Hey, it's me, Danni. Did you notice I was gone? Yup, for two days. Things just keep getting better around here (sarcasm alert). Our electricity went out - twice - on Sunday. Both times were fairly short - just a few hours. On Monday, though, it went down at 9:00AM down and didn't come back...until late today. Believe it or not, I consider us lucky to have gotten it back as quickly as we did - many people, more rural than we, will be out for a lot longer.
We have a small generator, but even with this, it was getting really cold in the house. I think we are going to need a more manly-sized one to handle the winters out here in the country. I'm also thinking that I'm not going to really be able to say that Northwest Oregon doesn't have rough winters anymore after this one. Fortunately, we've got a propane cooktop and water heater, so again, we've been luckier than some.
Sadly, though, the big Christmas Eve overnighter that was scheduled for my house (9 family members) has been cancelled. Too much snow + too inconsistent electricity + more potential crazy weather means that Christmas Eve dinner is now tentatively scheduled to be at my mom's house in the city. Forecasters, however, are now predicting up to 8" of new snow tomorrow followed by freezing rain tomorrow night. Not good travelling weather, if you know what I mean. Everything is completely up in the air. Christmas packages have not arrived (UPS, FEDEX and even the U.S. postal service aren't delivering). With no power, the holiday food has not been prepared. My son's birthday (my winter solstice baby) - even his celebrations were delayed because of treacherous road conditions.
In other news...
1) Who knew my battery-operated itty-bitty booklight would come in so handy? This was me in the dark last night:
2) I'm very thankful for my beautiful chickens and the eggy presents they give me every day. Apparently, also due to this freakish winter weather, normal deliveries aren't being made and now there's an egg shortage at local grocery stores:
3) Roxy is still really cute:
Other than this, there is nothing new here to report. You already know that everything is covered in snow. This is my poor little car:
sigh.
Yes Danni, I did miss you. I also knew you had some severe weather happening up there because the package I sent via UPS has not yet been delivered to you due to "Adverse Weather Conditions" so says the UPS tracking tool on their site. I can relate to how much *fun* not having electricity is during a winter storm.(Not!) That's why I got myself a woodstove after the first winter I experienced up here in the mountains. My central heat doesn't work when the power is out, and my power goes out several times during each winter. Besides, the woodstove heats my home much better than the propane heater. It makes for a longer lasting, more penetrating heat and adds ambience. I had to laugh when I saw the picture of your car buried in snow. I know it's not really funny, I've dug my cars out many times, but I couldn't help myself. Tell Aidan Happy Birthday for me please. He's 17 now? And stay warm. It's gonna be a white Christmas here too. More snow expected today and tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteYikes! Stay safe, and try and stay warm...
ReplyDeleteWell Danni,
ReplyDeleteWelcome to northern NY!! Hopefully this will all end for you soon and things will get back to normal. You wonder why I'm hopefully heading south soon!! I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas despite the unusual weather. And yes Roxy is still a cutie pie!
Merry Christmas!!!
That is kinda scary to see the grocery store out of eggs. You had a camera in the grocery store? I' impressed. That is a bummer that all your plans went array. We are in for more nasty weather and our annual Christmas eve trip to be with family may not happen either. Normally I would go out in any weather but now that I have little ones I hate to put them at risk.
ReplyDeleteThere have been lots of Mainers without power but we have been fortunate.
I hope it all works out for you and your family.
Merry Christmas Danni!
Have a Merry Christmas Danni. Sometimes it's nice to be unplugged a bit. It's a great excuse to cuddle up with the hubby. Take care, my friend!
ReplyDeleteSomething tells me this will be the Christmas you all talk about at every Christmas from now on. And some day, you might even laugh about it. But for now, stay warm and safe. You'll find a way to make lemonade.
