Morning White Out, Six Inches of Snow and Cold

Marisa on the Hill

7:25

Missing the Bissells

Up at 6:45 to a snow filled yard, trees frosted, the lake mostly white, and I cannot make out the Long Point shore.  It's 14º, quite a difference from yesterday's drizzle.  A heavy wind was forecast but I am not sure it happened though a huge gust just blew snow off of roofs and trees, so maybe I wrote too soon.

A sad beginning to yesterday morning as the Bissell's had to jump in their car and drive home to Virginia after a wonderful four days of fun.  Halle, especially, was upset with leaving but they had an easy trip home fortunately, rain but no snow or ice.  After they left, Beth and I went to  classical yoga in Lakewood, a good class, with emphasis on the lower back, my favorite area to work.  Beth enjoyed it as well and we left feeling good.  We stopped at Ryder's Cup for coffee, called Evie and finalized our shopping list for Wegman's.  We first stopped at Walmart, to pick up a couple of new sleds, as the one's we had were destroyed from use on the hill.  We then shopped at Wegman's for our next two dinners, then came home to a quiet house, or so it seemed with the Bissell's gone.  Evie and the boys had made a pumpkin pie while we were gone, so we had dessert for this evening.

Fat Boy

On the Ice

The weather was miserable most of the day, overcast, warming, slushy, with some rain so it discouraged our going outside.  The boys started watching Freaks and Geeks, a series about high school in the 1980's, still funny and real.  We did venture out around 4:00 to try sledding on the Woodlawn hill and both Marisa and Mitch had fun, mostly rolling down the hill, or doing somersaults through the snow, as it was not great for sledding.

Beth's Roasted Chicken with Potatoes

Around 5:30, Beth put together her newest chicken dish, two small organic chickens, splayed, and set on top of a bed of potatoes, all having been salted and peppered.  Cook it at 450º for about forty five minutes and it's done, nice and crispy.  Before serving, squeeze a lemon over the top and serve.  It was great, moist on the inside, crisp on the outside, and surprisingly, we had quite a bit left, enough for another dinner for Evie and me, if it lasts through the lunch's.

Our neighbors,  The Fox's, Walking Their Dog

After Marisa went to bed, we watched one of my favorite movies, Departures, about a young Japanese cellist who, having lost his job in Tokyo, returns to his village and  discovers his avocation, as a professional casketer, the individual who prepares a body (in the presence of the family and friends) for cremation.  It was a bit slow moving for the boys, lasting over two hours, but they stuck with it, for my sake, I think.  It sounds lugubrious but it's not, uplifting and moving for the most part.  We went to bed around 11:00 though the boys stayed up to watch  more TV.

Bah Chautauqua! Wet and Warming For A Day

Mitchell Flying High On His Snow Board

Hayden, Granny, Beth and Marisa

Hayden, Halle and Coco

Baba and Marisa

Halle Bissell

The Bissells

Up at 7:00 and it's now 7:30 and Evie, Drew and Jill are also awake, as the Bissells have to drive home today to Bristow, VA, on what looks like a rainy day the entire way.  It seems to be warm enough, 35º and in the thirties most of the way to avoid ice but they are going the long way, taking #86 to #90, then #79 down to #80 before going down through Altoona and back roads most of the way home.  It's a longer drive in terms of mileage but the same in terms of hours.

Yesterday was cold early but it warmed up as the day moved along, so that by 2:00, it was in the 30's and the snow started to melt some.  We all got up at various times, Drew and I first, Tyler the last, so Evie made breakfast in shifts.  Home made oatmeal for the girls, bagel and pea meal bacon sandwiches for the guys.  Everyone wanted to go skating after breakfast, so we went out for a good hour or two, the lake smooth enough to skate, the sky blue and the sun out.  All ten of us were on the ice, horsing around, skating, and enjoying the outdoors.  Evie and I love that the kids enjoy being outdoors so much, that it's not difficult getting them outside.  In fact, we have to make them come in.  The girls have gotten much better at skating, are not afraid to fall, and love racing around the lake.

Around noon, the girls came in with Evie and decorated Valentine cookies while Drew and I built another fire with the help of Tyler and Mitchell.  We then grilled hot dogs, on a very hot fire, and we planned on eating out side but it was too cold to just sit around so we had dogs and soup inside, finishing up the last of Evie's vegetable  and corn chowder soups.  They were big hits with the grandchildren.

