A frigid New Years Eve

The worst part of the storm has passed. The folks are in Florida and I am here by myself. The snow is light and fluffy now but it will freeze overnight so I must get into some warm clothes and go outside to do some basic clearing.

First, I clean off the car.

Then the back steps.

Then the front porch and the walkways.

Tomorrow's forecast calls for a high of 21 degrees

with a wind chill factor of minus 13.

Flowering Tea

Every Christmas I receive at least one novelty gift. Last year it was a tabletop hot dog stand. The year before I received two chocolate fountains!



This year I got a package of flowering tea and a lovely glass teapot from Cissy.


The tea comes in individual packets and this morning I chose Cammelia Joy.

Tiny flowers are sewn to a clump of tea leaves and then tightly compressed into a small round ball.

I pour boiling water into the teapot and quite quickly the ball unfolds and tiny flowers pop out.

The flowers slowly unfold and expand as the tea steeps.

I enjoyed the first pot on Christmas morning with Cissy and Gerry but today I display my mother's fine china collection as I sip the green tea and reminesce.

Last day of 2008

The snow and ice have finally disappeared. Temperature hit 50 but look what is on our horizon and scheduled to arrive midday.

In the meantime Ed and Mary are on vacation in Florida enjoying 80 degrees and sunshine.

Ho Ho Ho

Delivering gifts to Riley and Connor in 2001

Christmas Shopping

Finally, at 2pm, two days after the storm I get the car door open.

But underfoot there is ice everywhere.

So I get to go shopping

This is what it looked like in the parking lot at Barnes and Noble.

I got most of my Christmas shopping done with a day to spare.

Ice

The storms are gone. The sky is cloudless.

Tenperatures remain in the 20s.

I did not clean my car off during the storm so the doors are frozen solid. I have tried de-icer and a hair dryer to no avail.

Christmas shopping not done.

Bah, humbug!

Day 3 of the Storm

I am feeling much better today so I got dressed in warm clothes and boots and ventured outside for a while.

Actually this wasn't as severe as some storms in the past.

In northern Maine where my brother David lives it was -29 this morning.

In the meantime, in southern Spain, Miguel was basking in the sunshine with temperatures in the mid 60s!

Snow Storm

Radar showing storm approaching on Friday afternoon

I have been confined to the house for a few days because of a cold so Saturday morning I could only look out the windows and doors.

This what it looked like from our front porch on Saturday night. We are one of the few houses without Christmas lights.

A new storm is due to arrive tomorrow, Sunday!

Another Christmas photo and a Storm Watch

Mary's grandson, Dante

AT THIS TIME...IT LOOKS AS THOUGH MOST OF SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND WILL RECEIVE 8 TO 12 INCHES OF SNOWFALL BY MIDNIGHT FRIDAY NIGHT...WITH LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS POSSIBLE.AGAIN...TRAVEL IS NOT RECOMMENDED THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT.DRIVING CONDITIONS WILL BECOME VERY DIFFICULT AT BEST. ONLY VENTURE OUT IF ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY

We are ready. We have snow shovels.

We have a snow blower.

I have my boots and a new snow cap.

Oops! Perhaps I should get out of my pajamas.

Christmas photos

One of the things I really enjoy at Christmastime is receiving photos of my young friends.

My niece Crystal and her son , Tahir

Morgan and Mikenna


Connor, Michael, and Chase

More Christmas Decor

Mary and Ed prepare for their family Christmas dinner.

Its Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

I spent this afternoon decorating my dining room for Christmas.