Thursday, December 5, 2013

An Arctic Blast!


Well, one thing is for certain.  I don't think I will ever have to "dream" about a White Christmas again, as long as I live in Colorado! I don't even need a Christmas tree when I can look out my window and see beautiful snow encrusted evergreens like these.


It snowed all day yesterday. Fine, steady snow that left about 6 inches of powder on the ground. The photos above almost look like they were taken in black and white...


...but as you can see by this close-up, they were not!


Today the sun came out, but the temperatures stayed below 0 and the low single digits. We and other portions of the NW and West are experiencing an "Arctic Blast" cold front that has been creating record-breaking cold temperatures.  I heard on the news tonight that the Denver International Airport is expecting the temperature to be minus 15 degrees! Just in time for my husband's arrival.  He is returning home tonight from a business trip to NYC. When he left last Sunday, the temperatures were in the low to mid 60's, so he wore a light jacket. Fortunately, my son-in-law will be picking him up from the airport, and will bring my husband's warm winter coat along!


Even though it was subzero today I took a walk and appreciated how our community clears the paved trails.  This is unusual weather for Colorado, but they handle snow well here and are a hardy bunch that enjoys the winter weather. Schools have been open through this snow and cold spell and life have continued as usual. 


I'm sure there have been lots of hot chocolate consumed the past few days--I know I had a few cups, myself.  Drinking it from a Santa mug and adding some whip cream makes it extra special!


I shoveled the snow from our driveway all by myself. It's a big job, but good exercise. I handled it quite well by just pushing the snow off back and forth, like a plow would, without lifting. The snow here is lighter and fluffier than what we had back east. Non-the-less, I'll be happy when we pick up the snowblower we ordered and do in ten minutes what took me an hour manually.


I'll leave you with these photos of this year's Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.  (Click photo to enlarge) My husband attended an industry Christmas party a few blocks away last evening,  It was the night of the big annual tree lighting ceremony.  Did you watch it on TV? The barricades were still up, and security would not yet let anyone get close to the tree, so my husband took these quick photos with his cell phone before catching a cab back to the hotel.  He also let me hear the Saks department store Christmas song over speakerphone.  It made me feel quite nostalgic.  Every Christmas we would make a trip to Rockefeller Center to see the tree and watch the Saks light show. Click this link to see last year's tree and other sights from NYC.  You can watch the "Snowflake and the Bubble" light and song show on the Saks Department store at this link. 

New York is magical at Christmas time, but so is Denver, in its own way. I hope it warms up a little soon here so I can get out and show you!


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40 comments:

Pondside said...

The snow is beautiful, and that cleared trail would be tempting. Do you have a sleigh for pulling the little ones?
We got snow on the Island today, but I'm in the frigid Fraser Valley for work, and while it is very, very cold, there is no snow yet.

Linda said...

I am loving your life !!!

Ciao Chow Linda said...

It looks like a winter wonderland Pat. Shoveling the driveway gets old pretty fast, doesn't it? And NYC at Christmas is just the best! Hope Vinny lands ok.

The Gathering Place said...

It is really cold in Utah, too. Right now the temperature is about 15 degrees. Your view out your window is beautiful! You live in a beautiful area!

Sarah said...

I'm snuggled under a blanket sitting by a cozy fire, but our temps don't come close to what you are experiencing. Burr……..
The snow is pretty! ;-)

My name is Riet said...

Oh wow Pat, what a beautiful place you live in. The snow, the trees, the mountains. It looks like a Christmas card. Your photo's are all gorgeous.
Have a nice weekend

Billy Blue Eyes said...

O boy you do have snow, I wish we did I love the stuff but over here they shut the schools, they are a load of wimps. They never shut when I was a kid. Great photo's makes me feel like it is Christmas

The Quintessential Magpie said...

How gorgeous, Pat!

We have the AC on right now! I got up and bumped it down. It has been many a year since we have experienced a whit Christmas. Mr, Magpie has cousins in Aspen, and they are intrepid when it comes to snow. I would be a fish out of water.

Glad your hubs is getting his jacket!

xo

Sheila

Anonymous said...

I like the autumn colors, but all that white has its charm too!

Catherine said...

This is great! Love the pictures. We had miniscule snow dropping off our Joshua trees two days ago. It`s about 15 now. Thanks for sharing.

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Very scenic pics of the snow. Good for you for shoveling your driveway. I'm going to do ours later. I'm like you, I just push it. Lots easier.

Little Wandering Wren said...

Hi Pat - An hour to clear your driveway? I must admit one thing I never have to factor into my mornings here, it does look so pretty.
I'm always excited to see pictures of NYC as my daughters will be in NY next and we are visiting at Easter!
Have a wonderful weekend and keep checking to see if Santa has arrived with your snow blower yet!!
Wren x

Pallavi said...