Valentine cookies

Drew Grilling Hot Dogs

We spent a good part of the afternoon sledding on the Woodlawn hill.  It was a riot, watching the girls and guys wipe out, sled single, double and triple down the hill.  It's was warm enough so that Mitch was in short sleeves.  He had brought his snow board along and did amazing runs on the hill even building up snow jumps, so he could lift into the air and do tricks.  He is amazingly good and even Drew was able to take a turn and take some rides and falls.  We came back and the girls wanted to ice skate one more time before dinner, and Mitch, Tyler, Jill, Beth and I went cross country skiing down to Wells Bay and back, passing the ice boats and the Johnson boys ice skating with a parasail, pulling them along the ice.

For dinner we went to our old standby, the Seezurh House, and had a good time, lots of wings, seasoned fries, tobacco onion rings, burgers, beer and pop.  The girls loved their children's meals because they came with a scoop of ice cream.  And we had only two chicken wings left, so we ordered well.

Wings at Seezurh House

We  got home around 8:30, the girls played games on their IPADs till 9:30, I told them a bad boy story, then to bed, though they were wild and Evie had a hard time settling them down, as it was their last night together.

Bright Sunny Morning On A Cold, Frozen Lake

Jill and Halle Sledding

Marisa and Hayden

With Beth

Cross Country Skiing In Dobbins Woods

Mitch Enjoying Cross Country Skiing

The Old Smoothies On The Ice

Lasagna Dinner With Mc Clures

Nothing Like Beer and Baklava

7:20

Up at 7:15, to blue skies, the sun just beginning to rise over Bemus and cold, about 7º outside, with just a dusting of snow last night though they predicted up to six inches. Rats.  The girls will be sad because they wanted more snow for sledding.  We all did.  At least it's going to be a beautiful day, even get as warm as 30º later in the day.

Started yesterday morning with a trip to the Lighthouse, to pick up some pea meal bacon, my daughter Beth's favorite, some milk and Italian bread for dinner.  When I got home, Evie had already started the pancakes for the crew, both regular and my favorite, banana pancakes.  We devoured the bacon as well as pancakes and listened to Jack Johnson's 'Banana Pancakes,' a great tune.  After breakfast, Beth, Jill, Tyler, Mitch and I went to Dobbins Woods, to cross country ski.  Even though it had not snowed much, there was a thick, crusty layer to ski on, so it was still good.  We did have a bit of trouble navigating the three bridges, though we were able to cross them with no on falling in the water, inshallah.  It was about 15º when we skied though comfortable.  Sledding video is below:

We had lunch of left overs, pizza, and three soups, as we were all hungry after the morning exercise.  The rest of the day we spent on the ice or on Woodlawn's hill sledding.  The kids seemed to enjoy the sledding the most because the hill and conditions on it were great.  We must have spent a couple of hours there, crashing into bushes, tumbling over in to the snow, freezing our little okoles off.  We did spend some time out on the ice but it was very cold most of the day and the lake was bumpy, making it hard to skate.  But it was perfect for the Johnson' ice boats and they literally spent the entire day out on the ice sailing their three boats.  It was really windy, making the conditions perfect.  I imagine it must have been really cold but they did not seem to mind.

Mid afternoon, Beth put together a baklava for dessert and Evie made her lasagna with bolognese sauce.  About 4:00, I took Drew to the pub at the Southern Tier Brewery since he had never been there before.  We had a couple of pints of their new beer, Euro Trash Pilsener, and we both brought home a growler, $9.50  or 15.50, depending on whether you brought a bottle.

Enjoying Dusk After A Busy Day

At 5:00, the Mc Clures came over for dinner, so we had a fun night, sitting around talking, watching the kids perform.  We had pupus before dinner, a couple of cheeses with crackers, lots of beer and wine, and the lasagna for dinner, with salad and bread sticks was great.  Although we were really full, we all enjoyed at least one piece of the baklava for dessert.  When dinner was over, the girls showed Ron and Linda the crazy videos they had made the night before, cracking up everyone.  So, we decided to make our own videos, including everyone at the table, even the adults, which was a riot.  Ron and Linda left around 9:00 and we then put the girls to bed, the adults staying up till 10:30 before going to bed, a good day for all.

