Treasured! Snowflakes and kittens and warm woolen mittens!

These are a few of Michele's Favorite Things!!

Including one of my all-time favorite necklaces... Simple, sexy, and pink!

'Snowflakes and Kittens and Warm Woolen Mittens...' by ByYourSide2009

I just can't get the song "Favorite Things" out of my head!!

So, here are a few of my FAVORITE things from some Facebook friends and a few new shops I found along the way!! Enjoy!!

Teal Blue Charm Statement Ne... FindingCharm $40.00	Siamese Kitten Color Select ... Britt8682 $28.00
Ultra Warm Mittens from Recy... ah4649 $30.00	Sapphire Blue Vintage Swarov... ZaftigDelights $25.00
Fingerless gloves with velve... ArtWearCouture $55.00	Peppermint Foaming Foot Scru... LusciousLather $12.00
Green Peridot Caterpillar Go... mossandmist $20.00	Paw - 5x5 Fine Art Photograp... IchaPhotograph... $10.00
Retro Kitty, Regal Rose Fabr... TheWhistlingCo... $12.50	FREE SHIPPING Sweet Geranium... aereonyx $33.00
Pink Hand Knit Wool Fingerle... bluebirdsandbl... $	Snowy Rose 8x10 Fine Art Pho... soulenergy $20.00
Neutral Bad Cat Hat CrowsCloth $25.00	All Tangled Up / Ring ashjewels $30.00
Virgin Wool Scarf And Muff AlisaDesign $35.00	Pretty little white felted b... HandmadebyMia $35.00

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Oh Snow!!!!

In case you didn't know... Virginia just got walloped with a HUGE snowstorm this past weekend, and since Im' about 20 minutes South of Washington DC, I figured I'd take some pictures to show you just how much snow has actually fallen.

It started out forcasted at 6-12 inches.

Then two hours later, 12-14.

About two hours after that, 16-18.

Three hours later... 18-24.

Then, as it started snowing... They said... Possibility of 30+ inches.

Me, being ever the pessimistic since moving down here and not really seeing snow stick around long enough for it to last more than a day or two..... Said "Suuuuure". But then it started coming down... And sticking.... Accumulating quickly. A little too quickly. I told my roommate... Yep, the way it's coming down... We're going to get buried.

I started taking pictures, and even planned on blogging Friday night about it... But then -OOP-

Power goes out. Are you kidding me!? Now my roommate tells me it could be off for days, or weeks... I wasn't happy to hear it. But I had my little alien lights, and plenty of candles. I hoard candles, but that's a story for another time! So light them up, little candles glow!

Pictures of the street, there was one car that decided to brave the weather at 11:30 pm. There's already 12+ inches on the ground, and no plow has been through. He made it to the dip, and skeetered off the road into the snowbank. I didn't go outside- the wind was wicked and with my asthma- not a good idea. Otherwise, my blogger friends, I would have been out there immediately.

So the candlelight, flickering, and Sake I was drinking finally kicked in. I got sleepy. Good news is the power came on just before I fell asleep. The next morning I knew I was going to wake up to an absolute Winter Wonderland... But I had no idea.....

Everything, and I mean everything, covered in snow. Especially the cars. Road signs buried under snow, not drifts! Cars plowed in from the "plow" guys. I thought it was beautiful. I wanted to know how much snow there was. I was curious.

So on go the leggings, blue jeans over that. Long sleeved shirt, UnderArmor Jacket, and UA vest over that. A black ballcap, and my blue toned scarf to cover my face from the wind. I venture out.

Ok, bottom of the steps aren't so bad.

Few more steps, though, and my boots are sinking into 4+ inches of powder. And this is on the "shoveled" part of the pathway. Continuing on...

I sink down. Quickly. At least 2 feet of snow here! This was only shoveled at the beginning of the storm- so it's not quite the deepest as.....

RIGHT HERE!

Stepping over to take a picture of a huge snow-pile that used to be my truck, I sank straight down to pavement. Snow came up over my knees! I'm only 5'2". DEEP snow indeed. Yes, that is my Chevy Trailblazer under that pile of snow!

