I’m sitting in my warm and bright living room tonight listening to the wind blow and the sleet hit the windows. It will probably turn to freezing rain at some time tonight. I stepped onto the patio and scraped up some of the ice balls.
As these little ice balls pile up they solidify together and become a sheet of treacherous ice. The streets are already looking pretty slick.
But I’m really happy to be in a warm and bright house tonight. My power went out around 9:30 this morning. It was windy all night long and continued today. It’s cold too. Actually temps in the 20s. Wind chill takes it down to the low teens. A power line a few blocks away was knocked down and it affected my neighborhood, while the the street that runs parallel to mine never lost power.
It was a long day of waiting for the power to come on and trying to work on my phone and iPad (both operating on cellular connection), and watching the temperature in the house steadily get lower and lower. I did several meetings for work and kept on top of email, but that was about all I could do.
I took the dogs for a walk around 11 am, thinking it would be a good way to warm up. So I bundled up and headed out. We walked for about 2.5 miles. It was blustery and cold, but it was dry. When I got home the 60 degree house felt nice and toasty!
I ate a sad little lunch of crackers with butter (because Bender ate my half-loaf of bread while I was in the shower) then had a couple more meetings. Around 2:30 I took my phone and iPad to my friend’s house one street over so they could charge. Then I took the dogs for another 2.5 mile walk. It was still dry and blustery. I stopped at the park on the way home to let the dogs run free for a while. Then I dropped the dogs off at home and headed back to my friend’s house. They gave me a nice hot cup of coffee, filled some thermoses with hot water, and filled a thermos with some hot soup. The husband then took me for a drive to see if we could locate where the power outage was and we found four power company trucks about a half mile from my house. They were working on a downed power pole. It was a relief to know they were on the task. They estimated that the power would be back on around 6 pm.
My power actually came on around 4:30 and it was the most amazing feeling! I was so relieved that I wasn’t going to spend the night in a cold house! It’s amazing how wonderful a bright and warm home feels!
We had an ice storm two winters ago. You can read about that storm here. It’s kind of scary to see another one approaching. They can cause huge amounts of damage and power outages that can last days.
I’m going to work tomorrow morning and then take the afternoon off. My plan is to get my house ready for company for Christmas Eve dinner. I also need to plan out my menu and when to make what. It looks like the weather will keep me at home so It’s a good thing I got all my grocery shopping done earlier this week.
The fabric my friend purchased for me at her local quilt store that’s liquidating their KFC fabrics arrived earlier this week.
I bought a few yards of that white buttons fabric on the far left because I thought it would make an interesting neutral background for something… much more interesting than a solid white background. I saw a quilt made with this as a background earlier this week and it was interesting.
I bought the two pieces of feathers in the center because they’re so gorgeous!
The black octopus on the far right…. well… I just love it and have a kind of ridiculous amount of it. I have two pieces of it that are each large enough for a quilt backing. This piece is four yards. I have no plans for it but it makes me feel happy to know it’s in my stash.
Then a few days ago I got an email from Hancocks of Paducah… who is having a nice sale on KFC fabrics. So I purchased two pieces that will be eventual quilt backings. One for my recent orange/pink/purple quilt… this one…
The other one for a quilt that will be made FOR this particular backing. I have an idea on this. I’ll share more when this fabric arrives. It’s already in Portland, according to my package tracking info. Happy Christmas to me!
Yesterday was the winter solstice. It’s usually a good day for me. I really dislike how early it gets dark in the winter. I really do LOVE the long summer evenings with hours of light. I always think that if I can make it to the winter solstice, I can make it through the dark winter. I love knowing that the sun is slowly coming back to these northern climates.
I took the boys for a walk yesterday afternoon in the glorious sunshine of the shortest day of the year… when the sun is as far south as it will get.
It was a nice walk.
We decided to take another walk last night in the dark… knowing that bad weather was on the way. When I got home I was greeted by an un-invited quest in my kitchen.
Yup. That’s a mouse perched atop my backsplash. OMG!!!
It’s not unheard of to see mice in the house when it turns cold. I probably get a mouse or two every couple of years. So I pulled out my mouse traps (I always keep some on hand) and set a couple in the kitchen.
Then later last night I went into my guest room to find a Kaffe quilt book and noticed two intact hazelnuts on the floor next to the closet.
What an odd place to see two abandoned hazelnuts. So I had the bright idea to set a trap in that closet.
