Real Winter

I grew-up in Alaska. If you are from there, that means something. I recently saw a shirt that said, "Keep calm, I'm from Alaska -- I got this!" Yep, Alaskans are tough. They have to be! 

I was looking through some old pictures and it made me reflect on the Magic that is Alaska. And though I often think of the magical summers, it is the winter that stands out in my mind. Especially as the days grow colder, the cold makes me feel like home. As the holidays approach, it also causes me to smile at days gone by. There is nothing like Christmas in Alaska. Probably because it is so close to the North Pole. 

Just look at this snow . . . I mean, really? That was just normal for us. Part of living in Alaska. Can you imagine if it dumped that much snow here in Idaho? 

Me, and my brother John

I remember lying underneath the pine trees in our front yard. The sky would be purple with falling snow, I would dig my way under the trees, lie on my back, and stare up at the Christmas lights. Those moments stand out very vividly in my mind. They were magic moments, full of dreaming, and hope. 

This was our home on Loganberry Street. I lived there from age 4 to age 19. Almost all my childhood memories are connected to this home. It had four levels, and all sorts of weird twists and turns. It was such a fun house. My mother made it magic for us. You should have seen it at Christmas! 

Burying yourself in snow helped you stay warm. That is my sister, Beth, and I am holding my cousin, Kevin. 

We had a fireplace in our home -- it was the centerpiece of the house. I can remember playing out in the snow, or helping dig out cars getting stuck on our street, and then we would come inside, my mother would have warm soup or cider on the stove, and we would cuddle-up next to the fire, while listening to Nat King Cole sing, The Christmas Song. Magic, I tell you. Magic. 

Beth, Mari, Grandma, John

The Fireplace was the background for many, many, occasions. That is me and my brother John before a New Years Eve dance. 

 I can remember listening the the radio some mornings, just hoping and praying for a snow day. Every now and again, we got them! Boy those were good days! Doesn't that look so fun? 

We were often late to school because, "A moose was sitting behind our car." They were frequent visitors in our yard. They would terrify me walking home from school, though. You have to be careful around Moose. I recall running home screaming a few times, trying to get away from a moose. 

Can you say, "Winter Wonderland"? 

 We kids sure loved to play in the snow. It was cold, but Heavenly. 

 Jumping off the deck was a must! Weeeeeee! 

Peek-a-Boo!

 Our backyard. 

We do not live in Igloos in Alaska, but we do make them for fun! 

Ahhhhh . . . memories. We have not had a "real winter" since we moved away 9 years ago. Maybe this year we will have some real snow here in Idaho. But there is no place like home in Alaska, when it comes to winning the winter-paradise prize!