Winter wonderland

The snow began about mid afternoon on Christmas and while we ate and opened presents the yard turned into a winter wonderland. Never have I seen a prettier scenario. 

The quad is equipped with a new battery but where are my waterproof pants!  I finally located them but I did have to pour hot water on the ignition to get it to turn and away I went. Zoom Zoom!

Kay spent quite some time building this snow lady!

I wasn't sure why Flave was sitting by the pond watching instead of helping but he had no idea that Reid was sneaking up behind him.

There was plenty of space to run and gather snowballs. Nothing like two baseball pitchers throwing snowballs! I stayed out of the way.

Lola had the right idea!

I was so prepared after my trip to Aspen last year. I think I had enough boots, hats, and gloves to outfit the entire crew! My feet stayed cozy warm!

Jeff had a great plan and enlisted the boys' help. The plan was for the snowball to roll all the way down the hill but it didn't go quite that far.

Fun on the hilltop as always. Just couldn't get the sleds to do much. 

Always time to warm up inside!

Finally we went over the hill and Leon trimmed back some limbs.

 This hearth, snow ice cream,  and hot chocolate reminds me of past winters. I was tickled pink that Kay and her family got snowed in. Our electricity was out for one day and Flave gave up his vacation to go work 15 hour days. One week later almost everyone has electricity again and he will soon get to return home.

Reid and Flave were happy to eat at La Hacienda twice and we enjoyed some meaningful conversation.

After several fun-filled days two boys and a dog loaded up and headed home. What a wonderful holiday it was for me!

our white Christmas

What an exceptional Christmas this turned out to be!  I worried that Kay and her family wouldn't arrive due to deteriorating weather conditions and that Will might be stuck in NWA but my worries were for naught.

We all gathered around the table for an exceptional dinner. Jeff baked a mighty fine ham and has become a corn souffle expert.

Reid and Kay took Lola and Deacon out for their evening walk as the yard turned into a winter wonderland.

Next time I see young Flave he might even be the taller of the two. 

There is never a shortage of elves and we gathered in front of the fireplace for the long awaited moment.

Will will agree that you are never too old for Lego! I guess it helps that he is a WW II buff.

 A little slippin' and slidin' was going on outside even in 4 wheel drive!!

Reid gave the seal of approval for my chocolate trifle! 

What could be more fun than to head outside and play in the snow on Christmas night. Had I been a little smarter I would have washed dishes first. It wouldn't be long before we lost power and I washed dishes by candlelight. Just as we lit the candles the next night the power came back on. Thanks, Sr.

Garvan Gardens 2012

Our annual visit to Garvan Gardens for the Christmas lights was special this year as our friends Ed and Becky joined us.

How fun to watch the animation set to music on this new addition. 

Leon and Ed stroll the candy cane lane.

I am glad we went in early December. The weather was quite pleasant. 

The next morning Lisa, Becky, and Ed joined us for the first breakfast in our new dining area and the last meal cooked in the old kitchen! What a great visit we had.

Another septuagenarian

We indeed enjoyed another in our group turning 70 in early September. It was time for a celebration at Chris' house. Good times and good conversation. Most of us are now septuagenarians, but we will have to wait awhile for the last two to catch up! Great friendships!

Remodel update

This may not look like progress to some but it sure was to me. The cabinets have all been torn out except for this little mini kitchen. It seems simplicity isn't all bad. I realize I have almost everything I need right there.  A few tiles left to tear off and boy, I had no idea what a good job I did of adhering them to the wall when I put them up.

I had no clue my refrigerator was leaking until I pulled it away from the wall. Who knew that Entergy would send you $75 if you participate in the haul away plan with Lowe's.  I did manage to get in on the Black Friday sale for the new fridge. 

Then when part of my ceiling was torn out after I took down the soffets, it rained on my stove. I hope the hour I spent on the roof with some roof tar will take care of that because my new sheetrock ceiling sure looks good. And yes, I have painted the ceiling again...once before and once after...never start a project in the middle!  One step forward and two steps back! 

I am now waiting patiently while Anything of Wood builds some cabinets, the electrician works some magic with my wiring, and the plumber runs me a gas line for the stove in the carport.

 My idea of patient:  help build a shed/shop up the hill, strip paint from old cabinets just to see how they used to look, paint crown molding that I will soon learn how to install, patch the floor where 6 pieces of tile are now needed and lay tile, fill in the spaces where the fridge and stove will go, touch up paint after the ceiling and wall texturing, sweep dust, mop dust, vacuum dust, wipe off dust, sweep dust, mop dust, etc!

My Lowe's rant

Well SIX weeks after the initial fiasco with my new front door, Brad, the second installer from Lowe's, returned to put in the extended jamb that should have been used the first time. He and his two helpers were almost like Santa with a couple of elves. The door worked quite nicely when he was done.

He did not have quite as much luck backing his trailer and truck up after he pulled off into the woods. Leon to the rescue!  The storm door was replaced in a better fashion but I was not overly excited to have gray deck screws on my camel colored storm door that I had bought from Wilson's 1 1/2 years ago for more than just a little bit of money.

I decided to give Wilson's a call and buy some camel screws.  Also, the door handle had broken and maybe they would replace it. Within 3 days someone arrived to take care of the problem. They also noticed that the bracket for the hinge on top of the door was in the wrong place. No wonder the storm door would not open wide enough. And when Lowe's put the bracket in the wrong place they drilled some more holes in the storm door and relocated those screws!

I was quite surprised that 1 1/2 years after Wilson's installed my doors and windows that they would come fix little problems. However, he noted on the phone that if the door handle broke they must not have put the screw in the bottom and sure enough. He also put a new rubber strip on the bottom of the door as the first one was cut 1/2 " too short. The screen door on the patio slider did not have a latch on one side and that was added also.

I think I am done with doors for awhile but if I ever buy any more doors I will call Wilson's Home Improvement first. I guess you sometimes do get what you pay for!