Stormageddon!

We survived the monster storm, the storm of the decade, aka snowpocalypse and stormageddon. Would you believe we got 79 cm. of snow- that's 31 inches!! Yep, it's lookin' quite white around here... This is what it looked like from above. This photo is a NASA image taken from the NB Storm and Weather Centre and shows Maine, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, all "covered in storm."

And this shows the snowfall amounts in the Maritimes. We won! (Perhaps this was one contest we didn't need to win...). I have no idea how they accurately measure snowfall when the wind is blowing with gusts between 90-100km/h but 79 cm. is what we got apparently! I can believe it as our driveway was almost waist deep in places and we have drifts at the back of the house that are over 6 feet!

Here's the view from our livingroom window about mid afternoon....

At times we could hardly see the house across the street.

Can you tell you're looking down the third fairway of the golf course?

Yes, it was a nasty day. Virtually the entire city was shut down. Schools, universities, gov't offices, banks and businesses were all closed, city busses were not running, and later in the day sections of the Trans Canada Highway in the province were closed to all but emergency vehicles because the visibility was so poor, driving was very dangerous. And yes, even Tim's was closed. You KNOW it's bad when Tim's closes.
Today everyone was digging out. I will try to get some good photos around the city tomorrow, or in the  next few days.. as we have another storm on the way for Wednesday night/Thursday! Just what we need - more snow!! Pfffttttt!

Peace,
Linda

"No snowflake in an avalanche ever feels responsible." ~ Stanislaw Jerzy Lec

Ice and Snow, Snow and Ice...

Blizzard warning in effect! Whaaaat? The sun is shining brightly this morning and the sky is blue, the current temperature is -21°C (-5°F) with a wind chill of -27°C (-16°F) but a nasty nor'easter is on its way to us with high winds and heavy snow in the forecast - 25-55 cm. That's 10-22 inches! We just got a foot of snow on Thursday night/Friday. Schools were closed two days last week for storms, and I expect they'll be closed again tomorrow. It seems like Mother Nature is making up for a relatively easy January by dumping extra snow on us this month! And let's not talk about another storm that's coming on Thursday...

Don't get me wrong, I don't mind the snow. "Snowbaby" I'm not, I don't ski or snowmobile, but I really don't mind the snow. It's the cold and the ice I dislike. Several friends have fallen and broken or cracked bones this winter already; the walking has been treacherous. I enjoy photographing shadows on the snow and the ice formations on the garage windows, the birds at the birdfeeder - you might say I'm enjoying winter "from the inside looking out."
So I'm cooking a roast today, in case we lose power tonight, and hubby has the snowblower and shovels all lined up, ready to roll! Bring it on, Mother Nature! We're ready!

This morning's visitors: L-R white-breasted nuthatch, red-breasted nuthatch, downy woodpecker

Peace,
Linda

"A snow day literally and figuratively falls from the sky, unbidden, and seems like a thing of wonder." ~  Susan Orlean

Let It Snow, Let It Snow..... Make It Stop!

I didn't get any visitors at my new suet balls yesterday as it snowed all day long - would you believe we got another FOOT of snow?! I didn't see one bird all day.... Hubby was away for a few days so I had to man the shovel... I hadn't realized how much snow had come down, so when I went out to clear in front of the garage door before Mark got home from work, I quickly realized he wouldn't even get in the driveway. Neither driveway had been plowed yet and there was a good FOOT of snow down! Ugh, I don't even want to talk about it...
Today was a little milder, around -10C. This morning I saw a woodpecker and several chickadees trying the new suet. Hopefully they will "spread the word" so more feathered friends will come and nibble....

Hubby using snowblower this afternoon

So here are a few pics to give you an idea what it looks like around here. Just "record shots", nothing beautiful or artistic. We haven't had many sunny blue sky days... but this at least shows just how much snow we have. It's crazy! Driving is hazardous because the banks are so high it's difficult to see at intersections. You have to pull out so far into the intersection just to see if anything is coming, you risk being hit...

View from the  street. You can just barely see the top of the hydrant which we keep dug out.

The lamppost is nearly buried....

Looking up the sidewalk

Yep, we're not going to be mowing the lawn any time soon.....

Peace,
Linda

My favourite thing about winter? When it's over!

Let It Snow....

"Oh the weather outside is frightful
  But the fire is so delightful
 And since we've no place to go,
 Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!"

Well part of that is true anyway.. the weather outside has been frightful. We've just had our second storm in several days; the first one gave us over a foot of snow and now we've received close to another foot.  We don't have a fire to snuggle up in front of, but we are thankful we have not lost power in either storm, so we are snug and warm. We are lucky to not have to travel over the Christmas holidays if we don't choose to, so that is truly something to be thankful for. Close
friends  have children trying to get home to Calgary today. They were up before 4a.m. to get to the airport for a very early flight, which didn't get out till almost 10a.m. She is travelling with a one month old.. now she's stuck in Toronto for the night, can't get to Calgary till tomorrow. Her hubby and 3.5 year old are still here, their afternoon flight was cancelled and they are now being told it will be several DAYS before they can get out.. Oh the joys of flying in the winter... You just never know, with our weather, what will happen...