Waddled out without losing boots or socks... Which HAS happened before...

Had I tripped and fallen, I have a feeling I wouldn't be found until spring!

So I continued to wander along the front of the complex.

Snapped a few more- but this one had to take the cake. It appears that someone was motivated enough to come out and clean off their vehicle. And then subsequently gave up because it's just SO much!

I almost feel bad... I wiped the snow off mine, popped her in to 4wd... And rocked right out of my spot! HOWEVER... That being said... DO not go out on the roads if you live down here- they're absolutely awful. They haven't salted anything, and it's all a solid sheet of ice.

After last night though, this is the view I woke up to this morning:

Fat Little Robins

I have to tell you... I honestly didn't think we'd be getting more than a dusting of snow here in Virginia with this "storm". It doesn't normally drop much when it IS here... But then again, I had noted that places like North Carolina was expecting 6-12 inches.

Well, they've only forecasted 4-6 inches of it... And as of right now, there's that much on the ground! It's beautiful! The small flakes that are coming down, though, are typically not so great to drive on once they hit the road- making it for a slippery ride. Even so, I've got four wheel drive (I hail from the north, almost everyone has one!) and think I'll be heading out for a ride up the road to take some pictures in the snow, and to grab a nice hot cup of mulled cider.

Imagine my surprise when I opened my blinds to everything looking like Winter Wonderland!

I was excited... And then I noticed a bird. Wait, not make that 3... No, wait... 10?!

The more I kept my eyes still, the more movement I saw and birds I was able to see perched upon the tree branches. I guess they thought the tree right outside my deck was a perfect place to weather out the storm.

I counted at least 23 of them, before they heard a dog bark and most flew off, most likely to the trees to the side of my building. But they perched there, in the snow, fluffed up fat little birds, just chillin in the snow. I know it seems cold, but don't worry... Their feathers keep them warm.

Of course, I had to snap some pictures of these little plump friends!

How many can you count in this shot!? I swear, the more I looked, the more came over!

Rotund, round, and fat. I think these guys have been feeding well!

(There's 7 of them in the picture above.)

Makes me want to make peanut butter & birdseed pine cones and hang them from the tree branches. This little guy, above, almost fell off the branch next to him... He landed, and it dropped with his weight! Guess he was a little too hefty, so he found a sturdier branch to perch on!

My plan was to crumble some slices of bread for these guys, but they started to fly off before I could do such. I could've gotten more pictures... But I suppose I'll just have to wait until next time! I love fat little birds!

My First...

...Time being featured in an Etsy Treasury!

I'm over the moon tonight!

My Jasper Druzy Necklace not only made it to the Treasury, but it's the middle one in the top row! WOW!

I first must apologize, as I've been working hectic hours this past week... Making up time means 12 hour days, and I'm ok with that... Just very much looking forward to the weekend!

The downside is that I'm not online as much as I'd like to be, or poking around and checking out other artists and sites I'd otherwise be engaged with.

Things could be worse, of course, and that they're not I'm very thankful.

I miss my time online... But... Will have plenty this weekend!!

So I get home this evening after having to deal with horrendous traffic that delayed me nearly an hour from getting home (and I live 12 minutes from work)... Tired.... Mentally drained... Worn... Most definitely looking forward to the sleep I would be getting in a short while. But.

First is first.

Off to check Facebook- personal, and my jewelry page of course!

Off to check Etsy.

Nothing sold... BUT..... A Convo!

Intrigued.

Read on:

YAYYYYYYYYY!!!!

I was giggling like a schoolgirl. Well, inside I was! Had I actually done so, I'm pretty positive I'd have freaked out my roommate. Instead, out went profuse thanks.... And promptly Hearting Christie's Etsy Shop, The Goblet where she creates and sells some very beautiful jewelry!

Made my way over to her Facebook Page and fanned her... And last, but certainly not least... Followed her Blog!

I'm so excited about this! I could do backflips... But of course, that's not possible given the condition of my back... But... I'm just that happy!

So go on and take a gander at the Winter's Dawn Treasury!!!

