The Ins and Outs of Snow

When I first started writing my story—Snow Kissed—I knew I needed some insight about SNOW from my friends who actually lived in the snow. I, myself, am a California girl recently transplanted in North Carolina. I’d visited snow, gone skiing, spent weekends in the mountains all while living in CA. Now in NC, we have the occasional snow fall which usually melts that same hour or within a day or two. But living with snow day in and day out all winter long, I knew nothing about. So I tapped into the knowledge of my good friend and critique partner who is a Wisconsin native. Here is just a part of what she told me are the ‘Ins and Outs’ of Snow.

Good Things

1. Snow is beautiful. Especially new fallen snow that has yet to be disturbed.
2. Winter sports and activities are great – skiing, sledding, ice skating, snow mobiling, snow shoeing and ice fishing to name a few.
3. It’s nice to look out at the snow from your cozy, warm house as you are curled up under an afghan with a good book.
4. Winter clothes are so cozy and cuddly (not to mention more forgiving of figure flaws than most summer clothes.)
5. Hot chocolate with whipped cream when you come in from the cold.
6. No road construction!
7. Snow days! Hurray for no school.

Bad Things

1. Dirty snow and slush are gross.
2. Shoveling the driveway and digging out cars after a snowstorm.
3. We miss gardening, picnicking and swimming outside.
4. It’s not nice when it’s twenty degrees below zero (before factoring in the wind chill) and your car battery is dead from the cold.
5. It’s a pain to have to put on so many extra clothes – coat, hat, mittens, scarf and boots – just to walk to the end of the driveway and get the mail. If you have kids, add snow pants as well to their outdoor ensemble.
6. Cold floors! Especially if you don’t have carpeting in your bedroom.
7. Bad driving conditions. Icy roads can send cars spinning into the ditch and drifts of snow can trap cars in them.

Do you have anything to add about snow? Love it—Hate it?

Here is an excerpt from my story, Snow Kissed, with my snow-loving heroine and the hero who hates it.

As soon as Muriel left, Logan’s mood seemed to shift from irritated to agreeable. His body language became much more relaxed with his hardened chin softening and a real smile moving onto his face. “So, what are you up to this afternoon?”

Before Holly’s expression could waver into a frown, she forced a smile. “I…I’m off for a snow walk.” Possibly my last in Meriden.

“That is what’s so stupid about this…this whole Winter Wonderland Carnival. There’s no snow!” He raised both his hands in aggravation.

“There might not be any right now, but there will be.”

“How do you know? There’s no snow expected. Cold, but no snow.”

“There’ll be snow tonight.” She stepped close to him, laying her hand in the crook of his arm. The contact brought a swirl of pleasure moving around inside her stomach—more so than normal. It must be from all the excitement of her news—nothing more than that.

“Just breathe,” she whispered to him, as she slowly took in a deep whiff. “You smell that?”

He shook his head. “What? Burgers from down the street?”

“No.” She laughed; he could be so dense sometimes. “It’s the first snowfall.” She inhaled another intoxicating aroma of winter air. “It’s coming.”

“And what’s so good about snow? It’s just annoying and inconvenient.” He pulled his arm away and folded them across his lean frame.

“Snow is beautiful…magical.” Her voice came out breathy with the idea of snow making her feel all tingly.

“It’s cold, wet stuff that falls from the sky.”

“Then there are the wonderful clothes: hats, scarves, gloves…”

“…galoshes, wool socks,” he countered.

She continued, not to be undone by his cynicism. “Fresh baked cookies, hot apple cider, hot cocoa, hot toddies…what is a hot toddy?”

He nearly laughed at her, a cute smile building in the corner of his mouth as he shook his head. “A hot alcoholic drink. You want to come in for some coffee? I just made a pot.”

She shook her head and took in a deep breath before releasing it. “No, remember I’m off to take my snow walk through Meriden.” She tilted her head up at him. “I’ll be at the carnival tonight, working the booth for the church. Of course, you wouldn’t dare show your face there, now would you?”

Pausing, she made a concerted effort to memorize his face, including his subtly uneven eyebrows. This was probably one of the last times they’d be together. A breath hitched in her throat at the thought of never seeing Logan again. They’d shared so many memories over the years: spring picnics at the lake, midnight movies, and disastrous cooking adventures. Life wouldn’t be the same without him.

She should tell him she was leaving town for good. This was the perfect moment. Maybe he would respond by telling her she should stay—stay because he loved her too much to let her go. In my dreams.

“Goodbye, Logan,” was all she could bring herself to say. Lord, help me. It was easier than being disappointed.

Snow Kiss is available now at White Rose Publishing. Feel free to stop by and visit me at my website.