It’s very common to catch a mouse the first night you set out traps. So when I woke up this morning I checked all the traps I set. Nothing in any of the traps I set in the kitchen. But when I checked the trap in the guest room closet… there he was. Departed. Former mouse.
So the first thing I did (well, the first thing after disposing of the recently departed one) was to clean and disinfect all the kitchen counter and backsplash surfaces. It’s a relief to know that my hunt was successful. I’ve left a couple traps set in the kitchen and one in that closet just in case this guy invited his friends. But I’m thinking he was it.
I’m looking forward to this storm being over. Hearing on the news tonight that two major interstates around Portland are closed. I’m really glad I don’t have to travel anywhere.
Keep you fingers crossed for us!
agilejack 
Merry Christmas to you all and all the bestest in 2023!
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Merry Christmas and happy new year!
Anne
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sounds like you better trade those dogs in for a couple of cats.
wink wink.
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I get first dibs please!
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You’re on my list as long as you’re willing to drive to Oregon!
Anne
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Hahaha! Or at least maybe a terrier! My Forrest was a very efficient rat killer. He had quite a few notches on his belt!
Anne
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š„°š„°š„°I can be there in 2 days!
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I’ll get their bags packed!
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Donāt tease me now or Iāll be there before you know it! š„°š„°š„°š„°š„°
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Good luck with your power and cooking. Here on the mid east coast we’re expecting another day of rain and 40-50 degrees ending with wind chill warnings and 8 degrees. At least a 30 degree drop in temperature is anticipated from 7am through 4 pm. Where I am, in Maryland, just 45 minutes north of the White House, it’s predicted to possibly be the coldest Christmas in recorded history. Our usual winter temperatures run above 40. We’ll have a warm Christmas anyway and wish you all the best as well.
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Merry Christmas. I hope your weather hasn’t been too bad. We lucked out and our storm wasn’t as bad as predicted. now it’s warmed up and we’re back to lots and lots of rain.
Anne
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Ice storms are the worst! I hope your power remains on.
Merry Christmas! Enjoy your guests.
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Our storm turned out to be much more mild than they had predicted. Ice pellets instead of freezing rain meant icy roads, but the power outages were limited.
happy holidays!
Anne
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Great news! Happy it was not as bad as predicted.
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Best of luck with your awful weather, stay safe and keep warm. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from N. Ireland.
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Merry Christmas! We lucked out and our predicted ice storm was much less severe than that thought. It’s warmed back up and it’s pouring! Back to our regularly scheduled winter!
Anne
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Wow. That is a ton at action and activity. A mouse in the house! Eek. It happens. Power outage! Big pre storm walks. Fundraising! Itās a lot of everything. And super cool new fabric. Always fun. Thank goodness for kind neighbors
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what would we do without our neighbors?
Luckily, our storm wasn’t as bad as the forecast. We got really lucky.
Anne
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We are getting horrible weather here in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Most things are closed due to the freezing rain, wind gusts and snow. I donāt think I am going anywhere for Christmas this year. I am content stay home and be safe
Merry Christmas to you and all the best in 2023,
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It’s a good idea to stay safe and warm at home with this terrible weather. It’s amazing that the weather is so terrible in so many place.
happy holidays and happy new year!
Anne
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Sincerely hoping your power stays on! At least you’d be able to sew, cook, watch movies, etc. Happy Holidays!
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We really lucked out as the freezing rain that was predicted didn’t really materialize. It stayed cold for a couple days but now it’s warmed back up and it’s poured rain all day. It’s so soggy outside.
Anne
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Wishing you the best of the holiday season Anne. We are in the grips of the Ice Storm all the up on Vancouver Island. Our 18 inches of snow has ice pellets landing on it last night. It is below freezing and treacherous on the roads. Ferries, buses and flights have been canceled.
I just emailed my work to call a snow day. Although I can walk there, I do not have any client meetings and I woudl rather be safe at home, than worrying about a car losing control and hitting me.
The ice rain just started. It is a beautiful tinkling sound, but so dangerous.
I am thankful my son safely made it home for Christmas last night.
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Oh yes! I’ve seen your terrible weather on the news. You really got hit hard. We were lucky and our freezing rain didn’t materialize the way they thought it would.
when it’s icy like that, it’s definitely best to stay home! I never experienced freezing rain until I moved to Portland in 2010. It’s so scary! It is beautiful, but so terrible dangerous!
I’m glad your son made it home. So many people have been stranded and not able to be with their people.
