We live in Shreveport. We got enough snow that my boxwood hedge that is normally almost 4 feet high was bent to 2 feet. I had to walk around the yard with a broom to shake the foliage so they would not break. I had ligustrum branches bent over and touching the ground and oak limbs bending down. I was surprised how few branches did break off.

I was sorry so many things in my yard looked so bad by the time my family got here, but my younger granddaughter from California was really fascinated to find the birdbath frozen solid. She said they never get ice where she lives. I'll do anything to entertain my grandkids! (almost) Hope you're all thawed out now. What lovely weather! The brugs all look like I hung out dirty scrub rags on sticks.

Hey all I just got power back. We had it off and on yesterday but the puter kept going off or timing out so I couldn't send email or post. I have a huge limb from the neighbor's yard down and across the lines to our house. I am not sure what lines it is going to. We were without power for 4 days. We still don't have heat though as the basement flooded and the furnace was under water b4 we could get it completely bailed out with buckets. DH and his uncle spent the whole evening until 10 last night trying to get the water logged furnace out of the basement. I have watered down oil spills from the basement through the dining room, kitchen, mudroom to the back door where it was leaking out of the furnace. Needless to say we have to replace the furnce so we Hope to hzave heat no later than Thursday or Friday. Aside from that mess we made it ok with all our primitive camping skills and supplies close at hand. I still don't have reliable email so if anyone has emailed me I can't get to it but the phone (landline) is working although there is static. A generator purchase is in our future at some point even if it is only used to keep the sump pump running. We kept the refrigerator completely closed off and only ate canned goods such as tuna, chef boyardee, and soups. Our stove is gas so we were able to boil water and to heat up canned goods but the oven didn't work (which was no big deal) Now on a happier note. Last evening as we were assessing the damage to the furnace and taking a quick break out back a hummingbird flew up. I immediately hung a fresh feeder for her. She is still here this morning but seems to be using the cuphea ignea and salvias that are still blooming in place of the feeders. So for all those who have feeders please keep at least one up for a little while longer as there are still hummers moving south. This is the latest date I have had a hummer in my yard. Husky have you heard from Remy? I wonder if she is still without power in her area. The town of Tonawanda got hit REAL bad and since she is on the Kenmore Tonawanda border I think she may still be w/o power. Penny

Love those snow angels! Momj's cat has the right idea. And David... those rolls.. yummm... Both of us have colds. As Christy was hacking across the pillow the other night I knew my turn was coming and sure enough yesterday it set in. So today as I mentioned on the spilt pea thread we made two pounds of split pea soup. I was going to make biscuits but wasn't feeling that great so we are having toast croutons with it. That's what my Mother always made so that's always nice to have good memories along with a bowl of goodness. I love cornbread with it but Christy doesn't so I if I feel better tomorrow I'll make some so I can have it for a couple days while I have the soup for breakfast and lunch. Smiles. Tomorrow, since she's not quite up to par, Christy is going to make one of her comfort foods, weenie stew. Hot dogs cooked in a tomato sauce with N.O. seasonings [grn. pepper, onion, celery and garlic] and served over mashed potatoes. Surprisingly good and super easy. It finally started snowing here. Everything has a good covering but that's about it so far. It has been quite cold. Ten in the mornings and up to about sixteen during the day. It stays colder here on our little hill than the surrounding area. Hopefully we won't get this much this time. Smiles. Just thought I'd throw this pet pic in. This was from our Dec. blizzard.