Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Let it Snow,

by Christie Kelley

Let it snow, let it snow.

What is it about Christmas that makes me snow crazy? About 10 days before Christmas, I start watching the forecast to see if there's any chance we'll have snow. (Yes, I checked yesterday and will today too.) Now in Maryland, we only have about a 25% chance of a white Christmas. But I still hope it will happen.


As I was doing laundry yesterday, I suddenly wondered why snow and Christmas? Where did this idea come from that we need snow to make it look like Christmas? I had to find out (otherwise known as procrastinating the deadline book). Being the internet geek that I am or as my husband calls me, the internet queen, I set forth to discover why Christmas and snow go together. Along the way, I found a fantastic website called whychristmas.com. If you have a question about Christmas, they probably have the answer.

According to whychristmas.com, people associate snow with Christmas because most of our holiday traditions come from Victorian England. During the early 1800 and into the start of Victorian times, we were still in the Little Ice Age. So it was common for England to have snow and even for the Thames to freeze.
Then there are also the songs related to snow and even the Dicken’s book, A Christmas Carol. Now we all know why we associate Christmas with snow.

Growing up in upstate NY, we had some awesome snow on Christmas some years. When I was a teenager, we went to church on Christmas Eve. It had just started to snow as we walked inside. By the time we came out and hour later, 3 inches of snow was on the ground. It continued to snow all night and by morning we had about a foot. Since I had no place to go it was fantastic.

Even in Maryland, we sometimes get snow. About five years ago, we had just finished opening packages and realized something strange was going on. We looked outside and saw the biggest snowflakes I had ever seen. They looked to be about four inches in diameter. It was the prettiest snow.

What about you? I know some of our Southern Hemisphere readers don’t have a chance of snow but what about the rest of you?
Does having snow make it feel more like Christmas? Any chance you’ll have snow on the 25th?

108 comments:

Fedora said...

Nope, no snow for us!

Crianlarich said...

Spot on topic, Christie. Yes, I think snow makes Christmas seem more special. Definitely. I spent many years living in the foothills of the Alps and Christmas there was like stepping into a fairytale. Not just the deep and constant snow and frosty night skies, but the thick pine forests and gingerbread houses. (I mean real houses, not the cookie ones) Christmas markets in the towns with little gift booths and food vendors selling everything from sausages to Lebkuchen to roasted candied almonds and Gluehwein, hot spiced red wine. Weekend jaunts to Salzburg. Now ... stateside again and in a place where it is more likely to be warm, muggy, and fry-your-eyeballs sunny on Christmas, well, yeah, it feels 'off.' Spending so many Christmases in a winter-wonderland type place really spoiled me. Thanks for the website, too. What a neat idea....

Fedora said...

To clarify, we're in a part of California that rarely sees snow--I do remember it once when I was a child (a VERY long time ago!) and we were so excited by the couple inches we got. People built little teeny snowmen in their front yards that were sorry puddles the next morning. My kids would dearly love it to snow here on Christmas, but I seriously doubt their dreams of a white Christmas are going to come true here!

limecello said...

I'm with you, Christie. I LOVE a white Christmas. There's always the chance... other than mother nature here is insane - so you never know. What I hate is when there's TONS of snow leading up to Christmas... and gads of it after, but greenish brown grass during :\ like last year.

But yes - I always look forward to snow on Christmas - I prefer a 3 day snowy period (so everything is entirely covered)... and then I wish it'd all go away :P

And congrats on the GR, Fedora!

Minna said...

Well, we have VERY little snow at the moment, but it should snow more tomorrow and day after tomorrow.

Rajaton - Lunta (snow)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OPpVn1tR3g&feature=related

Sue A. said...

We might have snow for Christmas. We're having an unusual cold spell here and we've got snow now so it's a wait see thing. It's a rare thing for Vancouver to have snow on Christmas.

Eva S said...

No snow here in southern Finland, and I don't think we'll have a white Christmas... I'd love to, when I was young we always had snow!

Laurie G said...

I live in southern Florida now so definitely no snow for Christmas. I did grow up in Wisconsin so I'm very used to white X-masses! I miss that for a few days on Christmas eve & Christmas day. My husband talks about moving north again once the children finish college. I think he's crazy! Brr! I sure don't miss the cold temperatures!

Helen said...

Congrats Fedora I am sure he is all tuckered out after all the running around with the grandkids he did yesterday.

