beautiful – Site Title

The Blizzard

This year has seen more than its share of snow and it is a never-ending saga! The kind that I hope ends pretty soon and makes way for milder weather. Two days ago, we got dumped! I mean it (snow) moved in unexpectedly and dumped about 20 inches of snow, enough to keep this village covered in white for quite a while! The problem, it took three or more times of clearing and salting to keep it at bay!

When it was finished with its handywork, we were covered in snow. The trees looked straight out of a postcard, every branch covered in white and it was a sight to behold. The streets looked impenetrable and everything was at a standstill. Nothing moved out there. It was a snow-covered landscape and if you didn’t have to be out in it, you stayed home with lots of coffee and warmth to keep you company as I did.

One neighbor said, “Enough already!” as she walked past while I was clearing the snow away and I echo that sentiment wholeheartedly. It is time for winter to go or at least the constant influx of snow! I’ve had my fill and I suppose so have many other people around here.

I’ve been keeping tabs on the weather forecast and the prediction is more snow and rain tomorrow! However, the temperature will be going up but just a little. We are not out of the woods yet but as with all things, this too shall pass as they say.

I took a walk in the fields yesterday and it was covered in pea soup thick fog and visibility was next to zero. The fields were covered in heavy snowfall and it was a blinding white enough to warrant sunglasses! It was a pretty sight nonetheless.

Have an amazing day.

It Was Cold!

I took my early morning walk and it was COLD! The sun was shining but the fields were covered in white. It was not snow but frost and everywhere I looked there were sparkles as if the fairies had waved their wands overnight and covered everything in fairy dust! Yes, my imagination is running wild but it always does when I make my way to the fields. It takes a while before my mind calms down and I feel at ease again. This morning, it was no different.

The snow and ice have left us and in its place, cold, bitter cold, has stepped in. The good part is that there is sunshine and it makes for a spectacular scene before me. The birds are chirping although I don’t see them. Spring is in the air? Not really, still a long ways to go but I did notice that the tulip bulbs in my front garden are sprouting and showing green as they peek hopefully from the ground. It is strange this weather but nothing surprises me anymore where the weather is concerned. It does what it wants.

Halfway through my walk, I met my neighbor and she was bundled up against the cold. We stop and chat for a while. She says that it is a gorgeous day and I would agree if not for the biting cold! Then it is time to take my usual route, up the hill, to the left across the fields, to the apple trees and back again. Nothing much was moving out there and it was a pristine day, the kind that promises much but delivers little. The weather is supposed to stay cold for a couple of days and it will make for “good walks” but come prepared. I have my Down jacket zipped all the way up, a scarf bundled around my neck, gloves on my hands and boots on my feet, and I still feel its cold fingers reaching out to let me know just how cold it is! Tomorrow, I will have to add my winter hat to the ensemble.

My mind seems to be resting and taking a break from running circles around me as it usually does. Suddenly, a loud squawk from a crow passing by catches my attention as it flies to a nearby tree and takes refuge there. It is quiet, peaceful and absolutely beautiful. Time to make my way back home and warm up with a hot steaming cup of coffee and maybe some cheesecake? I bought two slices yesterday and it has my name written on it! Willpower do your thing. I think I will write instead and sip on coffee sans the cheesecake.

It is going to be a good day.

Have an amazing day.

A Gorgeous Day!

They’ve been talking about snow and freezing rain for the last couple of days and it never arrived. This morning, however, I noticed that Chachi, the cat was mesmerized as he stood by the window and kept looking back at me.

ME: “TV not working again Chachi?”

HIM: “You’ve got to see this mommy! It is BEAUTIFUL!”

It was. Snow had arrived in the middle of the night and it was a white world out there. The roofs were covered in white and so were the streets. I knew that I needed to bundle up and go out there to salt the sidewalk so that no one will slip and fall. It is tedious work but it’s a must over here and it is expected that you do what is necessary to keep the street safe and clear of any hazards.

After breakfast, I put on my boots, my thick jacket, and headed out with a big bowl filled with salt. The ground beneath felt crunchy and that signaled “ice” mixed with snow. It was dangerous because it is easy to slip and to take a fall. I did my duty and made sure my portion of the sidewalk was nice, clean, and salted.

