To our friends scattered to and fro,

Hello from the beautiful Shenandoah Valley.. I love warm weather.. I could go on and on about the glories of summertime.. But there’s something about a snow day that can’t be beat.  Recently we’ve heard forecast after forecast of snow and subzero temperatures to come.. Julia and Sherman are finally able to move all of their furniture out of our family room into their house. Thus allowing us to be able to access our wood stove.. So last night, as I returned to Paradise Lane I was greeted by the sight of smoke lazily drifting out of the chimney.. Mother was getting ready.. Would the snow come?

This morn, my alarm went off.. The suspense was mounting.. I was reminded of back in the day, whenever snow days meant a day home from school.. Julia was quick to assure me.. The Winter Wonderland was starting.. How exciting!

One of my friends has promised me a ride with her horse and sleigh, and finally today, I was able to scratch that one off the bucket list. The experience was unique. I loved it. Somehow the neighbors dog thought it his duty to run beside the horse and bark as hard as he could.. Silly dog.. We created quite the picture..The wind was cold and the snow stung my face.. We laughed at the thought of everyone peering out their windows (as the sound of sleigh bells and a Red Heeler barking, approached) trying to figure out who the frozen riders where.. Julia especially looked well frosted..

I love to lose myself in my imaginations of days gone by and how picturesque and beautiful everything is.. But the wind was cold, and I was really thankful to pile in Jul’s Jeep, crank up the heat and tear for home.. Thanks Lora, for a one of a kind experience!!

Mother- my favorite poetry queen- pulled this one up.. It described my feelings perfectly..

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

-Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

I did allow myself a little time to attempt to capture the beauty of the snow.. Since I had ditched the horse and the Jeep didn’t seem to mind waiting as I photographed the neighbor’s corn thats supposed to be drying down.. A few of the resident beef cows around here..

Sleigh bells ring, Are you listening? In the lane, snow is glistening.. A beautiful sight.. I’m so happy and blessed tonight.. I’m living in a Winter Wonderland!  Blessings to you -Kendra