Wednesday, January 02, 2008

January Winter in Western Oregon





Hail came with temps in the low 20's...











...and did this...














...and this....












...and this...










...and this.

(Click on the photo to get a better view of the diamond crust of ice on the lawn.)









So we did this...











...and this...









...and, when I lifted our bedspread in curiosity about the big lump under it, I discovered that Sammy did this (little sneak!)




So happy that we did this (how I love our flannel sheets)!








Yawny January. Chilly outside, cozy inside.

23 comments:

Ann said...

I love: these winter photographs (I don't see such wondrous scenes around here); the thought of flannel sheets; and Sammy the Beagle!

deanna said...

Cold, cute, and cuddly! Great photos. I have to say, though, even I don't want a beagle in my bed!

Cherie said...

Thanks, Ann! While flannel sheets and Texas do not necessarily go together, the thought of them is comforting any old way. ;) Aren't doggies the sweetest things - next to grandkids, of course! Glad you liked the pics.

Deanna, thank you. A clean, warm beagle burrowed under the spread at the foot of our bed during cold weather, cold feet nights - not a terrible thing. He knows he's supposed to be invited, though, which is apparent from his "I've been busted," countenance. Glad you liked the pics, too.

Deadmanshonda said...

I'm going to come live with you.

It always seems like the happiest place on earth. Better than Disneyland.

Speaking of the Christmas Beagle- how did you train him? I'm losing it with my little pup...

tshsmom said...

A classic tale of making lemonade when life throws you lemons. ;)

I hope the hail didn't damage any of your new construction!

Cherie said...

Better than Disneyland, ha! Maybe some days. Well, maybe every day, because it's real here. But you come live with us any old time, L., you'd keep us livened up! And bring your little doggie, too.

Speaking of dogs, how'd we train Sam? Well, we got him when he was a just weaned pup and started from there. The kids went to the library, and on-line, and found books and articles about raising and training beagles. Some trial and error later, some learning how to understand the process and the 'mind' of a dog, LOTS of patience, consistency and a ton of creative problem solving and here we are, with a dog who fits nicely into our home and hearts. He still has separation anxiety (doesn't like being alone and bays some when we are gone, trying to call and guide his 'pack' back to him), getting better though with age. It's part of being a lone beagle. When we are going to be away from him for a long time we have a good friend come and beagle-sit. Yeah, yeah, I know. But they adore each other and our friend gets a lot of his school work done during those times.

Sam could use better manners (he's 4), but we are working with him. We've not had an easy time of it. He had dominance issues which included marking the house - oh those were murderous months - but we figured it out through trial and error. Good luck with your little pooch. Different breeds of dogs have different issues, and good points, so that has to be considered. Let your dog know you are boss; discipline first, affection second.

I should mention that I am home during the day so Sam was never really alone, that is to say the training was constant. I don't know if your dog is alone when you are at work or not, so I have no advice for that part of your situation.

I hope this helps. Study study study and patience patience patience. Some sage advice was given to me years ago: Remember, your dog is not a human being, it is a creature, so it behaves like a creature. It's not doing anything out of spite or connivance.

Cherie said...

tshs: Yeah, or making ice cream out of ice. Ha!

None of our new construction was damaged with the hail and ice, thank the Lord. We're having a wild wind/rain storm now. Another one. What a wild winter!

Tom's wiring job in the addition was approved this week. Hooray! We are hiring insulators to come on Tuesday (we are just getting too tired to do everything, and they have a good rate. It'll save a LOT of time.) Then sheet rock. Wow! The rooms will become more defined and it'll start looking more like something we can actually inhabit! Been a loooong year, and we aren't done yet. Painting, bathroom fixtures, wrapping windows, installing doors, tile and carpet, light fixtures, sockets, curtains and blinds, whew, making myself tired just thinking about it. Slow and steady she goes, right?

tshsmom said...

Slow and steady is the only way we get anything done! ;)

I don't mind insulating, but I LOATHE hanging sheetrock. It's such a MESS!

How long did you have to wait for the electrical inspector? We gave up waiting after a year. Then we just went ahead and finished the inside of the garage. We took pictures and video of everything first though.

cecily said...