ReplyDeleteummm boy, as they say 'round here. I am always so content to be a homebody but my brain needs to know that I can get out and about when I want to. Cabin fever sets in fast. Here in the NC Appalachians, we lose our electricity from time to time due to snow ad ice, and it is absolutely no fun. I don't know how our ancestors read by candlelight. Good luck. :-)
ReplyDeleteHang in there my friend...I was waist deep in snow just a few days ago, and today we are getting sleet and freezing rain. Honestly? I'd rather have more snow than ice....Our power went off for 4 days during the big ice storm and it really made me think how dependant we are on electricity. So now i am on the hunt for good emergency gadgets to stock up on....Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteMy goodness! I'm so sorry that this has happened right at Christmas time! Any time would be bad, but somehow it's worse when it is Christmas.
ReplyDeleteHere's to coziness and lots of eggs!
I was just thinking about our modern dependence on electricity this morning. We really have no idea how plugged in we are.
ReplyDeleteI have a big generator that can power the blower on our furnace or a couple space heaters if the gas gets shut off too. It's comforting to know that it's there if I need it, but it's engine is *SO LOUD*.
Omy! And I keep wishin' for that white stuff! Stay warm and Safe! Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteAll that snow brings back the good ole memories from being brought up in Mich. Lots of nights in front of the fireplace to keep warm.. It looks amazing..Stay warm.. hot water bottles are good for the toes. Just a little tip from Marcee's mom..Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteOh, I hope the storm doesn't do too much damage. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteOh poor Danni! Don't you just love those book lights. I use mine for knitting too. Please stay warm and dry and be careful if you venture into the city. My SIL lives in the Seattle area and said it's crazy there too. She's quite the hero there, as she grew up in the midwest and knows how to drive in all that crazyness. LOL Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteGirl, We know how you feel! We were without power for 1 1/2 days. We found out that our gas logs do stay on without electricity and the gas range can be lit with a candle lighter, and we keep kerosene for 2 heaters so the pipes wont freeze in the basement. The pellet stove (excuse my language here) sucks! We are trying to sell our antique Imperial Clarion cookstove or barter for a Vermont Casting Defiant woodstove. Keep warm. Keep faith and have a belated Christmas with loved ones.
ReplyDeleteKelly and Alex
Feeling your pain, girlfriend! Although, admittedly, we haven't had it quite that bad. I did go a week with no dryer - and 5 kids! EGAD!
ReplyDeleteI'm keeping my fingers crossed for a nice big thaw - and soon!
Awww, sorry your party was canceled. It's ice, ice, baby over here; a little snow for traction would be nice. But not that much snow!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas.
Oh, and, whatcha reading?
Oh my goodness...I'd be royally stuck if we lost power here. We're getting the same weather system through here that you're getting. The snow just keeps on coming.
ReplyDeleteI laughed when I saw your photo of the grocery store egg shelf...I went to stock up on groceries in anticipation of being shut in for the next few days...no eggs! That was a first for me.
Merry Christmas, Danni. You may as well relax and enjoy the beauty of the snow and stay safe.
BTW...Roxy ALWAYS looks cute. ;o)
Carolynn
Oh, Danni. I'm so sorry. I hope you have power now--and that you're able to enjoy a quiet, intimate holiday instead. Happy Christmas to you!
ReplyDeleteAll you need now really is to see some cute little goat tracks running across the top of that there car and youll be all set. Im just sayin.
ReplyDeleteGlad that you have your power back on and are able to be all warm again. Its always fun and romantic for the first night...but then its like...okaayyyy....I think Im done now.
I am so sorry to hear about your power loss! Hope all is well. Merry Christmas to you and your family. We are snowed in also:(
ReplyDeleteFrohe Weihnachten trotz allem!!
ReplyDeleteGudl, frohe Weihnachten auch Ihnen!
ReplyDeleteMensch, I don't want to play anymore. Buried in snow and ice. Don't think I've ever spent Christmas w/o you and your sister, Daniella. This sucks. Since Christmas sleepover didn't happen on Critter Farm, I was all set to welcome everyone here today..... That isn't happening either. Did I say it sucks? Oh well, thee is always TOMORROW!
