baby its cold outside

today the skies blessed us with snow....
and a school day.

 so, I got to rest, watch, and listen to the quiet of the season.

ahhh! (alone at last!)

Especially after last night's adventure of making caramels.
I never knew one pot could boil for so long.
Nearly 4 hours later, and the stirring hands of three girls...
we had caramels.

Today I am cutting and wrapping these sweet squares of labor and love!

(maybe eating a few/ some / a bunch along the way).

Window, window

what do you see...

I see snow falling for me.

Of course its not sticking... but I dont care.  

I still get giddy when snow falls~ and I am home (alone... the kids are already gone for the day!)

Get me a cup of coffee, some knitting needles, and a spot by the window~  I'm gonna enjoy this while it lasts!

is it bad....

is it bad that I rushed my kids out the door today... 

in the snow....

to get them off to school!

(before they decided to cancel it)

Mom of the Year award.... I think~ I am no longer in the running.... and its only January.

(school is still in session.... but, it is only 9:30)

Sunday Snow day

well...

it snowed.

 

not much,

but just enough to taste it!

 but just enough to throw a few snowballs!

 but just enough to make two of these!

yep... that is Portland snow.

planning for snow.

now as you read the title... you begin to wonder.....
the weather is saying snow (the first hint of snow this season)...
today's school is all "a buzz" about what to do during that day off....
everyone is waiting with baited breath...

one thing is for sure.....

it is cold enough for snow... but is it wet enough.

you see, in Portland, we have learned that if the weatherman predicts it....

then most likely~ the prediction is wrong.

but, if the weatherman says "don't worry, it will be a slight chance"...

it will dump like no tomorrow!

::this is how the kids prep for this sort of prediction::

~put a white crayon by the window/ or an orange crayon in the freezer

~ sleep with PJ's inside out.

~ flush three cubes of ice down the toilet before bed.
~put a spoon under your pillow.
~ set your right glove, in your left shoe.

::this is how the mom and dad prep for this sort of prediction::
~cut fire wood.
~get out jackets and gloves (set by front door)... and sleds.
~fill the fridge ( with at least one carrot for a snowman's nose)
~fill the car's tank~ with knowing you wont go anywhere!
~find candles and have readily avail.
~have a good book, hot chocolate, and board games.... ready to go!

tonight and tomorrow... it is prep day for what they say is coming on Sunday and Monday....
stay posted....
these days~ you never know!

Anticipation finally Pays off

Portland cries wolf when it comes to snow....

there have been many times when there is a big uproar over it's comings....

much like Paul Revere galloping on his horse

"The snow is coming, the snow is coming!"

and nothing happens.

nothing.

There was even a day of school cancelled once- for NO SNOW.

so,

We have a joke here at our house...

if the weather man knows its coming- it wont.

today- they were redeemed.

not by much- but redeemed, non the less.

This is what a cancelled school day in Portland looks like.

(I know, the friends back East are looking at it asking "where is the snow?" and I will tell you it is the small blanket of white that is not quite enough to make a snowman. But at least it is better than this day... remember!)

but, Cider LOVES it!

weekend in snow

we traveled 3 hours southeast... to Bend for the weekend.

I cannot tell you how much fun I had sitting in the lodge, knitting....

as I could peak out the window to see my boys on the bunny slope learning a new skill.

odin snowboarding

bjorn skiing

yep.... it was a great weekend.

we are waiting

for the snow......

and this is what we got!

a powder sugar dusting... that was enough to cancel school.

not enough to make snowballs, nor sled...

even though it was worth many tries.

but we still had smiles!

snow!

for those of you who want to read our Christmas Letter- Click This!!!

well it was a little unpredicted- but in this house- it was greatly appreciated!

If only we could get as much as we did last year....

now that was great (fingers are crossed)!

now its time to make some cutout snowflakes, and maybe some hot cocoa.

Oh what a beautiful morning....

this morning we awoke to a simple snowfall, that was to turn into sleeting snow later in the morning. But being from So.Cal. there is still a childlike magic for me in watching snow flutter onto the ground.... I was hypnotized as I drank my morning caffeine. What a beautiful morning to remember.

a stitch in time....

"the whole world is a christmas tree, and stars it's many candles be"

I can't believe how cute this turned out.... my first embroidery piece I made, as a gift, for a friend. so alongside the sewing, knitting and the baking I think I have found a new craft to enjoy.

I couldn't help it, I had to add some other photos that brought me joy this christmas eve.

these are some big boots to fill!

look at that bundled face

sorry milkman, you have to deliver in these conditions.