I apologize at the outset, there are more pictures of snow. Basically that is really what has happened since I last wrote, snow, snow, some ice, no power and oh yes more snow. There have been a few events in there and last but by no means least we have the sea!
Late January is also the time for Louie to be in the West Chester University Dance Festival (please change this from the snowy time of the year), as always it nearly didn't happen because of snow. But for what was to come later in the month, it was NOTHING compared to dealing with the weather and complications of ice storms. So anyway, back to Louie. This year his dance group performed a dance called Jungle Beat, they were dressed as animals or jungle people. Louie had a great weekend, their dance for both performances was amazing and Louie really showed he has stick ability by going to the master class too!
Oh yeah and Mr F had to try and keep our kitchen warm, so he discovered that the light fitting were letting so much cold air in........so he got to work, God Bless Him!
One morning ice on the window screens........it is rather lovely with the tree reflected in the window.
Yup some snow on the outside roof.
That would be Damian's car! under the snow
Blue Spruce holding some snow
Getting ready for the show with Elizabeth
Getting ready for the make up
Waiting to perform. There is a lot of sitting around!
Got some great shots of Mr Robin having a snack
Yes more snow and this is another snow storm
I forget which storm this is but we had several more inches after this. All was fine as we were warm and dry inside.
But workers were required to do some digging.
Louie is a trooper and Isaac too..........he was digging the back drive for me.
But then this Sunrise came the morning of the next storm that was coming...the ice storm.
When the ice came it was very eerie. There is a quietness like no other and the noise that you can hear in the otherwise now silence world, is the cracking of ice shifting and then the breeze shifts the ice laden limbs of the trees and they clatter. It is remarkable, and terrifying.
To think that ice this thick is on every surface, trees, power lines....
These Hemlock trees are normally fluffed out and here with the weight of the ice and snow limbs are flattened to the trunk.
It looks like it has a fuzzy quality to the picture...that is ice on every single part of the tree down to the smallest tiniest twig. Weighing it down so that the branches touch the ground.
This is ice on the dog wood................need I say more.
Well I do need to say more, as we lost power in this last storm, the ice devastated our area and many thousands were out of power for days and days. We lost power for 4 days. This doesn't sound bad put like that. But it was very, very cold and the house became literally like a fridge. Day one was fine as we thought that as all around had power restored then we would. but going into that first night and having no power was terrible. At that point I still thought that when we woke it would be back on...........................that didn't happen and although we held out as long as we could. With little fuel to burn on the fire and no chance of getting any, we were seriously cold. The outside temps in the low 20's making it miserable. With more snow due and no power in sight he went to Lucy's.
Oh my we should have gone sooner and after hot wonderful showers spirits rebounded and we just relaxed and tried to defrost.
Here are some of the friends outside Lucy's window...
This is skinny tail................
And this is how he likes to spend his days! and the feeder is empty, maybe he likes the wood!
I will never be able to thank Miss Lucy enough for her kindness and comfort that she offered to me and the boys and we will be ever thankful!!! Those showers were paradise!
When we returned home after the power came back on we saw some lines men. We love these guys. they come from all over to help in emergencies like this and I caught the plates and them working....
From New York and Massachusetts.....
Up in his cherry picker in the back lane...
Mr Lines Man.....looks like a seasoned worker...fixing a line from a few houses down, just standing on the roof and getting on with it. It is still completely cold out there. They had been working round the clock and they just plugged on and then moved on to the next job.
My logs that didn't arrive in time! With Mr Archi
Bella warming her toes on the warm air vent............you can't see it but she is sighing. Poor thing when we left the house her paws were freezing! but now happy and warm!!!!!
So we woke up to more snow on Valentines day and we were due to go to Cape May for the weekend........I didn't think that we would make it out of the house.
Side door snowed in...spot the error shovel left outside.................
This is what it looked like outside...that is the chimneah in the storm
Once it stopped snowing out go the workers......
Gathering said shovel....
Yes a lot of snow..............
But the roads are clear and off we go...Cape May here we come
Ice along the rocky outcrop on the way through Philly.
The ice is stunning on this north facing outcrop.
This is the marshes on the way toward Cape May and there is no snow.....
Damian (and his coat 'Steve' the coat is like a whole person, so we thought that we should give him a name....so now that Damian is in Canada...Steve is his new best friend!!!!!) and Louie on the prom at Cape May....Happy!
Happy and RELAXED.we made it.
Just a shot of the street....no snow....
The ocean away from the sun and into the setting sun.................
The sunsets in Cape May are wonderful
Three happy people!
At our favorite coffee shop...the only coffee shop in Cape May and a lucky find 4 winters ago and even luckier to still have it. The best coffee in America!
I took this great picture of Isaac as his brace comes off soon and we wanted to remember how well he has done with it all!
Ah the Butterfly Tea Rooms. Not something that will be forgotten soon. There are some things that shouldn't be and tea rooms maybe come one of them. Or I should open my own! The scone....was like a dollop on a plate...........and I am being kind!!!! It wasn't hard, I give then that...but in no way did it resemble a scone! The sandwiches were so vile I can't describe them. Other than to say they were concoctions of truly awful natures and the cakes were in edible. It was truly atrocious...but the worst was that as it was Valentines weekend the owners were on high romantic over load. I call it ultimate humiliations..............they made you were a feather boa....I drew the line at being photoed thus! But really it is hard to hate them. They were the sweetest and kindest ladies ever............they just shouldn't!.....................My favorite bit was when they asked what the boys would like to drink...I said "Do you have any soft drinks?" and the lady looked at me confused and slightly aghast.............."No just tea? Won't they drink tea?" "No" I said and asked for water...it was like I had said please poison my children............it was hysterical. It was hard to keep a straight face and not be rude. There was a high light...not that I have ever had it in a tea room...their Italian Wedding Soup.............thankfully the tea was ok too. But who's idea was this excursion...............yes Mr F he swung us into that car park and him and 'Steve' barreled into that tea room full of Victoria Sponge anticipation that was to be dashed!!!!
Don't be fooled...........horrible...but look at Damey's face.............says it all.
Then the weather came in and it was sleety rain...........
Next morning it was bright and breezy and in the 20's
Here is snow and sand!
Stranded horseshoe crab..................
I loved the beach although I was getting frost bite taking photos..that wind was keen. But the things brought up on the beach were fascinating.
Sweet house for sale in Cape May
Groovey weather vanes and porches...........
Last pics of the sunny coast
And so back home and another snow dump...this time not much and we have ordered a special item to clear snow for the next times. With Damian and I now both nursing sore lower backs we aim to not repeat that mistake. I think that we have had 11 snow storms and shoveling is back breaking and the kids filled in for us and have really helped. Little mini wouldn't have left the garage without them working.............I am hopeful that we have had the snow for now..............and that temperatures rise. But for me, warmth and light are new cherished things and with that I am content. Roll on spring.............PLEASE!
