Vermont - Winter Playground

As I look out my window this morning, snow is gently falling, adding to the foot and a half we already had from the last couple of storms. Growing up in Vermont means that I LOVE snow! I love how beautiful it is, and I love how many sports become available to me with its presence. So it really amazes me how many Vermonters hate snow. I'm not just talking about transplants. I expect people who moved here from southern states to view the fluffy white stuff with disdain. There are, however, many native born Vermonters who watch snowfall with disgust instead of pleasure.  I'll admit that having to go out early every morning, brush off the car, and many times shovel the driveway before work, did not always add to my attitude about snow. Now that my mornings are a bit slower, however, I am in awe of watching the snow fall, covering everything in a blanket of pure white. I realize I am quite spoiled now, as we live off a long driveway, hidden from the road, complete with ancient tractor and attached plow. I don't drive in snowstorms unless I have to, and will often bum a ride into town off Adam if he's going. I mean, why not save the gas and spend some extra time with my hubby? :)

The entire time we were in the south this last time I had to hear about the big blizzard of 2015 sweeping up the coast of the Northeast. I listened and watched with jealously as the North got dumped on with snow. To my pleasure, however, our particular part of Vermont didn't receive much during that storm, and got most of its now after we got back. More snow is coming on a daily basis, starting consistently on Sabbath.

Forecast:
               Saturday night - 1-3 inches,
               Sunday - 1- 3 inches,
               Sunday night - 1-3 inches,
               Monday - 1-3 inches,
               Monday night - another inch

So you know what that means??? The snowboard is coming out of storage next week, and we'll be making tracks with our snowshoes this Sabbath! We were given the awesome present of Bromley Sun Passes from my parents this Christmas. We get a free day out of it, plus a discount every time we go after that. If I had a dime for all the times in past years I've gone boarding on sub-par trail conditions simply because it was when I had planned time off….well, lets just say there were a lot of times. Getting to pick the perfect day to snowboard, right after multiple days of continuous snowfall is just another blessing of being self employed. When the weather is good, we can hit the slopes! The little coffee shop Adam and I love in Wilmington, VT is closed 2 days midweek every week merely for their convenience of hitting the slopes while the tourists are far and few between! If you're ever in that neck of the woods, by the way, I highly recommend going there. Its called Folly Foods, right on the main drag in the town of Wilmington. Great coffee, food, and amazing people that run it.

For those of you who enjoy snow as much as I do, I wish you every opportunity to get out and play in it! And for those of you less fond of it, cuddle up next to your wood stove (or a friends if you don't have one), shut the curtains, and turn on a warm-weather movie!

Lesssons From the Snow

Last year I could totally relate to Jacki's sentiments about growing up and losing the child's sense of the term "snow day." Working for my Dad full time, I fully expected him to graciously allow me to escape the weather and stay home whenever we got a significant amount of snow. After the first few calls for "Take is slow, watch out for the crazy drivers," I began to realize I was a big girl now, and needed to get used to driving in bad weather. College at Southern my first year certainly didn't allow me to practice my winter driving. Last year I learned.

This year, with dismal hopes and the awareness that I really was in the "work world," I mentally prepared to face the blizzards in my little volkswagon bug. To my great surprise last week, I was told I better stay put, since we didn't have too much going on that day anyway. What wonderful news! It was all the more wonderful because I didn't expect it. I got oodles of fun things done I wasn't planning on having time to do. Figuring it was a one time deal, I savored it and moved on. Then today, with forecasts of snow, turning to freezing rain and ice, I got another call. Another unexpected "hurray!" I got some extra school work done, lovingly tended to my piano, and am taking a little break on here.

I think what I am learning from all of this is that is that I really am growing up. You'd think that at 21, married, and in my last year of college I'd have figured that out. Oh well, I don't catch on so quick. Even amidst this realization, God and my Dad gave me a few unexpected blessings. The real beauty is appreciating them for all their worth when they come.