Snow Day(book)

 Outside my window...

4-5 inches of snow!  Snow-pocalypse...as my Dear Husband keeps intoning.  We were up very late last night watching it snow, running from window to window, jumping up and down, and watching a movie because no one could sleep.

I am thinking...

about what to do today.  Play in the snow?  Knit and read to my heart's content?  Put more grades into the computer?  (Not bloody likely, that one!)  

I am thankful for...

snow that arrives on Sunday night after we are all safely home from our many, many activities yesterday.  Dh's office is closed and no worries about his going in and being out on the roads.

From the  learning rooms  kitchen table...

Snow Day!

From the kitchen...

Another birthday cake for Pipster's 12th birthday today! And probably chili in my new dutch oven.

I am wearing...

Sweat pants and a fleece I inherited from my 17 year-old son.  Actually, it's Dh's now, but I'm borrowing it.  Slippers.  Contemplating boots and snow gear, but with the sound of sleet hitting the windows, I'm not so sure!

I am creating...

A new scarf out of sock yarn:  Lacy Baktus.  I like the  stripes in the yarn, and I'm using a larger needle so it's not as tight.  I'm pretty sure I'm going to get some Madelintosh Sock after this to make another, and I might even attempt some beading.  I first saw this pattern on the hips of a lady at a yarn store. She had used beads on the edge every few inches and it was gorgeous.

I am going...

Nowhere!  Unless it's outside to play!  I probably won't be going anywhere tomorrow either because I think the massive amounts of ice we're to get will keep us homebound for another day.

I am hoping and praying...

...For a friend who has been out of work for about a year now and is about to lose her home

...for healing for lots of people with cancer, especially this little boy. 

I am hearing...

Nothing but the sound of water in the pipes.  The young 'uns have all left the immediate vicinity to find other kids to play with.

Around the house...

I got the tree down on Saturday, all by myself as I listened to podcasts on my new ipod dock.  It made the work, which is usually such drudgery, much more pleasant.  Do you hate taking down your Christmas tree?  It brings me such joy while it's up, and then I'm the only one doing the work of taking down all that joy.  Not my favorite, but this was good.  My mind was on other things.  

In case you're wondering, and I know you are, I was listening to  The Catholic Laboratory.  Can't remember the name of the gentleman who does the show, Ian, maybe, but he's wonderful.  He's got a terrific British accent and the show is very well done.  Excellent explanations of complicated subjects and lots of variety in the show.  There is quite a bit that's over my head, but I enjoy it anyway.  It's a great source for science information and Catholic truths.

Anyway, the Jesse tree is still up along with nativities and Saint Nicholases (Nicholai?  Nicholi?).  Maybe I'll get to those tomorrow.  Or next weekend.

One of my favorite things...

Sugar.  It's one of those love/hate things.  If I had a New Year's Resolution, it would be to give it up forever.

Yes, that's a repeat from last week.  We struggle with sugar a lot during January with the bad habits acquired between T-day and New Year's coupled with 3 birthdays.  I abstained from the first 2 cakes, and the cake yesterday at a reception, but I'm feeling weak today.  

And feeling the siren song of my mother's delicious fudge frosting that I'll be putting on Pipster's cake today.  yum.

A few plans for the rest of the week...

Snow, snow, snow.  I imagine it will have eased up enough to allow travel to our first American Heritage Girl's meeting of the year on Thursday.  And we're having a huge Mother-Daughter sleepover on Friday!

 A Photo thought...

Sweet Mom.  She stays because it's a snow day!

Huge flakes last night!

After only 30 mins. of heavy snow.

The Cupcake

This morning!