We're alive... ALIVE!

Yes, we made it to Utah. CM is an accomplished driver in snow and ice. As it was, at least one mountain pass closed and blocked our way, so we had to take the trip in two days rather than one. But we are here, alive, and we actually arrived in time to score some smörgåsbord goodies. NOM NOM NOM.

"I'm eating some of that too, bub."

AND ALSO, today is Captain Midnight's birthday! Be sure to wish him a happy Big 42 if you see him around.

Captain Midnight is my hero. He is manly and twinkly-eyed. He loves to tease. Also he is smart enough to figure out any birthday chase... EXCEPT THIS YEAR'S!!! Muahahaha.

The frosty view from my door

Remember that snow we were supposed to have in spades yesterday?

It came today.
Captain Midnight spent most of the morning shoveling out the long driveway, in manly fashion. Here he enlists Miss V to spell him off. (That didn't last long, by the way.)

The back yard, with a tiny sliver of the state highway showing on the left. (Can't see it? Neither could I, and I live here.) Not only was it literally dead at this hour (11 a.m.), but a couple of drivers had abandoned their cars right along the edge of the highway.

Around here, there are two types of people unused to driving in snow. There are the timid grannies who trundle along at 5 mph, and then there are the foolhardy drivers who think they are immune to the laws of physics regarding bodies in motion just because they are driving trucks and SUVs. When the former meet the latter, there are inevitably crashes and spin-outs. The multiple accidents and numerous abandoned vehicles, far more than the actual state of the snowy roads, are what make it impossible to get anywhere in the Puget Sound area after a snowstorm.

We're still planning on leaving for Utah tomorrow. Should be an adventure.

Yes yes yes! and other positives

Well, it was a belt repair. Still set us back more than I'd like, but the repair man was polite, friendly, knew his stuff and actually CAME EARLY. If anyone in the Puget Sound area is looking to hire someone to fix your appliance, let me officially recommend Rob's Appliance Service.

And now the washer, she washes! Woohoo! Just in the nick of time, too.

Based solely on the weather forecasts, Miss V's school district declared it a snow day (even though we had no snow all day and, in fact, only have frost on the ground right now). We appear to be in some strange weather bubble wherein the snow shies away from us -- to the north and south and west, people are getting dumped on, but for the nonce we are all serene and snow-free here. It's more than a little bizarre. Anyway, Miss V took advantage of the enforced vacation day to goof off at her friends' houses and generally have a good time. While I took advantage of her absence to get stocking stuffers, muahaha.

I can hear her right now, muttering things in her sleep.

Oh yes, wish us luck -- we're going to attempt to drive into the maelstrom on Friday (or possibly even Thursday afternoon) in hopes of getting to Utah for Christmas. I do not fancy sliding all over the roads, so I'm hoping for clear driving conditions (or, barring that, good snow chains).

No, no, no no no NO NO NO!

I ask you, how is a laundry fairy supposed to function when her washing machine goes on the fritz?

I wish I could say this were a rhetorical question.

Alas, this to my wondering eyes did appear when I went to take the dark load out of the washer earlier this evening. Still full of water from this morning. Made noises, but would not agitate and would not drain.

I hope this is a simple and relatively inexpensive fix, like a belt repair. Please let it be a belt repair.

Yes, I know, there's no convenient time for things like this to happen. I also know I could sling all this into a bucket, put it into the bathtub, add soap and hot water, remove my shoes and dance about like a possessed winemaker to get them clean. Which I will probably do if the washer can't be repaired right away. But in the interim, sad fairy.

I suppose I should be prepared to hie myself down to the Seelie Court Laundromat for the next few days. Would rather be Christmas shopping!

We need a little Christmas right this very minute

Our home is currently in a state of flux. All the fall holiday stuff is taken down, but the Christmas related decorations are still a bit meager -- the tree is out with nothing but a star atop it, no wreath on the door yet, etc., etc. SO! It is time to work some minor holiday alchemy as taught me by my wise and nifty mother. No dollar-store potpourri here!

How to Make Your House Smell Like Christmas
(by Soozcat's Talented Mom)

1. In a small pot, assemble the following: the peel of an orange, ten to twelve whole cloves, one or two cinnamon sticks, and as many green cardamom pods as you can afford. (If you have only powdered spices, you can certainly use them instead, and I've also had good results from adding some fresh or dried ginger to the pot. It should look like this:)
2. Cover with a few inches of water.
3. Place pot over the fire and let it come to a boil. Once it boils, bring it down to a slow simmer.

That's it. You can carry it around the house if you want it to waft its spicy citrusy scent everywhere. Just don't keep it on a high boil or leave it unattended, because it can boil itself dry and you'll lose your pot. Do not ask me how I know this. :(

This little trick smells SO good. You can fiddle with the spices a bit, and you can also use the peel from an apple instead, but try this combination first. It will last for several days; just keep topping up the water and bringing it back to a boil.

By the way, if you're looking for a source of inexpensive whole spices and there is an Indian grocery anywhere near you, hie you thence immediately. Bulk spices from India smell wonderful and cost far less than those pernicious little jots of spice they sell in tiny glass jars for alarming prices at the supermarket.

Tired feet

My dogs are barking. Miss V and I went Christmas shopping today, and I'm beat. I suspect that girl can out-shop anyone I know. We did get a number of gifties, but I think I may have to reiterate that "Christmas shopping" usually means "shopping for other people," not "shopping for oneself." She now has several new manga books and a few Daiso goodies to enjoy.

It was cold this evening and the clouds were out, rendering the sunset a moody slate blue with a few jagged streaks of vermilion red on the horizon -- gorgeous. After sunset the clouds all disappeared, leaving a crescent moon and a few bright stars visible outside the mall.

In future I think I will try to be well-hydrated and properly shod in preparation for an all-day shopapalooza with V.