First Snow

We had our first measurable snow fall this morning.  On Monday, October 26th we had a little teaser that melted before the measuring sticks could come out and measure the dusting, but this morning everyone was looking for their window scrapers and ice melt.

 I'm always excited about the first snow fall.  I think it is beautiful, the air feels different and there is a quiet calm as the city wakes up and discovers the beauty.  You have to catch that moment at just the right time because before long scrappers are grinding against the windows of cars and horns are honking because commuters forget how to drive cautiously when we have 2 or 3 inches of snow on the ground.

 But the beauty of those first ice cycles and dainty snow flakes clinging to the branches of the trees which have just barely dropped their leaves is something to behold.  Trees are heavy with snow and they bend to the ground just waiting for the sunshine to push through the cloud cover to warm their branches and relieve them of the heaviness of moisture.

Take a moment to look into the frosted window ice patterns that form because of the crisp coldness on the outside and the warmth of the house come together and create the magical labyrinth.  I loose myself in the wonder of it all.

My Guilty Pleasure

I'm a little sad today.  My Marlboro Man is going away.

Some time ago (see post dated January 27, 2010) a gorgeous man drove into my life.  I have a window at my desk at work and I watched this beautiful man drive in on his motorcycle, leather jacket and all and casually but ruggedly step off his bike and walk into the office across the parking lot.  He wasn't in there very long, but of course I watched as he left.  It wasn't long before I noticed that day after day he kept coming back.  I nicknamed him Marlboro Man - not because he smoked cigarettes but because he is smokin' hot!  I got up the nerve to talk with him and I told him how we all enjoyed watching him each morning.  He said he liked that and that he would make a point to wave hello.  He kept his word.

Friday he told me he is no longer cleaning the building across the parking lot.  My "start off the morning" guilty pleasure has driven into the sunset one last time - leather jacket and all.  But before he left, he asked me to come outside so he could say his proper good bye.  He told me how he would miss the waves, our smiles and he gave me a hug!  Oh yummy!  It was nice. Good bye my Marlboro Man - I'll see you in my dreams.

Oatmeal

As a young girl hot Oatmeal and Cream of Wheat were a staple when it came to breakfast in the Price home.  I did not like either one (my daughter says it must be a texture thing in my mouth) so I would barter chores or responsibilities with my siblings so I wouldn't have to eat "the stuff".  You know how that goes, I will do your dishes or I will clean your bathroom if you will eat my bowl of "the stuff".  I felt like it was a good trade! 

I haven't eaten "the stuff" for years - until now!  My sister filled my pantry shelves not long ago and one of the items was a box of Cinnamon Roll Oatmeal.  I kept moving this box around, but the shelves have emptied and I was in a quandary about what to have for breakfast.  The box of "the stuff" jumped out at me and said 'take me!  take me'!

I took a package to work and prepared my bowl of hot Cinnamon Roll Oatmeal and ate it!  All gone!  And as I was finishing my breakfast I remember my mother telling me as a teenager when I wouldn't eat "the stuff", "its a grown up taste dear, when you grow up I think you will like it ".

Does it count that I threw a handful of semi sweet chocolate chips into the bowl?  Am I a grown up with grown up taste?  I don't think it matters because I ate "the stuff" and it was good!  I have actually had it almost every morning since (because there were quite a few packets in the box).

I am going to consider myself a grown up and call this delightful find exactly what it is!  Hot Oatmeal.  I think I might graduate to trying Cream-of-Wheat!  Yikes!  I have grown up!