Lovely post Christie to me Christmas day is usually stinking hot and it gets hotter with the oven going the electric fypan going the pudding boiling away on the stove and heaps of family in the house but I do love it that way because this is what I am used to here in Oz. But I gotta say one of my wishes is to have a white Christmas at least once that would be so special to me.
At the moment here though our weather is really strange really hot one day and then really cool the next I am not sure what is going on.
I hope you get your white Christmas Christie.

Have Fun
Helen

Keira Soleore said...

I simply cannot imagine Christmas without snow. In fact, snowfall right after Thanksgiving sets the tone for the season. But then, I want it all melted and gone by New Year's.

I'm more likely to see temps of 40 degrees celsius than snow this year. So I'm with the Aussie folks and from the Biblical land, temperature-wise, not grilled meat-wise. (I'm dreaming of Mmmmeeeeaaaattttttt in the vegetarian diet place.)

Fedora, hats of carrying the Chookie off to your home.

Maureen said...

I do think of snow when I think of Christmas even though here in our part of Pennsylvania we don't often have snow on Christmas. The problems with snow is that my family lives several hours from us so traveling becomes difficult and worrisome.

Margay Leah Justice said...

I live in Massachusetts, so if it doesn't snow on or around Christmas, it doesn't really feel like it to me. We actually just got a dusting overnight. Don't know if it will stay, though.

hrdwrkdmom aka Dianna said...

Congrats flchen, have the GR set up his little weather station, maybe can call in the snow just this once.
We have snow in WV there have been several times in my memory that we had a lot of snow. We have had one small snow in the last week so I would say maybe 50% chance this year. Right now it is rain, rain, and more rain. Ice does not make for a good Christmas picture.
I think it is beautiful to look at if I don't have to go out there and shovel it.

Unknown said...

Congrats flchen1 for getting the GR today!

I like a little snow on Christmas day but I don't want to get any Christmas eve because that is when we visit my family and its a good little drive over there. I live in KY and you can never tell about the weather here, it changes so often. We had freezing rain, and snow yesterday and it is almost 40 degrees today. It had been a real cold winter so far for us.

Gillian Layne said...

We have snow now; it snowed yesterday, about two inches, but we are getting freezing drizzle as well, which is no fun!

We're expected to have snow near or on Christmas. I used to wish for it, but now I wish it would wait--my parents can't come if it snows too much, and I want to see them Christmas day! So what I want is the "perfect" snow--all over the trees and grass, but nothing on the roads. :)

Gillian Layne said...

Virginia, we posted at the same time and it looks like we have the same weather! :)

pjpuppymom said...

Growing up in Michigan we always had a white Christmas and I loved it. Moving to southwest Florida and living there for 24 years I got used to a green Christmas. Now I live in upstate South Carolina where we had a high of 43 last week and will have a high of 74 this week but no snow...so far. Who knows with this crazy weather? lol

As a child, I always loved when it snowed on Christmas Eve, especially if it started falling while we were in church. The church doors would open after the candlelight service and everyone would walk out into the softly falling snow carrying their lit candle and singing Silent Night. It was as if a hush had fallen over the world. So beautiful and serene, like standing inside a real-life snow globe.

Joan said...

flchen, you may not have snow but you sure as heck have the GR! Congrats!

We rarely have snow on Christmas here in KY...occasionally. Once was I was young we had a BIG one and slid off the side of the rode. That Buick didn't feel so much like a sleigh LOL.

But I agree. Snow makes the holdiay just THAT much better.

Donna MacMeans said...

Gotta love a blog by a writer that does historicals! What fun, Christie.

Congrats Fichen1! If you have no chance of snow, the GR will be happy. Those feathers aren't real helpful in the warm department.

Snow on Christmas Day is magical - all that glistening white piled thick on tree limbs and covering the ground in a muffling sugary blanket. As long as it's viewed from a comfy warm house window and not a car window. Hate to travel in snow. It sets the tone for Christmas - even the carols on the radio feel merrier. But it's rare to have that kind of covering here at Christmas.

Helen - Had to chuckle at your stinking hot Christmas. No hot chocolate for you that day! Actually, wouldn't mind a little stinking hot around here right now myself

Anonymous said...

