[emjay]

Hello all,
Hope everyone is where they need and want to be, and enjoys the storm tomorrow from the comfort and safety of a warm home. Our church even cancelled the service for tomorrow.

I plan to make a big pot of soup, hang out and play with the kids and DH and then watch a family movie in the afternoon. If there is a less "blizzardy" time when it's snowing, we'll go outside to enjoy the winter wonderland for a bit.

And you?...

- Maura

[Opus]

We just got finished with a big breakfast and were now finishing up with a few chores. A little later I get to do a little shovelling while DW and the kids play a few games. Popcorn and a movie this afternoon, let it snow!

Anyone else?

[Ktates]

DH plows for the town. He just came home after leaving at 5:30 this am...So it was a looooooong day at home with my daughter and 2 dogs. Especially since we were all up earlier than usual. At about 4pm we were all going nutso so I packed my daughter up in her snow gear and put her in a backpack carrier I have - I wasn't sure she would fit with all the stuff on - she looked like a hot pink oompa loompa. Then we took the dogs for a walk. Mama got a work out and we all got some fresh air. As my daughter said "home - nice and warm"...

[Opus]

All said and done, we got 19" here in Waltham. Of course, the good news was how nice and light the snow was (good for daddy's back). The down side - lousy for snowballs and snowmen, which bummed our kids out to no end. What they did find amusing was jumping off our retaining wall and into a 6' snow drift - luckily they were dressed for such daring activity (although DW questioned my parenting skills for allowing it, LOL). It was great seeing them play so well together because it was getting pretty dicey after spending a whole day inside (how do you spell cabin fever?).

Karen - I'm sure your husband had a busy day yesterday. My next door neighbor plows for a couple of towns in the area and does residences, too. He had a 14 hour day yesterday and when I saw him driving in he said all he wanted was a hot shower, a couple of aspirins and a stiff drink (and that his kids were in bed).

Maura - did you get your kids out yesterday?

[crick]

Did anyone make snow taffy/candy? I was a young un in 1976 when a big Christmas Blizzard hit back east. We were at my Nana's house in Peabody and built the biggest fort/tunnels ever and then warmed up with homemade hot chocolate and the snow candy.

Ahhh....memories!!!

Hope you all are staying warm and your backs are okay!

[Opus]

OK, Crick, would that be Peebahdy?

[crick]

LOL! Not according to my dad, a native. He said it really fast and like "Peebuddy"...can't say "Buddy" like normal though, gotta be fast so it's almost like "Peebiddy" but not so short on the I sound. It's a trick to master, that's for sure! ROFL!

Did the whole state get hammered? Or more the northern part?

[Opus]

That's it, Crick! Most folks around here say Peebiddy - sort of rolls off your tongue. The Brahmins say it differently. The accent is a funny thing - my Aunt Irene from Michigan hated it when we called her Ahnt she much preferred Ant.

As far as the snow goes, pretty much the whole state got it. From what I've heard it was worst toward RI & CT.
I'd be curious to hear what Andy got up in NS because I heard they got hammered, too.

[crick]

Funny...because I get a lot of kidding here in CO for saying "Ahnt". Here it's mostly "Ant". But, what can I say? My dad had the accent and passed it along.

You guys got hammered last year too! I'm still waiting for the big snow. Had an early blizzard in October and not much since. The mountains are getting it but not us. Bummer...because that means a May blizzard for us and I hate those heavy wet spring snows that kill all the budding growth.

Now...who is gonna go to Salem for me and send me some taffy?? I miss that stuff!!!

[Opus]

I think Karen (ktates) is the closest to Salem, so maybe she can help you out. The best salt water taffy I ever had was on the Cape, Harwichport I think.

[emjay]

Hey all -
Well, we got some of our planned activities in, but no outside time due to an unplanned one - Danny had a stomach bug, and Erin had been coughing much of the night before. So we did the movie and soup and lots of cuddles - and cleanups . D's on the mend today and E's all better - she was out this AM while DH finished the snow clearing - she was rolling and rolling in the fluffy stuff.

Opus - I like the sound of the "drift jumping".

Karen - I'm sure Eric's wiped out today, and I know how cute your little girl is in pink - I can picture the oompa loompa.

Crick - love taffy, haven't had it in years - bad for the teeth but great for the soul. And yep, that would be PEEbiddy, wouldn't it?

- Maura

[Ktates]

When I was little I was in Buffalo NY for the blizzard of 1977? I think it was 77 - I just remember it was so bad they actually made a board game out of it!!!!

Maura - that does not sound like a fun day at home...the only being that gets sick around here is one of my dogs...I swear I have cleaned up more after him than the rest of the family combined!

I think I am the closest to Salem - next time I'm there Crick I will get you some taffy.

"drift jumping" that sounds like it should be an Olympic sport!!!

[crick]

Awwww...thanks! My Nana would send that stuff all the time along with these recipes and cook books for my mom to make REAL New England dinners. My mom would give them to my dad and say "your mom doesn't think I can cook!" he he.

Sigh...I'm living in the wrong state...