Aside from some lake effect snow at the end of November, it’s been pretty dreary up here. I have this idea that December 1 is a magical date, capable of imparting pillowy snow. Not so. I have pouted and generally been unenjoyable (I kid, I kid. I think/hope.) to be around, complaining about how there’s just nothing outside to do. But as you can imagine, my impertinence had no impact on the weather. Fortunately for Tony, a storm system arrived yesterday bringing snow.
There’s something about snow. It’s the world’s best rug for sweeping things under. A few inches of teensy white flakes, and the world looks fresh and clean. And like the world’s best detergent, snow makes even the grayest days bright. This morning, a little still clings to hardwood branches, and piles on evergreens. Now that there’s something to do outside, I must remain inside, glued to my laptop.
The snow also makes all the holiday decorations more cozy, appropriate and appreciated. I’ve been waiting for a decent snow to take pictures. Last night after dark, we meandered around Traverse City marveling at some of the man-meets-nature scenery. I love the way Christmas lights glow underneath a blanket of white, and another perennial favorite is the giant Christmas tree erected in the center of a downtown street. Just looking at it makes me feel like sipping hot chocolate, and perhaps ice skating.
I’m sure we’ll get out later, but for now, I’ll enjoy the scenes from Traverse City neighborhoods last night. Word on the street is that we might be out skiing later this week. Keep your fingers crossed 🙂
Click any picture for a larger version in a slideshow 🙂
Adventures in Michigan's Up North 
Beautiful pictures!
Blessings ~ Wendy
Thank you Wendy, it’s beautiful out there 🙂
OF COURSE the colored lights under the white snow (full shot) are my favorite 🙂 Lovely!
I kept hearing you in my head while taking those photos 🙂 The house on 9th was dark when we drove by…gonna have to take more lights photos!
Great job taking those Christmas-y night photos, Heather! I wouldn’t even know how to begin getting some pics like these to turn out. Happy snow! (btw, we got about two inches. How much did you get?)
Why thank you Miss Kathy. Don’t you just love the holidays? It makes me want to hang lights and put up a tree. I used my new (quite old actually) fancy-schmancy tripod and set the shutter for a couple of seconds – or 30 seconds for that stormy city picture.
We got about 4 inches or so followed by a bit of lake effect. Still hoping for more 🙂
Wow, you really DO live in the snowbelt just like the folks from Marquette and Munising and up in da Keweenaw. We usually don’t get as much. I like that word fancy-schmancy.
We don’t generally get a much in a year as Gaylord, but we average somewhere around 140″. I love it, probably because we don’t *have* to fight it…for us it is almost always playtime excursions. You can use fancy-schmancy any time you like 😀
That snow seemed like it came out of no where yesterday. We are also hoping to do some skiing this week!
Shanty Creek opens this Friday 🙂 I think I know where I’m going to be!
Nice! Treetops by us opened a little while ago, but think we will prolly hit some trails around our place.
You are so right – snow does make the whole world brighter. I think not having to go out unless you choose makes a big difference – I will breathe a huge sigh of relief if we do not have a snowstorm when I have to pick up the kids at the airport at midnight on the 24th. Last year it was frightful and I am not fond of driving in a storm. Your pictures are beautiful but they always are. I agree with jcee – the lights on the snow-covered branches are my favorite.
How exciting that your kiddos are coming home for the holidays! I hope the snow waits until you arrive safely home with the kids and then you all get snowed in 🙂
That’s my hope too.
Like.
lovely pics!
Thank you. Today is even lovlier 🙂
The snow and the Christmas lights created a lovely Christmas scene.
It is rainy and gross out now. Wishing it was even moderately as Christmas-y as it was 😉
Oh my. That is a bummer. That’s why I am glad that we only get snow of sleet once in a “blue moon” where I live. We have only had 2 light freezes thus far this year. I think it was down to around 25 degrees a couple of nights.