Oh my goodness...I sure hope you keep your power so you can stay warm and I do hope you have a Merry Christmas :)
ReplyDeleteTracey
At least Roxy is still cute! I hope you find a way to have a Merry Christmas anyway.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I get those romantic notions of living the Little House life, then we lose power or our well goes out and those notions go way out the window. I like our modern things, like a hot shower for one.
ReplyDeleteDon't lose that cute little white dog in all that white snow.:-)
Merry Christmas!
This is the coldest winter I've ever experienced in California. Our chickens are still laying, though. We discover new laying areas every day. It's always an adventure to discover where they are laying when they free-range all day.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, stay as warm as you can . . . this too shall pass!
Ah Danni, I can definitely sympathize with you! We were without power for about 16 hours and we've had some flickering moments. The snow just keeps coming...it's getting harder and harder to get out to my animals (I keep telling myself it's a great workout!). All the family and friend get-togethers I was supposed to go to or have were postponed till the snow melts. It is beautiful though isn't it (say as compared to ankle deep mud...):)
ReplyDeleteHope you have a warm, cozy, lit Christmas!
Okay, let's try this again. I blame Baby Belle. If she hadn't complained about the snow so much, it would not have heard her and retaliated, effectively giving us goatgirl's purple bird. :) At any rate, glad you are back and glad you don't have to be stuck in the barn with Ella...like me.
ReplyDeleteBy the way...the Cabrarator's groomer used to live in Alaska. She told the goatmother to spray Cabra with pam and the snow would not stick to her, effectively eliminating the snowball effect. Due to Cabra's love of dirt, the goatmother has been afraid to try this for fear she would find other dirt and would become, in fact, a black dog. But you might try it on Roxy...and you don't have to print this one unless you just want to. :)
ReplyDeleteI don't have anything to say but, Yuk!
ReplyDeleteWhere's the global warming when you need it.
Happy Birthday Aiden!! Build a snowman for your mom, it'll make her smile.
Brrrrrrrr!!!!!!! You need to come down here and thaw out! Stay safe, my friend. The pictures of the snow in the trees are just gorgeous...truly hoping you and your family are staying warm!
ReplyDeleteRobbyn
Ich hoffe, Ihr hattet trotz dieser Widrigkeiten ein schönes Weihnachtsfest!
ReplyDeleteErst wenn der Strom einmal länger ausfällt, merkt man so richtig, wie abhängig man doch in Bezug auf Heizung, Warmwasser, Kochen etc. davon geworden ist. Und alles, was man so geplant hat ist nicht mehr so einfach durchführbar!
Ich hoffe, dass das der letzte Stromausfall für diesen Winter bei Euch war und dass Ihr, falls es wieder einmal so weit kommt, darauf gut vorbereitet seid!
Auf jeden Fall wünsche ich Dir ein gutes, gesundes und friedliches Jahr 2009!
Einen "guten Rutsch", liebe Grüße, Monika
Just checking in with you, I sure hope your electricity is back on and your weather is improving.
ReplyDeleteTracey
Hi Farmgirl, my name is Ava and I'm a fan of your blog. I had a question to ask you about your blog but too long to ask over the comments section. I'm having a hard time finding your e-mail so is it possible for you to e-mail me? Charismaqueen100@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Ava
I didn't post for three days...I've never missed a day since I started my blog. All because of this weather. I must say though that I find the whole thing and adventure! We have a BIG woodstove, propane for cooking and tons of candles. Playing board games with the kids by candlelight is a blast. I'm sorry you have been cold, I hate being cold! Our snow is now all gone and it is raining like mad so I guess it is back to the same old, same old, here in our little section of the country! Kim
ReplyDeleteplease come back soon, i miss your posts! oh, and happy new year!
ReplyDelete