Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Snow, Everyday Stuff and the Start of Another Holiday Season

We're getting up and going this morning to a temp of 32° and snow coming down heavily.  Forecast is for wet snow all day . . . which is not good news for travelers in the area.  We have friends who are leaving this morning for a long drive to Iowa to spend the holiday weekend with family.  It's the busiest traveling time of the year, it's said, so we're sending good wishes for safe travels for everyone traversing roads to be with family and friends.  We will be staying snug and cozy here at home.

For many years when we were still living in Illinois, we would leave Wednesday night after Papa Pea got done with his work day, and drive all night to get up here to northern Minnesota.  This was a time before we purchased property in the area, so would stay with a bachelor friend who had a resort on an inland lake.  I would spend two or three days at home before we left preparing a full turkey, sometimes goose, dinner with all the trimmings which we brought along for the Thanksgiving meal.  (Gak, what a whole lot of work that was!)


I leave my fall decorations in our window boxes until they are replaced with the Christmas/New Year ones after this coming weekend.  After our first blowsy snow last Friday, they were totally encrusted in ice and snow.  In this picture taken yesterday, you can still see a smidge bit of crusty snow on the sides of the pumpkins.  Now with this new snow today, I may have to chisel them out when I want to redecorate in a couple of days! 


Although the tall, tall asparagus ferns had lost their vibrant green color and turned yellow, they were still standing upright . . . until this wet snow this morning.  Actually, I had hoped the snows would bend the ferns over on the patch to act as a natural mulch/insulation for the roots in the soil.  Mission accomplished, I'd say.

Our driveway is currently a skating rink in certain parts which makes for some exciting turns driving out on the slight downhill.  Coming back in can be exciting, too, because one has to keep up a certain amount of speed to get up the incline . . . without ending up sideways in the woods.  All part of the fun and challenge of winter time in the north woods.

Yesterday afternoon Papa Pea and I unloaded thirty-five fifty pound bags of feed from our flatbed trailer to get them under cover.  (That would be 1,750 pounds if anyone's counting.)  We order our organic feed from a company about 200 miles from here and it's delivered by Fed Ex.  Usually they bring it on a truck that can get in and out of our place with no problem, but this time the driver had a semi and called to ask if we could meet him out on the highway.  Papa Pea did so where the driver loaded the whole pallet of feed onto our trailer which then was driven in.  Hubby and I formed our own little chain brigade and got all the bags safely stored inside in preparation of the wet weather today.  (Does moving 1,750 pounds of feed count as weight bearing exercise?)  Now they just need to be moved another 15 or so feet into the feed room.

Well, our oatmeal is ready for breakfast.  Would you like homegrown blueberries on yours?  Make mine with some sliced banana, too, please.  Then I'll be doing what make-ahead preparations I can for our Thanksgiving meal tomorrow.  And I may even get out the ol' vac and chase some dust bunnies around.  Couldn't hurt.

16 comments:

Nancy In Boise said...

Wow that's a lot of snow and feed! Looks so pretty! Snow is our faorecast this weekend but I don't think quite that much :) I love the window box, I borrowed that idea until we had to install a new AC and had to remove it. I gave it one of our kiddos...

Kim said...

i will be chopping and dicing all day long as well. The bird will go in the oven to cook over night. And then the completed dinner will be taken 40 miles to my dads to be shared. Those dust bunnies might enjoy having Thanksgiving with you. Why not wait till friday to start chasing them around! Hehehe!

Susan said...

I still have my Halloween decorations (such as they are) on my front door. Does that count as fall-going-into-winter? I would love to be able to stay home on holidays, but, sigh, that is not to be. The only holiday where I get my way is my birthday - at least that's something. A very, very, very Happy Thanksgiving to you and Papa Pea (and Baby Pea and her Guy Pea and Tucker Pea)! Hope your arms aren't too tired to life a glass or two. xoxo

Sandy Livesay said...

Mama Pea,

Too much snow for me. Stay warm, and don't work to hard out in that stuff.

Sue said...

I spent the whole morning in the kitchen getting some of the Thanksgiving meal ready...pie baking, made up the stuffing and the cranberry sauce (Ina Gartens--OMG---GREAT stuff!), kale with bacon and onions. Now all that's left to do is roast the birds, mashy mash the taters, thaw some corn and crescents from the freezer. Done!
We'll do our usual quiet meal, go for a drive, then pig out on pie. Yep--the Good Life!
Hope you have a very very nice Thanksgiving.
Hugs to you both!

Mama Pea said...

LHinB - I've got a total of two smaller window boxes and three bigger ones and really like how they spiff up the windows on the outside. Plus, we can see the flowers in summer time and other decorations from inside, too.

Mama Pea said...

Kim - I'm always surprised (but really shouldn't be) when I learn how many Thanksgiving birds travel miles after they've been prepared! I guess sometimes it's easier to take the bird somewhere else than having the people all come to the bird. (Did that make any sense?)

P.S. Dust bunnies have already been eliminated! :o}

Mama Pea said...

Susan - I think I shall start lifting a glass or two tonight. You know, to get a running start on the day tomorrow.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and all your family . . . both the people and the furries!

Mama Pea said...

Sandy - Today was mostly rain mixed with snow which made a very slushy mess out there. Now tonight everything will freeze and be even worse! (Are we having fun yet?) ;o}

Laurie said...

Thanksgiving prep has begun around here, too! Love it! But it would be so much better with some of your snow. Hope you and Papa Pea have a great Thanksgiving!

Mama Pea said...

Sue - Tomorrow you'll roast the birdS?? Are you each having your own turkey? Or Rock Cornish Game Hen? Or . . . what? You've piqued my interest!

Happy Thanksgiving wishes and a great day to you both! Hugs.

Mama Pea said...

Laurie - Wouldn't your two grandkids love some snow to frolick in?? Ours may be slush if it keeps raining. Ugh. Thanksgiving wishes to you and yours! Have a lovely day.

Sue said...

LOL! I suppose I should have read what I wrote! One bird. Hubby LOVES his turkey, but not THAT much!

Myrna said...

Happy Thanksgiving. I guess I would have to say I am grateful that we don't have all that snow. 57 is forecast for today and sunny. I spent way to many years in Minnesota to miss snow. Have fun and don't eat too much.

Mama Pea said...

Myna - We are all basically the same (humble human beings), but we sure do have preferences as far as the different climates in which we choose to live. Good thing, 'cause it prevents over-crowding in one place or the other! ;o} Happy Thanksgiving to you and your, Myrna! I'm thankful this day that you and your sister have such a love of good, down-home cooking and continue to share your knowledge with the rest of us.

Sandy Livesay said...

Mama Pea,

Yes were having fun....RIGHT??
Happy Thanksgiving to you and Papa Pea! Enjoy family and food :-)
Oh yes, I'll take some blueberries in my oatmeal please :-)