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Good morning friends, like most of the country our weekend revolved around the weather. Saturday it was gray, cold and overcast and I spent a large portion of the day in the yard cleaning up the remaining debris from the storm that we had a couple of weeks ago. I was tired of looking out the window at piles of sticks and hundreds and hundreds(that is not an exaggeration) of pinecones so I made it my mission to get out and get it done. The yard looked beautiful and clean for less than half a day.
After a cosy night with a book I went to bed hoping to wake up to an enchanted wonderland of snow, and had high hopes making a snowman, maybe a snow angel. Instead, we awoke Sunday morning to an icy wonderland, ever surface encased in ice; the cars, driveway, plants, trees, tables and more. Then the winds picked up and the “whispering pines” started to “yell” and sway, the house was pelted for hours on end with pinecones, ice chunks, twigs, and branches.
Once there was a lull in the storm, I bundled up in my warm , and went outside during a lull in storm and everything is a mess, and that is putting it lightly. Huge tree limbs laden with ice fell onto our bushes and shrubs and squished them like pancakes. Other bushes were so top heavy from the weight, they fell over and uprooted themselves. From the safety of our house we watched trees snap off at the top and crash onto the golf course below with a plume of rain and snow to follow. Natures fury is amazing to see, from afar, and I am so thankful that none of those limbs or trees came crashing down onto our house.
The power flickered on and off but luckily we did not loose it. My brother who lives less than a mile away was not so lucky, he lost power very early in the storm. Unfortunately, the streets were/are covered in ice and our neck of the woods does not have machinery for salt, sand, brine or snow removal. The only help we could offer was from afar and the promise of a warm meal and a bed if they could reach the house. They decided to stay home, play games, do puzzles and have a family slumber party in front of the fire.
I baked brownies, and bread for my elderly neighbors who spent the day anxiously looking out the windows hoping that nothing fell onto their house. When I showed up at the door with my care package my neighbor got tears in her eyes and hugged me. She told me they were exhausted with worry because they do not have family close by if something were to happen. Thankfully nothing did hit their house, their yard looks the same as mine, lots of debris and large branches and limbs that narrowly missed hitting the house but landed on their landscaping.
Life is a struggle for almost everyone right now, with Covid, supply chain issues, inflation and job loss, then add in winter and every day aggravations and people are worn out. Please be kind, and patient, everyone is just trying to survive. If you have elderly neighbors please be extra vigilant and check on them to see that they have what they need.
Today is a new day and hopefully the sun will peak out for a bit. I have a full day ahead helping my neighbors this morning and then this afternoon will be spent in my yard.
To my friends in the path of the storm this morning, stay safe.
Have a great day my friends, thank you for spending part of your day here.
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You are a wonderful neighbor. I suspect you feel just as lucky being able to help them as they do having you close by.
Laurel, I am happy to help them because so many people helped my in-laws as they aged and I am simply paying it forward.
It’s so nice of you to help your older neighbors. I know they appreciate it so much. Just leave things until winter is over, the things like pine corns and small debris. You’ll be wasting your time because it will all be back soon.. With the wind where I live, I know the fear of that sound of wind that sounds so monstrous. Be safe.
Brenda
Thank you Brenda! As soon as you are in your house there will be a care package coming your way!
I am so sorry, what a horrible storm. So kind to be there for each other. Your photography is beautiful! I love the red berry one! Wow!
Thank you Melba! Happy Monday, have a wonderful week.
Ice is the worst. I hate that you have a lot of clean-up ahead of you. You are very kind to take brownies to your elderly neighbors and to check on them.
Paula, that you. I hope that in Virginia you had a beautiful snowfall and not too much damage. You are in my prayers and I am counting the days until February.
So far we have been in a little pocket of not getting any snow or ice during the recent weeks – fine with me. Ice can be even worse than snow.
Rosemary you are so right, ice is worse than snow. Happy Monday have a great week.
Hi Elizabeth, Stay safe. In western Canada we have had many weeks of frigid (-10 to -30F) weather and snow. Last night it rained and today the city is a skating rink. No doubt the ERs will be filled with patients who slipped and fell on the ice or skid through an intersection. Bizarre winter all around. Hope you and your pups stay warm and safe today. Love your blog!
Joyce
Hello Joyce, the weather is very bizarre this year. We have another storm coming this week. Obviously we are not used to ice and snow in this area so although it is exciting it is a little scary. Ice is no joke, hopefully the people in Canada are familiar with ice roads and sheets of glass and take extra precautions, I hate to see people hurst from a fall, especially the elderly. Take care and enjoy your winter. P.S. Stay inside!
Glad you are safe ! We got clobbered with maybe 2 feet of snow during the night in Cleveland, Oh…. Your neighbors are blessed to have you ! The brownies look amazing – do you have a recipe you could link ? Tx so much – stay warm and safe !
Hello Patricia, two feet of snow! Yikes, that is a lot of snow in one night. I hope that you do not have to shovel it. I will be sharing the brownie recipe tomorrow. They are from the book, Extreme Brownies, https://amzn.to/3rtKwH9
Ice storms are the worst thing – great you never lost power. Wonder if you have a link for the Caramel Stuffed Brownies – one of my favorite flavor combinations 🙂
Hello Joan, I will be posting the recipe tomorrow. If you love brownies than you will definitely want to get this book, the recipe is from here. https://amzn.to/3rtKwH9 EXTREME BROWNIES
HOW TERRIFYING!
THAT PHOTO OF THE BRANCH COVERED IN ICE IS AMAZING!
HOW GOOD OF YOU TO WEATHER THE ELEMENTS AND GET TO YOUR ELDERLY NEIGHBORS!!!
I BET THEY WERE HAPPY TO SEE YOU!!!
XXX
Thank you Elizabeth. I think we all need to look out for out neighbors, so many are struggling after 3 years of covid.
So glad you are safe. Ice can be so scary…much worse that snow. You are so good to be there for your neighbors. I agree…with life being challenging, a little kindness can go a long way. Stay safe and well, Elizabeth!
Thank you Lynne, ice is very scary, as are falling branches covered in ice. A little kindness is something everyone has the ability to give, it’s free.
That’s sweet of you to share your baking skills with neighbors. Winter has been especially hard these last years. Lovely photos despite the storm damage.
Thank you Marie!
Freezing rain is one part of winter I do not like.
William, I could not agree with you more.
Ice us tge worst. I feel bad that you gave clean up to do.
Seeing those brownies again, awesome. I can’t wait to make them.
Cindy, I hope that you try them! Have a great night.