Cold December

When we were preparing to move here, we were told that it doesn't snow much in Belgium.  That at most there were a couple of snow falls of an inch or two.

That has not been the case.  We have had multiple inches of snow and no melting in between.  The average December temperature is in the 40s.   Lately it has been in the low 30s, which by winter standards isn't really all that cold.

The thing is (in case you haven't caught all the references to rain) we get a good amount of precipitation.   So when the temperature is 30 and not 40, the rain becomes snow.

In the snow there is limited clearing of the streets and non existent clearing of the sidewalks (where they exist).  There is a whole lot of driving on snow and ice and through slush.

We live on  a hill.  Our neighbors live on a hill.  No one is using their driveway.  We can access our house via a back road.  Most of our neighbors can not so they just park their cars at the bottom of their driveways.

At the airports, you may have read, there are issues.  The issue isn't so much the snow or getting it cleared. The issue is that the airports have run out of de-icing stuff.  They didn't expect to need so much.  They have run out.  Truck traffic has been affected by all this cold and well there is a strike in France at some factory that makes the de-icing stuff.

Glad we aren't flying anywhere any time soon.  In the meantime, we'll exercise our winter driving skills and keep pulling on our boots when we head out.

Shortest Day

It is just before 4pm and the sun is already beginning to set on this day.

This was to be the last day of school for Allen and Kyra before their two week winter break, but due to all our recent snow, winter break began last Friday.

Yesterday the kids stayed inside and plugged in.  Today they channeled their energies in a much more productive manner.  Without much prodding, both children cleaned their rooms to the point where they actually look good.  Kyra is doing laundry.

And now, they are outside playing with the dog in the snow.  They built this igloo/dog house and are continuing to refine it.  Kyra also made a mini snowman.

As for me, I know my role - I've got the hot chocolate on the stove ready to be served in mugs adorned with a mini candy cane.

Il Neige

Or in other words (English ones) it is snowing.

It began snowing here on Tuesday and has done so off and on through this morning.   Temperatures have not risen above freezing and the snow accumulation is a few inches.

My native born Virginian children expected school to be cancelled or delayed.  Kyra even wore her pajamas inside out and backward Wednesday evening (a Virginia tradition to bring on a snow day).  This did not work.  They have had school every day this week and it has started on time.

I wouldn't say this is because Belgians are great about taking care of the roads.  They don't.   The reaction to snow is a bit like the reaction to rain - you ignore it and just get on with your day.

At our house we have made one accommodation.  We are now using the back driveway instead of the front one.  Our driveway is very steep and in current conditions we can not drive the car up the drive.  Fortunately our driveway runs from the front of the property to the back of the property where it connects with a tractor road.  This portion is much flatter and as the mud on the back road is now all frozen it is easier to drive upon rather than in.

Overall, I would have to say I prefer the snow to the rain.  Walking the dog is easier on snow and frozen ground and upon returning home there is no need to wipe all the mud from his paws and underside.  The snow doesn't make me as wet as I run errands and the sight of snow is far prettier than gobs of mud everywhere.

I'll probably welcome the sight of mud and warmer temperatures after a long dark winter, but for now I am content to say "Il neige."