Extravaganza On The Ice With Our Grandchildren

Drew, Jill and Beth 

Woodlawn Sledding Hill

Marisa

Marisa and Halle sledding

7:30 AM

Hayden

Halle

Tyler

Mitchell

Drew and Halle

Up at 6:30, the first one downstairs, though it's now 7:00 and both Drew, Coco, and Evie are up.  We had about an inch of snow last night, just enough to cover most of the green spots on the yard, with another inch or two to come.  It's very cold 15º but nice an comfortable on my couch, with Coco snuggling up next to me.

In the Thorns

Yesterday was a whirlwind of a day, as usual, when we have five adults and five grand children in the house.  First, we all decided to go out on the lake around 9:30 and ice skate.  We had five pairs of skates, the others just played on the ice.  Unfortunately, Hayden's skates did not fit so Evie went off to Lakewood, to Olympic Sports and bought her a nice pair for twenty bucks, a deal I would say.  Now all five of us could skate.  The ice was a bit rough but still good for racing around on the ice.  Hayden and her Dad made a large circular race course, so we had fun, trying to stay up and still skate fast.  So far, I have not fallen, knock on wood, though I look like an old man trying to skate, arms flaying, legs unsteady.  It was cold, so we came in for breakfast, eggs and toast for the kids, granola and fruit for the oldsters.

About 11:30, Evie stayed with the boys inside, making krispy kreme donuts on the porch, working on projects with the girls on the dining room table while the four adults went cross country skiing on the lake.  Again, it was not perfect on the lake, almost like skating rather than skiing as there was little snow, mostly ice, but it was still fun to be outside.  We skied down to Wells Bay, everyone doing well, came make through some yards.  We had to cross the make shift bridge at Victoria stream and I amused everyone by almost falling in the water as my pole went through the planks.  It was great to come into the warm house after being outside for so long, have a fresh donut and coffee.  As we got back, the kids came out to skate, so some of us stayed outside with them.  We have placed plastic chairs on the ice and yard, making it easier to put skates on and off.

Enjoying the Gangnam video

Lunch of leftovers, some wraps, and Evie's three soups, then on to the hill at Cummings house, in Woodlawn.  It's perfect for sledding and since the house is abandoned, the kids would go up on the front porch, begin their descent by sliding down the ice covered front steps, and race down the hill, occasionally hitting snow bumps, but having great fun.  I even went down a few times and unfortunately, wiped out on a thorn bush, ripping both my jacket and gloves.  Not fun.  We stayed on the hill for over an hour, even went back later in the afternoon because the kids enjoyed it so much.

Later in the afternoon, we went out on the ice, to skate and enjoy the afternoon, and Drew and I built a fire in our fire pit.  The kids immediately wanted to roast marshmallows, make Smores, so Evie found the hot dog forks in the garage, chocolate and graham crackers.  The kids made their smores as Drew and I had our first Labatt's of the day.  The lake at this hour was amazing, busy with all kinds of activity.  Mostly, people were just out walking on the lake, enjoying the waning sunlight.  We seemed to  be the only one's skating and cross country skiing.  But there were fishermen everywhere, at least fifty I would guess.  And our neighbors, the Johnson's got out their two ice boats, so they were gliding out to Long Point and back, attracting lots of attention from the people walking on the lake.  It seemed almost like a busy afternoon on the lake in July.

Johnson's Ice Boat

We came inside around 6:00 though there were still lots of people out on the ice, just enjoying dusk.  Dinner was easy for Evie, as all we had to do was heat up the pre made cabbage rolls and two pizzas.  The adults devoured the cabbage rolls, our daughter Jill's favorite, and the kids ate up most of the pizza.   Dessert was M & M's, chocolate covered raisins, and chocolate covered carmels, not too healthy but good.  The adults then sat around a good part of the evening, sipping white wine, talking, the boys on their Ipads or watching TV.  The girls were upstairs with Evie and they made a crazy video for us, the  girls dancing Gangnam style, which they brought downstairs and played for us.  It was hilarious and well shot by young Halle, our eight year old burgeoning film maker.  We were all in bed by 10:30 except for Tyler and Mitch who stayed up watching TV.  A full, fun day.

Ah Grandchildren! Nothing Like Them!

