That's How It Goes Whenever It Snows

We're having a freaky fall here this year. Two weeks ago, we were having temps in the 80s. Today, we woke up to snow, and we now have 3 inches of the fluffy white stuff.

I thought I was prepared. I put the snow shovels by the garage door. I bought new snow boots for the kids last week. And it was still pure chaos getting out the door for the school bus this morning. I had to put the fleece liners in the winter coats (which were hanging in the coat closet and were supposed to be sent to the drycleaners, but somehow they never made it there.) I dug out snowpants. My daughter's snowpants fit, but her winter coat is a bit snug in the shoulders. My son's coat fit, but his snowpants were so snug, he looked like a shiny black sausage casing. I had washed and put away all hats and mittens; however, most of the mittens are now too small for my son. So much for being prepared.

On the other hand, I've completed almost half of my Christmas shopping, and (remind me that I said this in December) I'm on track to have everything wrapped and ready by December 1st. Yes, I have a self-imposed deadline this year. No more wrapping gifts until the wee hours on Christmas Eve while watching "White Christmas" on the tiny TV in our basement.

Of course, I just decorated my front porch for fall on Saturday. I see that the corn stalks are all full of snow, and the towels that cover up my mums are full of snow as well. My Stella D'Oro lillies by my mailbox are still blooming in the snow. My beautiful Purple Dome Asters bloomed late this year. I tried covering them up for a couple nights, but I think it's futile to save them at this point.

Part of me is still hoping that we get temps in the 60s once or twice more this month. Who knows? Right now, I see myself and the kids slogging through snow on Halloween.

While it makes me sad to close the door on summer and fall this year, the snow is very pretty. It is one of those light fluffy snows that seem to float down from Heaven. My kids made me a tiny little snowman in the front yard. My daughter told me that I can look out the front window today and think of them when I see it.

I'm going to close this post with my favorite version of Carol of the Bells. I love the kettle drum. Beautiful. Enjoy.