A Happy Birthday, and A (albeit beautiful) Disaster...

My mom and my aunt came down for my birthday weekend. Happy birthday to me! What a great day we had- lazy morning, lunch out at a fantastic Italian restaurant, shopping in the village, dinner at home, followed by ice cream cake! It was pretty much perfect!

After such a big full day, I had planned a lazy, jammie clad, day of crafts and chatting around my kitchen table. Over morning coffee, we notice it snowing, ever so lightly. Of course, Grace had to get out into it! Our first snowfall in the mountains!

Of course, it won't stick. It's not even Halloween! And, it's so pretty (and delicious to seven year olds)!

Hmmm... maybe it's sticking a little. Then my uncle calls and asks if we have been watching the news. Umm, no. "Chopped" is on. Duh. What's that? A Nor Easter? You don't say!

Some of the first trees down. They were beautiful flowering pears lining the street at the edge of my front yard.

We used brooms and rakes to try to shake the heavy snow off of their leaves. Here, Casey is actually up in the tree shaking it.

And in spite of our best efforts...

this still happened. And this...

The trees continued to creek and crack, late into the night. This morning, I was anxious to see the damage in daylight.

The morning sun on the snow covered trees was stunning! A true wonderland! Oh yeah, until I turn my head and survey our new "landscaping".

This is our driveway. Armed with a handsaw, a snow shovel, and three pairs of capable hands, we set forth to clear it. Our neighbor, across the street, came over with his chainsaw to help us clear the last (and heaviest) tree. And, our wonderful neighbor, to our left, came over with his snow blower and cleared the end of the driveway.

Casey is out buying our own chainsaw, so we can tackle this...

And, that's the story of how this...

became this...

R.I.P. trees. You were beautiful, and will be missed.

I am thankful no one was hurt. I am thankful we have no significant structural damage. We have electricity and phone. Many do not. My prayers are with all those who have weathered this storm.

Wishing you a happy home! Thank you for stopping by!

*photos by C. A. Denny

Chicken Soup for the Wonderful (kind, generous, etc.) Souls Who Love ME...

Today I made a huge pot of this for you...

Homemade, yummy, chock full of veggies, chicken soup. Don't worry that it looks slightly oily- it's olive oil, and my momma would tell you it's "good for your coat".

A little birdie told me that my blog has caused a few of those close to me be a little concerned. Truthfully, I have been a bit blue. Maybe even a dark shade of blue. But, I am happy to tell you that I am feeling much better.

It's true that not everything has gone as planned. Okay, nothing has gone as planned. And, at times, it seems like a new obstacle is around every corner. I know that's true of everyone, but at some point, don't you just need a few days where everything is smooth sailing? I've come to the conclusion that may not happen for me, but I can readjust my attitude to focus on the positive parts (or moments) of each day- and there are many.

I went to a Bible study with some friends on Tuesday. I've decided to not focus on the fact that I was inappropriately huggy (a la the loneliest woman alive) or that I discovered a glob of toothpaste spittle on my shirt after I arrived, but on the fact that I left having six more new friends. And, I came with three! Amazing!

I've worked out every day this week- always the key to my happiness, or at least "even-keeledness". Although I am almost never in the mood, I always feel so good after. I never think "I shouldn't have worked out. That was dumb." Ha ha!

The kids have come home from school happy everyday this week! Thank you, Lord!!!! And, I'm back in my kitchen cookin' for my loved ones- where I belong! All is (finally starting to look) right in my world. Enjoy the soup, and I thank you for stopping by!

As always, wishing you a happy home!

Since My Last Post...

Since my last post, I have settled my downstairs. Walked in our youngest's room at least a dozen times to "settle" my score with it, and been so overwhelmed, I walked back out. The basement shares a similar story. I won't even share the tale of horror that is our new tiny master bedroom closets and grandiose wardrobes. A reason to buy more clothes to avoid digging through boxes? :D

I have spent time with this handsome gentleman, Oliver. He belongs to my new neighbor, and friend, who entrusted her two Cheshires, with me and my children, for a week, along with a key to her gorgeous home. She doesn't know us that well. ;)

My parents have come and gone. Which was wonderful, but all too brief. I think their visit was all of 36 hours. So happy to have them in our new home, but hoping they used an open mind- I am still up to my eyeballs in boxes in some parts. And, yes, I cried for a good hour after they left- like I did when I got dropped off at summer camp when I was twelve. At least this camp has pinot grigio in the canteen!

I've encountered several projects, like this one- a newly hatched dinosaur. Such "projects" make it challenging to keep a house clean and unpack. But, I know, all too well, that someday, all too soon, I will miss finding such projects.

I know this because tomorrow, my first baby, will turn seventeen. And, next year, she will be away at college for her eighteenth birthday. I can't exactly explain why this hurts so much, but it makes me feel like I have swallowed a hot coal.

Meet Nikki. She is Oliver's sister, and wearing a rare expression for herself. She is a Cheshire, after all, and is usually smiling. But, I thought her expression was perfect for some of the other things we've been dealing with lately- bullying. Our little Gracie has been hit TWICE in the past week by two different children on the school bus, and teased about her glasses! We moved here because we believed the schools were top notch! Thankfully the school seems to be on top of it, and the situation is improving. Still, if you are the praying sort, please say a quick prayer- it has been heartbreaking.

And, I got to sit on my pretty new front porch, and watch a rain storm.

Arthur watched me watching, from inside. He is sitting on top of a club chair in the living room.

It thundered, and poured.

And it was beautiful.

Seems like Someone was trying to show me the sunshine through the rain- literally.

Reminding me to keep smiling.

Kind of like this beautiful, gummy smile.

Thanks for stopping by! Wishing you a happy home!!!

Overwhelmed...

I have been putting off writing a new post because I really wanted this blog to be a place of lighthearted wit and mirth. And, frankly, I am feeling way to overwhelmed to be funny. Adjusting to life in the country has been harder than I expected, and I feel as though I am wading my way through a veritable sea of boxes. Each box contains a mish mosh of items- perhaps a sneaker, a colander, some Windex, and a precious photo of a family member. It's hard to wrap oneself around the logic of packing one's house this way. Perhaps our packing team was a group of monkeys after a Starbucks binge. Not sure, I wasn't there. Too add to the fun, I get to discover something broken in at least one out of three boxes.

Here's a Shaker box, a Christmas gift from my parents, that held my knitting.

And several frames and home decor items. And a lamp. And dishes. Disheartening.
We did manage to buy some beautiful new appliances.

D'oh! Too bad the fridge didn't fit. Sorry, appliance delivery people, who had to hear the "conversation" the Mr. and I had after she refused to slide into her cabinet.

I guess this is what they mean when they say to measure twice. It actually wasn't as bad as the picture makes it look. It took the hubs and I four days, a sander, a plane, a Dremel, a hand saw, and an electric jigsaw to rectify the situation.

And voila! She fits! I never knew how much I could appreciate not having a giant refrigerator sitting in the middle of my kitchen.

We did take a day off to visit our town's Apple Fest. It is the one day a year that our sleepy town adds on an extra 30- 40,000 visitors. Our quiet village looks like this, just for one day.

Amazing! We did have a great time, and the rain mercifully stopped for almost one whole day! We ate some delicious food, browsed thousands of arts and crafts, listened to great music, and enjoyed being together in our new town.

Yesterday, my husband took two out of three girls to the Orange County Choppers shop. Our beloved mini schnauzer got something he's wanted for a long time...

his very own O.C.C. leather jacket!

I'd tell him how handsome he looks, but he obviously already knows it!

Thanks for stopping by, and I wish you a happy home!