first snow.

Ah, first snow. We look forward to it every year. The anticipation and wondering when it will finally come. The air smells different. The birds huddle up in the bushes. The light changes.




Today we finally had first snow. Just enough to play in, build mini-snow people, throw around and do a few snow angels. Just enough to pull out the coats and snow pants and boots. Just enough to lay the garden down. Just enough to come in cold and wet with rosy cheeks and drink warm elderberry lemonade. Just enough to let us know winter is coming.






It will warm up enough to melt and we won't have anything stick for a few more weeks at least. But today was just enough.


Bon Hiver!

snow!

"Oh the snow the beautiful snow filling the sky and earth below. Over the house tops and over the streets, over the heads of people you meet.


Dancing flirting skimming along. Oh the snow the beautiful snow how the flakes gather and laugh as they go. Whirling about in their maddening fun it plays in its glee with everyone.


Chasing laughing hurrying by it lights on the face and sparkles the eye. And even the dogs with a bark and a bound snap at the crystals that eddy around.


The town is alive and its heart in a glow to welcome the coming of beautiful snow."


Bon Hiver!


.

april morning.

Courage is not the towering oak that sees storms come and go;

it is the fragile blossom that opens in the snow.

- Alice M. Swaim

After a week of record warmth and sunshine, this morning we wake to snow on the ground and swirling down from a gray sky.

Today feels like...April.

Photos of the Day...Saturdays.

We took a break this afternoon from our crafting, baking, cooking and other holiday busy-ness, and wandered a bit. Warm cider, cookies and a game of chess at a cozy cafe. Shopping in a small town (yarn store!). Watching snowboarders at a local ski hill (in preparation for their snowboarding class soon).




Ahhhh.

Snow, snow, and more snow!

On Tuesday the snow started and grew into a raging blizzard. So much snow, wind, ice. When it finally stopped Wednesday afternoon, we headed outside to dig ourselves out.


The snow, even in the most shallow places was too deep for little legs, and the boys spent ages struggling to walk - finally giving up and instead crawling on hands and knees!


There were even a few rescue operations.

Now the snow is now plowed and there are deep areas where the boys want to dig forts and tunnel along. Today the temperatures dropped so low (well below zero) that we couldn't venture outside for long, but by this weekend we should have warmer (up into the 20's!) weather ... perfect for fort building.


We'll be ready!

a room with a view.

Just listed: Winter Wonderland! Side by side snow forts, new construction. Open floor plan. Living room, entry way, sleeping hole, and custom shelving in each unit. Both snow forts are located next to a community room fort, with fortified walls and circular design. Lots of fresh air!

The forts feature hand crafted snow bricks and attention to detail. Cubby holes, nooks, and windows carefully included.


Rear walls are over 4 feet tall, offering optimum wind protection. Comfortable seating is also provided.


Conveniently located only yards from home for quick and easy access to warm apple cider and freshly baked cookies for the young ones, and for the parents, nice hot irish coffee.


Currently receiving a nice thick layer of fresh powder for that extra sparkle. Each is one of a kind! :)

snow, snow, snow!

We have had a lot of snow this week! Today we got about a foot - and after spending several hours digging out our sidewalks and driveway, we still had some time for fun.


During the storm the snow was icy, sharp, and stinging with crazy winds. After the snow stopped it calmed down a lot - and there are not many things more exciting in winter than climbing massive shoveling piles.


Yeah, that is the ground wayyyyyyyyy down there.


Yep, down there.

It is indeed a gorgeous winter wonderland as the entire world seems to be covered in mountains of pristine white...that is, until you need to go somewhere. Lucky for us, we are cozy at home with lots of science projects, holiday crafts, food baking, and of course, each other!

We are getting another 5-8 inches over the weekend, which should give us enough of the white stuff to re-create our massive snow forts and get some sledding in. The boys can't wait!

Photos of the Day.

Announced by all the trumpets of the sky, arrives the snow.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

The boys were so happy with the arrival of some real snow that they packed snowballs and shovels and cups and threw it into the air over and over, dancing under it as it fell back to earth.