Happy FEBRUARY, friends!
Listen, if you haven’t penciled in this movie today…
…what are you waiting for?! It’s a February 2nd MUST! 😉
One more MUST for your Monday is to check out…
…the winter edition of our travel agency’s online magazine.
We love connecting with you, so please take a minute to take a peek inside and see what we’re up to these days at Mix and Match Travel Agency. UPDATE: WE HAD TECHNICAL ISSUES OVER THE WEEKEND on our website. They have been corrected, but if you sent in an inquiry Friday afternoon through this morning, PLEASE SEND ANOTHER ONE or feel free to just email me directly. We apologize for that tech mess, but it has been corrected. My email is mixandmatchtravelagency@yahoo.com
Okay, after having my family iced in all last week together, I thought it was the PERFECT time for another edition of TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE!
This time, let’s discuss…TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: SNOW DAYS 🙂 .
Bahahahaha! This made me laugh.
Okay, whether you’re hunkered down with your kiddos somewhere snowy or living somewhere warm and tropical, let’s take a light look (these are clearly not ‘serious’) at the best and not so best things about “snow days”.
Here we go…
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: SNOW DAY THINGS
#5: IT JUST FEELS LIKE WINTER
You know I love to savor each season…and a HUGE part of savoring that season is when it “feels” wholly and completely like THAT season. When I see a pumpkin in the spring, it feels off. When I see a pumpkin in the fall, I get warm fuzzies because THAT is fall. Snow days and wintertime just go hand in hand. My one complaint about winter in North Texas is that sometimes it feels like winter…and sometimes, it feels like June. Snow days are when we fully and completely get to enjoy this season.
#4: FOOD, FOOD, FOOD
I mean, let’s be real, is there a better meal than when you’re eating something hearty and warm while it’s snowing outside?! No hot dog on the beach in July can compare to a big bowl of chili while you’re snowed inside the house. Food absolutely tastes better on a snow day.
#3: ALL THE FUN OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES
I’m such an outside girl, so give me allllll the snowy outside things. Walks in the snow, sledding with my kids…all of it. I love going for a walk all bundled up with the big, fat flakes falling on me. I also love going outside and seeing all of my neighbors out there too. There is such a sense of community outside when the snow is falling. Being outdoors and enjoying all of the beauty and fun a snow day can bring is for sure a “top five” for me.
#2: NO OBLIGATIONS
And all at once, the calendar empties. All of those pesky things like setting an alarm to get up early, driving carpool, dentist appointments, homework, etc go right out the window. All of a sudden, you’re given the gift of “having to” stay home…and it is such a LOVELY gift to receive!
#1: FAMILY TIME!
I love uninterrupted family time. Goodness, the snow day really feels a lot like going on vacation to me or when we spend the summers on Nantucket. It’s just the six of us all together all day long. We’re outside being active together, we’re eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner together. It’s just an absolute joy when I get to be with my favorite five people all day long…family time is my FAVORITE part of a snow day.
That being said, having just come off of six straight snow days in a row, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to a few “less than” favorable parts of having a snow day…
And here are my BOTTOM FIVE SNOW DAY THINGS…
#5: ALL OF THOSE DISHES
There are so many dishes. People are eating non-stop. The kids are baking. The kids are making snacks. There are plates in every room. Forks are lying about all over the house. You go to bed with a clean kitchen but wake up to find that apparently an episode of Top Chef was filmed in the kitchen over night. Although the contestants “cleaned” it up…it’s not nearllllly as clean as perhaps a mom would like it to be. Oh wait, they’re eating some more. Oh no, it’s time to empty the dishwasher again. Oh more food. Agh, another fork. It just never ends.
#4: CABIN FEVER
Cabin fever is a contagious disease that strikes each member of the Shull family after a few days of being cooped up inside. There are only so many episodes of The Office one can watch. At one point last week, Kensington walked by with an armful of cleaning supplies because “I’m so bored, I’m going to clean my bathroom”. I mean…that level of cabin fever almost requires hospitalization.
#3: THE FOOD HOARDING
I don’t know if this is a universal thing or a North Texas thing, but nothing, and I mean NOTHING, empties out a grocery store here faster than the chance for snow. The weather app will say that we are getting two days of snow followed by 8 days of 65 degree and people will buy enough food to last them a solid month. I mean, hellllllo, please save some for the rest of us. It will be 72 and sunny on Tuesday, can we not buy up the whole store? I just wish we could all buy what we need for a few days…and not for the entire month of February.
