Winter arrives
Good morning from the north woods!
Weather report, any one?
We’re smack-dab-in-the-middle of a Winter Storm Warning. However, don’t get too alarmed. Sure, there’s about six inches of new snow outside the window, give or take. Sure, the wind blows so fiercely that you don’t want to wander to the mailbox with your three letters which need mailing. Sure, the thermometer hovers around 18 degrees Fahrenheit (-7.7 Celcius) but you’re not certain because snow snakes up the bright red temperature line, decorating it with white fluffiness. But, it’s not really a blizzard because you can see halfway down to the lake between the trees. The snow isn’t squalling. It looks more like white feathers blowing sideways at times.
Welcome back.
So it’s 2012, fellow readers. How are we doing? Are you back to work yet, or do you have one more day to lounge and greet the New Year?
I was going to work in my alcove at our rural two-room school today, even though our six students and two teachers will not return until tomorrow. However, luckily, I am allowed to set my own hours and the snow squalls suggest waiting until tomorrow to begin revising the budget.
Ice Beauty
There is a township meeting tonight, so let’s hope our lake-effect snow stays mild. No more than three more inches, Snow Maker, please! (If we get more than three more inches the car might not be able to maneuver through the driveway without getting stuck.)
I am still in pajamas, halfway through my yoga routine. Morning meditation done. Check! Breakfast eaten. Check! Blogs written? Almost check! Work started? Not even pondering it, yet, thank you…
OK, must continue on to the Sunrise Salutation. Even though the sun shall remain hidden today.
Wishing you a great day from our Little House in the Big Woods. Happy 2012 yet again–I’m sure this is the 433rd time you’ve heard this!
Happy 2012
P.S. These photos are not from today. I did not go outside in my pajamas, oh no. They are, however, indicative, of what it looks like outside this morning…if your imagination adds some sideways-blowing snow.
Lake Superior Spirit 
Happy 2012 to you too – for the 434th time! 🙂 We have snow too, though it’s not blowing sideways all the time. I put Katie out in her pen before it started and forgot about her. Just a bit ago I heard her howling to come in and saw she was covered in snow. Good thing she hails from the Shetland Islands where it’s cold, her coat is so thick I don’t think she really knew she was cold! Ah…one more day to bask in no work for me too….can’t get enough ! Have a warm, snugly day!
Poor Katie! Glad she knew when to howl. 🙂 I am glad you didn’t have to go to work today. Enjoy the evening…
Happy 2012 – still in my pajamas and planning to be a slug on this last day before work. If the rain holds off I’ll pick up downed limbs in the yard from the Christmas wind storm. Enjoy your snow.
Are you out of your jammies yet? I am. I hope your rain held off and you were able to clean up.
hmm….first came an ewwwwwwwwwww
then…ooo look how pretty those are, and how nice it would be to see it
then…omg are you NUTS(to myself) you do not want to be more freezing and to miss the green
then…but maybe the green has MORE joy at the being uncovered
then…i hope that woodstove is warm i’d like a heating pad for my fingers
happy nude year kathy!
I dare not think of green, Elisa, or the white shall not be appreciated enough. Our woodstove is nice and cozy and warm. We don’t ever need slippers or robe here, believe it or not. I wish you a warm heating pad this day.
Happy 2012 again! 😀 We had the sideways blowing snow yesterday but it didn’t really amount to much. Turned out to be a crunchy (due to the constant onslaught of freezing rain) dusting. The wind has been wicked but doesn’t seem so bad today because the sun is shining brightly! It’s cold at 16 and feels colder with the wind but the sunshine gives the illusion of warmth ♥ I’m in my comfy clothes, getting ready to do laundry and clean up the house. Thought about taking down the Christmas decorations (for a teeny tiny minute) but decided to let them stay up for a couple more days 😀 ♥ They cheer me up and I need that in the wintertime so I’m calling it good medicine! Enjoy your cozy, warm house in the northwoods and be safe tonight venturing out in the snow.
This “Winter Storm” is turning out to be a bust, Brenda. It really hasn’t snowed much today at all. The wind was wild, though. And our temp is dropping. Hey, just like you, I decided to wait a couple more days to take down the last of the decorations. And am getting geared up to head out in a couple of hours. Hope the meeting is quick.
Hope you have a great year, too! We are blizzarding in gusts, have about 6 inches on the ground and another 9 inches or so on the way by evening. I think your decision to stay in was wise. I think we’re going (unwisely) to go skiing 🙂
Hope you enjoyed your ski, Heather! I sure enjoyed dropping by your blog hearth today. Wonder if you’ll get more snow then we did…
The photos are lovely. Glad I’m not in Michigan at the moment, though. Have a wonderful 2012, and stay warm!
