Hello all, and a Happy New Year to any blog readers we have left after such a long absence! Would you leave a comment and let us know if you're still there? I've missed being in this space and will try and catch up gradually with a few different posts.
Let's start 2019 with thinking about things that are true, honest, just, pure, and lovely as the verse above states.
We're supposed to have a very snowy weekend here in the Shenandoah Valley, so what better time to hop back on the blogging bandwagon since we'll be stranded at the top of our hill for a few days...which, sounds to me like a very desirable thing right now!
This scene is from a snowy December weekend when we were heading up our driveway after a visit to Gloucester to visit new friends (that post coming soon): 
In the meantime, I wanted to ask prayer for Granny who had surgery this week for another compression fracture. Poor Granny....her bones are so fragile. This fracture resulted after an extended bout of hard coughing! 
This week has mostly been spent going back and forth to doctors' appointments or at the hospital getting blood work done, more labs drawn, and scheduling the surgery. Please pray that she will heal quickly and that the pain will subside so she can get back to being a happy Granny. Thank you!
We also celebrated Hannah's birthday this week. I hate to admit that she ended up making her own birthday cheesecake, but I did arrive home in time to prepare the meal with Tom's help and our faithful Instant Pot: 
As in the past, her choices were somewhat different from my normal recipes. But amazingly everything turned out quite tasty.
She picked Sticky Korean Chicken from the Half Baked Harvest blog along with Steamed Lemon Broccoli, a Taste of Home recipe.
The Brownie Caramel Cheesecake recipe was found over at Six Sisters Stuff blog, and it was birthday-quality delicious!
Here's Hannah on her birthday this week enjoying a piece. Happy Birthday, Hannah!:
As is our custom, the birthday person picks a game to play, and this year Pictionary was the choice:
It's good to be back!
What has your January looked like so far?
~Deb
Still following and glad to see you back. Praying for Granny. (Sometimes pineapple juice helps my kids when they have a bad cough.) Happy New Year
Posted by: Holly | Saturday, January 12, 2019 at 10:10 PM
QUE ALEGRIA VERLOS HERMANOS EN CRISTO, LOS EXTRAÑABA. SIGO ORANDO POR SU MADRE QUE DIOS LE DE TRANQUILIDAD Y PAZ EN ESTOS DIAS. NO SE SI LE LLEGO EL ANTERIOR MENSAJE, PORQUE NO APARECE PUBLICADO, LOS 2 SON CASI LO MISMO. BENDICIONES.
Posted by: ANA | Sunday, January 13, 2019 at 09:39 AM
Still following you, Deb, and it was so good to hear from you again. Sending prayers for Granny your way and hope she heals quickly. A friend in Cincinnati sent me a picture of their 8 inches of snow so I"m sure there is some coming your way. I think it's beautiful but I know longer want to deal with the cold that goes with it. Happy Birthday to Hannah! Her birthday meal looked delicious!
Posted by: Barbara J. | Sunday, January 13, 2019 at 04:54 PM
Still here. :)
Happy New Year! Stay safe through the snow! Adding a prayer for Granny!
Posted by: Tammy | Sunday, January 13, 2019 at 05:09 PM
Hi Deb! I'm still here as well. I'm so sorry to hear that Granny has had another fracture. Be sure that I am praying for her. My Christmas card to her was returned this week. I have no idea why--I sent it to your address, and it was correct on the envelope. Tell her I love her!
Posted by: Rhonda | Sunday, January 13, 2019 at 06:25 PM
“Good things come to those who wait...” and I put your blog in the “good things” category.
Looking forward to reading more blog posts in 2019.
Posted by: Cathy | Sunday, January 13, 2019 at 07:26 PM
It is good to see your smiling face, Deb! I will pray for Granny. Happy Birthday Hannah!! Great birthday choices!
Posted by: Karen | Sunday, January 13, 2019 at 10:33 PM
Praying for your mom. Back pain is miserable. Praying for you too Deb. Caregiving is intense. Happy Birthday Hannah!
Posted by: Shelia Hofmeister | Monday, January 14, 2019 at 06:58 AM
Welcome back!!
Posted by: Sftk | Monday, January 14, 2019 at 07:45 AM
Sftk,
Thank you for the well wishes! As is our custom, we always respond personally to each person who leaves a comment...and especially first time commenters. Welcome and thank you. I tried to respond but the email bounced.
Posted by: Deb | Monday, January 14, 2019 at 01:23 PM
Still reading in Austin, Texas and happy you are back!
Posted by: Nancy | Monday, January 14, 2019 at 09:26 PM
Nice to see an update.
Will be praying for Granny to feel better soon.
Gregory is on heart monitor.So far all has been okay.
Posted by: Tammy C | Tuesday, January 15, 2019 at 07:03 AM
Loved your update. Happy Birthday to Hannah!
And praying for Granny - please give her our love.
Wishing you all have a joy-filled 2019!
Posted by: Donna C. | Tuesday, January 15, 2019 at 01:32 PM
Glad to see you back to blogging and also happy to hear Granny was doing better this afternoon. Continuing to pray for her.
Posted by: victoria | Tuesday, January 15, 2019 at 06:16 PM
I am so happy to see you back! I enjoy your blog very much! What a wonderful example your family is to all of us! Looking forward to your next post!
Posted by: Jackie Simpson | Tuesday, January 15, 2019 at 08:01 PM
How exciting that you are blogging again! I used to get your posts via email but I see there’s a couple that I haven’t gotten so not sure why.
I am rarely on a computer anymore but hope to rectify that in the near future so that I can enjoy your lovely posts and pictures on a screen bigger than 10 inches! :-)
Glad you’re back!
Posted by: Michelle W | Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at 08:48 PM
Welcome back to blogging Deb, I’ve never left a comment before but I’m a long time reader. I follow very few blogs and yours is my favorite. I was disappointed when your blogging started to slow down and was hoping that you wouldn’t give it up completely so I’m glad to see you’ve decided to share with us again. I’ve enjoyed reading about your family and congratulations on the newest sweet grandson.
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy | Thursday, January 24, 2019 at 05:35 PM