Thursday, February 3, 2022

Winter Wonderland

 


He sends his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly.  He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes.  He hurls down his hail like pebbles.  Who can withstand his icy blast? ~Psalm 147:15-17


Two weeks ago sees the eastern seaboard sacked by Kenan, a wicked Nor'easter, with record amounts of snowfall.  My husband, Danny, is an unapologetic weather geek, so he follows the storm and its development with avid interest.  I am particularly concerned about how the weather affects parts of Massachusetts, since all my living relatives are located in that state.

Fortunately, everyone emerges unscathed when all is said and done.

Here in the South, we can only dream of getting a winter storm with such intensity and fury.  It's something we may think we want, only if for the novelty, but the reality of dealing with power outages, no plows at the ready, and ice-slicked roads would leave millions at the mercy of unforgiving elements.

But, when there is a gentle snowfall, accumulating just enough of the magical white flakes to offer a winter wonderland, that is a scenario we will take any day of the week!  That's precisely what happens in Raleigh, NC, where my daughter and her family live, around the same time as the big, bad storm.  I am so delighted with the photos, showing the splendid time the grands are having, I simply have to share with you.

Alexandra



This is about as big as a snowman attempt as is made by the girls!  And why is Alexandra looking so forlorn below?  You would look the same way if big sister had just finished pummeling you with snowballs!


Savannah






Grand- pup Finn!


And last, but never least, Virginia




How all these photos make me wish we lived closer, but I'm grateful that the girls were able to have so much fun, and their memories can be shared with us.

I can hope that the Lord has more wintry gifts remaining in His storehouse of ice and snow before all is said and done this season.  But let us give thanks for all that He has already bestowed upon us, day by blessed day.

Amen!

38 comments:

  1. We had two blasts in a 24-hour time period. The first was sleet, freezing rain, and snow - we got about an inch of snow. My son who lives north of us across the Missouri River got five inches, and my son who lives to the south of us got barely one. For the second go around, northern son got three inches, we got eight, and southern son got six. The grandsons were thrilled with all of it -- no school for three days and snow!

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    1. No school for three days??? Now, that's a lot of snow, Glynn! I'm so glad the grands could get out and enjoy it, and that all of you are none the worse for wear.
      Love and blessings!

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  2. We got about 8 inches of snow here in Pennsylvania. Most of it is gone. I'm so glad there wasn't ice although we are supposed to get that today. Your grands look like they are having so much fun.

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    1. They had a blast, Kathy! Glad to hear you didn't get any of the dreaded ice - that is the absolute worst; I'll take snow over ice any day.
      Love and blessings!

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  3. Oh my, but how the grand-girls have grown. Finn looks about the same though. :-) Looks like all were having a great time with the snow. There's another heading your way, and while I can't say how much snow you'll get (we got much more ice than snow), I'm certain it will bring as much wintry mix as Mr. Danny will want. Am off the roads for a few days as it's too dangerous to drive out here in the country. Stay well my friends.

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    1. I do hope we will get a wintry mix at some point, J. D. Right now it's only raining at the Orlando Compound, so not much excitement there.
      Good to know that you are staying off the roads where you are - no need to go around tempting fate!
      Love and blessings!

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  4. Wonderful photos and happy memories to be shared now and in future too. Snow can be so much fun when it's not too much and for too long.

    Wishing you and your family the best of wishes, Martha. Happiness and good health always.

    God bless you all.

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    1. I do love the snow, Victor, and yes, when it isn't too overwhelming, it can be so much fun to play in. Thanks for your wonderful wishes for my family!
      Love and blessings!

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  5. I'm so glad the girls were able to make some snow day memories!

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    1. Oh, me, too, Martha! When you live where snow isn't a given in winter, getting some just feels like the most special of gifts.
      Love and blessings!

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  6. I read the long term forecast and it PROMISED February would be warm(ER) than normal. If we get frozen water here in Louisiana--it usually is in January---That's my story and I sticking to it!
    Blessings, Friend!

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    1. I'll bet that's very true for Louisiana, Lulu. I'm not so sure about here in GA and up the East Coast. We will just have to play the waiting game. We did get some light snow in January, but of course, I was in the hospital and couldn't enjoy it.
      Love and blessings!

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  7. What wonderful images! That one of Alexandra looking so forlorn just grabs at my heartstrings.
    I'm embarrassed to finally admit, snow is for children.

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    1. Seeing Alexandra all down in the dumps is a rarity, Myra, and I'm glad she tugged at your heartstrings. Oh, how I long to give each of the girls a great big hug!
      And I beg to differ - snow is for big kids, too. :)
      Love and blessings!

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  8. It's been a wild cold and snowy 48 hours in Ohio = We ended up with 11 inches here, brrrr. beautiful as long as I don't have to drive in it. Like Danny I am a weather geek - I get excited with all this

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    1. Oh, Jean, how I envy all the snow y'all got in Ohio! Enjoy the pristine beauty of God's winter wonderland while it lasts. Oh, and welcome to the weather geek club!
      Love and blessings!

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  9. I agree that I *think* I would like all that snow, but I would probably want it all to leave much quicker than it would. :) Love all the photos!

