Creeping in the Snow

Yesterday we received our first measurable snowfall. It is pretty late for snow, usually we have our first snowfall in October, or at least that has been our experience since moving to Wyoming.

With the first snowfall we are all reminded to slow waaaay down, so when you inevitably slide out of control it is so slow that you can make eye contact with the other drivers and sip your tea as you bump into a curb and hopefully not a car. Just kidding...kind of. Last year I slid out on a hill and had time to put on my flashers and shrug at other cars as I made a full rotation in super slow motion. 

Anyway, driving is the most obnoxious challenge that winter brings. We also deal with pretty intense wind gusts before we get a big snow storm. Once the storm passes we are often left with a beautiful calm.

Last night I came out of a hot bath and Elise called me to the window to look at the lavender sky. It was so beautiful.

After we put the girls to sleep I bundled up, wet hair and all, and went tromping out in the snow. It was just too beautiful to ignore.

The snow was powdery and sparkled in the light, reflecting the lights from the city. Forgive me, here in Wyoming we play fast and loose with the word "city."

I paused to write "Hi" on a windshield of a snow covered car parked along the curb. I continued on down the street listening to the crunch of the fresh snow under my boots. I stopped to take pictures of the snow on the trees and someone from their home shouted,"Hey technology!" I am assuming they were referring to the light of my phone. I was kind of annoyed and instead of taking the hint to put my phone away I was irritated that someone was shouting at me. So I turned around and stared at their house just long enough to be creepy. Then I continued on my way; laughing at my own immaturity. I also now realize that someone will probably be creeped out that I wrote in the snow on their car. Oh well. Sometimes you just have to be creepy.

Anyway it was a beautiful night and I enjoyed a solo walk and the frozen chunks of hair were also kind of fun. Happy creeping!

Dear Snow, You're Fickle

Oh snow, you're so fickle. You sweetly darkened the skies so that our children sleep until after 7am! Seriously, I was so confused when I looked at the clock this morning and I was the first one up. Don't think I am well-rested I was up in the night with both girls, but oh the filtered light of a snow covered morning really allowed for some make-up Zzz's.

You muted the sounds of neighbors preparing for work and suburban dog barks that normally create quite the morning time cacophony. Instead I swear I could hear individual snowflakes falling in soft succession, beautiful.

You blanketed the dog poo in the back yard with a coat of cottony white. Now I can put off poop scooping for a different day! Seriously, that was good, you totally did me a solid there (pun intended).

Your low cloud cover held in a tiny bit of heat so it isn't unbearably cold. I think we could get along. The low clouds also made the winds disappear and for that we can all stand up and cheer. I got your back snow.

Oh wait, what was that? I have to go out today?

Snow, once so beautiful has turned vengeful. Icy roads combined with the "Wyoming Independent Spirit" (no idea who I am quoting there, just seemed like the thing to do) has led me to spend the morning drive to school clutching the steering wheel as I dodge bad drivers.

Snow, you made me use 4wd and about a zillion gallons of gas, that's just wasteful snow. Why can't we reach an agreement, you fall everywhere except the roads? Deal?

Oh well, I guess we can just let bygones be bygones for now. I think I will go and have some vegan hot chocolate with rice whipped cream. Take that snow!

Oh and for the casual reader, sorry to personify snow today. It's a literary device, just roll with it, or don't that's fine too. 

Snow Globe Livin'

 

Today it is colder than cold. I am wearing layers and layers of clothing, my kids too. This came at no small cost as Cordelia is all about texture and comfort, she was not into the abundant, stifling, layers of clothes.

Driving is slow. Roads are icy and the snow continues to accumulate. I had to remember how to use the back windshield wiper. This always means that the truck looks as though it is having some sort of electric malfunction as I flash lights and spray things in my attempt to find the back wiper.

I have some errands to run this morning, but I am looking forward to hunkering down. The heater is on. The dogs and children are ready to snuggle. 

Stew or something slow cooker made will be on the dinner menu. Hot rolls. Tea. All great for the heart in a storm.

Tonight I am thinking about breaking out the My Little Pony board game ( we know how to par-tay) that we found at a thrift store. Hot chocolate and popcorn for all, exept Eric as he refuses to accept chocolate into his heart.

What is it like where you are?

Octsnowber

Well, put that one down in the record books. We got lots of snow, on the mountain was over two feet and in town was over a foot and we live in between. So, lots of snow. Lots and lots of snow. Since Thursday night we have been listening to the crash and bang of branches falling from our beloved trees. Now, this might not seem dramatic here in this post, but let me assure you that it is quite frightening as many of these branches are too heavy for me to move, weighing hundreds of pounds!!! Imagine those falling on and around your home.

Power lines down. We were without power for about 18 hours. Thankfully we holed up for much of yesterday with my parents. See their photos here. When the power was restored last night we came home to some destruction. Our patio roof was damaged, a broken window, and countless enormous branches down. We still haven't unearthed our car yet so hopefully that is fine.

Today and the next day we will dig out from this. We have been dragging around enormous branches, beating our trees with their own limbs (which seems kind of gruesome) to release the snow and hopefully save branches. No doubt this will be one of those storms we reference when talking to our great grandchildren. Thankfully nobody was hurt and the damage done is minor. We saw houses around town with trees on top of them, cars destroyed. It was crazy and continues to be so, but the sun is out and the snow is melting.




