Winter in The Mitten

.

Michigan (The Mitten State) is known for it's long, cold winters and Lake Effect snow.  Sometimes it's hard for me to find the beauty in the long months of cold, but I try.  I guess it makes me appreciate Summer that much more.
.
Winter in The Mitten means:  A few good storms. 
.

{ the view out my front door after the snow had stopped 2.2.11}
.
This past week we had a HUGE blizzard.  The media dubbed this storm the Groundhog Day Dump.  I got home from work Tuesday night just as the storm was starting.  By the next morning there were 17" of snow on the ground!
.

{ crazy drift on my deck }
.
I laughed when I opened my curtains and found this huge pile of snow on my deck!  I've never seen more than 12" of snow here and the wind made for a really unusual shape.
.

.

{ drift outside my garage door }
.
The official reading out at the airport was 16" of snow.  We missed beating the all time snowiest 24 hour period from '78 by 1/10"! 
.
Winter in The Mitten means:  Enjoying the rare sunny days.
.

.
The day after the big storm was a beautiful sunny day with one of the prettiest blue skies I can remember.  It's not unusual for us Michiganders to go weeks in the Winter without seeing the sun.  It makes for long, gloomy days.  I'm always amazed how much better my mood is when the sun is out.
.

.
I was still snowed in, so I went outside to take pictures with the sun shining on the frosted branches.
.

.

.
Winter in The Mitten means:  knitting & sewing
.

{ Another Baby Surprise Jacket on the needles }
.
Cold snowy nights always make me want to work on a knitting project.  There's not much else to do!  I've also been sewing quite a bit lately.
.

{ the makings of a Valentine's wreath }
.
I was working on this wreath yesterday afternoon and my machine got all messed up and I wasn't able to fix it.  I don't know what I'm going to do if it is broken!  I have several projects in the works - I need my machine!  Ugh.
.
Winter in The Mitten means:  cross country skiing!
.

.
My Mom & I went cross country skiing last weekend - it was so much fun!  I can't believe I haven't done this more often.  It felt so good to be outside in the fresh air.  I plan to go a lot more often from now on.  It's definitely one way to enjoy winter!
.

 .
For anyone in the Grand Rapids area:  We went cross country skiing @ L.E. Kaufman (AKA Palmer Park).  I can't recommend it enough.  It's $8.00 to rent your skis or $2.00 if you bring your own.
.

{ my Mom }
.

.

.

.

.
Last but not least...
.
Winter in The Mitten means:  nightly hot chocolate or vino.
.

{ hot chocolate with homemade marshmallows }
.
I have to be honest...I usually choose the wine over hot chocolate!  Warms me right up.
.

.
To see the warmer side of Michigan, visit my post "Summer in The Mitten"
.