On the street where I live ...

Thursday, January 31:  We've been under what they are calling a "polar vortex" now for about 48 hours, with about 20 more to go before we see temperatures once again in the teens ...

It's been incredibly beautiful ... breathtaking actually ... and I love it so much. In my younger days, I would have been deep in the woods with my camera ... but the last thing I need right now is to fall down and break a hip out in the middle of nowhere. However, with the sun shining this afternoon, it's all I can DO to stop myself from taking a hike!

 So far, I've once again shoveled my driveway clear of drifts and the damage the plow does at night ... so if I absolutely HAD to go somewhere, I guess I could.

 I love this time of year. I love the peace and quiet the snow brings. I especially love it when it has fallen snow on snow ... when it is fresh and brilliant and sparkling ...

 It's a good thing I don't mind living with myself ... because I have been VOID of kiddos all week due to most of W. Michigan being under a "state of emergency" with schools closed, etc. Hopefully, I'll get out tomorrow!

Goodbye, January! It's been nice to have you!

SO cold, SO beautiful ...

Tuesday, January 29:  Brrrrrrrr !!  We are getting ready for some of the coldest temps to hit Michigan in about a decade or so and it is scheduled to stick around for 48+ hours! SO ... today I ran a few quick errands after I shoveled myself OUT once again ...

 I had to stop at the Post Office, so I took the "scenic" route back home, along Rogue River just to take a look ...

 ... and snap a few pictures ...

 It was too cold to stay outside for more than 15 minutes or so, even triple mummy layered!

 No sunshine helped me out in these pictures ... so they are a bit bleak I'm afraid.

 Too beautiful NOT to enjoy ... SO thankful for God who makes such beauty ...

Life is GOOD on the beach

Monday, January 28:  West Michigan is pretty much shutdown and has been all day, and might BE that way through Thursday! Oh well, NO problem when one lives on the beach ...

 I love it here at my Beach House, no matter the weather! Well, I'll stipulate that as long as I have power (heat, water, etc.) I am content to stay put and enjoy the quiet beauty.

 My little house looks very happy draped in white ...

 We received about SIX inches of new snow in the last 24 hours, at least out where I live (a little north of Grand Rapids). We are supposed to pick up another inch or two of lake effect tonight and THEN the huge arctic air mass is supposed to drop us into below zero temps into Thursday.

I've never liked the cold--I have to say that because it is the TRUTH. But I live in Michigan where it is cold at least HALF of the year, and so I accept that as fact and deal with it! I am presently triple layered in long-johns, wool leg warmers, wool socks, slippers, flannel pj's, a fleece jacket over two other shirts ... and I'm fine! 

 While I was out for the second shoveling job today, I took a 15 minute walk up the street to see what I could see ... 

 I'm glad I did! I do love the crisp air. A fresh snowfall is SO lovely, isn't it?

PS:  The downside, however, of being snowed in is that I did NOT have my Aidan baby today. All city schools were closed and for the most part, people were encouraged to hunker down at home. 

Nearly LOST!

Sunday, January 27:  We are predicted to get some pretty rough weather over the next couple of days: 6-11" of snow, very windy conditions, and dangerous cold! So ... after church today, I planned to take a short hike over at Knapp Forest Valley Park and snap a few pictures while I was out.

 I had just driven into my driveway to change from my church clothes into more layers and fetch my hiking boots, when I received a call from a dear and loved friend wondering if I could meet her for lunch. Yes! We enjoyed a very nice time together and THEN I drove over to Knapp Valley Forest Park (perhaps a mile or so from where we had eaten lunch) and stepped out for a brief hike.

 I was hoping very badly for the SUN to make a showing today while I was out because a snow picture with NO shadows can be very dull, especially if the snow is "old" snow and no longer tracing the branches with beauty, etc.

 There are a lot of trails back in this park and I've only visited it 3x prior (back in the fall). Two of those times I was NOT alone and we didn't take an exceptionally long walk. But today, the air was SO crisp (it was actually FREEZING out here), and I kept taking different turns along the paths ...

 ... and I got a little bit turned around out here ... I was almost beginning to panic about finding my way OUT of these trees before I froze my nose off ...

 But then the sun broke through ...

 And suddenly being "lost" didn't bother me quite so much. It makes SUCH a difference when the sun shines and those dancing shadows come out! I love them so much.

 I will say, though, that I prayed quite fervently that God would help me find my way back to where I had parked my car ...

 There wasn't a soul in sight ... not a sound, except an occasional bird or scampering squirrel ...

 But sure enough ... I walked up the side of one of the hills and saw the fence for the baseball field and the elementary school in the distance--whew! It was 13 degrees and the wind was starting to increase ...

Very thankful to get to my car, turn on the heat full blast and arrive safely home. Tomorrow has "snow day" written all over it ... so I am unsure about baby Aidan or MNBS ...

More playtime with Kaity

Saturday, January 26:  I didn't expect another one-on-one with Kaity so SOON ... Saturdays usually involve at least TWO of the kiddos ... but today, all of the teenagers had separate plans! 

 Kaity and I found a lot of stuff to play with. Kaity brought her baby Jo-Jo again, along with her "Bingo" stuffed puppy and we played a repeat of our hide 'n seek game, played more with our balloons, put together quite a few puzzles, and then we decided to create a lakeside camp site complete with water slide, personal pool (WITH water) ...

 ... an island, a sailboat, etc. and had all kinds of exciting adventures ...

 It's really good to see Kaity play like this ... she can be a real rough little kid sometimes ... but I think it's really more beneficial to actually PLAY with toys rather than just throw them around and produce chaos, don't you? 

 We also set up our railroad and had lots of fun making the layout together, helping trains that had gotten into trouble (with our rescue boat) ... and many other adventures.

 I had been ready to take Kaity home at about 7:00--which was about the same time Kaity realized we hadn't gotten the train stuff out in quite awhile. I debated for a quick second, but then it was almost like I got an AUDIBLE from the Lord telling me to STOP and listen to what dear Kaity's heart was saying ... she needed more play time!

 I rarely get such a LOUD and CLEAR directive from God ... so I listened and obeyed ... the reward was ... this! Getting to enjoy this little person for an extra hour tonight, laugh with her, engage her heart and mind ... what a treasure.

No regrets, Kaity. I'm GLAD you asked to play with the trains tonight. Thank you, Lord, for this sweet granddaughter.