Clearing Ice with Albarrans

Shoveling

Marisa Learning How To Skate

Jill and Evie

Drew and Beth

Sunrise at 7:20

Up around 6:30, just me and my son in law, Drew, a streak of light on the eastern horizon, and cold, around 18º.  No snow last night, alas, perhaps an inch or two over the next twenty four hours if we are lucky.  It's now 7:30, Evie and Halle are up, enjoying the sunrise and Jill has just come down, as Coco, there dog, has jumped up on the couch, excited to be up after a romp after a squirrel earlier in the morning.  Ice fisherman are out, some pulling sleds from Victoria despite the cold weather.

Brisket and Mashed Potato Dinner

No yoga yesterday, just preparing and fine turning the house, getting ready for the Albarrans and Bissells.  I baked my bread, still not quite right, flat and a bit too moist and Evie put together a bolognese sauce for our lasagna on Sunday.  The Albarrans were the first to arrive, about 2:00, having made great time from Darien, CT.  We unpacked and relaxed after Evie made the boys lunch, a couple of wraps and homemade soup, so they were happy.  After relaxing, getting unpacked, we decided to go out on the ice to see what it was like.  Fortunately, it was frozen solid, just a dusting of snow, so we got out snow shovels and brooms, and cleared off a huge section for ice skating.  It was great being out on the ice, and Mitch, Marisa and I put on our ice skates to test it out, none of us any great shakes yet on the skates but we managed to get by.

Enjoying the Night Ice With Granny

We went in after an hour or so, and I called Jill to see when they would get here.  She said they were about an hour a way, when a few moments later, a horn blared and they were in our driveway.  Surprise. Again, they had good roads, stopped once, and made it in under seven hours.  We had brisket, mashed potatoes and salad for dinner, all of us starved, and pumpkin pie for dessert.  About 8:00, the kids and Evie and I decided to go outside and play on the ice and snow, staying outside for about forty five minutes.  The girls were even doing cart wheels in the snow, as well as sliding on the ice. It was a good way to end  the evening, tiring out, supposedly, the girls.  We all went to bed early, around 10:00 or 10:30 and when I went up, all three girls, who sleep in our room on mattresses on the floor, were either on their Ipads or ITouchs.  We had to ask them to turn them off, many times, which they did reluctantly, around 11:00.

Winter Week With Grandchildren Begins Tonight

7:15

Fat Boy, A Well Fed Tree Sparrow

Ready For Fun

Up at 6:15, dark of course but gray skies as I write, 32º outside, some sun later in the day but it's supposed to get colder as the day progresses.  Possibility of lake effect snow tonight and tomorrow.  Let's hope so because we could use some for enjoying the outdoors over the next week with our grandchildren.

Yesterday, Yin Yoga began the morning for me, with an emphasis on chest openings, new poses to stretch the arms and upper back.  I am still sore from Wednesday's class, where we held the squat position against the wall for as long as we could, strengthening our thighs.  I used to have my volleyball team do this every day and forgot how hard it is.  More shopping at Sam's and Wegman's should about do it for the next three days but I doubt it.  We always have forgotten something, or want something else from the store.  Anyways,  Evie has meals made for the next couple of days, a couple of soups as well,  so we are ready for the arrival of Beth and Jill's families tonight around dinner time;.

Vegetable Soup

Mid afternoon, I went to the Lighthouse, to pick up more ground chuck and pork for the lasagna on Sunday and then stopped at Mc Clures.  They had a couple of pairs of cross country skis which they were happy to let us borrow, so now we have five pair of skis for our use over the next week.  Now all we need is snow.  When I returned home, Evie had made the ground beef and rice mixture for cabbage rolls so we then put together about twenty five for Saturday's dinner, added the tomato sauce and sauerkraut and baked them for a couple of hours.  We used my mother in law Dot's recipe but it did not seem as easy to put them together as it did when we made them with her in Scottsdale back in December.  The cabbage seemed older, tougher, harder to roll into rolls though we managed.  They will be great.

Soy/mustard glazed salmon, home fries, and garlic spinach made an easy and healthy dinner, and we watched TV, mostly news programs, till time for bed.  I am almost finished with A Fine Balance, by Rohan Mintry, a long saga set in India during the Emergency (martial law) in the mid 1970's.  It's a good read but also heart rendering, following the lives of the poor (untouchables) in often corrupt and tyrannical India, under the leadership of Indira Gandhi though she is not named.

No yoga this morning, alas, but we still have lots to do to keep us busy as we await the arrival of our kids.  It's going to be a long wait till 6:00, filled with more cooking(I am making bread again) and Evie has other things to get ready as well.  Always.