Although we have had a spell of colder weather (lows in single digits) and snow, today is bright and sunny with a forecast high in the low 40s. The morning frost is already gone from the driveway and sidewalks and we appreciate the temporary respite from winter.
Yesterday was also mild but not as warm, but that did not stop me from raking the yard one last time and getting rid of a few drifting leaves. A couple spots were still snow-covered; I just raked around these areas. Imagine…raking the yard in December! The Christmas music on the CD player is a reminder, though, that Christmas is only a few weeks away.
We’ve been receiving Christmas cards in the mail and, for once, all of our cards are done. This is early for us: in many years our cards have been New Year’s cards instead! We hope everyone is enjoying preparations for the holidays.
During the last cold snap I fired up my garage-sale Aladdin kerosene heater. The goal was to keep the inside of the garage above freezing and the heater provided enough heat to accomplish this. We won’t use it often, only when the temps are single-digits or below zero, but it will make the cars easier to start and give some comfort to the cats who consider the garage their home. It was nice to walk into the garage, otherwise unheated, and have the the car start without any issues.
Our Christmas tree, a gift from daughter Felicity, arrived last Friday (direct from Oregon!) and we are in the process of decorating it. Right now it has lights and a star topper; Pam will work on adding ornaments this coming week. The tree is very fragrant, has an excellent shape, and fits the spot in the master bedroom very well. (The location keeps the tree safe from our 3 dogs and 6 cats.) Going to sleep with the pine scent is a delight in itself.
Pam says I can’t have a post with no pictures in it, but I haven’t taken any new photos for the last week or so. Here is a photo taken when we lived in Whitewater of a squirrel at a feeder we had set up:
Getting dinner.
That’s it for now. Thanks for looking in!
Pam’s Two Cents Worth:
I spent the morning packaging gifts for shipping. I don’t think I’ve been this organized in years. Of course, the gifts to be shipped are smaller (in size and quantity) each year, and the holiday card list reduces in size too.
Happy Trails.
Nearly a foot of snow on the ground, single-digit highs with sub-zero lows by mid-week, augmented by days growing shorter & shorter.
Moves me past a Christmas mood and into “Bah Humbug” — already ready for summer!
Larry:
Still mild here, daytime temps in mid-40s, but snow is in the forecast for this weekend. Lows next week are expected to be n the mid-teens. Not typical but I’ll take it.
Pam does not like the lack of morning and evening light and always looks forward to the winter solstice when daylight begins to increase again.
Thanks for the note!