Winter has Arrived~

 After yesterday's sunshine, we were again gray today.  The cold has moved in - today's high reaching the mid-20's after 6 degrees last night.  While Butch was home for Thanksgiving, we did some shopping.  I found two little trees that renewed my interest in decorating.  I went through all the boxes of decorations & came up with a plan for both trees.

Family room~

The first, we found at Michaels, with a slender profile, it takes up less floor space, but adds additional height.  The frosted branches remind me so much of riding through the woods after a fresh snow.  Every year - the snowman wall hanging daughter Courtney made us - is one of the first things to go up.  I've collected pine cone ornaments for years, they went on this tree.  

Living room~

We found the little tree above at Menards.  It's more traditional, with our collection of glass ornaments, icyles etc.  The Santa wall hanging was a gift from a dear friend in WA, who made all the star shaped dollies, runners & tree skirts I use to this day.

Little Tree in the Cabin~

Last, the little tree in the Cabin, with  minature ornaments.  I spend time each day in the Cabin, checking on the gernamiums & watching the birds at the feeder.  Sad to say, so far anyway, I've not seen nearly the birds we usually have.  Just a few Chickadees & a Blue Jay.

First "snow" on the 15th~

More of a wind driven sleet than snow it was still pretty for the short while it lasted.  Enough to coat the roads in ice for a few hours.  Maybe two inches at the most.  Not even enough to try out my new snowblower.  

12-17-22 The Woods - 3:07 p.m.~

When the sun has shown though - the woods are beautiful!  Crisp in their light coating of white, now covered with a hard crust.  I completed my clean-up work just in time.  It's been so cold, the snow has stayed.

Butch has been busy since returning to the road. Rebel began having mechanical issues mid-month as he was leaving MO.  The plan was to get him into a truck he could keep by years end.  Thankfully, that truck arrived in Salt Lake. Butch was diverted there to make the change on the 16th.  (His fourth red semi.)

12-18-22  Traveler ~

By the 17th, he'd arrived in WA state.  He made one delivery & the following day, a second up near the border of BC.  Our youngest daughter was making her big move from Astoria, OR to Camano Island at the same time!  She made it a point to arrange a quick meet-up, before he passed by the island on his way south down the I-5 corridor.  She & the granddaughters had arrived late at their new home, then were up early see Papa!  Unknown to Butch, our oldest & first grandson Ben was with his mother!  The two of them hadn't seen each other since December of 2017!

Josie, Papa, Ben & Skyla~

Ben mentioned accompanying Butch on a dispatch one of these days!  I was so excited to see them all together I laughed & cried...  I told Butch - before long - we're going to have to find a vacation house on one of the islands & have a family get-to-gether!  It's Way too Long overdue!

Christmastime ~

 Merry Christmas!  

This holiday especially, it's difficult to be so far from the girls & their families.  Both are so good about calling. Butch received the cutest Gnome ever, handmade by our youngest Granddaughter's Skyla & Josie.  

We enjoyed a truly beautiful Christmas Eve & Christmas Day has dawned sunny & bright!  Perfect December days to enjoy, before the upcoming shift to colder weather more fitting for the time of year.  Taking the early trip to WA, made me a little late with our holiday decorating.  Even so, with Butch's help, we did more than I'd planned.  I was so happy he would be home with me for Christmas!

The Cabin~

The cabin always looks festive with holiday lights!  My favorite little tree adds cheer!  The swans are happy to be out again.

Inside~

On my walks, the blue sky, sunshine & yet green grass makes the days feel more like early spring than early winter.  The warm temperatures & no wind helps too.

The Marsh~

Only the Santa flag flying by the swing gives a clue to the time of year!

The swing~

I do keep it simple, especially since the weather can do about anything.

Front Porch~

We found the pine swag at Earl May's, early in the season.  I'd had the ribbon for years & it worked perfectly for the bow. 

Front door~

I did do some baking!  Frosted sugar cookies & of course pies.  

Our two favorites, pumpkin & southern chess~

We're both enjoying Butch's time at home.  The longest the two of us have been home together for many years.  Soon, that will change.  Butch will be leaving for Joplin, MO to start over-the-road training, while I hold down the home front! 

Happy Holidays!  May your New Year be filled with happiness, health, family & friends!

Holiday Weekend~

Thanksgiving weather in Iowa, was as close to perfect as could be imagined.  Sunshine, high 40's with a light breeze.  We stayed home & cooked a turkey!  The house smelled wonderful & with Butch's help in the kitchen - our meal was a success.  

