If you subscribe to my Instagram feed, you’ve seen a photo of our new snowblower. By the way, my Instagram feed isn’t all that exciting and I’m definitely not a serial Instagrammer. I go through periods where I post a photo a day, as well as periods where I do not make an appearance. I like it, though. It’s fun. I just have to remind myself to do it.
Same thing with this blog’s Facebook page.
I try.
Anyway, back to the snowblower. Don did his research and also quizzed our neighbor about his snowblower – the same neighbor who rescued me twice last winter when I simply could not shovel all the snow by myself – and we trotted off to Lowe’s yesterday morning. About an hour later, we returned home with a shiny new Troy-Bilt snowblower.
But then we had to clean out part of the shed so we could fit it in with all of the other crap that’s stored there.
Side note: after nine years here, most of the stuff that’s stored there is clearly completely off our radar. And the mice have attacked some of it. One day we are going to rent a bin or a dumpster or whatever it’s called and fill it with all of the aforementioned crap. Then we’ll send it on its merry way.
The snowblower wasn’t cheap, which is much of the reason that we didn’t purchase one until yesterday. That, and the fact that we felt ourselves to be entirely capable of shoveling snow. And we are; however, our backs and Don’s hernia are begging for some sort of relief. I’m grateful we had a little extra money on hand this year to invest in one. We’re getting too old to deal with all the snow around here and if predictions hold true, this winter will be just as bad as last year’s. And if you believe in climate change/global warming – and I do – well…you get the picture.
It just started snowing. We’re in for at least 8 inches, maybe 12. Don is eager to try out his new toy. Go for it, Don! In the meantime, at several points in the day, I will shoveling a path for Scout. We’re also going to try to clear an area just outside the gate for her to do her business. Going up the icy hill was hard for her last year and we don’t want her slipping and sliding and hurting herself.
Winter has lost its charm for this girl, born and raised in Michigan, who has spent far too many winters in the Midwest and Northeast.
On another note, I’ve received some gifts in the mail lately. Yippee! One was from Jeannine, who was fascinated by the Random Crap tin Don gave me. (Crap seems to be a recurring theme in this post.) She wanted to contribute some fun items for the tin.
Candies, pastilles, mini canvasses, magnets, a fence for my dollhouse, socks…everything brought a smile to my face. In some cases, I laughed out loud. My favorite was a ceramic bathroom set – eensy-teensy style. Since there was a toilet in the set, Jeannine thought it was begging to be included in the items for the Random Crap tin.
She also sent some treasures for Don:
Don was tickled pink! Jeannine suggested we have a bubble blowing contest with the Hubba Bubba – we just might while away the hours on this snow day by doing just that very thing. Thank you so much, Jeannnine! You are such fun!
On Monday, another package arrived. This time, from my longtime blogging friend Linda of A La Carte. That little minx totally surprised me with these gifts for my birthday!
A beautiful piece of McCoy pottery and a darling egg cup with salter (the tail). Linda and I like the same things, so she knew exactly what would float my boat. I absolutely love them.
Also included were these darling day-of-the-week towels. Oh my goodness! I told Linda that I have to keep them away from Don, who invariably wipes his salsa/tomato sauce/whatever-ridden hands on my dishtowels.
And finally, this little gem for the dollhouse:
Stop. Just stop. Could anything be more adorable or more perfect for Hummingbird Cottage?
In fact, I was just thinking the other day that I needed to find some egg cups for the dollhouse. Linda found this at perhaps my favorite Etsy shop, A Lavender Dilly. Carrie Lavender creates all sorts of wonderful minis from her home in Australia. I’ve repeatedly poured over the contents of that shop and somehow never saw this, which makes the surprise all the more delightful.
Thank you, thank you, dear Linda!
Another package arrived yesterday. More on that another time.
The snow has just about covered the ground while I’ve been writing this. I’m sure I will have more snowblower adventures to share with you in the not-too-distant future.
Happy Wednesday.
I’m so glad you got a snow blower! I think last year was very hard on you physically and none of us are getting any younger! So good for you and Don! Love the basket of goodies! I always get a kick out of random things and the Random Crap Tin makes me laugh out loud! This ‘minx’ had the best time surprising you! I kept hoping you didn’t see the egg cup tray at Lavender Dilly so it would be a surprise! Now I’m happy that things I love and you love are living with you!
hugs,
Linda
I love everything, Linda. Imagine what fun we could have antiquing/thrifting together! I get a thrill just thinking about it. xoxoxo
Such adorable gifts – you will have plenty to keep you busy while the snow falls and piles up!
