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What a bunch of snowflakes
Friday, January 24, 2025 at 08:44AM 
It began with a mere dusting ... and escalated to a mere dusting
Hello my dears.
Yes I am still amongst the land of the living. We are currently digging out from under one scant inch of snow.
I will thank you not to sneer!
When you see a snowflake in real life approximately once every three years, it is noteworthy.
Rhett and me goofing off at Home Team BBQ
For the record, I am fond of neither cold nor snow.
Yes, I have lived in it, in fact for many years -- years and years on end -- in the past.
That's why I am not fond of it.
The real story here in Columbia, however, has been not the snow, but the cold. It's on the way out, I am glad to report. By the weekend and certainly into next week, we should have highs in the fifties again, with abundant sunshine.
We reminisced about our Melly on the eve of her twentieth birthday
That's more like it.
Our pictures today reflect what we've been up to since the end of 2024.
Rizzo received a warm scarf as a Christmas gift. I made him pose on a chair wearing this piece of doggerdashery on Christmas Eve, and he has certainly needed his warm layer this week as he was forced to hike through snow in order to check his messages.
By the way, speaking of dogs and winter, and now that we are a quarter-century removed from it, do you remember the night of December 31, 1999? When a lot of people thought that Y2K would bring the world to a halt?
Her birthday presents were nestled amongst the Christmas stockings
I was tucked up in bed with my (now long-departed) Chihuahua Javier, who was still a puppy, on that night. We were watching TV and waiting with bated breath for everything to stop when the clock struck twelve.
And then it didn't. Everything kept on going, so we went to sleep, and here we are twenty-five years later!
May you live in interesting times, they say.
We had a lovely Christmas and I hope you did too. We didn't get to be with Andrew and Brittany this year, and our Stephanie's family were in Pennsylvania with her in-laws for the holiday as usual, but it was still special and meaningful.
The Moravian stars are everywhere in and around Winston-Salem
(I don't generally like looking back but I have some catching up to do, so I will share with you in the coming days some of the highlights of our Thanksgiving and Christmas.)
We were able to be with Stephanie and her brood just before Christmas, because as we do every year, they came to stay for a day or two so that we could celebrate our Melanie's twentieth birthday.
That party took place at Erica's house, where we ate and hung out for several hours.
I had made my standard Spicy Cranberry Meatballs plus Party Potatoes, baked macaroni and cheese, and I honestly do not remember what all else, except I am positive that Christmasy desserts were involved.
Rizzo made good use of his new scarf during the recent blizzard
After our festive meal, we repaired to Cherica's front room, where we reminisced about Melanie's birth and all that she means to us.
She opened her birthday gifts, after which we moved into the Chericas' "new" room which Chad built onto their house recently, where the Christmas tree was, and opened all of our presents to and from Stephanie's family.
We had our Christmas with the Maudags (Mike, Audrey, Dagny) and the Chericas (Chad, Erica, Rhett, Elliot) on Christmas Day, at our house. It was momentous! As promised, I shall reveal all in the coming days.
Me with Ember, who is five, and her little brother Guy, 17 months
On the first Saturday of the new year, we all went to a place called Home Team BBQ. It's in downtown Columbia.
Greg and Chad had played team golf in a tournament last fall, and had won, and their prizes consisted of fifty-dollar gift cards to Home Team BBQ.
I sat next to Rhett and we were yukking it up before our food arrived at the table.
This restaurant (a glorified sports bar now) used to be an establishment called Harper's. Harper's was far and away my favorite place to eat out in Columbia for many years, going back to 2002 when we first moved here.
Our Rhett-man during the Christmas season
It had floor-to-ceiling plate glass windows and huge gaslight lanterns set into exposed brick. I loved the ambiance and the food was good too.
But alas several years ago Harper's upped sticks and in fact no longer exists, and the building has been repurposed as Home Team BBQ. We decided to try it out and it was in fact very good.
As a matter of fact, it was so good that TG and I went back for supper there last night, since we were stir crazy from all the cold and ice and -- ahem -- avalanche of snow we've been living with and which has kept us more or less housebound for three days.
It was our second snow event of the new year, the first one taking place on the weekend of January 11th.
Sibi (short for Sibyl Ann) is a furry rascal
Except in that instance, in fact if we looked at our weather app, all day it told us that it WAS snowing. But when we looked out the window, we could plainly see that it was NOT snowing.
It never snowed -- at least not on our house. But Mike and Audrey braved the elements to make the trip to Spartanburg on the Friday to meet Andrew and Brittany, who wanted a couples weekend in Asheville, and had asked Maudrey to get Ember and Guy and bring them back to Columbia until late on Sunday.
On the next day, a Saturday, we girls attended a lovely bridal shower (more on that later), and then hung out for the rest of the day at Erica's house, enjoying the company of Ember and Guy.
So it was that I was able to have Erica take a few pictures of me with those two darlings and also with all five of our eight grands, who were with us at church on that Sunday.
