The Perfect Snow Day

As the first few flakes of snow float to the frozen ground, you'll peer up into the thickening gray clouds, thinking, "Will this be the one, the storm that brings the first snow day of the year?" Maybe you'll run to the radio or television to glean details from your favorite weather reporter of the approaching wintry blast. As you snuggle in your bed that night, you fall asleep with thoughts of white wintry bliss. As you awaken the next morning, you're aware of a deep silence that makes your heart pound with excitement. Rushing with chilled bare feet to the window, you thrust back the curtains and there, as far as you can see, the world is wrapped in a bedazzled white blanket of sparkling pure white snow. Another rush to the radio or television confirms it. Roads are closed, schools are closed, jobs are closed, for it is a snow day, in all it's glory. Now what do you do to have a perfect snow day? Read on gentle reader, read on.

The perfect snow day begins with an indulgent, lavish breakfast. This is no time to diet, you must fuel up to make the most of your snow day. Massive mounds of pancakes or waffles are a must, topped with steaming maple syrup and real butter. Hot chocolate with lots of cream will be needed throughout the day. Scrambled eggs with pepper and tomatoes buried under a pile of crispy bacon, with a side of gravy and biscuits round out the perfect snow day breakfast. Then...on to the festivities!

The first activity of the day is...what else...building the perfect snowman. Round up all your breakfast buddies, dress them warmly in coats, hats and gloves and rush out to laugh and play once again in a world of white perfection. Even the most self controlled among you will be hard put not to hurl a snowball or two before atttempting the task at hand, but restraint is in order. Be certain to choose your snowman's location carefully, because he will be big and massive and standing there as long as your winter wonderland lasts, so don't block your driveway or your neighbor's. Roll up the biggest, most tightly packed ball of snow that you can manage for your base. Get all your gang together and lift snowball number two into place, using lots of extra snow to meld the two together. Finally add the head, then sculpt the snow to make your snowman as perfect as possible. If no one is frozen in your winter party, you can add a snowwoman and even a bunch of snow kids. Now, while everyone is busy applying the finishing touches to snowman and company, grab a handfull of snow, pack it tightly and hurl it at your target of choice, starting the perfect snowball fight. When all are exhausted and snow covered, hit the house for a quick warmup and some steaming mugs of hot chocolate before moving on to the next part of your perfect day.

Sledding on a snow day is almost mandated by law. There's something about careening down a hill at breakneck speed through icy blasts of flying snow that makes your spirit soar. The laughter of friends and family at the inevitable mishaps ands crashes only adds to the fun. Don't stop until everyone is completely exhausted and have laughed themselves silly. Grab sandwiches of leftover bacon or bologna topped with lettuce and tomato, lots of yellow mustard on a good wheat bread, then head out again. You never know when the snowy magic will disappear, so make the most of it. Sled until dark.

Supper has got to be chili with lots of onions and tomatos or a hearty beef and vegetable soup. Grilled cheese sandwiches and lots of salad will satisfy growling tummies. Oatmeal cookies and milk can be served later if anyone needs dessert. Rest assured, almost everyone will, because they have burned calories by the ton today.

After a long day of fun with your friends and family, it is time for a little quiet time. Take a nice hot bath, most definitely not a shower, get into your most comfy pajamas or robe and get a good book to read. Absolutely no television tonight and radio is permitted only if it is romantic music. Cuddling with your husband or wife in front of a nice fireplace or even a wood stove between chapters of your book is one of the better memories you can have of a snow day. Take time to get out your Bible and read some passages in Genesis about the God who made your beautiful snow world. Knowing the perfection and beauty created in this world by a covering of pure white snow, can you begin to imagine the beauty Jesus has in heaven for those who love him? End the day in prayer to the God who loves you. You've had the perfect snow day. Now comes the perfect snow night. That, my friend, is up to you.