Hmmmm, looks and sounds delicious and just... comfortable! It's 88F (31C) here today so a bit of ice would be just nice! Enjoy the snuggling.

Cherie said...

tshs, sheetrock is really a pain. We're having professionals do that, too. Things should look a lot different in a couple of weeks.

Around here, you call in for an inspection and they are here the next day. Every time. So we only waited overnight. Why in the world have you not been able to be inspected? A year? Huh? That is so odd. Maybe we're luckier than we think here.


Cecily, 88F, huh. I sort of remember what that feels like. :) I remember when we were having summer and you were having cool weather, oh, how I wished for some of your coldness then. But I know you are enjoying the summer. And I am enjoying winter. It's good to be content, right?

tshsmom said...

We only have 1 inspector for the whole county. My Dad says that the inspector rarely wastes time inspecting the wiring done by professionals.

We had the garage professionally wired, as hooking into the house's wiring was a bit over our heads.

IF the inspector ever shows up, he'll have to be content with our pictures.

Cherie said...

The inspector rarely wastes time inspecting professional work, huh. So, then I guess he considers that you are safe and he doesn't plan to fine you or anything for proceeding without inspection. Looks like you are right - pictures and video will have to suffice.

I still think it's nuts, and pretty inconsiderate to make you guys wait.

tshsmom said...

Me too! Another fine example of our tax dollars at work. :(

One funny thing: L chewed me out for not photographing the wiring that traverses the attic, before we sheeted the ceiling. I told him that all that wiring is still visible...in the ATTIC. The inspector is welcome to crawl around the attic to inspect it. ;)

Cherie said...

Oh yeah, let 'em crawl the attic! The inspector crawled our attic - he didn't like it much, but it's roomy up there, we have an in-house fold-up ceiling ladder so the access is easy, and he did it. We photographed our wiring, too. We have vaulted ceilings in the addition so there is no clearance for attic crawling - well, there's no attic really, so no wiring up there.

What fun all of this home renovation is, huh! So much to learn - and so many headaches. But it's worth it!

We're so smart, you guys and Tom and I! :D

(Humble, too.;)

Cherie said...

I guess I should make it clear that the attic he inspected is our original house, because the wiring goes through that attic to a new box that services the addition. Ah, you're smart, you know what I mean.

tshsmom said...

Yeah, I knew what you meant. ;)

We were humble for the first 20 yrs, while we were learning from trial and error. Now, we proudly show off our accomplishments.

The one thing that L and I have noticed is by the time we get really good at a certain task, we've completed the job and no longer require that skill set. :(

I just realized something: if you don't have wiring in your vaulted ceiling, you're not planning on overhead lighting. Good for you! We're not big fans of overhead lighting. We prefer the warmth of table lamps.

Cherie said...

tshs: I misspoke. There actually is wiring above the vaulted ceiling, just not anything inaccessible, like junction boxes, etc. We have some can lights in the bedrooms and chandeliers, but the inspector says they are code because they are accessible from both ends.

I prefer lamp light, too. I don't like bright blaring lights, especially at night. But, Tom thought we'd better keep our house up with the times in case we ever want to sell, as with aging parents and whatnot, you never know what might happen. I enjoy candlelight and kerosene lamps the most.

I know what you mean about learning - and mastering - a job that you may never repeat. Oh well. Surely with kids and friends our know-how will come in handy to help them someday. Maybe. There is a certain satisfaction is knowing you did the job yourself and it turned out nicely. Gives a little confidence for anything that may lie ahead.

Kelly said...

That ice is really cool looking and I love the flannel sheets!

Cherie said...

Hey, Kelly M., thanks for stopping by and taking the time to chat a bit! Those flannel sheets give me sweet, warm dreams at night, I have to tell ya.

Wandering Coyote said...

Happy New Year, Cherie!

Just getting back into the swing of things after being on extended hiatus. Looks like you had a wonderful holiday time with your family. Nice loaves over on the sidebar!

Cherie said...

Hi, W.C.! Good to have you back. Happy New Year to you, too!

Cassie and Caroline created those loaves all by themselves. First time. They tasted as good as they look. I'll pass your praise onto the girls. Coming from you, it means a lot!

Anonymous said...

Cute post Cherie!!

Cherie said...

Thanks, Annie! I enjoyed creating it.