Well, I'll tell you, when winter comes and we see the first snowflakes fall, it's all exciting. But as the season goes on. . . not so much. LOL I loved it as a kid, as most kids do, but once I got out of high school and to college, not so much. . . did you know college, even a community college, does not take off for every snow day? The horror of it. LOL So grew to not like it as much anymore. :)

Lois

Dina said...

I think we will have snow, it has snowed every other day last week and even when alot of it melted, we got more yesterday and a winter storm is on it's way tomorrow, so if we get what they say, I think we will indeed have a white Christmas. Bad thing is I have almost all my shopping still neede to be done and when driving is bad, I don't take chances, so hopefullt it will slow down. :)

Christie Kelley said...

flchen1, congrats on the GR. Sorry no snow for you.

Christie Kelley said...

Crianlarich, do not tell my husband about living near the Alps. He'll have us packed up and over there by the new year.

It sounds perfect. We haven't made a trip over there yet but now that the kids are getting older we can do more. I think Austria and Germany will be trip number 3 or 4.

Christie Kelley said...

flchen1, it does sound like you won't get any snow. About 15 years ago, I had the chance to move to Phoenix for my job. I hate the idea of never getting snow around the holidays. Needless to say, we didn't move (for other more important reasons).

Christie Kelley said...

limecello, I'm with you about getting snow before Christmas so it's there on the ground. We had nothing but rain yesterday and cold, between 38-40. I'd much prefer it just snow.

So far, we have a slight chance of snow showers on Christmas Eve and Christmas day. I'll believe it when I see it.

Christie Kelley said...

Minna, I wish you'd send some of that snow my way. It was 66 degrees on Monday. That really doesn't put me in a Christmas mood.

Christie Kelley said...

Sue, you have snow right now? You must have been hit with all that artic air that came down (except to Maryland). Good luck keeping the snow on the ground for a week!

Christie Kelley said...

Eva, no snow in Finland???!! I really would have expected you'd have snow. Do you usually get it?

Buffie said...

Most of my childhood was spent in southern Florida so we didn't have a white Christmas, just lights on the palm trees in the front yard. The one Christmas I spent in the hills of NC was also NOT white. Since then I have always been in Atlanta for the holiday. We rarely have a white Christmas, but it is something that I would love for my children to experience. Actually, the dh and I would love to rent a cabin or home in Utah or Montana or somewhere like that and spend Christmas there in the midst of all the snow!

Christie Kelley said...

Laurie, you're probably not getting snow for Christmas.

Christie Kelley said...

Helen, I couldn't imagine trying to cook a big dinner and have lots of people over when it's so hot. I tend to lose my appetite when it's too hot. Ah hah! Maybe that's the secret to not overeating at the holidays. I need to go some place really hot for Christmas!

Christie Kelley said...

Keira, I'm so with you on the snow right after Thanksgiving and gone by New Years day. Unfortunately around here, we tend to get most of our snowfalls in January and February. Yuck!

Christie Kelley said...

Maureen, I know snow is hard on all the travelers. We rarely have to go any place on Christmas Eve or Christmas day. Other than a party Christmas Eve at an old neighbor's home, which we do right after church, we home.

Christie Kelley said...

Margay, good luck getting your white Christmas. You have a much better chance than I do.

Christie Kelley said...

Dianna, you must have gotten that same rain we did. Some areas north of us did get a little snow and ice but not us. Too warm by the Bay.

Christie Kelley said...

Virginia, our fall (I have to remind myself it's still fall) has been colder than usual too. And then we'll get these strange days like Monday when it was in the mid-60s. I do like the break but it's just weird.

Anonymous said...

Christie, I'm with you and I love a white Christmas! Here in Oregon we don't get a lot of snow, only once or twice a year, so Christmas snow is rare. Stilll, last year we had a little dusting of snow on Christmas and it was truly magical. This year we're getting all our winter weather NOW. It's crazy! Snow and ice all over the place. The kids are in heaven, but it's an absolute pain in the rear to get around.

Not to mention that it's really flippin' cold!

Which reminds me why I DON'T live on the tundra (i.e., Buffalo) anymore. ;-)

Christie Kelley said...

Gillian, I'm fine with your wish for snow on everything but the roads. Send it my way!

Margay Leah Justice said...

Thanks - it's getting better by the minute! Ah, snow, it's so pretty when you're looking at it from your window. Living room window, that is!

Christie Kelley said...

PJ, you are so right about the sense of serenity with the snow. It just seems to dampen some of the "outside" noises. Being in Maryland, few people know how to drive in snow so the road noise lessens. The only sound is children playing. I love that!

