Beautiful Snowfall

NYC got over a foot of snow last week between Thursday and Friday. While I am getting a little tired of winter and look forward to seeing more of the sun in Spring, I am still enthralled with the snow. It's beautiful.

This weekend, I ventured up to Central Park and enjoyed the winter wonderland.

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

It snowed! When I heard it was coming, I was so excited. Of course, most NYers groan and don't look forward to 8-12 inches of snow, but it's still has novelty for this Texan-NYer.

My friend NM asked me if I wanted to meet for dinner last night, even though the snow had already started. Of course, I said yes. If you have the right "equipment," including snow boots, gloves, scarf and puffy coat, and the subways are still running (which they were), it's not so bad. We met on the Upper East Side at a great Chinese restaurant and watched as the storm increased outside. At some points, the wind was blowing the snow sideways, and at times it would go one direction and then change to the opposite. You could see sheets of snow coming down.

After dinner, we walked arm in arm to the subway stop. We agreed that it's beautiful at first, when it's still all white, not sludgy gray from the cars or yellow from the dogs' urine (hopefully it's dogs'). NM commented how she loves to set the first footprints in new snow (me too), and I love the squeaky feel of it under my boots. The only part showing is my face, and I bury my chin and mouth in my scarf, so it's not too bad.

Then I got back downtown, and there are fewer buildings here to block the wind. Wow, it was a powerful wind! Only the last block or so was really difficult. But before I hit the wall of snowy wind, I was giggling and taking pictures in City Hall Park. Most came out so snowy, you can't tell what I was aiming at, such as a lamppost or a beautiful evergreen. And I took a self-portrait so you can see just how much of me is bundled up.

This morning, I headed off to church. The crews have already cleared many sidewalks and streets, and there are piles of snow along the curbs. But it's still beautiful to me. I wish I had someone to have a snowball fight with!

Puffy Coat Day

It's snowing! It's snowing!

I am one of the few people in my office excited to see the white stuff starting to accumulate outside. Just got back last night from a lovely warm weekend in Houston, where I was the recipient of many hugs and kisses from my family. I neglected to bring my camera to work today, so I will have to post pictures tomorrow.

It was great to see familiar faces and to get so many hugs and kisses, especially from the little people! Paige and Graham, my 4-year-old niece and nephew twins, flanked me most meals, and I often had one of their precious hands in mine as we walked along. The newest member to my sister Steph's family, Evelyn, is as lovely as her name. She is a sweet baby with smiles that light up the room and a belly laugh that we all try to induce as often as possible.

I've been neglecting my blog a bit of late. Partially, this was due to a rebellious nature in me. After posting nearly daily for a couple weeks and receiving hardly any comments, I decided to stay quieter. (I live for comments!) However, it was also partially due to a saddened state brought on by homesickness and unending gray weather. For now, at least, I am rejuvenated by my family and enthralled by the beauty of the snow. And I got to break out my "puffy coat," aptly named for its appearance and warmly stuffed with down. It's so comfortable and warm, it feels like I'm wearing a sleeping bag.