By Stephanie Hanson

Here in Northern Virginia, the snow is coming down like we haven’t seen in at least a decade, at least in my uneducated opinion. The snow is well over my knees, and well, we just aren’t used to that here. That might be the way things go up north, but here, we aren’t much north of the sweet-tea line.

All the same, despite the inconvenience of postponed Christmas parties and unplowed roads, people seem to be enjoying the snow. Facebook is flooded with pictures of winter wonderlands and people bubbling about the weather. This blizzard is really an event around here.

I of course have been fortifying myself against the cold weather with many cups of tea, hot cocoa, and mulled cider. The next drink will probably be an apple cider-chai, inspired by Tealuxe’s restaurant. And I’ll just keep drinking, because it’s pretty clear that we’re not going anywhere with the snow coming down as fast as they can plow it. On the other hand, it did inspire a little bit of music in our house:

Oh the weather outside is frightful
But my tea is so delightful
As long as the kettle glows
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

Oh it doesn’t show signs of stopping
But I’ve brought oolong for sipping
And it warms me up just so
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

When it finally all is gone
How I’ll hate going out in the storm
But if you’ll pour it in a mug
All the way home I’ll be warm

On my cup is slowly draining
And my dear, we are still chatting
But as long as we love tea so
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

So, snuggle up with your cuppa, keep warm, and enjoy your own winter wonderland.