Christie Kelley said...

Joanie, here's wishing you a little snow for Christmas!

Christie Kelley said...

Donna, it's just strange how our minds think sometimes. Why would the idea of snow and Christmas come to me when doing laundry? My mind is a scary place. I do think it's all about procrastination. I only have 75 pages written on a book due 3/1. So if I disappear for a short time you'll know where I am.

Christie Kelley said...

Lois, that's why I'm all for a snow December and then it can warm up and be gone!

Christie Kelley said...

Dina, I hope you get it all done. I know it's hard to get out when the weather's bad.

There is a huge V of geese going over my neighbor's house right now. Their all honking and making a huge noise and I love it. Just had to share!

Christie Kelley said...

Buffie, I'd love to do the same thing. My only problem is what about the tree? I couldn't cart all my decorations out there so the cabin would have to provide a decorated tree. I wonder if they do that?

Christie Kelley said...

Kirsten, I can't believe you are getting such awful weather. Especially when we're getting your weather. I'll take the snow over this cold rain any day. Have fun in it!

Louisa Cornell said...

Ah, the fickle bird is back with his first love! Congrats, Fedora!

Great topic, Christie. At least I can see snow on the blog. We seldom have snow for Christmas or any other time here in the Deep South. It looks like we will have a rainy sloppy Christmas. Sigh.

Crianlarich, you have made me SO homesick for Salzburg! The Christkind Market was the highlight of my Christmas every year I lived just across the river from and studied in Salzburg. The whole month of December was just magical there.

I relive the Christmases we spent in England every year through photos. It was just perfect. We had our first sleigh ride our first Christmas there.

Maybe I'll just blow some of those photos up and plaster the walls with them for Christmas this year.

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Good morning y'all!!

Lovely post, Christie, and one of my favorite things, snow at Christmas.

Now, Donna, I remember some lovely snowed in Christmases when I lived in Ohio. In fact, snow on Christmas Eve and morning was probably the only time my mother LIKED snow. (First fat snow flakes and the woman burrows in, makes soup and prays she doesn't have to go out for days!)

Now down here in Dallas we get one or two days of snow (or ice) a year, at least since I've lived here. Now, we had freezing fog the other night, something I've never heard of before, and it left a thin sheet of ice on all the roads. So the possibility of a little snow on Christmas is definitely increased. It would make the second time in 10 years for us! So here's hoping!!

Christie Kelley said...

Lousia, what a great idea about taking old snowy pictures and putting them up. Hmm, you've got me thinking. See, anything to not write this book!

Crianlarich said...

The Alps are amazing, Christie. You'll love them. I miss living there. Fifteen years is a long time. Well long enough to get really spoiled by a deeply traditional Christmas season and all that snow and Hansel and Gretel 'gingerbread magic' everywhere. Some of the Alpine lakes freeze so solid that there are festivals held on the ice sort of like the old Regency Frost Fairs. Those fests are incredible. People walk from one end of the lake to the other - and they can be quite long - and there's such a festive atmosphere. There'd be food vendors and Gluehwein stalls like at the town Christmas markets. But best of all was just walking on the frozen lake and seeing the enclosing mountains soaring up all around you, each one glittering with snow. The sky a brilliant cloudless blue and the air brittle with cold. I loved it. Really was like walking through a fairtytale. Enjoy when you visit!

Nathalie said...

We have gotten a lot of snow this month, so it will be a massive white christmas. I have never actually seen a green christmas!

Christie Kelley said...

Suz, what the heck is freezing fog? I've never heard of such a thing.

Christie Kelley said...

Crianlarich, stop! No more talk of the Alps! I can't go there for at least three years and it will probably be longer.

Christie Kelley said...

Nathalie, I'm so envious! My front yard is nothing but leaves and grass right now. Not very Christmas-y.

p226 said...

I think where I am here in WV, we have about a 10% chance of a white Christmas. Seems like every Christmas in memory has been kind of brown and dreary. But hey, it's right at the solstice, so there's not much daylight to spend looking at the brown and dreary outdoors, right?

Snow's really in my blood, or so I'm told. I was born in Utah. LOTS of snow there. FEET of snow there. And ironically, I love the desert.

If I had my way, I'd be decorating a Joshua Tree and hanging a tumblweed on the door with a red bow and gold bell.