Elliot a/k/a Skippy found locks and cold climes in Winston-Salem
We don't get a great deal of time with Ember and Guy, so that was special.
This past weekend, the Chericas decamped to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where they had booked an Airbnb house and spent three days seeing Moravian country and going on several hikes.
They saw lots of snow and severely cold temperatures, but they love being outdoors and by all accounts, everyone enjoyed it immensely.
I babysat my granddog Sibi from Thursday night until Monday late afternoon for them, and it was quite something sitting in my chair for coffee every morning, with Rizzo, Sweetness, AND Sibi occupying the space with me.
Give us an inch and we'll talk about it for miles
Rizzo is generally playful with and occasionally jealous of Sibi, who is a five-pound ball of insane energy. Sweetness, my tuxedo cat, was merely curious, as she tends to be with all dogs. But the three of them sitting together led to a few tense moments.
All of them wanted my hands petting them the entire time. And I needed one hand to hold my coffee. I did my best to keep everyone happy.
But Sibi went home this past Monday afternoon, and we got back to normal well before the freezing weather and snow arrived on Tuesday night.
There were flurries while it was still light outside, but the flakes began falling in earnest at around six o'clock. It continued for three or four hours before tapering off.
Dagny Clare made the most of her snow day
Audrey reported that Dagny spent all day out in the cold and accumulated snow on Wednesday. She found some neighborhood kids and all together they figured out a way to slide around on homemade sleds.
The last place I want to be at such a time is outdoors so I just enjoy the pictures.
Meanwhile there is another wedding coming up in a week or so, of good friends, so we girls have been making the rounds of the bride-to-be's showers, and even threw one for her ourselves, at Audrey's house.
Next week I'll show you pictures of all the goodies I made for that event. I think there is a good chance that you may be impressed.
Me with five of my precious eight grandbabies
I've been derelict in visiting all of you, so you have my solemn promise that I'll be dropping in to see you all today, because I never fail to wonder what everyone is up to.
Some of you are up to your necks in snow -- that much I know. So I can't wait to see your pictures and read about your wintry adventures.
And that is all for now.
=0=0=0=
Happy Friday :: Happy Weekend
Reader Comments (22)
I'm sure you know how happy I was to see this post! Except for the snow, of course! I totally enjoyed all the pictures. I love the one with the 5 grands - all adorable! Rhett is suddenly looking so old. His eyes are still so beautiful.
The picture of Stephanie and boys in Winston Salem. That's a great setting for a photo. And what has happened to our little Skippy? He's not a baby anymore. I see a resemblance to your Andrew in him in that photo.
Happy birthday to Melly too! As usual the Webers have been partying!
I'm looking forward to this shower food you made. I have no doubt I'll be impressed.
@Mari ... Oh my friend, our Rhett is so tall!!!! And that's Erica in Winston with the boys, haha! (I know that you know that,, haha). Skippy is such a big boy too and, at sixteen months next week, JUST starting to attempt to WALK! He loves being a baby and he does not want it to end! Loves being carried. Mama's boy to the nth degree, that one! Soooo cute and funny! Yes we have braved the snow and let's hope it's the last of it, and bring on highs in the fifties during the day, hahaha! Love ya girl ... xoxo
You were gone for a long time. And you came back with a snow job. We’ve been enjoying walking in the deep cold, but it is going to go up to nearer freezing for a few days. I am not longing for spring yet, but give me a few more weeks, and I might start looking ahead.
@AC ... Yes I am baaaack! I understand that you and Sue have no choice but to brave the snow and ice while I am a wimp in that department, hahaha! I enjoyed catching up with you earlier today. xoxo
Oh my goodness, the photo of you and the grandchildren is splendid! I hope you frame it and set it out somewhere. I am so glad to see a post from you, as I had been wondering if you had the flu or something. Rizzo looks so dapper in his scarf. How on earth did you get him to post so nicely? Your RED SHOES!!!! They are stunning, amazing, I have never seen shoes like this. Gorgeous. They put The Wizard Of Oz shoes to shame!
@Ginny ... No I'm not sick! I'm just lazy, hahahah! You noticed my shooooooeeessss! They are by FAR the most beautiful shoes I have ever owned. They were a gift to me from my Audrey, who gave them to me after the wedding to thank me for my work on that project. I love them so much, I'd wear them to the grocery store if that would not be ridiculous, hahahaha! They're quite something. I hope you are still well and having a great 2025 thus far, my friend! xoxo 🥰
Good grief - of course I knew that was Erica. I'm like a mom just throwing out all the kids names! :)
Heathers kids are so tall too and they said Connor would be slow to crawl and walk because he's so big. :) Why walk if Mom will carry you? :)
I had to go back and see the shoes. They are fabulous!
