A nor'easter storm hit our area on Thursday. School was canceled, streets flooded, trees toppled and power lines came down. Our house is on a hill so we were fine but we did lose power which makes for long days with three kiddos home for an impromptu four-day weekend. The storm kept us indoors all of Thursday so we painted and Abigail came up with this clever idea for stationary - perfect for our next letter to grandma.
We ate well because we managed to bake two pies early Wednesday before the power went out for good.
Then we saw this post about making stuffies on Hip Mountain Mama's blog and knew that some handsewing was in order. Ezra worked on a relief map for school while David and Abigail sorted through hundreds of buttons, dozens of ribbon scraps and just the right color felt for their "sweater stuffie." Yes, these are made from the sleeves of an old sweater. After a good hour of planning and design we began to sew - constructing 'Sam' and 'Lizzy."
Here they are - having survived two days of non-stop play and love. (It was way to dark to take photos indoors)
On Friday the storm broke and we ventured out for a walk.
Even Shadow the kitty was feeling restless and decided to join us.
He checked out the neighbors' mailbox...
While the canine members of our family stopped for refreshments.
Ezra and David stopped to shoot some baskets - but abandoned the game once their ball rolled into the muddy woods.
And I got to air out my no-nonsense "there's mud everywhere" boots.
Finally, on Friday evening the power came back on, everyone took a warm bath, and dad came home with Chinese food. We stuffed our bellies and spent the rest of the evening snuggling on the sofa and recalling all that we were able to do without electricity. After the kiddos went to bed, Greg and I went right back to snuggling on the sofa while watching The Namesake. We absolutely loved this film about finding one's place in the world.
We concluded that huge storms are not so much fun, but two extra days of rest and play are not so bad. Not bad at all.
Sam and Lizzie are just so adorable! Well done! Although one would never wish a terrible storm to appear, the side effect of having no power for just a day or two would do us no harm at all! Reading by candlelight and spending time just being with your family - heaven!
So glad you suffered no damage to your home and hope your neighbourhood is recovering. Now I'm off to find all those board games we USED to play!!!!!
Posted by: Helen McNaught | November 15, 2009 at 04:14 AM
How fun for you all. Some of my best memories growing up were when the power went out due to a snowstorm. We bbq'd dinner, sat and read stories to each other by candlelight, played card, talked and laughed. It's great when mother nature conspires to force us to slow down for a few days.
Posted by: Andrea | November 15, 2009 at 10:09 AM
wow...you guys really got the brunt of the storm. we had lots of rain and some wind, but nothing like your storm. those stuffies are so fun! What a great idea to help fill the time. It's sunny here today...I hope it's shining on you guys too!
Posted by: Lisa Q | November 15, 2009 at 02:04 PM
To be a child again ~ days off from school to play and have fun!
Love those Stuffies or whatever you called them. So cute and look like they will be well loved.
Posted by: MrPuffy | November 15, 2009 at 06:57 PM
only a prepared mom can make it through surprise storms that bring power outtages. goodies to eat, projects to create, and love to pass the time are all a tribute to one great mom! so glad all is well at your house on the hill.
Posted by: kristyn | November 15, 2009 at 07:18 PM
You made something beautiful happen from a terrible storm...wonderful.
Posted by: theresa/ t does wool | November 15, 2009 at 09:36 PM
Way to go making these days fun for your kids! Sam and Lizzy are adorable! I love how you used the sweater arms...I may have to do this next time...and the button mouths, just adorable!
Posted by: Hip Mountain Mama | November 15, 2009 at 09:47 PM
That sounds like an amazing way to spend some indoor time together. I love your snuffies, and that might be have a to be a family project for this week!
Hope this week is a little bit milder, weather wise, for all of you
Posted by: Heather | November 16, 2009 at 11:31 AM
It sure sounds like you made the best of a not so great situation!
Posted by: beki | November 16, 2009 at 01:45 PM
Sounds like you knew just what to do. We've only one or two power outages and I thought I'd go CRAZY. I was completely unprepared! Thanks for the link to the stuffies too. My daughter would LOVE one.
Posted by: AJ | November 16, 2009 at 04:20 PM
It honestly sounds like lots of fun to me. I look forward to a snow storm or two so that I can stay home without making excuses and do absolutely nothing...but knit or needlepoint!
Posted by: Beth | November 17, 2009 at 06:54 PM
the stuffies are so great, and what a wonderful way to spend a couple of gloomy days.
Posted by: Sandy | November 17, 2009 at 08:24 PM