Tuesday, December 22, 2009

White Christmas On The Mountain





J.D. did a movie clip of part of our snow covered property the other day when the snow was still fresh and brilliant white.I tried to post it here, but it is too large to upload. I have posted some pictures of our snow instead. We had fun watching Buddy as he bounded through the snow like a jack rabbit with a half run, half jump and sinking up to his belly with every hop. Now that it has been there a few days and has a crust on the top of it, he walks on the top of the snow occasionally falling through the crusted top. It is more work for him now and not so much fun.

We ventured off of the mountain today for my doctor's appointment. While we still have lots of snow on our ridge, the area below is quickly becoming snow free. With it only three days until Christmas I am pretty sure that there will still be snow on J.D.'s mountain come Friday morning unless it warms up enough to rain.

This time of year always sparks memories from long ago in a little town called Washington Court House, Ohio. I remember when we had a really good snow my mother would take a large bowl out into the yard and fill it with snow. She would then bring it into the house and with a little sugar, some milk, and a dash of vanilla she would work magic and make snow cream. She spooned it out into cereal bowls for my brother Joey and me. To a little girl of 7 or 8 years old that snow cream was better than any ice cream cone from the Dairy Queen in the heat of summer.

From snow cream my memories continue on to playing in the snow. My mother always bundled us up nice and warm before sending us out to get our daily dose of sunshine and fresh air. I remember my mother saving bread bags in a kitchen drawer. To insure that we didn't get wet and cold from the snow she put those same bread bags over our mittens and over our socks before we put on our boots. When we were fully bagged, it was then time to go outside and build our snowmen. We happily broke branches out of the trees for the arms, all the while wishing we could build an army of snowmen so there wouldn't be any branches left to be used for switches on two children that lived in our house that sometimes misbehaved. Well, Joey misbehaved a lot more than I did. Joey and his friends would build snow forts and have wars throwing snow balls back and forth at each other. We didn't just go out and play for a few moments, we played until Mom forced us to come in. She always treated us to steaming cups of hot chocolate with marshmallows melting on top when we came in out of the cold.

Things have certainly changed over the years. Mothers no longer make snow cream, mainly because our skies are so polluted the snow really isn't clean when it falls to the ground. Not a lot of children are motivated enough these days to leave their televisions, video games, computers and the comfort of the sofa to go outside and play in the snow. I find that all a little sad and I wonder what will the snow memories be for these children when they grow old?

7 comments:

Prixie said...

that looks so picturesque! have a wonderful Xmas and New Year!

Linds said...

It looks rather like your photos around these parts too, Jo! I have to say that all it takes in England is a snowfall to get every family out and playing, just as you did when you were young. Probably because it is such an unusual event here. But lovely. Great idea re the bags! I will tell my friends with young children!
Have a very Merry Christmas!

Lib said...

Merry Christmas Jo&J.D.!!!!!!!
Love the pix.
We used bread bags also. :o) Thanks for the memory!
Stay warm and cozy!
Blessins',
Lib

Carole Burant said...

It looks so very beautiful after a fresh snowfall, doesn't it! I loved reading about your childhood memories of past winters and like yours, my mom would put bags over our socks before we put on our boots:-) I remember making snow forts with my brothers and then having snowball fights! Mom would call us in for lunch or supper and we'd complain we didn't want to go back inside. I had never heard of snow cream until I started blogging and someone mentioned it!! As you say, it truly is sad how things have changed...children these day WON'T have any snow memories like we do.

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas, dear Jo and may all your dreams come true during this magical season! xoxo

violetlady said...

Hi, Jo -- it's been awhile since I have been visiting. Hope you and J.D. had a wonderful Christmas. Your snow covered mountain is beautiful. We had some snow here which was nice for a change. I have heard of snow cream, but never had it. We used to break off giant icicles, though, and suck on them like popsicles. My grandsons still play in the snow in New England.

Charlotte said...

I found your blog by a link on Mike Golch's blog. I remember eating snow ice cream when I was a kid. I remember when people started saying there was too much polution in the air and you shouldn't eat the snow. Sad. Your snow pictures are beautiful.
Charlotte

Jess said...

I hope you had happy holidays...the snow is lovely.

Lots of love to you
Jess