Sunday, November 30, 2014

A Walk In The Snow...

6:04 pm - 18 degrees - clear skies, 56+ mph winds...

We woke up yesterday morning to find everything covered in white.  So when a break in the snow fall came, I went outside with my camera for a quick walk in the snow.






Saturday, November 15, 2014

Saturday Evening Post…

7:08 pm - 23 degrees - clear night sky, 52+ mph wind gusts...

A small glimpse into our lives as we live off-grid… sort of like eves dropping.  It may be a thought, quote or a conversation; funny, sweet or sad; but it will always be true.  We will see if it resonates with you…

{Messaging back and forth} 
Me:  “Stuck on the mountain due to downed trees.  Someone needs to teach me how to use a chainsaw!!”
Friend #1:  “Get a rope and drag it out of the way.”
Friend #2:  “Move it out of the way.”
Me:  “There’s a total of 4 downed trees, too big to just drag out of the way.  Tony's on his way and is using a chainsaw and tow rope to move them out of the way.”
Brother:  “Don’t you have to carry a chain saw, tire jack and 4 sets of spares already?  Never dull up on the hill.”

Hubby:  “Cutting a tree, hung up on an embankment, under load plus inexperience equals disaster.” 

Friday, November 14, 2014

'Tis The Season For Baking...

10:08 am - 29 degrees - blue sky with 35+ mph wind gusts...

Looking for some tasty holiday appetizers or desserts, or maybe you're wanting to start planning your Christmas Cookie baking list... here are a few of my favorite recipes for this joyous holiday season.  Hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

Fresh Basil-Wrapped Cheese Balls... Combining the creamy richness of gorgonzola and mascarpone, the salty bite of Parmesan, and the fresh green flavor of basil, these cheese balls are a new twist on an old favorite. {Click Here}

  
BLT Bites... These are always a big hit, pretty easy to make and are oh so delicious, with lots of flavor packed into a little bite. {Click Here}


Pumpkin Cheesecake...This is a delicious twist on the traditional pumpkin pie and it’s always a favorite! {Click Here}


Caramel Apple Cupcakes with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting... The name says it all, and screams rich, yummy, deliciousness! {Click Here}


Date Nut Cookies... These are a new favorite.  They are simple and full of delicious flavor! {Click Here}


Oreo Truffles... These are rich, delicious, very easy to make and perfect for holiday parties! {Click Here}


Orange Juice Cookies... These are light and refreshing with a nice burst of orange flavor and are a nice option from the regular holiday goodies. {Click Here}


Molasses Cookies... This is the perfect holiday cookie!  There’s something about ginger, cloves and cinnamon that makes me think it’s Christmas!  Just the aroma of these baking in the oven brings back lots of happy holiday memories! {Click Here}




Winter Storm Update...

9:22 am - 26 degrees - blue sky with 32+ mph wind gusts...

Our early-season winter storm has come to an end and left us with a frozen water pipe, several downed trees, lots of broken limbs and other debris scattered around.  It also left behind anywhere from 4-8 inches of snow.  Due to the extreme winds, it’s hard to get an accurate snow depth reading.


Snow angels and sledding.
Bitter cold temps and high winds would not keep these two inside...
however they didn't stay out very long either.

Although the storm warning has officially been lifted, we’re still in for below freezing temperatures and wind gusts up around 40+ mph for the weekend and beginning of next week.  Winter is here.

The view this morning.

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

First Blast Of Winter...

3:51 pm - 28 degrees - a few scattered clouds, 53+ mph wind gusts...

We’re getting our first blast of winter with sharply cooler temperatures, a result of frigid air pushed in by a powerful storm that hit Alaska with hurricane-force winds.  The big chill is now spreading into the Pacific Northwest.

Many people started feeling the arrival of the bone-chilling cold yesterday along with high winds that caused a lot of power outages.  Just one more reason to love living off-grid – we don’t have to worry about the power going out.

Today it took us an hour and a half to get off the mountain due to numerous downed trees.

Tony cleared four downed trees off the road,
so we could get off the mountain.

Tony thinks it a good practice run before winter really hits.  We spent the day doing some last minute vehicle repairs, making sure the house is stocked with lots of firewood, hooking up the snowplow (snow is supposed to be on its way), dug out all our snow gear out of our storage unit and the kids dug out their sleds.

Fixing my 4-wheel drive.

It's very windy out with 54+ mph wind gusts.

Last nights 70+ mph wind gusts knocked all our chairs and table over.

Getting the snow plow put onto the Dodge.
  
Getting their sleds out, they really want snow!

According to the weather report, this arctic storm is just beginning.  The kids are hoping to wake up to a blanket of white, while Tony thinks we’ll have our first snow day of the season.  


Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Veterans Day...

12:30 pm - 37 degrees - scattered clouds, 56+ mph winds...

Thank you to all our family, friends and those we've never met - the past, present and future veterans.  We humbly thank you for your sacrifices for our freedom.


Sunday, November 2, 2014

Loaded Baked Potato Dip...

2:14 pm - 43 degrees - raining...

I love a good Irish Sunday aka loaded baked potato.  So when a friend brought this to a barbecue, I just had to get the recipe.  It is only 4 ingredients, super quick to make and it is so good!  All of the classic loaded baked potato flavors in dip form just waiting to be scooped up by some crispy potato chips!


~ Loaded Baked Potato Dip ~
24 oz tub Sour Cream
3-4 Green Onions, chopped
2-3 cups Cheddar Cheese, shredded
1 package Bacon, cooked and crumbled

In a medium bowl, mix together the sour cream, cheese and green onions.

Crumble the cooked bacon and stir into the sour cream mix.

Refrigerate at least one hour before serving.

Serve at room temperature with Ruffles chips or waffle fries.

--- Enjoy!

Windstorms...

1:06 pm - 44 degrees - raining...

The nights are getting colder, the mornings are getting darker, the constant rain has returned, and the wind has been howling.

Over the past few weeks we have had several windstorms with winds reaching 70+ mph that have resulted in a lot of debris and several downed trees.


We did have one afternoon last week where it stopped raining long enough for us to get some of the storm debris cleaned up.

Tony limbed and cut the downed trees...


...so I could burn them.

  
With winter right around the corner, we’re trying to keep yard debris down to a minimum before everything gets covered in a blanket of snow.  Last week the mountain received a light dusting, so we know the snow is on its way.

{P.S. – Sorry for the lack of posts lately, we have been experiencing technical difficulties with the internet.  It’s frustrating but it happens.}