Got Snow?

I'm happy to report that we have survived yet another round with Old Man Winter.  Reports on total snow fall from the latest storm range from 14"-19", and it's now a frigid 6 degrees, although it's -9 with the wind chill factor.  Here's a pic of the courtyard, with snow drifts around 6 ft.

For a different perspective, here's Jordan looking out our guest room window.  It's hard to tell in this photo, but the snow drifts go up another foot a little further away from the house.

We have a lot of work ahead of us - here's the path from the driveway to the main entrance of our home.

Got snow?  No?  We'll share!  Really...

Love Is in the Air

The kids really got into Valentine's this year.  For Annabel, it was a no brainer:  lots of lace, pink & hearts.  What's not to love?!?  Thane had a different kind of love on his mind, namely beautiful, brown-eyed Lauren.  Check out my Facebook page for more on that pre-K drama!

This year, we decided to make homemade Valentine's using paint chips.  The girls got heart necklaces, and the boys got book marks.

To honor the day, we had a nice dinner, which included a cheese platter.  Jordan put a "True Love" sign on the table, which I thought was super sweet.  Then I realized that he was referring to the brie - NOT me! 

It's all good though.  Pass the cheese and wine, I say.  Happy Valentine's!

Winter

In the height of summer gardening and canning chores, I always find myself wondering why on earth I didn't get more accomplished in those dark winter months of January, February and March.  I mean, Christmas is done, it's too early to spring clean, gardening has to wait...  Remind me that these are also the months when everyone gets sick - repeatedly - and we spend every waking hour shoveling and gathering firewood.

This year, of course, has been no exception.  Oh, and I can up the ante.  We've had almost 50 inches of snow in 10 days.  And the temperatures have only gotten above 20 degrees a few times.  Ya, it's been THAT kind of winter.  Don't believe me?  Look at our little courtyard.  There's snow piled up almost to our first floor windows, which are 5+ feet off the ground.

 

It's been awhile since I've posted, so here is an update of our family.  Jordan is now officially old - or so he says!  He turned 30 and claims that he's starting to feel it - although that may have been the flu talking.  We had a faux birthday party with friends Eric & Amanda on his actual birthday, and then secretly planned a bigger party a few days later.  He was genuinely surprised, and we had a wonderful evening celebrating together.  (So wonderful, in fact, that I completely forgot to take pictures.  SIGH!)

 

Annabel got her ears pierced shortly after Christmas, and she was finally able to take her studs out and wear "real" earrings a few days ago.  During the month of January, she also caught the flu, fought a cold and contracted pink eye.

Thane managed to avoid the flu, but he did catch a cold.  Oh, and he has another double ear infection.  Otherwise, he's been LOVING the snow and is a great help with the fire wood.

As for me, I have a new boss at work, and life just got a whole lot busier.  My new boss is serving as the Interim President, and she has a lot of ideas to pursue in a short amount of time.  It's back to life in the fast lane!  Other than that, I've managed to stay fairly healthy (thank God!), and am enjoying my down time with Jordan and the kids.

Lastly, Angus loves the days in which we are home, and he's even picked out a spot for himself on one of the snow mounds where he can spend his days surveying his domain. 

 Don't tell him that he's not the king!