8 Feb 2010 Loo Roll Valentine Necklace

February 8th, 2010

Loo Roll Valentine Necklace

Basic idea from Filth Wizardry, a craft blog I quite like, especially because the author is British and her prose reminds me of terms like “loo” for “toilet.”

Speaking of which, our original visa application for the UK has been flushed. Thanks to some eleventh hour immigration wizardry, we think we’re on track for emigrating to the UK by the end of the month. So perhaps by then I’ll be able to say and write “loo” without sounding like a loon.

7 Feb 2010 Sledding

February 7th, 2010

Sledding down the hill

6 Feb 2010 Backyard after the Blizzard

February 6th, 2010

Backyard after the Blizzard

26 inches in about 18 hours. Can you see the birdbath? Compare to January 29.

5 Feb 2010 Waiting for the Snow

February 5th, 2010

Waiting for the Snow

And tasting the first flakes. You can’t see them in the photo, but the first, tiny wet flakes were falling.

4 Feb 2010 Puddle Art

February 4th, 2010

Puddle Art

3 Feb 2010 Feeding Fowl

February 3rd, 2010

Ducks at Linvilla

Watching Sam feed the ducks today eased the knot in my stomach a little bit. Yesterday we believed that we were 1-2 weeks away from emigrating to the UK. Today we learned that we could have still 2 MONTHS until the UK border agency approves the visas.

What happened? I sure would like to know. For now we’re chalking it up to a massive miscommunication. There’s nothing like rearranging your life and then learning that it was all too soon. We’ve already sold the car. Given away the sofa. Packed. Purged. Changed our address. Signed a lease in the UK. Scheduled movers (they’re supposed to come next week).

So now the busy move preparation stops. We wait. We feed the birds. I’m sure there’s a zen message in there for me somewhere.

2 Feb 2010 Ice Experiment

February 2nd, 2010

Ice Ornament

Out in Western PA, not far from where we used to live, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow this morning. We didn’t need the groundhog to tell us that winter is going to be around for a while. The last few days have been cold. Not Midwestern-bite-your-face cold, but finger-to-toe-tingly-I-should-have-long-underwear-on cold.

The other day Sam and I started an ice experiment. We collected nature bits and bobs, arranged them in different sized containers, poured room-temperature water over them, and then set the containers outside on the front porch. We then promptly forgot about them. Or I did, at least. This morning, Sam remembered. She was fascinated to see that the large containers were solid while the little cubes in the ice cube tray were still liquid. Hopefully we’ll remember to check on the little ones tomorrow morning, that is, if we can find them under the snow.

Yes, there’s another snowstorm headed our way. This is my first real winter in 4 years and I’m already quite tired of my long underwear. I can hope, though, that England will be a little warmer, right?

The cold’s making me daft.

1 February 2010 Fallen Log

February 1st, 2010

Fallen Log at Ridley Creek State Park

We braved the cold and went to Ridley Creek State Park today. Sam spent 30 minutes log hopping and flinging sawdust into her hat and hair.

31 Jan 2010 Grassy Snow Angel

January 31st, 2010

Grassy Snow Angel

Despite a meager snow fall, Sam was undeterred.

30 Jan 2010 Aunt Maureen Visits

January 30th, 2010

Sam teaches Aunt Maureen about Dorbies

Aunt Maureen gets acquainted with Bicycle Dorbie (left) and Queen Dorbie (right).