New England's Narrow Road

Staying Busy in the Midst of Winter

I keep a journal and don’t write in it often. I would like to say there are new and exciting things going on in my life, but there just aren’t. I applied to my back to get pre-approved for a mortgage so I can stop renting and was told I need to wait six months since my divorce was just recently final, so that is on hold. I am working on getting my taxes together – which is always exciting. I’m hoping to get them done for free again this year by the folks at the River Center, where I met my tax guy who came to my house and I paid him in cookies – no kidding! My deck is buried in snow that is more like cement, and my face hasn’t been in the sun since the last time I walked across the parking lot into the grocery store a week ago. All this is very boring, I know.

I also began using a day planner for my work. The trouble I am having is that I never seem to get the lists finished and they carry over day after day. I get sidetracked easily and must have a touch of my son’s ADD. I always check my e-mail first thing and see what my recent store sales look like. Most everything is selling from Sandpiper Wedding and I attribute that to the fact that the blog is being updated every day by my daughter. Updating daily will bring more views, and more views transfer to more sales. It’s also filled with images of beaches and tropical things. Maybe that is the reason for the views.

So goes life in winter. Just keep plugging along.

This is A Lot Of Snow!

lots of snow — This was before the last foot of snow fell.

I took this picture looking out my front window toward the steps leading to the front door. That was a few days ago and we have since had another 8 or 9 inches fall and then a couple inches of slushy stuff today. Not to mention that the roof dumped it’s load just this afternoon. In fact I am heading outside with my son to shovel, even though I am not quite over the flu. This is the most snow I’ve seen here in a while.

The problem is that there is no easy way to shovel it when the mounds are as high as me. In fact I usually throw it and then watch it tumble back down into the path behind me. At this point I am just trying to keep the doorways clear and a path shoveled for the oil guy to make his delivery hook up at the side of the deck. I always find it difficult to show snowfall well in photos. It helps to have a person standing beside the piles I suppose, but there was no one to do so.

The new plow guy did do my mailbox this time, which was a very unexpected surprise. Digging out the mailbox is one of the most difficult jobs. In fact my son is annoying me so he will be shoveling alone while I make supper. That is an even better idea.

I Love the Snow, But Not Today

I do love watching the snow fall and it sure is falling today, February 25, 2011 in New Hampshire. South of here there has been a mix of rain and freezing rain, but it’s been all snow – all day – here. I was out earlier to shovel off about 5 inches since they say it is heavy (yes, it is) but I am under the weather today and certainly don’t want to go back out. It’s warm enough for the snow to also be sliding off the roof, so I have that to shovel on top of the 5 or 6 inches that has come down since I was out before.
Also the plow guy will show up at some point and I’ll have to move my car.
So I usually don’t mind the snow, but when I am sick I would rather not have to deal with it.
My side of this duplex gets lots of shade and I’m looking at this snow and thinking it will be here until June.

Making Cheese With Flowers

Nasturtium flower — My Red / Orange (& edible) Nasturtium

I will tell you right away that I have never done this, but I visited one of my favorite bloggers (and she is so much more) only to find an amazing post that included fresh picked flowers and yogurt.

Sharon Lovejoy is an author of many books and writes the most interesting posts on her blog along with some excellent photos of her quaint and lovely home in California – and the one in Maine when she is there. I honestly don’t get around to reading the blogs I have linked to as much as I’d like because my work takes up most of my day, but I truly love to visit a great blog. As busy and popular as Sharon is, she still takes time to read my piddly little blog and leave a comment here and there. Does that tell you the kind of sweet person she is?

Actually, she reminds me very much of my grandmother (and I don’t mean to say that she is old). My Nana always had a good thing to say. She was positive and open-minded and encouraging and sharing. I don’t know Sharon personally, but I imagine that she is just as she comes across in her blog posts – and that is how she comes across.

Please view her amazing post –Stir Gently and Add Friends -about making cheese from yogurt and flowers. I learned something new today and I have to buy a strainer.