But wait, there's no snowman!

I thought I wanted to build a snowman.

I thought I wanted to make a snow angel.

I thought I wanted to sled down the small hill that is our street...

Naw, what I really wanted was to stay in my pajamas till noon, leisurely eat a big bowl of steaming hot oatmeal with brown sugar, walnuts, and dried cherries, and watch my kiddo and my dog enjoy themselves in the beautiful all-too-infrequent snow.

It was wonderful.

The pajamas, the oatmeal, and the view- all of it was wonderful.

And then I did some housework, took a nap, did some lesson planning, took the dog for a long walk, had movie night with Ab, and went to bed early.

Couldn't ask for more than that!

God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways;
he does great things beyond our understanding.
He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’
and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’
So that everyone he has made may know his work,
he stops all people from their labor.

Job 37:5-7 NIV

YES!

I got up early to check the school status- closed.

Then I took pictures before anyone drove on the street or walked on my lawn.

It's so quiet- like God put a blanket over us and said it is ok to rest a bit longer.

I needed this. It gives me a few hours of... nothing.

My only responsibility is to keep my kiddo and myself warm and dry and fed. It's more than a physical break, it is a mental and emotional "down time".

Ahhhhhh...

Shhhh! It's snowing!

It came down really hard for about half an hour, then it stopped. It might be enough to close school tomorrow... I guess I'll have to actually go to sleep and then find out in the morning!

Night night!

The BEST Puzzle EVER!!!!

If you like Sudoku and can do basic math, you will be challenged by KenKen.

I love these puzzles- they are more challenging than Sudoku and very addicting.

You can learn more about them at the KenKen site- there is a tutorial video that is the next best thing to having me beside you as a tutor.

Start with the 4x4 puzzle and work your way up to the 9x9.

I am so addicted, I do a 9x9 every day!

It's a great way to brush up on your math and keep your brain flexible!

Happy puzzling!

Contest results

All the captions were pretty good- not as edgy or personal as the ones in my brain, but still pretty good.

I'd have to say that Molly's Dad is the winner with this:

We have a special place
for those who are single and picky.

Check it out...you might find a peach.

Molly, I'll get the prize to you on Wednesday evening!

Here's what I would have said:

Better to be picky and single than stuck with some rotten fruit!

(And no, I am not a pessimist! I am a realist! ;->)

Happy trails!

This week's weather

A few blogs ago, I was saying how I really wanted some colder weather and snow. Since then, the temps have cooled and we got a nice rare February treat on Wednesday morning...

It snowed big fat flakes for about three hours- so very pretty, but not sticking much to the roads. In three more it was all gone. Not a sign of snow except on the mountains.

Looking out my classroom window Feb. 16. I had to use the camera on my little phone, so the resolution is not great, but you get the idea that I enjoy quite a nice view.

Today it was cool and clear- Ab and I went out around town and got these pics:

Mt St Helens

Baa baa black sheep.

Dodge trucks are ram tough.

Are you talking to me?

I'm friends with the llama- leave him alone.

Pacific Northwest sunny day photographer in a field.

Do you see what I see?

(Sorry. I was looking into the sun for this picture- concentrating on the cow.)

Illusive shadow people of the Pacific Northwest. Rarely seen or photographed,

they come and go without warning and tend to prefer August to any other month.

Some of our weather gurus are saying we might (MIGHT!!!) get an arctic blast this next week which might (MIGHT!!!) bring us some more lowland snow. We'll see. Since forecasting around here is notoriously difficult (as in WRONG), more than 24 hours in advance, we'll just have to wait. And pray. :->

Have a great Presidents' Day! (Don't forget to enter the contest- it ends Monday night!)

'Nother contest

I saw this sign at a roadside stand near Yakima, WA this summer.

Being the unmarried person that I am, I thought it was hilarious.

I have a few caption possibilities in my brain, but I want to know what you think.

A prize goes to the best caption for the picture.

Don't email me with your entry- it has to be here on the comments in order to qualify.

Deadline is Monday, February 21, 9pm PST.

I'm the judge and the decision of the judge is final.

Happy captioning!