SNOW!!

OK, so I may never tire of snow days. Two hour delays are sweet for a bit of extra sleep and being able to wash the morning dishes before leaving for work (therefore coming home to a clean house -- reducing stress), but they cannot compare to a full day free of expectations, and beyond the opportunity, the requirement, to go outside and enjoy the beauty -- even if only in the form of shoveling snow!




We were lucky enough to be home and settled without adversity and with uninterrupted power and heat by the time the force of the storm hit. While heating the oven to 500 for homemade pizza, we were able to hop back and forth to the front porch to watch the snow fall and send pictures and texts to Aunt Angie & Co. in the sunny southwest. Even more than the serenity of the snowfall, the ensuing silence is delightful. The porch serves as a refrigerated sensory deprivation tank!




This morning, after one of Daddy's big breakfasts, Dave and Kelly dug out the cars, driveway and sidewalks. Kelly, who declined being photographed at work, deigned to have her activities recorded as she created a snow angel for Aunt Angie!

Ladle's Birthday - January 21, 2011

Yesterday was Sadie's 90th birthday, and she celebrated it in style! When she first moved to Collingswood, there was a January birthday celebration, and she received a lovely corsage and enjoyed cake and ice cream with the staff and residents. For her actual birthday, however, she had her own celebration.

Nancy stopped by in the afternoon, set up the laptop and Granmammy had a videoconference with Sam in France! Sam's card had arrived the previous day, and after reading Sami's warning about too much champagne, we enjoyed a toast! Poor Sami only had an empty glass to clink with us.




Hazen and the Thomases sent some beautiful flowers -- hot pink roses (Sadie's favorites), snow white hydrangeas (reminiscent of Massachusetts?) and little pink flowers that I don't recognize! Sadie really enjoyed them.

Hazen and Phyllis called with birthday wishes, as did Josie and Barbara Ann. Then Kelly came by with presents for Granmammy to open; a new pink robe, a flowered blouse, white shawl sweater and purple velour pants (wild!). Here she is modelling them with her lovely flowers.




After supper, we read birthday cards from Aunt Barbara and Sadie's family, then Sadie was treated to butter pecan ice cream. In spite of my best efforts, some pecans slipped through, which was problematic, but Sadie was able to enjoy a good serving of one of her favorites.

Finally Ladle enjoyed a phone call with Barbara, who, even while she was cooking supper, provided a stirring rendition of "Happy Birthday" along with her chat!

All in all Sadie enjoyed the celebration of her 90th year. Since Hi-Dad used to say, "The first hundred years are the hardest," Ladle observed she would have only ten more years to determine the truth of that statement.

Finally, it was time for bed. The end of a grand day. Thank you all for your love and good wishes.