Winter

This winter has been so odd. We've had 2 snowfalls with around 6 inches. Last week, Becca was only in school Monday because of the snow. There was actually a 2-hour delay on Thursday so the afternoon preschool went but Becca goes in the morning so she missed out yet again. This was the view from our deck last week...really beautiful.

Becca is outgoing and not afraid of too many things. At church, we usually sing a couple of songs, then they have a children's sermon where the kids go to the front of the church and then they leave for children's church. Becca usually raises her hand and I'm never sure what she'll say, although she rarely embarrasses me. The question was something to the effect, "What do you give for Valentine's Day?" She said she likes the good chocolates, not the bad chocolates. I'm going to have to teach her there's no such thing as a bad chocolate.

Darren was gone overnight to a bowling tournament on Friday night. so, he was able to do shopping while he was away. I must say he did really well. Before church, i received a Valentine's card from each kid and one from Darren. The kids got me a candle and a couple of Godiva bars. Darren got me Ralph Lauren's 'Romance' perfume and chocolates. The chocolates were almost too pretty to eat...I said, Almost. My favorite chocolates lately have been the Lindor truffles...they really melt in your mouth, but now these are a close second.

Today for my birthday, it got even better. I had showed Darren some coats I had been wanting and the good sales I had found online. I have a leather coat but it's only waist length and wanted something longer and warmer for the really cold winter days. So, this morning, he gave me a great coat. He had to go into many stores, so he really had to shop. He was thinking he made a mistake not getting it online. But he finally found one...many stores didn't have long coats. I was hoping he found a good price and I was proud of him...he got it for almost 70% off. It's a Kenneth Cole coat and it is super warm. Sorry about the picture, it's really bad...just concentrate on the coat. It also has a fur-trimmed hood.

I put on my coat and we went to Olive Garden for lunch. I would highly recommend the four cheese stuffed pansotti with chicken; it was deelish!

I had also put a bug in Darren's ear about the cake I wanted. I saw it in the paper and had to have it. The cake has 2 layers of red velvet cake layered with 2 layers of chocolate-dipped strawberry ice cream topped with chocolate fudge ganache and chocolate shavings. The cake part wasn't as good as a fresh red velvet cake but everything all together was pretty good. I know, you're jealous huh? Okay, now that I've had another piece, it's much better if you eat it right out of the freezer rather than leaving it out to soften.

Since it was my birthday, I decided I would take it easy and not do much. Well, you definitely pay for it the next day. It's amazing how much piles up when you just take 1 day off. Oh well, it was worth it.