I'm still here...

Well. It has been an experience. I don't believe I've ever seen quite this much snow at one time here. Truly an awesome sight.





The National Weather Service recorded us at 27" on Saturday afternoon, which brings us upwards of 50 inches for this winter. That's one heck of a lot of snow! This now ranks as #4 in the Top Ten storms of all time for this area and depending on what happens Tuesday, may be this area's second snowiest winter ever. Woof! History-making weather.

We fared better than I feared - I fully expected to lose power. Even though our utility lines are underground and in no danger of falling under the weight of snow, they're well over thirty years old and in dire need of repair/replacement; we lose power far more often than we should, especially in bad weather. We experienced a momentary hiccup at about 1:00 am Saturday morning, but that was it.

We have suffered some plant damage and loss. At least one, probably two, rhododendron snapped right off at the base, and my pretty little weeping Japanese maple appears to have lost several major branches. *sniff* The lilacs may have some breakage, but they'll recover. Surprisingly, my two ornamental cherry trees that had me worried appear intact. I'm grateful the damage wasn't more extensive but most of my azaleas are still buried, so we'll know more as this stuff melts.

Now, it's just a matter of digging out ... so we can start over again on Tuesday! And then, there's that little matter of plummeting temperatures... it was 6 flippin' cold degrees here last night!!

And still it falls...

Oh.my.god!! We have a looottt of snow... tons and tons of wet, heavy snow. So far.

It's still coming down as I type and isn't expected to end until sometime this evening. A picture is worth, etc., etc...







We have about two feet now. It's like a scene from Dr. Zhivago...

Still more of the white stuff...

Oh lordy, I am so not looking forward to this one. We're in for a massive winter storm that promises to out-perform what we had on December 19-20. Apparently it's going to be another one for the books. Oh joy!

They're talking a real nor'easter blizzard here, with one to two inches of snow/hour and 18-24" when it finally stops sometime Saturday evening. Along with crippling ice.

It's been the #1 news story in these parts for days now, and the entire area is closing down in anticipation of this thing. The whole region has gone into storm preparedness panic mode. The schools are closed, businesses are closed, airports are closing, snow equipment is already on the road with salt and liquid deicer and it's not even expected until early tomorrow afternoon! Grocery store shelves are empty and people are fighting over snow shovels, for crying out loud! (Folks get a little crazy around here when it snows... it's traditional.)

If it does what they think it's going to do, it will be a storm of a historic nature, making it one of the Top Ten of all time for this area. Which will, in turn, make it two Top Tens in one winter since December's storm was a book-maker too.

And then... and then... if all goes according to plan... the snow gods will give us some more on Tuesday!!

Send the St. Bernards if you don't hear from me by spring...

Wonderland, my a$$ !!

While the southern grandsons were beyond excited at the prospect of the coming snow, I was of a different mindset and hoped it would hold off long enough for everyone to arrive. Oh well, so much for my plans!!

It started out innocently enough...

but by the time it was over...

we had a lotttt of snow. Bah, humbug!

My brother and sis-n-law started out early Saturday morning but had to turn back by the time they reached the NC/VA border. He's a retired truck driver so I figured if he couldn't make it, we wouldn't be seeing #1 granddaughter on this visit. Ha!! I temporarily lost my senses and forgot how headstrong and determined my baby girl can be!

Fifteen hours (!!) and 22 inches later, her car was safely parked in our driveway and she was snuggled in a warm, cozy bed, catching up on some much needed sleep.


The boys had fun pelting each other with snowballs...

we stayed warm (in front of a balky fire) watching Christmas movies together (Christmas Carol and Polar Express)...

and Zoey claimed her spot on the bed, away from all the hubbub.


In spite of all the snow...


we had a wonderful early Christmas, and everyone got back home safe and sound.


Only then did I really appreciate the winter wonderland beauty of our snowy weekend.

Winter comes

The snow the grandsons were so excited about last night is visting us today. We usually get a doozy of a storm when it comes up from the south, but so far, this one is just a pretty, fluffy, gently falling snow.


Enough to keep me from venturing too far from the warmth of my cozy fireplace... unless, of course, I was throwing snowballs with two grandsons. ;-D

Sharing...

I think I may just be one of the most fortunate grandmas I know. Who knew there could be such pleasure in a spontaneous phone call from #1 grandson at 9:30ish at night just to tell me:


"Guess what!!" he squealed

"I give up," says I...

"It's snowing down here!" says he, with #2 grandson squealing the same message in the background.

After talking about the joy of getting snow in SC, I was then treated to a burst of devilish laughter as he proceeded to try to belt his brother with a snowball! :D

It's the little things that count... even when they're icy snowflakes.

Fluffy white stuff...

It's a little early, but we've got our first snowfall of the season.



This was taken earlier so there's a bit more on the ground now and it's still falling. It's peaceful and it's pretty, but I plan on keeping my bones toasty warm and enjoying it from the inside looking out. Had me a nice, hot bowl of oatmeal this AM and am toying with either soup or pot pie for dinner. Maybe our first fire of the season too.

Ta da! I'd say winter has arrived and I be ready!

Wordless Wednesday #1: I'm melllll-ting!...

More Wordless Wednesday here