Monday, December 21, 2015

Have I already said, "Let it Snow?

Happy Monday morning everyone!  it's the week of Christmas and everyone I talk to seems to be in a frenzy of last minute Christmas preparations.  Not me.  I'm pretty much snowed in today...again.  This is the second time in four days that we've been put under a winter storm warning.  Last year no snow at all to speak of.  This year so far at our house we've had about 10 inches in the last 5 days with 5-8 more predicted today.  And snow every day for the next 6 days.  Yuck!  We're in a snow belt here at our house that seems to run down the middle of the city.  You can drive just one mile south of our home and there is literally half the amount of snow on the ground.

It has given me the opportunity to use our new snowblower a few times already and I'll be firing it up again this afternoon.  I just took this picture out of the back door.  You can't really get an idea of how deep it is here because of the way it's blown and drifted, but can you see the fine flakes falling?  It's definitely going to be a white Christmas in Spokane.
I have been knitting away on mittens and this is what I've finished so far.  Would you believe I got all the way to the end decreases at the top of the last green mitten and I ran out of yarn?  I had to go buy more just to knit the last 4 rows!  Oh well, I'll just make more green ones!  Notice there are four pair of dark pink mittens.  That was from one skein with a little ball left over.  The green I ran out of and the lighter pink I didn't even start the fourth pair because it was obvious that I wasn't going to get another pair out of the leftovers.  These are all supposed to be the same yardage skeins.  A bit frustrating.  I m still enjoying making these though.  More to come!!!
There is a nursery just a few miles from Brad and Mandy's that we visited while back east.  I have never seen anything like it.  Mandy said that they decorate it, over the top decorate it, for each holiday.

This is as you drive up.  Blocks and blocks of white lights and decorated trees as you drive up the highway.
So pretty.
Inside they have individual trees decorated with different themes.  Surrounding each tree are other decorations that go along with each theme.  This place is beautiful and huge.
Part of the winter woods theme.  It makes me homesick for the lake and my camper.  :-)
This one was gorgeous.  Tree are so many trees decorated so beautifully.  I wish I could show you the  details of all of them but there were just too many.
What could make this place even better?  Trains.  Piper loves trains and she and Papa loved looking at all of them.  
Villages set up throughout the train display.
The Hershey car.  The train was moving and was hard to get a good picture of it.
Most of the year this is a big Thomas the Train display.  Piper loves Thomas!
One more display by the Christmas trees.  I showed great restraint and only bought an angel for our Christmas tree out of the myriad of choices.
And finally.  Mandy sent this picture to us Saturday.  She looks 3 going on 16 doesn't she?  Very rarely does she wear her hair down.  She always wants a ponytail, or when Grandma is there, a French braid.  (We braid our hair into matching braids...she loves that!).   Papa couldn't stop smiling when he saw this. Goodness, we miss this little girl.  It's like we left part of our hearts on the east coast.
I wish each of you a very Merry Christmas and lots of love and laughter throughout the holiday.  I also would ask that you would stop and ponder the reason we celebrate this holiday season.  His name is Jesus.

"She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins."  Matthew 1:21
(The angel was talking to Joseph in this verse.)

Blessings,
Betsy

17 comments:

  1. Wow, all that snow. All we have had here is rain and it is still very mild for the time of year. The nursery looks amazing what a great place to stroll around particularly with your dear Grandaughter. Have a wonderful Christmas, take care.

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  2. Well, your snow sure is pretty! Bravo on all the new mittens.. too bad about running out of green at the last minute. Do they sell the yarn by weight or length? Thanks for sharing those fun photos of the tree show.. I spied the cute little airstream trailer.. how cute! Enjoy your cozy home time.. wish I could pop over and knit with you.
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    *M*E*R*R*Y* * *C*H*R*I*S*T*M*A*S*!*
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    ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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    1. Each skein has the same yardage and weight printed on it. Not sure why there is such a discrepancy between skeins. I wish you were here too!

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  3. Wow----I'm SO envious of your snow. We are going to have a wet and warm week here... Doesn't help put anyone in the Christmas spirit for sure!!!!!!

    Piper gets prettier every single day.. What a gorgeous smile.

    Merry Christmas to you and the family.. Stay SAFE.

