I have been basking in the glory of this latest snow storm. Luckily from my house! Portland has not had a snow storm like this in a looonnngg time so it has been quite fun and all around just so beautiful! I have taken a few days off from writing because I have been just enjoying the moment!
Yesterday I sat outside in the sun, put some music on the speakers and we finally cleaned up the garage and actually put the Christmas stuff away in the garage rather than just "in" the garage. Kayla loved it too! She just goes up and down the patio steps and wanders around throwing snow and just having the time of her little life! As I was soaking in barely warm rays of sun I couldn't help to think of how much I love warm summer days just hanging out in the backyard. I want to get Kayla a little pool this summer. But as much as I long for real warmth on my skin, wondering how burned I am getting, and bare feet in the grass I had to slow my mind and just take in the beauty of the snow. I really do love how it just hangs on the trees and so fluffy and untouched on the roofs. Pictures just can't capture the emotion and essence. But I will share pictures anyway. :) I have been to the snow many times before but there is just something about it having it out my back door. I hope every winter will be like this but who knows, could be 8 years again before we get a huge dumping!
Today we all went down to the Promenade along the Willamette River overlooking downtown Oregon City, OR. It is just a beautiful view and sight to see. Kayla, aka miss Independent just loves to walk and as mama bear I stood near her incase of eating shit on the slick parts (because as the frugal mom in me refuses to buy snow clothes that she won't fit into in 3 months, let alone next year, she wore her cowboy boots and onsie pajamas with her thickets coat ) but far enough away that she felt like she was doing it on her own. PS every time it snows I think ok that will probably be the last storm and then just as it has melted away here comes another snow day. But I really don't want to buy a snow outfit for her since she's only staying outside for 30 minutes at a time. Maybe next winter if it snows I will because she will be more into snow play. Oh well.
Willamette Falls Oregon City, Oregon Jan 2017
Made two of my favorite childhood dinners this week. They are both very simple and super delicious! The first was just simply kielbasa, tomato, and bell pepper over rice. The other was a macaroni and ground beef casserole. Sounds kind of weird but so tasty with tomato sauce and kidney beans. Oh--and of course cheese on top! I will have blog post for the recipes soon.
Well I'm glad we went out when we did because as I stare off out my window the sun has disappeared. I've been eating carrots with peanut butter and listening to Jack Johnson Pandora radio and I'm starting to think my bed is looking real cozy right now and how I don't have much time before Kayla wakes up from her nap.
I hope you stop to smell the roses today. Get outside and just breathe in the cool January air and be thankful that you are alive!
Tracy.
Abernethy Bridge from Oregon City, OR Jan 2017