#2: KNOWING WE’LL HAVE TO MAKE IT UP
Yeah, you know I’m a planner. As I’m trying really hard to enjoy the “in the moment” part of a snow day, I still have that “in the back of my mind” part reminding me that these school days will be made up. Sigh.
#1: ICE, ICE BABY
Ice is a snow days’ worst enemy. Will we have power? Will I slip and break my leg walking down the back steps to take the dogs out? Will I ever be able to get my car out of the driveway? Can I even make it to the mailbox without falling? I love snow…I do not love the thick layer of ice that often comes with it.
And that, my friends, are my TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: SNOW DAY THINGS 🙂
Now…
It wouldn’t be a TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE without Andrew weighing in too.
ANDREW’S TOP FIVE SNOW DAY THINGS:
#5: We started a new tradition this year, happy hour with our neighbors!
#4: Driving, I really like to drive in the snow/ice.
#3: Snow is always beautiful, especially when it’s falling.
#2: The gym is empty, so it’s like I have it all to myself.
#1: All the kids being home.
ANDREW’S BOTTOM FIVE SNOW DAY THINGS:
#5: The gas bills on Nantucket and in Texas. Wow propane and natural gas aren’t cheap!
#4: Trying to get the dogs to do their business in the snow.
#3: Grocery store being cleaned out like we are going to be locked in for months.
#2: Snow makeup days mess with our schedule!
#1: When the snow starts to melt, EVERYTHING is dirty!
Now, don’t forget to check out these other TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE blog posts:
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: CONDIMENTS
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: HOLIDAY HOLIDAY THINGS
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: STORE-BOUGHT COOKIES
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: THINGS ABOUT A FAIR/CARNIVAL
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: ICE CREAM FLAVORS
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: SPRING CLEANING
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: TRAVELING BY PLANE
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: SKIING WITH YOUR FAMILY
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: CHRISTMAS MOVIES
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: HALLOWEEN CANDY
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: CEREALS
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: HOUSEHOLD CHORES
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: CHRISTMAS SONGS
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: THANKSGIVING FOODS
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE ROAD TRIP SNACKS
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: VEGETABLES
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: THINGS ABOUT FALL
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: CHRISTMAS FOODS
Now, it’s your turn! What are your TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE things about a snow day? I would LOVE to know!
Please comment and share!
Have the BEST day, friends! I’ll see you tomorrow. xx
Diane Moore says
I just have to tell you how much I enjoy starting my day with your blog as part of my quiet time. I’m glad you’ve added the Sunday recap!
I made pumpkin pesto beef (again!) yesterday. Always a husband pleaser! 💕💕💕
Mix and Match Mama says
Yay!! THANK YOU so much for making my recipes in your kitchen. xx
Laura says
Ok where is the pumpkin pesto beef recipe? I can’t find this one! Thanks!
Mix and Match Mama says
Here you go: https://mixandmatchmama.com/2024/10/pumpkin-pesto-pasta/
Laura says
Thank you! Lol’ing because I commented on that recipe already….! Clearly it intrigues me and I just need to make it!!
Elspeth Mizner says
These are always so fun!! I love the sense of coziness and together time. I don’t love driving or cleaning it up!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Kelly Sites says
I’m in snowy and COLD Michigan (brrr) Just got home from Africa late Saturday night and I kid you not, there was 100 degree difference in temps between the two (seriously).
Hate that my car is filthy on the outside in winter. All the salt and snow makes it gross. Love a crisp beautify wintery day though. Great reading and I love a fire in our fireplace. Winter is the only time I drink hot beverages (tea). So I love that as well.
Mix and Match Mama says
I hope you had the BEST time in Africa!! Also, I don’t love a dirty car after all the slushy snow either. I also don’t like looking at dirty snow on the ground.
Polly Pover says
These are great! It is interesting to hear the prospective of Southerners regarding snow and those in Northern NE where it’s just a way of life. Also, snow storm and ice storms are 2 very different animals. Lots of people love snow!! No one loves an ice storm!
