A Very Snowy Christmas

The fluffy snow has been falling non-stop for almost 3 days. Its time to think about sleds, handwarmers, hot chocolate, and rosey cheeks.



We have watched these 3 trees grow through the seasons and had the intentions on stringing lights on them, but I am not sure I want to knock off the snow.





On the agenda this weekend - COOKIES!!!!!

It's Here

The temperature drops into the 30's you see how much its raining and you notice the dusting of snow on the Chugach Mountain range, but then the temps go up a bit and the dusting disappears so you think okay I have more time to rake the leaves and see if the store has snowpants yet. Then boom it's snowing and in such a way that any 20+ year resident knows is going to stay for the duration and its okay because your new car has heated seats. God Bless the person who thought that up.

Roadtrip to Williwaw

Happy Birthday roadtrip for Glen

No more tenting for us, we upgraded to a great travel camper and had to squeeze in one more outing - this time to Williwaw campground in the Portage Valley - about 45 minutes south of home.

Had to test run the oven, oh how those pan cookies made the camper smell so good, and then took a nap because the camper was coozy warm (okay, Seth was a bit too excited to be camping so he is pretending here and I could not get him to stop smiling and when I insisted he just started laughing which became contagious and we all started laughing. So then we went for a walkabout.

see that tiny little white speck in the tree about mid picture, nearer to the top? - thats an Eagle and this is the last time I go on a walkabout without my big lens.

Seth has left the building

On his way out the door Seth left his mark in the frosty crisp grass.

One more day of a slight wind and the birch tree will be bare and it will be time to fill the pumpkin leaf bags. Oddly, I am ahead of the game this season, the garage just needs a few adjustments and the car can go in, the pumpkins (with good stems) are already adorning the entry way, the mantel is screaming with fall decor, and the bag of all our winter gear is in arms reach.

Oh happy day - and first day of October.

Fall has Arrived

Denali Park

Hurricane Gulch

My friend Cathie was up in The Denali Park this past weekend and took these photos. The Fall color change has begun. I hope to get up to our Chugach Mountains when I start seeing some reds - could be next weekend.

Snowman

We decided to embrace the snow and have fun with it. Meet Hayden (since you can't make one yourself we decided to name this one after you) and Harry (with what could be a goiter)

A record fall

You can't even tell what kind of car this is! Picture was taken this morning and no surprise snowflakes are falling again ever so lightly, but you KNOW it will build up. All events are cancelled - except of course the Regional Volleyball tournament today, so I better start digging out. If you have sun and warmth in your neck of the woods please send some our way. The last time I asked it happened so heres hoping (they say tomorrow should be back in the 50's)

Just when you think...

This is the same frontyard angle that I posted yesterday.

They warned us it was going to get cold, possibly rain and there was a slight chance of SNOW. They were right on all counts. I would love to say "well, it does not look like it will stay" but I know better as I look out and its building up. Sydney walked over to the window and gasped then said "ohhhhh". I feel another batch of cookies coming on.

It has been snowing since I posted this morning so I think I will stay home from work, make banana bread and catch up on my DVR shows. A self imposed SNOW DAY. The infamous Heart Run is scheduled for tomorrow and they have a record high of 7000 entries - this could get interesting.

UPDATE: it is 11pm and its still coming down. The Heart Run has been cancelled for the second time (1st time was due to a volcano eruption) in its 30 years. I spent some time today looking at the housing market in Arizona - its so tempting.

I'm Meelllttting

Hey Pops, look at the front yard! Time to change the oil in the camper, fill the tank (hate to see that gas total), put ice cream in the fridge, charge the camera - okay, that one is for Thelma, tell Chena Hot Springs the shuttle driver is shuttling south, and come on down.

So Cruel

The driveway was dry, the remaining snow on the streets were snow birms that were receeding inch by inch, I could see the grass in the yards and fall leaves that were not bagged up. I was anticipating the principles announcement of "no more snow gear needed", I was putting gloves away for the coming (and welcoming) of warmer days and pops was getting the camper prepped for a late April visit. I even took a Claritin to head off the blooming season allergy suffering, and thought to start running outside. Then it started, ever so lightly, with a few flakes that you could count as they softly fell. 15 minutes later, no more counting, but the anguish of "winter is not over yet" filled the soul. How ironic that the Land's End Beach Wear catalog arrived on this day- rubbing salt on an open wound. The white flakes fell for a straight 11 hours so what's a girl to do? make a batch of chocolate chip cookies and watch the Star Wars Trilogy - may the force be with you - but send us the sun please.

Signs of Spring

Life has event cycles and this time of year, when the temperatures are hanging around the 30's and the snow level on the deck is melting away your mind goes to the thought that we made it through another Alaskan winter. You know you are on the verge of spring when it is daylight as you walk your child to the bus stop, Bagoys has their Tulip sale, the easter egg hunt you are hosting is in its final stages, Home Depot is putting out their patio furniture and you wake up thinking maybe today I will pull out the shorts. Now that is a great way to wake up.

Other signs of Spring

(good topic to ask clients)

The remodel show and parade of homes occur

The lovely smell of mud and mushed animal "gifts" fills the air

People start walking the bike paths and bikes come out

The BBQ cover comes off

People go skiing and come home with a great tan (or burn)

Kids get the all clear not to wear snowgear to school

Uncle Tim brings the boat home, because he cannot use the snowmachines anymore to get to the cabin (snowmachine in the river = bad)