Sunday, December 27, 2009

Attack of the Night Blizzard Guerilla Artist...

On the evening of the now famous Blizzard 09 the following happend...

Night had fallen, the snow was still coming down by the cloud full. I was on the porch shoveling a path for Weiner the Wonder Dog to use as a potty pad. I spied a person across the street playing around in the snow picking up sticks and looking at them very intently as if to inspect them for a very specific purpose. "That's weird" I thought to myself but went about my shoveling till The Bear came out and asked what was going on in the street. I walked out to get a better view through the trees and flying snow and this is what I found...

There seemed to be a figure standing in the median strip of the street. What could it be? A snow covered peoplecicle? I just had to know, so I grabbed my camera, a coat and boots and went out to investigate. Why it was a snow person! A Guerilla Artists had struck under the cover of night. A lone snow person in the middle of the street in the middle of the night and in the middle of a Blizzard. How cool is that?

It even was complete with legs! Once I turned on my flash you could really see the snow was still flying.
I'm so glad that I suited up and ventured out to document this wonder. I could just imagine how much joy he/she was going to bring everyone. The snowplowers would see it and smile. Children waking up in the morning would be greeted and inspired. It just really made me smile to know that someone had taken the time to make this winter wonderland a little bit more special.
UPDATE: I am VERY sorry to report that when I woke up the next morning some A Hole had completely destroyed him/her. Nothing remained but a crumpled pile of snow and boot prints. I'm just glad that I was there to capture the moment and enjoyed it while it lasted.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Bean Reporting Live From Blizzard 09...

Some of you have heard of our Blizzard here in the DC area. Well this is one time that the weather man actually got it right. Wow, we are getting hit. So of course what did I want to do? Why go out and play in it of course! So goin us as we romp through the snow. Could it be a Christmas Tree?

The Bear celebrating the fact that we can walk right down the middle of the street. Mainly because the sidewalks are under 15" of snow and more is comin down.


I plowed myself into a drift in the middle of the road to show you what we are dealing with here. Yay! I can't even tell you just how many layers of clothing I have on at this point. I left NO room for a chance to get cold.



The Bear was so excited to gather ice on his beard. "I've never been able to do that before". Aw, doesn't he look so happy! When I casually asked if he'd join me out for an afternoon of snow play I never actually thought he'd say "sure". Falling in love with him all over again.


This is Fort Ward Park down the street. I LOVE how the yellow looks in this picture. Just HAD to snap a pic of that.


After going all the way into town, finding that Blockbuster was actually open, getting some movies and having Chinese Food (you HAVE to have Chinese especially when they are open in a Blizzard and Oh so happy to see you) we wandered back home. We stopped again at Fort Ward for a little photo shoot. Here I am trying my best to act casual and cross my legs despite the billion layers I have on. I felt like the kid in A Christmas Story.


The Bear paused made a funny face and before I could ask him what was up he actually DOVE into the snow! What a kid.


"I can't see"! Well That's what you get for diving face first into the snow you goof!


Walking back and forth through town we encountered other people walking, a stuck vehicle and the occassional snow plow. The Bear and I started to make up our own 12 Days of Christmas Song naming things we've seen.



I thought the drifts on tops of the cars made a good visual for you all.


And once we returned home I shoveled off the porch to make a place for Beanie to potty and to lay some seeds for the birds. The birds greatly appreciated it, they came in droves.


So, yes we are in the middle of a Blizzard, right now it's about 6:30pm and there's about 2 foot of snow outside that has all come in less than 24hrs. We are stocked up on food. Dinner is Meatball Stroganoff, and the drink of choice is a delicious Wassail with a splash (or two) of Knob Creek :)


Hope you enjoyed the photo tour. I have really been in the Holiday Spirit so this has just thrown me over the happy limit! I love you all and wish for you a VERY Merry Season.


A Bouncing Bean Thru The Snow...

It's not a far stretch to call our little Bean a "girlie girl". She doesn't like to cross little streams of water for fear of getting a toe wet. She doesn't like to get dirty. If you've ever seen the TV Show Monk you'll know exactly what I mean when I say she'll walk on a nature path and then give you that look that screams "Wipe! Give me a WIPE!! I've got Nature on me!" Well when you get 15" of snow and more on the way there's not much you can do do avoid getting in the snow. Here's what happens when your hubby says "I'll pick her up walk her to the plowed street to do her business". She realizes how crappy the weather is and turns and runs full steam ahead bunny hop back up the hill through the snow to the safety of the couch. Enjoy! I wish it were a video.... Where's mom?

There she is.


Oh CRAP it's deeper than I thought.


And POOF, into the snow drift. Panic sets in.


HELP!!!!




Not able to see with snow in her face she runs past me in the general direction of safety leaving The Bear in her wake.