Now.

Snow day. Starting with teleworking for Travis and myself. And coffee, of course.

 The kids are already absorbed in various Minecraft-related endeavors on the iPads. I swear,sometimes I think we should skip over buying them their own handheld gaming systems and go straight to iPads for both of them. It's a thought. An expensive thought, but a decent one, nonetheless.

No snowfall in Virginia escapes my morning-after snow photography. It's been a long time since I had proper snow boots. Maybe fifteen years or so. I think it might be time to invest in a pair of good, insulated snow boots, like the L.L. Bean boots I wore in college. My rain boots do not cut it when the temps are low.

It's really cold, maybe 15* at the most, which for this part of the south, is pretty chilly. It's four inches of "sweeping snow", the kind you can get off the cars with a broom. For those of us who are transplants from harsher winter climates, it's not that big a deal, but around here, it's cause for school closure, stay-off-the-roads warnings, and the opportunity for teleworking.

It will likely all be melted, or rained, away by the weekend, but it's nice while it lasts, and makes me feel like I have at least a little bit of winter each year.

I love the way our house looks in the winter with a coat of snow.

Even the backyard, fairly utilitarian-looking in the winter, is pretty with a frosting of snow. The dogs love it,but the kids, astonishingly, have not been outside yet.

But I have been outside already; the sunshine is bright, but cold, and everything sparkles.

Day 21

I think I may have to avoid Facebook today so I don't feel the need to punch all the people who are complaining and whining about the lack of snow at the moment. No matter WHAT happens with the weather, SOMEone is going to get their panties in a wad about it, and about what the schools do or do not do.

Chill out, people.

It's not the damn end of the world if you have to take a day off!! Relax, and enjoy the unexpected gift. Or don't, but I promise you, complaining about it isn't going to change a thing at this point.

I really, really, really, REALLY hope we get some serious snow. I am all set to be home for a couple of days.

So far, this is the view from my kitchen window (ignore the fact that the window is dirty):

And this is the sky over my backyard:

Kids are happy, though. They are playing Minecraft like their lives depend on it:

I am working for a little while, then running various kids to appointments this afternoon.I'm hoping the university cancels Travis' night class tonight.

Maybe I will sew or work on some of the various ideas lurking in my brain. I have been making a lot of starts on ideas and projects, but then the Well dries up, or my Muse goes out for coffee or something, because I can't get past the beginning stages. I *was* getting frustrated by that, but in considering it, I'm not, anymore. My art-making is a continuum which exists as a stream or river in my life right now, and there's no real deadline on anything.Sometimes I wish I could get back into doing art shows and making work for sale, but it's just not possible right now, and I can accept that. Although I have committed myself to working at the torch this week sometime, while it is really cold and the kiln can warm the laundry room, because it's been FAR too long--months and months-- since I played with fire.

I admit to thoughts of selling my equipment, to add to the horse fund, and also because I'm just not using it. But it took me so long, and so much effort to buy that caliber of kiln, I don't want to let it go. I really need to buy the O2 concentrator I need to power the new torch, but that will have to wait a bit til I can figure out a revenue stream for that.

Anyway, I'm sitting here, enjoying a little bit of relative peace, and waiting for the snow. I know several of my friends are wishing as hard as their minds will let them for it to go away, but wishing won't make it so. Just like wishing for the snow won't bring it here. Sad, but true, bit of information about life. Real magic is out there, but it doesn't control the weather.

I hope you have an enjoyable day, anyway, whether it snows or not, whether you think the school systems are stupid to close before snow is on the ground or not, whether you like the snow, or irrationally hate it with the fire of a thousand suns.

How To Spend A Snowy Saturday

First, breakfast. With lots of coffee. And surveying of the wintry scene.

Two views of our front yard and road outside our house. About 2-3 inches of snow fell last night. I think we got at least an inch in the first hour of the storm. It was pretty fast, and covered the freezing cold roads pretty quickly.

Then there has to be some beagles, and maybe a cat. Just because.

Of course, there has to be some reading, while wearing wool socks, all cozied up on my favorite chair.


This is after a morning of errand-running, which included a trip to my least-favorite tack shop in the world, only because they had a dressage whip in stock for cheap, and my other, more favored shop did not.

And a trip to the fabric store for supplies for my newest obsession:

Needle-felting!

Kira taught me the basics on Friday afternoon, and I've been working on a small sculpture of Champ for the last two days. I needed more needles, and some wool roving in primary colors, so a trip to Jo-Ann Fabrics was necessary.

