Sunday, December 14, 2008

Winter in the City

We're having our first heavy snow fall; it began Saturday morning and is continuing through today. It fulfills a personal wish: my office at work is windowless and I oh so much wanted to be able to just sit and enjoy watching a snow fall from home.

Saturday day was spent enjoying watching the snow from various windows in our apartment, and taking a good hot soak in the apartment outside jacuzzi, catching nickle sized snowflakes on our tongues while the steam rose all around us.

Bliss.

Bernie had to go out to work for awhile, and then he ran a few errands. When he returned it was dark out; he urged me to join him in a stroll around the city to see the Christmas lights.

I tugged on some heavy shoes and appropriate winter wear and together we headed out into the cold snowy night.

Here's the outdoor ice skating rink that is two blocks from our apartment:



(I'm all warm, except my nose....)


Downtown Salt Lake has lights everywhere. Every tree, bush, wall, building, is wrapped with lights. Pretty magical in the snow.
We were hardly alone on the streets though. Apparently there were several events being held and each corner had throngs of people waiting to cross the street.
(I had to laugh at some of the fashionable ladies in party dresses and OPEN TOED high heeled shoes...)
Hot chocolate was being sold from carts, bag pipers were playing bag pipes which ALSO were wrapped in Christmas lights. Music, lights, snow, a hand to hold...what more could you possibly want on a Saturday night near Christmas?
What a silly question.
A horse drawn carriage ride through the snowy streets to take in all the sights, of course.
Bernie and I snuggled under heavy carriage blankets, exchanged a few kisses, and smiled at the people crowding the streets that waved and smiled back.
(The wide eyed stares of children surprised to see a horse on the city streets were absolutely priceless...)
After that we walked back home, stopping to "borrow" some time in front of a warm fireplace at 1910 era hotel across from our apartment complex.
Yes...it was a wonderful walk, and yes, I am glad that we now live in this city!

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm sure it's been a tough week for you in some ways, and I've been thinking of you. I'm glad you had such a great weekend to end it off.

I'm so much like you, in that when it snows (which it rarely does here) I want to be able to stay at home and just look at it!!

Thanks for sharing more photos of beautiful SLC. And the carriage ride - how romantic and fun! Hope the week ahead is a good one for you.

Lori T

Anonymous said...

Awww!!! How sickeningly sweet! You hopeless romantic you!
I am glad you are enjoying the snow, I just threw a throw around my shoulders just looking at the pictures.
And I will *try* to keep my camera away from water....
Loves from your daughter

Lovella ♥ said...

Jill, it sounds wonderful. It did remind me of the Seinfeld episode where Kramer becomes a horse drawn carriage driver. . .but once I put that vision out of my mind. . .it was perfect. . so glad you are enjoying your first snowfall properly.

Anonymous said...

You do live in a winter wonderland! I think knowing that we are not traveling at all this winter has me feeling 'homesick' for snowy days. I especially love the way Christmas lights look in a good snow.

I'm glad your snow fell when you were most able to enjoy it, and I'm especially happy that you've got a great man to enjoy it with!

I just heard that Laura & William are under a winter storm warning for today and tomorrow!

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

That was a perfect winter's day during the holiday season.

Julie said...

Ohh ! how beautiful the outdoor skating rink is !! I would LOVE to take my grandgirls there! and a horse drawn carriage ride afterwards? How apsolutely 'book romantic perfect' ... smile...
We just received a snow advisory warning ... through to tomorrow night! We've had a dusting of snow.. but nothing worth photographing yet.. except of course the mountains.. they are beautifully 'dressed' in shimmering white!

Becky said...

Wow, what a delightful scene you created - and just think, God did it all so you could fall in love again with his greatness (and leave Texas behind!). Enjoy! I am sure you are mastering that winter driving now!