Where Did All This Snow Come From

 We had our first snow Wednesday, and it was a big one!  I knew it was coming, but I had no idea we'd get so much!

I love the first snow.  It's so magical, and everything's white all around us.  I love when the neighbors gather outside and we talk and share stories.  The neighbors look out for one another up here, making sure we have what we need in this fierce weather.  If I ever have any questions, I tend to ask F.  He's lived here for 15 years, and has seen many seasons.  He's the one who told me that "everything becomes still with the first snow."  He told me that again on Wednesday.

First thing I did, was go outside and covered the pipes so they don't freeze.  They use these birdhouses for that.  Not very attractive, but they are efficient.

Thankfully, I just went to the store and had some groceries in the cupboard.  Sometimes with these snow storms, we can get outages, and we had one.  It lasted for half a day, and it was coooold.  PG&E is excellent at calling to alert us when the outages have come, and when the estimated time will be to fix the problem.  Me and my neighbor, Lisa, keep each other updated as well.  I heard that a big tree limb came down and hit a power line.  But they fixed it before the scheduled time.  You're never so thankful to have hot water than during a power outage on a snowy day, and I got my lantern out, and lit many candles in different places through the house.

There are so many things to do when the first snow comes, and my son helps out with that - make sure there's anti-freeze in the car, get the lanterns out, have all the home essentials, and then there's the shoveling!  I actually like to shovel and get out there in the nippy fresh air and touch and feel the white powder beneath my feet.

The women up here are what I call "sturdy women" because they have to prepare for a great deal when it snows.  S. at the grocery store was telling me that she had to go to work that morning, so she just bulldozed through the snow to get there.  I appreciate their stories so much.  They don't take things for granted, and they carry on, working through the hurdles that surface, and at the same time taking care of all that is necessary.  They have comforts, but they don't dwell on them, knowing each day may be different than the next.  This neighbor walks her dog every day, and she's even braving it in the snow.

My lovely flowering bush is even lovelier covered in snow.  I hope it survives through it all.

At the end of the day, my fence was towering with freshly fallen snow.

The next day, it rained, and it didn't stop for some time.  I thought it was Ok to drive to the store to get some things I needed - essentials, batteries, and some food.  But shoveling the driveway after a snow and rain can be tricky.  Have you ever shoveled thick, sloshy snow?

The drive made me nervous, cause there was a big truck on steroids behind me. 😱  Once I got into town, that was even scarier, cause the road workers plowed the snow, but there were piles and piles all over, and hardly any openings to get through to the store.  That in itself is tricky.  You often wonder, should I have done this?

Back home, and inside I made some hot meals all week to warm the bones.

My son made these croissants from scratch.  Oh my gosh, they tasted like they were from La Bou.  This is a bakery-cafe that I think only has locations in California.

And then there are these.....if I can't be with my dad at Christmas, he will remain with me in spirit.  He loved these.  They are sweet, so I can only eat one or two at a time.

I haven't tried the Hershey's hot chocolate bombs yet.  I think they would be cute stocking stuffers.

Where did all this snow come from?  I believe it's a blessing from above - it was a gentle reminder for me to stop for a while; stop the internet and tv, look beyond that, and notice and appreciate the gift that has been given to us.  It came at just the right time.

In other news.....Mia lost her first tooth, and the tooth fairy left a nice surprise under her pillow that night.

Remember the craft fair they were having in my town end of November?  Well, it was a huge one, with dozens of booths to look at.  I talked with a few of the ladies, and one of the first booths that caught my eye was of vintage jewelry and ornaments.  Turns out, I knew the lady who ran the booth - she has an antique shop in town, and I have gone in her shop before.  The vintage Christmas tree pin called out to me, and I will wear it with my black velvet sweater.

And there was another item that I had to get - a ceramic heart with a red rose in the middle.  I still have to get some ribbon to hang it.

Happy Thanksgiving. 

~Sheri

A Box From The Past

I got a call early in the morning saying, "Are you going to be around?  I'll be over in about half an hour.  I have some Thanksgiving goodies for you."  And of course, my reply was, "Yes!"  My brother-in-law had just gone to the store and bought me a lot of Thanksgiving groceries - a turkey, potatoes, cranberries, apple pie, and more.  When I mentioned how thankful I was for it all, he said, "it's just what I do."  And it is.  Since I've been living up here, he's been surprising me with Thanksgiving goodies every year.

