Fire & Ice Hodgepodge

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It is a very cold Tuesday here in Plano, Texas with a temperature of 1 this morning which felt like a -15.  We are expecting another round this evening and after that below freezing temps for the rest of the week.  So there will not be much thawing taking place.

If we hadn't survived the Polar Vortex in Northern Indiana a couple years ago, I would think this is really cold.  But, it's hard to compare this with a -23 temperature and a -50 degree wind chill factor off Lake Michigan.

It is very serious here though because our power grid was not made for winters like this but for excessively hot summers.  Wind and solar just don't work when it's this cold and as a result, there are millions of homes without electricity, water and/or gas.  We are among the fortunate ones at this point - we only have frozen cold water pipes in our master bath.  We are praying that God will melt the ice in His time without them bursting.

Our house and my footprints.

Now to today's Hodgepodge.  It is good to be back with Joyce for this week's questions.  Hop over to From This Side of the Pond to see how she and others answered the following questions.  How would you answer them?

1. This week's Hodgepodge lands on Ash Wednesday which signals the beginning of Lent. Do you mark this season in some way? If so tell us more.

We don't observe Lent; however, we are grateful for what Easter means to us as Christians.

 Did you grow up 'celebrating' Lent? 

No we did not even though I grew up in South Louisiana where those who do were in the majority.

Is attending church part of your weekly routine? Are churches open for in-person worship where you live? 

Yes, we attend regularly on a weekly basis as well as a Wednesday afternoon Life Group.  Our church as been open for in-person worship for several months.

2. When is the last time you sat beside a 'real' fire? Do you have a fireplace in your home? Wood or gas logs? Favorite thing cooked over a fire?

I really cannot remember the last time I sat by a 'real' fire.  We had one in a former home, but that was almost 30 years ago. I do love a real fire but have never missed the cutting of logs and cleaning the mess of wood and ash.

We do have a fireplace with gas logs.  It has been ages since I ate anything cooked over a fire, so I'm going to go with the obvious - marshmallows.

3. Something that's currently got you fired up? 

Honestly, my goal right now is to be un-fired up about any thing. 

4. February also happens to be National Cabbage Day. Who knew? Do you like cabbage?

Yes

 Is cabbage on your menu Wednesday?

Not at this point.

Of the following cabbage dishes which is your favorite-coleslaw (mayo or vinegar?), sauerkraut, cabbage rolls, cabbage soup, kielbasa and cabbage, grilled cabbage, bubble and squeak, kimchi, or haluski? 

Coleslaw with a mayo mixture my husband makes.  Delicious!

5. Do you hang on to pennies? What do you do with them? Last thing you purchased for $1.00? Last thing you purchased for $5.00? 

I do not hang on the pennies.  There is usually a small collection in my purse's coin compartment in case I need them.  I can't remember buying anything for $1 lately but did buy some of the most delicious chocolates for $5 last week from the nicest young lady.

Michelle and Michelle

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

The weather in Northern Indiana, where we were until this past Sunday, was very icy and lots and lots of snow. While there, I was able to get out and enjoy it all.

These were taken from our son's pool house.  There will be more pictures later.

On Saturday afternoon, I needed to get outside so John and I decided to get a start on clearing the driveway before the next system came in that night.

About 5" of snow was on top of a 1-3" layer of ice.

I could sure use this shovel here right now.

Salt didn't begin to phase the thicker ice.

After a couple hours and constant snowing and the temperatures dropping, we got all we could.  Sure enough, there was a heavy layer of snow the next morning.

Our flight from South Bend to DFW Airport was scheduled for Monday morning.  As the Dallas weather began to unfold, we fortunately were able on Saturday night to move our tickets to early Sunday instead.  God blessed us with this change because the airport canceled all flights that afternoon.

She caught me with my mouth full of that delicious grilled cheese sandwich.

Last Friday, Michelle and I went to Elkhart, Indiana for a girl's outing.  I will do a post later this week about all of my road trips and outings.