Sunday, February 16, 2014

white holidays

Only someone who lives in the south can really understand how a little snow can become a holiday. 
In this case it was the storm of the decade, and we had a bundle of it. As I look outside, our yard is still covered with snow--that's 6 days of seeing white out our windows. I can only remember that being the case one other time in the many years we have lived here. Because our area doesn't invest in the proper snow removal equipment (since it is rarely used and the snow usually melts in a day), we are
forced to stay in when it snows. The main roads may be plowed, but getting out of the
neighborhoods is the problem. There are many "northern transplants" here and for us,
snow is very nostalgic. We become creative: plastic bags tied over shoes for boots and
 cardboard or trays or garbage can lids for sleds. The best part is the total halt to activity.
 Everything is canceled. And I think everyone loves having to stay home.
We take a collective breath and slow down,build a fires, drink hot chocolate,
watch the snow fall,concoct creative soups, watch movies, play games . . .
So it was for the 3 1/2 days that school was canceled this week. We watched in marvel as
it snowed for three days, interrupted by ice and sleet. It's one for the books.
We'll remember it. And then came a nearby earthquake,
and a beautiful full moon.

36 comments:

  1. Such pretty pictures. I'm so glad you have been able to enjoy some snowy weather!

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  2. We are enjoying a snow day here....again! We are snuggled in by the fire and just watched The Kings Speech for the 2nd time.
    It does look pretty in your garden with the snow cover ~ I never even thought of people not having boots!
    Thank you for your help on my blog a few days ago.
    Carolyn

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  3. It looks like a winter wonderland.So beautiful!
    Smiles, Dottie

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  4. We've certainly had our fair share of White Holidays this winter!!! Wonderful post!!! Have a grand week! Cathy

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  5. I enjoyed it too in NC. We were visiting the kids and got caught in the snow and ice. It was a nice change from Florida. Hope you are thawing, but your yard looks beautiful in the photos.

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  6. Your photos are lovely of your winter wonderland..We are a little more use to it here, but this time we had a lot more..The earthquake sounded scary though. I am glad you are enjoying your snow holiday! Have a happy week!

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  7. Glad that you were able to stay home, warm and safe, and enjoy it all : )

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  8. Wow, you have had quite a week there! It's amazing how a little snow, when you're not used to it, can disrupt everything. Your yard does look very pretty though but I'm guessing you'll be happy to see green again really soon. :)

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  9. The tulips are such a lovely contrast to the white of your unusual winter.

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  10. Like Carolyn, and coming from a northern area used to lots of snow I find it interesting to hear how you deal with it. Plastic bags for boots is good. :-)
    I read on someone else's blog that it had been 18 years since they had any snow. Do you think this might be a common occurrence in the winters to come Dotsie? At home, we're thinking we're back to normal after having mild winters for so long.
    Judith

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  11. Your photos are beautiful, Dotsie. This storm has definitely been one for the books. I was admiring the beautiful moon last night and the night before, but the earthquake is a another matter. We didn't feel it, but I've been reading about it. I felt the one a few years ago that caused damage in Washington, D.C., and that was a really scary experience.

    I love your mosaics -- visiting from Mosaic Monday. Have a great week!

    Denise

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  12. Your photos are beautiful, Dotsie. This storm has definitely been one for the books. I was admiring the beautiful moon last night and the night before, but the earthquake is a another matter. We didn't feel it, but I've been reading about it. I felt the one a few years ago that caused damage in Washington, D.C., and that was a really scary experience.

    I love your mosaics -- visiting from Mosaic Monday. Have a great week!

    Denise

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  13. Bless your hearts and your community of family and friends. We do not have such good snow service out our way either and what a difference a few miles can make. In the big city, it is all cleaned as soon as the snow touches the ground, but not out here. It is pretty though!

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  14. Your prose is as lovely as the photos... I am glad that you all had a collective time to breathe, slow down, and to enjoy being Snowbound.

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  15. Snow does make for some beautiful photos. Since I live up in Canada we have had snow since the beginning of November. Have a wonderful week.