.... though ... I'm fairly certain my wife would frown at this idea.

CrystalGB said...

I am not a fan of snow on Christmas because I have to drive to my parents' home that day.
Weather varies here so there is always a chance we will have snow.

Suzanne Ferrell said...

LOL, Christie, that's the same thing my hubby asked.

Here's what the local radio weather guy said, "The moisture in the fog is freezing and as it hits the ground it in turn is leaving layer upon layer of ice on the roads."

A new one for us!

Christie Kelley said...

p226, I'd have to agree with your wife. Not in my house!

Christie Kelley said...

Crystal, be careful on your drive! I would prefer snow about two days before Christmas so the roads are clear by Christmas Eve and Christmas day.

Christie Kelley said...

Suz, I'll have to ask my brother about that. He's down your way.

Christie Kelley said...

I have to ask a question! Has anyone see or heard of the upside down Christmas tree? Does anyone do that? This is something I'd never heard of before.

jo robertson said...

Great post, Christie! Where I grew up in northern Virginia, we always prayed, like you, for a touch of snow to make Christmas special.

Now that I live in California, that's nearly impossible. But yesterday we DID have snow in the foothills, a mere 20-minute drive from us. And we can always go up to the snow at Lake Tahoe. My kids used to love it even more when we went skiiing or just to play.

Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy said...

Fun topic Christie!

The only white Christmas I had growing up was FOG! UGH! Definitely don't like that kind of white. :-(

In the 30+ years I've lived here in Sactown, it has snowed exactly twice. Neither time on Christmas.

I'm actually with p226. GIVE ME SOME HEAT! The time I visited Oz, it was such fun to see Santa on a surfboard. I wouldn't mind stinkin' hot. Pass the margaritas, Helen and some nice chilled fruit salad!

AC

Christie Kelley said...

Jo, I'm still hoping for a little snow!

Christie Kelley said...

AC, you always want a margarita :)

We went to the Bahamas for Thanksgiving a few years ago and they had already started decorating for Christmas. It just didn't seem right to see the palm trees decorated.

Gannon Carr said...

Growing up in Florida, a white Christmas was not something we ever experienced. Now, that I'm living in the mountains of NC we may get a white Christmas. We've had snow early this year, but right now it's just dreary and rainy. I'm hoping for a lovely snowfall this time next week.

Susan Sey said...

Yay, snow! Thanks for the topic, Christie! I love snow. I live in Minnesota, of course, so I'd better love the cold, but snow has become iffy in recent years. But right now I'm looking out my window at a sparkly 6 degree day & a gorgeous blanket of new snow. It's beautiful.

My philosphy is, if it's going to be cold, at least you should have snow so you can go out & play. :-)

Let it snow! (but not while I'm driving to detroit for christmas, please.)

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

SNOW, baby! Let's have it! I'm with you Christie, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. I'm not that far south of you, in DC and I'm crossing my fingers...

Have to say though that because of all the songs and stories, my son didn't think it was Christmas. He was about four, I think, and it got to be 8:30 and he wasn't up. My DH went up to check on him - we'd figured he'd be up by 6 a.m., you know? - and he rolled over and said, "No, Dad, it can't be Christmas. I looked out the window."

Puzzled frown from Dad, "What's that have to do with it?"

"No snow, Dad, it CAN'T be Christmas."

Grins. So we had to explain that like the Grinch trying to steal it, it comes just the same, snow or no snow. :>

That said, I want SNOW. Growing up in NC, in the mountains, it was a 50/50 shot. Here in Maryland, as Christie said, more like 10-15%.

Now, for the Ides of March...THAT's when we get snow! :>

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Oh, and Crianlarich and Louisa, one of you who lived in Switzerland have to define Lebkuchen for me. I had to read your post twice Crianlarich to get what gluewein was - oh the visual w/o that definition! Ha!

Minna said...

Well, there certainly isn't any extra snow to send away, even here in eastern part of Finland. I've even seen some insects flying around outside.=P But maybe tomorrow... My mother remembers ONE Christmas from her childhood when there was no snow here. I'm just afraid that in the future I'll be seeing more than just one such Christmas, even if I don't move to southern part of Finland.

penney said...

No snow for us I wish it would snow here in LA California. It's raining now .
I think if we had snow it would be a great Christmas the kids would love it.
Happy Holidays!
Penney

Jane said...

Congrats on the GR, Fedora.

