Thursday, December 11, 2008

Ice Storm Day

Yesterday it was a balmy 65 degrees outside.

Today it has rained and rained and gotten colder and colder.

The yard is turning to ice.

After Hugo woke from his nap and while his snack of pretzels and yogurt were being devoured, I went outdoors. The wood stove has been kept at full speed ahead high heat. It greedily devours the wood I feed its heat producing gullet. Each day I fill our wheelbarrow to overflowing heights with red oak from the wood pile. I separate out what I can use for kindling in the morning and all else is stacked in an iron frame.

We had ordered 3 cords of seasoned hardwood from a local tree service operation. Some of the wood which we received was seasoned, much of it was not. After Cesar stacked the wood he then tarped it. A day or so later we noticed the underside of the tarp was full of condensation. When the tarp was pulled back it all but rained down upon our new fire wood from the underside of the tarp. So, when the sun shines I pull the tarp off to allow the wood to breathe and dry. When it rains, all is covered once more. Our wood pile is large and the process of tarping the wood reminds me of making our bed. I pull a little on one side and then walk around the bottom end of the pile to the other side and tug at the tarp a little there. Back and forth I walk from one side of our large wood pile to the other until all is covered. It relaxes me just like making our bed does. I do wonder what the neighbors think if they are spying on me out their windows!

I was surprised Hugo didn't want to come outside with me. I think he didn't like the sputtering, icy rain drops. Just like making the bed, this type of weather relaxes me. I sleep deeply. I want to bake. I want to read, knit and write letters. This weather inspires the romantic in me. I get all gushy in this dreary weather. But not Wuthering Heights dreary and depressing type of romantic. More like... something hopeful, like... Pride and Prejudice. I might be in the mood for a little Colin Firth action as the wonderful Mr Darcy this night as I knit my evening away.

This is our mailbox. I had to use a big rock to knock the ice free from the door to open it. Guess what... the inside was empty. It was very sad. I've ordered a few things and keep hoping they'll arrive like, NOW! I'm being very impatient because I am so excited! We haven't received very many cards yet. This could have something to do with the fact that my cards are sitting half finished on my desk. Maybe I should watch my romantic movie and work on our Christmas cards instead of knitting this night. Maybe.

Tonight Hugo and I had breakfast for dinner. We had grapefruit (Hugo's new favorite), scrambled eggs, cinnamon toast and hot chocolate. Hugo thought it was not only delicious but cool. These are his two new favorite words. Cool and delicious. And he now will randomly say,"Yes sir, Momma." I have no idea where the yes sir part came from. No idea.

Hugo has a new trick! He can balance/hang a spoon on his nose! Don't know where he picked this trick up either. Possibly Yo Gabba Gabba during their Cool Tricks segment. Wherever the trick came from, it is impossibly cute watching him hang the spoon from his nose!

Cesar is coming home from work early tomorrow. I wonder if we'll have snow and if so how much? We don't have a sled yet. That was poor planning on my part. I can't wait to play in the snow with Hugo! I want to make snow angels in the worst way.


The End.

11 comments:

Tara Bennett said...

These photos are AMAZING (understatement). I esp like the one of the berries.

Hey Harriet said...

Your stories are always such a joy to read. Cold wet weather makes me crabby. Nothing but crabby & horrible to be around! Lucky I live in tropical Queensland. Phew! I do like Pride & Prejudice though. And of course Colin Firth! EXQUISITE PHOTOS! Wish I could make snow angels with you guys. Although the coldness of the snow would make me crabby & I wouldn't be any fun to be around and I would just moan the entire time & ruin the whole experience for everyone ;D

Lisa's RetroStyle said...

Really nice ice shots...so pretty!!

Murdoch said...

I love your pictures, and I love this weather too. I like to bake, read, and eat soup. Not wanting a lot of leftovers for our trip we had breakfast for dinner too.

millie said...

Your pictures are pure deception!!! They are reminding me how pretty it can be during and after an ice/snow storm.....then I remember how treacherous and freezing it is, and I snap back into reality!!! I really like your pics, gorgeous! see you soon!

hi! my name is Lora. said...

whoah!! totally rad pictures! this last one would make a beautiful christmas card. you've got to do something professional with photography, alissa. i think they are THAT good.

Maggie said...

Wow. Your photos are gorgeous. Fairy land.

Young People in Love said...

who knew an ice storm could be so ba ba beautiful!?

GalleryJuana said...

You really captured the beauty, mystery and frustration of ice!

Unknown said...

Beautiful pictures, we've had the most rain this year during the monsoon..I imagine having so much rain or snow over here...

keith hoyt said...

The color are amazing..