November almost over

It's hard to believe November is almost over... until you look at the stores and see the decorations - makes you feel like Christmas is next week. Some of the stores had Christmas things out at the end of October.
I remember as a kid Santa came to town on Thanksgiving. Until then, no one decorated - not the stores nor the houses. We had a big parade and Santa was at the end and got off at his "Santa house" which was a little enclosure kinda like what you wait for a bus in. And all of us kids would line up to tell Santa what we wanted for Christmas. The main street of town was decorated and referred to as Candy Cane Lane as we had large candy canes on the lamp posts. Then decorations went up.
Somewhere along the line, I think in the early 60's, my parents got this aluminum tree that was rather short as it sat on a table. It was lit by a wheel thing a ma bob that spun and sent different colored lights onto the tree.
Several years ago we got a white tree. Up until then we always did the green tree. Sometimes fake sometimes real. The advantage of the real tree is it smells good and you don't have to store it after Christmas. The disadvantage is you have to string it with lights and remember to water it. So now we are into a white tree that is has the lights already attached. I have a better understanding as to why my parents switched to the fake tree. Much easier!!!!
It's cold and feels like November... and we are just about done getting the decorations out. The tree is in the living room ready to put up. And, we got our first Christmas card yesterday (I don't even have our cards started, yet) So, let the holidays begin... we are ready!!!!

Day Before Turkey Day

Wednesday, already! After the snow we now have WARM weather. Right now (1PM) it's 53 outside and most of the snow has melted. We are still melting on the roof which means we have water dripping around the house but as I look out toward the little stream, there is no snow. Tomorrow is to start out warm but then move to colder with showers that could turn to flurries. Well, that's why we have a 4 wheel drive up here.

We got a replacement propane heater for the lower level yesterday so I've been cleaning and rearranging things. Moving stuff around, changing where I store things. Right now I'm pooped! So I'm taking a break.

Still have to make a cheese cake for dinner tomorrow. The sun is shining right now and it's a good day. Happy Turkey Day to all!

We got SNOW

We knew we were going to get some snow.... but really, not this much!!
We woke around 5:30 and when I turned on the outside light... all I could see was snow on the railing. WOW... they were calling for an inch or more but this was clearly more than an inch. We had plans to go to Scranton as the red car needed work on the rear defroster. We were scheduled to be there early... and this just wasn't gonna happen.
I put the coffee on and we kinda regrouped. Checked the TV - yep and more snow due. Also the local school district had closed school. Wonder if this had anything to do with today being the start of bear season???
So, we had breakfast and then B started up his supper duper snow blower and I got the shovel and did a little bit of shoveling and such while he cleared off the driveway.

NO, this isn't the supper duper snow blower. Yes, he has lights but this is the guy that does the roads in our little community and he was out early as the snow kept falling.

You may not be able to see this very clearly, but we did get over 7 inches of snow. This is on the railing off our bedroom. The snow was very heavy - the kind that is great for snowballs and snow men. (we didn't do either, darn!)

And it kept snowing!!!
We did get to the dealers. The roads were rather bad. We left around 9 AM and the community's roads were much better than the County. We passed several cars that had experienced problems... off the road or in a ditch. But, we went carefully and really did OK. By the time we were in by Throop the snow was not as great and the roads were clear. We dropped the red car off and got a loaner, hit Target and Sam's and came home. Roads clear all the way home. We went out to lunch and then home.
It was a really pretty snow and it's still lovely to look at. Roads are clear and we have one car (the loaner) cleaned off. They are calling for warming by Thursday and then rain so what ever is left should be washed away.

Rain and Rain

OK, it's evening and it's been raining all day. We had a drought earlier this year. And it made me thing about how I use water. I have, since we moved here, been aware of what water I use as we have a SEPTIC system, which is new to this "city gal". I try not to do too many loads of laundry one after another and try to shorten the shower. Anyway, it was raining ALL DAY. Started last evening and all night long and into the day. B went out to "power blow" a thing I believe "guys" have. And he did make headway and cleaned up the leaves that appeared. Where they came from I don't know! He has been keeping up on the blowing and the trees looked "empty" for want of a better word.... but we peeked out this morning and LEAVES all over!!! Well, he got a lot but it's still raining.
The stream at the side of our property is really moving... I can see it from the kitchen window when the ferns are gone... and boy, it's galloping!!! The Lake appeared to be up and as we drove around the little streams were not little any more.
The good news is we don't have any roof leaks after we got the roof cleaned. Also, it isn't SNOW.... which we may get overnight. Right now it's 36 outside... and was in the lower 50 this morning... so who knows.....

Frost on the Holly

We had a heavy frost this morning and the holly bushes by our front steps were just beautiful. As you can see, the frost enhanced them.

I used the macro setting on the camera to get the close up pictures. The drops were frozen.
I think I'm going to use this as a new screen background.

We should warm up a bit this week. Mid 50's for several days. Right now it's 37 outside.

We Got Snow

The weather guys were right - we got snow. It was a nice snow as it was pretty but didn't stick to the roads as it was not really cold enough. The trees were decked out in white and the roads clear. It's now just raining (11:15 AM)

On the way to breakfast this morning (7:25 AM) we stopped to take some pictures at the Lake. It was gloomy and at this point a fine mist was falling - not really snow nor rain. There was snow on the grass and it was really damp and cold.

I turned to my right and took this picture over the lake. You can see the snow. The Lake was misty and foggy as you looked out. Kinda made you expect to see Wally, the monster :)
So, we have had our first official snow. The first of HOW MANY?????

Uploading pictures for the last post didn't work... so here is one of the pictures again. This tree is right off our upper deck. The leaves were so beautiful this year. The colors were bright and vibrant.
The weather has been getting colder. Right now, at 8:08 PM it's 28 outside... ouch... cold! And really, about time! We used the warm weather to our advantage and really cleaned up outside. All the furniture is "bedded" down for winter - stacked or covered. The flower pots have been moved so they aren't visible and the decks are clean, except for the leaves. B is out every day blowing with his supper duper high powered gas blower. Really does a great job. While there are lots of leaves, it isn't nearly as bad as South Jersey where we had both pine needles and leaves. Plus, we didn't have the blower - just rakes. At this point in our lives, we don't have the energy to do all that raking and why do it when this power blower works so well????
The local weather people are calling for snow showers tonight. Hope that is all that we get!

October 2007

It was sooooo warm in October. However, that does not excuse the fact that I've not posted for quite a bit. This summer was very busy. You know, when I retired, I was concerned that I would be idle... what would I do??? Well, that really has not been a concern!
After organizing things at home, I got involved with the local library. I have found that this is really fun. As well as being involved with the Friends of the Libary, I've been selling books on Amazon that are donated to the library. Since the Friends have taken over the sale of books, I've been given the oportunity to help the Friends by going through the donated books and listing some of them on line. It's fun and facinating... though it does take time. We are doing quite well! That's how I've been keeping busy along with the normal stuff we do.

Some people leave home to see the beauty of the Fall leaves... we look out the window and around our property.
We are so lucky!

The leaves were quite beautiful. I don't know if I missed it last year or if this year was more vibrant... but to just go to breakfast or the mall we so enjoyed the beautiful leaves.

And as October moved on, not only did the boats come out of the water but so did the dock. So you know it's really Fall.
Now that it's November, we can expect SNOW.
According to Joe, the local weater person, we have always had snow in November.. the only question is, WHEN????