Monday, December 28, 2015

The In between Days...

It's definitely winter here in the Inland Northwest.  I took this picture on Christmas Eve and Dennis was out "playing" with the snowblower.  We had just finished clearing the walks and driveway when the snowplow came by, leaving a 2 1/2 to 3 foot ice berm at the end of the driveway.  This is only the second or third time the plow has come by in the 13 years we've lived here even when there has been more snow than this on the ground.  Usually we just drive over the snow and pack it down that way.  I almost prefer that because of the nasty ice berms the plows leave behind.  It took Dennis and I almost an hour to clear it away on Thursday,  After finishing our driveway we went across the street and cleared the three neighbors driveways there.  We always do the sidewalk from one end of the block to the other on our side and the triple car driveway of our neighbor to the south.  She's single with no snow-blower so we like to help her out.
It is pretty though isn't it?  We've gotten about a foot more snow since I took the above picture on Christmas Eve.  Today was my turn to use the snowblower because Dennis had to go back to work.  I cleared away another five inches of the nasty white stuff this morning.  It kept snowing off and on the rest of the day too.
This afternoon I ran a couple of short errands and about a mile from home I stopped to snap a few pictures for those of you that are snowless.
Cold, but so beautiful
This was about two blocks from home.  Three o'clock in the afternoon and you can see my headlights reflecting on the snow.  It's dark by 3:30 and the sun comes up a little before 8 a.m.  The days are getting longer now though.
Miss Piper in her Christmas dress.  Right after this picture both her and Mandy got very sick with horrible colds and fevers.  They still don't feel well.  I feel so sorry for them having such a miserable weekend.
I received an envelope in the mail with thank you cards from the teacher and students that I took the first batch of mittens to.  Each card had a picture of the child wearing a pair of mittens and a handwritten thank you.  The teacher also wrote a very nice note.  This was a very nice surprise.
I spent a quiet day at home today.  Snow blowing, vacuuming, laundry.  We got a rock chip in the windshield on Christmas Day from the gravel the plows put on the roads.  I called the insurance company about 11:00 this morning and at 1:15 Safe Light Repair was at our house repairing it!  That is what I call amazing service.  And we didn't have to pay a penny.  Glass repair is covered under our policy with no deductible!  A nice surprise.  I also called to let the oven repair place know that the cheap part fix didn't work and now they're ordering the $300 part.  I sure hope that is the problem because I could almost buy a new stove for what this repair is costing.  The doctors office called to let me know that they are going to do a MRI on my back as soon as they can make certain I can have one with my pacemaker.  

Lots of little things got done around here today and I even got two pair of mittens knitted!  I hope you're all having a great time of rest after the business of the holidays.  We plan for a quiet New Years Eve.  Dennis has to work and then our friends Neal and Jenny are coming over for dinner and to play dominoes.  I'm going to make my homemade chicken and noodles and Neal will make his prize winning biscuits.  Along with cranberries and green beans from my summer garden I think it will be a good meal.  We don't party much and will be in bed long before midnight, especially since Dennis will have worked all day.  

New Years Day we plan to try to recreate our summer Friday's at the lake and we're getting pizza and meeting Larry, Nita, Paul and Lori for dinner.  The days are getting longer and we'll be back at the lake before long.  I have to tell myself that in order to survive the snow.  I detest snow.  And it just keeps falling!

Have a lovely day my friends and a most blessed New Year!

"Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow. Isaiah 1:18

Blessings,
Betsy


12 comments:

  1. You're living in the wrong place if you detest snow! You better move here we hardly get any. :-) I loved seeing all the kids in their mittens.. I'm so proud to know you and know how you help the kids. Piper looks adorable in the red dress.. sorry they got sick. Now don't you work too hard outside, little missy. Stay safe.
    *:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*
      *H*A*P*P*Y* *N*E*W* *Y*E*A*R*!*
    *:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*
    ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  2. You and your husband are amazing people. You do so much for family, friends and neighbors. I have been reading your blog for some time now, but I don't think I've ever commented until now. You are such good people and despite health issues, you just keep on doing whatever you can. I always enjoy your posts and the updates on you and Dennis and your family and all the knitting. That is such a generous thing that you do. I hope your grandkids are feeling better soon and I wish you and yours a Healthy, Happy New Year. Ranee (MN)

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  3. Oh no! I am with you, I truly detest snow...I am not very found of winter either. I am more of a Spring/Fall kind of girl. :) I pray the snow lets up at your place. We don't have any yet but we are going to drop into the 20's tomorrow night...and let me tell you, it hurts my feelings! I've made my feelings known to Old Man Winter, too! His reply has been to increase the wind today and make the temps start falling earlier. Pooh! That was so nice of the teacher and the children to thank you for all your hard work and heart felt gift. :) Hope your girls get to feeling better soon. Blessings always sweet friend. :)

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  4. Hi There, Your snow is gorgeous ---but that is a lot of work for you and hubby --and everyone else. My Goodness---we never get that much snow here. I think we have a lot when we get 5-6 inches... ha ha

    Happy New Year to you. I know you are anxious to get back to the lake.

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  5. You detest the snow and I'm dreading it being over! It's just so darn pretty and makes it so cozy and homey-feeling inside the house. We took another long walk in the snow today. How many pictures can one person take??? LOTS! What a nice acknowledgment and thank-you from the kiddies. That was really nice. Hope you get your oven fixed soon. Have a good week and safe and happy New Year's.

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  6. Hi there Betsy! The snow is just beautiful. But when you have to clear it all the time, I guess that gets old.
    Love that you have received cards with photos of the kids wearing the mittens you have made. So thoughtful!
    So I gather your back is still giving your fits then. I'm sorry to hear that.
    The flu has been horrible here at our house too. Greg and I still recovering. It was a Christmas with man down sick!!
    I got a computer from Santa, so will be posting again soon.
    Much love,
    Kris

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  7. Thank you for the pictures of the snow! Love your thank you cards with the pictures of the kids....so nice that they appreciated all your hard work. Sorry you don't like it but I love it and always have. We should switch places...it's very rare here! LOL! Take care and I hope your back heals up.

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  8. I'm sorry you're having such a hard time with the snow, Betsy. Just keep telling yourself, spring is on the way. I hope Mandy and Piper feel better soon. It's no fun to be sick at the holidays. Take care and enjoy your New Year's party with your friends, it sounds like a really fun plan!

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  9. I don't comment much, but enjoy your blog. You have inspired this life-long crochet only person to sign up this January with a friend for knitting classes. I hope to make mittens, too.

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  10. Oh my goodness all that snow is amazing! It is in the 80's here and humid, I could do with a bit of cooler weather. Those thank you notes are the very best present ever, those darling faces are so happy. You are an angel to all of these children Betsy, and to all of us too. Be careful with your back in all that snow and with the snow blowing.
    Hugs to you and Happy New Year!
    Meredith

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  11. Just now I read to my son, Tim, and my oldest daughter, Mary, your description of the snow plow leaving you a wall of ice to break down knowing they would fully appreciate your plight because of our years of snowy experience back East. They did. Mary, Jason, and four of their little girls are in sympathy with Piper and Mandy...sneeze, shiver, cough...repeat. The mitten thank yous are precious as is the photo of Miss Piper in her Christmas dress. We had a pot roast for dinner last night and a young couple came to celebrate with us [in spite of all the germs here]. May you and yours have a healthy, happy 2016!!! xx

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  12. Miss Piper looks beautiful in her Christmas dress, such a shame they were sick over the holiday period. You are doing a great job with the mittens.

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