We transplanted ourselves to the Nashville area about seven years ago and, with that, experienced a few differences from our previously known tropics-of-south-Alabama weather. I mean, it wouldn’t seem like such a big deal on the surface moving 4 hours north, but even the bugs here are a little different.
So, while I usually bemoan the fact that we live in Seattle for the first few months of the year every year, {cloudy + lots of rain – a summer girl needs her vitamin D}, it also comes with a big payoff: sometimes, and by sometimes I mean more often than not in the winters, it snows.
I say snow with great enthusiasm because we love it. We’re used to piping-hot summers and boring winters, and snow just makes everything better. If I’m going to suffer with the time change and dull skies, at least make it beneficial. Give me a nicely-dusted blanket of white and if I’m really lucky, I’ll take a couple of rounds, too.
I still remember our first snow day here. I think I was more excited than the kids. We were used to being let down in the weather predictions department, which made us perpetual disbelievers. When we woke that first morning to a blanket of snow, we were delightfully shocked. I woke them all up, flinging open the curtains proclaiming, “It SNOWED!” like we’d never seen it before. I think it had snowed previously in Alabama once in their lifetimes, so this was kind of a big deal.
Honestly, it never gets old.
Last winter was really cold with few benefits. In fact, our last big snowfall happened in 2021. So, starting this summer, since we have a senior, I had one small request to the weather channel gods, and it was this: please give us snow. Not just any snow. A days-out-of-school, at least-five-inches, milk-and-bread zombie apocalypse run on the local Publix, snow.
When they started predicting again, we still didn’t believe them. Old habits die hard with these Alabama peeps. But I wore my pajamas backward, flushed some ice down the toilet, and put a white crayon in the window.
We were hurtling downhill on a sled, if anyone’s wondering why the faces.
Just kidding about the jammies part. But I do remember the kids have definitely partaken in all of these traditions since elementary school.
Be careful what you ask for, because we measured 6.5. And more is coming on Thursday. {Fingers crossed!}
We have loved every. Single. Moment.
To me, this has been a really pivotal season of soaking it all in. A season of gratefulness, realizing that we won’t have this forever. And then, when this is over, we will cherish the next season and the next. Celebrating in unique ways.
But for now, with numb faces, screams of horror with some really steep hills {I’m the problem, it’s me}, red cheeks, full hearts, and of course, hot chocolate by the fireplace,
I smell snow.
We’re really grateful for these days.
Happy winter, everyone. Pssst… see our fun little video here!
Faye says
I just wanted to say I LOOOOVE this post. I’m in Canada – and snow is obviously pretty normal in winter – and sometimes even in May! But most people become a wee bit grumpy about it. My cat especially, and my husband. I kind of love a good snow day (or two) where you can’t go anywhere! Anyway, it’s nice to read about a whole family that embraces it!!! Made me smile. 🙂
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thank you so much! We have had so much fun. We have a saying here, “Carol called!” which is the lady who calls out to the whole county when school is canceled. Waiting on Carol to call yet again today! We take great joy in hearing her voice. ;}
Nancy F Lambert says
Ashley,
Thank you for the snow, in Murfreesboro we got little over 6″
I moved here near the end of 2008 from Fort Payne, AL
ashley @ the handmade home says
We are kindred spirits – I KNOW you get it! I hope you have had the best snow day{s}! Enjoy every bit of gorgeous fun.