My First Real Snowman!

I was quite upset last week when I learned that all snow wasn't fit for making snowmen. That's why today was awesome...I made my very first real snowman!

The lesson I learned today? Snowballs are heavy!Ok, not the small ones, but I totally worked up a sweat rolling the bottom of my snowman. At least I got a workout!

It was worth it! I think Charlie...yes, I named him...turned out great! I was particularly happy about the fact that I made everything except his scarf. That was a gift from my sister a while ago! I had no top hat or coal, so I improvised. It was nothing a couple of tea-lite tins and a Sharpie couldn't handle! I salvaged a few branches from the neighbors' brush pile and voila! Charlie was complete!

I had a load of fun, and I can't wait for my next 'first' sometime soon...sledding!

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!

Finally Up and Running!

Well, the dust of moving has yet to settle, but my computer is up and running, and I can blog again! We had a pretty good time of it while we moved...even though there was a freak winter storm in the south! That delayed us from leaving Saturday and pushed us to Monday. Our little caravan stopped over in West Virginia, where we awoke to snow, snow, and snow! I can't tell you how proud of myself I am. I drove the entire way, in the snow! Who says a southern girl can't handle northern weather? Ha!

Thanks to the family and friends that helped us move (you know who you are!) we are now officially at home here in Pennsylvania. I have always loved it here when we visited for vacations, though I had never been in the winter. I must say, I still love it! I have been very disappointed that the snow melted when we arrived and I have been waiting a full week to see more! Well, Tuesday night the flakes began to fall! I am posting this EARLY in the morning because, well, I haven't really gone to bed yet. I just had to get my computer put back together and the new layout up and running...

I can't wait to get some pictures of the snow fall later today, and to keep sharing my every day adventures as an SC girl living in PA!