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    1. Lisa, I'll never forget the Blizzard of '93 when we were snowed in, and out of power, for over a week. No fun!!! The only salvation was that I had a gas stove, and could cook. However, the fireplace was the only heat source.
      Glad you enjoyed the photos, too.
      Love and blessings!

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  10. Awe, so happy your grandgirls had so much fun in that snow. I love to see that, and I know you loved seeing their smiling faces having so much fun, even if pummeled by snowballs! What fun. But yeah, where you live it wouldn't be so much fun...too many hills and not enough snowplows, etc. I remember some winter in GA. when we lived there years ago. Everything stops. But the kids still enjoy it. Take care and God bless you!!

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    1. Oh, yes, Pam, everything comes to a screeching halt in GA when we get anything over three inches or, God forbid, we get an ice storm - those are the absolute worst! But it is always fun for the kids, at least if you can manage to get them warm after they've exposed themselves to freezing temps for hours of play. Sarah told me that all the girls were soaked to the skin when she finally got them to come inside - lol!
      Love and blessings!

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  11. Dearest Martha Jane,
    It sure has been rough for a lot of people living in the northern part of the USA and even in other States.
    Especially those that ended up without power! An entire crew from our local line workers drove to Kentucky for helping out those that lost it for days.
    Kids of course LOVE snow and adults do too, provided the snow is clean and fresh.
    Don't miss shoveling snow, like we did in Pennsylvania and Delaware and even back home in The Netherlands!
    As for you stating you wish you lived closer, on Saturday I drove even farther (solo) than the distance for you to reach your daughter and family... Danny too can drive I guess. My Pieter no longer can but we still go places to make memories with dear friends.
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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    1. Oh, yes, Mariette, it was a rough time for our northern neighbors, and I'm so grateful they have managed to dig out from all of this. How amazing that some of your local crews drove up to help out in this time of need - our utility folks are some of the best we have as far as dedication and service. Let's make sure we thank them!
      Yes, Danny can drive the highways, but prefers not to. Any trip we take by car will be long. When we get Virginia next, Danny will fly up to Raleigh and escort her back here in the summer. We are praying it is God's will that we can have her with us at least over two weeks this coming summer.
      Love and blessings!

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  12. Oh, it looks like they had so much fun! Pictures aren't like being there but look at those faces!! I'm glad they were spared from the worst of the storm but had just enough to make some very good memories! Love & hugs, Martha!! xo

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    1. I'm so glad that they have great memories, too, Terri. I'm reminded that the last day we had Virginia with us before they initially moved to SC, we had snow, and she played in it with her Papa all day long. How can memories get better than that? The only thing more fun for us is if we could have been right there with them.
      Love and blessings!

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  13. We just finished with about 8-9" of that stuff. I also spent countless hours shoveling and de-icing vehicles. i will be glad to send it to Raleigh if they want more or even Georgia if you would like it. Our kids were on 3 e-learning days. I missed Thursday in the office although I did work from home. My 15 year old would probably not enjoy it like your grands do, even if I was closer. I'm not sure I wish this on you or not. That would be tough on both of you. However...

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    1. That is one boat load of snow, Bill, and no, I would not enjoy having to shovel any of it for one minute. Wish you could send us some, though!
      Love and blessings!

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  14. should be 15 year old grandson. I don't have a 15 year old. I have a 46 and a 42 year old and I know neither of them like it.

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    1. I knew you were referring to your grand, Bill. Sorry to hear he probably wouldn't enjoy the snow like the girls did, but he is older, after all. Maybe a bit of snow sledding?
      Love and blessings!

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  15. yep, massachusetts can be a mess! we live on the furthest eastern part and so we are usually spared deep snow.

    but oh the winds! and the power outages ...

    i hope this weekend finds you connecting with all your little people, friend.

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    1. I was pretty sure you lived on the Cape, Linda, and I did know that your actually amount of precipitation is usually less than what folks get who live inland. The bulk of my cousins live in New Bedford/Fairhaven/Dartmouth areas, though some are closer to Boston. All are either on my mother or father's side of the family. I sure would love to travel up that way to pay them all a visit!
      Stay warm and safe!
      Love and blessings!

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  16. A grand time of memory-making for those grand girls! Thank you for sharing, Martha. Made me smile to see their joy. (Well, except for that one pitiful pic of Savannah!)

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    1. I'm so glad the girls' playing in the snow made you smile, Nancy. It did the same for me, of course, as you said, with the exception of Alexandra. She got over that pretty fast though!
      Love and blessings!

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  17. Children are able to find joy from snowfall in spite of coldness. Nature is one of their best friends. Nice new week to you.

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    1. Nature is definitely a best friend to children, Crane. Virginia has loved the outdoors ever since she could crawl, and her sisters seem to love being outside, too.
      Love and blessings!

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  18. Great to see the girls experienced a little snow and enjoyed their playtime. Martha, they are getting so big, where does time go? I always enjoy it when you share these photos and experiences with us. God bless!

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    1. They are growing way too fast, Karen, of that I'm well aware. Virginia is just about an inch shy of my height; I'm afraid the next time I see her, she will be towering over me - lol!
      So glad you enjoyed the photos!
      Love and blessings!

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. . . Good Tidings of Great Joy . . .

  . . . Good tidings of great joy . . . ~Luke 2:10 Pictured above are my daughter, Sarah, son-in-law, John, and their three girls, Virginia,...