn it into a soup...things like that! Living frugally has taught me to get really creative in the kitchen in order to stretch a meal as far as it can possibly be stretched!! LOL! I love reading your sweet posts, and you are always such a dear blessing and encouragement to me! Sending you big hugs and much love across the miles!! :)
ReplyDeleteOh dear Cheryl... living frugally indeed is close to my heart, and I'm afraid that I'm always trying to transform leftovers to stretch them too! I loved your "must-go" soup! I must confess that I've been making that must-go soup for a long time myself, and every time it just gets better and better, lol, although I've never heard it named like that, but it sure sounds like a great name! Such a special story you shared too! Thank you for taking the time to share a special memory :)
DeleteAnd, thank you for your sweet words about my pictures. I enjoy photograph so much, and for now it is just a hobby to share the beauty of the Lord's creation with others, and there is a special joy that comes in doing that! I do appreciate your kind words for sure :) You are a dear friend, and I appreciate you so! Have a blessed and wonderful evening :)
It was indeed joy upon joy! I love it when the Lord orchestrates things like this! Appreciate your visit today, and pray you are blessed in your sweet cozy little home today :)
ReplyDeleteI was hoping you would get some great pics and indeed you did. Love the one on the road with the fog. Just so cool. Makes me happy too. Love it. g
ReplyDeleteYou and I both... this kind of weather just is pure joy to our soul... Appreciate your visit today, and glad you enjoyed the pictures! :)
DeleteYour photos are incredible and just speak Christmas to me and cold winter days. You are a talented photographer. The shepherds pie looks delicious too. Thanks for sharing and wishing you a very Merry Christmas!!
ReplyDeleteOh thank you for your sweet words dear Celestina! I enjoy photography, and sharing the joy of the beauty in this amazing part of the country we live in. Appreciate your well wishes for Christmas, and hope that you have a blessed and marvelous Christmas yourself, your home is such a beautiful inviting place for your family :)
DeleteMarylin...what beautiful photos you have shared with me this morning. Here in the mountains, snow has not visited us yet... We don't see lovely flakes until January. Thank you for sharing the recipe. In my home I make something like this but it is a stew. And we like t when the weather is cold and windy. :)
ReplyDeleteNo snow for you yet, how sad! I do so love the snow! If it is going to be winter, let it snow, lol! Your stew made like this sounds wonderful too! It is so comforting to have special foods to eat when the weather is like this, for sure! Hoping you are having a blessed and marvelous day my friend!
DeleteYour pictures are just breathtaking...oh my! It's so funny when I see pics like this, I forget how truly vast our country is. Our weather is (unseasonably) warm. No snow, no chill, the heat barely clicks on and you are buried in snow! What a magical place you live in, surrounded by such views.
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how our one country has such a vast landscape, and oh how I would love to see more of it. Maybe someday I'll get to visit your part of the world too... I believe there is beauty wherever you are, you just have to look for it :) Enjoy your warm weather, and you can enjoy the cold weather here from afar, lol! :)
DeleteWhat beauty surrounds you and I thank you for sharing the wonder of it all!!
ReplyDeleteYour honey chicken shepherds pie must've been a delightful change of pace, using your leftovers and transforming them into a lovely meal!
We do live in a beautiful piece of heaven, and are so thankful for the beauty that surrounds us, and I'm happy to share it with everyone through the "eyes" of my camera :) Sure appreciate your visit and hope you are having a blessed and lovely day!
DeleteYou are truly blessed to live in a place with such beauty all around you!
ReplyDeleteIndeed, we are so blessed, and I am so happy to share the beauty with everyone here through the "eyes" of my camera... hope you are having a blessed and marvelous day, and appreciate your visit so much :)
DeleteWhat beautiful pictures of the snow! You are so blessed to have such beauty. I do wish it would get colder where I live. :)
ReplyDeleteLove,
Ashley
creatingpreciousmoments.blogspot.com
Thank you for your kind words, and I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures! I'm so glad to share the beauty of the little piece of heaven on earth that we live in through the "eyes" of my camera. Hope you have a blessed and marvelous day!!
DeleteYour photos are amazing!! The winter scenes are one of my favorites, but I guess that is because I love winter.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post, my friend
Thank you Debbie for your sweet words, I'm so glad you enjoyed the pictures, and I, like you, love the winter time... the beautiful snow that makes everything beautiful! I love it! We are getting a beautiful snow here this morning, and I am about to go out and enjoy it with the "snow princess", Annie, lol! Hope you are having a blessed and marvelous day :)
DeleteYour photos are lovely. You live in a magical place. If I had to choose my favorite photo in this collection (and it's nearly impossible to do because they're all great) it would have to be #4. Just love how you captured that beautiful fence in the snow. Hugs, Nancy
ReplyDeleteOh thank you Nancy, I do appreciate your compliments, knowing you are an accomplished photographer yourself! I do love #4 as well... there is a beautiful elegance to the lines of the fence stretching into the horizon. Have you gotten any of the snow that we've gotten? We sure have gotten a lot, lol! Hope you are having a blessed day :)
DeleteYes, lots of snow here, too!
DeleteYour images are glorious! Every single one! I feel as though I'm walking along side of you as you describe everything! Wonderful post!
ReplyDeleteHave a Merry Christmas.
Blessings.
Debbie
xo
I'm so glad you enjoyed the "walk" with me Debbie! We are enjoying the largest amount of snow we've had in years at one time, and I am loving it! I just posted more pictures of the loveliness... hoping you are having a blessed and marvelous day, dear friend, and pray you have a very blessed Christmas!
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