Winter Wonderland

It's February, 2011 and winter has arrived in full form.  Yesterday, the first day of February, we were hit with a blizzard warning.  The forecast was for freezing rain, sleet and blizzard conditions with 12-20 inches of snow.  Fortunately, we did not receive much freezing rain (the ice storm of 2007 was in all our minds), but boy did we get the snow.  Schools were called off, and...get this....Gary's workplace cancelled for the day.  That never happens!  Gary had gone in at 4 am and one other guy showed up.  But the boss came in at 5 and discussed the situation with Gary and decided to close for  the day, so...Gary got to come home.  Many places were closed, including Ferrell Duncan Clinic.  Crazy day!  Here's a few pictures of the "blizzard"...from inside, of course.

.

And then...the sun came out and shone for about an hour before more snow.  This measurement was while the sun was out...about 5 inches.

Then it started in again and this is what happened....10 inches.

I just couldn't help donning my heavy coat, boots and stocking hat to make a trek in the snow.  It was just so beautiful and I wanted to take pictures to remember the "blizzard of 2011."  Rambo just had to go with me, even though his little legs could barely trudge through the deep snow.  He tried to follow my footsteps, but strayed off a time or two.  Does that sound like a sermon illustration?

 

Here's the retaining wall on the west side of the house:

 

Here's the one on the east front:

 

This is the front door with the fish ponds on either side.  Ice fishing, anyone?

 

Rambo's ready to go in:

I just had to get a few more pictures of the east deck and the view from there.

Why, oh why, didn't I put his little sweater on him?

 One final measurement:

Well, schools are still out today and I am sure there are kids everywhere with their sleds out.  Not me....I'm going to make cookies, scrapbook, and whatever else I want to do....inside.

Have a "winterful" day!

Donna