A Haven for Vee

Monday, November 25, 2013

The Deep Freeze

Coming to you live from the deep freeze. But then, who isn't in the deep freeze this week?! Anyone? Report in, won't you? The wind is either a howling freight train or a plane flying very low. This has been going on for two days and shows no sign of letting up. The gusts shake the house and rattle the windows. The sound itself is as fierce as the cold. My neighbor has lost another substantial branch of his tree and it landed like this.
We have kept cozy sitting by the fake fire. The power of suggestion! When John had turned up the furnace as far as he was willing and still felt chilled, he turned up the sound on the tv for the psychological boost of hearing crackling flames.  It seems to work!
Today we can not loaf about by the fire for there are things to do and places to go. Just like Pioneer Woman who goes shopping in Tulsa (keep your eyes peeled, Okies) on the Monday before Thanksgiving, we, too, are shopping the Monday before Thanksgiving. And, though I have shopped in Tulsa before at Thanksgiving time, that has not been my reality for nearly 40 years. 
Say, do you think I've been hanging out with the ancestors too long? Those Puritan stories are growing more interesting by the day...
I know that those of us in the USA are very busy this week; those everywhere else are gearing up for Christmas; those in the southern hemisphere are probably planting tomatoes or something. 
Stay Warm!

47 comments:

  1. LOL Bitterly cold here in western/upstate NY. Still -7 wc & 17-20*. Yes, the wind is what it is..We are heading to the store soon, just incase the snow storm hits tomorrow. Hubby has set the furnace to 68* and is bound not to turn it up, we also have 2 room heaters, those are here upstairs as it sure is cold..Hey, what's up with the face in the tree? Pretty cool. Have a blessed day, Vee..stay warm (hardee har har)..Blessings

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    1. Oh, you'd need to read my genealogy stories of last week to know the significance of that image. I won't force it on anyone, but it is available. =D

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    2. Vee..how in the world I missed all that..is beyond me. Cool beans..you are lucky to be able to trace your family that far back. Blessings

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  2. I am wearing my cowl neck sweater and feeling all cozy. Soon enough, though, I'll be out in the wind and the cold. Brrr.......
    Stay warm as you can and enjoy your shopping trip.

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  3. Reporting in from a snow covered landscape in Ontario where it was darn cold walking the dog this morning. No loafing around for this gal this morning either, cleaning to be done and I'll put up the Christmas village to finish the Christmas decor. When I'm done, maybe a book and cup of tea by the gas fireplace.

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  4. It's c-c-cold here in east TN! We might get some snow showers on Wednesday. It's always cold in my office - it's the furthest from the gas furnace. I think I'm going to have to supplement with a space heater in here. I've stood it the past few winters, but my tolerance is wearing down.

    After Jim gets home from radiation therapy this morning, we're planning to go out and shop for a new sports coat for him. All of his current ones are way too big! (He's lost over 50 pounds in the past year. Cancer is the ultimate diet regimen.)

    I hope you enjoy your shopping jaunt!

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  5. It is cold here too. But it seems more like Thanksgiving week with a little chill in the air. I am going to the movies this afternoon and then head to the grocery store.

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  6. Well....it wasn't as warm here yesterday. Saturday we were in the 80s and only in the 60s yesterday....not exactly the deep freeze but I had to put 'long pants' on! heehee! I'm shopping for groceries today, too! If I see you, I'll look in your basket and see if you have better stuff. I love our sweet Pioneer Woman, don't you? Enjoy your day! Warm hugs from Florida!

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  7. Cold here too - last night went down to 20F. We lit the fire for the first time this season and sat close to it later as the logs burned down, swigging B&B's in celebration - like to make a big to do over the initial fire, it's like a tradition I guess. The fragrance of the wood burning, the flames jumping, crackling and popping - always making sure the fire screen is in place of course!

    All my shopping for the meal is done and hopefully the promised fresh turkey will arrive by tomorrow - it not it will be salmon on Thurs. which is fine with me - I don't eat meat or poultry. Does stuffing go with salmon? Guess not but what will be will be! I still have an apple pie to bake on Wed., but purchased pecan and pumpkin pies because I'm just not up for baking them too - age has it's excuses!!!

    Stay warm - and don't get trampled by the crowds.
    Hugs - Mary

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  8. Did you say you were having a giveaway of airline tickets to Sydney? LOL Winter has just begun (and not even officially) and I'm already too cold and tired of it! Loved your idea of the fake fire. Anything to help. :-) Even the cat snuggled up next to me last night, it was so cold in our room.

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  9. Hello from the mountains of Virginia - 13 degrees in the bright sun here this morning! As for shopping, I'm staying as far away from stores as possible from now until Christmas! Too many crowds for me.

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  10. I can picture the cozy scene quite nicely...the two of you swaddled in blankees in front of the blazing fake fireplace...while outside the branches are snapping and crackling from the wind and cold. Stay warm and cozy! It was unseasonably cold here the past week as well...but with clear skies and sunshine. Quite lovely, actually! Enjoy your Thanksgiving prep...including going out in the cold to 'stock up'.

