Surrender to the Flow

Perspective

Knowledge of what is possible
its the beginning of happiness.

~George Santayana

Snow Day!

It's Monday afternoon and it is still snowing.  I'm pretty sure we have gotten over a foot now.  I can't even believe it each time I look out the window.  I got up early this morning to check my work email and there was a message that the office was closed today, along with about 99% of the city.  In my eleven years living here I have never seen it like this in the Willamette Valley.  I'm really glad we decided to venture out for awhile on Saturday to get groceries; we have not left the house since.  There is about 2 inches of thick ice over all the cars, trees, power lines, etc...and you can't even open the car doors let alone go anywhere.  I did take about a mile excursion this morning with the dogs out in the snow and they were going nuts pulling me down the street.  I did land on my butt quite a few times and I even got them to pull me a little ways while I slid along behind on my boots.  All of the kids in the neighborhood are out building snowmen and sledding down the hills.  It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!  Here are some shots from today - stay warm and cozy everyone! 

PS- We just lost power here for about an hour.  It happened right as I clicked the upload button for the pictures below - weird.  We're so grateful it was only out for a short while...and at least it got us to bust out some board games.

Welcome to Winter

Well today is the first day of winter although it's already been quite a wintry week here.  It started last Sunday with a full day of snow that yielded about 3-4 inches.  The temperatures stayed below freezing for the greater part of the week and made the roads icy and treacherous throughout the neighborhoods.  Some of you may or may not know that snow is not really the "norm" here.  We usually get about one or two dusting's each year that melt the next day...not this week.  The snow and ice stayed on the ground pretty much all week (with one break of some warmer weather and rain on Thursday which cleared up the roads) and I made the trek to work and back very slowly each day in my husband's Forester (which has seat warmers that I now do not want to give up I might add). 

I was able to get out on Friday evening and do a little Xmas shopping (with everyone else that had the same idea) before more snow began late Friday night.  It snowed ALL day yesterday.  We got another 5-6 inches during the day yesterday and turned to a snow/ice mix last night.  Today the snow has a nice crusty layer of ice on the top and the roads are very slick again.  It is virtually a ghost town out there.  I think I should also point out that since snow isn't really the norm here there are virtually no snowplows; they do not do the roads and they refuse to use salt; only sand in some spots.  The city shuts down; schools close, works shut down and people clear off the shelves in the grocery stores.  It really makes me laugh since I grew up in NH where a foot of snow may get you a 2-hr delay to school; just enough time to get those plows out and clear up the roads so life can go on.  I don't ever remember having to use chains in New England but here you are up a creek with no paddle without them.  We use them to go up to Mt. Hood and ski since the snow accumulation is massive about an hour East of here.  Today the entire greater Metro area has a "chains required" status.  We took a little excursion yesterday afternoon to the grocery store for food and Blockbuster for movies since both places are less than a mile away; it was slow going.  We have no intention of leaving the house today.  The heat is cranked and we have everything we need to stay cozy.  I'm going to watch movies and work on my crochet projects while my pups curl up next to me. 

From what I hear the NE has gotten pretty socked in with snow the last few days too.  My Dad is skiing today (he is an Ambassador at Mt. Sunapee) and I'm sure the conditions are prime.  I wish we could get up to Mt. Hood; they've gotten dumped on in the last few days.  I hope everyone is cozy and safe no matter where you're located and enjoying the spirit of the season in these last few days before Christmas.  You can see below for a smattering of photos from the last week here as well as a fun Xmas playlist I've been working on.   You may not be able to tell yet but the days will be getting slightly longer from here on out.  Happy Winter Solstice everyone!

This was last Sunday

Cars last Sunday

The "snow dog" wants in

 So handsome
 

This morning
 

 Back deck this morning

 Dogs in the snow
 

 Cars, one week later

Let us in! (love this shot)

Xmas playlist - enjoy!

Cookies anyone?

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

Last weekend Ben and I went on an excursion to find this year's perfect Christmas tree.  We live about thirty minutes from a Xmas tree farm mecca.  Seriously, in Estacada and all around Oregon there are some serious Xmas trees growing year 'round.  In fact, Oregon is the Xmas Tree Capital of the country! 

Needless to say we have many choices when it comes to cutting down a tree.  This year we went to Bob'z U-Cut in Estacada.  It happened to be the perfect day last Saturday; about 50 degrees, clear and sunny.  It just feels better and better the farther outside of the city you get.  Once you hit Springwater Rd. you are are surrounded by beautiful tree farms, animals, homes and pristine views of Mt. Hood.  I always feel happy out there and this trip was no exception.

