Snow Days

Posted on January 30, 2026 by Mimi

Hey!

Do you know the phrase, “once in a blue moon“? Happening only every two or three years, a blue moon is a full moon occurring twice in a month. Snow in the South is about as common. It’s rare and a treat. When the news gives a prediction of snow in the forecast, we wait with eager anticipation, along with the giddy school children, hoping against hope that the snow will come. We scurry to the grocery store preparing for a snowmageddon and buy every junk food delight that can be purchased.

Snow is an enigma. We don’t know how to deal with it. We don’t have snow plows, snow tires, snow shoes, snow shovels, or coats designed for cold weather. Cars piled up, commutes that should’ve taken minutes took hours and in some areas, little children had to spend the night at school because they couldn’t get home. Snow perplexes us and catches us off guard.

We only had a light dusting, maybe an inch /inch and a half. For some of y’all, that amount hardly counts as spit as Southerners say but for us; it’s magical and FRIGID. Snow never lasts long when it does fall. In fact, the weather prediction is high 60’s for Saturday.

I’m not a fan of cold weather but I am a fan of snow. I love watching the flakes come down. I love the quietness and the stillness that begins to happen outside. Nature seems to command attention by using the softest of whispers. I watch in amazement knowing that each snowflake is unique and different; each testifying to the amazing, creative ability of God.

Snow days bless us with free days that are really unplanned holidays to be relished and treasured. A day open to any possibility I can imagine or conceive: a true luxury and gift. What have I done? Very little : )

What do you do with your snow days?

Blessings,

Mimi

“Be still before the LORD, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.” Zechariah 2:13 NIV Bible

My Plucky Little Friend

Posted on January 28, 2026 by Mimi

Hey!

Early, one Saturday morning, I dressed quickly which is not my norm and hustled out the door to take pictures with my new camera. I wanted the practice and hoped that I could capture the sunrise and possibly, fingers crossed, deer grazing the meadows. My husband was driving which afforded me the opportunity to watch for locations to stop.

As we drove along the Natchez Trace, I spotted a herd of cows by a fence and had him pull over so I could get out. I crept my way towards them. One tentative step at a time. The cows were jittery and skittish. I was afraid that I might spook them. Closer and closer, I made my way until I finally arrived at the fence.

The herd and I eyed one another. Maybe, we even smelled one another because I got a strong whiff of them. I wasn’t afraid of them but I was leery. The fence didn’t look like it would withstand a stampede if they decided to charge me. I think the cows had the same concerns about me except for this little fella who decided to take a risk.

Curiosity got the best of him. He inched his way toward me uncertain what to make of the clicking noise of my camera as I took the shots. Cautiously, he came one step forward, then, took one step back. He was part of a trio but the only one with enough pluck to check me out.

He found his courage but the others didn’t. Boldly, he determined to take the risk. He didn’t walk right towards me or run up to me. He, carefully, tested the waters. But, he came. His need to know outweighed his fear. His curiosity overcame the boundary of potential danger.

I feel like the other cows sometimes. I let the fear take over. I miss out on the richness of discovery because I’m timid to make that first step, that first move, that first action, that first word. I’m afraid of rejection. Afraid of the risk. Afraid of looking silly. Afraid of not knowing the right answer. Just afraid. Sometimes, I call it practicality when really it’s self-preservation.

That little fella did bolt when I, accidentally, lost my balance. But, his brief encounter with me reminded me that boldness can be taken in small steps, in small moves. Each step drawing me nearer and encouraging confidence and boldness to develop within me.

I prefer to be like this little fella. I don’t want anything to hold me back from joining in, speaking out, or stepping forward. All it takes is that first step.
I’ve learned that if I let the obstacles before me keep me from experiencing what God has in store for me, I miss out. I end up with regret. Those very obstacles are the tools He uses quite often to prepare me for a great adventure in my life.

Do you have something you’re longing to do? What do you need plucky courage to do? Will you take the first step?

Blessings,

Mimi

“For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13 NIV Bible

A Whole New Meaning to the word, “Thumb Drive”

Posted on January 23, 2026 by Mimi

Hey!

