Monday, December 6, 2010

A magical event

The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event. You go to bed in one kind of a world and wake up in another quite different, and if this is not enchantment then where is it to be found? ~J.B. Priestley

For those of us who've lived most of our lives in the South, snow is indeed magical.  We experienced that enchantment the morning after Christmas about five years ago.  My husband and I were sleeping on the pullout sofa in the sun room while our adult children, who were home with their spouses. were occupying the bedrooms.  We awoke to find snow falling outside the windows all around us.  It was magic - until the children had to leave and drive on the snowy roads.
This magical snowfall began Saturday afternoon as I was preparing to decorate Christmas cookies with one of my 3 yr. old grandsons. ( I have three 3 yr. old grandsons!)
It continued to snow into the evening and it was, as the anonymous saying goes, "like kisses from heaven."  Big fat flakes that stuck to the grass and trees but melted on the roads.  
Earlier in the day, before the snow, I took pictures of my daughter and her family in the garden for their Christmas card.  The red and white of the hot lips salvia made a niee backdrop.  Following the photo session, my grandson wanted to gather flowers for a bouquet.  We wandered around the garden and found an amazing number of blooms.  They're a little wilted two days later, but still pretty enough for a picture.
Then, within an hour, the snow began to fall.  I didn't get out to take pictures until the following morning when some of the snow had melted, but it was still beautiful.

While the snow fell Christmas music was playing on the stereo, including this favorite of mine from James Taylor's Christmas album.



"Nature is full of genius, full of the divinity; so that not a snowflake escapes its fashioning hand." 
Henry David Thoreau


12 comments:

Hazel said...

Did you know that some people in Australia still send Christmas cards with snow scenes on them...even though our Christmas is a hot summery affair. The romanticism of a snow scene touches us all. Lucky you!

Southern Lady said...

Your snow is beautiful. We haven't had any here yet, although it has been very cold. We must be farther south than you. Hope you enjoyed the snow! Carla

Gary said...

Hi Ginny,
Snow is just as magical and exciting for me now as it was when I was a child. I love the crunch it makes underfoot. We had a lot of snow a few days back and I was shouted at by Amanda to not walk across the middle of our drive when going out as she likes to see it unspoilt...a big kid as well I think. Lovely photos, and it sounds as though you were kept busy with a full house!

Jane Doe said...

Ginny...This is truly is a magical post. As a northerner in Ohio, I'm like you, I believe snow is a magical event. There is nothing more enchanting than watching the world about you turn into a fairyland, soft and beautiful.

Thank you for stopping by the Cottage on the Corner. You left such a heartfelt comment that I couldn't help but come for a visit.

Cat said...

I love the quote and the image you chose as your header! The quote is so true how you feel as though you've woken up in another world. I grew up on the east coast so had snow at least once a year but not so here in central Texas. Usually we get a nice sheet of ice and if we're lucky a good dusting! Enjoy the magic!

Plant Chaser said...

Snow IS magical. Especially for those like me who live in places where it never, ever snows.

That said, I replaced plants with snow last week and decided to chase me some of that winter wonderland. I was both happy and disappointed with flurries then joy of joys, last Friday night (our last night in the US) it snowed! Enjoyed it so much. -- Bom / Plant Chaser

Curbstone Valley Farm said...

I love the beauty of snow, although I don't miss living in it. It looks you had just the perfect amount. Gorgeous to look at, but not so much as to require back-breaking shoveling!

Chloe m said...

It has been dry and cold and windy here. Maybe we will get some snow this weekend but it is unusual for our mountains to be so dry.
Enjoyed the music. Thanks!

Alistair said...

Ginny, the snow has just cleared here in Aberdeen Scotland, looks nice from the house, brought a lot of disruption though. James Taylor, magic! Just got out of my car, Myra said to me why were you sitting in the car for so long after parking in the drive, well I couldn't come out James Taylor was on the radio singing Handy Man - brilliant.

Anonymous said...

Hi Ginny we are having our second belt of snow down here in south of england, i love james taylor, and i have three grand-daughters! hope you all have a merry old christmas!

Casa Mariposa said...

Our first snow of the season came Thursday. My garden looks as if it's tucked in with a lumpy white blanket. My dogs always get excited when it snows. They play and jump like puppies. :o)

Carolyn ♥ said...

Magical, it is. I'm looking at 18 inches of snow through my window.
Merry Christmas to you!