Thank you, Cecelia, and guess what? A friend came by and plowed the driveway as a gift! Isn’t that the coolest?
I’m not sure, Kathy, but I don’t think your mailman will be coming by today because of the Monday holiday rule. Love your snow pictures! Still in my pajamas at noon here, wishing for a *little bit* of snow – a few flurries would be nice – but also hoping we don’t get the huge record-breaking snowstorms of January 2011. Enjoy your cozy day!
You are so right, Barbara. I did tell Barry this morning, “Remember, no mail today!” However, I am obsessive-compulsive about getting the mail from the table out to the mailbox. So I don’t forget to morrow. Hoping you get some flurries, dear friend.
Happy 1012 Kathy. i too am surrounded with snow…a different kind of snow. ‘Have been shredding old bills and papers for two days, and the bulging bags are spilling their contents all around me. Am trying to prepare and get as much done before my surgery as I possibly can. I’m sure I will be happy that I’m working on tax stuff early, but it sure seems like empty tasks while I am doing so.
Your pictures are lovely and I was wondering (until the end) if you could have shadows when there was no sun! Lovely thinking of you snuggled in and am hoping you don’t get stuck in your driveway on your way out later.
A school with only six kids?….Seriously?
That IS a different kind of snow, Susan! Doesn’t it feel wonderful to “clean house” like that? I am hoping your surgery goes well. Did you read up above that a friend stopped by unexpectedly to plow our driveway? Such a gift! (And, yes, our tiny school has six kids now. It’s had between 4-15 for the last ten years or so.)
Yes, it’s afternoon, and I’m still in jammies, too, Kathy. We too have the forecast for a Big Storm, with all of twelve inches of new snow threatened. So far, mostly just wind. Fierce wind. I’ve been out once with Sarah and am about to get dressed and take her out for a serious run, happy I bought that pullover-the-head ski mask. Fixed breakfast, have done dishes, got a draft book review written, and after Sarah’s sortie I will knuckle down to some serious vacuuming, looking forward to hot chicken soup for late lunch and a hot casserole for supper. We did not leave the house yesterday and are not leaving the house today, either. It’s nice here! Glad you gave yourself another day at home.
Hi again Pamela! It’s turned out to be mostly fierce wind today here as well. Maybe six to seven inches on the ground; that’s all. Funny that you mentioned vacuuming. I was going to write an entire paragraph about how long you can put off vacuuming, but decided against it.
Happy New Year! (In case I haven’t wished you one yet… I don’t even remember anymore, and it’s only January 2nd. I think?)
Beautiful, BEAUTIFUL snow pictures ♥
I’m sure we’ve wished each other Happy New Year at least six times, Michaela! But what’s another time? I am glad, glad, glad you like the snow pics!
Hi Kathy – I enjoy the pictures of the snow as long as you keep it up north! 🙂 My friend in Eagle River said they were hoping for more for the snow mobile trails so I’m wondering if they are part of this snowstorm.
I’m trying to get back to work today, but with hubs home yet, it’s distracting me. (It actually strikes fear in my head to think of what it will be like when he retires and is home permanently – OMG!) Started the blogging year off with a totally MIA blog – like the title showed up but the whole blog itself? Gone. What? Where? Dunno nuthin. Now I am scrambling for notes to reconstruct it. Never happened before ever – been scheduling blogs ahead for three years – hmmmm. I will declare this a total fluke rather than think this is some ugly omen for 2012. And the beat goes on………
Stay warm and cozy! I salute you with my hot green tea!
Hugs
SuZen
Dear SuZen, I’ve been trying to convince the Snow God to blow his magic down in Kentucky for Kathy McCullough…where are you? I will also put in a good word with him to stay outa your way! I was over at your blog and saw the MIA blog. Thought, “Hmmmm, am I going crazy?” Hope it’s not too much work to reconstruct. That’s not fun.
I love the snow photos whether they were taken today or not. And I want snow here in Kentucky so bad, it’s killing me. I’ve spent the last two winters in tropical countries–Vietnam and Haiti–and now I want some snow, damn-it. Do you think you could talk to that snow god of yours and ask him or her to send your extra, unwanted inches my way?
Hugs,
Kathy
Kathy, I hope the Snow God blew some your way. (I swear we’ve had this conversation already today, lol!) You deserve some snow. You do.
And Happy 2012 to you Kathy! It still feels a bit awkward writing the number that is this new year….2012. Like a new pair of shoes that doesn’t quite fit yet. Not at all like that well worn and oh-so-comfy pair we last had on. Thinking this is going to be a very interesting year.
