Storm Jonas
If it’s going to snow, this was an awesome way for it to happen!
After lots of preparation and window peeking while doing school, the first flurries showed up around noon on Friday. We haven’t had any significant snowfall this winter so any snow would have been fun. But predictions for one to two feet?! That’s cause for some excitement! The timing couldn’t have been more perfect! In Virginia, a big snow usually meant a snow day both for school kids and construction workers. When you do school at home and you live practically within breathing distance of your husband’s job, it’s a little tougher to get a break unless you declare a vacation day. We had about thirty minutes of school work left for the week when the snow arrived and better yet, the biggest snow day would be on Saturday when David was home.
We haven’t had a lot of free weekends recently. Who am I kidding? We never do since we live here. This one was supposed to be an at home weekend; but to have it turn completely into a fun, kick back and relax weekend was such a fun gift!
It’s the kind of weekend that makes memories forever. Lots of time to read, to play in the snow (although somebody got the flu and somebody’s mom hadn’t purchased baby girl snow pants so that didn’t turn into an all family event this time), fun foods, lots and lots of coffee (ah, finally, finally I can drink it again!), excited snow measuring, a fiercely competitive game of Monopoly, and watching a movie together. And that word is perhaps what makes it so much fun. Together.
(Zara watched Liam and started begging, “Me. Me. RaRa. Eeeeeeee. Me. Finally it was her turn. This picture happened about 1.7 seconds before the look of terror turned to crying, “no, nooooooo” and the ride had to be aborted. She doesn’t want anymore eee rides.)
So many hours to be together … having fun, playing, talking … while the deep snow muffled the noisy demands of life.
I love the way the world gets still outside when snow falls. White. Beautiful. Pristine. And silent.
But I love even more the way it quiets our normal and helps us pay attention to little things again.
The way it gives opportunity for big conversations about life that might not have happened otherwise.
The way it reminds us of how barren can become beautiful.
I tried a new recipe this weekend that was an instant hit for David and I. (Don’t bother asking the boys for their opinion. Their taste buds are still developing.) These Greek gyros with homemade pitas and Tzatziki sauce are oh so delicious. The only thing I’d change next time is to add a bit more salt to the chicken and up the seasonings in the sauce just a tad. But this and a Greek salad on the side? Party in my mouth.
Did you get hit by the storm? Tell me something about your snow party.
Beautiful pictures. We are a bit jealous. We’ve had several small snows, but they turned hard and crunchy right away. Enjoy….:)
I hope you get a big one …. before the end of March when everyone is wishing for Spring. 🙂 I love the way snow creates this natural playground for all ages!
love the play house photo, gray sky very calming mood photo and the next day sledding with blue sky, sun & shadows , color, excitement! I’m going to have to apply that to where I place the paintings in my house.
love it when there is no wind the next day and you can get out!
Thank you! I love the moods in photos, too.
I don’t have a snow party story. I’m just stunned with your phrase “barren become beautiful.”
It’s kind of a recurring theme in my heart for the last eight years. I love that God does that for us!
Oh I would love to be snowed in for a day.?(sadly my eldest and husband would be absent because snow is where our ? comes from during the winter)
Any chance you want to come to CO and make some of those gyro’s??? They look amazing!
Btw how is your pregnancy going? Do you have nausea as bad as you did with the others?
Oh that would take a mental shift if snow meant your husband and oldest kids being gone for hours. Although money is always one of those good to have around necessities. 😉 YES! I want to come to CO. How fun would that be? Pregnancy post coming up soon I hope. 😀 We’ll see how long my blogging itch hangs around. But definitely better this time around although the exhaustion was something to be reckoned with. I didn’t realize how far behind I still was from the Lyme and Mono.
Oh, this looks and sounds so fun, and Zara is just adorable beyond words. Also the gyros look so good. I’m going to check out the recipe.
You need to check them out. They were soooo good!
Gyros are some of our favorite! So much flavor packed into every bite. I’ve used warmed garlic naan before, but it’s a little too much bread so maybe I need to try making my own flatbread next time. And a huge snowstorm is just the epitome of happiness for me. Unfortunately, we missed it this year due to a wedding in Ohio, but how fun your family got to soak in the fun all weekend!
I’ve never tried naan with them, but I bet that would be good, too! I’m sorry you missed the fun of the snowstorm! Maybe next year you will get in on one …. since I’m definitely hoping we’re about at the end of winter for this year. 😉