Bushes in the front yard! Beautiful!

Check out Sarah's pictures of SNOW! Yeah!!

A view from the front yard.....more like Spring than Winter!

What's the weather like in your neck of the woods...

I was just chatting with a good friend and realized just how much I miss the North and the snow that comes with. To be honest with you I really don't miss just how cold it is...only the beauty of the snow. She was nice enough to send me some pictures of the snow in her backyard and I in turn, sent her some pictures of blooming flowers and plenty of sunshine! So I ask of you.....if anyone actually stops by here...to post pictures of your season. I know the calander says winter but 'round here it is not so much. We are having spring-like weather as expected. No snow here but I enjoy the pics!
Spread it around...and I'll be posting some here soon. It's amazing how we all blog and all chat and all talk but are really living in different areas of the world and have different weather from day to day!

Carnival Season

Carnival means many things to many people. There is Catholic Carnival which I always enjoy reading-when I take the time! There is the carnival that comes to town once a year with rides and games and cotton candy! And 'round these parts there is Carnival.....Mardi Gras! This is one of my favorites! Of course I never knew....really knew Mardi Gras until I moved here. There are parades beginning three weeks prior and ending on Fat Tuesday! There are Super Krewes, and giant parades and then there are smaller parades that run through the week. All of these no matter how big or how small, have meaning behind them. All of the excitement and all the hype lead up to one of the biggest events....Lent! Now, for a lot of people parades are just a reason to party...I'll admit that part is fun but the excitement I see in my children is more fun. In the midst of all the fun little sister announces what she is going to give up for Lent. I am going to give up fighting with my sister! Alleluia! Praise the Lord!!
In addition to that we will reflect on what else we are going to be giving up, or rather, adding to our Lent. This is always a special time leading up to Easter Sunday. Never more than during this coming season do I feel, really feel, like God gives second chances. And third. And fourth....you get the picture! I say I am giving up one thing and without even thinking there I am sitting on the sofa eating what I gave up or watching tv when I said I wouldn't!! But God forgives. All I have to do is ask and believe me when he sees that look on my face when I realize what I have done....he knows I'm sorry.
It doesn't matter how many times I fail, He is there and ready to forgive. This season I hope to not break any of my promises but still go to God and ask for him to guide me through what may very well be one of the most important times in my life!!