Happy New Year to all!
I've been catching up on blogs...thanks so much for sharing your holidays with all of us. From decorating, to food, to adventures outdoors, it's been wonderful to see how everyone has spent their days!
A quick catch up from here...
Christmas found me baking (and eating way too much!) Enjoying twinkling lights, secret surprises, and movie marathons.
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New ornaments found their way on the tree,
and I always laugh as I hide the pickle ornaments!
The kids look for them and then when the ornaments are found, the reward is a silly gift. In years past it's been a board game, last year it was Elf Sundae glasses and all the sweet treats to make sundaes, this year they received giant gift bags filled with their favorite salty snacks.
My son had the terrific idea of playing Clue by candlelight...it was fun!
And we were in awe of the many over-the-top decorated cars & trucks we saw:
Most days Bailey was found curled up under blankets just taking it all in.
Which leads us to today...
the power was out twice this week, and flickered last night. There's nothing like getting a weather alert this morning that reads:
Winter Weather Advisory:
Severity: Possible threat to life or property
Action Recommended: Evacuate a pre-planned activiy as instructed.
Urgency: take action within the next hour
Like so many of you, a look at the weather radar and wow, it's coming our way!
Firewood stacked? - check
Candles/oil lamps ready? - check
Propane tanks for portable heater? - check
Extra blankets for outdoor critters? - check
Batteries charging? - check
And while there is a certain charm to old farmhouses, there is also a routine for this old house that falls into place like clockwork that's not so charming. While being surrounded by open fields is oh-so pretty to look at and enjoy, with no nearby treeline to block the wind, Old Man Winter will find his way into every nook & cranny.
Kitchen taps need to drip to prevent freezing
Dishwasher running to prevent those lines from freezing
Dryer vent plugged with cotton batting to keep the cold wind out of the laundry room, which freezes the washer lines
Water stored in the basement - (a 30 and a 60-gallon tank) no city water here!
I'm not sure how much insulation good old plaster really provides. And yes, a whole-house generator would be fabulous; however, not in the budget at this time (and oh my, have you seen the price of propane lately, yikes!)
That's okay, time to channel my inner Laura Ingalls...tonight I think I'll re-read The Long Winter and sit by the fire.
Hoping you're warm, cozy, and safe if the snow's blowing your way!
