YIKES!

No kidding! Single digits this morning.

I'm getting smarter. Took the dogs out in the yard for a few minutes while I shoveled a path, and put them right back in the house.

Old Man Winter was right where he was yesterday....the good news...it was not windy when I went out to the barn.

Dream did her usual while I got the grain ready.

After I set up the hay in the paddock and behind the grooming room, I opened the back door upstairs and threw out 2/3 of another bale.

I don't think they were that hot for this batch, as it was different from the usual.

At least it was there in case they were still hungry. (I give them more when it is this cold).



Brrrrrrrrrrrrrr........................

Everywhere I looked...

made me shiver.

When I opened the back door the horses were very curious....

I'm sure that they would be happy to walk right in.


Finished up in the barn and started shoveling the driveway...the wind picked up a little, making the windchill below 0.

The dogs came out for a few more minutes since they did not get any barn time.


After lunch, the sun came out for awhile.

The sky was gorgeous.



Crispy....crunchy.




I started working on dinner, as Brenda, Al, Ron and Ann were coming over at 6:30.
Justine arrived early to do chores.

I made sweet potato salad and Gary grilled out ham with a mustard sauce glaze. Both were done in advance.

Did you ever grill ham? It is outstanding. I heated up a brown sugar and mustard basting sauce that was brushed on.

Everyone arrived by 6:30 and we started off with some appetizers. On the left is a cheese with blueberries and on the right....garlic, tomato, basil. Brenda is anti gluten, so I served both rice and regular crackers.

We also had some pepper jelly and pears.

Started off by the fire.

I guess something funny was going on.

Al must have been telling us a good story.

Phoebe found a quiet spot while Gucci was all over us.

The plan for dinner was a winter picnic. This is what we had.....

Marinated carrots....(Ann)

grilled ham....

sweet potato salad....

and a spinach salad with peaches, toasted almonds and cheese (Ann).

All the flavors blended beautifully....

We try to get together with these two couples once a month as all of us enjoy good food and conversation. Our meals have been spectacular.

Here's where I started playing with my camera.

Then dessert arrived. Berries served with ice cream and a wafer (Brenda). What a way to end the meal.

Gary made his French press coffee, and that was that.


Meanwhile, I could not stop taking pictures.

The glass and candles were very intriguing and I could have taken (and did) many more shots.

They left by 10 and here I am, trying to finish this up before it is tomorrow.
Night all.