Thursday, February 21, 2013

Snow Day!

They were calling for a storm with low snow Tuesday afternoon, but being a snow-living veteran of 20+ years, that didn't discourage me from taking off and heading towards college in the rain--which quickly turned to slushy rain, which more quickly turned to flakes and then turned into "Holy crap, it's seriously DUMPING!"

Luckily I had the wherewithall to turn around and head for home. Funny, on Sunday, we had two lessons in church about listening to the Holy Ghost...you know, that still, small voice that tries desperately to warn you (or comfort you, or confirm, etc.)? Well, historically I've had a very hard time listening to that still, small voice because basically I'm super stubborn.

Tuesday was no exception. I was convinced that a little snow wasn't gonna slow me down! However, as I contemplated having to chain up my car to drive a steep, windy road back home after class, I finally listened and turned around. Not a minute too soon either. This storm was dumping snow at a rate I've rarely seen and I've been a snow-dwellin' girl for some time.

I was glad to reach the safety of home and watched in amazement as the snow piled up at my 2100' elevation. It wasn't a huge amount compared to the snow I used to get living up the hill, but with low snow comes snow plows not able to keep the roads clear because they are stretched thin, and drivers not used to driving in it.

Here's my "snow ball" indicating the snow fall in just over an hour's time:


And a look out my bedroom window:

There were a lot of spin-outs, and kids stranded at the schools until 9 and 10 that night. I'm thankful my family was safe and sound. And I was thankful that school was cancelled the next day.

Of course there is nothing prettier than waking up the next day to blue sky and snow on the trees:



And this is what my snow ball looked like in the morning:



And then just 24 hours after that first picture above:



I had a wonderful snow day, spent in my pj's checking out Pinterest activities for my preschoolers and watching reruns of Frasier on Netflix. A nice day, after a rather exciting little storm!

Monday, February 18, 2013

Egg Salad Soldiers

I happened this week to have a couple instances where egg salad sandwiches were served. I know...kinda weird.

Anyway, egg salad always reminds me of a story my mom would tell me--probably almost every time she made egg salad--about egg salad sandwiches and soldiers.

My mom was a young girl between the age of 7-10 when World War II was going on. She lived in a tiny railroad town. Oftentimes the troop trains would come through town carrying hundreds of hungry soldiers. Mom told me that she and her mom and brothers would make a bunch of egg salad sandwiches and run downtown as the trains would come through town.
                                         
The soldiers would hang out the windows of their cars and my mom and her family (and others in town) would pass out sandwiches to the soldiers. (Now, I don't remember if she said the soldiers paid for them or not. I think they did.)
Oh goodness, my mom always made the best egg salad sandwiches so I know these troops were grateful and happy to be eating them!

I know times were tough in those days and food was rationed and it was hard to get by. I'm so lucky not to have known that kind of hardship, let alone the hardships of the soldiers and their families.

At any rate, I think I'll have to make some egg salad sandwiches soon.

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Randomness That Involves Cement Balls and Dog Yoga

Remember this teaser picture?
Those turned into these:
And one of those I covered in pennies:
Haven't decided what I'm doing with the other two yet.
 
And this is going on in my "front yard" too because the sun has been teasing us with springtime temperatures:
I have no idea what those things will be. I hope they're something pretty.
 
I'm plugging through my Tuesdays...only 13 more classes to go:
Both my classses this semester are very enjoyable, so it's making it easier to hang in there. And I figured out how to call the shuttle to get me to and from class so I don't feel like I might get mugged walking across campus at 10 at night. Go me!
 
Here's what I did at work on Friday:
I made Gak, hung it in a strawberry basket and gave the kids scissors to cut it with.
They loved it!
 
Then on Saturday the two youngest rode a stage coach:
 
Oh, and in the last couple weeks this one has moved home:
She likes to take pictures of herself "scratching" people's heads. But it's nice to have her around. She makes a mean salad and is good company.
 
And my dog has taken up yoga.
I'm glad she's putting those hours she spends on the couch to good use.