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  16. the snow certainly has turned your world into a snowy wonderland. I can imagine enjoying this too if it were so rare - it never snows where I live! Stay warm and enjoy the hibernation and snow games, and have a wonderful week. I am joining you at Mosaic Monday.

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  17. Your tulips are very pretty against the background of all the snow! Lovely pics of the trees too!

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  18. I was wondering if you felt the earthquake. I read about it in our morning paper. I love the tulips....I don't need to see anymore snow! It's starting to become blasé to me I'm afraid--so much this winter for us! We finally got out to see Winter's Tale this afternoon. Had planned to see it Valentine's Day, then go out to lunch yesterday for our anniversary, but had to wait until today to do both--too busy shoveling our 18 inches! But I can certainly understand your enjoying it. The winters we hardly have any I miss it....so I'm not really complaining :-).

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  19. You captured this unusual snow in your gorgeous photos. Even here, where we often have snow, the back roads take much longer to be cleared. We have lots of 2-hour school and work delays and some snow days as well.

    It has also been exceptionally cold and even with an additional delivery of wood for our stove, we are just about out.

    Hope your week ahead is warm and bright :)

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  20. Podso,
    Gorgeous photos, dear friend!!!
    I love SNOW!
    I'd be glued to the windows watching how ever silently it falls!!!
    Perhaps the earthquake was the Earth shivering in the wake of the SNOW, sleet and ice? Something to ponder.
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  21. This is the winter for some really fantastic snow pictures.
    These are awesome.

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  22. You poor southerners sure have experienced enough snow and ice this year to last a lifetime! It is beautiful to look out and see everything blanketed in white...
    Have a great week, Dotsie.

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  23. Holy smokes, you've just had it all, haven't you Dotsie? But it is lovely; a true winter wonderland. Hope your week is a bright sunny one without more snow or earthquakes. :)

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  24. Beautiful winter images.

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  25. Forced hibernation for a few days.....
    gosh those storms are unbelievable but good to know you are all OK.
    We've seen bits on our TV and the power outages must be worrying especially for the elderly.
    I hope you get some warmer weather soon Dotsie!

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  26. I can certainly relate! I have been off work since noon last Wednesday! Here it is Monday morning and have to say I am ready to back. I didn't feel the earthquake here but a friend of mine a few miles away did. Now that we had our lovely snow, we can move on to spring now :)

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  27. Oh, the moon was amazing last night! Orange in a black sky!! You captured the glee of snow holidays perfectly, Dotsie. blessings ~ tanna

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  28. It looks so beautiful, even though I do have a backyard full of the white stuff. Love the photos. But what's with the earthquake!!

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  29. Amazing, isn't it? The Olympics should have been held in the South here ins USA!!!
    xo Kris

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  30. I loved reading your account of the days of southern snow! It sounds like you made the most of your time indoors...a little vacation of sorts. And all a gift from our Father.

    I adore your pitcher of red tulips juxtaposed against the snowy window scene. Perfect.

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  31. Such a winter! I long for a snow day every year, but we haven't had one for several years now. The light snow we get once or twice melts almost as soon as it falls. I love your description of snow days - time to indulge a little, create, nourish and rest.
    I hadn't heard about the earthquake. Yikes.

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  32. How lovely the tulips look in the window, with the snowy scene beyond. The juxtaposition of spring and winter, sharing the same image!

    Happy Monday!

    Poppy

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  33. I'm sure the snow is nostalgic to people who lived in cooler climates before, Dotsie. I love your vase of red tulips in the window!

    Everyone thinks all of Colorado is always snowy, but in the two winters I've lived here the winters have been much milder than back east. It is 63 degrees today! Only the high mountain country gets tremendous snow all winter.

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  34. Yes, I think that you're right - the benefit of the storms is having to slow down, stay in and do relaxing things. It's been a blessing!

    Deanna

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  35. We get a thrill out of the occasional snowfall here too, though I think we have them more often than you do. I can just imagine how you've enjoyed the view from your window.

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