Our kids are probably too old for Elf on the Shelf, but the elf that we lovingly named “Buddy” in 2011 has returned to our home and plans to stay until Christmas Eve. Here is what he has been up to for the first 15 days of December.
We are looking forward to seeing where we will find him next…
The snow began on Monday morning and continues yet tonight (Wednesday). We have had over two feet of snow. The yard stick on the deck is measuring nearly 33 inches, but the local weather forecaster said that we have had 28.6 inches. Either way, it’s a LOT! The schools are already canceling classes for tomorrow. This is the third day in a row. I have been working from home the past two days. Mike ventured into work yesterday, but opted to take a vacation day today to try to keep up with snowblowing and enjoy a little outdoor fun with the kids. The winds have been blowing the snow and pelting the windows with a slushy mess. The blizzard-like conditions made picture-taking difficult and had Mike and the kids using their ski goggles while working/playing outdoors. My camera got wet even huddled next to the shelter of the house. The photos look a bit blurry from the heavy snow falling along with the water spots on my lens.
Mike and the kids took a break late in the afternoon and then went back out after dark to sled some more, build a snowman and a snow fort.
We are hoping the plow comes through by morning. It has only gone by once since the snow began. That was yesterday morning. Several neighbors with AWD have gotten stuck on our street and had to dig or snowblow themselves out. The forecast is for the snow to end by morning and then cold temperatures (-15 degree lows) are coming at the end of the week. It is hard to believe that the calendar says it’s fall. If this is fall, what is winter going to be like?
During our Thanksgiving preparations today, a package arrived by UPS. A beautiful cookbook was delivered to my door compliments of The Pioneer Woman. I found the perfect spot to display it on my coffee table.
I look forward to trying some of the recipes in the near future, but today I had to focus on Thanksgiving. Here are a few of the items that I prepared for our big day tomorrow.
I also prepped ingredients for stuffing, baked lemon bars, made chocolate chip cookie dough (a dessert request by Sebastian), put together a relish tray, made trail mix and finished cleaning the house. Tomorrow will start with baking the turkey, making mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, garden salad and setting the table.
Here is the floral centerpiece Mike picked out with a little help from our friend Amy who happened to be at the store.
And one random photo of the cribbage board we gave Mike for his birthday this past August. I still love looking at it.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
M. Sullivan Photography 