For Today...First Daybook for 2011

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Outside my window...it is beginning to snow again! Most people around here think I'm crazy, but I sure do love watching it snow. It makes everything so beautiful!

I am wearing... yoga pants and long sleeve tee, getting ready to tackle my Pilates!

I am thinking... a lot of different things. I think I need to do more for myself and not give everything I have to others before giving time to myself. Sounds like a late addition to the resolution list, huh?

I am thankful for... my loving, supportive husband. I can't say it enough!

From the kitchen... well, today's lunch was the last serving of my homemade pot pie, and I already want to hit up the grocery store for more pot pie supplies! I think for now though, I'll put on some coffee for a little coffee break after my workout.

I am creating... well, nothing for myself, but I am working on some Facebook and blog stuff for work. I hate code. Did I mention that? yeah...I hate code.

I am reading... a few things! I started a book for our Christmas drive, left that book at my Grandmother's, so I got a book at an outlet. Now I am reading both...Digging Up Otis by T. Dawn Richard and You're Not Who You Think You Are by Albert Clayton Gaulden. 

From the learning rooms... my hubby has started Anatomy & Physiology class, among others, and he was very scared about his first test. But I knew he could do it and...he mad an A!

I am hoping...I can keep my promise to myself to take time for my ventures.

I am hearing... Dr. Phil. Why haven't I changed the channel yet?

I am going...to do my pilates workout right after posting...I swear I will.

Around the house...laundry,dishes,general tidying...repeat. 

I am remembering...My Great Uncle Homer. My Uncle Homer passed away a few days ago and he will be laid to rest tomorrow. I just hate that I can't make it home, but my heart is with them all. My favorite memory will always be Christmas time with him. Every year, when we visited his house, he had a red bulb in his freezer. He told us Santa was going to have a harder time getting around, because he finally got Rudolph! He got me every year with that! I won't even tell you how old I was when I finally figured out the trick...He will be greatly missed.

Quote to commit to memory... "For whatever we lose (like a you or a me), it's always our self we find in the sea." e.e. cummings

A few plans for the week... I have a lot of work to do actually, but I also need to get this house cleaned up. I made a deal with my hubby. I got the cutest note on my desk last week: "PLEASE don't take the tree down yet...I love it!" Well, the deal was I take the tree down when our neighbors take their down, or by the 15th or 20th. Which ever comes first. It looks like we might be going for the 20th because my husband pouts when ever i mention it!

One of my favorite things...enjoying a nice cup of coffee and watching it snow!

Photo for Thought... well, i thought I'd share a snow picture with you, since we got our share of it today!

Our front yard...nearly 8 inches! Yay!

My own little collection of snow cones, complete with holder! 

Snow Shots Around Our New Hometown

When we moved here last week, I was hoping to drive into a winter wonderland. Well, while it was cold, the snow had melted. I spent a few days wishing and hoping for more snow, and Mother Nature answered Wednesday with about six inches of beautiful snow!

Rob told me I would be the only person in town happy about the white stuff, but that didn't stop me from having him drive me around all day for a photo shoot! Believe me, I got plenty of looks from passers by for being out taking pictures of the cursed stuff. I had a blast and wanted to share some of my favorites here. So, for those you craving snow but have none, I hope these help. Grab a latte and come explore with me!

Our first stop was Smith Road in North East Township, an area Rob refers to as "The Hill". It was just so peaceful there at the edge of a random farm, I had to stop. The view in the other direction was breathtaking as well, but the snow fall made it difficult to catch with my camera. Looking down toward town, you can see out over Lake Erie all the way to Canada!

We mostly drove around the countryside on our little adventure. I couldn't believe how many beautiful pines dot the landscape. If you have ever been to South Carolina, you know what I mean when I say "pine" and "beautiful" are two words that usually aren't used together. Unless of course it is said of Christmas trees, and then they almost always were brought in from some other state! I truly felt as though I was having my white Christmas a little late because of all the majestic pines we passed!

When Rob was growing up here, he attended a church in the village of Little Hope. We visited last October in the fall and found a beautiful old cemetery there, so I knew I wanted to return to see it in the snow. I wasn't disappointed! Some of the stones there are so old, they are completely smooth. I'll have to post the fall pictures side by side soon...

We headed through Little Hope on into New York State. I shot this near Clymer, NY on the way to the Peek'n Peak Ski Resort. Some of the cows closer to us had tiny icicles on their noses and eye lashes, but didn't want to cooperate for pictures!

One of my favorite scenic drives is Findley Lake, NY. The lake was completely frozen and covered in snow, but this little creek feeding it wasn't. I suppose that is why there were dozens of mallards and Canadian geese in the area.

The entire day I kept telling Rob everything looked magical and enchanted under it's blanket of white. At times, I felt as though I had wandered through the wardrobe into Narnia! My only disappointment came today, when I learned all snow isn't worthy of snowmen. Our snow isn't wet enough to pack, so I have to wait a little longer to make my first real snowman. But hey, that just gives me something to write about later, right?

People keep telling me I will get the Snow Bug out of my system soon; that the shoveling and snow blowing will get old, and I'll get really tired of trudging through the sludge build up in parking lots and digging my way to the mailbox. All I can say is, the magic hasn't worn off for me yet, and I hope it never does!

Snow!

Though the forecasters around here got everyone in a tizzy about the possibility of snow, we never even saw any rain...let alone a flake or two! I was a little disappointed...but not surprised. I mean, the last time this part of South Carolina got any accumulation of snow, I was too young to really remember it! I do have fond memories of the very few "snow days" in my life. My junior year in high school, there were enough flurries for school to be canceled, so I took my brand new film camera and drove around town taking "snow shots." It was basically normal shots...with white spots. I sure do like looking back at those from time to time though!

Last October, my husband Rob and I spent our first anniversary in Pennsylvania. Even though it was early October, there were a few days of flurries that were determined to stick, but never quite held on. The best snow pictures I shot by far were last January, in my home town of Jackson, SC. We were down visiting my grandmother, and while chatting over hot chocolate, Rob tapped me gently and just said, "Sweetie, look out the window." It was beautiful! Of course nothing was sticking, but the flakes were plentiful. They were like little dancers, gracefully spiraling through the air. It was the only time I can remember seeing South Carolina snow that I would call peaceful. Most of our snow comes with ice storms. I grabbed my camera and ran outside and spent at least two hours practicing macro shots. I love the memories of that day...the snow was steady all day, and even though it didn't stick, we enjoyed it just the same.

So, a few days ago when we didn't get the snow the news was calling for, I went back to my pictures to relive my 2009 snow day. I thought I'd share some of those shots here...in case some of you missed out too.

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