Wednesday, January 29, 2014

We’re Still Here...

6:22 pm - 38 degrees - windy with rain/snow mix...

I must start off by apologizing for the lack of posts this month, we have been really busy and I haven’t had time to sit down and blog.


This winter started off with record low temps and lots of ice, but no snow.  Then we had a few days of spring-like weather, followed by windstorm after windstorm.  The wind blew so hard that on several occasions I thought we were going to wake up in the Land of Oz. 


Early morning road clearing.

When there has been a break in the weather, we spend our time cleaning up from the last windstorm.  Picking up debris, moving fallen limbs off the road, and looking for our doormat that keeps being blown away (that’s what 70+ mph winds will do).


The weather has kept us inside this week so I have stayed busy with reorganizing closets, and deep cleaning the house, with occasional breaks to play cards and puzzles with the kids.  Tony has been busy working and trying to round up parts for the inverter, solar panels, wind turbine and cables to connect everything.



Playing Kings In The Corner.

Making battery cables.

Today the wind has continued to howl bringing along with it the rain and occasional hail.  Could the snow finally be making an appearance?  Our kids sure hope so.  According to them, this has been the most boring winter ever - no sledding, no snowshoeing, no snow forts, no snow angels, and no snow ball fights.


I would post a picture of the snowless mountain, except the mountain has been hiding the last few days.  Hopefully the next time the mountain comes out it will be covered in snow!

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Wildlife On The Mountain...

8:06 pm - 42 degrees - windy and raining...
It’s hard to believe that I’m writing about the holiday season in past tense already, where did 2013 go?  It feels like each year goes by faster than the year before.

Both kids are back in school, the holiday dust has settled, and life on the mountain has returned to our version of normal...which includes wildlife watching and we are in the perfect spot for it.


Living in the foothills of the Cascade Mountain range there is an abundance of wildlife which we love to watch.  Some animals we see all the time; some we don't see other than the tracks and markings left behind; and some we only hear, somewhere off in the distance.


Here are some of the cute little critters and feathered friends on the mountain.








Saturday, January 11, 2014

Windstorm...

8:42 pm - 36 degrees - rain/snow mix with 70+ mph wind gusts...

We have had a wild windstorm going on since yesterday with winds reaching 70+ mph.  We are so used to the noise of the wind and rain pounding the windows and hitting the metal roof that we usually just sleep through it.  But last night the wind got extra wild and we were woken up several times by things falling down and being blown around.  The wind was so strong that it even blew down five trees that blocked the road off the mountain. 


Well it looks like we are in for another noise night as the storm outside continues to rage on. 

{P.S. - Sorry for the lack of posts so far this month.  We have been experiencing technical difficulties with the internet, and now we are having technical difficulties with uploading photos to the blog.  It's frustrating but it happens.}

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Happy New Year...

9:18 am - 42 degrees - light scattered clouds, 20+ mph winds...

"May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness.  I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you're wonderful, and don't forget to make some art - write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can.  And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself." ~ Neil Gaiman
 
Today brings us the beginning of the 2014 year!  We don’t always make a big deal out of it on New Year’s Eve, but I sure love what it means… a year full of possibilities; some of which might be life changing.
 
A new year is… a fresh start… a chance to correct the wrongs of yesterday… a chance to be a better person – listen more, love more, care more and give more.
 
As I bid farewell to 2013, I am filled with gratitude – gratitude for my daughter and son, for my husband, for our families and for many great friends.


I love a New Year!  2013 is behind us and my arms are open wide for 2014!

"I hope that in this year to come, you  make mistakes.  Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing the world.  You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly, you're Doing Something.  So that's my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself.  Make New Mistakes.  Make glorious, amazing mistakes.  Make mistakes nobody's ever made before.  Don't freeze, don't stop, don't worry that it isn't good enough, or it isn't perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life.  Whatever it is you're scared of doing, Do it.  Make your mistakes, next year and forever." ~ Neil Gaiman