We had an interesting Monday. Honey Do had time off for Martin Luther King Day and spent the day working on our living room. If you recall, we ripped out our fireplace wall, built that wall back, and we have painted the beams and installed new lighting on the old fireplace wall. The current project is building and installing the bookshelves and cabinets that will surround our new fireplace.

Honey Do had completed most of the cabinet components over the 3-day weekend when I heard him asking me to come and help. I, naturally assumed, he wanted my help to carry in a cabinet from the garage. He was so calm. Boy, was I wrong! He had shot a nail straight through his thumb with the nail gun!

Fortunately, he was able to get a doctor’s appointment that day for an x-ray and tetanus shot. He did not shoot the nail through the bone, only a possible grazing. His thumb is healing nicely and no signs of a bone infection at the present. Thank the Lord!

Renovation, truly, can require a person’s blood, sweat, and tears, even all in one day.

Blessings,

Mimi

“See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;” Isaiah 49:16 NIV Bible

Italian Sausage Soup Recipe

Posted on January 21, 2026 by Mimi

Hey!

When does a recipe become your own? Is it the moment that you tweak one ingredient or two? Or, is it when you totally create it from scratch on your own? I’m not certain what magazine the original recipe for “Chunky Italian Soup” came from, but, I’ve made at least four changes to the original ingredient list for this recipe. The original recipe used beef and I used sausage so I’ve renamed it as Italian Sausage Soup.

We’ve had chilly weather the last few days and this robust soup was the answer to warm the insides. Thick. Chunky. Hearty. Filling.

Overladen with veggies, I didn’t feel the need to serve a salad with the soup. Crackers were the addition for one meal and bread and butter, the next.

Italian Sausage Soup

1-16oz. package sausage — {I used Tennessee Pride mild}

1 small onion, chopped

2- 14.5oz. cans diced tomatoes

1-32oz carton of Pacific Tomato and Red Pepper Soup

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 teaspoons dried basil

2 teaspoons dried oregano

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1 can of dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1-12oz package of frozen cut green beans, use only half of the bag.

1 carrot, chopped

1 zucchini, chopped

8 ounces of tri-color rotini noodles, cooked

Cook the sausage and onions together in a large pot or Dutch oven until the sausage is cooked thoroughly and crumbly and the onions are translucent. Drain. Return to the pot.

Add the tomatoes, soup, garlic, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil. If the soup seems too thick, add water or chicken broth, a half a cup at a time. This soup is not meant to be thin.

Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally. After 30 minutes, stir in kidney beans, green beans, the carrot, and zucchini and simmer for another 15 minutes. Lastly, stir in pasta. Use Parmesan cheese to garnish. Serves 8-10.

What’s cooking at your house?

Blessings,

Mimi

“Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare.” Proverbs 20:13 NIV Bible

A Bible Study Opportunity

Posted on January 16, 2026 by Mimi

Hey!

Have you desired to know God better? Maybe, one of your resolutions for the year was to get involved in a bible study or to read His word more? Would you like to be wonder struck by God? Would you like to participate from your own home and in your ‘comfy” clothes?

Starting January 27, 2014, I will be offering the bible study, Wonderstruck by Margaret Feinberg on my other website, SweeterThanHoneyMinistry.com. Anyone is welcome to participate. All that you need to do is buy a workbook and join in. I’ve included a link to all the details below.

Click here for more information about being a part of this wonderful opportunity to grow in Christ and to be part of a community of people who share a like desire of growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

I hope you will consider being a part of our group.

Blessings,

Mimi

“Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.” Psalm 119:18 NIV Bible

A Look Ahead: 2014

Posted on January 14, 2026 by Mimi

Hey!

