Thursday, January 6, 2022

Growing Up in San Diego, I Never Knew!

I was born and raised in San Diego and I never knew there was such a thing as a snow sky. It's when the temperature drops, and the sky turns a light gray, you can't see any blue, no break in the clouds, it just looks like a silky smooth blanket. 

I never knew that there were different kinds of snow. There's a light, powdery snow that I hear is great for skiing. Here in the Seattle suburbs we mostly get the wet, heavy snow that's bad for skiing for great for building snowmen and having snowball fights!

I never knew you should pop your windshield wipers up so they don't stick to your windshield.

I never knew your pipes could freeze! When the temps dip down to the teens you need to open up the cupboards so your pipes are exposed to the heat of your house, and then turn your faucets on very low so the dripping water keeps them from freezing.

I never knew that it's really quiet when the snow is actually falling. There are no cars, no planes flying overhead, no birds... it's absolutely silent.

On December 26 it started to snow so I woke up early, fixed some tea, opened the blinds and sat at the kitchen table FOR ALMOST 3 HOURS and watched the snow fall. My world changed into a winter wonderland! It is so peaceful. I think it's one of the most peaceful things on the planet.



 

I ended up taking a walk later in the day to check out the neighborhood. It was so cold but so pretty!

The brown house is ours. Anyone who lives behind us we affectionately call 'our back door neighbors.'






I was getting ready to go to work a few days later when I saw this huge pile of ice next to my drivers side door.

Then I looked up to see this crazy icicle hanging right above my head! I ended up breaking it off when I got back home.


The temps dropped into the teens and everything froze. Our church was closed for more than a week so it was quite a few days before Beth and I finally ventured out to the store. Our refrigerators were getting empty so we were desperate!



 I went down to work one night to set the alarm and spotted this crazy frozen waterfall!


When I was growing up we'd sometimes drive up to the mountains to play in the snow and I'd wonder what it was like to live there. I never knew that one day I'd get to find out.

9 comments:

Susan said...

We have to drive up to the mountains to see snow. I am one and a half hours from San Diego, on the border of Orange and Riverside County. How long did you live in San Diego? We were there back in September. Enjoy your weekend!

Sandi said...

So beautiful. I grew up in snow, but now live in the South where we don't usually see it. ❄️

Jeanie said...

Wow -- you got nailed! It's extra hard when you haven't grown up with it! I never heard the terms snow sky but I know EXACTLY what it is! We see it much of the winter here!

Terri D said...

I have fond memories of cold, frozen lakes, 12 inches and more of snow, and temps dipping below 15°. I am happy with the memories and have no desire to ever see that in person, ever again!! Florida has spoiled me! I'm happy you were able to get to the grocery and restock! Stay warm up there!! xo

ellen b. said...

Fun post of your past and present experiences with and without snow. We are having our first real snow accumulation since we moved to this side of the Cascades. It's a different world over here and we are enjoying it.

Marilyn @ MountainTopSpice said...

Sure enjoyed your pictures and sharing of things you didn't know! Glad you do know them now :) Indeed, so much changes when you live in snow country, so many things you have to think ahead and plan for. We keep water in a 5-gallon bucket in our bathroom in case the power goes out so the toilet can be flushed. We are prepared to live without power should the case arise, and we kept our faucets dripping when the temps dipped down below zero here last week. It was cold! Thankful it has warmed up back into the 20s and 30s. Glad that you got to enjoy such a pretty snowfall. It is just amazing to watch it fall so gently! Just gorgeous! I love where we live :) Blessings to you dear friend, have a safe and wonderful new year with God's best for you and your family!

onceuponatimehappilyeverafter.com said...

I love the snow. Was born during an Easter Sunday snow storm in April of 1958 in Buffalo, NY. Loved the snow ever since.

Your descriptions, revelations and photos are all so pretty. The quiet of snow is something I like best. Hoping we get at least one snow this year. Thank you for sharing yours.

Pamela M. Steiner said...

Oh how beautiful!! I'm so glad you had this "snow week" to enjoy the beauties of snow w/o having to go out every day to work. That's the way I like it. If I have to drive in it every day, then it ceases to make me happy. But we live in Florida now and so we never have to worry about having a snow day again. But sometimes I do miss it. Glad that icicle didn't land on your head...it could have been very dangerous. Thank you for sharing the beauties of snow with us.

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