When we got there we immediately grabbed a hand saw and headed for the field of trees before us, specifically in the direction of the Noble Firs which are our favorite.  It only took about 15 or 20 minutes for us to decide on the perfect one.  We sawed the tree down (Ben actually did most of the hard labor) but I gave it the final push.  It was pretty good size, probably 7 or 8 feet, so it did take both of us to haul it in but the guys there graciously took it off our hands when were getting close.  They put it in the shaker and all the extra branches and bugs were long gone.  Then through the baling machine and onto the top of the car.  We grabbed some free hot cocoa and stood around the fire pit they had going for a few minutes and then checked out the wreaths.  The lanky dog that had been trouncing around out in the field of trees with us trotted by in the old barn.  Christmas cheer was in full force and people were buzzing around.  Almost every car on the road had a tree strapped to the top of it.  I also saw one compact size car with a large tree sticking out the side of the back seat window; anything to get that sucker home.

I dug out all of my Xmas decorations and loot from year's past when we got home.  We brought the tree around to our back deck and trimmed up a few branches along the bottom.  I'm planning to make a swag for our front door out of them this weekend.  That afternoon I worked on the tree lights and got them all set.  On Sunday I trimmed the tree while listening to the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas.  One of my favorite things about Xmas has always been discovering all of my ornaments year after year and the memories that go with each one.  This year was no exception.  Each item was carefully unwrapped and it's branch thoughtfully selected.  I may be biased but I think it looks beautiful in our new living room.  The white lights twinkle and reflect in the front dining room window as well as the French doors in the back.  This weekend I am going to make Gingerbread Men and do some thrifty holiday shopping.  I hope everyone out there is finding their own bit of holiday cheer this season!

Xmas trees galore

Our tree is down
 

Sawing down the trunk a little bit

Ready to hit the road

Really liked Bob'Z

Stopped along the way home to take a picture of the Mt.

There was many a tree atop a car on the road

Fast-forward...
 

A little detail...
 

Reflections
 

Have a Merry Christmas...

and a Happy New Year!

Letting it Flow

I just could not resist posting today's Daily Om.  I get this email daily.  Today's is pretty much me in a nutshell.  I got teary when I read this one if that's any indication!  Sometimes you really DO just need to surrender to your emotions and let those tears roll down...

December 9, 2008
Let It Flow
Tears

How wonderful it feels to give in and let tears flow when we are overwhelmed with emotions, whether we are happy or sad. Tears come from the soul, from our well of feelings rising from deep down. When we give in to the prickling behind our eyes and the lump in our throat to let teardrops fall from our eyes, we allow our feelings to surface so they can be set free.

Proud parents shed tears of pride in a child’s accomplishments, a baby’s first step, birthdays, and graduations. Long lost friends fall into each other’s arms, tears rolling down their cheeks when they reunite after years of separation. Tears may flow from us when we are witness to a commitment being made at a wedding or even while we are watching a love story. Tears of relief may spring forth from our eyes when we hear that a loved one has survived an ordeal, and tears may fall when we bow our head in sorrow over a loss or death. Tears born from heartache can flow like they’ll never cease, whether our tears are for a love that is over, a friendship lost, or an opportunity missed. We shed tears because of disappointment in ourselves, tragedy in the world, pain, and illness. Tears of anger can burn with emotion as they fall down our faces. Tears offer us a physical release of our feelings.

Shedding tears can sometimes make us feel better, although it can feel like the tears will never end once the floodgates are open. There is no shame in letting tears flow freely and frequently. Tears are as natural to us as is breathing. There is beauty in allowing yourself to be vulnerable enough to shed tears. Open up, release your tears, and let your feelings flow.

Belated Thanksgiving Update

Well I'm a little late but I thought I would post a brief update about our Thanksgiving this year.  As with most years past, Ben and I spent the holiday together, just the two of us.  I got a 13lb bird and cooked it up with all the fixings just like my Mom always does.  Living so far away from the majority of my family on the East Coast has meant that I have not really been able to have Thanksgiving with them for quite a few years now.  I definitely try to re-create the meal as close to the ones I had growing up; turkey and stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, yams, cranberry sauce, rolls and chocolate pie with whipped cream for dessert.  The meal came out excellent this year.  I think it was my best yet.  My cousin gave me a recipe for Fancy Candied Yams that pretty much was to die for.  I probably gained 5 lbs every time I took a bit of them...yummmm.  The dogs pretty much lurked near me in the kitchen all day; see proof below.  Overall, it was a nice, relaxing and tasty day. 

The day after the holiday I started digging out some of our Xmas stuff (mostly just to see if could find it after the move!) and I put some white lights on the little tree in our front yard.  That night there was the most beautiful sunset which I snapped a few shots of from my kitchen window which I've also posted below.  More to come later today about our Xmas tree excursion we went on yesterday!

Riley peeking around on Thanksgiving; Maggie not so subtle.

Riley sniffing the turkey...Maggie still staring me down.

Seriously, when can we have ours?!?

The Yams...sooooo good....

Day after Thanksgiving sunset

Sunset and my little tree lit up outside

Rockin' Blues Guitar

The performance below by John Mayer & BB King is pretty sweet.  This is from last night's Grammy Nominations Live Concert; sort of unusual...I don't remember them every doing a show like this in the past.  But anyway, I love that blues guitar.  It just gets right down to my soul...Yeeeeowwww!