with Vickie Ellis
Hello to all from this little corner of the world. The skies were blue, and it was sunny on Sunday. There was a 13 mph wind coming from the southwest. This will help warm us up some for the next week. Our birds have been particularly hungry. We are seeing cardinals a lot, towhees and chickadees, and our yellow finches are coming back-YAY! We saw some buttercups blooming this morning.
I hope everyone was safe and made it through the ice storm last week without any serious injury or damage to anything. We were very blessed that we did not lose power. Southwest Electric was very smart to begin cutting trees back when they did. Our utility bills are more this month, but at least we stayed warm. We went to Lexington on Friday, and everything was clear. I bet we have not been that way since before COVID. I was amazed at the expansion of AutoZone distribution center and the road work that is going on involving Hwy. 22 and other areas to connect and, hopefully, improve travel to destinations. I do not know what their final goal is. A lot can change when you do not get out much.
Remember that Valentine’s Day will be next week. Think of those you love or who mean a lot to you and remind them. Life is short; words mean a lot and do not cost a thing. Cook a special meal or dessert. Help the little ones make homemade cards (keepsakes). You could also buy some special treats for your pets.
We enjoyed a good sermon at Friendship Baptist Sunday morning. The sermon was “Don’t Settle for Less.” Why do we obey God? Do we do it to avoid a loss or to benefit a gain (Mark 8:36 and Matthew 6: 19-20)? Don’t settle on things that won’t last forever (Phillipians 3 :7-11). The BEST is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior. Visitors are welcome anytime.
Happy birthday to Mallory McKinney, 2-5; Branson Butler, 2-6; Tiffany Holder, 2-7; and Rodney Butler, 2-8.
Please continue to remember these in prayer: Sheila Berry, Joe Bingham, Marie Bishop, Jackie Chambers, Shirley Kendrick, Martha Mainord, Adisyn Matthews, Janeane Moore, Debbie Morris, LaVelle Page, Pam Priddy, Jesse Pugh, Karon Reinmann, Logan Rencher, Todd Rencher, Jake Richardson, Cathy Sisson, Kevin Thurman, David Tucker, Tony Tucker and Adam Wise. Also, pray for our military, law enforcement, our country and first responders.
Easy Valentine Fudge – you will need three cups white chocolate chips, one cup sugar cookie mix, a 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk, one tablespoon unsalted butter and one teaspoon vanilla extract
Line a 9×9 inch baking dish with parchment paper and lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray. In a medium double boiler saucepan, combine white chocolate chips, sugar cookie mix, sweetened condensed milk and butter. Heat on medium heat and stir continuously until melted and smooth. Once everything is melted, stir two to three minutes or longer to make sure everything is melted and coming together. Remove from heat (but keep on the double boiler) and add vanilla and half of holiday sprinkles. Pour into the dish and smooth out. Press remaining sprinkles into the top of the fudge and for two to three hours in the refrigerator. Take out of the refrigerator, remove from parchment paper and cut into pieces. HINT: If you do not have a double boiler, I have been told to use a glass bowl over a pan of medium boiling water. Be watchful of heat. Enjoy
I pray you all have a wonderful week and may it be filled with love, joy, peace and blessings. Remember: if you have news, please email me at mimmiepots@gmail.com. I would truly appreciate any news. People from here and those who have moved from our area but still want to keep in touch through the newspaper are hungry for news from home.
Until next week, Happy Trails to You.
