Ugh is right!

What a thoroughly miserable day.  The only blessing is a mixed one--the temperature isn't -20.  But that can mean slippery roads and cars sliding around.

We discovered that there was no gas for the snowblower, and that meant a trip out.  I went along for a chance to get into the Credit Union, and David went to buy some milk.  We did a big shopping yesterday, in anticipation of being housebound for a few days, but forgot the milk.  So all's well now and we can stay in until our dinner out Sunday evening.

When I was up to bring the paper in very early this morning, I noticed a branch on the tree in our boulevard bowed down with the weight of the snow.  By the time we got up it was touching the ground, having torn part way off the trunk.  On our trip out we noticed fallen branches littering the boulevards--and not just smaller branches.  The trees are mainly Chinese Elms, and all still had their leaves, as did most of the bushes in our yard.  Anything that has shed it's leaves appears unscathed, including our American Elm.  Thank Goodness for that, as the anything major that falls from the Elm, falls onto the roof.  But we both recognized a very, very expensive clean-up job.  It's likely this will all melt, as higher temps are predicted for later in the week, so opening the floodway is sounding like it was a good plan.  When we got home and had chance to take a good look at the yard, it appears that we have lost the better of our two Nanking Cherry bushes, and that our very expensive miniature Juniper, in the front garden, is in trouble.  The weight of the snow has bent it to the ground and the top of the tree is frozen in.

I don't think you need worry Beth.  I don't think I've ever heard of a Colorado Low reaching your area.  With all of your preparations, I'm sure your feast will be better than ours.  Our reservation is at the Aalto's in the CanadInn, close to home.  We went to an Aalto's across the city, for Christmas Dinner for several years, until the food slowly evolved into Turkey and mainly South Asian food.  We usually don't mind South Asian food, but somehow it's just not right for Christmas.  Maybe we've turned into a couple of old fuddy-duddies.  At the same time it's just wasteful to cook a full turkey for the two of us.

So supper tonight will be left-overs from the Chinese food we had Tuesday night, and a nice Salmon pattie for me.  I really enjoy them, but haven't seen them in the store for months, but there they were yesterday.  I bought a dozen.