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  11. Yes 21 here this morning and not warming up much. Yes our pansies just freeze for awhile when the snow and ice come (IF it comes) and then revive to be absolutely gorgeous in early spring. Stay warm! I like your fire!

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  12. Here in central NC it is sunny and COLD. Saturday night the winds were whipping through as it brought in the cold air and early yesterday morning, as I was drinking my coffee at around 5:30, I heard what sounded like someone beating on my patio doors! Fearfully and reluctantly, I peeked out through the blind and saw my patio umbrella (which we had left up from warm weather a few days before) had been picked up by the wind, without knocking the patio table over, mind you...and was left lying on it's side, the wind slamming it against the doors! I guess it's time to take it down for the season, although next week it may be 70 again. I have heard it said: "If you don't like the weather in NC, just stick around...it'll change." Got my Thanksgiving shopping all done...good...we're having ice here tomorrow :(

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  13. We have been very cold here in the Pacific Northwest..and dry..never 'not normal' for this time of year here. We usually have rain, rain and more rain. Thanksgiving is to be a pretty one and we will gladly take it.

    Have a very Happy Thanksgiving! xo

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  14. We are promised a few more clear dry days which means cold brrr. I'm trying to talk myself into doing one final mow of the leaves before we retire the lawnmower until Spring. I'm going out and about today, too, getting my feathers trimmed and adding some color. I'll buy some yams and marshmallows for my contribution to our Thursday gathering of 45 people!! Yikes. It's not going to be quiet... There will be 14 at the kids table. Thankfully after I help with dishes I can leave whenever I want to come home to my quiet old house.

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  15. After reading your comments, I think you already know that it is cold down here in NC too. I'm keeping a watch on this storm system as it heads our way hoping it won't cause problems for some family members who will be travelling from Raleigh.
    It always warms my heart to read about what is going on around the country as we all prepare for Thanksgiving. I hope that you and John are able to tackle your errands and be back to sitting by the fake fireplace later today.

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  16. It's cold in Texas but Louis Dean and I are staying IN the house!! I even turned the central heat on.....it was 59 degrees this morning! I think I set it to 65 - let's not go crazy! We did our shopping on Friday but will make one last run tomorrow. We planned to go down to the ranch but the rain and ice have made it too muddy to drive all the way in to the camper. That's good, though, because I am still decorating. We had one Thanksgiving meal yesterday at Amber's. There will be one Thursday at my sister's and then we will have one Friday at the ranch with LD's son. Then it will be a week of salads and tea as we recover from all the good food we will have consumed!! Bundle UP!! It's COLD up there!!!

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  17. We got our wind last week. It was a calm 21 here yesterday, and is 26 here now with a little snow. The Farmers Almanac has predicted a hard winter here this year with more snow than we've had in awhile. We are getting the cold with the exception of the 76 degrees we had last Sunday just ahead of the tornado. I'm looking forward to the cold winter, and I have both fireplaces going! That wind noise is discombobulating, isn't it? Stay warn Vee. I wish I didn' t have to go shopping!

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  18. Hello, where did my comment go? Into the cold ether. That's okay, I was just commenting on how we went out on the water with friends yesterday in the relatively warm sunshine. Maybe I was bragging.

    Have a blessed Thanksgiving, enjoy the preparations and STAY WARM!

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  19. Hi Vee! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. And keep warm! It's blowing and there's snow in the air, but not enough to stick yet. Thank goodness! Much to do. Anticipating the arrival of my daughter on Wednesday with her family. Yay!
    Ceil

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  20. It is cold and windy today with snow flurries again.

    I hope your Thanksgiving is truly blessed!

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  21. Cold here! I think it snuck up on us this year so it seems to come more as a shock.

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  22. Frozen here today, too, Vee-but warmed by a little boy with a fever that has sat on my lap since 8:30 this morning. Poor tyke. He never cries but winces once in a while. Daddy just took him to the doctor. I had him yesterday, too, and he was not feeling well then either-but he is sicker today.

    Happy Thanksgiving to you- We are hoping for a happy, healthy Thanksgiving for everyone. xo Diana

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  23. It was in the 30's here in Texas this morning, Vee. We didn't get the snow that was predicted, but it's as chilly here as it was in Ohio when I was there last week. xo

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  24. We've awakened to 2° the past few days and then this morning to a balmy 31°! They are telling us to enjoy today as it's not going to stay.

    You are right, this is a super busy week. Wishing you and yours a blessed Thanksgiving.

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  25. Hi Vee
    Our temps have been a bone chilling - 9°C or 21 °F with the wind chill even colder . Snow flurries possible over night ! Lovely photos . We have bee waiting for the hydro company to take one of our trees that has split weeks ago due to high winds but they have been behind with other down trees in the area due to the high winds . Thanks for sharing . Stay cozy and have a Happy Thanksgiving !

