You know, I didn’t think we were going to have a white Christmas this year, but boy was I sure wrong.
Murphy’s Law: You will get a snow storm right before you make the long drive home in your car that sucks in snow.
Murphy’s Law #2: Your car battery will die with a trunk full of groceries just before your party. Never jinx yourself by saying the words “ahead of schedule”. Fail.
With a few hiccups aside, we actually had a great holiday. The main part was that we were together, enjoying each other’s company and slowly driving each other crazy. We laughed, ate good food, and argued over trivia games. That’s true family love. I only wish that my side of the family was there too. We can be crazy like the best of them.
Anyway, Benny sure didn’t mind the snow one bit.
After a late breakfast and waiting for a snow plow that never arrived, we decided to get out there and shovel the driveway the old fashioned way. Shoveling is always more fun with a group, especially when you can rotate shovels and take mini breaks.
We grabbed every shovel we could find in the garage including the kids shovels and the heavy gardening shovels. I was thankful for this unexpected exercise, even if I can’t move normally this morning.
Benny was overseeing the project.
Even though he’s a senior with arthritis problems, Benny was just as happy as could be out there with us, hobbling along slowly and wagging his tail.
Meanwhile, back on the ranch the cats laughed at us through the windows.
Sketchie guarded the gifts and Finnegan monitored the water levels of the artificial tree.
After a couple hours we finished the very, very long driveway – well we finished enough that we could just squeak out our cars!
Even though it was tiring work, this was probably my favourite memory of the entire holiday. As my sister in law yelled out (by mistake), it was true family bondage! heh. Err…bonding.
Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, I hope you enjoy some down time as the year draws to a close. With my manuscript due date quickly approaching I can’t say I will be doing a lot of relaxing, but I do have fun plans for New Years thankfully. Also, keep your eyes peeled for a new blog series in 2013.
I’m not sure how it’s Friday already, but enjoy the last weekend of 2012!
Wait. It’s Friday?! Going back to work next week is going to be such a rude awakening… LOL!
Happy New year!!
Sounds like you already have a busy 2013 ahead. Good luck getting the manuscript done!
And growing up in Minnesota and then Chicago, I can relate to getting dumped on with snow just when you don’t think you’re going to, getting stuck, and always with something important in the truck and there is no such thing as ahead of schedule in the winter weather. Glad things worked out and you had a nice holiday :)
Way to get in that family ‘bondage’ time! ;-) Looks like fun even if it was hard work!
Happy New Year Angela! So looking forward to all that is to come from you. Thanks so much for the wonderful gift that this blog is. You are appreciated!
Aw, thank you for reading! I appreciate it.
all that snow is so beautiful! Happy New Year!
BEAUTIFUL photos Angela! You really captured the beauty of winter in these ones. Glad you had a chance to relax and have fun with your extended family – lots of fun memories made. Merry Christmas!!
You are such a great photographer!! And your recipes are always amazing! Hope you realize how gifted and talented you are (I’m sure you do!!). Thank you for sharing your talents with us! :)
Beautiful photos. All the snow in Wisconsin has helped me stay put to get some home projects done.
I had a dog (Murphy – golden/lab mix) who loved the snow. He would roll around making doggie snow angels!
What manuscript??? Do tell. :)
P.S. I love Benny.
She’s writing a cookbook!
That I knew! :) I guess I didn’t know she was so close to writing it up! Thanks Carie.
Isn’t this snow crazy!?! I couldn’t believe it when I saw how much had come down on Boxing Day. I’m glad you guys had plenty of bonding time (or bondage as far as your sister in law is concerned!!) I’m excited to see this new series in 2013! :) Happy last Friday!
Oh oh oh! What is that delicious-looking chickpea magic you have in your lap there?
omg benny is sooo cute!!! and your photos are amazing!
It sounds like you guys had a nice holiday (despite some setbacks which you still manage to sound positive and keep a good sense of humour about ;p).
Love the pics. And your sister-in-law is funny!
Can’t wait for the cookbook!!!!!
Nothing like a little family bondage to make the holidays bright!
Love the pictures – Merry Christmas!
It’s always the unexpected that makes for great memories…but dang, that’s along driveway!! I love your sis-in-laws ‘bondage’ comment….did someone give her Fifty Shades for Christmas?!
Oh my! You’re amazing that you can keep so positive after that- i would have falled away at the seams haha. Fantastic family memories and stories right there :P
Now I remember why I moved from Buffalo to California! I do not miss the snow! I can recall as a kid having the car get stuck in snow on Christmas Eve, several years in a row!! The Christmas tree photo with the cat is gorgeous!! Happy Holidays Angela!!
Love the pics! Especially of Sketchie inside lol.. Can’t wait for your cookbook! :)
Great pics as always, how cute is Benny?! Your blog has been a real inspiration to me in 2012 and I am looking forward to more in 2013 :)
Thank you Lana, I appreciate it!