This is an old photo from a 2011 snowstorm.
Here in southeastern Pennsylvania we are awaiting our first snowstorm of the season. The first one is always magical. It brings a beauty about it and covers all the ugly brownness of a fall completed.
As always, I am conflicted. I enjoy the first snow (not be confused with the twentieth snow in February where I am close to suicidal) but it isn’t always convenient.
My fantasy involves a beautiful snow while I am in front of a fireplace with the tree lights glowing, music softly playing and a cup of hot chocolate (with whipped cream) in my hand. It may even include a good book on my lap.
The beloved husband’s fantasy is a great football game where the home team is someplace warm so they can play their hearts out (and win) accompanied by a Coors Light and some salted peanuts. (Do we have a disconnect here?)
The reality is that it usually occurs when we have to travel. I used to dread the drive to work but today we are attending a Christmas concert (the Transiberian Orchestra no less!) a half hour away on a good day.
Our fireplace is broke. Some gizmo broke and it won’t be fixed until the 18th so that dream is out too.
Fortunately, the hot chocolate stock is good and thanks to Kindle, I can always get a good book fast. Wine always works in a pinch.
The beauty will not be lasting. The snow will be followed closely by ice (double yuk!) and ending in rain tomorrow morning. This isn’t the fantasy that I dream about.
We have prepared as best we can. The beloved husband has exchanged the lawn mower for the snow blower.
I have filled the bird feeders and the heated bird bath. These are located near a sliding glass door which we refer to as our cats’ interactive theatre. There are nose prints on the glass to prove its popularity.
We will dress for the weather and hope for the best.
Maybe next time we will have the fantasy but let’s hope it’s not in February.
Views and Mews by Coffee Kat 
It’s been a very long time since I’ve seen snow, and it’s been half a lifetime since I’ve seen snow deep enough to blanket everything is wonderful white powder. Oh, the irony of having a fireplace, but not being able to fire it up with the first snowfall. Seems rather unfair, doesn’t it? Never mind the rain that will soon follow your first snow. In any case, hope you can at least get a cup of that steaming hot cocoa, and maybe even watch the cats, while they are watching the birds. Theater-in-a-theater, so to speak. Stay warm!
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Another storm predicted for tomorrow — up to six inches but we’ll see. Wish I could ship some down to you. It would be fun for the holidays!
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“cats’ interactive theatre. There are nose prints on the glass to prove its popularity” haha! Now that sounds like fun. My dog has a sort of interactive theater, it has paw prints on it though.
Loved your fantasy.
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Fun post! How was TSO?
I love the snow most when I’m inside looking out and have no particular place to be 🙂
MJ
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That is the only way to enjoy it!
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Delicious post Kate, I had a good laugh, and then felt mean when I read about your fire ! Hope you get it sorted soon… and always have enough hot chocolate… have you tried dressing it up with a good slug of kahlua? makes sleep come easy !!!!!
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Kahlua? Wonderful idea!
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Bad timing on a broken fireplace! So sorry to hear that one. I picture a fireplace as essential in times like the storms you’re anticipating. I hope the concert was as wonderful as I expect it would be, and that you’ve actually over-prepared for what’s to come. I hope the storm isn’t all that’s expected. Be warm…and safe!
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Well, the storm turned out to be a bust but they are predicting 3 to 6 inches tomorrow.
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“I have filled the bird feeders and the heated bird bath. These are located near a sliding glass door which we refer to as our cats’ interactive theatre. There are nose prints on the glass to prove its popularity.” This made me laugh. Manhattan’s winter wonderland looks like someone’s shaking Parmesan cheese from a plane so my Little Women fantasy also went bust. Love the picture at the top…such a lovely yard and that cafe set. Must be so pretty to sit out there in the spring.
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Parmesan cheese from a plane — what a great description. NYC is pretty when it snows but when it lingers it’s just nasty.
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Snow is but a distant, pleasant memory for me. Time has nearly erased the scary, white knuckle ride (a 55-mile one-way commute to work) when ice and snow turned a one-hour commute into two. Still, I share your fantasy of the hot chocolate (or a glass of wine) by the fireplace. And, a HEATED bird bath. Those birds have the life. :-).
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I traveled for one of my jobs and I had more white knuckle drives than I want to remember. One time I drove to a meeting 2 hours away only to find out the locals didn’t make it. To say I was annoyed was putting it mildly. After that I cancelled out when snow was predicted.
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I like your snow fantasy. It’s good to keep our fantasies alive. They add an extra layer of pleasure to the real thing.
Here in the Seattle area, we’ve been having colder than normal weather and blue skies every day. Very beautiful! Without the clear skies we wouldn’t be able to see the sparkling white mountain ranges on either side of us. It’s cold, though. Brrr.
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Better than rainy weather!
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It’s ugly outside, but for anyone who just caught the last 2 minutes of Ravens v. Vikings, a football game that was filled with drama and pathos! OK, now it’s time for fire, book and hot chocolate. Careful out there!
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Back home. So far we haven’t gotten much maybe later tonight. The beloved husband is happy the Eagles won in all the slop.
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Enjoy the concert Kate! We will be anxiously waiting for your next post to make sure you got home o.k. in time to snuggle under the covers with hot chocolate and the Kindle! Stay safe. 🙂
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So far the storm isn’t bringing us much — not near as much as Philadelphia. Hope you fared ok too.
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It’s done snowing for the moment here in DC – and it was beautiful. I love Sunday football, a blanket and a book – so I’m officially in heaven..
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Awwww! That is the fantasy!
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Yup, we were livin’ the dream here yesterday. This morning looks like we live in an ice cave..
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love snow, fantasy, birds, beauty, yada, yada, yada….
Get in the car NOW and get to the city. I adore the music of Transiberian Orchestra. If I can’t be
there, knowing you are is the next best thing. Enjoy!!!
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First time I am hearing them so I hope it’s worth it!
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I’m curious where in PA you live? I’m watching the Eagles game right now and the snow is really coming down. Be safe!
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We are an hour north of Philadelphia and yep we are watching too. We just started getting light snow here (it’s coming from the south). Philly looks like it’s getting a huge snowstorm. There it was supposed to turn to rain earlier than here. Sigh.
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It looks like a blizzard! I think they’re getting more than predicted.
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They predicted 1 to 3 inches of snow here and most likely closer to 1. It just started about a half hour ago and nothing is sticking yet. I am more worried about after the concert than before but there are 5 of us going so I guess we’ll have to figure it out along the way. I can’t believe what Philly already has.
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I don’t think Nick Foles likes snow. 😦 Enjoy the concert…drive safe.
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Love this post. Thank you!
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Thanks. Maybe you will get some of it too.
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Hope you enjoy the good parts . . . and that the rest of the mess melts away soon.
(BTW: Not jealous).
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BTW: Jealous of you!
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