None here yet, but brother-in-law in Virginia just called and says it’s coming down there as he celebrates his 69th today!
Hope all goes well tomorrow for your dinner – best get that new toy up and running and clear a path, just in case!
Happy Thanksgiving – Mary
Hard to tell when the best time will be to start in – it’s supposed to snow all day long! Happy Thanksgiving, dear Mary.
I absolutely ADORE the tiny egg tray!!!! The cutest thing EVER!!! Congrats on the new snow blower :-) Perhaps it will make life in the winter a bit more enjoyable! Men are so comical with their new toys. Do you two throw a ceremonial first snowball of the season at one another?
A very Happy Thanksgiving to all~May your blessings be too many to count and far outweigh any troubles
No, but maybe I should start that tradition when Don is not looking! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, Jeannine!
What’s interesting about your shed, or anyone’s “shed” for that matter…is the crapola that you/we keep, that you/we obviously no longer need! And yes, you and Linda should definitely go antiquing….bet you’d have a blast! Tell Don to have fun with his new toy! ;)
I know. We just let it sit there, year after year, because we don’t want to ‘deal’ with it….
I’ll pass your message along to Mr. Don!
SO happy you joined the Snowblower Appreciation Club. It truly does help a lot.
Sweetest gifts. That little egg tray is wonderful! Now you have more inventory to add to the dollhouse. Updating that listing will keep you busy keeping it all current. I received that same towel set last Christmas. I keep them pretty much hidden, also. And that little turquoise VW bus!!!! All it needs is a little bottle brush tree tied on the top for a fabulous Christmas tableside decoration! Hope you get just enough of the “s” word to be able to try out the SB,,,, but not too much! Enjoy the first snow day. We will hope it is the last!!
Oh, what a great idea, Chris! Have to find a teeny-tiny bottle brush tree, but you can bet I’m going to do it!
You two will love the snow blower..you will save so much time and energy..what adorable gifts..you ladies are so thoughtful..That little bird egg cup is just precious! The snow has been coming down here most of the morning..I am not leaving the house..lol..
Me either. At least until I have to shovel a path for Scout!
Congrats on the snowblower…glad I don’t need one any more..Not that we don’t get snow..I just don’t have to shovel..Yay!!! Happy Thanksgiving to you Don and Scout..
Lucky you, Missy! We hope to be in that position someday! Happy Thanksgiving to you!
Great minds think alike! I’ve already secured a mini bottle brush to our little VW bus. Of course, we have a fondness for VW’s, as that is what we drove our first year of marriage and carried our first Christmas tree home on top of :-) Of course, the tree dwarfed the car, but we were young and thought it was a hoot!! Did we think to take a photo? NO and I have kicked myself repeatedly throughout the years for that!!
So many things that I DIDN’T take pictures of over the years! The mind boggles. Thanks to blogging, I now take pictures of everything! xo
A bounty of birthday riches… that’s great Claudia. You deserve it. Love that teeny “free range eggs” tray. Way too cute. And whoever commented about a Christmas tree for the dollhouse is exactly right. Maybe some teeny stockings, a garland for the mantel or staircase too. Do they make working Christmas lights for dollhouses? That would be over-the-top special. And are there any pets?? I think you need a Border collie to look after things there. Maybe a kitty for company too. Well, enjoy the Thanksgiving snow as much as you can. Over the river and all that… You will both be loving that snowblower that’s for sure. We’re expecting about an inch in Rochester, a dusting as they say, but so far not a flake in sight. Which is totally OK with me. I’d cheerfully welcome zero temps every day from November through February if it also meant – NO snow. And the gratitude I feel for having escaped the Buffalo storm cannot be expressed. OK enjoy your day and of course Happy Thanksgiving, my friend. I know one of the things I am thankful for is your blog. I truly look forward to seeing what you send us every day. Take care and God bless.
Thank you, Janet. I am thankful for all of you! It’s still snowing here – at least 5 inches on the ground and it’s going to keep snowing until about midnight. Yikes!
Claudia, What a wonderful bunch of gifts. Adorable little egg cup tray. That is so you. :) I am thrilled that Don got the snow blower. You will never regret it. Ted has one, but I still do some major shoveling too. Blessings to you and Don for a great thanksgiving day. xoxo,Susie
I already shoveled a bit today, Susie, and we’ll have to do some more tomorrow. There are areas that won’t work with the snowblower. But Don just did his first pass at the driveway and he’s feeling positive about the whole thing. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, Susie!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and Don!
I know you two are absolutely thrilled about the snow blower. Make sure YOU know how to start it, too!
Oh, I do, Terri! Don says he thinks it’s too heavy for me. We’ll have to see about that!
