Fall Is Here, Definitely!

I love this time of year! The colors this year are incredible and it makes me cherish and be thankful every single day. I find myself driving certain streets to see those particular leaves. I drove to my old (new) job and the drive there was magical. I don't recall seeing the colors so bright for so long~usually it's rained the leaves down or even snowed them down when they've been this bright. Just gorgeous.

And speaking of gorgeous (nice segway, eh?)

Snow Day!

I know, everyone is talking about the weather, but bear with me. I happen to love it. It's about time Michigan look like it's supposed to look in the winter time! We had the day off school of course and I waited for the plow guy to come do our driveway before we went out.

He plowed the snow onto the sides of our driveway providing for excellent sledding and climbing hills for the girls! Thanks plow guy!

I shoveled then and only had to do the sidewalk and the walk to the front door (and find the porch).

It's much easier to shovel when the snow is just below your waist. Luckily the snow was fluffy. It still took an hour. We definitely got a lot of snow.

Unfortunately I realized that our trash can is trapped on the one side of the house too. It's too heavy to move and the snow is almost to my knees over there. We have some great drifts! If all else fails, we'll just put bags by the roadside on trash day and forego the can. Geesh!

After playing and shoveling, we came in to dry off. The girls immediately got into pajamas instead of clothes. Silly girls. I grabbed the special ingredients for our after-playing-in-the-snow treat. Are you thinking "hot chocolate"? Ha! Hot chocolate (I say with a smirk), we eat hot chocolate for breakfast around here! (Really, we did have it for breakfast today). Today, we get to have "Blizzard Ice Cream"! That's right. You know what they say, "When life hands you snow, make ice cream!" Or something like that.

So, get a big bowl of fresh, top layer, fluffy *white* snow. Here, "big" = 4 quart bowl.

Top with a can of sweetened condensed milk and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.

Mix.

Really fast.

Eat. Listen to your children say "This is better than the store bought ice cream!" Sit back full of satisfaction and smile. What a great snow day!

Also, I think it's time this came down now :)

Disclaimer: Derek checked online and read somewhere (probably his website that he claims has all the correct facts ;P) that you shouldn't eat more than a cup of snow per year because of toxins. Well, I'm thinking that after a blizzard, the air is pretty well scrubbed. Plus, if you only make this after a blizzard, hopefully you only eat this once a year! Enjoy!

Where am I? What season is it?

This was a scene in my neighborhood yesterday:

How very fall-like.

Today? It's currently 89 degrees (F) and feels like 96 degrees, and is windy but 57% humidity (but feels worse if you ask me). You can't breathe out there and the wind just pushes the wall of humidity in your face more. It's weird! The good news is that it's supposed to thunderstorm again here tonight. Last night there was weird heat lightening going on-lots of it. Ah, Michigan, you are such a weather tease.

I tried fall/winter clothes on the girls today. My little Goosie, who is 4 1/2, has some size 4 pants that don't fit anymore, and some that are too big. But she only has 5 pair to wear or grow into. Shirts? Enough to start the season in, but none to end it in (or wear in between!)

Peanut, who will be 3 in September, has some size 2 pants that she can wear still (overalls and leggings) that she can start the season in, tons of size 3 pants and shirts from big sister, but the pants are all too big, especially in the waist. :/ Should be an interesting season for her!