The Lights

Look at that snow bank!

Looking at the lights with all this snow was really beautiful.  It looked really cool to see real icicles lining the edge of the roof in front of the icicle lights, unfortunately it was too hard to take a picture of.  These were all taken on one street.  Isn't that tall tree amazing?  I can't imagine how they did that!  Have a Merry Christmas everyone!

Walking in A Winter Wonderland

I told you we would find adventure.  I don't think the snowing here will cease!  I love it!  It feels like Christmas, that's for sure.  Snowshoeing was great fun, it was still and quiet and gorgeous.  Thankfully a trail was already made, that would have been a ton of work.  It was freezing, but my heavy duty mittens and new boots kept me toasty!

Crazy Snowstorm

Before

After

Cars stuck on our road

deck  full of snow

So I grew up in MN and WI, so I know what a snowstorm is, this was a real snowstorm.  I think we got 3 feet of snow in one snowfall that lasted over 24 hours.  I don't really know because I don't have a tv, because I'm sure it's all they have been talking about.  

~I know that it is hip deep, 

~I know that the snow drifts I created are taller than me.  

~I know that my snow drifts are higher than our neighbors-(hmm, I don't think they divided the driveway too evenly, that's ok, I needed and delighted in the exercise, and I guess if you snooze you loose, they shoveled yesterday)

  I love a good snowfall.  I love it because it slows people down and brings people together.  You can't avoid the shoveling, and when you finally get to it, you see your neighbors shoveling.  You stop and talk about how crazy the weather is.  If you do venture out, inevitably you, or someone around you will get stuck, which requires some comradary and someone with a chain.  You see the kids playing.  I got a little worried this morning, I was the only one out.  Surely there must be children somewhere in this neighborhood.  There were, kids are just a bit lazier when I was little.  They didn't make it out until about 9:30 am.  

I love the look of white covered everything.  And guess what, it's snowing again!  

You know it's a storm when:

~It takes 20 minutes to SHOVEL off your car (it was taller than me 6'1''.) 

~When the post office doesn't deliver mail, 

~when the banks close,

 ~when the 24 hour Fedex is closed (a week before Christmas)

  

I just love the snow.  It brings back so many good memories.  Good childhood memories, but good memories from just a couple years ago too.   It dumped about 12" every night in Winterpark.  I have especially delightful memories of coming across an abandoned ski resort on a winter walk, that was delightful.  And the friends I introduced you to, Kevin and John always had something up their sleeve.  I love that giddy feeling of doing things outside, it really makes you feel like a kid again.  

Oh and I found this most humorous.  Sam had to call me and inform me that I shouldn't twist as I throw the snow I shovel.  He felt he needed to remind me this.  Did he not remember that I grew up attached to a shovel?  He told me I'm getting old-I'm not as young as I used to be-ouch, this is going to be the beginning of bad things-what will he say when I'm 40?  But it is true, I can't recall the last time I shoveled.  We haven't lived in a place that required us to shovel since we've been married.  We parked under a tennis court in Winter Park, thank the Lord!

So I'm trying to conjure up some winter activity to do-when there is this much snow there is adventure to be had-we just have to go find it.  I'll keep you posted.

When I was little we headed across the street to our private sledding hill at Mrs. Bachs.  We hauled sleds over and these ghetto strap in skis.  We snowboarded on our sleds.We would fill our sled with snow and pretend it was rice and it was all we had to live.  We would make homes underneath the evergreens, were it was protected with no snow.  We made tunnels through the massive snow drifts that piled up from the snow plows. We came in and laid our soggy mittens and socks on the register and warm up to hot cocoa.  What could beat that? 

 

Oh, this shot is so beautiful.  I was hoping I could capture it, and I think if you blow it up, or look closely you can see the glittery shimmer.  Have you guys seen the magic of the snow-the sunlight kisses it and it gleans like golden glitter and little specs dance around in the air.  So magical!  

Here is my attempt at a snow angel.  I think there was too much snow, or my abs are just really weak-or most likely a combination of the two.  If you recall-making a snow angel is easy, the tricky part is getting out of it without ruining it-this is the skill-the art if you will, of snow angel making.

Hmm, am I a psychopath?  Yes!  But it's ok, because I'm going to go out and play in the snow instead of being balled up inside (don't worry, I've been enjoying plenty of that as well!)

I miss Kevin and John

The sensual caress of waist deep cold smoke - Glory in skiing virgin snow, in being the first to mark the powder with the signature of their run -Tim Cahill

I love skiing, it makes me feel alive again and awakens something inside of me! I love the tingling on my rosy, red, windburned cheeks. I love the blacks, sometimes double blacks that Sam challenges me on. I stand scared, just for a minute staring down the very steep mountain, unable to fathom that I will ski down this, but I continue, because when it is that steep, stopping and hesitating is not a good choice. It's best when I just go for it and push my shins forward and head down to meet Sam. I love it when it's so steep that each turn sends little snowballs flying down the hill.

