not exactly snowed in...but...

 I am not going anywhere anytime soon!  It's beautiful out there, exactly like a snowglobe.  The snow covers a multitude of sin, all that brown and mud and the bare naked trees.  The lake effect flakes are big and fluffy and they wander down in no particular hurry, just like a Hallmark movie.  The wind will be picking up, so it might not look as idyllic, but it's lovely right now.

Lydia really liked these deer, she asked if she could play with them.  Of course, as long as you leave them right here when you're done.  

Denzel loved our Christmas tree.  He took lots of things off of it, being one year old, he doesn't really care how many times you take him away from it.  He didn't hurt anything, I just have a few things to put back on. 

The front middle is kind of messed up.  Rhys was decorating it the other day too, I really don't care that much, it's still beautiful, and it's enjoyed.  Ophelia liked the candy canes.  She had three, but to be fair, she thought if one broke, it was okay to have another:)

Like the chocolate Santa?  It came in a package of chocolate ornaments from Aldi.

Old Kitty keeping an eye on the snow.

I think I'll test out the new oven today.  Maybe a big batch of chocolate chip cookies with Christmas M&M's in them...I have to make cut out cookies next week, gingerbread and regular butter cut outs, for our pool Christmas party.  Then more for the childrens' party at church, for them to frost and decorate.  This is all fine with me, ha.  

So, everything in my life is absolutely perfect, no trials at all.  ha.  The new stove fits more snugly in the countertops, looks great, except for the new flooring wasn't installed far back enough...thankfully we still have some leftover, and Paul said he will fix it.  I repainted the tile behind the stove a few years back, didn't paint down far enough for the new stove...so it has to be redone.  

I don't mind some projects.  I am itching to start on the end tables, the ones I bought in high school.  What a dope I was, ha, using my babysitting money to buy two unfinished wood end tables.  I also went to the furniture store and bought a floral couch and love seat, paid for it weekly, then stored it at Paul's brother's house.  When we got married and had our first apartment, I sanded and finished the tables, and reveled in having such beautiful brand new living room furniture.  

The tables have been chalk painted a few times, they are white now.  The tops will be sanded to find that nice wood underneath, and the bottoms painted like the coffee table.  

Today just plain wins the Cozy Award.  I cannot tell you how amazing it is.  Every tree branch covered in snow, the lighting the way it is when everything outside is white, and the fake fireplace humming.  

Emily took this picture on her way to work, a bit north and west of here.  Our family chat is filled with driving-to-work-in-the-snow experiences this morning.  Sam counted seven cars off the road.  Mariel took twenty minutes extra to get in to the city to the hospital.  Adrian drove through a white out, and Rosi did also.  So I'm home and praying for them all!  

Ah well, have a good day, and if you're in the frozen north, stay warm and safe!!  If you're in the sunny south, take a minute to enjoy that warm sun on your face, and shh, I'm a tiny bit jealous.