Debra LaValley's Blog

Winter in New Hampshire

We are having a “average” New Hampshire winter this year. This is fine with me. There have been snow – but we are in the normal range. Last year, we had hardly any snow and the couple years before that we had heavy snow. So far, I have been pleased. I don’t mind snow at all – especially in reasonable levels.

It is hard to believe that it is already February! Soon, the local eagle pair will be tending their nest and chick(s). I have had many eagle sightings. Check out my Flickr photos stream for photos. I saw an owl at lunch the other day. Of course, I did not have a camera with me, and it was in a spot that would have been hard to get to without being hit by a car. I still hope that I will see one in a place that is conducive to snapping photos.

It is a little cool today – but not bad, and the wind is not blowing. I will be leaving shortly to see what photo ops are out there.

Enjoy your day!

Happy New Year!

A new fresh year – 2017!  January 1st was a beautiful sunny day with fairly mild temperatures for January.  The above snowman was built December 31st by Diana Nevers and family – but I noticed it lost its head yesterday, due to the warm weather.

The lawns are covered by a blanket of snow – everything is white. Fitting to signify the start of a brand new year. I do not make resolutions – I guess that is my resolution. Like many others – I would like to lose weight and get more exercise – but I am not making a resolution. It is what it is, and I have been struggling with my weight for most of my life.

I went to the movies to see ROGUE ONE – A Star Wars Story with friends and my mom. It was good. I will not say more because I don’t want to give away anything. I had heard some say it was better than any of the original Star Wars (Episode 4, 5, 6). I would not go that far – but it is very good.

After the movies, I stopped by and picked up my sister Jackie to visit over my mom’s for the rest of the afternoon and have supper together. I dropped her off and popped home to grab my camera and saw one of the local eagles again and snapped a few photos.

Today, the Christmas tree comes down. I usually take it down 1/1 – but I was too busy and have today off for the holiday. The rest of the decorations will come down little by little during the week. I have been saying that I am going to vacuum for days and haven’t – so that is one of my next things to do today. It is another glorious day – mild and sunny. I need to squeeze in another Eagle Loop. I have been very lucky with sightings over the past few days. I hope I am as lucky for the official New Hampshire Audubon Winter Eagle Count that I am a volunteer (1/14/17 is the day).

Well, I better get to those chores! Happy New Year, Everyone! May it be filled with much Happiness, Love, and Health!

Debbie 🙂

Happy Birthday to Me!

Christmas was very nice with family and lots of yummy food. Today, is my birthday, and I had heard the eagle pair were sighted Christmas Day in one of their favorite trees. I spent about an hour this morning doing my “Eagle Loop” and only saw an eagle – high above in the thermals.

I went to Concord to get Jackie and Aunt Mary Jane for my party at my mom’s. I took one more pass at the tree with Aunt Mary Jane and Jackie in the car and lucked out. The male of the local eagle pair was sitting in the tree (Orange A/4). I was able to snap some shots that were pretty good. It have gotten pretty cloudy and dark by mid-afternoon.

It was a treat to see my buddy A/4 . . . a great birthday present!

Debbie 🙂

Christmas is Almost Here!

It looks like we will have a white Christmas – unless tomorrow’s rain melts the snow that we have on the ground today.  We have a few inches on the ground and snow is falling now.  Growing up – a green Christmas was rare.  It seems for the last ten years or so – a green Christmas has been standard.  Last year, Christmas Day was in the 60s!  I remember the neighbor’s kids running down the street barefoot.

We have been having arctic weather so the snow today is very fluffy.  I am happy that it is a Saturday – so I don’t have to be in a hurry to go anywhere.  I will be leaving my house late morning to go to my mom’s.  If the snow is very light and fluffy – I may not need the snowblower.  I hate shoveling – but if it is only a few fluffy inches – I can just push it away easily which is easier than maneuvering the heavy snowblower.

I only have a couple quick gifts to pick up and my Christmas shopping is finished!  Last night, I was wrapping presents.

Food has been EVERYWHERE!  I am trying to control my eating.  I am chubby enough.  At our potluck at work this week, a woman in my department brought in her onion pie.  It is so good.  Here is the recipe.

