Where Was I?

Look at me sitting at my computer writing to all of you! It's a Christmas miracle! Things haven't slowed down one bit since I last wrote, but I can definitely see the light at the end of the tunnel.

 

So, where was I? Oh yeah, "Then the snow hit."

 

I know weather is relative. A day of rain is a deluge to some and barely noticeable to others. Two inches of snow is armageddon to some and t-shirt weather to others. On Tuesday the 28th we got the first snowfall of the season and church was canceled, city busses were put on snow routes and schools shut down.

 

 

 I know some of you are trying not to laugh. And I appreciate it. Tuesday night our power went out and was out for almost 24 hours. I was so grateful for my tea kettle! Peter bought it for me for Christmas last year because our power had gone out earlier and I couldn't use my electric kettle. Hot tea is good any time of year but it's crucial during a power outage! Diana invited us over to her house on Wednesday so we hung out there for a while. It was warm and toasty!

 

 

Diana and Peter's dog Poppy

 

Eventually the temps rose above freezing, the snow melted and we were all back at work by Thursday. Decorating day for us. The entire staff spends the morning decorating the church, it's fun. Then we all eat pizza and head back to our desks.

 

 Plus I've had a doctor's appointment, a dentist appointment - all routine stuff. I've got my Christmas cards almost done; I'm getting some gifts ready for the custodians, havng Christmas dinner this week with a friend in assisted living... but all-in-all I think things are beginning to slow down. 

 

Peter's family is coming out here for Christmas this year so the gift-giving is a little different. We've actually decided to only buy gifts for the kids. No adult exchange this year, which I'm okay with. Takes the pressure off. Chuck, Beth and I will exchange gifts Christmas morning, then we're all going over to D&P's for dinner and games. We haven't seen his family since the wedding a year ago September so I'm really looking forward to that.

 

Dinner is about ready so I'll close this. I miss you all! I haven't been reading - or writing - it seems for a couple weeks. I'm taking a week off over Christmas so I hope to do a little more blogging during that time. I hope you're all doing well! God bless!

Growing Up in San Diego, I Never Knew!

I was born and raised in San Diego and I never knew there was such a thing as a snow sky. It's when the temperature drops, and the sky turns a light gray, you can't see any blue, no break in the clouds, it just looks like a silky smooth blanket. 

I never knew that there were different kinds of snow. There's a light, powdery snow that I hear is great for skiing. Here in the Seattle suburbs we mostly get the wet, heavy snow that's bad for skiing for great for building snowmen and having snowball fights!

I never knew you should pop your windshield wipers up so they don't stick to your windshield.

I never knew your pipes could freeze! When the temps dip down to the teens you need to open up the cupboards so your pipes are exposed to the heat of your house, and then turn your faucets on very low so the dripping water keeps them from freezing.

I never knew that it's really quiet when the snow is actually falling. There are no cars, no planes flying overhead, no birds... it's absolutely silent.

On December 26 it started to snow so I woke up early, fixed some tea, opened the blinds and sat at the kitchen table FOR ALMOST 3 HOURS and watched the snow fall. My world changed into a winter wonderland! It is so peaceful. I think it's one of the most peaceful things on the planet.

 

I ended up taking a walk later in the day to check out the neighborhood. It was so cold but so pretty!

The brown house is ours. Anyone who lives behind us we affectionately call 'our back door neighbors.'

I was getting ready to go to work a few days later when I saw this huge pile of ice next to my drivers side door.

Then I looked up to see this crazy icicle hanging right above my head! I ended up breaking it off when I got back home.

The temps dropped into the teens and everything froze. Our church was closed for more than a week so it was quite a few days before Beth and I finally ventured out to the store. Our refrigerators were getting empty so we were desperate!

 I went down to work one night to set the alarm and spotted this crazy frozen waterfall!

When I was growing up we'd sometimes drive up to the mountains to play in the snow and I'd wonder what it was like to live there. I never knew that one day I'd get to find out.

A Marshmallow World

Beth and I were sitting at the kitchen table last weekend looking out the front window and I told her it looked like a picture postcard.

She said, "A marshmallow world!"

 Last weekend we got about 10 inches of snow. This doesn't happen very often in Seattle, usually just a trace to 2 inches each year but this much snow? Not very often at all!

It snowed for 3 days straight and Beth and I were more than happy to hunker down at home and just look at it through the windows. I did venture out a little to take some pictures but Chuck still had to go to work.

After a few days the temps warmed up and Beth and I ventured out to the grocery store.

She was glad to finally wear her snow boots but even so, she was being very careful walking around in the snow but she did really good. She went slow and steady! When she got to the end of the car, she took my hand and we walked into the store. "Whew!" She was ready to shop!

Got our groceries and made our way home. This is quite exciting stuff around these parts!

 Here's a spring picture from almost the same angle

 

As I write this, it's completely melted and life is back to normal. And I can't help but think about everyone in Texas who is dealing with such extreme weather right now. We have friends who lost power and had to go stay with family members until things begin to improve there. We're praying for you Texas!

Have you been impacted by the weather in Texas? Do you have family or friends dealing with it?

So Much

 Food

Fun

  Laughter 

We had such a great time with Diana and Peter here

Sharaya and Ally have been here every day

We made ravioli from scratch, a tradition with Peter's family

Played so many board games!

Ate way too much food

Laughed hard over the silliest things

Enjoyed each other's company

 Four days before Christmas we got a little bit of snow! Chuck was at work, the girls and Peter were out... shopping I think, so Ally and I went out to play!

Traditional Christmas Eve Jammies

Christmas morning

The aftermath

 I hope you had a wonderful celebration!

Happy New Year!

It Just Keeps Coming But It's So Peaceful To Watch

We got another round of snow yesterday!!

 It wasn't much but it was so pretty!

I told Chuck I know why I enjoy watching it snow so much.

Snowfall

A fire in the fireplace

Ocean waves

They're all very peaceful and calming.

I'm mesmerized by just sitting and watching them.

 I hope you have a blessed weekend!