I live in NYC and we get snow, but not as much as upstate. We haven't had a white Christmas for several years now. I'm hoping we'll have snow on Christmas this year. Snow in the city quickly turns to dirty slush, so the beautiful clean stuff never lasts.

Christie Kelley said...

Gannon, I'm hoping for the same thing! I hope we both get that white Christmas.

Christie Kelley said...

Susan, 6 degrees, Yikes! I don't miss those temperatures. Good luck with your drive to Detroit!

Christie Kelley said...

Jeanne, what a cute story about your son. I guess we'll have to keep our fingers crossed for snow. It't not looking good right now.

Christie Kelley said...

Minna, I'm just shocked that you don't have snow. Then again, I will say that in the past three years we've had far less snow than we used to.

Christie Kelley said...

Penny, I hear you about the rain. That's all we're getting too. And I hate cold rain. I'd rather have snow any day.

Christie Kelley said...

Jane, I've noticed a lot of times when we get a good snowfall that's when NYC will get it too. NYC is sooo pretty in the snow.

Crianlarich said...

Christie - No worries, I'll keep mum on the Alps.

Louisa - I'm so glad you know Salzburg so well. It is magical. Whenever friends from the US visited, I'd give them my own Sound of Music tour. But Salzburg is so much more. A Christmas favorite - and something really special - was attending the annual Salzburger Adventsingen. Wow. Goosebumps .... The frozen Alpine lake I meant was Koenigsee at Berchtesgaden. Koenigsee means "King's lake" and it is that beautiful.

Jeanne - Lebkuchen is very similar to gingerbread in taste. It just looks different. No little cookie cut-out men. Most common are rectangular or circular 'spiced gingerbread-y cookies' that are coated with a clear glaze. Sometimes a chocolate glaze. They are delicious.

Gluehwein is simply spiced red wine served warm. It, too, is delicious. Housewives all have their own special recipe, but it can also be bought in bottles at Christmas. Best, though, is to stop by a Christmas market stall that sells it by the cup. With bitter cold temps, frosty mist blowing round you and snow on the street cobbles, a steaming cup of gluehwein is very heady. Just the thing. Big sigh....

p226 said...

I just stumbled across the coolest link that's TOTALLY relevant to today's blog post.

Check this out! (Be sure to click "next" to view the next images)

http://tinyurl.com/6cf9t8

Christie Kelley said...

p226, very cool website! I think I've been hit by those needle ones. Ouch!

Helen said...

Christie

Being really hot doesn't mean we don't eat probably because we are so used to the heat we still eat lots and then for days after there are so many leftovers we don't stop eating for days LOL.

I am really enjoying the descriptions from everyone the thought of a white Christmas to me is awesome.

Have Fun
Helen

Anna Campbell said...

Hey, he's back with his ladylove Fedora! I hope he behaved today!

Christie, what an interesting post. Actually a lot of Christmas traditions have their source in the Victorian era. Christmas in the Regency wasn't actually that big a deal. So something to thank those Victorians for!

It's hilarious down here - we still have all the winter decorations, the fake snow and the snowmen, robins, etc. And in Queensland, it's hot enough to cook eggs on the pavement! But it's part of the tradition so we stick with it, no matter that it has no logic!

Joan said...

Here in Oregon we don't get a lot of snow, only once or twice a year, so Christmas snow is rare.

Now see Kristen..this blows my mind! I've always pictured Oregon as being snowy.

But Monday I watched one of my favorite reality series "Little People Big World" and they were out in their shirtsleeves for their Christmas!

Joan said...

If I had my way, I'd be decorating a Joshua Tree and hanging a tumblweed on the door with a red bow and gold bell.

Ho. Ho. Ho, p226! That's the spirit...artsy but the spirit!

:-)

catslady said...

We have snow and should probably have it for Christmas. It's just the ice I don't want. My daughter just slid on some and did a job on her car and some to a truck that she hit. Everyone is okay but I'm a nervous wreck about it. It's beautiful when you don't have to drive in it!

p226 said...

That might be the first time I've ever been accused of being artsy. ;)

Christie Kelley said...

Anna, that's fantastic. I love the image of snow when is so hot down there.

Trish Milburn said...

Snow definitely makes it look more like Christmas, but I always dread it because of having to drive several hours for the holiday. If I didn't have to go anywhere and could just stay inside, then it'd be fine.