Enormous tree limbs on the roof of our patio


Our yard, not even halfway through the storm


Our car in the middle of the storm


This morning the sun came out


Do you see that bush back there? It is normally much taller than the roof of our neighbors house, now it goes to below my shoulders


Starting to heap up the branches

I am not even going to post photos of the backyard, it makes me too sad. I don't want you to see our tree like that, in her weakest hour.

SNOW!?!

You may recall that we had blizzards in April this year. Well, 2013 is the year of endless winter apparently. Seriously folks, it has already snowed here. The trees were just starting to lose their green when the storm hit. If you aren't from this part of the country you may not realize what that means.

Let me break it down into a mathematical equation for you:

leafy trees + heavy snow= lots of broken tree branches

I went to bed Thursday evening to the sound of a heavy rain. When I awoke, there was silence. The kind of silence that only comes with the muffling effect of snow. Animals were silent, households were slow to get rolling. 

While the girls were thrilled about it, dogs included, we were actually quite lucky.

This tree branch is big. I don't know if you can tell from the photo, but it fell from our tree half in our yard and half in our neighbor's yard, missing our car by a few feet.

We lost a ton of branches, and it was a little frightening driving through town as limbs continued to fall throughout the day.

This bush normally stands about ten feet tall, here it is bowed to about my waist height.

It wasn't a lot of snow and it will be gone today as it is supposed to return to normal fall weather in the 60s and 70s this week. Still, that was our drama.

What is it like where you are?

Yo, Snow

Like much of the country we received snow this weekend. Certainly nowhere near the amount that the East Coast got, but a respectable blanket of white was laid down. So we had to get out and enjoy!


Eric, still recovering from a cold, took it easy and just looked around with Elise.


Cordelia knew just what to do.


Elise and I


Bumblebee had a Dumbo moment and achieved liftoff.


Sisters in the snow. Actually this was supposed to be a solo shot of Elise, but recently Cordelia has decided that she should probably be in every picture. Our fears that she will become a theater major are mounting.


I distracted Cordelia with some play so Eric could get a solo shot of Elise in the snow for the first time, but then Bumblebee decided that she should probably be in every picture. Our fears that she will become a theater major are mounting.


Finally got one of Elise...


and one of Cordelia.

Snow Day

The snow has been softly falling, off and on, since Christmas Eve night. The temperature has stayed below freezing and so the snow  has been accumulating.



Eric doesn't have to brave the very icy roads to work; his boss gave him a snow day! So we are settling in for a day at home. A day of projects and warm drinks, snuggles and cozy clothes.



What is it like where you are?

Click here to read more about our Christmas.

Snowy Day

Yesterday morning we awoke and it was overcast and snaining (snow + rain = snain). Cordelia wished aloud that it would snow. We got ready and as we headed out the door the snowflakes started to fall--heavy and wet. They melted as they hit the ground for the first few hours and then it started to accumulate. Over the course of the day the grass and leaves disappeared beneath a thick layer of freshly fallen snow. What else could we do but go out and enjoy it. So we got into the box of snow clothes. Gloved and snow suited and booted we headed outside just as Eric came home from work (he took the great photos). Cordelia enjoyed the snow: jumping, flopping, eating, playing. Elise just observed the new environment, what a weird world she finds herself in, each experience a new wonder.

















What is the weather like in your neighborhood?

Winter Fun

A few weeks ago I was wondering how people get to spend much time outside in the winter. I longed to spend some time in the snow with my girl, playing and exploring. For some reason I couldn't understand why we weren't doing that this winter I could recalls points in my life where I had enjoyed playing outside in the snow, but here in Wyoming it just wasn't happening.

You see lately the wind has been blowing hard, as in hard enough to easily knock over a 2 year old. The wind has been known to do this to people's hair. It blows the cold in through your pores finds its way into your marrow and eventually it freezes your very soul. Oh wait, was that a bit over dramatic? Oh well, I did some awesome theater in elementary school I guess I still have a flair for the dramatics...

Anyway, yesterday morning we awoke to a fresh layer of snow and...I couldn't believe it, but there was almost no wind to speak of. The sun was shining, the weather was perfect for some outdoor play. So, we all bundled up and headed outside to enjoy the winter!




Cordelia throwing snow at her father


Eric throwing a snowball at me


Pink cheeks from multiple face plants


Strolling down the street









When it was all said and done we had so much fun just getting out to enjoy the snow and a little family time. How was your weekend?

World's Smallest Snowman

Yesterday afternoon, just as Cordelia was waking up from her nap, we got word that my brother, sister-in-law, and mom were on their way over. The purpose of the visit was to make a snowman with Cordelia. She was soooo excited.

Unfortunately the snow wasn't exactly cooperating. I don't think it could have been any more powdery than it was. Ben was not about to let that stand in his way. He pushed on...


Ben and Cordelia desperately trying to make the snow stick. Ben even utilized a spray bottle, to no avail.


Busy at work, Cordelia giving quite a smile to the camera


Sara resorted to drawing a snowman


She probably exhibited the most sense


Cordelia was quite impressed with the completed snowman


My beautiful mother


Cordelia rolling a snowball


My mother and I stood around being super helpful


Cordelia was pleased with the end result, a very tiny snowman


Mostly she was just so happy to spend time with her family


Sara said that I would regret making that face, but I feel only pride.


After the cold snowman making experience we headed indoors for a little hot chocolate.


Cordelia helped me finish up some last minute food gifts and spent some time having private tea parties with her Sara and Ben. A wonderful afternoon!