TURKEY TROT

Well, this is not what I was expecting when I walked into the library this afternoon............a turkey in the parking lot. We've had a lot of freezing weather so she may have been out looking for food. They usually are seen in pairs but I didn't see her mate. She walked around the library a few times even knocking on the back door with her beak.

SMOTHERED, COVERED AND SCATTERED

I've joined Project 365 this year where everyone takes one photo a day for the entire year. You can see my photos here. I have been taking my camera with me wherever I go. This morning we ate at Waffle House and low and behold our governor Sonny Perdue was there. I snapped this photo of him with my husband. Gregg gave Sonny a few tips on running the state after the photo.

Waffle House cooks busy making smothered, covered and scattered hash browns. What could be better on a Sunday morning? Pecan waffle, maybe?

A snowman seen in front of Towers Dorm at Georgia Tech yesterday when we drove our son back to school.

SLIPPIN' AND SLIDING

When snow approaches Atlanta we always sound and look like a bunch of wimps. We give minute by minute accounts of each flake falling and we don't even own a snow scraping machine. By the number of cars at the Kroger, you'd think George Clooney was there, even though the radio weather announcers said we didn't need to stock up on bread and milk. Well, they were wrong! With only 1 inch of snow, it melted into a solid sheet of ice on Atlanta streets. It cripples the city. We couldn't get out of our driveway or up the hill in our neighborhood. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT!! WE'RE NOT REALLY WEENIES. So, I watched knitting videos on Youtube and below is my project in progress, sitting appropriately on our icy deck.

UGA, guarding our house even in the snow!

SOUP'S ON

IT'S COLD OUT...............SOUP'S ON! SENATE BEAN SOUP, THAT IS. IT'S A TRADITION WITH THE BOYS (AND LADIES) DOWN IN THE GEORGIA SENATE TO SERVE THIS SOUP WHEN THE LEGISLATURE CONVENES AFTER THE HOLIDAYS IN JANUARY. THEY HAVE THEIR OWN PERSONAL COOK WHO MAKES IT EVERY YEAR. I MAKE MY OWN. RECIPE BELOW.

SENATE BEAN SOUP

1 package dried navy beans

1 thick slice ham (I used left over ham bone from Christmas ham)

2 Tablespoons vegetable oil

3 large carrots, peeled, chopped

2 large potatoes, peeled, chopped

2 medium onions, chopped

1 chicken bouillon cube

salt and pepper to taste

Soak beans overnight in 6 cups of water. Next morning, drain. Cover with 6 cups water (may add more), ham and oil. Cook until beans are tender - about 2 hours. Add carrots, potatoes, onion and bouillon.

Cook slowly in covered roaster until potatoes dissolve into a thick broth - several hours.

ENJOY!

KNITTING CLASS

I'm SO excited. I have signed up to take a knitting class with a few friends at a local shop called the Whole 9 Yards. Below is my new wool yarn and bamboo knitting needles. I don't know how to do anything but stick the needles in the skein of yarn, but I'm hoping I will learn a lot in February when the class starts. It is a very beginning class and we will learn the basic knitting and purl stitch. I would just like to make a scarf, and maybe a hat, and then maybe a baby sweater, and then maybe a fisherman's sweater. I get a little carried away............right now I'm in love with the yarn and new needles!

HEY KELLY, HERE'S THE ORNAMENT I COULDN'T FIND FOR CHRISTMAS!

OUR NEW YEAR'S BABY!

Twenty nine years ago it was minus 10 degrees in New Jersey where our oldest son was born. We celebrated his birthday Jan. 1st by going down to the Georgia Aquarium. The jelly fish outdid themselves showing their beautiful colors........

Bryan and Syl in the lobby of the Aquarium.

The colors are always changing in the lobby of the aquarium.

Hey little guy....

This is one of my favorite areas........the clear tunnel to the Ocean Voyage exhibit. You can see a Whale Shark above. The moving sidewalk was not working because there were SO many people at the aquarium because of the Chick fil A bowl game. I think every Virginia Tech and Tennessee fan were there along with us.

and of course birthday cake.......