A Merry Unwhite Christmas

Merry Christmas to one and all!

This definitely isn't the prettiest white Christmas ever, so I sneak in another picture of our perfect tree instead of the overflowing creek in the backyard.

Yesterday there was still about 2 feet of snow, until it came close to 60° with rain. It's still raining today, and our little Herkimer Creek is going wild. The beaver dam (green pic was December 9) appears to be intact, but water flooded over and under as of noon today.

The weather may not be pretty where you are either, but I am sure you can all manage some merriment. Enjoy!

Pandemic Christmas

I had a hard time getting my Christmas happy hat on this year. At least I got the tree decorated, the cards mailed (except for 2 that I missed) and the presents purchased and mailed (even if they did just get to the PO yesterday). Gifts for Husband still need wrapping.

Our almost 3 feet of snow is more like 2 feet now, but it is still too difficult for Old Fartknee to get the dogs out for a walk. I might try later today as it is warmer and even sunny!

In the meantime, they have expanded their puny path through the snow in the back to something quite magnificent. Woody and Cyrus are working together as snow artists. Nice job, boys!

Santa's helpers

Guilty as charged, but trying to look so innocent!

I was wrapping up a few Christmas presents to get to the Post Office before they close at 5 pm. Sitting on the floor was a bad idea. Two of Santa's biggest helpers joined me to help with the wrapping. One of them parked right in my face with his feet in the box.

The other one came over and offered his help as well. At least he got Woody out of the box.

These two dog boys are full of excess energy because I haven't walked them in about a week. They do go out and play in the snow, but it's just not enough to wear them out.

So I finish my packaging of gifts and leave the house with just enough time to get to the PO. I dig my car out of the garage with a rake because Husband has the snow shovel in his truck. I get out on the road and realize I forgot to bring my purse to pay to ship the gift. :(

Woody says he is sorry your gifts will be late.

Almost 3 feet!

The difference between Cyrus and Woody: 

Cyrus is about 7YO, and most probably is part husky, which could account for his love of snow, and his amazing ability to plow his own path in a minute or less.

Woody is about 12YO and most probably a Southern boy from Virginia. He has no love of snow, or rain for that matter. He prefers to spend the snowy and rainy days with me on the sofa, all snuggled in.

First predictions were that this Nor'easter would pretty much miss us and leave 4" to 8" of snow. Even late last night they were saying 12" to 18".

I think we have about 32" at 11 am, and it is still snowing. At least it seems to be slowing down.

Thank you Husband for venturing out to feed and water all the animals out there!

By the way, if you've read this far, the color in these backyard photos is mostly from the tinting in our double-paned windows, and there are just a few reflections of the Christmas tree lights in there to spice it up a bit. Mama has not ventured outside even once this morning.

Christmas is coming

It has been a slow start to holiday preparations this year, but I am finally getting some Christmas spirit. Bishop Printshop finished our cards in 2 days, in time to pick them up on Wednesday when we went to Salo's Tree Farm, also in Edmeston, for our perfect Christmas tree.

Also just in time, I got a new Krinner Tree Stand with a gift card from Little Sister. It is supposed to be super easy to use, but I had trouble getting the tree to stay upright while I was beating it up to put the lights on. I succeeded, but ran out of time and steam. The ornaments will have to wait. I am thankful to The Hub for the roast chicken dinner he made while I was recovering on the sofa with the boys.

So now, at least, I can finish writing out my cards, with the tree all lit up and pretty, and with a light snow falling outside. And I will get to putting those ornaments on, some time real soon, I think. 

Ho Ho Ho!

Big chicks and the holidays

The 5 little chicks that were hatched here in July are now fully grown: 2 big red roosters and 3 hens. So far the young boys are behaving themselves, going after the young ladies, but respecting the older hens and Big Roo. He is starting to show his age, almost 7YO, which is up there in chicken years. As long as the pretty boys can get along with the old boy and the old girls, they can stay.

Today, Don on the Hill helped me put up a new roosting bar in the coop so that we can try to convince the 5 young uns to come inside at night. They have taken to roosting in the tree outside the coop, and it has been mighty cold, sometimes snowy, and sometimes windy and pouring rain. We need an intervention to get them inside before they become chicken popsicles!

And the last pic is our NJ house all decked out for Christmas by my favorite tenant, Lisa. It looks much better than any of my decorating attempts! 

Happy Holidays folks! I've gotta start writing out those cards. I am late as always...

Giving thanks

The Hub and I had a fabulous Thanksgiving dinner with the Barns (thank you!) followed by a stormy week. Let's just say that my Facebook account, Google Chrome, and my gallbladder all got hacked.

My hero, Ivan the Great, came to my rescue yesterday when I not only was booted from Facebook, but was also really close to losing my whole Google Chrome account including our email accounts and my blog. And it was Ivan's birthday! when he was wasting hours of his time with me on the phone. Thank you!

The third hacking came unexpectedly. I was a few days out of commission, but now back on track. Dr Clooney came to my rescue on this one. Thank you! He didn't look all that much like George, but it's nice when your surgeon has a good sense of humor.

And finally, the reason for all these pet pics: I got a new iPhone! Yay! Loving portrait mode! But the posers were not all that thrilled. Thank you, Cyrus, for your smile.