The "B" Word ...

B.L.I.Z.Z.A.R.D.!!

It's been snowing now for over 24 hours ... and we've about 24 more predicted, I think.

The wind is BLOWING --- a lot! BIG gusts ... lots of fun!  We've all tied cinder blocks to ourselves so we won't blow off the mountain.

Send warm thoughts!

and maybe a snowmobile!

Look who dropped in for a visit!  The adventure seeker, Nina! She arrived at the tail end of a nice snow we had last week.  She drove all the way up from Orlando and until the last 400 yards had absolutley NO problems.  There was a minor technical issue with one wheel in a ditch, which was resolved in a minute and here she was! Safe and sound and here in the snow, which seemed to be what she really wanted.  She finally really saw it snowing.  And she had to leave Saturday before the blizzard hit.  I think she knows it snows now.   Oh, and it gets cold. 

 We managed to get out for Sushi! YUM!  We also had a little while in Barnes & Noble.  Only the best for Nina's night out with the folks!  ha! 

Nina and her dad went geocaching - in the snow and ice.  This picture was taken at Elk River Falls.  The foggy effect is Paul's breath while he's taking the picture.  It was cold.

 I think this picture was taken at the bottom of the falls, but I'm not sure.  It was a geocaching expedition in the snow/ice.  They're a little crazy, just in case you didn't put that together.

Yep, Paul, geocaching Paul. "Nut job" on the loose.  But he sure has a good time!

Nina, chillin' with the boys, Spartacus and Sulu.  Artemis is still hiding most of the time ... although more on that later.

THIS is RUNNING water.  There was a day when we had NO running water as it was frozen and not running what so ever! ARGH! Poor Nina ... she had some really fun experiences here this time.



 We did get to bake snowmen cookies!  So good!

 Now look at this! ALL 3 cats in the same room.  You must look closely to see it, but there is a cat in each of the three chairs! (some hats and gloves in the 4th) We have been running the wood stove in the kitchen and the Big Bertha stove in the basement wide open since yesterday when the blizzard began.  The kitties have discovered how wonderful wood heat is!  Today I had to move my current art work to the kitchen as the studio is just too cold now.  I, too, have discovered how wonderful wood heat is!

Thank goodness for the little wood stove Beth gave us.  We would've frozen without it!  Thanks, Beth!

 Nina helped Paul get the tree in the house! Thanks, guys!

We have since finished decorating it but I haven't uploaded those photos yet.  Next post.

Incidentally, Nina and Paul went snowboarding while she was here, but Nina is supposed to upload those photos.  Nina ... ???

Nina brought us this cute hand cut wooden Christmas tree.  It's already equipped with lights and everything!

If we weren't having a Solstice/Holiday party this year, I would use this tree as our holiday tree!

Ya'll don't forget to come over THIS Saturday (the 18th)  at 7 pm so we can celebrate.

Hopefully the roads will be able to be traveled upon.

We're hoping for a big turn out.

It's time to celebrate this life!

Happy Holiday Season to All,

Paul & Cheri