Well, all week long I’d been going on and on about how I wanted to see some real snow… I guess someone got the message because we got about 8 or 9 inches yesterday. Not only that, we’re going to get more tonight and tomorrow. We’ve spent a fair amount of time shoveling and will be doing it again tomorrow. But the snow sure is pretty. Unfortunately, because of tonight’s impending storm, the skies remained pretty gloomy today and this is the best shot I could get.

I do love knowing a storm is coming, stocking up on food, and being safely nestled in our cottage. Somehow being unable to go anywhere frees me to work on projects (like piecing my quilt), bake (like the chocolate chip cookies I made yesterday), watch old movies, drink hot chocolate, make popcorn, catch up on blogs…I love it.

I must confess I had another reason for wanting snow. Right after the first of next year, I am going to San Diego for an extended period. I wanted a good snowfall before I had to go. I’m going out there to fill in for the woman who replaced me in my former job when we moved out East. She is taking a sabbatical this semester and the Theater and the University asked if I would return to help the students through the semester and also coach the shows at the Theater and the summer Shakespeare Festival. Since both my husband and I freelance, I felt I couldn’t turn the offer down, especially in this economy. Unfortunately, my husband and dogs can’t accompany me and I will miss them terribly.

We’ve decided the only way to handle the separation is to see each other every 5 weeks or so. I also get a spring break in March and another break in April where I will be able to come home for 10 days. Don will come out and visit me, too, as his family is in San Diego. That’s the only way I can deal with this time away from my home and family and stay positive. I’ve shed many tears at the thought of all this.

I will be blogging about both my residences – a bicoastal blog (at least temporarily). I’ll be stocking up on photos of all things Mockingbird Hill Cottage for the blog. Since I will be staying in a large studio apartment supplied by the Theater, I thought it would be fun to explore how to decorate that kind of space on a budget. Because, believe me, I will have to personalize my space and make it my own. There are lots of antique/vintage shops that I know very well and we’ll explore them together. I have lots of exploring to do in Southern California. And my favorite quilting shop is there! I’ve been scouring ebay for a deal on a Singer Featherweight sewing machine that I can take along with me.

I’m so grateful for this blog and the support of my blogging friends. And…for my laptop, which will a lifesaver for me out there in San Diego!

In the meantime, Christmas is coming and I still have a lot to do!