Speaking of winter... And being in Virginia. I thought it mighty funny that there's a Winter Weather Advisory for the possibility of snow tomorrow night. It went out this morning- well over 24 hours until the suspected rain/cold-front/snow is expected to hit.

Now, most of you know that I'm a Northern Girl. It says such when you look at my blog in fact.

I just find it completely amusing that the people down here panic the way they do when "inclement" weather is predicted. They have a hard time driving in rain, nevermind snow!!! Having lived in New England for so long, one becomes accustomed to the weather changes. Winter can be either very cold and icy. Or temperate and lots of snow as a result.

Did you know that if it's too cold, clouds actually lose the ability to hold precipitation and therefore it won't snow? I'm full of odd facts. And yes, we had a few years like that- bitter, biting cold. It was awful. Those were winters I definitely did not leave the house without a scarf wrapped securely around my face!

When we get the moderate winters, it absolutely transforms New England into a Winter Wonderland. The postcards aren't lying- it really is that beautiful at times! Like right after it snows, and that fresh crisp cold smell is still in the air. The wind sounds like a whisper through the trees, and the slightest moving of the branches dislodges snow and creates a domino effect... And more boughs drop snow in a white curtain!

Colonial Style Homes which are white, decorated with lighted candles (electric of course!) in the windows that light just enough outside to create a warm glow. 9 times out of 10 a green wreath with a big red bow on the front door. Oftentimes, white or colored lights outlining the eaves of the roof, or decorating the porch. It's beautiful!

I leave you tonight with a few pictures of what home is to me... Enjoy!

Little Christmas Trees in the backyard, on the hill.

My backyard- the White Mountain National Forest.

The Ageless Oak Tree.

Twilight, with the snow still falling.

Happy New Year!

I can't believe we're already in to 2010!

Where HAS this year gone?!?!?!

I celebrated with a few of my gal pals, and we had a great time in town! Blustery weather though- we're expected to get a LOT of snow this weekend. As for me, I'm hunkering down in front of the woodstove at home, and curling up in my new blanket that my boyfriend got me for Christmas. To keep me warm when I can't be with him... Awwwww! Sappy, I know... I can't help it!!

I'm very excited! Other great news...
My parents got me a digital camera for Christmas... YES! They did!

It's almost the same as my one that got stolen, but it's a newer version with a higher Mega-Pixel resolution, some extra options as well... And I absolutely love it. I immediately got to work and took some new pictures... A few of which I'll show you below!

So I'm home for the Holidays.
The White Mountains of New Hampshire.

If you've never been- it's a wonderful place to visit. We're currently getting a Nor'Easter like you wouldn't believe! 8+ inches of snow expected to come in today, and 18-24+ overnight and through all day tomorrow. It's lovely! We don't get much snow down in VA. So yes- I'm hunkered in and loving the woodstove we have!

What to do up here?

Winter you can go skiing at any of the many ski resorts, including Breton Woods, Wildcat Mountain, Attitash Mountain, Cranmore, King Pine, Loon Mountain and so many more! Snowmobiling is also offered at some great places and prices! If you don't prefer to be out and about so much, you can certainly poke around the LOTS of Tax Free Outlet stores! It's wonderful! Stores like Old Navy, Gap, Pac Sun, Under Armor, Bass, Eddie Bauer, Lane Bryant, Banana Republic, Osh-Kosh, L.L. Bean, Eastern Mountain Sports, and TONS of others!!!!

Summertime leaves a great time to come up and go camping- again, plenty of places up around the Valley that you can pop a tent and start a fire, roast (or burn) hot dogs over it, make S'mores, and listen to the wildlife rummaging around. Take a hike on the hundreds of trails, and for those of you that really want to do something interesting- you can even find mineral deposits and mine your own tourmaline, amethyst, quartz and other stones!

Fall is the most popular... Considering the leaves are in full color, and they're so vibrant and bright, it's a common season for leaf peepers to come and look! Fresh pressed apple cider, pumpkin fields, and autumn themed activities... You don't really want to miss out!

But enough of my home... Here's a peek at some of the new pictures!