Sigh, it's the beginning od April and we still have heaps of snow Although it's quite warm and today it was even raining!
This is the view from our window
http://cs5237.userapi.com/u54730217/131 ... 486894.jpg

We had a praise last week in that when we had severe wind damage to our roof (from 70+ mph winds) three weeks ago our insurance will cover everything but a $500 deductible and $1500 for upgraded shingles. That included the labor. The roof is halfway done and we got strong winds last night, all hitting the side of the house unfinished. The entire side of the house had just tar paper, ready for the shingles and the whole thing needs to be replaced. More wind and rain is scheduled to come in tonight. Pray for protection and wisdom on what needs to be done and pray for the work crew replacing the roof. They are awesome believers but the lead guy was sick for two days half-way through and that's why it's not done yet. The enemy is making things rough but God is in control. We hope it will be done tomorrow, weather pending.

Fencer. Prayer going your way. Not only for better weather, but health.
about ready to turn in. Cold morning when we left the wig-wam to serve breakfast for the sunrise service at 5. Our chief cook was so hot over the griddle by 7:30 he was standing in the back doorway to cool off. By the time we left it was in the 60's. Thankfully no high wind.
Hope everyone had a great Easter.

Rather surprisingly, when we went out to my brother's car yesterday morning, the previous evening's rain had frozen onto the windshield. Frost in suburban Seattle! But the day was clear and I had spectacular views of Mount Rainier, the Cascades, and Rockies on my way home.

Today was a pleasant spring day here in southern Minnesota, with nice clear skies that will allow temps to drop below freezing the next few nights. Frost and freeze warnings have been posted for much of this area, along with prts of Iowa and even into Nebraska. Winter's not quite over yet.

Welcome Home stargazer.

You were quite right about the freezing temps. walking to the garage this morning I saw a bit of frost on the tulips that have been making a game try at survival after the local rabbits had a go at it. Forgot to fill the birdbath, so I didn't see any ice, but the news said we dipped below 30 last night.

We got another .75" of rain yesterday. I was rather jealous of all my intelligent neighbors who got their yards mowed before it rained. Now I have a jungle to plow through again.

The weather people are predicting chances of storms all through the weekend, but I guess tomorrow night we could be in for a real nasty system. I'm all for thunder and lightning and rain, but I'll pass on the hail and tornadoes thank you very much. Either way I'll probably round up the tornado supply stuff today and have it ready to go.

We too are getting more wind and rain today. Now up to .41 inches with more on the way. Only 2/3 of normal for the season to date so we need it.

Should be cold tonight with a slight chance of thunderstorms.

Was quite sunny, and still today, I even had the shop door open to take in the fresh air. But as the evening came so did the clouds. we are hearing about tornados to the south, and moving through Iowa. We are already seeing rain in southern Minnesota tonight. I wouldn't mind the water for the grass seed I just raked in, so long we don't have a downpoor that washes it into the garden, again.

It's been a wild couple days here in tornado alley. I haven't heard an official number of tornadoes that dropped out of the skies yesterday and early this morning, but I guess it's somewhere in the 100+. Sadly there were 5 people killed in Oklahoma cause a tornado struck their warning system, but it's rather amazing that there were that few with the number of tornadoes that touched down.
Everybody who knows where I live knows how close I was to a tornado last night (8-9miles or so?).
At any rate, I hope everyone on here is ok as the line of storms are the next set of states over.

Also, I saw a news story on Yahoo today I thought everyone would be interested in. It's about the record breaking heat we had in March.
http://news.yahoo.com/already-very-reco ... 15035.html

Was listening to the NOAA radio around 8. Thankfully the worst of it passed by to our east. Have been watching the weather channel, and caught Jim Cantore interviewing a grandmother who was helping in the clean-up for her neighbors.
We recieved an inch, and 1/2 since 7, and the sump pump finally kicked in. First time since last August.

Glad to hear you're all right, fantasia_kitty; I was watching some of the coverage from your area earlier and was wondering how close they'd come.

I also caught that interview with the grandmother, Puddleglum. Great volunteer!

We received some short burst of heavy rain and a little pea-sized hail, and some tornadoes were reported west of here. And the forecast for the next 12 hours or so includes snow mixed with rain. Ah, springtime!

Tuesday looks nice and clear though, so I'm thinking of having a campfire that day.

Up to the top of the page ...

De-De, that is such a pretty winter photo! I know you guys are sick of the snow, but since we hardly got any this past winter, I revel in every peek I can have of it, even through pictures. Has it disappeared now, more than a week later? Or is it still hanging on?

Whew, Fencer, what a windy ordeal you've been through! Is your roof nearly completed?

So sad about the fatalities from the tornadoes in Oklahoma, but 'tis good to see you're okay, fantasia, along with others in the surrounding states who experienced that very severe weather.

stargazer, enjoy the campfire today, if that's still in the plans.

It's a lovely one here, being 12C/53.6F, with a brisk wind, making it feel cooler (which I love ). Yesterday, however, was a different story, hitting nearly 30C/86F with the humidity! 'Twas soooo muggy! But that wasn't the main story. The winds were. Gusting up to 90 km/hour (nearly 56 miles/hour), branches and twigs were all over the place this morning. Now, I now that wind is nothing compared to what some of you know in tornado alley or in hurricane season, but for our area, it was very significant ... and mighty exciting!

This week is to keep on the cooler side, except for Thursday, when the temperature is forecasted to reach up to 17C/62.6F, with rain, instead of around 12C/53.6F like the rest of the week. Except, I think Saturday is going to only be a high of 7C/44.6F! We could get snow yet.

*waves a spring hello to Puddleglum and Glimmie as well* (Hey, you two must be related! )

P.S. Just hear that tonight is going down to -4C/24.8F. I simply must get out for a walk early tomorrow morning to enjoy that crisp, fresh air.

Greetings good hobbit. weare having a bit of a cool down, but fortunatly not so cool as just to the north. Grand Rapids < (Minn that is) recieved about 17 inches of the wet heavy snow I hear.
No relations that I know. But as you are aware we Marsh-Wiggles keep to ourselves, and are not much for family reunions, so maybe.
Enjoy the fire stargazer. I might get the fire ring going myself this weekend.

Now my brother's even happier he's returning to Seattle, after his northern Minnesota residence got hit with this snow. (And my older sister lives in Grand Rapids).

I'd be glad to burn all those blown-down twigs for you, jo.

Today was spectacular - variably cloudy with highs around 60F/17C. A campfire at the park was just what the doctor ordered. Nothing like the aroma of fresh brats cooking over an open fire!

Many of the trees in the St Croix Valley have just put out that bright green new growth; others are just beginning to do so.

Rain was in the forecast for tonight, and the sky behaved just as predicted: the clouds gradually thickened into an overcast shortly before sunset, so there was no stargazing tonight. I departed the park as night set in, and encountered a bit of rain on my drive home. Heavier rain is falling now - still good, as we remain in a moderate drought.

Hope you're able to get a fire in this weekend, Puddleglum. I may try for a repeat performance myself.

Today's high: 69F
Wednesday's high: 91F
Thursday/Friday: Storms

This is the springtime Kansas weather I'm used to. LOL