Last night we had our first real snow of the winter. It was a good one too- we were under a blizzard watch for about 18 hours and we have drifts of up to 3 feet in the yard. Average depth was probably 18-20 inches, it was hard to tell with how much everything was blowing, plus the wind deposited a couple inches on the porch through the screens. Luckily the weather people were wrong and the snow didn't start until around 6PM, which gave me time to get home from work and off the roads before things really picked up and got nasty. As much as I would have loved a short day at work I'm much happier having worked a full day and off the roads safely.
The snow started around 6, like I said, and for the first two hours wasn't much at all, though it did pick up steadily. There was a light, blowing coat by eight then it really started to pick up. By eleven there was a pretty good coat and I had unplugged the blowup decorations in the front yard- they had been blowing like crazy and I gave up and shut them down so they wouldn't get ruined. We went to bed and, as the previous night, I didn't sleep well. I woke around 3AM, went downstairs to see how things were going and the storm was in full swing- blowing and coming down strong and steady. The timing really could not have been better for the heavy stuff so people were off the roads. I woke up again around 6AM and realized I wasn't going to get back to sleep. After watching the news for a short time I went out for the first time to clear a spot for the dogs to "go". Normally in snow they'll duck under one of the cars but there was no way they were going to get under there today. I cleared a small area from the back door to a little into the grass on the back yard, and it was pretty easy. Ski resorts would LOVE this snow- light and powdery, I almost could have used a leaf blower to clear the steps and a small path. After they went out I was itching to get the snowblower out but held off, cranking it up at that hour and with the snow still coming down that hard didn't make sense.
Back inside I made a solid breakfast (maple breakfast sausage, scrambled eggs cooked in the grease from the sausage, toast) with tea then pretty much sat itching until it was time to get ready. Viv very much enjoyed taking pictures as I geared up and the puppies were confused as I went out without them. I believe in being warm so I went with jeans, coveralls, a hooded sweatshirt, tshirt, knit cap and waterproof gloves, plus heavy work socks and solid boots.
By now (around 8:30) the snow had started to slow down and the wind was dying off. I had to force the door to the shed open since there was snow piled almost halfway up the doors then cranked the snowblower up, let it warm up then went out to play. I started off by clearing a nice, big area in the back yard for the puppies (No, they're not spoiled at all) then went to the front. With all three vehicles in the driveway there wasn't a lot to do in terms of area but the depth of the snow made it more of a challenge. The snowblower has roughly an 18" tall opening in the front and some of the drifts by the cars were nearly up to my waist so I did go back and forth a few times to get past. The bottom of the drive went quickly and I took a short break to let the puppies out, then the fun began. I love playing with the snowblower and, since we live on a small street, just so I'll have more time to play I take care of the neighborhood's driveways. I will have to go out tomorrow, too, it looks like- our older neighbors normally hire someone so I just did a path from their car up to their door in case of an emergency and no one's done theirs yet, if by tomorrow morning it's not done I'll get more gas and finish for them.
I took it easy this year- did two neighbors, expanded the puppies' area, took a break then went back out and did the rest. The fun part was moving the cars to clear the two-foot-plus drifts in between each so Viv can get out for work tomorrow and I can take the puppies to the groomer (and get a few last-minute things). After a shower a solid two-hour nap followed, then I finished up what the plow pushed back into the driveway and built a fire.
Right now we're just kicking back, enjoying the fire and the beauty of a fresh snowfall. It looks like we may actually have a white Christmas, as it's not really supposed to get above freezing this week, which will be nice. I'm actually hoping we have the same thing happen at the same time next year, I would love for Brielle's first Christmas to be a white one. Seeing pictures of friends' little ones in the snow made me smile and really look forward to being able to take and share them next year of our little one.
I do love the first good snow of the year. The look of the earth covered with a blanket of white, how silent the world becomes as the snow falls, watching familiar landmarks slowly become blurred then gently coated, the puppies out playing and coming in coated- it's pure goodness and happiness. Staying in, surrounded by warmth and with the ones who mean most to me in the world- if there's a better feeling out there it must be illegal. Being able to share this with Brielle next year will make this even better- I can't wait to see the look on her face when she sees snow falling and what the world turns into. Seeing her and the puppies playing in the snow is going to be pure magic. With these warm, happy thoughts I close...
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