a tradition : first snow celebrations & a winter picnic

when i was in high school i accidentally started a tradition.

i got my driver's license in the middle of october,

and was loving my new-found freedom...

especially when i realized on the first day it snowed that

i could drive up the canyon listening to a playlist {on tape!}

filled with songs that got me excited for the fall/winter season to begin.

after that first year, i simply continued this tradition of driving

up my canyon to see the beauty of snow dusting autumn leaves,

to feel the chill in the air, to see my breath and know that i was alive,

and to see smoke coming from chimneys of small houses at the

mouth of the canyon.

there used to be a little food shack at the top of the canyon

called the "kickstand cafe" where i would stop and get

some hot cocoa and a peanut butter/banana/honey sandwich,

and a ginger-molasses cookie...it always hit the spot.

when i was dating ceej i allowed him to join me on my traditional

first-snow drive...and he's been coming every year since...

every year, except for those few years we lived away from the mountains.

i'm so grateful we're here this year to keep up the tradition.

this time, with the kickstand cafe gone, i brought our own eats:

hot cocoa, marshmallows, and grilled tomato & cheese sandwiches.

the best day of the year is by far the first snow-fall.

it beats my birthday, christmas, even halloween.

nothing gets me more excited than this.

we're off to visit friends in spring city for the weekend.

can't wait. we'll be enjoying all this cold weather for sure!

how's the weather where you are? any plans this weekend?

{hip, hip, hooray for snow!!!}

{p.s. thanks to desi for featuring one of my photos and for such kind words over on her blog!}