When is a snow day not a snow day?

When it's a freezing rain day! A big snow storm was forecast for the area last night...and we got next to nothing. Less than a smattering. But we got lots of freezing rain. Which kind of looks like snow when it's on the ground anyway. But all the schools in the area are closed, so the kids got their first "snow day". We also have flooding in the pond today and after weeks of there being a layer of ice on the very very low water, we now have ice "bergs" floating around. I tried to take some photos this morning of the geese sitting on the ice and swans swimming around it but the light was too bad and they didn't come out. Lots of water has come up on to the lawn and I wonder if it will freeze solid and if we'll have our very own iceskating rink! Either way, I'm glad we didn't have to stand around at the bus stop in it!

Not to worry about not getting any snow though, as we are off to our friends' in Vermont this weekend skiing and celebrating 4 of our birthdays with a retro 70's fondue dinner...should be lots of fun! As for the skiing, well it will be interesting. We've only booked for one day of lessons as we left it a bit late and couldn't book for the Saturday, but probably just as well. Not sure how the kids will go (or me for that matter) but it should be fun. I am frantically trying to knit a lining for my beanie as I have discovered that it's not quite warm enough-especially for a day in the snow.

And although today is Valentine's Day, yesterday Matt and I celebrated our 14th wedding anniversary. He took me out for a very nice dinner at a very upmarket little Italian place. This time last year we were having a free dinner (that I won) at the exclusive Aria restaurant overlooking Sydney Harbour and the Opera house...funny what changes a year can bring. And now I have been married for more than 1/3 of my life. Quite remarkable. What young freshfaced babies we were back then.

Love you darling!