Unexpected magic in the Sunshine State

Tuesday, January 21 dawned with bated breath and anticipation. Were we in the Panhandle about to get some snow??

All morning each of us took turns running to look out the window, waiting to see the first few flakes. Finally around 10:30 a.m. the first ones began to float down.

And you better believe we went out there.

❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️

The most snow Pensacola, Florida, ever saw was in 1954, reaching 2.3 inches. Just a couple hours in and it was pretty obvious that this was going to be more than of those years. (Read more about that and the Great Blizzard of 1899 here!)

Snow Day #1

Once the snow started there seemed to be no stopping! I tell you, whenever I’d look out the window I would pause and remind myself: This is actually happening. Needless to say, the sight was incredible. Magical. Everybody loved it.

It snowed into the night. I vaguely remember checking around 9 p.m., after the kids were asleep, and there was nothing more coming down. It was a little sad.

But our world was now covered with pure white powder.

The older two were excited to taste the sweet January snowflakes. Caeden was determined to make a snowman and Evvy had plans to make a snow angel. And so they did.

I was putting the baby to sleep when a neighbor friend came over to play in the snow with our kiddos. And what’s more! We have a hill in our neighborhood that became surf-central! Anyone with a boogie board or pool float was out and sailing down that hill.

My man even made snow ice cream. (The last of which was consumed just yesterday sniff sniff).

Read the full recipe here:

https://www.southernliving.com/recipes/snow-ice-cream

Note: We actually used condensed milk. It’s what we had in the pantry. And cuz, yum!

Snow Day #2

For the first time in I don’t know how long I was the first one out of bed. I turned on the coffee, put some sourdough in the oven (oh, we were never out of either!), and cracked open a book.

Mmm the peace and quiet with the pure white snow outside the window…

As the day began, I felt badly that I had practically cooped the baby up the day before so now I was ready to be out and enjoy the winter wonderland beside the kids.

We headed to that epic hill I mentioned above and the kids just had so much fun in the snow.

After we came back we baked cupcakes, built snowmen, and thoroughly enjoyed the white, white world today!

Snow Day #3

On Thursday we were amazed at how the roads were not fully clear—but what a great reason to be out in our own back yard!

The tiny man’s checkered getup made me giggle so much. As he toddled around I thought of C.S. Lewis’ Tumnus. So adorable.

Snow Day #4

On the fourth day some people started heading back to work. I decided not to risk it (a Monday problem). We played outside again, went for a walk, found an igloo!, and then . . . got a small case of seasonal depression. It was so sad to see the delightful snow melt away…

My oldest took these pictures through the window so he could remember what the snow looked like. Because he’s not sure he’ll ever see this again.

Poor kiddo… but honestly? Core memories.

Sourdough was a staple all week! (And it continues to be!); took these drool-worthy pictures…

These were magical days that a week later we wonder if they actually happened cuz all the snow is melted! But we’ll always have the memories. So there’s that.

Talk to you soon!