Sarah Shaneyfelt says
Snow days make me want to bake and make all of the sweet treats and I think it’s probably because my mom did that on snow days growing up! Also question: here in Alabama, when we have bad weather (like ice or even a few inches of snow), our governor declares a state of emergency and so we don’t have to make up those days missed of school. Does TX do anything like that?
MeetTheShaneyfelts
Mix and Match Mama says
The answer is “sometimes”. We are *hoping* that we won’t have to make up all four this year. We for sure will have to make up two…but it’s undecided about the other two.
Kara says
We get snow much more frequently in Ohio and I have said this for YEARS…. WHYYY must people buy so much extra food!?! We got a foot of snow and were able to go to the store 2 days later! And this most recent storm… lettuce was sold out!? For the love.. who is making that much SALAD during a snowstorm?! It is so strange! haha
Mix and Match Mama says
I am LAUGHING OUT LOUD!
Sheaffer says
I went to three different grocery stores to make sure all of our favorites were stocked in the house, AND WE ATE LIKE KINGS WHILE ICED IN. 🙂
Erika Slaughter says
I mean…how’d you come up with a BOTTOM FIVE for Snow Days?! Other than getting bored, how is there anything you couldn’t LOVE about a Snow Day?!
Mandie Howard says
I agree with all of your top five….. here is my RANDOM one to add to the mix…. I love that when it is snowy I just wear my snow beanie all day long! I feel so cute in it and so I just keep it on all day, even inside! I ONLY do that when it is snowing! Ha! Random!
Also, I will add that my least favorite thing about having snow is ALL the piles of clothing that get thrown on the floor when the kiddos come in. And then there are the puddles of water everywhere that I then step on with my sock! THAT is my least favorite!
Mix and Match Mama says
1: Wear that beanie more often! 2: YES, YES to the piles of clothes!!!
Beth Valenta says
This was the perfect post! My Top5: being out of school of course, the crockpot dinners, using time to get organized, sweatpants and cozies on repeat with a ball cap, and baking.
Bottom 5: ICE…I could not leave my driveway and roads are still bad…we are still out of school in VA, boredom and not seeing my friends, the stores with nothing, constant dishes, and it is simply freezing…I feel pale and dry.
Stay warm and thank you for my bright spot!
Mix and Match Mama says
That last line…I feel pale and dry. Bahahaha!
Laci says
Tennessee is the same way! They will clear out a grocery store so fast and hoard food!
Allison says
These are spot on. The cleared calendar! The DISHES for the love! The only thing sad about this post is Andrew’s top five, bottom five are usually in all caps and I missed his all caps this post!
Mix and Match Mama says
I tried to make it less intense…but that’s not really Andrew, is it? Bahahaha!
Andrea says
This was so good and hilarious at the same time! Y’all are so fun and your sense of humor is so refreshing!!
Julie says
I just love this post! I’m at work and chuckling quietly about the all snow days dishes, Top Chef and bathroom cleaning! Thanks for the fun read on Monday morning!
Faith Kapp says
We had an ice storm in North Carolina a week ago. Schools were closed Monday-Wednesday, delayed
On Thursday, normal day Friday. Then a snow storm rolled through dumping the 4th highest snowfall in recorded history so schools are out again today and probably will be for another day or so. It’s pretty but now I’m ready for spring!
Mix and Match Mama says
Wow! That is a lot of snow!
K.K. says
I am so with you that I love when the season will act like itself!! 🙂 I love that you had extra family time even if it came with cabin fever. Kensington, you’re inspiring me to clean my bathroom today!!! 😉
Natasha says
My bottom 5 about a snow day is that usually the school board doesn’t call it until 6am the day of. So I don’t get to sleep in 🙁 Then I’m so excited about having a snow day, I usually can’t get back to sleep. My top 5 about a snow day is when it’s bad enough that they call it the night before and I do get to sleep in! That only happens about once every two years or so.
My other “bottom 5” about a snow day is that it’s usually bad enough here (Ontario, Canada) that it snow days entail A LOT of shoveling. They’re so much work.
Mix and Match Mama says
That’s a total bottom five!