What’s ahead for us in 2014?

enjoying hip therapy for 6 weeks — yuck!
teaching bible study starting January 27th.
helping my son and his wife move into their new home
stage managing a pageant

celebrating my birthday
team teaching with my pastor at church
celebrating my daughter’s graduation from college- Woo Hoo!
moving my daughter and her husband into a place to live
attending my niece’s wedding in Colorado
possibly a visit with my cousins in Nashville
prepping contestants for interview

fingers crossed — a trip to the beach with my honey
hosting a get together with blogging friends

a new 31 Day Series in October on the blog
teaching bible study
celebrating the holidays

building cabinets, bookshelves, and putting in a fireplace in our living room
painting
sewing and upholstering
purging my house of clutter
finishing my office
working on this blog and working on my other site, Sweeter Than Honey Ministry

What’s on your calendar in the coming months?

Blessings,

Mimi

“In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 NIV Bible

A Look Now: 2014

Posted on January 9, 2026 by Mimi

Hey!

As promised, a look at what’s happening in my world now.

Photography
I’ve used a point and shoot camera for years and it worked fine. I’ve had a desire though to improve my photography skills and my little camera wasn’t up to the task of taking the types of pictures I wanted. For Christmas, Honey Do gave me a Canon Rebel. I’m so excited to use it. I’m on a learning curve though. This shot is the kind that you get when you’re not used to such a fast camera. Keeping it real. : )

Books
The stack I’m currently reading includes Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, The Search For The Twelve Apostles by Dr. William McBirnie, Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn, The Lost Books of the Bible published by Gramercy Books and I pulled out my old textbook to read “Hamlet” in The Riverside Shakespeare.

I finished The Skin Map by Stephen Lawhead and The Violets of March by Sarah Jio {book club read} this week and I liked both.

Music
Recent downloads:

“Hibernation Day” by Jars of Clay

“Let it go” by Idina Menzel from the movie, Frozen

I also love these two songs from the movie: “Fixer Upper” by Maia Wilson & cast and
“For the First Time in Forever” by Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel.

“Step Out” by Jose Gonzalez from the movie, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

I like this one, too: “Stay Alive” by Jose Gonzalez

TV
We really enjoyed the Sing Off before Christmas. I really liked Ten’s rendition of “Skyfall.” I love the blonde’s curly hair do but I’m not sure I can pull it off. What do you think? I also want to sing like that too but I don’t think that’s going to happen. I wasn’t blessed with the same vocal chords so I’ll have to close my eyes and pretend in my dreams.

We also have gotten hooked on Person of Interest. We’re almost done with Season 1 and it’s so good. Obviously, a theme is emerging in our house because we’re enjoying Elementary, Almost Human and Agents of Shield, too.

I wish HGTV would quit with all of the House Hunter shows. I miss all of the old design shows. Where did they go?? And what about the “G” in HGTV? It’s been forever since a garden focused show was on. Anybody else feel the same way?

Favorite Blog Post of the Week
I loved this post. Actually, the post was written some time ago but I just found it. I love the collaboration and insight this mother shares about her experience drawing with her daughter. Truly lovely art.

Clothes
I’ve been searching and searching for tops that I can wear with leggings or tights that are LONG ENOUGH. I’m modest. I like my tops to come down past my fanny and down in the front. I think the problem is I’m not very tall {5’4.5”} but I’m long-waisted. Can anybody else relate?? I ordered some tops from J.Jill and thank you, thank you, they’re long enough. Honey Do liked this one the best, here. I also bought this great jacket at Dick’s that I’m loving.

Enough about what I’m into these days —- What about you?

Blessings,

Mimi

“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 NIV Bible

State of Hospitality

Monthly Archives: January 2014

Snow Days

My Plucky Little Friend

A Whole New Meaning to the word, “Thumb Drive”

Italian Sausage Soup Recipe

1-16oz. package sausage — {I used Tennessee Pride mild}

1 small onion, chopped

2- 14.5oz. cans diced tomatoes

1-32oz carton of Pacific Tomato and Red Pepper Soup

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 teaspoons dried basil

2 teaspoons dried oregano

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1 can of dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1-12oz package of frozen cut green beans, use only half of the bag.

1 carrot, chopped

1 zucchini, chopped

8 ounces of tri-color rotini noodles, cooked

A Bible Study Opportunity

A Look Ahead: 2014

A Look Now: 2014

Follow “State of Hospitality”