and we had some weekend visitors

Two very special visitors at that.  Matt came to North Carolina for a conference and brought daughters one and two for a long weekend with us.  So Friday AM we met them at the airport with two cars, sent Matt on his way and the four of us had a wonderful weekend.

Picked a few flowers, - some to take home to North Dakota - and some for the counter in in the kitchen here at home in North Carolina. —

At a nearby museum, the kids were very serious participants in science experiments.  Wet cold (for us) Fridays make great days at museums if you have an interest in going I suggest a trip with a kid.

We scheduled our visit to the butterfly house at feeding time and it was lively.  The butterfly house has identification leaflets to aid in identifying the incredible number of amazing butterflies that are in the house. 

For example:  below is the - well, I forgot exactly which one it was— Paper something I think

 and this one is the Owl butterfly — (I am pretty sure), they are both pretty though

We did play some cards, watch Wizard of Oz, (did not stay up to late Laura), did some book reading, played in the cup-de-sac, went for a walk, to church and Sunday School, and had a generally great time.

Went shopping for birthday presents for brothers from the grandparents for upcoming birthdays in March, and "because I was out of town" gifts for their brothers from the girls.  That was a hoot.

And come supper time even had help cooking.  (Matt got back into town Sunday afternoon and took this picture) and then Monday AM the weekend ended and back to the airport we went. —

Such a fast fast wonderful wonderful weekend.

yeah we had some snow

Photo below I understand is a "viral" photo (I got it from the internet) and is of a traffic jam on Glenwood Avenue about two miles further out of town than where we are.  The hills of Glenwood are somewhat of a challenge when iced over and the storm did come very fast as this was just one of many hills that were blocked by a troublesome car or truck around the city Wednesday.  (It is a rather dramatic photo isn't it).  (rest of the story on the car fire — no known cause, no one hurt, but did sorta jam up traffic)

This is North Hills Drive.  A few cars did come by while I was out for a walk.  A fair number of walkers came by — from abandoned cars.  When I started walking the snow was falling but it changed to a very strong wind with a stinging sleet. 

Our house — looked kinda nice — we had four inches of snow — with a sleet cap which made is real crunch. —and it was cold.

 Thursday we started the traditional next day melting.  These are the footprints of the neighborhood coyote.  He has a long stride.  That is my footprint next to his stride.  He came through our back yard, under the deck, across the concrete and down into the woods.  I have seen him in the cul-de-sac, as has Patt.  Patt thinks he may be a fox as his tail is very bushy.  

And this time next week we will have daffodils.  Lots of them.

On Friday 95% of the snow was gone - perhaps more.