Snow Days

There is something innately beautiful about newly fallen snow. The first few inches, at least. This winter, we have been hit by storm, after storm, after storm, after storm. Like clockwork, the moisture and cold air has swept up, across and over in such a way that we're the 'lucky' recipients of new accumulations.

As the owner of an all-wheel drive vehicle, being on the roads doesn't concern me at least as far as my own driving. It's always the OTHER person that worries me. Though there is nothing better then knowing that staying home is the safest and best course of action.

The night before a Snow Day, there is the excitement of a stolen night. Stay up late and use the extra time to your advantage or go to bed early and steal some extra sleep? Doesn't matter which, but I always tend to sleep in the next morning. The sounds outside dampened; the normal sounds are muted just enough for you to know that things are different, quieter, more peaceful. That first look when you peek around the curtain is either disappointing or humbling; were the meteorologists even close to their estimates? Recently, our local weather forecasts have been right on - and that has meant a lot of snow. Not just inches, but FEET of snow. So this morning, my first peek outside confirmed their guesses. We had a new, fresh, thick layer of snow blanketing roads, decks, trees, and cars; buried deep.  And it is that knowledge that lets you climb back into bed, and curl into that warm spot you just left with the calm knowledge that no one should go out and challenge the roads, all wheel drive or not.

Now, to shower or not? Both work, both are a treat. To shower and throw on fresh PJs or to crawl downstairs under the blanket for the day only to crawl upstairs to bed later that evening without having changed all day. Ok, that sounds gross, but I consider that an infrequent luxury!

But snow days provide that unplanned break in the week. The day that you haven't planned or expected, where you can steal time for yourself. Read the magazine or the book that you've carried around without time to indulge. Watch that movie that has either seemed a waste of time or something that you've not had time to enjoy. And cook. A mid-week treat to have time to stew a warm, comforting pot of chili or soup that can bubble away for hours on the stove, filling your home with the warmth and aromas that sing of tasty goodness.

You don't get these stolen days most other seasons. Work is not typically called off for high temperatures. Nor rain storms. And so winter. as cold and blistering as it can be, holds the honor of being a season of stolen moments. Beyond the holidays, where I cherish the glow of lights in the snow and the promise of family and friends, winter has excuses to curl up peacefully, guilt-free. I stole today, thanks to another snow storm. I stole some time for me; the quiet time I need to be alone in those moments when you actually want to be alone. And in my opinion, those moments are precious!