What a gorgeous, sun shining day! There's a "snow island" in the middle of the Wyalusing Creek out back. The water is rushing past on all sides. Wish I had waders, I think I would try to walk out on it. Probably it is just as well I don't. Knowing me, I'd end up in the water, face down!

The first month of 2011 is coming to a close. Two weeks from today is that special day made to make us feel great or miserable. Why do we put such great expectations on a day? That is one reason my husband and I started many years ago a habit of surprising each other ( and our children) with "just because" gifts. Just because I love you. No other reason but that. It could be an Almond Joy candy bar for me that Tim would pick up when filling the truck with gas. Or several hand warmers I'd happen to see at a check out counter for him to take to the warehouse when driving the fork truck. "why did you buy me this?" "just because."

Just because you are important to me
Just because I could tell you were having a bad day
Just because I thought of you when I saw this
Just because I like seeing you smile when I surprise you with a "just because" gift

That's what makes a local gift shop nice and handy. Stop by The Cabin and get him/her a "just because" gift. It will make you feel good.

Well, the mystery has been solved. My snowman has been returned. Actually, I discovered he was never truly missing. Remember how I mentioned some of my family members did not love my snowman as much as I did? My husband, Timothy, decided yesterday, on his own, that the talking snowman had "talked" long enough this season. He put him away- upstairs- behind the fake Christmas trees. No wonder I still have pellets.

I'm trying to analyze the motivators behind stealing. No, I haven't had any shop lifters. No one has robbed me for money. But I am missing something of sentimental value. When I take down the two open signs at night, I usually take in my talking snowman. Last night I forgot the little guy. It is no longer on my front porch.

As many of you know, I do leave some low value stuff on the porch for the sake of convenience. My husband had just unloaded some 5 bags of pellets for our stove here inside and left them also on the porch til we could get them put away. Not one bag was gone. It's the middle of winter, heat can be expensive. So why a talking snowman and not pellets?

I know many in my family who come regularly, hate my snowman. In fact, my one daughter stated after I sadly told her of his disappearance,"That was an annoying thing anyway." No words of condolences, no empathy, just an honest evaluation of the situation from her viewpoint. sigh....

I am going to miss the little guy. Can't replace him. I bought him from Avon 7 years ago ...at least I'm warm.

I never realized how much I talk out loud to myself. Isn't that a sign of impending old age? I hope not. Today I said good morning to the Cabin as I walked in. "Are you ready for another day?" I asked. Then I apologized to a Bearington Valentine's Bear when I inadvertently knocked it off the table. I actually introduced the plush bee Valentine to the Bearington Bear dressed as a squirrel. I told them to play nice.

I have decided this is only a sign of cabin fever. I did get out yesterday and walked around outside the Cabin. I wandered down the back lane to the Wyalusing Creek and saw it has iced over and the water is running underneath. Beautiful. I have been noting and keeping track of the bird's nests I see in the trees around the Cabin. They are hard to see with the leaves on. I now have a fourth pair of cardinals feeding.

For those who are on the Cabin's email list, I sent out the week's specials. Come sit a spell so I don't have to talk to myself!

As I sit here at my computer, I can't believe the privilege I have to enjoy such beauty right outside my window. I can see a bend in the Wyalusing Creek as it makes its way to the Susquehanna River.The edges are frozen with ice and snow and the sun (what little there is today) is reflecting off the water as it flows past.

I see tracks of the deer that walk up the path behind the Cabin every evening around 5. There are tracks of some kind I have not been able to identify. If snowshoe rabbits lived around here, I swear that's what they are. I need to get my son, Jeremiah, the mountain man, here to look at them. Probably even my 6 year old granddaughter would be able to tell me. His children have been raised outdoors and are excellent foragers.

I love the birds that are coming to the different feeders around the Cabin. This Scarlett Wild birdseed we're selling brings quite a variety. I threw some of the Basic out on top of the porch roof by my computer window and have enjoyed seeing, 3 pairs of cardinals, up to 5 pairs of mourning doves, titmouse, carolina wrens, juncos, and of course, chickadees, and woodpeckers. I tempted to try Scarlett's Woodpecker blend to see if more would come.

Don't forget to come and sit a spell.

National Popcorn Day - who would have thought? But it's a great excuse to celebrate! So come on in and sit a spell and enjoy a free bag of popcorn. Wednesday, January 19Th.Anything to combat Cabin Fever at this time of the year! All Amish Popcorn will be 10% off.

We also have some cute and cuddly Bearington Valentine Bears. February 14Th is fast approaching. Don't be caught off guard. Remember, we will be closed Feb 14th to the18th.