@Mari ... hahahahaha I got you. I cannot TELL you how many times I look at one of my girls and even Dagny, and say all four names before landing on the right one! What IS that??? Don't answer me because I'm afraid of what it is, hahaha! Oh yes Connor will probably be in arms for a long time. But that is perfectly all right. Today was TG's birthday and we had a party and down in the TV room Dagny had shown Elliot how to "trust fall" backwards into her arms. He was LOVING that! I wish you could have seen his face!!! But then since he was barefoot on the rug, we started urging him to take a step or two, and he did do it! Tentatively, but still I predict that he will be walking by Valentine's Day! Maybe he'll walk for food, hahaha! Can you BELIEVE those shoes? I had seen them back in the early fall and showed them to Audrey NOT because I thought she would buy them for me but because we're always sending one another pics of stuff we like. And lo and behold, one day in late Novembernthe box showed up on me pirate doorstep and honestly I was afraid I had ordered them in my sleep or something! I was terrified because I had no memory of ordering them! And just then she texted and said there is a box for you outside and of course I'd already opened it and WOW truly they are the most beautiful shoes I have ever owned. I'm wearing them to church again tomorrow, hahaha! xoxo
Hello Friend, I have missed you!!!! I would check back to see if you posted, so I am so happy you have a post up!! I love the last photo. All the smiles.
Rizzo... oh my, I just love him and his scarf. xx oo
And your shoes!!!
Love to you!
P.S. Regarding running for Trustee, I am just so sad to see our village start to get run down. The leadership is getting sloppy!!! I do not know that I will win, but I will try for the sake of keeping our village what it was.
Love, Carla
@Carla ... Thank you and I think you as a trustee would be a sign that the village wants to improve! And even if you don't get elected, I know you'll continue to brighten the corner where you are, with your flowers and positive attitude! xoxo
Rizzo and his scarf pretty much stole the show. He is adorable. And the pics of all your grandbabies.. Rhett in his Sunday best and cute little Elliott. Great pictures.
@Hena ... I know, right? He always has this resigned look on his face, hahaha! xoxo
Testing.
@Lori ... Got it! xoxo
So glad you finally posted, Jenny! Loved all the fun pictures, especially the covered bridge, Erica and boys are on...... where is that? Very pretty. And Rizzo in his scarf IS ADORABLE!! And Melanie's birthday looked really nice, wow, can you believe how fast she's grown up? She is lovely and so is her dress. Beautiful picture of you with Ember and Guy and gosh yes, when DID SHE grow up as well??! ha ha LOL. Love your pretty fancy RED SHOES. Cute picture of Skippy with the locks too (love his cute little overalls!), and you and Rhett at the BBQ place. We ate at the one in Charleston a few times. Their "tater salad" was good! Hope your New Year is going just great, so far! It's very quiet and slow here, I've been reading alot. It's quiet and so peaceful out here in the country, we love it. Hugs! PS......I'm glad Dagny got to SLED AROUND, I bet she loved it!!
@Debbi ... Hey girl! Yes Dagny LOVED playing in that snow. She had an absolute blast, not least because she found some neighborhood kids to enjoy it with! How I love a quiet house to read in. I'm glad you're having a gentle winter. Now, the sides at Home Team? Both times I went I got the cole slaw and baked beans as sides. The second time I had the chopped brisket and it was absolutely succulent, and those sides were top tier! Just scrumptious! We will be going back there for sure. Erica and the boys were on that covered bridge in Winston-Salem! No I cannot believe how fast our Melly has grown up! Her next birthday will be her "golden" ... when she turns 21 on the 21st! But we have a whole year to get through before we do that. Don't you just love my red shoes? They are by Sam Edelman Circus New York and the color is chianti! I would wear them every single day if I could, hahaha! xoxo
Loving the scarf for Rizzo...and look at all of those Grands!!! Beautiful babies!! Love your heels!! Pretty!
It's always a party at your house! Enjoy all that love...
hugs
Donna
Aww! Look at all those pictures of you and your grandchildren! I love it! So you guys got a inch of snow? Girl, I'm wearing flip flops in the snow this year! LOL Actually we've been lucky and haven't had much yet (knock on wood). I think Mari got more than us being so much closer to Lake Michigan! Rizzo looks so cute in his little scarf! Every morning when I'm trying to drink my coffee, I have a cat at each hand wanting to be petted! Nice to see a post from you! Don't stay away so long next time, K?
@Donna ... Yes those babies sure do light up our lives! I know you know. Love you girl! xoxo
@Jeanette ... Hahaha I'll try not to stay gone so long ... Yes a whole inch of snow! It was epic! Not! Hahaha we made the best of it and today it should reach 70 degrees outside! Mari and Bob sure have had more than their fair share of the snow ... ugh! Yes my Rizzo does sport a scarf well. I call my morning coffee hour, with Rizzo on my left and Sweetness on my lap, Coffee With Two Sugars! Hahaha love you! xoxo
Not sneering, since even in places where snow is regular -- like here -- one inch when combined with or becoming ice can turn the driving world ass-over-tea-kettle in seconds, and even the walking world.