Hooray on the snow blower! Wish we could afford one. That’s something that’s waay on the back burner for us. We need a new mattress (sound familiar?!) first. And a new furnace, AC, windows, siding, etc. It never ends. Oh well, at least we only have a sidewalk, small porch, and double driveway (and it’s short) to shovel. Great gifts you just received…that little birdie egg cup is just like the vintage salt and pepper shakers I found recently. Happy Thanksgiving!
We have so many other things to fix and/or replace as well. But we’re getting older and we have a long driveway that climbs up a little hill to the parking area. It’s just too much to safely shovel, especially with the heavy, wet snow that fell yesterday. So…we went for it. Now, if only our driveway was paved, we’d be set!
What a lucky girl you are to have such nice friends sending you fun and pretty things for your birthday! Happy times. It must be enticing getting something new for the doll house cottage, making you want to dive in and get it placed just so; I really enjoy the opportunity to peek inside and see its tiny finery; I think the doll house is beautiful and really reflects all the hours you’ve spent working on it. Do you dress it up for Christmas, like with a little teeny Christmas tree? Or fake snow to mimic the real thing you’re getting probably as I write this? Snow. Can’t imagine what that’s like; California girl here. And we were 87 degrees (F) this afternoon. When I was a kid, in the days before air conditioning, I can remember Mom being so wilted in the kitchen with the oven on,..so many food items to heat for Thanksgiving. We are often hot weather-wise like this at Thanksgiving and I’ve seen the same thing for Christmas and also Valentine’s Day. It’s kinda nuts. Of course, in this past year, all we’ve had is endless summer/drought (all-year summer sounds nice but it’s not good), creeks and rivers dried up and no winter at all; obviously we need rain desperately.
Happy Thanksgiving to you both!
I lived in San Diego for 8 years, so I well remember warm Thanksgivings and Christmases. I never quite got used to that. I sure wish you all weren’t dealing with that awful drought. This time of year, we often start wondering why we moved away from CA, but the rest of the year we’re happy to be here.
You’re living my dream. I would love to spend a year or more on the East Coast. My husband (who lived in many a severe and snowy Midwestern winter) says the dream would die quickly once I was faced with face-bitingly-cold, endless snow, and I do remember your struggles last year when your husband was away. I was worried about you there by yourself with such strenuous work of keeping ice off of the roof and such; I was hoping we readers were doing any kind of help with keeping your chin up amid such depressing, bleak weather.
Do you ever read Susan Branch’s blog? She, of the wonderful illustrations in books, stationery, scrapbooking, calendars. The two of you remind me of each other. Kindred spirits. Like me, I believe she is childless but has an extended, loving family; mostly, she loves her cats and her long-time partner, Joe. We’re all about the same age here, too. (I would hope she wouldn’t mind me talking about her; it’s just that I’m a big fan, and I want her warm and charming kitchen with its big ‘ol stove to cook on.) She moved to Martha’s Vineyard decades ago from Southern California and I so love hearing about her beachy/island life in her sturdy, historical and comfy house full of vintage loves/collectibles, much like I enjoy hearing about yours. I feel like I’m supposed to be a Northeastern girl. It’s where part of my family started out in the 1800s. My grandfather, as a young runaway (long story), worked on a vast, pastoral estate of the time; vicinity of the Hudson Valley. He was a teenager and found work as a groom for the gentleman’s horses. It was a paradise, after working as a child laborer in pollution-choked mill towns/factories. It’s one of the few stories handed down from his early youth…the freedom and beauty he found as he went north from NYC…blue skies, rolling green hills, clean air; he was so happy. I’ve always felt beckoned. I want to see that. Just still trying to find a way due to distance, finances, jobs, reluctant spouse, etc. What do you think is the best time to at least visit/vacation… May? September or early October? I had a friend who went to Nantucket in early May, thinking she’d escape nor’easters and then got slammed with one there…and stuck, til it was past. I figure the same thing can happen in October as weather is so unpredictable.
We can’t put the turkey in the oven today. It’s been 90 degrees since noon. Even with a/c, I just don’t want to heat up the house. This year, we weren’t expecting guests. So, we’ve become quick change artists and will barbeque outside…just when we’d thought we’d made the last trip to the grocery store yesterday! The turkey can stay frozen til Christmas!
Wow! So many lovely things. We rarely get enough snow for a snowblower. Thankfully.
I wish that was the case here! Unfortunately, we get lots of snow, Gillian.
Wow all sorts of new treasures. So glad you invested in a snow blower, your back with thank you when you’re knee deep in snow.