Snow Daze

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.

24.5
28.5
30.25
32.75
Snow Capped
Through The Front Window
Geared Up For Sledding
Ready, Set, Go
Snowblowing
Shoveling
Down The Hill
No Hands
Napping On The Snow Covered Bench
Fire Wood
Snow Covered Foliage
Snow Covered Pine Branches
Sledding The Backyard Hills

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.

Mike, Sophia & Frosty
Snow Fort
Time For Some Roof Raking

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?

Thanksgiving Preparations

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.

Bountiful
Beautiful Book
Gift From Ree

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.

Cranberry Sauce
Rolls
Jell-O Salad
Pumpkin Pie

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.

Pretty Flowers

And one random photo of the cribbage board we gave Mike for his birthday this past August.  I still love looking at it.

Cribbage Anyone?

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Fall

The past several weeks have been filled with cooler temps and shorter days.  Sophia continues her piano lessons and gymnastics every week.  Sebastian started basketball a few weeks ago and had his first tournament this past weekend.  Mike took a work trip to Santa Clara, California.  My photography has been neglected due to busy weekends and the lack of daylight when I finally leave work for the day.  Here are the few photos that I’ve taken since late October.

Snow Covered Pumpkins
Sprinkled With Snow
Fuchsia
Gray & White
Brown & White
Feeding Time
More Hungry Geese
Feeding Time Is Over
Gaggle Of Geese

Halloween…

Jack-O-Lantern Carving
Frankenstein
Halloween Parade – Fortune Teller

Basketball Tournament…

Go Red #3!
Sunset
Colorful Skies