Deep Freeze Breaks

The deep freeze finally broke, with –7 weather and a gorgeous sunrise to prove it when Harley woke me early to be let out. It already felt like a completely different day.

I managed three coffees while working through some Spanish lessons and perusing Instagram. S woke later for his first coffee, then jumped into the shower. I started a load of laundry and got to work editing, watermarking, and uploading photos for the very photo & video-laden Christmas blog post.

I also spent some time chatting with a customer/friend who wanted me to refinish a dining table and stair rails—both of which I declined. The good news of the day followed shortly after: the antique desk buyer called, confirmed she wants it, and even offered to pay for delivery. A definite win. Next time we head into the city, it will be dropped off.

We ran to town to drop off the Etsy parcel and spent coffee pods, do a few Amazon returns at Purolator, pick up Cooper, and grab lunch at Roadhouse. On the way home, I stopped in for a few groceries.

With temperatures just above zero when we got back to the ranch after 3, I took the dogs out for a much-needed walk in the sunshine. While out, I remembered 2026 is the Year of the Horse—something that only comes around every 12 years. The other zodiac animals? Dog, pig, rooster, snake, dragon, ox, sheep, rat, tiger, rabbit, and monkey. I also discovered there’s a spirit animal guide tied to the zodiac, which naturally sent me off searching images and meanings.

Jimmy is so friendly, he followed me on the walk

the placement of the snow fence captures a lot of snow the other day

S had settled into the TV room for more World Junior hockey, with the Flames game up later. Back in the house, I returned to the Christmas blog post. The video uploads took forever, so I fed the dogs, scrubbed pet dishes, swapped laundry, and did some marketing between uploads. Finally, at 7 p.m., the post was finished and published—huge relief.

It was time to relax. I caught up on the newest episode of Palm Royale. Still full from lunch, I heated pizza and delivered it to the hockey room for S. B arrived to feed horses and take Cooper home, passing on pizza, but I did manage to find room for a piece of flapper pie—delivering the last one to S in the TV room as well. Thanks, B.

I then started a new series following Palm Beach socialites. The money, the cattiness, the excess—it’s ridiculous. And yet, I kept watching, purely for the homes and the lifestyle glimpses. Lifestyles of the rich and catty :)