I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

You know that phrase, "You never appreciate what you have until it's gone."?  Well, I get it.  You see, Christmas time means SNOW.  Hence the songs "Its Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas," and "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas, "or even "Jingle Bells"--"Dashing through the snow. . . "  You see where I am going with this?As a child, growing up in Idaho (Not eastern Idaho, and not northern Idaho where you get a lot of snow--but near Boise)  we didn't get a lot of snow.  Sure it was bloody cold, but the little snow we got was always quickly mucky and crunchy.  Not my idea of a white Christmas.  So I should have loved it when I moved to Utah upon getting married.  Utah gets boat loads of snow.  But then I was obligated to drive my scared little self to work and school in the feet--not inches--of snow.  Not my idea of fun.

So when we decided to move to Washington last year I was thrilled by the idea of milder seasons.  No scorching sun in the summer and no waist high drifts of snow in the well-below-freezing frigid winter.  And no smog from January to March.  I was happy to give up trick-or-treating in the sleet, bundled in so many coats and scarfs and mittens that costumes were a moot point.  

Last year, our first winter in the North West, the accumulation of fallen snow in my yard was likely less than two inches--not that we ever saw two inches at once mind you.  But we still got loads of rain, and it was cold, and it still felt like Christmas, and it was obliging enough to actually spit some flakes on Christmas day, which helped.   

This year we had the absolute loveliest fall ever with months of color and mild weather.  I was in heaven.  But it is one week from Christmas already!  I need it to feel like Christmas!  So when I was told on Saturday we were in for a storm, I was thrilled.  I knew the local idea of a storm was not the same as any storm I might conjure up, but white was white and I wanted some.

So imagine my disappointment when I awoke on Sunday and realized we hadn't received a single flake--a drive in two miles any direction from my house found dustings here and there, however.

The thing is, I don't have anywhere to go.  I could get snowed in 'til Christmas and be just peachy.  (I also get that going to Disneyland in 70+ degree weather might be part of what is spurring this sudden need for snow.)  Another storm is scheduled for tomorrow.  In this strange new world I am living in that is largely devoid of snow, I am crossing my fingers and hoping it means it this time.  

Because suddenly I miss the pristine glow of snow as it blankets the world--including my ugly winter yard. . .

I miss the kids sledding in the park behind my house. . .

I miss snowmen. . .

I miss the snowball fights. . .

. . . and the monster snow forts that Rob built in our back yard with all the neighborhood kids. . . 

And drinking hot chocolate in said forts. . . (not that I drank in there--but I ran out quick enough to take a picture.)

I miss Signe pointing out the covered cars and calling them carshmallows.  And I miss the hush that falls on the world when everything is softened by fresh falling snow.   

Who knew I would miss the snow.  I HATE being cold.  But when it's cold I get to wear cute sweaters and coats and sip hot chocolate and sit by the fire and . . . dream of a white Christmas.  

So come on, dream with me.  Maybe we can will the snow to fall in time for Christmas.

***update***

It is SNOWING!  School got cancelled.  The girls are thrilled to be outside in snowsuits.  It may not be much, but its WHITE.  And it's early.  We may yet cover the grass.