On a snowy day, it's also a good idea to have some hot tea with you as you read, or needle-felt.

Snowy days are also really good for playing the Wii.

And for memorizing your dressage test.

It's also a good time to give the guinea pigs some love. They need love, too.

That's Phineas. He's MUCH bigger than our new guy, Cyril, who is much more social than Phineas is, but Wren tries to love on them both so nobody feels left out.

Snow is no deterrent to grilling hot dogs for dinner, especially if it isn't actively snowing.

We had a pretty great day, snow and all. And no, I did not go for a run this time. I just didn't feel up to it.

I'm really glad the barn horse show is rescheduled from tomorrow to next week, though. It's still really cold outside!

 And the best thing to do at the end of a snowy day is...sleep.

Goodnight!

Feeding the soul

It's been months since I last lit my glass torch and spent any significant time working with it. I almost hate to say this out loud, because I don't want to jinx it, but my schedule has been pretty lightly scheduled this week and next, and it being unbelievably cold today, I thought, hey, I should go make some beads. Nothing better than sitting in front of a six-inch torch flame, next to a 900*F kiln on a 25*F day.

But first I did get some day-job work done.

Then I went rummaging through all of my glass research books, papers, and magazines to find images of ancient beads form all the cultures I could find. Islamic, Viking, African, Roman, Byzantine....I had pictures of all kinds of stuff. So, I set up the fuel hose, flipped on the kiln, dipped a bunch of mandrels, and got out some glass. An hour and a half later, I had made these:

Not a great picture, but hey, it's early. I'm particularly proud of the black, white, and red ones and I may make them into a bracelet or something. The rest, I need to make more of before I do something with them. The translucent green and blue ones are copies of Roman-era beads, intended to look like semiprecious stones. The Romans figured out they could make glass look like other things, like expensive stones. That way, the lower classes of people could have what the more affluent people had -- expensive-looking jewelry. The world's first costume jewelry! Those Romans were pretty forward-thinking.

I'm getting the urge to go back to Corning to do some more research. Especially with no academic library privileges of my own, I have to visit there to get my hands on the materials I want.

I wish I had more time in my week to spend making beads and doing the research I want to do. But, there are horses to ride, and good restaurants to visit, and tickets to experiences to purchase, so I guess I will stick with the day job I already have. :)

Anyway. Schools are on a 2 hour delay here this morning for snow. We didn't get much at all, and my friends in upstate NY will laugh, but this is the road outside my house at 7:00am this morning:

We're supposed to get more, but I don't know what that will really look like. So, for now, the kids will all be at school by 11:00am. Unfortunately, that means I will probably miss my riding lesson today, which makes me sad. Noah has to get picked up by 2pm, and I don't know if I can make it out to the barn, groom, tack, ride, groom, put away, and make it back to the preschool by 2pm. I also don't know if the footing is at all good in the ring at the barn, either.

I love riding in the snow. This snow is perfect for it, too, because it's so cold, the snow is dry and light and fluffy. If I could, I'd probably be out riding in it right now.

....oh please, Universe....in about three years, please finally lead me to the farm and horses I have wanted for so long...and please let me not be too old or broken to enjoy the lifestyle.

Like Christmas

The requisite "house in the snow" picture I take every time it snows here.
7:30 a.m., Friday, January 18, 2013

Not quite enough snow fell last night to make a real snowman, so I had to augment with PicMonkey. I take this picture every time it snows, mostly because I think our house is pretty in the snow, but also because it's interesting to look back over the ten years we have lived here and see how our house has changed from year to year. Different cars in the driveways, different landscaping, flags, decorations.

Our day started way too early. My son is an extremely early riser, and got me up the first time at 5:00am. And then he proceeded to get me up every ten minutes of so after that, until I finally gave up in a huff and hauled myself out of bed, wide awake and slightly irritated. I realize a snow day is like Christmas to them, but seriously, an opportunity to sleep past the 6am alarm was juuuust about within my grasp.

I know, I know. One day, I will look back and wish for today, when my son is fourteen and hasn't gotten out of bed at noon. And I want him to go out in the snow-covered yard and throw snowballs and go for a walk with me. 

Kira has still not gotten up, even though I know she is awake.

We HAD to go out as soon as it was light enough to see outside. The kids voluntarily dressed themselves (a minor miracle in itself), and went out to throw chunks of frozen snow at each other. And at me. Travis enjoyed the opportunity to wear his no-kidding authentic Russian fur hat (purchased in Russia, even). 

