What Ana Does

This week we got 20cm (that's less then a foot) of snow dumped on us and more is expected in the next two weeks. For Paris, this is a bit of a novelty. According to my French tutor, they get "two snows" in February and usually it's a dusting and it's gone. She told this to me last week. This is not a dusting and it's here to stay. And more to come. And while everyone is outside photographing buildings and trees draped in white, and yes, it's very lovely and gives February a familiar look, as I'm used to midwestern winters -- I have to admit I was hoping to skip some of the snow and freezing cold weather this year. The temperature here is supposed to be similar to Virginia. And this is not Virginia weather. Add to that the once-in-a-decade event of Seine River flooding. And Parisians are going crazy. There's Usually a Park at the Bottom of These Stairs (gah!) We recently had an English lady over to give haircuts (we have yet to ent...

Our first snowy weekend of the season and, lucky us, it fell on a Saturday when we had very few plans. So while the girls met up with the neighbor and headed to the small sledding hill across the street ...  while I got out my sewing projects and made great progress.  Pile of Sewing While listening to the new Adele album and taking breaks to stare at the white winter land that was once my green backyard. Related posts: More winter stories Want to see more sewing projects?

Well, Mother Nature did not disappoint in her latest winter storm. Over a foot of snow fell on Sunday keeping us indoors for the whole day (19 inches, I'm told). I like being stuck in the house , so this was not a horrible way to spend a Sunday. Especially since I had a well-stocked kitchen and no where to be. Not to mention the hours and hours of Super Bowl programming. Ahhhh winter. I hate you but I kinda enjoy your perks, at the same time. This morning, they cancelled school so we could dig out our driveways. This year -- actually, only a few weeks ago -- we purchased a little snow blower (Dave got tennis elbow from shoveling almost every weekend last year). And this morning that little baby paid for itself. Hurray! The sun was shining but it was only in the single digits -- so this snow isn't melting anytime soon. The New Snow Blower!

Apparently our Russian-novel-themed winter isn't over yet. It's April 14 and there's snow on the ground and it might stick around for a few days -- as our temps are not getting out of the 40s. So, This Happened. Great.  This weekend I had been contemplating storing the hats, scarves and mittens for the summer. Mother nature must have taken that as a challenge. 

This week was a disaster with the arctic vortex that swooped down and plunged us all into below zero temps. The dog didn't want to "go" outside, I can't blame him, and the kids had a "snow day." Or, a "too cold to come to school" day.  I can't blame the school district, they can't have kids outside waiting for the bus in -34 degree weather. So, on Tuesday I worked from home with these two delightful co-workers.  My Co-Workers Hard at Work Wednesday, the buses weren't working, so we had another "snow day" but, luckily, the day care was open. So I finally got into my "actual" office. And left the house for the first time since Saturday. Yippee!

It's been steadily snowing here for two days and more snow expected today. There's officially 16inches of snow on the ground as of last night. And 3 more inches are predicted today. We get a break from snow tomorrow, but more is in the forecast for the weekend. WOW! Good thing I'm a homebody, right?! There's so much snow that Benny is completely submerged during his potty breaks. We've been shoveling off the patio, but his favorite spot is at the back of the yard. Needless to say, the girls are absolutely loving it. Though, we may be past the point of sledding and more just trudging through the drifts. Maybe we'll get to build a few forts today. The Backyard this Morning Benny in the Snow Yesterday

This week was our first snow fall. It didn't stick around long, but it was pretty.  Backyard Blanketed in Snow

Big snowstorm has moved over the homestead. Many inches of snow predicted, so last night they closed school and daycare. I'm working from home, but also watching the, er, kids. Right! (How many movies is too many in one day?) Alice Checking Email To be honest, I'm feeling a little cabin fever. And I'm a little tired of working from home. My current job just isn't built for off-site work so I'm doing my best to be productive. Ahh ... winter in the midwest.

What we woke up to on Friday... My Snow-Covered Backyard

The guys have been in the basement banging away installing the new furnace all day. We're anxious to feel the warm air and pull off some layers. We're upstairs trying to keep warm and watching the first snow storm of the year ... in October. Really?! And tree limbs are coming down all over the house! You hear a crack and a whoosh -- snow and limbs come crashing down. Crazy weather day. When will the heat come on?!