Anne
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What I wouldnāt give for a 20 degree temp, here it has been -30 to -40 for a week. Needless to say we hunker under our quilts by the fire.
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OMG! That’s so cold! Where are you, Siberia??? I’m so glad you’re able to keep warm. Fires and quilts for the win!
Anne
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We have a bird feeder outside a window so my kitty can watch – apparently “mice” ?? were enjoying the seed droppings. I say mice but these guys were at least 10 times bigger – not a rat – looked as big as a Chinchilla they were roly poly. Sure didnt want THEM in the house.
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We have rats here. It was so hard to get used to when I first moved here. Luckily, I’ve never had them in my house. My neighbor’s crawl space was infested with them a few years ago. I can’t imagine how horrible that was to deal with! they’re just too big!
Anne
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š³!!!!!!
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Merry Christmas, Anne. Merry Christmas to Bender and Rico. Stay warm. Hopefully no more mouse in the house!
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Merry Christmas to you!
So far, no other mice. I still have several traps set, just to be sure but this guy seems to have come to my party not only uninvited, but completely alone!
Anne
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Merry Christmas Anne! Iām in Michigan and weāre having a blizzard. No travel for 2 days. Blowing winds and trying to get our little feathered friends some much needed nutrition. Enjoy your holidays!
Youāve been a much needed distraction and inspiration this past year. Thanks.šššš
Mary G
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Merry Christmas Mary! It’s amazing how many people across the country hare having such terrible weather. So many holiday plans interrupted and changed last minute. I’m so glad I wasn’t planning to travel anywhere. Home is the best place to be when there’s weather like that.
I’ve heard the birds were very hungry and thirsty during our cold spell. People were working hard to keep them fed and watered.
thanks for reading! I hope I come up with some fun projects in 2023!
anne
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I saw on the news that a second storm was coming and would hit your area. I hate ice storms. It is -4 degrees here at almost 2 p.m. but only about 2″ of snow and lots of wind.
I had a mouse in my basement early this month and I set a second trap and caught one more. I rarely have mice in the house but set a 3rd trap which hasn’t caught anything.
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I’ve had a couple traps set since I caught this guy. So far, no more mice. but it’s nice to be sure.
We really lucked out on our storm. I freezing rain they had predicted didn’t materialize. So our roads were icy and slick for a couple days, but we didn’t have the widespread power outages caused by downed trees and power lines. And now it’s warmed up and it pouring rain. It’s so soggy outside!
Holy cow! -4 degrees. It’s been a long time since I was in temps that low. I hope it warms up for you soon.
Anne
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Merry Christmas š had to smile about Bender and the bread. I had a bicer that koved bread. Love the button fabricNJ is experiencing 5 degrees tonight and tomorrow night…next week will be in the 40 to 50 range… craziness.
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Boxer not bicer
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there’s been so much terrible winter weather across the country. We really lucked out and our storm wasn’t as bad as they had feared. it’s warmed up now but is too wet.
Truthfully, Bender will eat anything. it just happened to be a bag of bread in his reach!
Anne
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Iām so glad your power is back on! We got down to 8 degrees this morning but about 19 now. I hope your company still makes it and your dinner is fabulous! Stay warm and hug on those boys š„°
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We had a nice thaw on Christmas Eve and my company had no trouble making It here. Plus, they just live on the next street over!
it’s warmed up here now and has poured rain all day. I hope your temps are up. That sounds just terrible!
Anne
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Happy Holidays to All! Anne, I love reading your posts, seeing all of your wonderful projects, and hearing about your adventures with Bender and Rico. The way you described your mouse visitor and its demise really made me laugh. Nothing like leading you straight to its hiding place by leaving the hazelnuts outside the closet door.
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haha! yes. that poor mouse led me right to his hiding place! I was so relieved to find that I had snagged him in the night!
Anne
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We have been hearing on the TV and reading in the newspapers the approach of this storm and the likely damage it will cause, they were spot on it seems and I hope you survived any worse weather at your place. Keep up the good work with more fabric buying!!! Good on you for catching the errant mouse!
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We actually really lucked out with this storm. We got mostly ice pellets instead of freezing rain. the roads became really icy, but the pellets don’t stick to the trees and power lines so we didn’t have power outages. it was cold and icy, but it could have been so much worse. People in other parts of the country definitely have it much worse than we do.
I feel bad about the mouse but that’s really the only way to get rid of them.
Anne
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