Waking up to another freezing morning and seeing snow STILL on the ground has got me feeling a little more then blue. Taking a look in the mirror officially put me over the edge... all white and colorless, kinda like the great outdoors. If I could live in a tanning bed this time of year I would! I'm having to content myself with a bit of bronzer, which is a quick fix and adds instant glow and depth to the face. Nothing a little bronzer can't remedy! I went out and purchased: Mineral Fusion in "luster"... love this stuff. I dust it lightly under the cheekbone, on the temple area, bridge of the nose, under the jaw line and a bit on the neck so as to blend it all in and keep my head looking like it belongs with my body. "White" girls unite in the name of banning pastiness, go get your glow on! 

Do you have any anti-pasty-winter-skin products or tricks that you swear by? If so, I'd love to know!

If you're like me, you need a new dip to be addicted to like you need a hole in the head. But I'm going to share this with you anyway. You can thank me as you're running that extra 10 minutes on the treadmill, or getting that rubber band out to jerry-rig your jeans shut.

This dip is our family's favorite and is always served when we're at my Grandma Marilyn's house. One of my many favorite memories attached to her.

If you're taking this to a Superbowl party - definitely double this. If you're making a batch to eat while watching Wings reruns on Netflix, do not double this.

Ham & Cheese Dip (we call it Frito Dip)

1 4.25 oz can Deviled Ham
1 5 oz jar  Kraft Pimento Spread
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 T minced dried onion
1 tsp dried parsley, or fresh
few drops hot sauce
Chives for garnish (optional)

Mix all ingredients. Garnish with chopped chives (optional). Chill for an hour before serving. Serve with corn chips, tortilla chips, pretzels, or raw veggies. Fritos are the way to go in my opinion!

If there is such a thing as being unlucky with animals, then my family is certainly the unluckiest. We've had a plethora of them throughout the years, but none seem to last as long as we'd dreamed they would. Between death, illnesses and strange disorders, one by one each animal has left us. I think we are much better off without them...but my daughter, poor thing, strongly disagrees. She's been begging for a kitten for months. For the time being we are animal-less in our house and that's okay by me. I pacify her with an occasional funny animal video, like this one, hoping that it'll satisfy her. It usually doesn't, and in a weak moment, the kitten at 4:57 could almost convince me to give in. And then I remember that sometimes animals are jerks { I mean that in the kindest sense of the word} -and anyway, it seems kind of unfair to them, what with the record we hold and all. (Warning: dogs doing the nasty, mid-video, sorry!} -Terri 

If we were really have coffee this morning (and I wish we were), I'd be doing a whole lot of complaining. Ok, so maybe you're glad we're not having coffee right now…Anyway, I'm 36 weeks pregnant. That's a whole lot of pregnant and it's true what they say: the last couple of weeks really do prepare you for being up all night with a newborn, which is just a nice way of saying that you're not going to sleep from now until kingdom come. Never ever in my life have I been more thankful for the following items: Sally Hansen facial wax, makeup, hair straightener and coffee. With those combined forces, I am able to mask my true self and face the world hiding behind a more palatable appearance. This is not vanity, my friends, it's a public service. You're welcome. 

Some among us (see below prancing dog  post) think winter is the most WONDERFUL time of the year. And some of us don't. Anyone else trapped inside their homes with cabin-fevered children? Anyone else questioning the sanity of the schools who keep closing and delaying school? It's just SNOW, people. It's just a little chilly. Let's teach our kids to be strong the face of life's little (enormous) storms (blizzards with subzero temperatures). - Heather, Displaced Former Floridian

PS: don't just take my word for it... Some of our readers agree. And I think Kerri P says it best...

This is how excited I get when I know there's going to be S*N*O*W!  

I will happily be shoveling our driveway and sidewalk tomorrow.  And if you happen to drive by, you may see me prancing around in the white mounds like our little pup.  But without the floppy ears, of course. ;)     
-Michelle

These wise words hang on my wall, and I would be wiser to apply them to my heart. Grateful that I've got God's Love and Power-source to tap into to even come close to achieving this....

Jeane`

I love coffee shops. I love the way I feel like a relevant human adult when I am in one, because when there, I am usually without children and with a laptop or, even better, a friend. As I sip a strong blend of freshly ground coffee beans, the murmur of conversations around me provides a comforting backdrop. I would lie to say that am not a casual eavesdropper. Hearing snippets of conversations that lounge in the everyday to hushed tones that carry an urgent undercurrent...the hum of humanity hovering over hot coffee reminds me that for all of the differences that separate us, our need to share in the beauty and harshness of daily living is what pulls us together. That, and a place that serves good coffee or tea.

This new feature of Neighborlies brings the same (albeit virtual) spirit of daily sharing to our monthly magazine. On this page you will find posts from all the regular-and guest!- contributors posted at any hour of the day, any day of the week (for those on Facebook and Twitter, our pages will notify you when we post here). When Jess discovers a new must-have for your make-up drawer, she will post it on here. When Jen wakes up the morning after a dinner that was served to rave-reviews from her minions, she'll be quick to let you in on it. When Heather uncovers a quote she would ALMOST consider having tattooed on her arm, she'll share it here. The light, the heavy, the hysterical, the practical...we will be frequenting this place (most likely in our flannel robes and mugs of lukewarm coffee mugs beside our keypad). If you are on Facebook or Twitter, be sure to follow us for instant updates and for those not on either, simply visit our website and click "Over Coffee" whenever you want a little neighborly conversation.

Warmly,
Jeane`