A Snow Storm

The other day there was a big snow storm sweep through the area - it disrupted our weekend plans.  We were supposed to go over to Minneapolis, to the temple, but it came in just right to cause us to cancel our plans.  We would have been driving into the storm the whole way there and chasing it back, with lots of wind and drifting snow all the way back.  Given enough time, we probably could have done alright getting there but wind and drifting snow is worse for driving than snow that is just falling.  So we ended up not going.  It was bad enough that the temple actually closed for the evening and next morning that it was snowing.  Anyway, at our house the snow started Friday afternoon and continued until late Saturday morning.  Then, as it quit, it was time to get out and shovel.

When it was all done, the storm left not quite seven inches all over everything.  It's always kind of pretty when we get a big snow fall.

It coats everything with fresh, white.  Very nice.

I like how the yard looks, especially if there's been light drifting.  The wind sculpts the snow into some pretty amazing shapes.

But then you have to do the shoveling.  So about the time the snow was almost done falling, out we went to clear the walks and the driveway.

Our snow blower was in the shop earlier this month so we were really happy to have gotten it back in time for this storm.

Unfortunately, the wind was still blowing while we were out working.  That makes using the snow blower tricky.  If you blow the snow into the wind, the wind will throw it right back at you.

When you're' blowing the snow, throwing it the same direction the wind is blowing, it works pretty nice.

So you plan your work so that the wind helps, works with you rather than against you.

Having all that snow thrown right back at you can be pretty unpleasant, all cold and wet as it hits you in the face.

Pretty soon Brombeere and Schwartzbeere were finishing up out front, getting the last of it with the shovels.

The real nice thing about today's work was that when the plow went by it was early in the job, they hadn't gotten to the end of the driveway yet.  Unlike that other time a few years ago when it came closer to the end.

I was in charge of the deck.  Nice to be getting back to where I can help with this kind of stuff again.  So in the end, the snow got cleared and we were able to sit back and enjoy the fresh, new layer of beauty all around the yard.  Pretty nice, I think.