Another Snow Day

Things are so white around here!  Sometimes it's hard to sleep at night with all the light coming in off the snow.

Best shovel!

Almost a 4 foot pile

The Husband was out plowing/shoveling last night just before ten.  And then we were out again first thing this morning. We've learned a valuable lesson:  the city snow plows are more careful about not leaving huge ice/snow blocks in front of driveways if a resident is out working at snow re-distribution/removal.  Now the trick is to know when the plow is coming so as to time our outside snow busy-ness just right!

And I'm just going to say it:  The Husband is a snow shovel snob.  We've been known to drive miles and miles clear across the valley to one of the few hardware stores that carry this particular brand of shovel.  They come out of Canada where I guess they know a thing or two about snow.  Our snow is most often fluffy and light.  But when it's like it is today - heavy and wet, I surely do want this kind of shovel.  The snow just rolls up and around and pushes right off the pavement.  And while we've been known to purchase these shovels in the summer (we spotted them tucked up on a high shelf - they even had to search to find a price!) at times like this I'm grateful we have them.  And my back is also grateful.

Heavy on the branches.

From our stairwell.

I've often mentioned how much I love our trees.  They've done so well - better than we ever dared hope.  Heavy snows like this make the deciduous ones seem like yard decorations.  But it isn't so kind to the evergreens.  I fear this one branch has some damage - we'll have to wait until spring to see.

We have a car parked on our driveway at night.  It is an old car with a broken door lock. Consequently nothing valuable is ever left inside.  Fortunately.  Twice in the last few months this car has been entered and rifled through by unknown persons.  It is amazing what an insecure feeling that is.  We sit all comfy and warm and unsuspecting inside our home while someone is rummaging through our car in our own driveway.  Makes me sad.

Today I'm grateful for good snow shovels (and a blade on the front of the John Deere).  For suitable/warm gloves.  For decongestants (fighting another ear infection).  For people who answer emails.  For snow that feeds and beautifies our world.  And for the luxury of staying home on a snow day if I choose.