In case you haven’t heard, Western Washington has had some extreme weather lately. Long story short, we had a pretty decent snow storm Wednesday, followed by lots of frozen rain Wednesday night and all day Thursday. Thanks to a thick layer of ice coating EVERYTHING, we lost power early Thursday morning and didn’t recover it until Saturday night. We have a gas-powered fireplace and water heater so we weren’t suffering too terribly, but when you have a slight case of OCD (like me!), any deviance from the routine is cause for aggravation. Still, we made the best of our circumstances. My girlie and I did lots of bonding, I got quite a bit of reading done (mostly by Book Light), I fell in love with my WiP all over again, and I haven’t had to bother with makeup in nearly a week. 🙂 Thanks in large part to our awesome neighbors and my fantastic in-laws, we came out of Winter Storm 2012 just fine.
I bet you’re dying to see pictures…
It was fun(ish) at first…
And then things became a bit gloomy…
And then the ice struck…
So, we had to make the best of things…
Why yes, that *is* beer chilling on the back porch…
Chicken tacos by camp stove…
Catan by candlelight…
My girl was such a trooper…
Thank goodness for Princess Chutes and Ladders!
No power to run the fridge? Just put the perishables outside. It’s frigid out there anyway…
Still, much was lost…
Coming out on the other side… Is it summer yet?
So, what’s the weather been like where you live?
katyupperman.com 
Oh man, what a huge hassle! I literally would not know what to do in a snowstorm besides panic. I guess I’m a Florida girl through and through. We’re having a very warm winter. Only a few mild days here and there, but for the most part it’s been in the 80s, which is not ideal. I at least like to pretend it’s winter and that doesn’t make it very easy.
Meredith, my brother lives in Jacksonville and he was just bragging about his 80 degree weather on the phone today. You Floridians are so lucky! Despite my current geographical location, I’m a sunshine girl at heart!
Looks like you all had fun, at least 🙂 The weather in VA hasn’t been too bad this year (*knock on wood*). We had a dusting Friday night, but so far the biggest snow was a random storm on Halloween, and that was only about five inches.
Five inches is pretty good, at least around here. We’re used to rain, not snow. And while we did have *some* fun, I’m not sure I’d like to relive the past week. 🙂
Oh. My. Word!!! I do NOT miss that. I live in the deserts of Arizona now, and I don’t think I could ever leave. Born in FARGO, North Dakota and raised in Minneapolis, MN, then having lived in Colorado…I’ve seen my fair share of snow. I’ll stick to the desert now, thank you! 🙂 Stay safe.
Yowza… you’ve DEFINITELY seen your fair share of snow, Lynn! We lived in AZ for awhile (thank you, Army!) and while I didn’t like the city we were in, I loved the desert setting. I’d be happy to go back any time!
Wow! Your pictures make it look like fun, but I can see how it could get tiring after a couple days. We haven’t had much snow in VA yet, but it’s cold enough.
Yeah… I didn’t post pictures of the NOT fun parts, which was about 95% of the time. 🙂 I think I’m over the cold weather. Bring on spring!
Oh man, this is bringing back horrible memories of that Halloween snowstorm when we went without power for a week! I’m so glad you have the lights back on, Katy!! Being without power is fun for like, a few hours, and then you want to scream and cry. We had our beer and perishables out in the snow, too! You do what you have to. Cheers to you, and your girl, for being such troopers!!
Erin, I thought of you guys and your Halloween storm every time I felt like I was going to lose it. Thanks to gas, we at least had heat and hot water. It definitely could have been worse! And yeah… I’m actually kind of embarrassed to say that I put the beer in the snow BEFORE I bothered to put the milk and eggs out. Priorities. 🙂
Thank goodness you had heat and hot water!! That would have been quite a challenge otherwise. I swear the only reason we made it without was because we both hit up the gym for our showers! So glad you have power back!! (Oh, and the beer — I’m not one to judge. We likely did the same 😉 )
I might have snorted at the beer hanging out on the back porch. I like your thinking!
We started the snow on Tuesday up here, but then we didn’t get anymore after that. We just got all the wind from Canada, instead. Yay, -4 wind chill!
Eek. I am not a fan of wind. Or snow. Or rain, for that matter. Clearly, I’m living in the wrong state. 🙂 My husband and I are planning a trip to Vancouver in March. I suppose we’ll have to pack some warm, wind-proof jackets!
Ugh! I feel for you! Looks like you did quite well and had some fun at least! We’ve had a very mild winter in Minnesota — we’re just starting to see some frigid temps and snow. Today’s drive into work was slippery but overall we’re feeling pretty lucky — and the kids are feeling cheated. They haven’t gotten to use their new sleds that Santa brought! Maybe tonight.
Aww, no sled? Poor kiddos! If you’re wanting the snow, I’ll be glad to pass it your way. I think we’ve had our fill around here!