Admiring your lovely snow photos, especially the shadows in the snow. And that sky!! It’s almost noon and I’m still in pajamas too. The sun is just breaking through and the hummingbirds are finally warming up. Wishing you a most wonderful day 🙂
Colleen, it’s the weirdest thing. I didn’t get email notice that several of you had written comments today. So it’s a special delight to find your comments here! I LOVE writing 2012 because, as you know, I’m convinced it’s going to be an extra-extra special opportunity for all of us. I am also amazed how many of us were wearing pajammies so late in the morning! Hummingbirds in January…imagine…
Minnesota weather report … We experienced a real snow fall this weekend. The fluffy kind with huge slow falling flakes, so it looked like a lot. However, with the wicked wind and some settling it is only about 3 inches. My woods look much like yours. We are experiencing our coldest day of the winter (so far) hovering around zero .. but those wise weather forecasters say we will be back to the 30’s later this week.
I had intentions to venturing to town today … but, here I still sit in pajamas with a cup of coffee and no motivation to head out. Being lazy today might be the remedy for
“I don’t want school to start again” feelings of dread.
Happy 2012 to you, too.
Bearyweather, yours was another comment that didn’t appear in email–how wonderful to discover it here. Our snow did not turn out to be the foot that they predicted. More like 6-7 inches. I’m sorry you have to start school and that dread accompanies that. 😦 I am wishing the best for you in 2012!
Well, lessee, the wind huffed and puffed and blew down a tree that was probably ready to go anyway. It made such a thump that I decided not to take the Duo on a walk in the woods today. I think we’ll go see what kind of trouble we can get into down on the shore. Maybe I should get out of my pajamas first. Yes. Definitely.
Who knows what the year will bring? We can’t even be sure about this day. But we can wish, and my wish for you is a warm and happy 2012, filled with good family times and irresistible photo opportunities.
Gosh, Gerry, a lot of us were in pajamas late today! (Have you ever wore jammies outside under a snowmobile suit or snowpants? I love doing that!) Thank you for your good 2012 wishes.
Kathy – It’s clear to me that the reason we haven’t had any real snow to speak of yet is because you folks got it all!
I’m sorry, Laurie. I have been talking to the Snow God about sending it south, but can’t tell if he’s listening!
Love the snow pictures, Kathy, as I sit here in my pyjamas at 10am in the morning.
Summer PJ’s, that would be, with sun outside the window. And wishing I could experience, even just once! the feeling of such freezing cold temperatures at this time of year. And to see the snow falling outside of my window.
I really was born (and live) in the wrong hemisphere!
Happy New Year, lovely Kathy. And thank you sooo much for sharing your snow with me. 🙂
Ahhh, Joanne, summer PJ’s! I have forgotten what those are… You want to feel the freezing temps and snow falling and all the rest of us want to visit you in Australia. How many can you fit in your house in January? **grin**
Happy New Year Kathy ! Happy New Year Kathy ! Happy New Year Kathy ! Happy New Year Kathy ! Happy New Year Kathy ! Happy New Year Kathy ! Happy New Year Kathy ! Happy New Year Kathy ! Happy New Year Kathy ! Happy New Year Kathy ! Happy New Year Kathy ! Happy New Year Kathy ! Happy New Year Kathy ! Happy New Year Kathy ! Happy New Year Kathy ! Happy New Year Kathy ! Happy New Year Kathy ! Happy New Year Kathy ! Happy New Year Kathy ! Happy New Year Kathy ! Happy New Year Kathy ! Happy New Year Kathy ! Happy New Year Kathy ! Happy New Year Kathy ! Happy New Year Kathy ! 😉
Raining here on the coast of Nova Scotia. The snow we had a Christmas is long gone.
Glad you had a nice day inside by the fire, wearing your jammies and gazing dreamily at the snow outside.
Work ? Hmmmm … sound familiar … wu-rk ? I think it’s something I did once …
BTW … Happy New Year ! Happy New Year ! Happy New Year ! Happy New Year ! Happy New Year ! Happy New Year ! Happy New Year ! Happy New Year ! Happy New Year ! Happy New Year ! Happy New Year ! Happy New Year ! Happy New Year ! Happy New Year ! Happy New Year ! Happy New Year ! Happy New Year ! Happy New Year ! Happy New Year ! etc.
You know how sick I am, Sybil? I actually pondered counting all those Happy New Years to see how many there were. But, no. I restrained myself. I will not count those New Year wishes. You can’t make me. LOL!
