Thursday, December 24, 2015

A really REALLY white Christmas

Well I must say, we're having a seriously white Christmas.


After a number of years of mediocre snowfall, particularly in December, we seem to be making up for it in spades.




For the last few days, it snowed heavily. I took Lydia for a walk during one such dump (it was dusky when I took the photos, so I had the computer automatically adjust the colors, hence the unnatural brightness).




The air was thick with snow.



Matilda and Amy patiently waited to come into the barn.


The next day, wind had whipped the snow into drifts and frozen latches...


...and faucets.


Snow had piled up so high against the back barn door (where I went to check the water tank for the bull pen) that it wasn't worth climbing over. I went around the barn instead.


View from the other side.


After breaking loose the ice on the faucet and filling the tank, I made sure to drain the hose or it would freeze solid.


I also looped the end of the hose through the faucet so we could find it again.


Barn chores don't cease in bad weather.


Don made sure he was suitable attired.


Lots of quail this time of year.



Snow everywhere.


Sunset on the winter solstice, shortest day of the year. Hard to believe days will be lengthening after this.


By the 23rd, the snow and wind had whipped up drifts like crazy. Cows that refused to seek shelter under the awning looked, well, snowy.


The back faucet was almost buried under drifts.


Normally this wouldn't be a big deal, except for one very critical thing: Older Daughter was flying in from New Jersey and we had to get to the airport in Spokane. Thank God for our new (old) Durango -- it blasted through the drifts and made it to the highway.


The airport was festively decorated. I'm grateful to the personnel who work so hard during this time of year to bring our loved ones home to family.


Ditto to emergency responders to take care of fender-benders and slide-offs.


Heading back in to our place, the paved portion of the road was drifting over again from the whipping wind.


But neighbors joined to clear the dirt road -- or we literally would not have made it back home (by vehicle, that is).


As you can imagine, Lydia was beside herself with joy upon seeing Older Daughter...



...and in no time flat made herself at home on her bed.


So our family is together again for this very, very white Christmas. Best possible gift for all of us!

11 comments:

  1. I hope you won't think me cruel when I say, "Better you than me!" I hope you and yours have a blessed Christmas.

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  2. It was 60 today north of Boston.
    Still no snow yet this year.

    Merry Christmas

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  3. A Very Merry Christmas! We have had little snow for years, and this coming weekend the expected snowfall is up to 18" +, am I glad my larder is full! Tomorrow I'm starting a crock pot full of my version of 7 can soup, I think we'll need something warm and tasty.

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  4. Nollick Ghennal! I am somewhat embarrassed to report we are in the mid-70's and sunny skies through the 26th.

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  5. Merry Christmas to your family.
    Looks like you have a Little more snow than the foot I have. What a beautiful night. Just took my dog for a long walk, 17 degrees, full moon and the snow sparkles. A night from heaven.

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  6. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
    Jo in Central Wa. So glad you got snow too.

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  7. Patrice - thanks so much for sharing your Christmas joy with us. Glad to see your whole family together.

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  8. Merry Christmas, Patrice...to you and your whole family. As our children grow and spread their wings, the times when we are all gathered together mean so much more than ever. God bless you and your family.

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  9. It was 0 degrees today driving to town. We're in south west Idaho and had 7" of snow Wednesday. Not bad unless the wind is blowing. Getting water to the cattle is a chore and have learned to drain the hose, too. Live and learn as it's our first time living in the snow. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to your family from ours.

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  10. We have much the opposite. Had to open doors and windows this evening to cool off the house. Some of the neighbors have the AC on. 74 for a high makes it not feel much like Christmas, but it was a good one nonetheless. Hope yours was as merry as it sounds. Ben

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