Cliff Notes Weather Blog (And other life updates)

One of the most wonderful things about living in the Pacific Northwest is the unpredictability of the weather! Granted there are probably many people who would disagree with me, but I am completely serious. You may think "wow, does Amalia really have so little to talk to me about that we're going to discuss the weather?" Don't think of it that way. I have new knowledge from my geology course about weather and climate, and I want to share it with you all!

Less than two weeks ago we were all set for winter and a white Christmas seemed inevitable. But what kind of a life would it be if everything was predictable?

As the last of our Thanksgiving snow was lingering on the ground we experienced my least favorite wintertime weather phenomenon -- freezing rain. Freezing rain is often associated with an approaching warm front, which is exactly what we were experiencing. Warm fronts move very slowly compared to cold fronts, which results in milder weather, but often sustained wetness. The wet/warm weather resulted in a gross inversion in the Walla Walla basin (due to radiation fog that can't burn off with the low wintertime sun angle).

I always check the weather before I get dressed for the day -- and last Wednesday it was clear that the warm front had finally passed. After a warm front passes the wind shifts to the SW, which results in significantly higher air temperatures.

Although it clearly wasn't sunny, the temperature is accurate. 

What a weird day! Already dark at 4:15, yet setting record high temperatures for December 10th in Walla Walla. 

Our warm front was closely followed by a cold front. While we still had warm air shooting up from the south, the stormy weather was approaching. Sustained warm winds of 46 mph on Thursday! Cold fronts create more violent weather because they move so much faster than warm fronts. In the summertime they are often associated with thunderstorms and heavy downpour.

If it's 66 on December 11th you have to wear your Birkenstocks to yoga. I think its a rule. 

I don't have any pictures from Friday, but guess what happened! Heavy rain accompanied with high winds. But the beauty of cold fronts is their rapid movement. One day it's pouring rain, and the next it is a beautiful day! The winds aloft rotate back to Northwest, and we end up with a clear, crisp winter day.

A wonderful surprise Saturday morning! 

 Of course there was so much moisture and the ground was warmer than the atmosphere so the next morning we woke up to radiation fog that lasted until I left on Thursday.


Now as a reward for making it through that weather lesson I'll share some pictures of our culinary experience from the last two weeks!

Mexican Chocolate Cream Pie to celebrate being done with piano jury!

Chanucka themed pasta - celebrating multiculturality. 

On December 12th I felt like baking again, then remembered that the 13th is Santa Lucia day, which is an excellent excuse to do some baking and share Scandinavian culture. The traditional Santa Lucia buns have saffron, which gives them a beautiful color, and a surprising flavor.

Saffron threads in milk. 

Rolls a'rising! 

A nice way to spend Saturday morning before work.  

These cookies are pretty fun -- almond flavored sugar cookies masterfully crafted into candy canes.

These are seriously difficult to make look halfway decent...but they taste good!

Got tired of making candy canes and pulled out the cookie cutters. 

Another Chanucka favorite: Latkes and Applesauce! Celebrating that enough oil for one day lasted eight days.

Now that I am writing this blog, finals are over, I have said goodbye to Zoe and Grandma's House for a month, and am home enjoying Echo and Hood River.

Grandma's House Christmas Tree

I organized the fridge for Marisa before I left. 

Home!

Merry Christmas and Happy Chanucka! Best wishes for a snow miracle as you celebrate the miracle of Jesus Christ (and oil).

Private House 421

I must apologize for my long absence on the blogosphere. I've challenged myself to never use the adjective busy, because who isn't? But there seem to be so many things to do - both fun and school related - and the longer I put off writing a post, the more I have to say, and the more daunting the task feels! So I fear I will not be able to fill you all in completely on the goings on of everyday since we last met, but rather and overview and some highlights!

I can't believe that I am less than two weeks from winter vacation. And less than two weeks from finishing my seventh and second to last semester of college. Time is flying by (except that occasional day that seems to draaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaag on). But this has likely been my most fun semester yet. I am sure I will have no regrets regarding taking advantage of the Whitman opportunities. 

In the last month we have eaten well (at school and at our respective family Thanksgiving dinners), we have enjoyed Zoe moments, and we have had snow! 

There is no weather phenomenon that has a greater impact on my mood than snow. Of course there is the rainy day that makes me want to be snuggled up in a blanket with a book and hot tea, or the sunny day that makes me feel like I can conquer anything, but there is something magical about a fresh layer of snow. The instant I walk out into a snowy day, I am uncontrollably happy. I grin my silliest grin, and it takes everything in me not to skip and spin and kick up the snow. I wear my snowman or skier earrings. These are the best of days! Our first snow was exactly two weeks before Thanksgiving, and stayed on the ground almost until we left for holiday. I know that snow and ice create trouble for a lot of people trying to transport themselves and their families, but how can you stay upset when the world is covered in a fluffy, white blanket?

When it's good to have white flakes on your head :)

As the six members of our house are all food and holiday enthusiasts, we had to prepare our own Grandma's House Thanksgiving dinner. We divided up the tasks and then sat down to enjoy the bountiful feast together! 

A couple photos from my break - Hood River, Lebanon, and Portland. Eight cousins, seven aunts and uncles, two grandparents, two parents, a certain yellow cat, and a lot of friends. 

Echo says, "Thanks for bringing my bed back!"

Devising a plan to make lemon meringue pie!

HIlary at Thanksgiving dinner

Dad and I trying out a traditional Austrian recipe. 

Thanksgiving break is a double edged sword: it is great to have a break from the hardest part of the semester to see family and eat great food, but it makes going back for three weeks SO CHALLENGING! 

But guess what greeted us! Yep, snow! 

We still don't know who left this precious heart outside our house. 

After Thanksgiving it is time for the winter decorations - another year for these handmade snowflakes. 

Now it is time for the final haul, which will of course be made less miserable by cat snuggles, warm meals, and laughs shared.

Gute nacht!