As I mentioned in my December 1st post, I am linking up with Mo over at mocadeaux every day until December 25th.
Welcome to Day 9 of our “Partners in a Pair Tree – Kelly and Mo Celebrate December!”
To enhance your experience whilst reading Snow Day – a Miracle of 10th Street please click on this link of Bing Crosby crooning …
“I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas.”
Is Bing singing his heart out? Perfect. Let’s begin.
This snowbound wonder is a snapshot of my world from early December until mid-March. Yes. We experience more than just one snow day in Winter. In fact most of our days consist of a plethora of icy darkness, mysterious golden orbs and falling snowflakes. I live in Canada where the days are short, the nights are long and the temperature is rarely above freezing.
Or not.
Not. This is actually an extremely rare photo in my neck of the woods. Particularly in December. I live near Vancouver on the west coast of Canada. With the ocean virtually on our doorstep it is quite uncommon for us to get snow in the city. Most of our Decembers are green, damp and mild.
As it’s so rare, we’re usually not ready when snow falls. The roads aren’t salted and driving conditions are treacherous. It’s often just best to stay home.
On those most magical of days when snow does grace our lives our front yard looks somewhat like this.
What are the chances of us having a white Christmas? Pretty slim. As with Bing we usually only dream about it.
Except for 2008. I like to think of it as a true Christmas miracle. The snow started falling early in the morning of Christmas Eve. Initially the flakes were fat and lazy; the signature look in our mild climate. However, as the temperature surprisingly shifted downward they quickly grew smaller and more purposeful. They kept falling. Within hours my brother called in his regrets. He couldn’t come to Christmas Eve dinner with his wife and two adult children. Their car was unable to negotiate the hotel’s icy parking lot.
It was official. This was a snow day of major proportions. My brother lived in Calgary; he was more than used to driving in the white stuff.
The snow continued to fall through the night. On Christmas Day we woke up to this.
It was absolutely magical. Old Bing would have burst his buttons. The snow continued to fall for a week. To have more than one snow day was heaven. The fact that it fell on Christmas Day was a true anomaly.
Normally, to experience a semblance of a white Christmas we have to hop in the car and drive thirty minutes to Grouse Mountain, home to Santa’s small vacation chalet. Prior to the big day, he entertains throngs of kids and their parents here; visitors skate on his rink, warm up by the roaring wood fire and yes, even mingle with a resting reindeer or two.
Will it be a white Christmas on 10th Street this year? All fingers, eyes and toes are crossed in this household in the hopes that we do.
I am delighted to add my Day Nine ornament to the Partners in a Pair Tree. It’s the picture above of that glorious snowfall of 2008 in all its cozy nighttime splendour.
Now that’s enough of old Bing and I. What about you? What colour is your preference for Christmas? Green, White, Sandy …? If you’ve care to share, I’d love to hear.
13 Responses
Up here in New England, a white Christmas is not uncommon at all. As beautiful as it is, I want to make sure my family has safely arrived and tucked into my home for the holidays before the white stuff arrives. Gorgeous photos!! xoxo
I can completely understand that Sandy! That’s the other side of the white Christmas that I don’t have to think about very often. May your family indeed be safely arrived and tucked into your home for the holidays before the white stuff arrives!
Sandy is a good description – we’re either at the beach or out at the desert. Add blue for clear skies, and if we’re at the beach, a touch of gray for whales and dolphins.
Wow. Linda. Wow. Sandy, blue and gray? You are blessed.
I’m genuinely surprised you don’t get more snow! Your area sounds a lot like Texas. We did have snow on Christmas eve and Christmas morning a few years ago and it was like a dream! So beautiful and magical I couldn’t believe it. And of course we’re experiencing the crazy ice storm right now.
Btw, I played the Bing song while reading and it really did add ambiance. hee hee. I actually love that rendition. I’m a fan of the oldies though. They are already playing reruns of Miracle on 34th street and It’s a Wonderful Life….love love love. Will never get enough.
“Bing wouldn’t burst his buttons” ha ha! funny.
You’re not alone. When I travel folks ask me about the Canadian winters and are more than surprised to learn we are usually rather snow needy in these parts. Yes, we had the 2010 Winter Olympics here but Whistler where the bulk of the action took place is a two hour drive away. Our local mountains experienced a real drought that year and Cypress mountain – home to the snow boarding events – actually had to truck in snow by the truckloads.
I’m with you – can’t get enough of the oldies. The more the merrier.
Thinking of you and the ice storm. Stay warm and bundled up. Hoping you’ve got hot toddy fixin’s on hand …
I really, truly feel that there is nothing more beautiful than a white Christmas! Even in Chicago it doesn’t happen very often. We get our fair share of snow but most of it falls in January and February. (Of course, as I say that there are currently about 3 inches of newly fallen snow on the ground in the Chicagoland area.)
But I do remember some Christmas Eves that, like yours, started with a few flurries to tease us then overnight turned into a picture postcard winter wonderland. Just magical!
Although we will be in Nashville this Christmas with virtually no chance for a white Christmas, I will surely cross my fingers, eyes and toes for another Miracle on 10th Street this year!
Thank you Mo. Surely with our combined crossing it’s bound to be white … Won’t elaborate more out of fear of jinxing it.
AW!! It was a Christmas miracle! That is so cool!! I will be keeping all my crossables crossed that you get a perfect Bing worthy White Christmas this year, too!! (There’s no hope for a White Christmas here in Charlotte. We’re pinning all of our dreams on you!!) –Lisa
Thrilled to report it is snowing today for the first time! The flakes are tiny which is a good thing as it means it will stick. Hope hope hoping it’s not just a flash in the pan and is a hint of good things to come. Will keep ya posted. Keep all those crossables crossed! It’s appreciated more than you know.
I am in the love to have a white Christmas camp ! I remember that year well, it was magical and hope we get one this year. Lovely story !!
As I knew you would be. Fingers, toes, eyes etc all crossed.