The blast hits . . .

Winter has come early to North Dakota, and the gentle breezes blow 75 miles an hour and at 35 below. Oh how I love North Dakota, when the snows up to your butt. You take a breath of winter and your nose gets frozen shut. Yes, the weather here is wonderful, so I guess I'll hang around. I could never leave North Dakota, I'm frozen to the ground.

And so it began last nite! It was suggested I take a couple pix to show that it was beginning to stick, so I took the photo above yesterday as the light faded and this morning it looked more like this. Shoveled just enough around the front and back doors to allow me freedom if for whatever the reason, (can't imagine what) I would need to go out and about. I have been watching the weather reports and we aren't out of the path yet. They keep talking about blowing snow, winds gusting to 50 miles an hour today, but that snow was wet and heavy, how it getting in the air is beyond me, I can only hope it's beyond me, down the road blowing in someone elses yard.

Zak of course was thrilled with running and jumping in the white stuff this morning. What can you expect from a dog!? He is a perpetual two year old. He had a himself a great time plowing snow with his nose while I shoveled.

Weather maps showed a good part of the country was hit one way or another by this huge system. Here's hoping that everyone can and will recover from the losses they have experienced over the last couple days.

It's only beginning! : )

So it begins . . .

This morning Zak and I made a very quick trip outside, no walk down the prairie road and definitely no taking time to admire the view. The view was hard to see due to those white flakes flying by at a high rate of speed. So it begins, winter on the prairie and arriving with some bluster to say the least. Could it be my perception is a bit colored by my many years of living the protected winter life in the suburbs with all those trees, houses closer together, city and state maintainence crews keeping all that white at bay for me. What stubborn leaves were hanging on in defiance, are now down the road at about 40 mpr. The weatherman says 6 to 9 inches of the white stuff in the area I live.
Those of you who know me, know that this will be the start of my winter hibernation. I feel there is no reason for me to emerge into the frosty world, save an emergency of some sort; and those will be kept to a minimum if I have anything to say about it. It is time for me to start cooking soups, baking pies, trying out those new recipes that have come my way over the past few months. YUMM!
Can you believe the holidays are just around the corner? I know some of you have picked out a nice orange pumpkin to carve and put a candle in to greet all those ghosts and goblins this weekend. I on the other hand found two "great" pumpkins and have them in the oven roasting for pies. It tastes so much better than that canned stuff and the family raves, that in turn warms me :). Anything to stay warm on the prairie!!
Stay warm, be happy and for goodness sake be real!

Answers to prayers

Blessings to the miners and their families and to all those responsible for their rescue. It is amazing how so many people worked tirelessly with one goal in mind, to free the Chilean miners trapped for so long, so far below the earth's surface. It was a global prayer that brought all the right components together to make this possible. I am fascinated by how everyone's ideology and philosophy were set aside to reach the common goal. Why can't we apply that to so many other areas of this planet? WOW!!!

So when you are having a bad day, hour or whatever, think about spending 3 months a mile underground wihout all your favorite amenities. OUCH! Not sure my game would be good enough!

All is well on the prairie and hope the same is true in your part of the world! Going prairie walking with Zak!

Prairie Fall

It is a beautiful day on the prairie and all is right in my world. Hope this weekend is full of sunshine for you as well. Getting ready for a weekend of cooking, a fire in the ring and good times with good friends. A friend is moving into town from Wyoming and I have been "kitty-sitting" for her 3 furry kids, Sheba, Misty and Squeaks. She called this morning to say she is about 4 hours away.

Zak's NBF will be staying overnite and that will be so much fun! Tobie is a New Foundland/Chow mix and is like a gentle giant. He and Zak have become the best of buddies. They romp and play, nap and whine with each. Hilarious! They both have such great personalities.

Am working on a school reunion committee and family reunion committee simultaneously. Lets hope I keep the data straight or next summer could be iteresting! It has been fun researching the history of the school and meeting old acquaintances, renewing old friendships and finding new ones to explore.