The Sounds of Winter

We're finally getting our first real snow.  And yes the Christmas song that goes "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas....", was just that - a dream.  So, since the city was prepared for the weather, the main road has been salted; traffic sounds are muted to a slushy tire noise.  Occasionally a 4WD pickup engine will rev as it pulls away from a corner, spinning all 4 wheels.  The plow scrapes, and screeches past on the busy street; the side streets probably won't be plowed until some time tomorrow.  When spring arrives, we'll find out how many curbs were clipped and broken by the plows.

Ember will be loving the fresh batch of snow cones.  Of course, a dog eating snow makes very little noise.  That's the thing about snow, it muffles city noises.  Even car crashes are different.  There's no screeching of tires, just this gentle sliding sound, followed by an almighty crashing noise if something solid is in the way.  Of course if it is a nice soft, fluffy brand new snowbank, there is only a bit of a poof, and then the car is stuck.  Drive safely out there, and please allow extra braking distance and extra time to get to your destination in one piece.  Please keep the vehicles wheel side down.

As for me, I have lots of chores to do at home today.  And there will be plenty of shoveling and snow-blowing to do when it finally stops.

Pies

Quiche

(a great way to use Swiss chard containing:

frozen Swiss chard - squeezed dry and chopped

pork sausage - precooked

mushrooms - sautéed to remove excess moisture

ricotta cheese

Swiss cheese

eggs

cream or milk

nutmeg

black pepper

dash of cayenne)

Key lime

(basically lemon bar topping with extra eggs and key lime juice instead of lemon juice)

Merry Christmas

To All

And to all a good night.

Today Was Bath Day

Times Two

First Ember

Then Queen Tigger (We are not amused!)

With minimal collateral damage.
There are only a few claw holes in the shirt but none in me thankfully.
A lot of loose hair was washed out of Tigger.
Tomorrow will tell if enough was washed out.
I'm not looking forward to another hairball log from that cat.
And yes the floor in her hiding place needs a good scrubbing, and the futon frame needs dusting.

"Mom, let me go downstairs and comfort the cat, please."

"No, sorry Ember, the kitty is not in the mood for your enthusiastic comforting (wrestling), and besides all you will do is steal her food and get into her litter box."

Gee, This doesn't Look Like Rain

It looks more like snow.  Yes NOAA the snow started a bit earlier than you predicted.  It is the wet heavy snow that will leave the snowblower very clogged; you could even say constipated.  Now the next question, start shoveling tonight while there isn't so much of the stuff or procrastinate and do it tomorrow?