the lights at temple square.

A couple of weeks ago, we drove up to Salt Lake City and saw the Christmas lights at Temple Square. It's one of my favorite Christmas traditions, and having a son to share it with made it that much more special.

Franz was loving looking at all the lights, and kept biting his mitten, trying to pull it off. I don't know why, but I really like out of focus Christmas light pictures. Also, Zac and I don't like other people taking our picture with our camera, so we waiting until no one was passing us, and took a really awesome, close-up picture of one half of our faces and called it good.

I love Temple Square during Christmastime.

a utah blizzard.

This morning I had no desire to look presentable before heading out to work. And on the way there, I drove the slowest I could, positive that the drivers who were passing me were annoyed. But last night, a blizzard hit! And it kept snowing and snowing all day today, and there was snow everywhere. And frankly, I'm terrified of driving in the snow. So slow I went.

Now I'm home, and I'm deciding if I should take down our Christmas tree (I know!) or make sugar cookies. I think I already know which one is going to win.

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freezing rain.

It's dark and dreary outside today. The sky is overcast, but luckily it's not too cold. In fact, it's 32 degrees right now, which is a nice break from the single-digit temperatures we've had lately.

This morning, on my way to work, I experienced freezing rain for the first time that I can remember. I live 2 1/2 miles from my office, and I saw 7 wrecks on the way to work. It also took me 30 minutes to arrive, when it usually takes no more than 10. It was a crazy morning, to say the least.

Today was also Zac's last day of driving around his 2013 Mustang rental car, since he was rear ended last week. I told him he needed to take me for a ride in it, and so he did. We cruised around Orem, filled up with gas, and returned the car. I wished Bad to the Bone was playing on the radio, because that's how we felt.

It was such a good day today. And now all I feel like doing is putting on some fuzzy socks, wrapping myself up in a blanket, and watching a movie until Zac comes home. I just feel like being cozy.

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out back.

Today at work, I went outside in the back of my building without my coat to move my restless legs a little bit. It was chilly, but warmer than I thought it would be. The sun was out, and the sky was speckled with clouds. It was pretty out there.

And just like that, the creative part of my brain saw things that would make for a good picture. So I took out my phone and snapped away.

The little details of this world are beatiful.

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january snow.

How are we already 2 weeks into January? I remember when I was counting down the days until Christmas, and now it's 2013? Time seems like it's going too fast, but at the same time, not fast enough. I'm still thinking of goals I want to set this year, for heaven's sake.

Lately it's been so chilly out. Like, you know, in the negatives. And it's crazy, because when it's 30 degrees here, it feels warm. This winter is playing tricks on me. I'm so excited for Spring to come, when I don't have to wear a winter coat to work (although I did wear my winter coat until about the end of April last year).

But right now it's January, and what do you know, it was still light outside when I got home from work! So I'll enjoy the piles of snow I see outside my window, and the pink sunset through the hazy clouds that I can just barely see over the buildings and trees while drinking my peppermint tea and waiting for Zac to be finished with night classes. 

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the first day of snow.

I know I talk and talked about the snow that fell yesterday, but this morning, we woke up to snow on the ground. It's what I consider the first day of snow here in this town. The ground was white with it, and I drove in it, and it felt like I was flying through space.

When I got to work this morning, there were so many clouds in the sky, and they were dark. It looked like the sun hadn't risen yet, like it was still nighttime.  That's when I got up from my desk, went outside, and took this picture (the clouds don't look dark, but they were, I promise). And then, when I looked out the window next, the sun was out, the clouds were gone, and so was the snow. But it's okay, because it's snowing tonight, and I'm sure there will be more of it when I was up tomorrow.

I am ecstatic. I can't believe the snow is here!

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the first signs of winter.

via.

Early this morning, after Zac left for work, I stepped outside and locked the door. When I turned around, I saw tiny little snow flakes in the air, slowly making their way to the ground, where they instantly melted. It was magical! When I got to my car, a pile of those little snowflakes found a spot on my windsheild, and it made me so, so happy.

I drove to work this morning in the falling snow, that eventually turned into rain, because it wasn't cold enough. I didn't even mind the cold air from the vents blowing on my face and ears. The first signs of winter are making their way to Utah, and I couldn't be more thrilled.

Last year, if you remember, we didn't get much snow. And on Christmas day, the only day that snow is mandatory, it was dry. And that kind of put me in a downer mood all winter, especially since my Grandpa Earl passed away three days after Christmas. So this year I am hoping for lots and lots and lots of snow; maybe even a blizzard!

It's a good thing I broke out the Christmas records weeks ago.

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

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