Then it was time to do my morning walk. The sun was up and about and it looked like it was going to be gorgeous day albeit a little cold because the wind was picking up speed and playing havoc with the trees. I decided that I needed out in the open to clear my mind.

The fields were covered in white and the trees were frosted like straight out of a picture postcard! It was a beautiful sight. Still, it was colder than I expected. Not a single thing, neither man nor beast, was moving out there. I took my usual route watching as I stepped because the rock covered pathway was slippery. Some parts had puddles of water frozen in place and others covered in a mixture of snow and ice.

I gave my mind free rein and watched as it took off, leaving me to walk quietly and deep in thought. I usually think a lot about different things while walking hoping that the open spaces and nature will do its thing and give me some answers. Today, it was no different. I got some solutions and one of them was to break the problems down into smaller and more manageable portions. Solve one problem at a time. I’ve been running with all of them, facing me in all directions until it became overwhelming and hard to manage.

MESSAGE TO SELF: Work on solving things, one problem at a time.

Good. I plan to do just that. The walk was fantastic and the view gorgeous! I came back with a freezing nose but it was exhilarating. I love winter days. Time for a cup of hot coffee and to get moving on with the day.

Have an amazing day.

A Frosty Morning

The rooftops are sprinkled with white and so are the streets this morning. No snow yet but frost was there. It looked cold outside and it was. Brrr!!! I bundled up adding a thick scarf around my neck but no gloves and that was a mistake.

I walked as I usually do taking the same path and as I approached the apple trees, I noticed that the mountain was barely visible. It was shrouded in a haze. Yes, it was cold as I shoved my freezing hands deeper into my coat pockets. Nothing was moving out there, just a big fat crow cawing about something. My guess is, it was complaining about the weather as well. It kept me company for a while until a neighbor came into view with her dog. We stopped, exchanged niceties and the topic turned to our kids. She has twins, a boy and a girl, each one as different as night and day. The girl is dark-haired and the boy a blond. The boy sweet-natured and an absolute sweatheart and the girl, not so much. They are both the same age as my son. The conversation turned to the children and how they were doing. Turns out, I’m not the only one having to deal with the “walking on eggshells” concept. She was having the same problem which made me feel a little bit better. I waved her on and took the other path heading to the fields.

It was quiet, too quiet. The world was still asleep and the “cold” it was now kissing the tip of my nose and it was time to head back. The weather forecast is predicting snow for Saturday. I’m actually looking forward to some snow to get me in the Christmas spirit. My ex told me that our son will be heading home for the holidays. He doesn’t want to stay with me because I have strict rules about letting his friends using my place as party central. The last time it was late nights, lots of noise and a constant run to the bathroom! They are no longer scrawny kids but tall, strapping young men! So, my son has decided to stay at his Oma’s, just a stone’s throw from where I live. I won’t have the hassle and he will still come visit. A win-win situation either way.

It was time for another cup of coffee but Chachi, the cat, just walked in and let out a loud meow! He loves having his mommy at home 24/7 and absolutely hates it when I take off for an hour or two. Spoiled? Absolutely, but I’m not complaining. It is kiss and cuddle time with the little brat!

Have an amazing day.

The First Snowfall

The weather forecast has been predicting snow for the last couple of days along with the temperatures dropping to freezing and sure enough, it came this morning. I was greeted with tiny flakes of snow mixed in with the rain and wind. Snow, beautiful pristine snow that has the ability to grab your attention and to keep it there for awhile. Standing at the kitchen window with the coffee mug in hand, it was a beautiful sight even though it was just a light flurry.

I decided it was a perfect day for soup and cuddle time with my little fur ball. Somehow, he sensed it as well because he kept close, playing my second shadow to the hilt! Once I had the bedcovers changed to flannel ones, he had a field day diving under the blankets and dashing from room to room. He gets that way some days and on other days, he is as quiet as a mouse and spends his time playing Christopher Columbus. Discovery is on his mind and opening drawers another passion of his.