This is what passes for school-canceling snow here in the 804. Note that the roads aren't really even frozen. Oh, I am not complaining, mind you, because even though I was awake at 5am, I did not have to be functional, nor make lunches, nor implore anyone to get dressed, brush their hair or teeth, or find backpacks. Or argue about how much clothing really was necessary.

Shortly, I am going for a run. At least three miles, maybe more if the roads aren't too slippery. The sun's out now, so I don't expect the snow to last too long today.

But for a single snow day, on a Friday, before an already-scheduled three-day weekend, it's perfect.

Winter Wonderland!

Waiting for the snow
4:00 p.m.
Richmond, VA

It was a busy day today. I had a tour at the museum -- 3rd grade, Ancient Greece and Rome, my favorite -- and then a TON of day-job work to do. Which I spent all afternoon and evening doing. Thankfully, my efforts were not wasted, I got a lot done.

My desk at the kitchen island. Hot tea in my Uffington horse mug, my trusty laptop, and a ton of paper.












FINALLY, it snowed. We've had some seriously crummy winters around here for the last couple of years, but tonight, it snowed! I'm actually hoping for a snow day tomorrow for the kids because we've had so few in the last few years. As of around 7pm, this is what we had on the deck....a dusting, and a beagle butt.

 My middle daughter apparently has an internal furnace. The kids could hardly contain themselves when it switched over from rain to snow, and, already in the requisite inside-out jammies, they put on coats and snow boots and headed out to play.....at eight o'clock at night.

Noah is all about throwing a snowball or two.


There's more on the ground now, but I have a feeling this crappy southern area we live in means there will be rain again shortly. I hope the temps drop and it all freezes, so we can have a snow day. I love snow, love love love it, and we never get enough. I'm ready for an unexpected day off.

Not that I actually get a day off.

*Edited to add: Our school district has called off school for tomorrow!! SNOW DAY!


I foresee a lot of wet-snow playing in the morning. Guess I'd better get the hot chocolate stuff ready. And the boots, gloves, and snow pants, if I can find some that fit these kids.

I love winter!

I Guess We're Remodeling

If you give the Brandels a new vanity with a Travertine marble top, and a new Kohler toilet that is really expensive, then they have to rip out all the old stuff. When they rip out all the old stuff, they will decide the mirror is too big and has to go, and also that wall-mounted cabinet circa 1978. When they take out that wall cabinet, they will decide that the "decorative wood piece" that holds the toilet roll to the wall is dubious, so that will have to go, too. When that goes, it exposes the fact that the previous homeowners used it to lazily cover up a square hole cut into the drywall for no known reason (Escape hatch? Mouse exit? Secret stash of cash hiding place?). In addition, the paint will need touching up, and a new tile backsplash will have to be put in. A trip to Home Depot will have to be made, and the credit card exercised. New flooring? What kind of storage for the bathroom stuff? A smaller mirror?

Taking all of these things into consideration will result in debating over whether to move the plumbing *now* for the future shower stall, or just leave it until they do the shower (at some undetermined point in the future).

They will briefly consider repainting the entire room in a different color.

They will decide against that, since the current paint job is only a year or two old anyway.

They will rip out the existing vanity and wall cabinet, mirror and toilet-roll-wood-backing-piece, and they will make the trip to Home Depot with two exhausted and incredibly rambunctious children, who will cause them to nearly lose their minds right there in the store.

They will go home, where Travis will tape up some spots on the drywall after dinner and the kids are put to bed, and then they will decide that that is Quite Enough For One Day.

Recovery

Today is the second day I have spent in bed, thanks to some planned outpatient GYN surgery yesterday. While I am sure some of my friends are envious of the time I am spending laying in bed, napping, reading, surfing the internet and having things brought to me, it really does get old sometimes. I am grateful to have the support of a fantastic family -- especially my husband, who has made it his personal mission to manage everything that goes on in this house with expert skill and attention to detail. The kids have been great, albeit their usual loud selves. They happily have snuggled in bed with me, shared yummy crackers and ginger candy (ah, post-surgical nausea!), and brought me flowers this afternoon.

I feel better than I did yesterday, for sure, when I threw up the Percoset I was given in the recovery room. Oh, and then again halfway home when I had to insist that Travis stop the car. right. this. minute.

I feel decent enough to get out of bed for short stretches of time, and go downstairs to eat and get myself something to drink, but then I feel the need to go right back upstairs and lie down until the dizziness and nausea passes. I had to miss my son's ice cream social on his last day of preschool, and that made me sad, but I knew I wouldn't have felt well if I tried to get there.

