Winter at David's

Donna · Joined: 14 Oct 2005 Posts: 827 Location: Oakland, CA

Well, I'm knitting my booties as we speak! they're purple and they go with my jammies - which I will be wearing as I sit by the fire. I'll dress for dinner, though!

David, just one question - how would you describe that snow - is that a lot for you, a moderate amount? Not much?

I get such a kick trying to describe snow to my California kids - many of whom have never even SEEN it! I like to tell them about the drifts being as high as my head and making snow ice cream and building snow forts. Sledding and skiing... So many good memories. (Not, you notice, memories of digging out cars or shoveling the walk.)

I had a poignant moment years ago when I asked how many in the group had seen snow. Some of the kids raised their hands and we discussed playing in the snow - how it felt, how it tasted, what kinds of things you could do. I noticed one little boy who had raised his hand was very quiet and I asked him again if he had seen snow. He replied yes, he had seen it, but - "We were on our way to Reno and we couldn't stop because we had to get to the casino." I still tear up when I think about that!
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L'appetit vient en mangeant. -Rabelais

gingerpale · Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Posts: 1324

Yes, gambling has been known to make me cry too!

David · Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 3:59 pm Post subject:

Well, Donna, that is an unusual amount of snow so early in the season. We've had well over 4 feet, 1 1/3 meters at the time of those pictures, which were taken late Dec, early Jan and we still have probably 3 more months of probable snows. This was a lovely bit of snow, very dry and soft, which looks great but means it blows about easily in the wind creating dramatic drifts in some places and nearly clear earth in others. The worst of course is when the wind is blowing the snow across the roads as you are driving and you cannot see lines or anything. Since those pictures were taken we had a warm spell and rain, so that added to the natural packing of the snow means we now have a lovely crust on it that will hold my weight and I can take my little monsters out into the fields for some good romping! today is bright and sunny -10C but we are to get more snow over the next few days---so I've loaded a cartload of wood into the house to stoke my happy little fire!
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Vivant Linguae Mortuae!!

Griffin · Joined: 09 Jun 2006 Posts: 932 Location: England

Hey Donna, can I have stiletto crocheted booties?!! David, you are quite right, only a hot toddy will do for the little birdies... after they've been ice-skating on the bird bath!! Whisper looks such a cute little monsta tho'... and I say that as a cat person too!!

Gingerpale,

it's the losing that hurts... tho' I've been known to cry with shock on winning!! For me, snow is a distant memory.... last year at least!! But that was a faint scattering and melted during the day. When I was a kid we were used to snow in winter. But ye olde planet have got warmer and snow cometh not, nor do the iceman - sigh!

All that snow used to switch something on inside me. I'd come alive in a way that no other weather would make me do... except a good wild thunderstorm after prickly hot sultry weather.

I am not nearly as good a cook as the rest of you, but I will happily help with preparing veggies and such. Mum and I used to cook together like that while talking about all kinds of things.

I will bring champagne truffles too and naturally other types of chocs.
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Confusion comes fitted as standard.

sweetbabyjames · Joined: 05 May 2006 Posts: 357

This gathering is sounding to me like a Merchant Ivory production: something with period costume (Griffin), cozy fireside tea (hot toddy) parties, delicious kitchen scenes, friends, chats, slippers...does anyone play piano?...all set on a beautiful, wintry-wonderly estate.

I love how everyone jumps on the bandwagon, so eager to make-believe together! What happy images.

Erin · Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 6:43 pm Post subject:

"We were on our way to Reno and we couldn't stop because we had to get to the casino." I still tear up when I think about that!"

Reminds me of grandma......honestly.

I am learning how to play the guitar. Sure I could only serenade you all with a poorly played opening bit of "Walk the Line", but I'm sure I'll get better. I have a kazoo if there are any takers.
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"It's watery....and yet there's a smack of ham."

"It's hot ham water."

gingerpale · Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Posts: 1324

sweetbabyjames.. "so eager to make-believe together." I had to laugh when I saw the enthusiastic volunteering to live in David's cool house, cooking and cleaning --but no mention of spouses/significant others/family/children coming along!

