A wonderful winter day in Hancock

Finally! We had a beautiful day here in Hancock and the pictures show why we love it here! Enjoy!

Cold, snowing, and downright no fun!

Yes, I'm griping. We haven't seen the sun except for fits and starts for nearly a week now. The house is so cold, our 'room temperature' red wine is as chilled as the white in the fridge. Allie is wearing a fleece vest inside the house while sitting next to the wood stove. I sport a wool sweater and flannel-lined pants.

Yet there are people who love this time of year. I can't say I do, except there are no bugs or humidity. That and animal droppings freeze solid and stepping on them while working in the barn is no big deal.

Only 97 days to go!

Steve

Don't you just love winter?

Okay, so that's a bit facetious. Here it is Sunday morning, we've got both wood stoves going and still the furnace is kicking on. In other words, man dear is it COLD! Still, the plants needed watering and the house could use some tidying up, so...

Great dinner last night with most of the family, excepting the ones perpetually "too busy", with a pork roast recipe from Jamie Oliver, fabulous, if I must say. We've a lunch today with Nate, Suki and Nina, Steve's son, partner and grand-daughter. Yes, I'm married to a grandfather, and it does freak me out a bit (but only sometimes). I think steak-tips from the Hancock Market are on the menu, but only if they've got them. Otherwise....

Pulling up the trusty calendar, we have only 100 more days until we leave! I guess tomorrow we get to sing "Ninety-nine days on the calender to go, ninety-nine days to go".

Hopefully things will warm up around here. The dogs miss their walks but we're not going to freeze their feet off at -5F (wind-chill this am).

Keep warm!

Allie

Steve's Turn

Hi to all and a very happy new year's!

Winter is here to stay. I just finished blowing off the driveway and the parking and the barn and this and that. It was only 6 inches but the wind is supposed to pick up this afternoon and the weather guessers are predicting another 6-10 inches, so I thought I'd get started early and prep.

We only have 109 days to go. We'll be leaving this:



And going to this:



We can hardly wait!

Happy New Year!

Well, it is the first day of 2010, the sun is shining (if a bit fitfully), fresh snow is on the ground and we are curled up by the wood stove watching the Rose Parade. Although everyone in the parade is wearing coats and jackets, there is green grass and the palm trees beckon.

Australia beckons, too, Only 110 days and counting, and believe me, we are counting. We're planning to live in the vicinity of Byron Bay, New South Wales where the current temperature is 23C or 75F. Yes, it is their summer and doesn't it sound wonderful!

Last night we all (me, Steve, and our two dogs, Lina and Flynn) went up to Steve's folk's place on Little Sunapee and celebrated the New Year with food, drink, ice dancing and fireworks. It was a blast and a great way to ring in the year. Next year, I'm sure we'll also be on a beach, but not huddled around a fire pit all bundled up.

Anyway, we hope this is a year filled with happiness and joy for all.

Allie