Busy at Christmastime

Christmas arrived before we knew it and we hemmed and hawed about putting up a tree. We knew the new bay window called for one, so we got a real tree.

That did not stop us from continuing work on the house. Our wood burning stove finally arrived and we installed it immediately. With winter upon us, we knew that the wood stove would help keep us warm.

Unfortunately the fan did not work but we later found out it was just a loose connection and Lee fixed it. The fireplace looks great, even if it wasn't working yet.

We decided to upgrade the one room we thought we wouldn't have to work on. After the cousins left at Thanksgiving, we realized that the TV room did not fit everyone comfortably. We decided to remove one of the closets and install built in bookcases with room for a big screen television and the video equipment. The rest of the room could be opened up for more seating.

After we ripped out the closet, we were up against what used to be the outside of the house, and we had to match new tongue & groove panelling with the existing stuff.

Getting the matching wood was easy, Paul toiled to match the ten year old stain by mixing various tints until he got it right.

Once the panelling was up and stained, we built a stand that was sturdy enough for a big screen TV and also as a home for our many books, which remained stored in boxes.

After the bookcase was stained and finished we bought a new TV. The hook up was easier than we thought. We cleaned up the bookshelves and displayed some of our long lost books. This was unexpected but we are ready for anyone who wants to watch a movie. Also, Keith Olbermann is huge now. Pitoune is still more interested in what is out in the snow than what is on television.

We got a lot done over our Holiday vacation but still took a few moments to appreciate our blessings and look back on a very eventful and busy year. There is still more work to do in 2010, which we will try hard to capture on this blog.

Our First Snow

Okay it was no blizzard, but we had a beautiful snowfall this weekend, our first significant covering since we moved into the house. Even though we only got about 4 inches, the blanket of white was enough to brighten up the property substantially.

In the driveway the vehicles were all covered, since we have yet to clear enough room in the garage to fit any of the cars. Early in the morning, the snow began to slip from the warming metal of the truck, but even so, at day's end there was still plenty of snow stuck to the trees. The snow fell during the night, but Sunday morning offered up clear blue skies that gleamed brightly off the snow covered trees.

The line of pines along the side of the house acted as snow capped guards that protected us from the chilly winds.
Beneath the pines, close to the house a cluster of birch trees in the front yard caught just enough snow to bend their flexible branches and form what appeared to be a giant snowflake sitting on top of the stone wall.

Out back the sun was just beginning to peak over the hill to lighten the maple tree near the pool fence. The stone barbecue looked abandoned under winter's blanket and the chain links in the fence were covered in white.

From inside, Boy sat on his perch in the bay window and considered the possibilities of leaving the warm house and venturing out in the snow. Looking very comfortable with the insulated glass barrier, the chances of him getting his paws wet grew small.

Looking out the picture window and out over the road offered a view of trees glistening in the sun under a clear blue winter sky.