Just A Little More Holiday Spirit

It is warm and cozy here in the house.

But, baby, it's cold outside.

It's so cold, in fact, that the bathroom pipes have frozen yet again. I have been turning off the water main and opening the pipes at night, hoping that would keep things from freezing. It has worked until last night. So now I've had the space heater running all day in the hole in the ground. The good news is: the pipes haven't burst yet. The bad news is: the girls really need their Sunday bath before the go back to school tomorrow. I guess I could go buy some water and boil it on the stove for them. I know I could live this way if I hadn't gotten used to living the easy way.


Update: Yay! I just went to check one last time before giving up for today, as the temps continue to drop, and it worked! We have water! Thank you thank you plumbing goddesses. Now to do the dishes and bathe the children.



Peace.

Self Portrait, Waiting for the Plumber

Well, he said he'd be here between 9:30 and 2:30. It's 1:45, and he ain't here yet.

I Spoke Too Soon!

icicles anyone?

I can't believe I kept the taps running all night for the past two nights, and yesterday I still awoke to a frozen faucet (but the space heater thawed it yesterday). Today, the pipes made it through the below zero night, and were fine this morning getting ready for school. But just now, when the temperature is 37 degrees, as I was just about to leave for the school bus, I heard that awful sound.


Yes, I ran to the basement to shut off the water main before checking that I was right.


And I guess the good news is that it burst right before I left for the school bus, not right after!


Then the bad news would be that my plumber doesn't work after 2:30.

Shadows from the Archives

I had been thinking of this shadow theme only in terms of winter light, but after seeing m.heart's hammock photograph yesterday, I took a look at some of my photographs from other seasons. Since I may not get the chance to take some photographs today, I'm glad a found some gems.

I really do love all the seasons. Yes, I love winter. I love snow, and hats & gloves, and snuggling, and hot drinks. I even love shoveling. Not to mention skiing, hiking, ice skating, fort building...

This winter has decided to throw a big challenge to my love at me. My poorly built house has been no match for the super chill we've had here this year. My bathroom pipes have frozen several times and burst twice. Even though I left the taps open last night, I woke to a frozen faucet this morning. I've got the space heater going in the hole in the ground as I type this and I'm hoping the pipes thaw without bursting.

So while I'm waiting for this...

ah... hot and cold running water...

I thought I'd go through the shadowy archives and show you some of these...

the 6 year old at 2

the first ride without training wheels

long autumn shadows in the woods

perfect for building fairy houses

magic everywhere

My knowledge of contemporary photographers drops precipitously somewhere in the early 90s. That said, this last photograph reminds me of Tina Barney in the way that the moment caught on camera suggests a narrative filled with drama.

afternoon light

Yay! Yay! Yay! While I was editing this post, the pipes thawed without bursting and water flowed! Thank you gods and goddesses of plumbing! Now if I can just get the tub drain and the washing machine to unfreeze so that the water from the girls' bath Monday will flow out and I can take a shower, and so that I can do some laundry... Well, let's not get greedy here! Instead, let's take the camera and go for a walk!


Shadows and light.



Peace.

I'll follow the sun

Early morning sun trying to get into the neighbors attic.

As far as I know, my neighbors only use their attic for storage. Their very large house is in the morning sun's path, and often my first glimpse of light when I put up the curtain is this fire in their attic. This picture doesn't do it justice, but I have no upstairs windows facing that direction. I imagine an artist and model up there taking advantage of the chiaroscuro!

I moved these globes to a safe spot while I was organizing the girls' room yesterday.
The sunlight found them here.

I love all the seasons. Yes, winter, too. I love snow and snow activities. It is true, though, that in winter I seek the sun as often as I seek shade in summer. Maybe more, because sunlight in winter, and its play upon snow, is so beautiful.

This tree, so lovely bare in winter, is also our shade in summer.

The sun is shining this morning. I hope it's warm enough to thaw the frozen bathroom tap. This is the one thing that has been hard about this winter for me, trying to keep this hole in the ground heated.

At least I got some new copper bling...

Peace.

2009 So Far...

My favorite plate burst when I picked it up
from last night's party stack.

The cold water tap is frozen and the pipes may burst.
I put the space heater down in the hole!

My heart almost burst with joy and love,
seeing the girls create their own sledding fun!

Happy New Year!




Peace.