Monday, October 23rd - Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

Winter has finally arrived in Fairbanks! On Saturday night, the snow came. And it kept coming throughout the night. It wasn't heavy - merely flurries at times - but it covered the ground and the streets, and coated the tree limbs with up to three inches of snow. The photo at left is the view out of our guest room window. I took it yesterday morning. So gorgeous!

The first true snow of the season is always very exciting for me, despite the fact that I'll be looking at the white stuff for the next 6 months. The first snow transforms my world from dull and brown, to white and pure. As I type this entry, the snow is falling in tiny flakes. Just beautiful!

Before the snow came - early Saturday morning - the northern lights made another appearance. The only reason I saw them was because Steve was out handling some army *issues*, and he called me from the road to let me know they were dancing over our neighborhood. I set up my camera in our guest room and took photos of the lights through the bedroom window, before pulling on my robe and my hiking boots, and heading out into the yard to get a few more.

They weren't as bright and spectacular as the night I took Rachael down to the playground to take some photos, but it didn't matter. Anytime there's a light show, I am thrilled to see it. It was nearly 3am when I took these photos, and they were gone before 5am. I waited up all night for Steve to get home, and it was a lovely way to pass the time. Sedona seemed to enjoy her middle of the night romp in the yard too. It wasn't too cold outside either - a good thing since I was in lightweight pjs beneath my bathrobe. I should have worn some gloves though. The metal on my tripod was quite cold when I finally came back inside.

Yesterday (Sunday), Steve and I took Rachael out to breakfast. We originally planned to eat at The Bakery, but it was very crowded. The roads were in pretty good condition, considering the snowfall. I certainly don't have a problem driving slow on snowy/icy roads. If people want to go faster, they're welcome to pass me. We changed our game plan and ended up at The Cookie Jar. Any visit to The Cooke Jar for breakfast (with Steve), means that we are not going to get out of there without some cinnamon buns and cookies. They are absolutely yummy!

Rachael and I took a drive to the Chena River after breakfast, while Steve headed home to catch the baseball game. The river behind Pioneer Park is a known place for ducks to hang out. They stay there later in the season than most other places, and we were hoping they'd still be around despite the snow. They were, and they were a noisy bunch!

Rachael got some video footage of them. I swear they sounded like there were doing that "Aflac" commercial! When they saw us standing up on the riverbank, a few made their way towards us. I wonder if they thought we were going to feed them. I actually wished I had something to offer them, so they'd come closer. I think I'm going to go back with my longer lens and get some more photos.

After our visit with the ducks, we went to the movies to see Flicka. What a great family-friendly film! After seeing the movie, I wanted to get a horse (or two). I don't think that's going to happen - Steve's not even receptive to getting another dog or cat! - but it was nice to dream a little. If you're looking for a movie to see with your kids, with a feel-good story line, and some scenes that might make your eyes get a bit teary - go see Flicka. (That concludes my movie review of the day. *grin*)

After the movie, Steve and I took Sedona out for a walk in the wooded area near our house. I took my camera so I could get some photos. Sedona just loves the snow, and chases the snowballs that Steve throws at her, even though they disappear in the surrounding snow.

The landscape is wonderful in its 'black and white' glory. Some people have asked me if I de-saturated the photos I took and made them black and white, but I haven't (except for the photo of Steve and me below). The world here truly becomes a black and white and gray world when the snow falls!

Steve was off today (training holiday), and we went to Lowe's to look at some things for the new house. We're so excited about moving, but a little stressed too. I want to get some closet organizers for my new (huge) bedroom closet, and we checked out our options. While there, we picked up some new lamps for the living room, some light-blocking drapes - on sale - for the bedroom (not needed in winter, but a definite necessity in summer), and some paint chips and color charts. I am so excited about decorating and making the house "ours".

There is still the possibility that we could make settlement by the end of the month, but I have a feeling it will be sometime in early November. No matter when it is, we will need a couple of weeks to get moved and to get this house ready for the move-out inspection. As long as we're settled by Thanksgiving I'll be happy. It will be so wonderful to have Thanksgiving dinner in a brand new house. If our Stryker Brigade soldiers aren't home, I plan to have Rachael over for dinner.

I can't believe that we'll actually be living here in the Fairbanks area! I have wanted to stay in Alaska since arriving here in 2003. And now our dream is coming true!