I live in Arlington so I know exactly what you went through 🙂 In some parts of our yard, we had over 18 inches, so pretty! But it was very chilly when the power was out for a bit and we had our fair share of cereal and sandwiches. Glad we’re back to school and almost back to normal 🙂
Yikes! 18 inches is pretty crazy! And yes, we had LOTS of cereal, mostly just to get rid of the milk! I’m with you: glad things are back to normal!
What an adventure! Kudos for the good attitude.
We had snow in NYC for the 2nd time this year on Saturday, and I’ll admit that I was excited. It’s been a freakishly mild winter here, which is a good and bad thing. I’m a WI girl so I like a little snow!
I’ve been hearing about NYC and the unseasonably warm temperatures. I can’t say I’m not just a little jealous… I’m a fan of mild winters. 🙂
you guys are such troopers! I’m a Florida girl but would have loved to have seen this for a week or so. I know…I’m a gluten for punishment. 🙂
My daughter and 3-year old grand-daughter live in Seattle and have sent some amazingly beautiful pictures. Thankfully, she didn’t lose a power. Another friend of mine lives near Mt. Ranier and she lost power for a while but it came back on last night. The pictures of the lake by her house were almost ethereal. Hopefully this will be the last of the horrible snow this year for you. You made some fabulous memories with your daughter.
We definitely made memories. My daughter thought it was all a great adventure. 🙂 And yes, the snow and ice were (at times) beautiful. Too bad they have the potential to make such a mess of things!
I’m sorry you lost power but glad you survived! Actually, being able to take time to read/write/bond with your daughter sounds great, though I bet it would have been nicer with electricity. That last photo is really pretty.
You’re right: there were times when the whole experience was a nice change of pace. I did get lots of reading and writing done, and spending extra time with my girl was a treat. But then I had to go to the bathroom in the dark and the whole illusion was shattered. 🙂
Wow! Glad you got your power back 🙂 I´m still impressed with you finding the silver lining in all this and while I´m sure it was not easy at every second, you managed!
You also have some lovely pictures and it seems your girlie got her positive attitude from her mama 🙂
The weather here is not bad, it´s not good…it´s hesitant, wondering if it should go back to Winter done or move on to Spring…
I say: Move on to Spring… everywhere, please! And yes, the whole experience was much more pleasant when we wore our happy faces. It was hard, but we made it work!
That last photo is lovely! And I’m glad your power’s back now. Where I live, it’s always raining. ALWAYS. But it looks like you had a bit of an adventure! 🙂
Thanks, Rida. 🙂 We’re used to the rain here too. Snow and ice are a whole different story!
Oh my goodness! Eek! Our winter has been very strange here in Chicago so far. Going back and forth between freezing cold and snowing, to almost 50 degrees and pouring. We even had a super loud thunderstorm last night – just two days after we got 8 inches of snow! What the heck?? LOL.
Sounds like your weather is having mood swings! We’ve had a really mild winter, for the most part. Hardly any rain, which is rare. I guess we were due for some extremes!
You girls were both troopers. 🙂 Next time call for a rescue! Great pics, though… I think it looks majestic instead of gloomy.
Oh, we didn’t need rescue this time, but if we ever do, I know who to call. Thanks, Kari! 🙂
Okay, I have to admit, I’ve been having fun giving a lot of grief to my cousins who live in Tacoma because they always enjoy giving a lot of grief to those of us living in Minnesota. But, being without power is no fun! At least now you have a fun story to tell. 🙂
It IS a fun story. 🙂 And yes, lack of power is certainly a challenge. So glad things are back to normal around here!
I love how our posts today were totally opposite. You were freezing with no power and I was vacationing in sunny Florida. Yikes.
I just can’t live where it gets cold. If that every happened here in CA I think I would have a nervous breakdown.
Your girlie is such a trooper!
You are lucky to have your SoCal sun! I’m admittedly a little envious. 🙂 And yes, I noticed that our posts are polar opposites today too. Trade me?
Being without power doesn’t sound fun in the first place, but I can’t imagine doing that with a child. At least you made the most of it. Tacos by camp stove and board games sound like a fun way to pass the time. Oh, and I love the first and photos!
Thanks, Tracey! Honestly, my girl made the who experience so much more tolerable. She kept me busy and demanded a positive attitude!
Wow. We did not get that much ice up here. Took the doggies for a walk twice a day in the snow. I let them off the leash since few cars were driving on the road. Your photos are gorgeous! Catan by candlelight… kinda wish we had lost power. Family always gets together when the power is out. Glad you and the little one were safe and warm!
It definitely could have been worse, Vickie! We actually took our dogs on walks too. They loved it, until they got home with cold paws. 🙂 And yes, Catan was fun! My first experience with that game!