I made him a hot cup of coffee when he got here, and my son had just baked some French pastries, so I served him one with the coffee.  They were really good, flaky, and just a bit sweet.  I just found this Christmas cup last week, and thought it was so cute.

He not only bought me Thanksgiving groceries, he put a few snacks in there as well. It was hard to pry myself away from the nacho cheese popcorn in front, I had to discipline myself; they were that good.

He also brought me a bottle of French wine.  Who doesn't love a rainbow?

There was a big box that he was carrying when he came in, and I wondered what it was.  They were old photos of the kids growing up that belonged to his mom.  I guess  he's not the only one who's been doing some de-cluttering.  Many of us are now, and he's been wanting to give me these pictures for a long time.  I told him that I had most of them, but a few were taken by grandma when we visited her that I didn't have.  There was also treasured notes and things.  So, I've been going through this box all week to see what to keep.  I was close to my mother-in-law, and it was so heartwarming to see this one card that I sent her, and to read the words I wrote, and I smiled at the thought of her keeping it all those years until she passed.

It was a nice visit, and if you didn't know already.....I love surprises! 🙌

There was a dog who was peering through the car window at the grocery store that looked just like a teddy bear dog.  Not a good picture, cause it was raining and the window was up, but you can see what I mean.

We've had lots of rain!  And I am still embracing Autumn's quiet beauty.

A few days after I took the pictures above, a strong wind came to us, and blew all the leaves to the roof and ground.

I don't know who I'm going to give this to, but it was too cute not to buy it.  Originally, I thought of baby Charlotte, but the other girls love stuffed animals too.  With its bright eyed face, I may have to keep her for myself.

My first holiday coffee - peppermint latte.  

I have to show you the table Jess created, cause it was so delightful.  First, she picked up two pallets from Oxnard, and Francesca had the idea to paint it, so they painted it together.  She added seat cushions and unicorn inspired decor for a "unicorn garden party in the park."

I bought some Christmas tea for the season. Tis the season to be jolly.....fa la la la la.

~Sheri

Just Because in November

 I haven't done a 'just because' post in a while, so here you go.

My son had to take his car to the auto shop, and the shop is up the mountain, so I thought I'd come along for the morning.  While driving up the mountain, I got to take in the beautiful scenery, with all the Fall trees showing their color in the mountain landscape below.  The car just needed a part for the shifting, and it didn't take long at all.  In the waiting room, I noticed this picture on the wall, and loved it.  Such a classic photo.

After the shop we drove through town, and my son showed me the Museum of Art that was around the corner.  I have always appreciated paintings from talented artists, especially whimsical ones.

*painting by Anna Speshilova

At home cooking, and this was one of the best meatloaves I've made.  Had to take a bite of the end before taking the picture.  ; )

It's the season for hot chocolate, and I made my first cup one cold afternoon.

Italian bread toasted in the oven with butter and blueberry spread.

I saw these prayer candles at the store, and had to get this very special one.  The Sacred Heart of Jesus is a Catholic devotion that symbolizes Jesus' love for humanity.  When I light the candle and say a prayer, a very special moment of peace comes over me.

A mural in my town on main street.  No more fires please!  Our CalFire workers are exhausted.....and great at what they do.

I bought another soft warm flannel.  This one is heavy for the freezing days ahead, and I love the blue colors.

Blueberry loaf with cream cheese frosting.  Oh my, was it good.

"Manners Maketh Man"

~the motto of William of Wykeham

I was so bummed to find out that my favorite burger place is closing this month.  This is where I get my delicious mushroom burgers - there's nothing like them.  So, one last time to enjoy the best burger around.  I heard that another good eatery will be replacing it, but will have to wait and see.

Some more Fall color before it leaves us.

I have been drinking McCafe' coffee, just to have a change from Starbucks.  I miss McDonald's up here, but they sell the coffee at the store.

I watched the movie 'Christmas Together.'  It's such a cute Christmas film.

Have a lovely week. ☕

~Sheri