Oh, the weather outside is frightful

Well, maybe not today with the sun shining but there is quite the chill in the air. It is definitely apparent that winter (and Christmas!) is just around the corner. I won't lie and say that I love cold weather, but I do love the snow and all the things winter brings. Hot chocolate, blankets, warm sweaters, peppermint mochas and snuggling by the fire.

I have always envisioned Christmas with a few, fluffy inches of sparkling snow on the ground. Just enough to cover the earth in a blanket of white. I imagine everyone inside circled around the tree, listening to Christmas carols, playing games, and enjoying time together.

This may sound crazy to most, but I have always secretly hoped for a blizzard or ice storm to trap us in our home with nothing to do but spend time together. I'm sure after a few days (possibly hours) we would be ready to strangle each other, but in my mind it is a peaceful, magical scene of love and happiness.

Last year, we almost had a chance of this happening. We were hit with a major ice storm a few days before Christmas. Roads, trees, houses, and buildings were covered in a thick sheet of ice. Many trees could not with stand the weight and fell, causing power outages through out the city.

Unfortunately, we lost our power. Fortunately, it was turned on after a few short hours, unlike some who lost it for almost a week. While our power was out we headed to my parents house to stay warm and enjoy some time together. My dream was partially coming true. We were getting some unexpected and much enjoyed time with our loved ones. What could be more fun than making Christmas cookies!