Today was the day we finally got ourselves dug out from the last round of snowstorms. It would have been yesterday but the tractor did not wish to cooperate at all.
After a summer of very little rain, it seems we can once again get some form of precipitation. The schools in the area are hoping to get back to classes tomorrow after having a longer than expected Christmas break. I suspect the kids and teachers are ready to be back…maybe not quite as ready as the parents?
Snow is a lot of work, but there is a unique beauty about the pristine whiteness of a new snowfall. It is kind of fun to see the yard before anyone has disturbed that beautiful blanket of white. The muffled quiet and the muted stillness of a world that has had to slow down to the pace of nature is a wonder to be enjoyed.
Life slows down after a snowfall. Things don’t seem as urgent…projects that have been put aside, once again get taken out to be worked on. It is the best time to work on craft projects that have gotten shoved aside for the holidays.
It is a forced slowdown when you live on a gravel road. You really can’t get anywhere until the county has come down your road to give you access to the main roads and sometimes that is kind of a blessing. Appointments get rescheduled and suddenly your day is open to catch up on all the things you always wanted to have time to do.
I do have to admit….I don’t get to those things as fast as I maybe should…I, perhaps, spend to much time enjoying the beauty of the snow before it gets disturbed by the road crew and the tractor that clears the yard. And I am okay with that….sometimes it is good to just be still and take it all in. It is good to enjoy the gift of the day that God has given.
My prayer is that you too get a “slow” day. A day that you are able to sit and enjoy…a day to watch the birds, to see the sun glitter off the new fallen snow and a day to just “be still and know” Psalm 46:10.
To appreciate the beauty of a snowflake
it is necessary to stand out in the cold
~anonymous
The Chicken Grandma 
I love looking at snow. It’s doubtful I’ll ever get enough, but I enjoyed reading of your appreciation of it.
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At this point I am still loving the snow….will see how I feel if this keeps up. My trails that I scoop to get to my chickens are starting to get some taller “walls”.
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Wonder when someone will invent a safe laser snow remover?
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A laser snow removal would be pretty cool I have to admit! I think you are on to something Anne!
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Looking at a landscape with new fallen snow, where no one has yet disturbed it’s beauty, is a joy. It is a time to pause and take in the beauty God created. A lovely post Faye. We have not had snow in our area of Arkansas except a few flying flakes. Our snow usually happens in February – if we get any.
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It IS beautiful when it is white and new. It is also okay if it melts quickly. I have a feeling this will stick around awhile as we are this early in the winter.
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We are digging out too, with the help of family and friends. This past year has taken its toll on my husband and me physically. We thought growing old together was going to be fun, but have been dealing with health issues. God is consistent still and provides what we need when we need it. I love the image on this post. A very serene setting!
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I have been watching my parents growing old and it isn’t for the weak. I will pray for health issues to be resolved for you and your husband Kathy. And I am also so thankful that God provides what we need when we need it.
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Modern day farmers do need the tractors to work. Hang in there..Spring will come ..on schedule hopefully.
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At this point the winter is not so bad. I have had to reschedule some appointments due to bad roads and the schools had about 5 snow days already. I have a feeling when spring comes I will be very ready.
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LOL…Mud and all.
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YES!! mud and all.
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Happy New Year, Faye.
We don’t get much snow in SC, but I recall that when we lived in the Pocono Mts of Northeast PA, the thing I remember most (and miss) is how quiet it is after a snowfall. Thank you for painting a beautiful picture with words.
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You are so welcome Ray and a happy new year to you and your family as well. The muffled quiet is soothing and good for the soul.
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Beautiful description, Faye. Thank you. I have never seen snow. Perhaps one day?
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That is hard to imagine Maureen…never having seen snow! I guess I have always lived in the midwest of the states and we usually always get at least one good snowfall per year. Last year was odd in the fact that we got very little and it was brown most of the winter season.
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I’ve been to Europe but never in winter. Odd, really.
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My husband looked at your photo and mumbled something about how you should buy a reliable ‘green’ tractor…
Our Alberta house is on a school bus route and not too far from town – it gets plowed quickly! It doesn’t seem to matter when we head south to Arizona, we always have a few months of snow to enjoy (or contend) with!
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Bwhahahaha Margy!! I read your husband’s comment to my husband and he just grinned. His comment was that at some point he hopes to buy a green tractor…an Oliver (it is one his dad owned in the past). My dad is also a “green” tractor guy but the husband is a die hard “red” tractor guy.
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My husband says an Oliver would be awesome! He has his grandfather’s tractor – a 1953 John Deere AR. He will donate it to the Irricana Pioneer Acres Museum when they have room for it.
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In the country the snow is prettier as it does not have all that city grime and pollution mixed in with it.
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I think you are right. We get way less traffic over our snow here so it stays cleaner longer. The most I get in our backyard are rabbits making tracks.
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Pristine snow is peaceful, but for that plowing part!
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So true! And in Iowa we seem to get a lot of horizontal snow.
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Beautiful. Precious. I love this ❤️
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Thank you so much Ame!
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We are still waiting for that big, beautiful snow. The few inches that we got with the cold spell before Christmas blew around so much that there was still a lot of bare ground and trees, and rooftops were still naked. There were mostly just drifts piled up against buildings and structures. Then it warmed up again and it all melted. I know clean up would be a lot of work but I’m still hoping for that big one.
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the big snowstorms are kind of exciting. The kids around here had an extra day before Christmas break due to snow and then 3 extra days off after the Christmas/new year break.
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I always loved snow days. When I was a kid that day off was exciting and as a mom it meant not having to drive the kids to school When I was still working I would take the day off to be home with the kids. Now that they are grown I tend to worry about if they are out driving in it. Then I say a prayer and put them in God’s hands – I know that’s the best place for them.
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I miss the (actual) snow! We get ice here masquerading as snow. It’s a farce. Yet, it halts the world nonetheless!
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I have in laws that live in Missouri and I think their winter experience is the same as yours!
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Your recent photos of snowfalls are both picturesque and serene. I can almost hear the crackling underfoot while walking as the temperatures drop and the snow becomes brittle. In the quiet of the country, it’s a sound like no other. As an upstate New York boy originally, I do miss that first heavy snowfall for its beauty. As for the cleanup afterward….not!
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It has gotten pretty “crunchy” out there already as our temps dipped below zero again last night. I don’t mind shoveling some trails to my chicken coop once or twice in the season but I suspect this season it is going to be a lot more work if it keeps going this way. This last snow we had was more horizontal than picturesque LOL.
I have never been to upstate New York but the photos I have seen are beautiful.
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I was so happy to see this post! I have thought of you so often. Gosh-you were missed. I just feel so “at home” when I read your words-love, Michele
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The feeling of being “at home” is mutual Michele. I feel the same way when I read your words!!
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