Last night was clear and starry at 10 pm. The night sky is all the more to be wondered at in the chill of a winter eve.

And often overnight, when all snuggled under a down comforter, the snow gently falls to blanket the cars with only an inch or so fluffy snow. A dusting, really. But a reminder that the inch of fluffy of stuff will soon turn into the dreaded lake effect snow accumulation.

The dogs seem to become more frisky and playful than usual, biting snow and tossing it into the air, chasing snowballs, rolling over and over in their versions of making snow angels, or so I choose to believe.

The cynic or pessimist might dwell on the four plus months of winter, and all that snow and cold. The optimist might decide to take advantage of winter activities and get out and play in the winter wonderlands.

For my part, I remember four years with Uncle Sam, and no snow at Christmas. Snow at Christmas is like wonderful icing on the holiday cake.

But mostly, it has to do with sharing, and gathering family and friends together. Warming together, the warming comfort of friendship.

Anyway, there was some light snow overnight.

We've already had more snow this year then all of last year.
Only about 6-7 inches but snow before Christmas isn't the norm here.
Hope it's not a forecast of things to come this year.

Oh, you happy guys!!! As I'm Swiss I'm used to snow and love it. Especially around Christmas I almost NEED it. In my childhood we almost every year had white Christmas. Later on it was more and more seldom, probably because of climate change. Here in Brazil it lacks of course completely. So I never get into Christmas-mood. I even forget that Christmas is coming, unless someone reminds me of it.

 Quote: Christina Stockinger

Oh, you happy guys!!! As I'm Swiss I'm used to snow and love it. Especially around Christmas I almost NEED it. In my childhood we almost every year had white Christmas. Later on it was more and more seldom, probably because of climate change. Here in Brazil it lacks of course completely. So I never get into Christmas-mood. I even forget that Christmas is coming, unless someone reminds me of it.

You need a yearly Christmas "Weekend" in the ANDES mountains! Plenty of SNOW at high altitudes, even in the tropics, Christina

I am much more inclined to enjoy snow when I don’t have to drive in it. The dogs absolutely love it - Eleven even more so than the others... I expect she will take to snowshoeing with Fennec and I quickly.

Christmas for me is a time to remember loved ones that are no longer with us - both human and animal.... I have ornaments for each of the lost- Drift’s will join those on the tree this year.

We also have a birthday to celebrate this year as Eleven will have her first on December 26.

I do admit that I enjoy it much more since I've been retired. Still rather have the heat even though that gave me a slap in the face this summer.

I agree, Kelly, snow has it's breathtaking beauty but also it's dangers, especially when driving. Also when just walking. I used to walk each morning one hour, no matter what weather.One day we had a thick cover of snow and I didn't think there might be ice underneath, slipped and fell on my backhead very hard. Afterwards I continued my walk, but at home on the PC I noticed I saw everything double, even my hubby!!!

Do you really celebrate Christmas and Birthdays with the dogs? They can't understand what you're celebrating. But in order to remember and feel them in our heart I do understand. Apart from this It is also a good tip to have some more reasons to celebrate than you US-people have already anyway.

It seems like we've had a lot more snow than usual for this early in the season, though none of it has been huge amounts at once, nor has it stayed long each time. But we have been averaging 10 - 20 degrees below normal for what seems like a couple of months already, which does not bode well for somebody like me who hates cold weather. I've tried many times in the past to get outside and enjoy myself with one winter sport or another, but no matter how well I dressed, I was still cold.

The dogs, on the other hand, seem much more hardy. Even with their short coats, they eagerly go outside each and every day, and pester me to go out with them and play ball, which of course I do, even if I do get cold. They're worth it. A few years ago, I bought winter coats for them, and I honestly think they appreciate them.

I do enjoy seeing fat, fluffy flakes of snow falling, and the peacefulness and beauty of the world when it's covered with fresh, clean snow is enjoyable -- as long as I'm enjoying it mostly from indoors! Driving in it scares me, too, the more so the older I get.

The beauty of a clear night sky with stars sprinkled like diamonds on black velvet is something I really enjoy. Of course, light pollution is intruding everywhere, and it's getting harder and harder to find that truly dark sky. As an amateur astronomer, I like getting a telescope out at night to get a better look at the planets, star clusters, distant galaxies, and the many other wonders of our universe that can be seen with even modest equipment. I'm afraid I'm a bit of a fair-weather astronomer, though, and I'm not likely to be out on really cold nights. That, and the fact that we seem to be in a long-term stretch of constantly cloudy skies, means there isn't much star-gazing going on lately.

 Quote: Candi Campbell

 Quote: Christina Stockinger

Oh, you happy guys!!! As I'm Swiss I'm used to snow and love it. Especially around Christmas I almost NEED it. In my childhood we almost every year had white Christmas. Later on it was more and more seldom, probably because of climate change. Here in Brazil it lacks of course completely. So I never get into Christmas-mood. I even forget that Christmas is coming, unless someone reminds me of it.

You need a yearly Christmas "Weekend" in the ANDES mountains! Plenty of SNOW at high altitudes, even in the tropics, Christina

Great idea, Candi, but this is very far. We have regions in Brazil too with regular snowfall in winter, mostly in the South, also Southeast. But this is very from where I live, (Bahia), and it wouldn't be possible with 4 dogs. Without them no Christmas at all, so I'll better do without snow.

Cheri, that's a very picturesque description of the landscape we so often had in winter (enjoyed from inside as well as from outside!). Although I really fear the climatechange, damned, you almost make me hope that thanks to it some day we will have snow in the northeast too. !!!