A Cozy, Snowy Day

The BIG STORM came and has pretty much departed, and we spent the day cozy and snug at home.  Technohubby and Colette are down with colds, so it was up to Max and I to do the snow blowing and shoveling.  The wind was quite blustery, and it kept the snow swirling about so that it was difficult to know exactly how much snow fell, but our best guess is 18 inches!

The snow piled up against the sliding glass door...higher and higher all day long.

By the end of the day, our rock wall was almost completely lost under a blanket of snow.

In between bouts of snow shoveling, I made our once-a-year treat of cinnamon rolls.

By nightfall, the porch lights had developed cones of snow and icicles.

The cozy hour...my favorite time of day!

Max and I finished another round of blowing and shoveling.  Here he is falling backwards into the soft, super-powdery snow.  Whoosh!

Insider tip: a soak in a very hot tub and a dose of Advil after snow shoveling takes all the aches and pains away and will leave you fit as a fiddle and ready for more come morning!  Works every time!

Beauty, the Beast

She's a beauty!  But, oh my, does this dog have a lot of fur.  Fur, fur, and more fur.  Her fur has fur.  All my wool coats and dark socks wear her fur.  

But sweep and vacuum and lint roll I will, because who can resist that face?!?!?

Ice Skating Dreams

Recently, to celebrate my birthday, I wanted to fulfill two dreams...ice skating outdoors and ice skating in a skirt!  My sentimental heart so yearns to return to the days when women skated in woolens and velvet, fur-trimmed coats, cozy muffs, and pretty hats, and the gentlemen all wore suits.  And while I wasn't exactly dressed like that, I'm happy to report that it's quite easy to ice skate in a skirt!  And despite the 20 degree temperatures that day, I was quite toasty warm!

We skated at the new, outdoor rink called Puddle Dock Pond at Strawbery Banke in Portsmouth, NH.  Strawbery Banke is a living history museum, and its collection of period homes and the distant church steeple made such a lovely backdrop to the new rink.

We invited some of Colette's friends to come along, and we all had a delightful time!  I really do think that those who don't enjoy winter in New England need to find an outdoor hobby, because a day of exercise in the chilly air is completely rejuvenating to body and soul.

"Winter...a lingering season,

is a time to gather golden moments,

embark on a sentimental journey,

and enjoy every idle hour."

-John Boswell

We packed a basket of mugs and thermoses full of Colette's decadent hot cocoa.  Mmm...just the thing we needed to warm us up!

Great Gatsby New Year's Eve Party!

Inspired by The Great Gatsby, Colette spent months envisioning and planning a Gatsby New Year's Eve Party!  Invitations were sent to come and sip champagne and Charleston into the new year.

She searched consignment stores and antique stores for months and acquired a nice collection of silver serving pieces and champagne glasses.

Party decor was lots of silver and gold streamers, giant confetti (snipped from metalic tissue paper), and balloons, balloons, and more balloons!  All the furniture was moved out of the living room, so it could be used as a dance floor.

The foyer and formal dining room were also decorated.

Since early summer, I'd been finding these silver forks in antique stores all over southern New Hampshire.  Every time I saw some, I'd snatch them up.  I was very grateful that I had more than enough to serve the entire party on real silver!

Five dozen helium balloons joined in the party!

Resorted to a selfie, so you could see the ornament in my hair...really one of Colette's necklaces enthusiastically pinned into my hair.  

Colette's ready for the party!

Almost time to party like Gatsby!

The invitation specified "1920's attire required", and people went all out to look elegant and fabulous!

-Gatsby Party Menu-

Gourmet Cheeses and Crackers

Caramelized Onion, Apple, and Gruyere Tarts 

Chocolate-Raspberry Cheesecake

White Chocolate Caramel Cheesecake

Key Lime Cheesecake (gluten free)

Assorted Chocolates

Apple-Ginger-Cranberry Punch

Sparkling Cider

Champagne

Now there's an elegant group!

Dancing the night away!

As one guest left, he shook my hand and said, "Thank you for letting us thoroughly trash your house!"  I guess the party was a success!  Really, the mess was part of the fun!

Clean up?  It happened the next day.  Zzzzz...