Caroline’s Vidalia Onion Pie
1 cup Ritz crackers, crumbled fine
1/2 stick butter, melted
2 cups Vidalia onions, diced
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
1 T. butter (for sauteing onions)
2 eggs
3/4 cup milk
1/4 tsp. salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray bottom of pie plate with Crisco nonstick spray (optional). Mix cracker crumbs with 1/2 stick butter and press into bottom of pie plate. Saute onions in 1 T. butter until translucent, not brown. Spoon into pie plate. Beat eags and milk with salt; pour over onions. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake for 30 minutes or until knife comes out clean.

Enjoy your Week!  Christmas is in 8 days!

First Measurable Snow of the Year

The Concord area had about 2.2 inches of snow today. I don’t mind snow in reasonable amounts, and 2.2 inches is a reasonable amount. I detest snow removal – so if it comes down in a reasonable amount – I can deal with it.

It certainly is welcome around Christmas. The snow really makes the Christmas lights pop.

Tonight – after work – I put my boots on and packed up my camera and tripod and snapped some different angles of beautiful downtown Penacook. Here are a couple more angles for your enjoyment.  Also, check out the new gazebo!

I was up early today and at work a little after 7:00. I was opening up for folks working overtime. We have been very busy – job security. I snapped a photo of this chicken on our reception desk. I was waiting to let people in the building. I was the manager on site.

The thrill this morning was about 20 or so mini-rail cars getting ready for a weekend trip. They were starting from our building and heading north to Lincoln. I have always thought these rail cars look like great fun.

I let them use our restrooms so they were extra grateful. They clanged their bells and blew their whistles as they headed out. Below is a link to the video that I shot when they left.

Enjoy the ride! 🙂

Happy Halloween!

Tomorrow is November 1st – but tonight – we can still glory in the orange glow of October! Above are my current Jack o’Lanterns. Concord folks are trick or treating tonight. They have a clear but chilly night. Last night (Gate Night) was warmer but there was rain! I was surprised that I had 66 trick or treaters! Last year, I had 39. There were many Jedi’s last night – out and about!

I have been having more Casper sightings too. The most recent – Saturday the 29th.

Enjoy your Halloween!

Jack o’lantern – Take 2

I carved my second jack o’lantern tonight. It rained most the day (we desperately need the rain. We are in a severe drought). We may get thunderstorms later. It is eerily warm tonight – in the low 60s right now. The colder weather is heading our way. It is supposed to be very windy this weekend too. The foliage is falling quickly.

It is a great night to sit and relax. I am going to pour myself a glass of wine and enjoy the evening! Have a great evening everyone!

Fall is in Full Bloom – A Casper Sighting & More

Even though we had a dry summer and have been in a severe drought, the trees have been quite lovely this year. You really cannot beat New Hampshire in the autumn!  I would never live anywhere else.  I love our 4 seasons!  I don’t even mind the snow as long as my power stays on, and I don’t need to shovel my car out 🙂 My snow tires have helped a great deal.

I have been seeing Casper the past few weeks – but I either am in a hurry and can’t stop or didn’t have my camera with me.  Today – I had the Nikon and my new 18-300mm lens.  It was drizzling and a bit dark; however, I did get a couple decent shots that I cropped.

Creepy story – in honor of Halloween:  I was in a meeting last week, and we were talking about unusual graves in the area.  Someone spoke of a grave in Concord where the person was afraid of being buried alive so had pipes for air and a door on the grave.  Well, I went out in search of it and found it!  Creepy – but back not too far in history – folks were afraid of being buried alive because mistakes were made.  Medical science was not what it is today.  The grave had 2 pipes in the back. There was a door – latched and locked and two handles.  Creepy!!!

I have carved my first jack o’lantern of the season – the New Moon white pumpkin. It was getting too ripe.

Enjoy your week!

My Favorite Month is Here!

I LOVE October! I like the crispness in the air – the foliage – and Halloween. I went to Marshall’s Pumpkin Stand just down the road from me to buy some pumpkins.

We are in a bad drought so the foliage will most likely not be very good this year. The leaves are drying out quickly and falling to the ground before they have a chance to turn color. Today, we have had some rain. We need it! The water department has a sign out to “Please not water outside.”

I spend the afternoon – putting out some of my Halloween decorations. It is starting to look festive!

Have a great October!