Saturday, February 5, 2011

Winter in The Mitten

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Michigan (The Mitten State) is known for it's long, cold winters and Lake Effect snow.  Sometimes it's hard for me to find the beauty in the long months of cold, but I try.  I guess it makes me appreciate Summer that much more.
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Winter in The Mitten means:  A few good storms. 
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{ the view out my front door after the snow had stopped 2.2.11}
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This past week we had a HUGE blizzard.  The media dubbed this storm the Groundhog Day Dump.  I got home from work Tuesday night just as the storm was starting.  By the next morning there were 17" of snow on the ground!
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{ crazy drift on my deck }
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I laughed when I opened my curtains and found this huge pile of snow on my deck!  I've never seen more than 12" of snow here and the wind made for a really unusual shape.
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{ drift outside my garage door }
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The official reading out at the airport was 16" of snow.  We missed beating the all time snowiest 24 hour period from '78 by 1/10"! 
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Winter in The Mitten means:  Enjoying the rare sunny days.
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The day after the big storm was a beautiful sunny day with one of the prettiest blue skies I can remember.  It's not unusual for us Michiganders to go weeks in the Winter without seeing the sun.  It makes for long, gloomy days.  I'm always amazed how much better my mood is when the sun is out.
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I was still snowed in, so I went outside to take pictures with the sun shining on the frosted branches.
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Winter in The Mitten means:  knitting & sewing
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{ Another Baby Surprise Jacket on the needles }
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Cold snowy nights always make me want to work on a knitting project.  There's not much else to do!  I've also been sewing quite a bit lately.
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{ the makings of a Valentine's wreath }
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I was working on this wreath yesterday afternoon and my machine got all messed up and I wasn't able to fix it.  I don't know what I'm going to do if it is broken!  I have several projects in the works - I need my machine!  Ugh.
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Winter in The Mitten means:  cross country skiing!
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My Mom & I went cross country skiing last weekend - it was so much fun!  I can't believe I haven't done this more often.  It felt so good to be outside in the fresh air.  I plan to go a lot more often from now on.  It's definitely one way to enjoy winter!
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For anyone in the Grand Rapids area:  We went cross country skiing @ L.E. Kaufman (AKA Palmer Park).  I can't recommend it enough.  It's $8.00 to rent your skis or $2.00 if you bring your own.
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{ my Mom }
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Last but not least...
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Winter in The Mitten means:  nightly hot chocolate or vino.
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{ hot chocolate with homemade marshmallows }
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I have to be honest...I usually choose the wine over hot chocolate!  Warms me right up.
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To see the warmer side of Michigan, visit my post "Summer in The Mitten"
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31 comments:

  1. What a great post! I was borned in Michigan, but my family moved to the South when I was a child, so I consider myself a southern. However, I still have many relatives there. I've been thinking of starting a Surprise Baby Jacket so I went back and read your previous post about it. I need to search through my stach and see what would work. Keep warm and
    Best,
    Susan

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  2. Love it! With school being closed for 3 days I had 3 days off to get outside and take some photos too! Love the post! It really highlights many of the things we get to appreciate in with our long winter days!

    Chas

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  3. What gorgeous photos! THIS is the kind of winter I like. I miss XC skiing!

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  4. those are some great pictures. I'm in Central Indiana and we got 2 inches of ice. If I had ice skates I could skate on our front lawn, so i would almost trade you for your 17 inches of snow. Hope you are staying nice and warm.

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  5. Gorgeous pictures Alissa! The snow is really pretty when it first falls. Everything is so quiet. It's as if someone pressed the mute button on the world. LOL!
    Living in Georgia now, where we don't get much snow(this year being an exception) I've come to really appreciate the beauty of it all. When I was a kid living in NJ one day we had a lot of rain followed by a snow/ice storm and our back yard was transformed into an ice rink. My mom went out and bought us all ice skates and we had the best time skating(falling) in our backyard. It's one of my best memories. Your pictures reminded me of that day. Thank-you for sharing your snow pics.

