Even though the ground is still covered in an icy pack of snow and our little hibernating groundhog couldn’t get out of his hole if he wanted to, let alone see his shadow, change is on the way. I can’t feel it in the air yet because it’s 9 degrees F outside this morning, but it’s coming sure enough. The seasons are starting to turn. Why do I think so? Because it was so light this morning. Much lighter. At night too, the daylight seems extensive and I have to look at the clock to see what time it is and I am amazed it’s as late as it is. 

In short, more light = spring. At least that’s my take on it.

Until then I have my other amaryllis to brighten my day. C’mon sun!

Just three days ago I was swinging in one of these hammocks and sitting poolside sipping the frosty “drink of the day.” The sun was shining, warm tropical breezes were gently blowing across my body, and the day was warm.

This morning I am standing by the side of my own pool here in New Jersey hugging a hot cup of coffee between my hands to keep them warm. I can’t sit down because the chairs are covered with snow. As for the pool ... well, I know it’s in there somewhere! The sun is shining, a frigid breeze passes by and my body shivers. It’s 8 degrees F. What’s wrong with this picture?

Reality bites sometimes.

We left in a snowstorm and we arrived back Tuesday night in a snowstorm. In-between I think they had a few nice days here. We were certain our flight was going to be delayed coming into Newark and our pilot even told us that we might be, but as we approached he made no mention of going into a holding pattern. He spoke about the frigid air we would encounter upon leaving the plane and that it was lightly snowing. We landed ahead of schedule, something almost unheard of at Newark Airport, especially with some weather. By the time we got to the car it was snowing heavily and we were glad we landed when we did.

As we got closer to home the snow was ending. Our wonderful neighbor had plowed our driveway of the three or four inches of snow that had fallen. I got out of the car, took three steps, hit an icy patch and went straight down on my butt. Welcome home, Lynne.

I’m not complaining. Really, I’m not. Okay, help me with my mantra here.

I love New Jersey winters.
I love New Jersey winters.
I love New Jersey winters.

The dogs did great in the kennel and Bella had no problems. She did however un-learn some manners (such as biting and jumping up), so we have to work on that. She also turned from a puppy into a somewhat gawky teenager while we were gone. Not quite sure how that happened. The kitties all did well and Luke did a great job taking care of them and the house. All in all, a really successful trip.

It’s good to be home but I am having a few issues. Where is the breakfast buffet? I have to make my own bed, cook my own meals and do the dishes. Can’t I just throw my bath towels on the floor for someone else to pick up? waaaaaaaahhhhhh.

It all seems a dream now, like we were never there. But we were and we had a great time. Now it’s time to pick up the threads of normal life again. Still, I hope you’ll bear with me over the next few days as I share some vacation photos with you and then I’ll get back to being a “new” Jersey girl again.

We are due to fly out to Mexico tomorrow. It figures. Weather predictions are not good at all—“significant” snow is said to be on the way for tonight and tomorrow. At its best, Newark Airport is always a mess. We can only hope the weather forecasters are still not able to get it right. We could be sitting in the airport all day waiting for our flight to leave. I don’t like flying that much anyway, so I don’t need the added stress.

But, once on our way we will be staying here. It looks lovely! The trip is part business (for Rick) and part pleasure. I know, I know. It looks like a tough place to conduct business, doesn’t it? Do you blame me for tagging along on a business trip? I will try to post a few times from our new digs but Rick will have the computer with him in meetings during the day so maybe I can sneak a few things & photos in here and there. I plan to do a lot of beach walking and shell seeking. We’ll have a few days to ourselves and we’re not sure yet what is possible to explore. We are signed up for a horseback ride through the jungle and on the beach, so that will be fun. I would love to visit a Mayan ruin that we didn’t see last year, Cobá, but unless the hotel offers a tour there we won’t be going since we are not renting a car this time. We’ll just go with the ebb and flow of the Caribbean lifestyle and let things happen as they may.

Once we get out of New Jersey, that is!

It will be Bella’s first time in the kennel and I hope she does well. This time of year the kennel is not busy so they’ve assured me she will get lots of special attention. My baby girl. I will miss her.

Until I post again, stay cozy and by all means keep your feet warm!

Sunday morning we woke up to more new snow. The predicted “coating to a an inch” turned into three inches. It coated the trees and branches perfectly with its fluffy whiteness. Such a pretty snow!

Anyone up for an al fresco meal by the pool?

Okay, so maybe we didn’t have our usual poolside Sunday lunch. We took the dogs for a walk since it’s really been too cold to take them this past week. Bella preferred the snow to the road.

When we got back she was still a bundle of energy, so I took them in the back yard for a proper snow romp.

Snow really sticks to soft, downy puppy coats!

Heck, this kind of snow sticks to most anything!

And now for a few more serious shots.

Here is Alex, deep in thought.

And Hailey with snow nose.

And Bella.

Who you can’t expect to be serious for very long.

But I need to buckle down and get serious. I have five interview questions from Reya to answer which I have been giving much thought to over the past few days. I hope you’ve enjoyed this little taste of winter!

Baby, it’s cold outside! Every day we add a new icicle, and every day the older icicles get longer and longer.

Yep, winter is here. The snow that I was skeptically optimistic about amounted to less than one inch. Not even enough to be cost efficient to run Johnny. Now it will probably just turn into ice with the deep freeze weather pattern we are in for the next three or four days. Just look at our weather station statistics upon my getting up this morning:

Less than 1 degree. The dogs want to go in and out like they normally do, but I won’t let them. It’s just too darn cold. Opening and closing the door only lets cold air in and all that lovely warmth emanating from the wood stove is lost. (Our new stove works great by the way.)

Even the snow shovel is wearing a sheath of ice complete with its very own set of icicles.

In times like this, comfort food is called for. How about some [what we call around our house], pork chops & beans?

I’m not sure where the recipe started; either with my Mother or my Grandmother. But since I can’t ask either one of them I am going to assume my Grandmother started it. The recipe is simple. Take bone-in pork chops, rub them with salt, pepper and a little rubbed sage. Pan fry them to brown them. Open a can of your favorite baked beans, spread them in a baking dish and put the pork chops on top of the beans. Push the chops down into the beans so that they are mostly submerged. Bake at 375 F until done, but be careful not to overcook the chops. Serve with steamed/boiled potatoes.

And eggplant parmesan. Recipe here.

Here’s hoping you stay warm wherever you are today!