Despite the fact that the weather predictions called for a mild winter this year, it’s been cold. And snowy. There hasn’t been any in my neck of the woods yet, but there are places even further south that have.

I used to love it when it snowed. These days, though, I’m content to sit under a blanket with a cup of tea or coffee. Or at the window in a warm house, watching the Cardinals make a mad dash for the bird feeders.

But I have lots of memories.

I remember the year we moved to East Texas. It snowed so much that schools were closed for a week. The kids had never seen snow before. They had a ball making snow angels, snowmen, and snow ice cream. They played outside until their noses, cheeks, and fingers were rosy red and then came in for cocoa, soup, and grilled cheese sandwiches. I made a lot of stew and chili.

I walked two blocks to school in the snow to pick up the kids because I couldn’t get the car out of the driveway.

My husband would go to the grocery store and bring home grocery bags full of snacks. Pig Skins or a big bag of peanuts to roast in the oven. Marshmallows to make cocoa. Sometimes, I made a big pan of caramel popcorn.

One year, we spent all afternoon sliding down the hill at my sister’s house on old pieces of paneling. It was great fun until the kids ran into my sister and knocked her off her feet. Then we all went inside, removed our coats and shoes, and propped our feet on the hearth to warm up (and recuperate) Lots of memories. Right now, I think I need a nice hot cup of coffee.