Chores

It has been snowing since early afternoon: very fine flakes but a LOT of them coming down. A Winter Storm Watch began at 11:00 a.m. and continues until 11 tomorrow (Monday). NOAA is particularly specific in a caution to take an emergency kit if travel is necessary. A bit unusual and I’m not sure if it is due to the storm or the flack that NOAA, et. al. took after the Atlanta fiasco. At any rate, WE HAVE BEEN WARNED!!

Me, I don’t need to go anywhere. Bear and I took our usual weekend run to town early on Saturday morning and there is more than enough food for all of us for some time.

Back at home…Sunday…a few pre-storm chores:

I always take extra care to stock the firewood carrier on the front porch and the inside supply when there is a Winter Storm Watch or Warning. My giant wheelbarrow makes the chore easy…except that the front tire is/has been low and I keep forgetting until I try to push the first load on a soft tire. I’ve been just pushing and saying bad words…

Today, though, I got out the air machine and just did it!

In short order, the tire was inflated to stated 30 p.s.i. and the wood stocking proceeded with only good and happy words.

Auggie had a grand time following me around, playing in the garage and sometimes checking on Bear…

…who stayed out of the fray on Beardog point!

And while I had the air machine out, I filled the new exercise ball that has been sitting…deflated…in its box.

The OLD exercise ball met its demise by Auggie’s claws. The OLD exercise ball was temporarily in the corner of the room. Auggie jumped on it from a nightstand and as it rolled, he dug in. End of OLD exercise ball. I was going to patch it, but the OLD ball really was OLD…as in over 10 years old. It had travelled a lot, been outside a lot. Since a new ball was the grand sum of $16.99, a NEW exercise ball was procured.

YAY!!

NEW exercise ball, fully inflated and ready to go. It is being stored UNDER the table in a spot that cannot be jumped on by a certain kitten. We’ll see.

Is there a cat that does NOT “help” make the bed???

Such fun.

Chores. I always have lots of help.

A week before Christmas

Wednesday.

Dreary, 40F, almost no snow.

Thursday.

Cold, 15F, a bare skiff of new snow.

But, sunshine!

Bear in sunshine.

Auggie in sunshine.

A week before Christmas.

December 1

Thanksgiving is over.

It is December 1.

Let the games begin!

Sunday, after Thanksgiving…my traditional time to put up the Christmas tree and deck the halls.

This is the 5th of 7 Christmases in this house where I will NOT be putting up a Christmas tree. Each one of those 5 years, I’ve said to myself: “Maybe next year”.

Maybe next year.

Auggie is not actually allowed on my little dining table.

We’ve been training.

It has been going pretty well…

Auggie 1
Christmas people 0

Gah!

However, not unexpected and I think the call to NOT have a real tree this year was a good one.

My little silk tree is unbreakable and nothing spills and makes a mess when it comes a tumblin’ down.

In another fortunate circumstance, the lights are not working. They were on the fritz at the end of last year.

I think this is a good year to not have any lights on the little tree.

Also, just a few stuffed (UNBREAKABLE) ornaments underneath. (My favorite skier and mama rabbit skier are on top of the refrigerator – an Auggie no fly zone!)

The stockings are hung…as usual…by the chimney – with care… I think they are out of reach. We’ll see.

The first Christmasy treats: Peppermint bark and Peppermint crunch marshmallows.

December 1.

Clouds and other good things

Bear and I took a late morning run to town for dog and cat food!

The clouds…

The clouds and sliver of lake…

And the breakthrough sun on the golden larch pine trees!

Beautiful.

Other good things…

A full jar of Linda’s (Savoring Every Bite) Pumpkin Ginger Biscotti.

I’ve made these twice. They are subtly spiced and include pecans…perfect Fall biscotti.

Bits of snow have come and gone.

It has been cold.

It has been damp.

It has been cold and damp.

This time of year, the cold and damp feel colder than the dry cold of deep winter.

A fire in the woodstove.

Clouds, biscotti, woodstove fire: good things.