Saturday, January 10, 2009

Cold, dark, and dreary

That's what it looks like outside (cold, dark, and dreary). I awoke to the sound of heavy sleet beating against the window... again. The guys both had to work at the bookstore today (hubby is getting some needed income to pay the $1,900 car repair bill!) so we had been keeping an eye on the weather conditions. At least we didn't get the heavy snow on top of the ice that Chicago was experiencing.

After getting a look at the long term weather forecast, I decided to spend the entire morning working in the garage. While 30 degrees is cold, we're expecting possible sub-zero temperatures next week. So much for a January thaw. I can handle 30 degrees but once we dip below zero, the garage literally becomes an ice box.

Since we have no basement, the garage is our one storage area for the house. It has everything in it except for cars. Hubby did a great job packing away the Christmas decorations on their designated shelves. That helped me be able to work on the pantry shelves and those that hold my sewing and craft supplies, extra dishes, seasonal silk flower arrangements, etc.

There is just a little work left but all of it I can do alone is finished. I think the reason I love organizing things so much is the immediate feeling of accomplishment. I walk out to do laundry (the laundry room is part of the garage, too) and everything is in a designated place. All I need to do now is to fold some laundry and the remainder of the day can be spent reading or watching a little TV. :)

Dinner was made last night. It has only to be warmed up when the guys arrive home. I made Salisbury steak using Cheryl's recipe as a base, making a few changes to use what I had on hand. I just finished icing a Texas Sheet Cake (known in my family as Tulip Time Brownies). The guys will arrive home tired and hungry.

I just spoke to Stephanie in New England, where she is getting ready for special guests. Joel and Sarah Clarkson are to stop by for a late lunch on their way to Boston tomorrow. Please pray for the Clarksons as the weather throughout the Midwest and New England is terrible.

We weren't certain the route they are taking but we do know they will eventually have to come upon ice and/or heavy snow. I promised their Mom I would pray.

Now, just a little more work and I can relax. I feel like The Little Engine That Could... I think I can, I think I can. :)

9 comments:

Anita said...

Oh, you sound so well organized. I wish I was. I'm going to get at cleaning out some closets soon. Thanks for sharing with us.

Heather L. said...

That's so exciting for Stephanie to have Joel and Sarah Clarkson! i hope they have a wonderful time together!

Anonymous said...

Mmmm...sounds as though what you cooked is delicious. Mind if I stop by?? LOL
BTW, I tagged you for a photo meme on my blog. If you can play along, that's great. And if not...that's quite alright as well!
Take care,
Amy O.

Scrappy quilter said...

Oh my you are getting some nasty weather. We are going down to the deep freeze again on Monday. We are at -7C right now, yet on Monday we will be back to -30C. I love the picture, so peaceful looking.

Unknown said...

I'll trade you your beautiful snowy church photo for the brown frozen scenery I have currently (thaw, refreeze, but no snow- waaaaa!)

I'm doing some cleaning myself. And I thought I was alone in that!

Tracey McBride ~ Frugal Luxuries® said...

Hello Dear Brenda...I've been catching up on your posts and want to let you know how much I appreciate your writing. If the day is not going well I can read one of your posts and feel better and more optimistic for doing so. Thank you so much for them all.
God bless and good thoughts to you and your family.
Love,
Tracey
P.S. Thank you for the "deepening the pantry" posts.xo

Lady Katherine said...

Wow, you have been so busy and now have time to relax!

Anonymous said...

Brenda, Do you know why it is called "tulip brownies"? Is it a spring tradition? Thanks, love your blog.

Brenda@CoffeeTeaBooks said...

Yes, when we lived in Holland Michigan, these were the "brownies" served during Tulip Time. :)