I love the snow covered landscape dear Pat! In a way, I am experiencing winter through your pictures sitting at the other end of the world in Singapore. It must be surreal to see the frost covered trees . So beautiful :)

Pamela Gordon said...

How beautiful it is there in Colorado, Pat! Your photos are stunning. I saw the Rockefeller tree on the news and it looks gorgeous. Enjoy a cozy weekend. Pam

Vee said...

Wow! You really did get some weather! Yes, the grayness of the black and whites really gets to me after too long. SAD big time. I am glad to know that the sun is shining once again. I enjoyed seeing NYC. Thank Vinny for me. Well done on the driveway, Pat!

Massimo said...

wow ! really fantastic !
no snow here at present, but I can see it on the mountains... already white ! ciao

podso said...

Wow what beautiful snow photos! And the cold, it's hard to imagine how cold it must feel. But it is probably a dry cold so easier to manage. I can just picture how beautiful it must be! Hope your hubby made it home fine!

Barbara said...

Pat, your blog posts continue to be so entertaining and informative. I enjoyed the links you posted today from your 2012 Christmas. You shared things non- New Yorkers would never know about the city and what it has to offer. Beautiful!

Judy said...

Oh, so pretty...your snow. Good job on shoveling the driveway all on your own!

I'm sure you miss some of those lovely NYC sites that you visited every holiday season! Glad your hubby shared the pic's with us all.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

The snow looks so beautiful! We are having record warm temps here in NC...today it was 70!

eileeninmd said...

Lovely photos of the snow and mountains! It is a winter wonderland there! Enjoy! Have a happy weekend!

Beverly said...

It does like like a winter wonderland, Pat. I guess it doesn't feel as cold as the east because the humidity isn't as high.

I hope you will share your seasonal posts with us for Pink Saturdays.♥

Nellie said...

What a snowfall! Yes, we watched the lighting of the Rockefeller tree. It seems like that is part of our tradition here. I hope your husband has a safe return!

Michelle said...

Enjoy that fluffy snow! We are getting sleet and a bit of snow, but not the fun kind! lol

ellen b. said...

Snow is wonderful when you do not have to go too far in it. I'm glad you are embracing your new environment! It really makes for a great backdrop for Christmas!! I think a bucket list add for me would be to spend some time at Christmastime in New York and in Europe!

Cindy said...

Denver sounds much like Winnipeg, when it snows it's no big deal. Your photos are beautiful, I only wish we had pine trees here like yours.

Lorrie said...

Oh, yes, hot chocolate, hot tea, hot soup - that's the menu around here lately, too. Brrr. But today the sun shone in spite of the cold and it was so beautiful.
Love the snow on the trees and mountains. I wish we had a little more of the white stuff here.

Anonymous said...

Brrrrr! But Beautiful!

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

It has been unusually cold here too and the snow blew in today. Wicked driving conditions with the dry snow and low temps. Lovely photos of the snow covered pines!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

You really do have a winter wonderland right out your window! It's amazing how many different evergreens there are and how pretty they look with snow on them. Stay warm and soak in the tub after that shoveling work out! Sweet hugs from way down South!

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

Sure is a different life where you live now in Colorado Pat. The snow is beautiful, not tainted by the traffic of many automobiles and having the path plowed is a bonus.

Rajesh said...

Wonderful winter shots. I can feel the cold.

HansHB said...

A wonderful serie of photos!

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

Your snow is so pretty Pat. I always think the first snow is so special and wonderful, but then....I promised myself I would never be cold again. Glad you husband got to see the tree in NY and you've shared them with us. The temperatures this year across the nation have been crazy. Feels like summer here in south Florida. Go figure.
Sam

SmilingSally said...

Morning Pat,

Yes, the snow is beautiful. You did an admirable job shoveling that driveway. Stay warm.


Happy Blue Monday!

Anonymous said...

Lovely wintry shots of CO and will be glad when you get the snow blower too! ~ Gorgeous NYC shots also ~ thanks, carol ^_^

Laura @ the shorehouse. said...

I bet you've shoveled more square feet in the short time you've been in Colorado than you did the whole time you were in Brooklyn. :-) It is so, so gorgeous there! Even your driveway looks so beautiful!!

Debby Ray said...

Beautiful, beautiful snow! Breathtaking photos! I go through this every year...wanting some snow so badly. Here in NC it is a thrill to get some!

Anonymous said...

It certainly is beautiful! I do hope you stay safe and warm and your husband made it home safely. I think we've gotten your arctic blast now.

Yvette said...

Wow what gorgeous views from your windows, Pat. Just lovely. A winter wonderland for sure. We've just gotten our first snowfall (except for a few flurries a couple of weeks ago) this morning into today. Most a layer of snow over ice. Not so very nice. But it's to be expected - after all, it is the middle of December. The warm weather couldn't last. :)