Christie Kelley said...

catslady, I'm sorry about your daughter and the accident. I do hate ice. Snow, I can handle.

I told my son who has his driving permit that when we do get snow I'm taking him to a parking lot to let him get used to it.

Christie Kelley said...

Trish, if I had to drive on the holidays I wouldn't want snow either. It doesn't bother me to drive in it, but we don't have enough plows around here and no one knows how to drive in it.

Nancy said...

Fedora, congrats on grabbing the bird!

Helen, I'm glad you kept him running. He needs the workout. Too much egg nog in the lair recently. *g*

No snow for us, Christie. In fact, I can't remember the last time we had even a hope of a white Christmas. We had them a few times when I was growing up, but there hasn't been one in a long time.

Interesting post. Snow ties in with the whole concept of coziness, too.

traveler said...

Where I lived most of my life in the Great White North there was always snow and tons of it. We would tramp through the snow all winter long, go sledding and on quiet winter nights leading up to Christmas tour the magical lights that shone beautifully through the city. The season was spectacular. Where I live now it is sparse and rare but can happen.

Pat Cochran said...

I live in Houston, Texas, which is
not exactly Snow Central! LOL. Yet,
a week ago today, we had a "snowfall"
which actually lasted for a day! The
children had snow ball fights and made snowmen! OK, so most of the
snow people were not that big, but
they were made of real snow!!!

Pat Cochran

Christie Kelley said...

Nancy, I agree that snow equates to coziness. I love having a fire in the fireplace, a warm cup of tea and snow falling outside.

Christie Kelley said...

traveler, here's hoping for a little snow your way!

Christie Kelley said...

Pat, very cool (no pun intended) to have snow down in Houston. I'm terribly envious since we haven't had more than a very slight dusty.

hrdwrkdmom aka Dianna said...

It is still raining here, I am searching online for build an ark kits.

Christie Kelley said...

Dianna, will UPS be able to deliver it to you in time?? Sorry for the bad weather, I hope it gets better!

Joan said...

I knew The Lair held powerful magic but a snowstorm?

Yes, tonight on the weather they are projecting the possibility of a heavy snow on Christmas Eve here in KY.

I work 12 hrs. Christmas Eve.

I do NOT want to be stuck at the hospital!!!!!

Arghhhhh

Christie Kelley said...

Joanie, send that storm to me! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

Beth Andrews said...

I love snow at Christmas because that's all I've ever known *g* We have it now, we'll have it on the 25th...heck...we'll probably even have it APRIL 25! (We've had White Easters a few times)

I do enjoy snow on Christmas but can live w/o it the rest of the year. But for that, I'm going to have to move ;-)

Louisa Cornell said...

Crianlarich, how could I forget the Adventsingen! A bunch of us from the Mozarteum used to go together and you are right. It is just a magical event.

Oh and isn't Konigsee amazing? The electric boat and the trumpeter echoing his song off the mountains. And in the Spring if you did the tourist climb, the steep one you could hear the cows coming down at the end of the day, their bells were just this symphony of pure sound. And one of my proudest accomplishments was climbing the mountain climbers' side of Mt. Kehlstein.

And you could by real roasted chestnuts from the vendors on Getreidegasse during the Christmas season. Yum!

Janga said...

I've never seen a white Christmas, and according to the NOAA, the chances that I will this year are 0%. It was in the 70s here today; I think Christmas Day is supposed to be colder--in the mid 50s. Someone at a Christmas party last week said the last white Christmas in the Atlanta area was in the
19th century.

Anonymous said...

We had a lot of ice and I'm ready for it to be gone. I love a snowy Christmas just leave out the ice.

Crianlarich said...

Man, Louisa... Now you're making me homesick to go back there! Yes, yes, yes, to those electric boats and the echoing trumpet. Goosebumps again. I think I'm going to have to insist on spending next Christmas over there. But then the electric boats aren't running in Dec. Waaaa... As for the roasted chestnuts sold by the street vendors. Ooooh, how I loved them, too. And ditto all the hiking, though you are a braver soul than me. I stayed on the easier trails.

Thanks again, Christie, for such a wonderful post. Sure brought back lots of happy memories.

Dina said...

I thought I'd update you on our snow, today just waking outside my door the snow is almost at my knees! Thankfully my place of work closed today otherwise I would have called in, I am not getting out of my driveway anytime soon today.

kim h said...

no snow in cali here