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Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Snow Day!


A snowy afternoon on the path behind our house...
Remember this post? That was the last time we had snow this winter, but we haven't actually had real, accumulating snow in northern Virginia in over two years. So, forgive me--especially those of you living in far snowier climes like Canada and Maine--as I indulge in a little photo journey through our snowy day!

My favorite weather blog (yes, I have one--don't judge) had been talking about this storm since late last week, but I didn't really get my hopes up until Monday. By Tuesday afternoon, there wasn't a single forecast listing under 4" totals for the DC metro reason, and I'd told my students what they needed to complete for homework if I didn't see them until Thursday. So, when the automated call came from school at 11:30pm last night (just after I'd returned home from rehearsal), I was delighted (if not entirely surprised). Jeff and I celebrated with a glass of wine while we watched Netflix for a bit, then snuggled in to wake up to a white... March?

At first glance, it didn't appear to be much, but Ozzy seemed appropriately confused by the sight of the white stuff that had been absent for so long.

"What's that, mom?!"
Once we made our way downstairs to construct our favorite breakfast sandwiches (goat cheese and mozzarella melted on a baguette with scrambled eggs, tomatoes, and spinach), I threw open every shade to soak in the snowy morning.

"I love my mom, I love my mom, I love my mom. I'm not going to tell her how embarrassing this display of affection is."
As the morning progressed, while our neighbors to the east saw little in the way of accumulation (even a close friend just 30 minutes away only had rain!), our snow started to pile up.

Looking out the window to our deck with accumulations of almost 4 inches in the early afternoon.
However, due to the heavy and wet nature of the snow itself, going outside wasn't much fun, so we curled up in the living room with a well-laid fire. (Some members of the family may have taken advantage of the fire more than others, but I can't judge as I was the one to lay down the ceremonial "pretty, pretty princess" pillow for their use.)

"It's a hard knock life, for me."
Of course, Jeff couldn't resist the call of the neighborhood boys (both large and small), and he joyfully indulged in an hour outside with friends. (As always, it is such an incredible joy for me to see him with surrounded by the men in our community--themselves wonderful fathers and husbands--who love him.)

I belong to the silly man in the furry hat (who's mostly hidden :-).
And, so, we've had the most wonderful snow day! These days hold a special place in our hearts, especially since, when we lived in New Jersey, snow days always meant brunch at Toast (Crab Cakes Benedict!) with our best friend, K. We spent a lot of time today reminiscing about those we love, both near us and far from us, and feeling so thankful that they are in our lives.

And you? Yes, you! You who is reading this post? You're part of that group we give thanks for on this unexpected March snow day. For most of you fell into our lives in an unexpected fashion, yet it's a joy and privilege to call you our family, whether blood or not.

Here's to unexpected joys on a snowy March afternoon!