Well, we signed up for snow, but then came the ICE! We didn't actually sign up for ice :o but today, we awoke to an absolute sheet of ice coating everything. Icicles line the roof lines just like back in the Midwest, windows are so coated with ice we only see a blur through them. The tree branches look as if they've been dipped in vats of liquid ice. Very much like Little House on the Prairie stories, indeed! (see yesterday's post...) Schools and businesses have been closed for 2 days now, due to crazy winter weather, and will be closed again tomorrow. Nothing seems to be melting yet and LOTS of folks are without power in our area at the moment - we're more than thankful for our electricity!

Most of our kids have been here for a giant slumber party, lots of movies and chatter. Momma sleeps so well when her chicks are in the nest. Our little granddaughter gets to sleep close to us in our big master bedroom. Today when she woke up, her first word was "Frosty!" Seriously.

Lots of activity takes place in the kitchen, with everyone making their own lattes on our fabulous Delongghi Magnifica (I could sell these puppies), sandwiches, omelets, etc., and I worked on a giant South African beef and veggie curry over rice and a massive tossed garden salad to feed a crowd.

It's been a 'pause' from the norm, a welcome holiday with our precious ones, sort of like formal permission to STOP the routine and linger over the magical wintry views, the frozen branches, the birds whipping in the wind, conversations that wouldn't happen under normal circumstances...today a few mentioned 'cabin fever,' but I'm choosing to drink in the unusual traffic in my abode, the boys and men who still love me, the grown-up girls playing in my make-up and hair stuff, baby granddaughter's toys strewn about. Without the mess, there wouldn't be a family to make the mess, so I'm grateful.

Aren't these the best of times?