What a lovely post! Not snowed in here but very cold with some lovely snow on the ground.

Our tree is up and looking lovely. Everybody has managed to stay well. No colds or flu so that's good!

One sad memory yesterday while decorating the tree. I remembered how my little cat Claudia used to love to sit under the tree and gaze up at the lights. First Christmas without her.

First winter storm since May when we had her put to sleep.

Still miss her terribly.

No snow here thank goodness. But I know what you mean about the stories. When my mom was in rehab we talked alot about the past. Lots of stories I had never heard. Some honest discussions about past resentments. I'm glad we had that time because mom has reached a point where she doesn't remember the distant past.

Had an extended family Christmas Party today. So now I can start working on getting my house ready for Christmas. Going to go simple and elegant this year. Just not enough time and not up to it physically this year. Lots of changes to holiday traditions which is unsettling. Need to work on making new traditions.

Snowing here in northwest Chicago burbs.....nippy too!
Yesterday was my brothers anniversary...he's been gone 38 years....killed in a motorcycle accident at the age of 16.
However, my daughter invited my mom and me to go wedding dress shopping to try and make it a positive for us. She found the dress of her dreams and mom and I burst into tears (she looked like a real princess)......however.....the tears were of joy and not sorrow.
It was such a welcome and lovely gesture on my dear daughters part.

Today is snowing as it did 38 years ago, the day after my brothers death.....only now I feel it is a sign that my brother is looking down with approval and joy :)
I am filling the house with the smell of baking cookies while watching the snow fall gently outside.
Hot cocoa anyone?

Nice to see your stories too and feel for the sadness we all carry on living with and make work somehow.

I would love some of the hot cocoa (could I get a few crackers and peanut butter please? ) Need anything from my cyber kitchen?

In the real kitchen, I made Mom a 'nog with some grog. Next thing I know she is playing a Buble Holiday CD and singing away. Amazing what 2 tablespoons of rum will do.

Keep warm folks. Here comes the cold nights this week
(and of course I have a valve that broke on one of the water lines to replace tomorrow)

I stayed home yesterday due to the snow and rain. The roads were all ice in NH.

I didn't know what to do with myself so I asked Mom if she'd like to help me make some bread and get some homemade soup going. She jumped at the chance. Oh, the smell of soup cooking and bread baking just fills the house with all these wonderful smells...

When the meal was done, we sat in the living room; started a fire and put the x-mas lights on. We ate and watched Good Night Mr. Tom; (one of my mother's favorite movies).

Was one of the best days I can remember!

Yay for the Happy stories ... So so happy to read them. Reading them just shows the love.

Big Hug
P

Back home in Ohio before the climate change we had the most amazing winters! We had ice walls twenty fey high on either side of the driveway that would not melt until spring.

We lived out in the sticks and had a driveway a quarter mile long. Dad would get up early every morning and get the tractor out so mom and I could get to school. He also had a big 955 Cat front end loader.

I remember one time the tractor goy stuck so Dad went out with the Cat to free the tractor. THEN even the loader could not get through!

We were stuck for several days. It was lovely! We lived on a hill and we got the sleds out! Oh how I miss that place and those wonderful snow storms!

TroJan, I went with you to the hill and my inside feel like
weeeeeeeeeeeeeee....wooooohooo...

if that makes sense. Love your Ohio stories. They hit experiences I had in Indiana in later childhood. Mostly because involvement through horses brought me to more rural exposure. Hooray for that!!!

We are a snow family. My folks had a VW Bus in Buffalo and Michigan.
It was the first car in my earliest memory and for years thereafter to young child.

Trust me....we use to sled in that VW Bus with no heat and bundled like mummies. I loved it when Bus would slid. Of course not knowing the risk and reality. But loved the feel.

Later, when I learned to drive, I also learned how to slid donuts
on icy parking lots in my jeep. I was such a rowdy girl.
Now, my Mom says I drive like an old lady :) She would know eh?

Hugs
P

ice walls 20' high. that's a winter wonderland!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a spectacular view that must have been!

We have 4-6 inches coming our way in New England Sat into Sun. Oh JOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it's not that much snow; just enough to be a nuisance! We have to plow the back yard every snow storm; we have a small Lhasa Apso that get's buried in 6 inches. Poor Meggie! And we don't shave her so her hair is just filled with snow when she comes in.. Oh, I can hardly wait for the weekend...

Yeah! They were quite something! You had to start dumping the snow WAAAY the heck out away from the driveway when it was first time to plow or else it would get too high for the tractor or the loader to dump it.

I remember another time the roads got piled so high in frozen shush that it would high center your car.

Also a few time we would put on a pack and cross country ski to the grocery store.

Where I live now we hardly ever get a nice big storm. =(