The First Snowy Day

September 30, 2009

I was awoke this morning by the sound of rain drumming on the tin roof and wood smoke in the air. Ahh... perfect!

As a child I dreamed of having a home with a tin roof and snuggling with my man in front of a fireplace on rainy nights. As I stretched and wondered what time it was, this dream came vividly to mind. As my husband reached to hug me, I had to laugh at how wonderful life can be. Okay, so the smoke was coming from the controlled burns in the mountains and our roof is so insulated it dulls the romanticness of the rain, but who am I to complain?

As I fixed breakfast the rain let up and I began making plans for the day. Outdoor building projects would be the priority of the day. Maybe, just maybe, I could even get most of them done! With that in mind, I got the boys going on their chores and hurried to do mine. That is when the announcement came.

"Mom! It's snowing!!! Come see! There are flakes -- look at them!" Wesley exclaimed as he came in taking out the trash.

All of the boys crowded around the nearest window, then flew down the stairs and out the front door.  Their bare feet danced on the lawn while catching snowflakes with their tongues.  Watching them, I realized my plans for the day were going to change.  Mentally re-planning the  day as I fixed my husbands lunch, I realized with delight, this was the first snow storm of the season!  That meant it was time to plan for the first snow day of the season.

Soup:

• Home-made french onion or creamy mushroom soup, served with toasted bread and parmesan cheese.

Entree:

• Venison roast with a garlic and black pepper rub.
• Baked beans, made on the wood stove.
• Baked butternut squash, served with butter, salt and pepper.
• Green beans, stir-fried in bacon grease.
• Brown rice.

Dessert:

• All the goodies made that day and more hot cocoa!

• Ginger Snaps
• Big Chunk Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Cheese Cake
• Banana Bread
• Shortbread Cookies
• Home-made Hot Cocoa

I aim to make three or four of these recipes.

This year I'd like to try Mince-meat. To me, it has an old-fashioned cozy sound.

The first snowy day of each season is something I have been celebrated with my boys for the last three years now. 

It is a day when we push aside the cares of life and focus on fun.  We make cookies and hot coco.  We build snowmen, working together to roll large balls.  We cuddle in front of the fire and read stories.  We did through our boxes of winter clothing, trying things on and deciding who will use what and who needs something new.  We pack away the summer things and put flannel sheets on our beds.  We make our favorite comfort food for supper and look forward to the season ahead. 

The first snowy day is not a date on the calendar -- it changes from year to year.  We celebrate it the first day we wake up to a blanket of snow on the ground and more in the air.  We watch for it with expectancy.  We know that this first snow is unlikely to last, so we make the most of it.

Finishing up fall chores, with a 5 foot tall snowman in the yard is fun.  The children are eager to help and there is an urgency in the air.  Get those last bulbs in the ground.  Put the carrots in the cellar.  Wrap the trees, so they don't get broken.  Hang the Christmas lights.  Sit back, and enjoy the crisp air with another glass of hot apple cider... the leave will not be red forever nor will the days stay this long.  Winter is coming.

Ivorwen, 2009.

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