After downing four cups of coffee, it was time to take another look out the window. The weeping willow is swaying with the wind and the snow flakes have all but gone. Rain is still here but according to the weather forecast more snow is on the way but not the kind that will stay for a while or the kind that will turn the landscape into a winter wonderland. It’s too early for that.

However, I would have liked to go walking out in the snow. The rain and wind put a stop to that. Oh well, there will be other days when the fields will be covered in white and magic will happen as winter takes hold and turns the trees into frosted works of art. It will be picture perfect, just needs a little time to get there.

Have an amazing day.

A Beautiful Book Review

A Fresh Look at The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie by T. J. Mueller
📚 Get your copy on Amazon

I recently spent a quiet afternoon reading The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie, and I wasn’t expecting it to charm me the way it did. I thought it would be a simple children’s story, but there’s something genuinely special about the way this book blends imagination with gentle life lessons.

The first thing that caught my attention was how naturally the author brings her characters to life. Honey, the miniature greyhound with an enormous amount of heart, instantly feels like a character children can connect with. And Hubie — the bright green frog with a rainbow stripe down his back — adds a playful energy that makes their friendship feel real and endearing.

What surprised me most is how effortlessly the story invites readers into its world. The places Honey and Hubie explore feel almost dreamlike, yet grounded enough for kids to picture themselves right beside the characters. The mix of magical creatures and simple moments gives the book a comforting balance of excitement and warmth.

As I read, I kept thinking about how well the book captures the emotions children experience when they try new things — curiosity, nervousness, bravery, and the joy of succeeding. Nothing is overexplained or forced; the story lets kids understand these feelings through Honey’s journey. That’s something not many children’s books manage to do well.

The writing has a soft, comforting rhythm, which makes it especially nice for a bedtime read. You can pause between scenes and talk with kids about what they think Honey or Hubie might do next. It’s the kind of story that naturally encourages conversation and imagination, without feeling like a “lesson book.”

Knowing a bit about T. J. Mueller’s background makes the story even more meaningful. You can sense her deep connection to nature and childhood wonder in every page. Her writing feels sincere — not polished to perfection, but honest and full of heart. It reminded me of the kinds of stories that stay with children long after they’ve grown.

If you’re looking for a children’s book that blends adventure, gentle messages, and a big dose of imagination, this one is definitely worth picking up. It has that timeless feeling that makes you want to revisit it again — not just for kids, but for the adults who read along with them.

📚 Get your copy on Amazon

A Beautiful Book Review!

Review
The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie: A Lesson in Courage and Connection

We all have grand aspirations, but it’s often our own inner voice of fear that becomes the biggest discouragement. “The Excellent Adventures of Hubie and Honey” illustrates this meaningful concept perfectly. In just thirty-nine perfectly written pages, this small book imparts timeless wisdom to budding minds, crafting a beautiful narrative about overcoming one’s own insecurities and fears through meaningful and supportive relationships.

This is far more than a simple story; it’s a guide to believing in oneself and understanding that every dream is achievable.The book excels in its ability to present these profound life lessons within a well-paced and engaging narrative. The literary structure is certainly one of its greatest strengths; the author has skillfully organized the tale from beginning to end, using correct, evocative words that never hinder the story’s flow. The incidents are introduced at regular intervals, maintaining an even pace that keeps young readers thoroughly engrossed. It’s rare to find such a perfectly constructed piece of children’s literature that feels both effortless and meticulously crafted.

The story centers on the unlikely duo in the Walker’s garden: Honey, the Italian greyhound dog, and Hubie, the worldly pond frog. Their friendship is founded on the thrill of adventure, fueled by Hubie’s incredible tales of his travels outside the garden’s boundaries. Honey’s great desire to see the outside world becomes a powerful illustration of dreaming big, but it is Hubie’s presence that provides the crucial spark of right guidance. This scenario beautifully conveys how important it is to circle yourself with friends who uplift your mindset and give you the courage to take the first step.

The ensuing journey is an eventful trek that teaches children the necessity of helping each other in need and the pure joy of having fun together. No matter how daunting the world outside the garden may seem, the duo shows that if you are perseverant enough, nothing can stop you from reaching your goals.

Goodreads

This one was from India so thank you India! ! My first review from over there and I really appreciate it.