WINTER IN THE HIGH DESERT

Moist air and subzero temps make a delicate hoar frost

I've decided the snow speaks a different language here. It squeaks and groans when pressed upon. Wide radial tires or tiny booted feet. No matter, even when it's 2 inches deep. And mother nature giggles to herself as she sculpts intricate crystal lace on every vertical surface under heaven.


Ever seen an inch long hoar frost? It's a crazy beautiful thing in the bright morning light.

Winter came down to our house Thursday night. It twirled and twizzled gently on silver-toed skates and we are all kids again.

Teens wished for a snow day from school and just an hour or two later it might've been. Our car spun breathtaking donuts on 6 inches of snow over a sheet of ice in several roundabouts between home and early morning Seminary. But the next best thing, Early Release really did come true, allowing busses more time to return children home on much slower roads. And now we all know how every mile is two in winter.

In the last 2 days central Oregon has had a record breaking 30 inches of snow gridlocking neighborhoods and making highways impassable. With no snowplow service we towed Brett's sedan out to a main road where he worked up enough mojo to skate his way across the valley to the airport. The forecast said he'd likely not make it home that afternoon, which he didn't. And once our all wheel drive SUV could no longer float the sea of snow we too became snow bound. 

After the storm

Heavy storm warnings were issued Friday night through Sunday morning, and a group of teenagers had to be dug out at midnight and set adrift on spinning, floating wheels to unclog our driveway. City sports and all local events were cancelled yesterday while the Deputy Sheriff's office advised everyone to stay off roadways until warmer temperatures could melt the snow. Even church was cancelled for the safety of ward members today.

The funnest part of this storm is how so much snow awakens the inner child in us all!  Perpetual Mormon Mocha on the stove. Doorways piled kneedeep in winter wear shed and unshed by sledders and skiers and igloo building snowangels, pausing just long enough to pitstop or thaw frozen limbs, eat something warm and head out again. 

Because all our plans were cancelled, we've huddled together to watch Olympic greatness, read stories, thumb through scrapbooks and completely exhaust our stores of fingerfoods.

It's what's fun as junk about roadtripping, or dogpiling, or sleeping eleven people in an 8 man tent. Squishing up for warmth and comfort. It’s one thing families are made for. 

However magical, or icycle your winter is falling... in the depth of it we hope you find within you an invincible summer. 

Love from Bend,

Jonell

Aunt Nellie's Feel Good Mormon Mocha

2 Tablespoons melted butter

2 Tablespoons organic cocoa powder
1 Tablespoon Pero or Postum

1-2 Tablespoons honey

1 quart rice milk or almond milk

1 13 ounce can coconut milk

1/4 cup stevia

Blend and simmer.  Cheers!