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  6. I never get tired of looking at your amazing photography...you made me feel right there with you and all that snow ; )

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  7. I didn't realize you were in MI, I grew up in Michigan and moved to Minneapolis for work 4 years ago. I mis Michigan so much! We have had a fair share of awful snow storms this winter too! Hope you are staying warm and having fun! Are you from East side or west? I grew up in Grand Rapids (Grandville area).

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  8. As always your pictures are terrific. I have never lived where it snows but if it looked that beautiful all winter I could consider it.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Traci

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  9. Alissa, your pictures are just gorgeous.You really should give us all a post on photography tips. They are amazingly clear.

    I can't imagine waking up to that much snow. It's really quite beautiful when it's so fresh!

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  10. Here in Cincinnati, we had more snow this AM but just a dusting and now it's all slush. Great pics...I def need to get that f1.8. Enjoy your weekend & the wine....

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  11. If it makes you feel any better, I live in East Texas where snow is a rarity. We have gotten it (no more than 6 inches) two years in a row and it's been delightful!! Yesterday, as we were walking to a friend's house, I thought it would be awesome to be able to ski over there-- I have done it once before and it was so fun and a great work-out. In a way, I'm envious-- not of the cold, but the snow and the fun that comes with it.

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  12. Great pictures Ali! You look great!

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  13. What great photography! I am on the other side of the lake in chicago and our backyard looks very similar. Thanks for sharing - you have me interested in cross country skiing.

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  14. I do not miss the snow! I moved out of Michigan after I graduated College in 2006. My parents and sister still live in the Ann Arbor area. They reported lots of Snow Days last week.

    I do miss the Michigan summers though!

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  15. Great post, Beege! The pictures of the icy branches are gorgeous. Can't wait to go cross country skiing together when I come home! I think I'm going to warm up and go check out the summer ones now...get myself pumped for some grand haven days soon!!

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  16. I choose wine over hot chocolate too! Cheers! :)

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  17. What a beautiful post Alisa! Cross country skiing is so good for you. Here's to a good glass of wine.

    -Rene

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  18. Beautiful photos! Well, the snow sure LOOKS gorgeous, and cross country skiing is so much fun!
    On the central coast yesterday, my little neighbor was out playing in the sprinklers:)

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  19. I live in snOhio so I feel your pain! I recieved a really nice wine cooler as a wedding gift, but lately... I've been considering just leaving my bottles out in the snow. Its freezing out there!

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  20. hey! i`m reading all your blog, it`s very interesting all your creations. (sorry about my english, it is so bad.. i know)
    Congrats for your updates, and I want see something about your professional work.
    I am student of architecture.

    Hughs from Argentina and enjoy the snob!, here is soo hot.

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  21. I guess I should be counting my lucky stars. We didn't get nearly that much show. Only about 10-12 here. And can't wait to see your valentine's project. And cross country skiing? Is there anything you can't do. You even look beautiful while doing it.

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  22. Sadly no snow here, just rain, buckets of rain! Your photos are so amazing! All that snow, wow! It seems to have hit everywhere except on the west coast! Knitting and sewing, fun-fun!

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  23. What a beautiful Winter Wonderland!!

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  24. OMG that's a lot of snow!
    I'm glad you laughed, I'm not sure I would have been able to muster much more than a whimper.
    The pictures are terrific. I'm all about the pictures!

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  25. You have a lot more snow than we do. I am really feeling the Winter blues. I need sunlight. Looks like you certainly make the most of it:)

    Amy R.

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  26. Cross country skiing and so close to home. Lucky you. what a gorgeous day! blessings on your day, Alissa.

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  27. snow is soooo beautiful! but i can't function in it...which is why I live in AZ... lovve love lovvve these pictures!

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  28. stunning photos! makes me want to live in the mitten state!

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  29. Coming to you from Dani! I am a Michigan girl (now living in Ohio) and love this post!! Thanks for sharing!! hugs, Cathy

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  30. Wow what a lot of snow, it meant you got to treat us to some gorgeous photos, which make it look so inviting.

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