For the first time in our children’s lifetimes we are going to spend Christmas day not at 174 Silver Birch Ave. but in Huntsville. Although we did come here for Christmases in the early years, we were always in Toronto at least Christmas morning. Wondering if the kids will be upset? Indifferent?

First thing is we need a tree.

We took our trusty trailer to Toronto and Audrey has the weekend off so on Friday, December 9th the three of us sojourn to our favourite tree farm (location not to be disclosed) and find a very nice Fraser Fir to take to the cottage.

I am construction, mom and Audrey are decoration so soon we have a decorated tree in the corner of the living room. We didn’t put it beside the door to the sun room for some reason. I thought that was the better location but what do I know? (Perhaps more importantly, when it comes to feng shui, what does my opinion matter?)

Over the next two weeks Christy and enjoy the north country and the growing winterishness while I prepare to quit CIBC. The last file is finally funded and I say goodbye to my boss Brad, a good guy and a huge support to me over the previous 3 years. I leave on good terms but frankly hope not to return. Perhaps the best part of quitting is not having to endure any more of the insurance prep seminars held by the weeniest weener of all time. All the MAs groan about it.

Christmas approaches and with it there is a massive snow warning. Ben is being his usual cagey self about his arrival time but we encourage him to arrive as early as possible on the 23rd as we are hearing about Apocalypse Snow (see what I did there?) starting in the afternoon of that day. Thankfully he shows up around noon and a good thing too because from that point on it snows.

And snows.

And snows.

I don’t recall anything like it in this part of Canada and most of the long-time locals will say the same thing. Pretty much four feet falls in 24 hours. Christy’s snow gnome has long since disappeared and the drifts down by the cabana are over my head. I know, I shoveled a few times.

Power goes out Friday evening, the 23rd. Not a massive concern, the lake is not yet frozen so we can get water for the toilets, we have lots of drinking water and it is not so cold that the fireplace can’t keep the house warm enough. We have plenty of food, including dehydrated meals and we can boil water with our camp gear.

About 4 am Saturday morning (24th) I sit bolt upright in bed realizing that without power, my entire water supply system could freeze and create, um, problems. We have a 10K generator but I have never turned it on. I had booked an electrician to install it onto a Generlink but that never happened and I kinda forgot about it. Within minutes I am outside pulling the generator out of The Pit of Despair and reading the manual.

It is pitch black and snowing so hard you can hardly see in front of you but at least I am under the eave of the entranceway.

Connect battery. Check.

Add gas. Check.

Fill up oil crankcase. Hmmm, for that I need the special oil funnel that came with the generator and was oh-so-handy for adding oil to the jet skis. I had it down at the cabana last. Where did I put it? Was I clever and put it in a smart place or not so clever and left it somewhere less smart like on the ground and now under 3 feet of snow? Luckily I am fully suited in snow pants and gaiters and so I wade down through the snow to the new shed (aptly titled Leaning Tower of Perry). Open the door and look down to where Clever Perry would have put the funnel.

I am so clever.

Ten minutes later I press the auto start button on the generator for the first time. It hums to life like a dream. Only has two 120V circuits so I run two extension cords into the house. One for the water system, one for other stuff.

Like a coffee maker. Oh yeah, it’s 5:30 am and I have coffee brewing. Life is good.

It continues to snow and snow. It snows so much the tree branches are touching the ground. I get a long pole and tap the snow off them so that if Ryan manages to get his machine out he will be able to enter our driveway. (Many trees and branches will collapse over the coming days. The Arrowhead ski trails aren’t open because of fallen trees and branches; Christy and I went one day to help clear.)

It snows so much that when we decide to visit Juergen and Allyson for a Christmas Eve cocktail, I have to snowshoe over 3 times (once there, once back, once there again) in 3 intervals so that it is possible for the others to walk. Even so, it is knee deep.

Thankfully our Christmas Eve tradition is fondue – don’t need electricity for that! We have a nice time, play games. Nothing else to do anyway. Impossible to drive anywhere; Ryan managed to blow the driveway but soon it looks like he did nothing.

Christmas Day comes and we have a nice time, it hasn’t stopped snowing but abated a bit. Windy now so drifting. I go for a walk but don’t get far.

What about my Christmas turkey that has been brining for 2 days? Not much good without electricity. Audrey has been watching the HydroOne web site which says we should get power back in the afternoon. Around 2 pm, she says, “Hey, I think the power is back on!” We never even noticed since all light switches are off, etc. Sure enough the power is on. Turkey time. Dinner is a bit late since we don’t get the bird into the oven until 2:30 or so but it is a small bird so doesn’t take forever.

Celebrate the Eucharist in fine Graham tradition and generally have a good time.

The roads are eventually cleared and Audrey and Ben depart in Ben’s Toyota. Ben enjoys having the basement apartment to himself for a few days as his friends complain about having to stay with their parents – he gets a taste of independence.

Perhaps the craziest part of this seven days is the weather AFTER Christmas. It gets very mild and rainy and before you know it most of the snow is gone.