Friday, December 19, 2008

Clear - for now!

Edited to add: Another storm warning has been issued, so I've decided to stay home and cook a big pot of chicken something or other in case of power outage.

(Caps are from the site)
A PACIFIC FRONTAL SYSTEM APPROACHING THE BRITISH COLUMBIA COAST WILL COLLIDE WITH ENTRENCHED ARCTIC AIR TO PRODUCE ANOTHER WINTER STORM. THE STORM IS FORECAST TO REACH VANCOUVER ISLAND THIS AFTERNOON THEN MOVE TO THE SUNSHINE COAST AND THE LOWER MAINLAND TONIGHT. SNOWFALLS OF 10 TO 20 CENTIMETRES OR MORE ARE FORECAST BUT WILL VARY DRAMATICALLY ACROSS THE SOUTH COAST. SUBTLE CHANGES IN WIND DIRECTION CAN RESULT IN MUCH HEAVIER SNOW. AREAS SUBJECT TO THE STRONGEST ONSHORE SOUTHEASTERLY AND EASTERLY WINDS SUCH AS THE EAST COAST OF VANCOUVER ISLAND ARE AT GREATEST RISK OF HEAVY SNOW...

When I opened the front door to start digging out the walkway, I noticed I'd had an early visit from Santy Claws!

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Today I sprayed some vegetable oil on my snow shovel before starting and I think it helped the snow slither off easier. Here's the cleared path ~

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I had the rest of the driveway to clear so that I could get my car out of the garage if needed. It took me 1 1/2 hours today to do the walkway and driveway, so all told that's 5 1/2 hours of digging in two days ~ and I did it all by myself :) My camera battery died before I had time to take a photo but I remembered tonight ~ there are icy patches but at least it's mostly cleared.

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I noticed the mountains had their fair share ~

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Later on I put the lights and decorations on the tree. The coloring in the photo is a bit odd because I didn't want to use the flash. I'll try and get a better picture that shows how it really looks. In the meantime:

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and isn't that Frog Newton imitating an ornament ~ I tell you, that frog does not like to be left out of anything!!

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More snow forecast for Sunday. Nobody needs to be dreaming of a White Christmas this year!

10 comments:

  1. Gosh you were busy! That's a lovely tree.
    I guess that Frog fancies a hot chocolate and some home made cookies!
    It sure looks like you're going to have a white Christmas. xx

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  2. Good morning Flighty ~ (well, it's morning here!) Yes, I was busy, and my arms are a bit sore, but not that bad really. It's good to know that I can dig myself out and survive to tell the story!

    The tree looks prettier in real life, but I'm glad I took a photo because I realized I had a bare patch, so have since moved a few ornaments about!

    Not sure what I'll get up to today, but there's lots to do, including baking cookies...;)

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  3. Glo, that is quite a bit of snow to dig! But I'm glad you've got an escape path should you need it. Your Christmas tree looks terrific -- so warm and cozy and prefect for cats to dig in for a little nap :-)

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  4. Thanks Nikki ~ I have just heard that another snow storm is approaching, see edit! So I'm staying put ~ I was considering going out for a bit of shopping, but that can wait! I can imagine that cats would enjoy batting the bears hanging from the bottom of my Christmas tree!

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  5. Oh my I don't like the sound of that! I hope that you avoid it and don't have to face clearing away another lot of snow. If you do then get the boy(s) to do it as it's their turn!
    Take care and stay warm! xx

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  6. Oh my Glo I don't envy your snow! I'd have shovelled with you! As long as you came to pick me up!
    Your tree looks so lovely! I guess you won't need to be dreaming of a white Christmas! (You don't think it's on it's way over here do you?) :o)

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  7. Those are santa's claws? Really? I thought that santa is wearing boots, no? His feet must be freezing without anything... LOL

    The frog is cute :)

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  8. We've only had about 10 or 15 cm, and due to rain and refreezing we're now basically down to dirty piles on the street and in corners - bleurgh! Because people still have to scrape the slush and frost from the driveways and sidewalks so pedestrians don't fall if it freezes solid. (Which it might do this week as it will be below freezing tomorrow and the sky is clear.)

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  9. Hi Flighty ~ My son will be digging out today, and I'll help. The other two boys won't arrive until Christmas Eve day, so it's just the two of us for now :)

    Hi Daffy ~ I wonder if I could come and pick you up ~ the airports are affected by this weather, too with lots of cancellations, but thanks for your offer of help...;) Usually there is an 11% chance of us getting a white Christmas, so you can see this is not the norm for around here. Nevertheless, we haven't lost power which would really cause problems. Glad you liked my tree :) Keep warm and Merry Christmas to you and your family!

    Selba ~ LOL ~ The thought of Santa with bare feet gives me the chills! I'm wondering which cat is finding my doorstep, and wondering why! I hope he's not a lost cat looking for some warmth. Yes, the frog is cute and quite ornamental ;)

    Liv ~ I love "bleurgh" ~ It kind of sums it up, doesn't it? I've been watching the Weather Network and the deep freeze that has hit so much of North America! Around here the snow is still pristine white ~ but then I haven't gone anywhere for a few days ~ so can't say what the streets in town are like. Hope it's not too treacherous for you! Merry Christmas :)

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  10. Hehe, I put off going anywhere today but I do need to stock up a little before Christmas.

    But the lines at the grocery stores are horrendous before holidays! Another bleurgh!

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