SS says
Shay, these are always fun to read and participate in. Being from Michigan and having A LOT of snow this year… most schools have run out of snow day given to them by the state. As a child my neighbor was a teacher not in our district, so on the rare occasion she would have a snow day with us she would always have her kids and the neighbor kids (us) and another neighbor over to make cookies. She passed when we were in high school, but with our own kids here we always make a batch of cookies in her honor.
I see so many fun comments about snow… I will say the bummer is every time we walk the dogs it is like a 10 min foot ordeal we they come in with all the snowball that they bring it. We stop them and do our best to get them and dry them off so we don’t step in their little melted puddles, the amount wet stuff…socks from stepping in puddles mentioned before, gloves, hats, jackets. Our vents for the heaters have gloves in front/on them to dry for the next round to go outside. Also, because of the amount of snow roof raking has been down a few times this winter when it hasn’t been too cold (the single digit air temps and negative windchills have been brutal this year). The amount of “big” clothes you have to wash…having to do more loads so you don’t break the machine.
Fun things… it is still just so beautiful. I love when the snow look like little diamonds when the sun or the moon hits it. Sledding, snow angels, snowmen are still just as important to a kid (even if they fight ya at first) as it is to the grown up. I still love it. Drinking hot cocoa, cuddling under blankets, watching something together is just the best. Crock pot soups on repeat!!! This year I was able to catch a pretty good Northern Light show with snow… which I have wanted to do!!!!
Stay safe and have fun especially since the ole’ ground hog says 6 more weeks of winter!!!
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank YOU for sharing, friend! I love your Michigan perspective!
Gail says
Seattle didnt have snow, we had rain….but my hubby is housebound with a broken foot so it is like a Snow Day because we are stuck inside for days. Plus, we had our 7 and 4 year old grandkids for the weekend. Major family time, food and dishes, toys everywhere, wet clothes, kid movies,……but the very best thing? The 7 year old wanted story after story from our children’s Bible and then watched several kid Bible videos. His comment to his dad….”Dad, I believe all the things God has done, except for the freckles on my face coming from the Angels kissing me at night while I’m sleeping”. (I always tell him that because he doesn’t like his cute freckles!). Best weekend ever!
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh no, I’m sorry he’s home with a broken foot. That’s terrible! My mom used to tell us that freckles were angel kisses too! I just love that!
Patty Anderson says
It’s hard to imagine the rest of the country is under snow. Other than a couple of light snows earlier in the season, we’re completely snow and ice free in Wyoming. I heard the ski resorts just south in Colorado are suffering this season. Our time is coming. We usually get the worst winter weather in March. But so far…nothing.
One of my “bottom five” was when the girls were young and wanted to play in the snow. I’d get them all bundled up…and at least one of them would have to go to the bathroom. An endless cycle…
Jen W says
We are in GA and we have done digital learning days at home during our snow days. The good thing is we don’t have to make these up now as they are at home learning. The bad thing is I have lower elementary kids now that need a lot of hands on help during the day to get their work done. I pay my middle schooler to help. Money well spent so I can work at home too.
Mix and Match Mama says
That is TOTALLY money well spent on your part!
Holly C says
Love your “Top 5 Bottom 5” lists, ton of ice here in Maryland, solid sheets! I made your Chicken & Dumplings and so so good! It has been ages since I had it.
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh that makes me so happy! Thank YOU for sharing!
Michelle Skow says
Does Andrew like doing donuts with his car on the ice? I feel like that’s a man thing. Meanwhile I’m terrified of any slippage while driving.
lol
Mix and Match Mama says
I am positive he does! I would be scared to death! Haha!
Katie Compton says
As a teacher… there is NO bottom 5 for snow days! ❄️
MelanieL says
I loved receiving your new magazine in my inbox!! What a fun surprise and such great content like the trip ideas and estimated trip costs for various trips! 🙂
Kelly says
This year we put a tarp down over the grass so it would be easier to take the dogs out to do their business and it worked like a charm. How has it taken me this long to think of this? I think next year I will use several tarps just to make it even better.
Mix and Match Mama says
Well that is BRILLIANT!
Lisa N says
When we have shutdown days in the forecast I always add paper goods to my shopping list. And we have the option to burn them in a fire ring outside. Like camping lol
Cindy Davidson says
We’re in our Jubilee year in our school district – yep, 50 years of education here in Bolivar, MO.
Because of that, all snow days….make up days have been wiped out! No making them up! YAY!!!