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  4. Wonderful pictures! Oh you know my feelings about snow. YUCK! Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas. The reason for the season is Jesus Christ our Lord. God's love made flesh. If you seek Him you will find Him. It was no less true back on that day over two thousand years ago than it is today. He awaits. Praise Him forever. Blessings to you and yours sweet friend. :)

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  5. We are not enjoying the rain and wind...sigh. I'm behind this year but finishing up tonight. The trains and decorated trees are nice. Christmas is a special time to remember Jesus' birth. So thankful that God loves us so much to come to earth. Yes, praise His name forever. Merry Christmas.

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  6. Beautiful snow my dark friend. I do miss you a whole lot. So thou got to visit Pipr and Mindy before Christmas. Love that you are making the little mittens they are adorable and thank you so much for the beautiful Christmas cad. I'm sending you a little packet but I don't think it will get there for Christmas, hopefully for the new year. Piper gets prettier and prettier every time I see a new picture ... She is a little princess. Merry Christmas to you and your whole family my dear friend and lots of hugs to you. Miss you 😘😘😘

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  7. Betsy, thanks for sharing all the neat photos...snow included :) The weather app says that if I get up at 5AM tomorrow morning I might be able to see some snowflakes mixed with rain here, [but if I want enough snow to play in I have to drive up to Mt. Hood] Piper is growing beautifully and I'm glad you had such a good visit recently. Your mitten rainbow is so pretty and it is lovely to know the mittens will soon be warming little hands. I'm celebrating Christ came to save us all, too...we need Him so desperately. May you and yours continue to know joy! xx

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  8. That sweet, little Piper is just a dollbaby! She is so precious! I am sure you do miss her so terribly...oh, it tugs at the heartstrings when we have to live apart from the ones we love the most! I loved seeing the beautiful snow outside your window and all the pretty trees! And your needlework is always SO pretty. You are a dear blessing to me and to so many others. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas, Besty! God's peace be with you always, dear friend.

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  9. ohhhhh I love all of this post. The Nursery is so magical!
    The mittens you have knit are amazing Each and everyone
    Your granddaughter is soo cute. our daughter is 18 hours away from us by car too......we want her to move closer! IT is so challenging to live apart. Merry Christmas......Peace

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  10. I think it's really cool that you have such a weather on Christmas. Though it is almost the end of December our weather looks like it is spring now. It is totally strange as it was always snowy this days.

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  11. Seems you are getting all the snow that other areas are missing out on as they are having unusual warm spells. Very interesting weather patterns of late. We had a very cloudy day here and more of the same tomorrow. Love all the mittens you have made. A group of us are making hearts for a friend getting married in July, using white sparkly yarn, and everyone is getting different amounts from their skein. Besides the fact that tension plays a part, I mentioned that not all skeins are created the same. I'm sure we're getting gypped somewhere along the line. That Piper really is just so precious. Merry Christmas!

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  12. Thank you for your comments on my blog and for checking the blog roll. I have you on there now and I noticed I didn't have Teresa either so she's back there too. Blogger is quite tiresome lately!!1 Fabulous pictures of a very Christmassy scene and all that snow brr!! I so know what you mean about Grand-children I love my Cookie baby to bits!! Merry Merry Christmas to you and all your family .

    Amanda xx

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  13. Hi Betsy the snow looks beautiful but so deep poor you. Your mittens are just fab. I know what you mean by the wool, never the same amount so annoying. Your grandaughter looks adorable, you are so lucky. Wow the nursey displays look amazing. We have nothing like that near me. Love all the scenes they have made. Merry Christmas my friend.
    Rosezeeta.

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  14. Hi Betsy, that is some snow you're having! We're supposed to have a pretty good storm this weekend here. We tend to get more snow in my part of the city too, sometimes the difference is a mile or so between tons of snow and none at all! I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas. Take care and enjoy.

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  15. Amen, a happy post Betsy in spite of the snow, truly it is beautiful but glad we have a summery Christmas Downunder. :)
    Loved all the trees so pretty and totally agree re the 16 going on 3 pickie, what a cutie... God is good to bless us isn't He dear friend.
    Lord bless and keep you all safe in Spokane and those who know not the LORD and His true gift of salvation, may they know Him, the Way, and the Truth and the Life, and may the Truth set them free as only the LORD Jesus can,
    Hugs Shaz in Oz,X

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  16. That store looks amazing Betsy, so many wonderful things to see. Yes your girl does look 16! She is adorable but boy when she grows up she is going to be a beauty,
    Merry Christmas,
    MEredith

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