Racing down the groomers as fast as I can is such a rush. It's fun making a ton of pretty turns on the groomers, practicing for those bump runs. I love the tired feeling in my legs at the end (or in my case these days, in the middle) of the run. I stop to give them a little relief and breathe a sigh. I inhale deeply, appreciating the beauty of the mountain. I finish the run and glide into the lift line.

I love those friendly lifties, the ones who cheer me up, and make me smile. "You look tired." "Yeah, I'm out of shape." "You've been here all day, right?" "Yeah" "Then you're not out of shape."

I'm thankful for the crazy guy who decided to strap two sticks to the bottom of his boots and fly down a mountain. I have a pretty good idea of what that guy was like. Meet Kevin and John, they are the type. "Let's jump off the roof into the snow, lets sled down the back of this ravine, lets climb onto the chair lift of an abandoned resort, lets burn our Christmas tree, let's make our own ski jump on the side of the condo, let's go down Sleeper without making a single turn, let's jump off of that cliff into the water." It's so nice to have some crazy friends. Without them, I wouldn't go to my limit. Those are the kids mothers pray their children avoid. If your friends jumped off a cliff, would you? Well, yes, they make it sound so fun. So fearless. They don't stop to think what if, and they make you feel plain stupid if you do. Go Big or Go Home!

Holiday Home

So here is our tree all decorated.  I went with blue and green this year, and if you can't tell, the whole living room is blue and green as it is.  I think I finally am happy with having a green couch.  Some little touches of navy blue helped.  We got a blanket, a pillow, a doormat, and curtains all in the green and navy colors and now I like how it all worked.  Notice those theater chairs are still missing... I'm hoping if I admit to their absence I'll get to it sooner and finish them.  

Spoiled

I received my package from a swap I did.  Sarah was so generous.  Just look at all the wonderful things she gave me.  It's like she knew me completely.  She put a bar of Frankincense and Myrrh soap that made the whole package smell wonderful.  She made a little towel with an L on it.  And see the cute vintage card?  And a cookie cutter, plus gift tags, gift toppers, recipe cards.  Yummy pecans (I already had a few!)  A CD she made, that I love.  My favorite is the little calendar she got on Etsy.  I've always wanted one just like that, how did she know?  Thank you thank you Sarah! 

Here was my little package.  Some ginger cookies, a CD mix I made, a bag full of scrapbook goodies (some yo-yo's I made, vintage trims, and some tags I embossed.)  And I hand embroidered a felt ornament for Lily Mae's first Christmas.

B&B Tour

We went with Sam's parents to Coeur D'Alene to check out some Bed and Breakfasts.  They were having a holiday tour.  Sam and I are still interested in doing this again in the future so we love looking at them and taking notes.  B&B's are so interesting though, because they can vary so much depending on the owner.  Some can be very nice, and others quite creepy.  If considering staying at one, I would do a little homework to ensure it isn't the latter.  We toured 3 of them, I don't have pictures of the first one, although I wish I could show you the interesting decor!  They had lots of little porcelain trinkets and stuffed animals along with picture frames everywhere of clips of a movie.  The second one was of course my favorite.  It was the lovely yellow house (the first five pictures)  It was just what you would want in a B&B-tasteful decor, soothing atmosphere, a gorgeous old house with a sunroom to enjoy breakfast and a hot tub out in the back.  I definitely want to go back.  The 3rd and final house was another interesting one.  It was the brick building.  The owner gave us a tour.  He was an entertaining character, he liked to give a lot of information and brag about who he knew and how great his place was.  There were stockings lining the whole banister and there was one to represent each member of his family.  I didn't know if that tour would ever end-15 bedrooms.  And at the end we were invited downstairs where a group of overly enthusiastic teenagers donning red and black apparel were singing Christmas tunes.  Ah the joys of B&Bs, you never know what you're going to get!

Ugly Sweater Party

We had a good time Saturday night having an Ugly Sweater party.  Rusty definitely had the ugliest, his sweater lit up, he added pom pom fringe and a bow to the back, along with an appliqued poinsettia.  I have to get permission before I add the best photo of TJ and Andrea.  We had 10 people total, so it was a good number.  I made some yummy appetizers and Sam mixed up some wicked pomegranate martinis.

Oh Christmas Tree

I want to win this package.  See the pretty bikes?

Our first snowfall came down today.  We ate dinner at Isabella's, then checked out the decorated trees at the Davenport hotel.  They have a raffle to give away each tree along with a nice little package.  I want the classic cruiser bikes and the B&B stay and wine tour in Walla, Walla.  I love December.