That is the biggest frustration: I feel good enough to do some things, but then I feel like crap again after a few minutes. Ugh. So many things I want to be doing, but napping and resting are the only order of the day.

Tomorrow will be better, I hope. I don't want to miss Wren's last day of preschool picnic. It's her last day of preschool ever, ever.

What to do with a rainy Tuesday....

...take out your umbrellas...

...maybe swing in the hammock...

...dig in the dirt...

...relax and enjoy it...and read about gardening...and promise yourself you'll be a more diligent gardener this year...but mostly, relax...

(oh, and maybe do some laundry)

Basking

Spring has arrived in Virginia, and we have had several glorious days of sunshine and warm temperatures. So wonderful after months of cold and rain and snow!

Out My Winter Window

Monday, December 13, 2010
Richmond, Virginia
7:30 a.m.

Thanksgiving 2010

Happy Thanksgiving from the Brandel Family!

Today, but also every day, I am thankful for the peace of home, the love of family, and the ability to make my way in the world the way I see fit. It's been ten years since I celebrated Thanksgiving Day *on* the actual fourth Thursday of November, but I wouldn't have it any other way now.

Since I spend time on the road on Thanksgiving every year, taking Kira to her dad's, we started the tradition of making a traditional turkey feast on the day before. Around here, the kids are usually out of school, and Travis often has or takes the day off. We cook and eat early in the day, then spend the rest of the time watching movies, playing outside and hanging out together. This year, Kira and I went to see a 7pm show of 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part One'.

The reason our Thanksgiving occurs on a Wednesday is because Kira must be at her dad's farm by 2pm on Thanksgiving Day. Because the farm is an hour and a half from here, and because we don't meet halfway, we leave the house at noon in order to be there on time. As you can probably imagine, leaving at noon, driving an hour and a half one way, then an hour and a half the other way takes up most of the prime turkey-eating time of the day. Rather than have a holiday in which my oldest child is not really a part of the feasting (unless we feast at 10:00 in the morning!) and our family's togetherness, we have opted to celebrate the day before. We ALL get to spend time together, then the next day she gets to celebrate with her dad's side of the family. I'm sure she is sick of turkey by the end of the holiday weekend, though.

We had a huge turkey, which we will be eating for the next week (which is ok, because I love turkey). There were plenty of side dishes too: sweet potatoes baked with apples and brown sugar, green bean casserole, ginger-glazed carrots, cornbread dressing....my mother in law's recipe for mac and cheese, which we lovingly call "heart-attack mac"....and no feast is complete without STC (Savory Toasted Cheese -- a cheese sauce) over broccoli.

Noah loves to help in the kitchen, particularly if it involves using the stove, or stirring anything that is on the stove. He's my little kitchen elf.
Daddy also taught him how to put beer in the fridge. In this case, a few bottles of Blue Moon Winter Abbey Ale.

And after we stuff ourselves silly, and get the table cleared, it's time for Mommy to play Fridge Tetris with the leftovers, which I am very good at. It all fits in the fridge when I am done. Strategic use of plastic containers and ziploc bags make it all possible.


After the recovery from dinner and the game of Fridge Tetris and the endurance of many, many plaintive little cries of "Is it time for pie!?", then it is time for pie. This year, it was three pies for the five of us, because I couldn't decide and I wanted to try a new pie recipe this year. Clockwise from left, Cranberry-Fudge Pie, Peanut Butter pie, and pumpkin pie. That cranberry pie was amazing. Very very rich, though...the bottom of the pie is a dark chocolate ganache, then a layer of walnuts, then a cranberry sauce. Oh. To die for. I'm contemplating having it for breakfast as we speak.

As predicted, not one of the kids wanted to try that pie. That's fine; more for me, then.
They did enjoy the other pies, though!
I hope that everyone reading this is having a terrific day and enjoying (rather than enduring) time at the table with family and friends and good food. Another year is coming to a close, and I am truly thankful for all the great gifts in my life, not the least of which are these three beautiful children that I have been blessed with, and a faithful, loving and generous husband who is an outstanding father to our brood. Among my other blessings this year have been a couple of independent trips and opportunities for learning, discovering new friendships, professional work I enjoy and colleagues I love to work with, a comfortable home, and everything I need for a happy life. Oh, and the rich blessing of re-discovering a deep and significant friendship. That means so much to me.

Thanks to all of you for everything, and blessings for all of you and your families!