I don’t know how you knew it’s been exactly that number of Happy New Year’s. 😉
Snow squalls have been showering us all day with the white stuff and it’s looking pretty serious out there tonight. Tomorrow we will awaken to a winter wonderland here in the Bogs. It might even be as beautiful as your photographs.
Did I ever tell you I get obsessive compulsive about numbers? That’s why I’m a bookkeeper and Business Manager and tax collector. (OK, I didn’t count those Happy New Years. By that part of my mind would have been tempted.) Will look forward to seeing if your blog is covered with beautiful white snow.
Me too! (i.e. OCD about numbers) I never even knew it until I accidentally landed in an Accounting Associate position after years of avoiding math like the plague. Spreadsheets are my friends! 🙂
We may be kindred souls, Dana. I am SO EXCITED! I get to do a budget revision at the school this week. It is SO fun!! (Most people don’t get this. I am glad you do.)
I was shocked to discover how much I enjoyed all of the finicky money-related tasks. I even like filing our taxes now!! Kindred spirits, indeed! 🙂
No snow here on the West Coast of Canada, though it did rain and I didn’t want to go outside and get wet. Decided to stay in my pjs ALL DAY… but truth be told, I’ve been wearing mostly pyjamas since December 1st. Being a little sloppy and lazy is quite a luxury! 🙂
I also didn’t get e-mail notification of some comments today, including yours. Must be that WP is gearing up for the new year but hasn’t quite made it there yet.
I’m hoping we’ll get a bit of snow this winter, too. Our snowshoes (purchased back when we lived in Alberta, so close to the Rocky Mountains) are waiting patiently by the front door. If and when winter comes our way, we’ll be ready. 🙂
PJ’s since December 1st? Wow, that’s amazing! You could maybe get in the Guinness Book of Records or somethin’ for that. 🙂 I wish you many snowshoes in deep (OK,navigable) snow this winter!
Those photographs are breathtaking! 🙂 Thanks for sharing your lovely winter. I look forward to seeing the snow here when I can’t see it out my own window.
I wish you a few snowstorms where you don’t have to drive anywhere, when you can stay at home and thoroughly enjoy.
Brrrrr, that sounds extremely cold and shivery! I hope the sun comes out again soon, so that you can salute it properly, Kathy.
Hi Reggie! The sun came out this morning, but looks like it’s been swallowed by clouds already. Our temps are warming up. Above 30 degrees today (above 0 Celsius). Am hoping for a walk soon.
Oh your world does look so beautiful to one who is writing from England where the winds today are strong driving storms with rain so heavy it feels like a monsoon. An inside day I think. 🙂
An inside day, indeed, Claire! You suddenly are making me think of Jane Austin and all those old English writers in drafty ancient houses. That could be an interesting time, too…
Happy New 2012 Year, Kathy. I was thinking of you this morning; and so, thought to “look up” your blog. I wish some of your snow would find its way to Missouri, where we had short-sleeve weather on Christmas Day.
Guess what I did for the the new year ? I subscribed to your blog. I’ve never done that before today; but since “staying in contact” with you, is not as easy as it has been at some other times, I know “this way” is guaranteed.
Wishing you a year of expanding capabilities and challenges easily overcome. Love everywhere your gaze goes and joy in even the most difficult of moments. Here’s to humanity making a quantum leap soon !!
In Love –
Deb
Hi, Deb. It’s lovely to see you here! Thank you for subscribing. (Happy, happy!) Wishing that you have some snow days this winter in Missouri, especially on days when you’re not going to yoga or have to drive to St. Louis. Love your New Years wish, may I wish the same to you? Love back, Kathy
Hope you’re not snowed under today, Kathy. We were blessed with about an inch, not much in comparison. It’s cold, cold, cold and sunny today. Happy 2012! Again. 🙂
An inch sometimes spruces up the world, Marianne. I am wondering if your world is warming up now…hope so. Unless, of course, you’re enjoying the cold, cold, cold.
Sideways-blowing snow Check! It is right outside my window as I type this.
And I suppose you weren’t lazy & wearing your pajamas and YOU, of course, got a picture of it. You did, didn’t you? **grin**
Happy New Year. I went back to work yesterday but in 75 degree weather – a bit easier on my own constitution.
Tammy, I don’t believe we’ve said Happy New Year yet, so Happy New Year to you!! Aren’t you lucky to be in 75 degree weather? (You are.) I will be in 75 degree weather, god willing, in three weeks, on my next vacation. In the meantime…snow, and cold.
So nice to see snow!! Lucky…lucky you!!!
Dear Marcie, just think what pictures YOU would create with this snow! Congratulations again for being a Photoblog of the Year winner. You rock!