Wouldn't it be funny if somehow some C&Zers ended up together--yes, in a genteel country house scenario, living out their old age quarreling in David's kitchen (spoiling the broth, of course--way too many cooks!)

Think of all the movies and sitcoms based on similar situations--it sure looks like fun when they do it!

David · Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 8:12 pm Post subject:

well Griffin--Whisper is the secret weapon of dogdom---she quietly subverts and perverts cat people into doggie people. She is also almost completely brainless--can entertain herself for hours staring at a spot on the wall--although, secretly, I think she is composing long verses of doggy doggerel.
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Vivant Linguae Mortuae!!

Debbie · Joined: 21 Feb 2005 Posts: 861 Location: Paris

Hey, put me down for stiletto booties too!!! Glamour comfort in the extreme Laughing

Seriously, if anyone is willing to share a pattern for crocheted booties in adult sizes, I would be an ever grateful recipient.. I need something to do while I have my feet up - which get very cold being elevated all day. hmmm.

David, even my husband (who is definately NOT a dog person) said that whisper is too cute for words. Me, kitties come first, but nice puppies are a close second.

The snow sounds amazing. I would love to see it like that just once in my life. Something so different from our usual climate in Australia, and we have not seen snow like that here in France. Sigh, one day....
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If you cannot feel your arteries hardening, eat more cheese. If you can, drink more red wine. Diet is just "die" with a "t" on the end. Exercise is walking into the kitchen.

Griffin · Joined: 09 Jun 2006 Posts: 932 Location: England

Well I can play guitar... but only chords, I can't do all that finger-picking stuff. I can play a few Velvet Underground songs and if I have the music in front of me I can play Beatles and Dylan too. So I'll bring my guitar and harmonicas.

I could sing, but Whisper would probably join in or run and hide... besides, with all that glass... it's probably best I leave the singing to the rest of you!!

Erin · Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 1:14 pm Post subject:

Well Griff, it seems as though we would form a very strange little band. Hopefully it won't upset Whisper get us kicked out of the winter wonderland house.
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"It's watery....and yet there's a smack of ham."

"It's hot ham water."

sweetbabyjames · Joined: 05 May 2006 Posts: 357

Griffin - I sang that duet with my best friend in high school! Still sing it to this day (as a solo when no one's around).

David · Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 4:23 pm Post subject:

Whisper would be charmed by any attention at all---and she and the rest of her clan think they make a beautiful chorus. I've never been able to determine what sets them off but a few times a month, when I'm showering I'll hear one of them start to bark, and then the bark turns into a howl and they all join in for about a minute or so. they did this once when my Mom was staying with me and I was out getting the morning papers---she thought they were being murdered-----or something vile at any rate. It is quite the sound---so rest assured my friends that your own voices would not, could not upset Whisper and the pack!
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Vivant Linguae Mortuae!!

Griffin · Joined: 09 Jun 2006 Posts: 932 Location: England

Erin,

Clearly we'll need doggy instruments for Whisper and the band! Hmm, Whisper and I could do a doggy duet to answer Rossini!

SBJ,

I'm impressed that you sing it all solo, but you need a cat to sing it to... if only to watch a cat confused! I love the thought of sensible opera singers meowing at each other. That and they are clearly having fun doing it to the point that it makes me smile every time!

David,

Do you join in with Whisper and Co singing? I can imagine they would love the accompaniment!
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Confusion comes fitted as standard.

Donna · Joined: 14 Oct 2005 Posts: 827 Location: Oakland, CA

Well, count in Gromit and Wallace, my doggies! Gromit has a lovely coloratura soprano aria called "Ou es Tu, Donna?", which if it goes on long enough, sends Wallace into his counter tenor response entitled "Tais Toi, Tu Bless mes Oreilles". It's a charming duet! Rolling Eyes

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L'appetit vient en mangeant. -Rabelais