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  26. The wind has died down here but the temperature was very low this morning. 10 degrees!!
    We are loving our pellet stove. Really keeps things cozy warm!
    Happy Thanksgiving you and John and your whole family. : )

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  27. It's Brrrr freezing over here. The little Amish children in the neighbourhood are skating on the frozen "puddles" in the fields! Hope your preThanksgiving shopping went well today. Bonus of the cold weather, one can refrigerate things out in the porch when you run out of fridge space after all that shopping!

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  28. Brrr, Vee, it is freezing here too, but supposed to climb back into the 40's but we are expecting a storm here for Wednesday. For some reason I thoug you had a fireplace? I had a wood burning one in my other home,

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  29. Oh this darn iPain, it freezes sometimes for no reason, should read, I thought you had a fireplace. I miss mine so much every winter. Keep warm xo

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  30. Deep freeze here! We have a wood stove in the basement which keeps the house quite warm, but we can't enjoy sitting by it unless we go down, and with Kay and Kamryn living downstairs, it seems intrusive.

    I am enjoying the days leading up to Thanksgiving. Doing a smaller school schedule, and learning more about the Pilgrims. I stand in awe at these brave people and I think that is the neat thing about learning about our ancestors as well. We all have brave and amazing people in our history!

    Deanna

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  31. Too bad you had to get out today Vee. It sounds like the perfect day to snuggle in front of the fake fire!
    I have to laugh, because for the first time in eight years we don't have a wood stove anymore.
    I've teased my hubby I'm going to watch the Yuletide Log burning on TV to warm me.
    Maybe I need to get serious and do it..
    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family Vee.

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  32. It is very cold Vee. And just you wait until January. The snow will be blowing with the howling wind across the landscape. Brrr. the thoughts of it makes me colder. The wind seems to have diminished this evening here. There will be a shift tomorrow night when milder weather approaches and dumps tons of raindrops on us in the Maritimes. I don't know what you'll be getting there. Good idea to get out and shop today. Now you can stay home and do the food preparations and baking for Thursday's feast. I wish you a wonderfully warm week! (the stove heat will warm you up) Hugs, Pam

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  33. Brrr... wow.. you are really into winter there already. I was switching up my template from Autumn to something before Winter since it seemed like I was pushing the seasons but maybe it is time to display the snow.

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  34. Oh Vee, I'm sending warm thoughts your way. No deep freezes here, at least not by comparison. Watch out for those falling branches. I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving Day.

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  35. Aren't you sweet to mention your friends down under!
    Not cold here, we're sitting with all the windows and doors open - lovely and warm as it should be - 1st December is officially the first day of Summer.
    However I've had a couple of Christmases in France and remember the boiler in my daughters house.
    Outside the cold was perishing - I was chilled to the bone.....
    Sending some New Zealand rays of sunshine your way dear Vee!!!

    I'll be thinking of you over Thanksgiving - blessings to you and your family.
    Shane

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  36. We surely have been in a deep freeze...I finally got out today when it reached 54 degrees..went to the groc. store and to Hobby Lobby. When I came out of HL, it had fallen to 36 so I just came back home.
    hugs, bj

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  37. It has been very cold here, but at least the sun has been shining, preferable to all the rain of a few weeks ago. Stay warm and cosy.

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    1. I forgot to say it amused me about Jodi Picoult!

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  38. I have a friend who shops tomorrow night for Thanksgiving - she love the hustle and bustle of frantic shoppers. Me? I couldn't image the pressure. Are you going to get the storm that's headed east? We're just supposed to get a mix and then heavy rain.

    Have fun shopping!

    xo

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  39. You make me smile, Vee :) I love that you turned on the sounds of flames...I will have to remember that. Although, we have a real wood burner stove so maybe the fake sound of a fire won't work for us. It's not too cold here. We did get 10 inches of snow on Saturday - yay! Enjoy your day, sweet lady.

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  40. Vee, I went shopping on Monday too. Today has been cleaning day. Tomorrow baking. Thursday eating! (my favorite!) :-)

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  41. I did my shopping last week to avoid the crazy lines. It's so cold here...brrr....we might, just might get a few flurries tomorrow morning! How exciting would that be!

    I'm going to say Happy Thanksgiving now because my site is down and I don't know if it'll be up anytime soon.

    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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  42. It's cold here too! Trying to get used to it again.

    Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family, Vee!

    xoxo

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  43. Surprisingly it's even cold in the south. The forecast is calling for a little snow tomorrow (mostly just flurries) and so every shelf in the bread and milk departments in the grocery store are empty. I've never understood that. I mean seriously, what could you make? Milk sandwiches?

    Keep warm and enjoy your week! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

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  44. It is even cold in Georgia this week! Fierce winds howling all day and freezing rain yesterday.
    I do have 2 Florida blog friends eating fresh garden veggies for Thanksgiving!

    Bless you and yours.

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