I am so glad all my family are local and the furthest we have to go is the grocery store! lol   I made a big pot of turkey soup today (that's the END of Mr. Turkey!) so that's what will be on the table for supper along with some fresh biscuits, and fruit salad for dessert topped off with some Christmas cookies. Mmmmmm.... I do love turkey soup...
My brothers have been plowing all day, and hubby is now out shovelling and cleaning up with the snowblower, now that the snow has stopped falling... Our bench will be buried, after the next storm....  We didn't see the sun today at all. It fact it's been a pretty "grey" day. These photos could almost pass for black and white, couldn't they? Although I plugged in our candles in the windows and turned our tree lights on before going out to take these photos around 3pm, they don't even show up! Maybe I'll have to try another shot or two after dark...
It's always interesting to see how the snow "sticks" to the trees after a storm. Sometimes the patterns are quite interesting... not so today, but still beautiful, I think... There IS beauty in simple things....







Peace,
Linda

"Few things are as democratic as a snowstorm." ~ Bern Williams

The Magic of a New Year

Well it's Jan. 5th so it seems I'm a bit late to say Happy New Year! Another blank calendar lies before us - just waiting to be filled up with all sorts of exciting projects and happenings. I don't "do" resolutions anymore.. I just try each year to be a better person, more organized so that I can accomplish more. Yes I'd like to take off 10-15 pounds, yes I need to get more exercise and drink more water. I'll do my best... but no resolutions/promises.
The new year is a time for new beginnings. New opportunities. New routines and experiences. New journeys. These journeys lie before us like an undisturbed new snowfall. Let our footsteps on our journeys be magical, like the magic of a fresh new snow.Monday morning was magical as we looked out to see a fresh new snow enveloping our world. I almost want to hold my breath when I see the snow so gently coating everything lest a single movement should destroy it all. Here are some photos taken in my backyard Monday morning... come on a magical little walk with me...




I hope your 2011 is magical - full of wondrous discoveries, rewarding lessons and exciting new experiences. Hold on - here we go - another trip around the sun!! Yippeee!

Peace
Linda

A new year,
Like a new snow,
Seems to hold its breath...
Waiting for footprints.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas...

Here is the other project I was working on during our Guild Workday last Saturday. I couldn't share it with you then, as I knew Laura would see it and it was a surprise for her. A little something to hang in her apartment for a bit of Christmas spirit...It is a long narrow wallhanging, or banner, if you like. (She has hung it on her door.) Nothing fancy- just quick and easy .. and cute!! Realized after it was in the mail that I forgot to sew the jingle bell on the tiptop of his hat....

Here is the little tip I mentioned in an earlier post re. the binding, when first attaching it to your quilt by machine. If you are doing a large piece, or anything that needs a long length of binding, you might try this: If you have an extension table for your machine, or if your sewing table has a "leg" or something at the front like you see here- roll the binding up around your hand, and place the "leg" or post in the center of the circle. The binding will unroll as you stitch along, and it will not get twisted, caught on something, fall to the floor, or any of the other scenarios that usually happen when you have a great long length of binding. Works like a charm. I cannot take credit for this idea- I read it somewhere..and can't remember where. So to whoever thought of this, a Big Thank You!!

We had a beautiful snowfall yesterday. It was so "picture perfect" when I went to bed last night after midnight- all was still and the trees were so pretty. I got out this morning before the wind came up and snapped a few quick photos in my backyard. Hope you enjoy them.

Peace
Linda

"Winter came down to our home one night
Quietly pirouetting in on silvery-toed slippers of snow,
And we, we were children once again." ~ Bill Morgan Jr.

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow...

I'm back!! We have had major Internet problems since late last week. I wrote a post on Sunday morning but couldn't get the pics to load, and then couldn't get back on to my Blog to post... There were trucks in our area working on the lines, and since neighbours were also having troubles, I just assuned that was it. But the work is done, trucks are gone, others were no longer having difficulties, but we still were. Emails would not send, websites would not open... MOST frustrating! Anyway, after two calls to Bell, we're now back in business. Who knew that your modem and router could get "out of sync"? And the "fix" was as simple as unplugging both, waiting a few minutes and then plugging them back in, one at a time... The things you learn!!!

Anyway, this sort of seems like "stale news" now....We had our first significant snowfall on Saturday night. Yes we've had a few snowfalls before this, but they didn't last - it either just melted off or was "rained away"... But this one was beautiful - soft fluffy snow which covered the ground and trees, turning the outdoors into a "fairyland"... I love the first snowfall... As soon as Christmas is over, I'm ready for spring and warm weather... but for now, it's beautiful. And now we have another storm on the way - heavy snowfall warnings issued... so we're hunkering down tonight. Think I'll pick up a good movie, stock up on popcorm and hope the power doesn't go off...

I received a wonderful gift from a dear friend on Friday afternoon - what perfect timing.... She made me an entire new set of crocheted snowflakes. Shown here are 15 of the 21 I received - aren't they beautiful? And every one is different. She gave me a number of these 19 years ago, for our first Christmas in this house and I hang them every year. However they were starting to look yellowed, so it was time for new ones. I hang these in my two kitchen windows each year, on the day of the first good snowfall and they remain there until the snow is gone in the spring. I love them - they're one of my favourite decorations, and I often think of my friend Joy when I look at them... Thanks Joy, for such a wonderful gift from the hands of a special friend. (This is the same special friend who made the beautiful smocked eggs you saw here at Easter).

Piece,
Linda

A snowflake is winter's butterfly....