Friday, I took down my fall decorations & started putting up the things we enjoy during the Christmas holiday.  Butch was on the roof - putting the lights up!  We drove over to Greenfield & Creston on Saturday.  The Greenfield Christmas parade is usually the Friday after Thanksgiving.  This year, it was cancelled due to the virus, so there was no need for us to spend a night in town.  We did enjoy shopping on the square & came home with a couple treasurers. 

11-28-2020 Explorer on the square~

 Even this weekend, the square was quiet.  Only a few people shopping.  The Grand movie theater has closed.  Very sad, we enjoyed seeing a movie there so much when we visited Memorial Day of 2017. 

Adair County Courthouse, Greenfield

It was late in the day by the time we visited my parents, brother's & paternal Grandparents graves at the Cemetery.  The wind had picked up & it felt cold.  The artificial grasses & flowers we'd put in the vases in May, had held up well to the heat of summer.  

Back in Glenwood, Butch dropped me at the house, before going over to pick up Nika.  Doris told me later she really thought Nika was worried I would be gone for a long time - again...  I was waiting when Butch brought her in the door & she was so exited to see me home!

Sunday, we finished decorating the house.  We decided not to put up the big tree, but did most of everything else.  More than enough to wear me out, even with Butch's help!

11-30-2020 Our mantle~

This week has been one of firsts for me.  At least a couple first's I'd been unable to do in a long time.  I slid the Explorer's driver's seat all the way back & got my leg in!  I drove to the YMCA.  I did every piece of equipment for the upper body.  There were a couple I could do with my thighs too - but I paid the price the following day...  It's crazy how long it takes to build muscles up & what a short time to lose the gain...  (When Butch walked into the school bus barn on Tue. morning - all the drivers asked him; "Is Connie driving?!"  :-)  I can't go anywhere in this town!  :-)

11-2-2020 Back at it!

Not to be discouraged - I'm giving myself a couple days off.  The stiffness in the knee & ankle are my biggest concerns, but Butch keeps reminding me I'm in this for months, not weeks...

Next week, I see the knee Surgeon!  My local GP didn't bother to read any of the records I had Skagit Valley send his office from WA - so had sent us to the far side of Omaha to see a Ankle specialist!  He was a great guy & went ahead with X-rays of both the knee & my ankle. He forwarded them over to the Surgeon I should have been sent to.  They discussed my case over the phone.  Dr. Phillips said everything looked GREAT!  I've been allowed to put 25% of my body weight on the leg.  (No, I don't know how to figure that 25%!)  I will see him in person the end of next week.  I'm really counting on being done with the brace & walker.  At least done unless I feel I need the protection the brace offers.  My walking sticks will come in handy too.

Storm #5 ~

Friday, Nika & I took our little walk-a-bout.  Yesterday, was a horrid colored day!  Mild, the snow still melting, but the sky was a leaden gray.  Literally the darkest color I'd ever seen.  The staff at Bomgaars commented on it when we were in.

Late evening, the snow started.  Tiny pieces, but very wet.  It was freezing to the branches of the trees, with the temperature hovering right at freezing.

Cabin in Holiday Mode~

 Our total accumulation probably isn't over two inches, but it is heavy!  As slushy as any western, WA snow!  Not the powdery light snows we've had so far.  The wind is staying in the teens, it's enough to make it feel colder.

Wildlife Habitat ~

As you can tell from the photos, it stuck to everything!  That made for an incredible beautiful landscape!  I was thankful that it wasn't heavy enough to break branches.

Front porch~

The Cabin has an east/west exposure.  I've decided that it makes no difference which way your home might face!  With the wind gusts coming from every direction, everything gets wet.

View from the Cabin~

Such a totally different looking world from just two-days ago!  Now the forecast is for more snow this afternoon & a big drop in temperatures going into next week.

At the bottom of the hill~

Everyone was out shoveling, or snow blowing, or plowing.  Hoping to stay ahead of the next accumulation. 

Butch shoveling the driveway~

The views are all white & so stunning.  The Walnut is holding up well, with the additional weight of the layer of ice.  Tonight we're supposed to drop to 21, with daytime highs this coming week in the mid-20's.

The Cabin Tree~

Butch is so happy that I'm putting decorations right in the way of his insulating & wiring work :-)  It's fun for me to see my favorite little tree up again!