Sunday, January 24, 2016

Snow and snow and snow ...



The blue "snowflake" in the picture is a window cling. I put them on the glass door to break the reflection so the birds won't try to fly through it.

The snow has covered the land and all it holds with a heavy blanket. I took this before it finally stopped on Friday. That tiny brownish strip on the other side of the tree is the one strip of paved roadway that is left to be seen. By the time it was all over, there was no tiny strip. The DoH had scraper trucks out with gravel and dirt spreaders. It was far too cold and coming down too quickly to use salt. There is a total of about 18" of dry, powdery, lightweight snow. As beautiful as it is, I thought I was going to die because of it. 

  

This photo below is the reason why. I begin to smother if I feel I'm "tied down". I know it's crazy. You'd think after 35 years of wheelchairs and crutches, I'd be familiar with being "tied down". But I have never really felt that way because I've always been 100% independent. That independence is very slowly diminishing in certain areas (I'm concerned with making my way up a ladder to change a light bulb now) but not in the area of getting myself "out" if I need or want. The front door was completely snowed shut. The back door was as you see below. I could get out but my wheelchair wouldn't be going with me. ha I've never had the extra money to have roofs put on the porches so the snow piles up to the doors. It's a horrible feeling. Fortunately, two very dear friends who always watch out for me came with shovels and brooms yesterday afternoon. I can now get out on my porches and feel like I can breathe. My cell phone battery died when we were out yesterday before I could get any pictures. I'll have more tomorrow. My car is out there somewhere. ha It's totally covered except for a tiny area on the front wheel.

Yep. That's a long string on the door knob. It's the only way I can close the door behind me instead of completely turning around and closing the door. I'm not patient about things like that and it was just too irritating to try to close the door, especially if I'm loaded with groceries.

While I'm snowed in for the next few days, I'm working on several projects. This crochet project is for a dear lifelong friend's first grandchild. It's a girl. The body of the blanket is Patons Astra (acrylic) white. I haven't chosen the three trim yarns yet. I know I want pink, light pink and gray. I'd like to find a yarn with a little sheen to it that will compliment the Astra. The nursery is in pink camoflouge and Jersey cows. Never have I seen or heard of such a combination but to each their own. ha This pattern, called Hugs of Love, is of intermediate skill level, but if you read the pattern carefully, and not get too involved in the television, you should be able to do it. 


 During one of my snack breaks, Miss Cleo decides she needs my Cheez-its more than I do. ha She loves Cheez-its.


I wanted some blueberry muffins for breakfast so I went to Just Cats, Deb's blog, in search of her blueberry muffin recipe.

I baked them in my Oster countertop convection oven that I really love. The only problem is I forgot to choose convection bake instead of just bake. That's partly why the tops didn't brown evenly. I baked the dozen on the right at the same time. They're blueberry with brown sugar. The three on the left I baked last because I wanted to try something different. I added a chunk of pineapple to each muffin center and put nutmeg and cinnamon on top. They don't look perfectly baked but they tasted perfectly baked. :-) I had one each and a big cup of hot tea.

Most churches and some businesses are closed today. I've been awake for several hours and haven't seen more than five cars on this main roadway. 

I hope wherever you are, you're warm and happy. And please, snow or no snow ... feed the birds and all the other little critters out there. They really do depend upon us.




Friday, January 22, 2016

Oh boy ...

After one hour and forty-five minutes of snowing ...





The snow started at about 8:30 this morning. I'd prepared yesterday by filling the feeders and the heated bird bath for the various critters. Got the kerosene heater ready with an extra few gallons of kerosene in case the electricity fails. I moved the gas grill so I could easily get to it if I wanted something hot to eat while the power was out. I also bought peanut butter and bread for me and tuna for the furry ones. Lastly, swept the porches and covered my car. My cousin gave me a car windshield cover for Christmas. What a great gift. It's got covered magnets in each corner and a little flap at both front windows that I closed the door on. No way it can come off. It even covers the wipers so they won't freeze. This is one of those great gifts that make my life a bit easier.

Most of the snow melted yesterday. The sun was so warm I only had to have on sweats and gloves. No coat needed although it was very cold in the shade. The snow was so dry, only a broom was needed for removal. That was wonderful. The snow shovel is too long for me and my shoulders just can't manage the weight of it. 

Mister is much better now that he is taking a glipizide pill every day. He's gained a little weight and his coat seems fuller. He is much more active and as happy as that makes me, it irritates Miss Cleo. He likes to pounce on her when she's sleeping. Just like brother and sister. :-)

Huh? What snow?
I'm in the middle of sorting through an early phase of Spring cleaning. Please excuse the mess in the background. Mister and Miss Cleo love playing in and around piles of "stuff". They're like kids with a fort. 

I've decided I'm going to take a break from sorting and cleaning today and tomorrow and work on some knitting, crocheting and a small sewing project I want to attempt. So, with the blizzard still blizzard-ing out there ... I'm going to prepare a small pot of hot lemony tea and do what I love best ... crafting.

If you're in the blizzard area, I hope you stay warm and have plenty of what you need and the electricity stays on for everyone.