The snow started falling throughout the night on Saturday and when I woke up on Sunday, the ground was covered in white stuff.
Initially, I wasn't too excited about the snow that swirled in my driveway and covered my yard. Well, I guess it's not necessarily the snow that I wasn't too excited about. In all honesty, I love the white fluffy stuff.
What I don't necessarily 'love' is the cold temperatures that come along with it. And the first snow fall is always an indicator that freezing temperatures are on their way. You see, I am one of those people who is cold most of the time.
I am well known for having the heat 'cranked' in the house. I love cozying up in a sweater and I have even been known to pull out one of my winter toques during the summer months if need be.
I fully appreciate the idea of heated seats and I never get into the vehicle during the winter months without turning them on. I have a little portable heater sitting in my office that keeps me warm throughout the winter and I love, love, love a hot vacation.
When I think about our first snowfall though, I really can't complain. It is nearing the middle of November and last year we had our first snowfall before Nov. 5. Besides, we do live in Canada. What do I expect?
Grabbing a coffee at the coffee shop right now means the topic of conversation is focused on snow, how slippery the roads have been, how someone is not looking forward to shovelling it, how 'sloppy' it is going to get in the next couple of days...
Sign on to facebook and all you see are status updates and news feeds that mention something about the snow and how horrible it is that it has arrived.
But look a little closer and you see a news feed from a friend with reference to his one-year-old child, who is looking out the window in wonder at the white stuff that is falling from the sky. Read a little further and the status of a friend who spent last year in Australia states how excited she is to see the snow fall and how Christmas without snow didn't seem like Christmas at all.
It is a good reminder that this first snowfall and the ones that follow it are all about perception, as is the rest of life.
To someone who has never seen the snow fall from the sky or tried to catch a snowflake on their tongue, the white stuff is truly an amazing feature of our Canadian winters.
For the little ones that were outside first thing on Sunday morning to build a snowman from the fresh white snow, they wouldn't trade the new addition to their yard for anything.
Without snow, we wouldn't be able to 'hit the slopes' at the ski hill and horse-drawn sleigh rides just wouldn't be the same. Besides, who doesn't love an excuse for a cup of hot chocolate?
Plus, for children and adults alike, fond memories are made from pulling out the toboggan and hitting the hills for some sledding; especially when the day of fun is followed by an outdoor wiener roast with everyone fully clad in ski pants and toques to keep warm.
But the list of 'cool' things to do during the winter months goes on and on.
You can bundle everyone up after a fresh snowfall for a game of footprint tag with the kids. And don't forget to make a snow angel while you're out there.
Or there is always the potential to build a snow fort, especially when it is used as cover for a snowball fight against your neighbours.
And for those looking for a creative treat to make with the kids, try making snow cones or snow cream or even try some maple taffy on the snow. And don't forget to taste a snow flake or try an icicle every now and then.
Because even though we may not like it, winter is officially on its way. And in the end, it's all about how we look at it.
