Welcome to the first weekend view of 2022. I hope everyone had a wonderful & safe New Years celebration!
This week- the weekend view is mostly about the holiday week and the storm that came through and caused quite a bit of issues here in California. I shared a few stories on Instagram and appreciate the messages- we have a bit of storm damage but it could have been much much worse and thankfully everyone safe and sound.
Christmas Weekend View
It is hard to believe that Christmas was already a week ago already. Both of our boys and their families came for an early Christmas dinner- my daughter and her fiancé were stuck in snowy Tahoe and unable to get out. It was a pretty low key quiet kind of day and so special watching Juju experience her first Christmas.
Stormy Weather
After Christmas, the weather started changed quickly. There was a big storm heading for California that was really unusual for our area. They were forecasting a lot of heavy precipitation, heavy rain and very low and very heavy snow down as low as 500 feet along with a lot of wind. And all of that is pretty much what moved in overnight.
My husband went out in the morning and found a tree had fallen on the cottage living room roof and a branch had come through the ceiling. Thankfully, it didn’t do more damage to the roof – the dining table that we had out on the patio courtyard happened to have taken a lot of the blow when it landed and the roof was not fully broken through.
We also saw a cedar tree leaning over the barn- so we moved the chickens and goats inside the top of the cottage for safety. We have large goat cages on hand for emergency transport for the chickens and the goats slept in an area in the hallway that we were able to block off. We covered the tarp on the floor with hay for them and they seemed to have enjoyed their ‘vacation’ in the cottage for a few days haha.
The storm continued for another day and a half and on Tuesday morning as I sat drinking my coffee, I heard a loud crack and looked up and saw one of the largest trees on our property fall. Thankfully, no one was injured and nothing other than a fence was damaged.
Also wanted to say I know there are so many folks who are dealing with storms and much more too- I hope that everyone is staying safe out there.
New Year
I am starting the New Year off by doing some deep cleaning in the house-washing slipcovers, cleaning grout, etc. and also working on those resolutions. I set personal and business goals and do some planning for the year during this bit of downtime after Christmas. I love the freshness that a new year brings to the house.
We are also enjoying some of that twinkle light ambiance for a bit longer. I am one of those people who leave Christmas up longer each year. Generally at least until after New Years but sometimes even longer as I do work ahead and I also just really love the glow that trees bring to the house. Right now, we are also powering up 2 of our LED Balsam Hill Trees with the generator- so all the magic of the holidays is in the house and going strong. Side note-LED trees take very little energy to run and they light up the room beautifully in a power outage. Another reason to bring your favorite tree home during Balsam Hill’s after Christmas sale. 🙂
Coming your way
I like to share Reflections and Goals post here during the first week of the new year. A look back at the year that was and a look ahead to goals and dreams for the new year. I am also working on a few winter decorating posts- how to warm up your home in winter, cleaning and refreshing your house and natural winter decorating. And I am also working on some baking and recipe ideas to bring more of that to the blog this year too.
And I thought I would share this snap of one of the trees that fell that was shaped like a heart. A bit of beauty among the storm damage. Sending some warmth and love to you all to start the New Year off too!
Happy Sunday everyone!
Patricia Burditt says
Courtney,
first off I’m so glad you and your family are safe and sound. I am sorry you have had such a difficult time. But i have learned over the years that falling trees shine a new light on things! I hope you would take a slice of your heart tree and make a wonderful garden table. Best wishes and a Happy New year.
Patricia
Nancy Johnson says
I live in an urban forest on California’s Central Coast—where a loud crack is part of the music of winter. My best storm story is when our street was blocked by one downed tree, and our driveway was made impassable by our next-door neighbor’s fallen cedar. Soon after, the wind blew off a skylight at the top of our stairwell leaving us with an unwelcome indoor waterfall. I’m glad you and your beautiful home survived without worse damage. The photo of your goats indoors is priceless.
franki Parde says
Good Night Irene!!!! Yoy’al got slammed!!! Looks like a nice tree…can you mill it…shelves, mantel,side table, etc…. Hang in there!! franki
Kim | Shiplap and Shells says
I am so happy that you and your family did not get hurt with the tree falling. So scary! Happy new year Courtney.
Kathleen says
Glad you and fam are safe! Your trees and mirrOr are EXQUISTE!
Aussie Jo says
Sorry you had problems
Gail says
ThanK You for this WONDERFUL Blog Happy New YeaR everyone!
Barbara c says
Oh, Morher Nature! So glad there were no injuries. Do you have a good grout cleaning routine?
Lisa Johnson says
Happy New Year, Courtney! What an ordeal with the fallen tree! So glad you and your family are safe, and furry family, too.
Chere’ Sterk says
I completely understand wHat weather conditions can do! Sounds like you are doing a great job cleaning and getting things Done. Happy new year everyone
parsimonious décor darling says
Oh my goodness, i am so sorry this happened, I am so glad no one was hurt and that it looks to be minimal damage! We just had to remove a tree from our other property where our son lives as well, i think it was the same storm! no damage, but definitely expensive to remove because the tree was huge and near power lines!! scary! The good thing for me is I adore a fire and our guy was able to chop everything up into usable firewood that we will definitely use in the fireplace and our pizza oven! Here’s hoping the worst of 2021 and 2022 are behind you!
Susie says
I am happy to hear that you and the critters are all safe and sound. Those CA storms can be quite scary. Happy New Year!
Ivory says
Omg, i am so happy to hear that i n-spite the Hohorrific storm that you all experienced it was so great to kniw That everyone is doing well.
I agree with your follower CoCourtney that the fallen tree that’s in the shape of a hard shines a new light on things but SaDly to say, so many will fail to appreciate and to make healthy changes from that symbol. Why?because it’s something good. We know that it’s so easy for so many to follow what is bad. And thats sad all around.
Courtney says
Hi Ivory!
I am not familiar with the saying of fallen trees bringing light- but of course, it makes sense in several ways. I do have a few thoughts of what the symbolism of the storm might be-and the heart tree that fell, I have talked before about how our property has had the most incredible warm & protective energy since the first time I drove into the driveway. I believe that tree shaped as a heart was another sign of that protective and loving energy. The very large tree that fell was probably almost 200 years old based off the rings from partway up the tree- it has been here a long time and has seen many many things over the years.