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Knowing that a 6-7 inch snowstorm was in the forecast for last Friday, when my boss texted me at 7:45 AM to say that our skincare event was canceled because the store was closed, I was not surprised. 

I was ELATED and JUMPED for joy!

In fact, the night before as I was drifting off to sleep, I said a sacred prayer to God and baby Jesus that they would send a HUGE snowstorm to Philadelphia so that I didn't have to go to work, but rather run and play in the snow all day.

And my prayer was answered! 

That's exactly what I did. I played in the snow for 2 1/2 hrs. Considering that for the past two winters I was seriously cheated out of snow, I was going to cherish this storm to make up for it. 

Which I did!

After I texted back to my boss, I took a shower and then had some breakfast. I got so excited because I was finally able to wear the snow boots I purchased last year, but never had the opportunity to use. I put on my down jacket, scarf, cap, and gloves, and then headed out into the wind, the cold, and the SNOW!

What I especially enjoy whenever it snows here in the city, is that the streets are usually very quiet and have few people. I feel like I have the whole place to myself. However, I did meet up with several hardcore fellow snow lovers, who had a smile on their faces (just like me) outside relishing winter.

Today, I would like to share some of the photographs I took that day. And please forgive me, there are a lot of them. But hey, I didn't share any last winter, so think of this as two winters in one. LOL!

This is the view from my apartment window when I woke up that morning. The snow in this picture is light compared to what it looked like an hour later, when I could barely see across the street because the snow was coming down that hard. And that dense. 


Lookie here, my new snow boots covered in snow...


Independence Hall...


These next seven photos where taken inside Washington Square Park...





I watched, as the father in this photograph gently and sweetly put his daughter's gloves on so that she would stay warm...


I took this photo because I felt exactly like those dogs. They were running and jumping in the snow, having the time of their lives...



Isn't this little snow-covered birdhouse ADORABLE?...


I always think nature looks especially beautiful drizzled in snow... 



And what would Philly be without a cheesesteak restaurant? This is Sonny's in Old City...


The city is going through a lot of reconstruction (which it is desperately in need of). Everywhere you walk you see scaffolding. Here's evidence...


The road that leads to Penn's Landing...


Depending on how you look at it, “YO/OY,” the work by artist Deborah Kass sits outside the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History on Independence Mall in Old City...


This final photograph I made myself. I took my finger and created a heart in the snow that was lying on a historical plaque in the park...


So, there you have it, folks! My first snow storm of the season. And I'm hoping for MORE!

Thanks so much for taking this snowy tour. ❆⛄❆⛄💚

*Post extra -

I finally discovered what people like me are called...



28 comments:

  1. Ron, I was so thinking of you on Friday (and almost emailed you) because I had seen on the news and in the newspaper that the Northeast was going to get clobbered with snow. And knowing you, I knew you would be LOVING it. And I was right!

    WOW...that snow is intense! You see, this is one of the major things I miss about not living in New York anymore. I miss fall and winter. I like the cold and snow too. How cold was it on the day it snowed?

    GREAT photographs! I laughed when I saw the collage of you and your cute little face smiling and all excited. That birdhouse is so adorable indeed! Love the red berries too. Looks like white icing!

    I am so happy that you finally got snow this year. Last year was a bust, wasn't it? My family on Long Island said that they got a lot of snow too. My cousin said she never left the house on Friday.

    Thank you for sharing, Ron. Enjoyed! Enjoyed! Enjoyed!

    P.S. I hope you get more snow too! xox

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  2. I love the "I heart Snow" picture, Ron! Just from your words, I can tell you had so much fun that day. I'm similar to you about the snow, I love it. Especially the first snow of the season. I'm not a fan of the extreme cold though. But normally when it snows, it's not really cold. It's usually colder the day after.

    We got hit hard too. Luckily, I work from home (part of the time), so I stayed home that day and worked. I did get out for awhile to walk the dog and loved treking in the snow. That night, I made some soup. I had it with bread and butter. It really hit the spot.

    Your photos are (in your words) faaaaaaabulous! You were out there for 2 1/2 hours?!?! Did you ever feel too cold with the wind blowing?

    Washington Square Park looks like such a beautiful spot. I love that statue covered in snow.

    Never knew there was a name for cold weather, snow people!

    Glad you had a fun day in the snow, Ron! Has is all melted yet?

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  3. We got slammed with a lot snow too. However, I live in the burbs. I'm shocked by how much you got living in the city. Wow! But it's beautiful! Isn't the first snowfall of the season magical? It must be so cool to live on an upper floor and look out over the city. Particularly at night.

    Your photo captures are excellent, Ron! Speaking of dogs, my dog goes crazy in the snow. She runs, jumps, and twirls in it. Lol! Her whole furry body is covered in white.

    I do think nature looks beautiful covered in snow as well. I know that winter is not a favorite with a large percentage of people because I think most humans are more comfortable warm, rather than cold. After I went through menopause, that all changed for me. I can stand being hot.

    How were the pavements to walk on? Were they icy and slippery?

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  4. Hola, Denise!

    "And knowing you, I knew you would be LOVING it. And I was right!"


    You know me well, my friend! Yes...I was LOVING it! I bet Long Island, NY got hit with so much snow. The next time it snows here, I'm going to take the train outside the city just to experience it in the burbs. I bet Bryn Mawr will look stunning!

    I don't know exactly how cold it was that day, but the next day was extremely cold. It was in the teens (12-13 degrees). But you know me, I LOVED it!

    I spotted that birdhouse down in Old City. I've walked that street a million times in the past, but never noticed it until that day.

    " Love the red berries too. Looks like white icing!"


    Yes....it does!

    I was really worried because I had heard that we were going to get a lot of snow this winter, but we never did. So when that snow storm hit, I was in heaven. Hopefully, we'll get more this month and next.

    *fingers crossed*

    Thanks so much for stopping by, Denise! Hope you're having a fabulous week so far!

    X

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  5. Goooood morning, Daniel!

    Thanks! I suddenly got the idea to do that, then I took a picture of it! I took several, but that was the clearest.

    Yes, there is nothing like the very first snowfall of the season!

    "But normally when it snows, it's not really cold. It's usually colder the day after."


    You are spot on about that! The day it snowed here, it was cold, but nothing extreme. However, the next day is when it got icy cold. But it was very sunny, so it wasn't bad. At least for me.

    Yup, 2 1/2 hours! And I could have stayed longe.

    "That night, I made some soup. I had it with bread and butter. It really hit the spot."

    OMG, I did the same thing, I kid you not! And I tried a new soup recipe that day, which ended up coming out really tasty. Rather than butter, I dipped my bread into garlic hummus and then dipped it into the soup. Yummy! Isn't soup the best on a cold, wintery day?

    I discovered that name several weeks ago while online. I never knew there was a name for people who loved the cold and snow either!

    Yes, unfortunately, it's all melted and turned BLACK from all the cars and buses on the streets. It also got very icy on the pavements. I slipped a few times the day after.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a fantastic rest of your week!

    X

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  6. Ron, do you know what's strange? I'm normally not a big fan of winter, cold, or snow. I'm a summer baby, so I'm naturally drawn to warmer weather. But I have to say that this year, I'm really getting into winter. Like you said, past winters have not been extreme or snowy. So, maybe I'm into it more this year because I secretly missed it? Or maybe my body chemistry is changing? I just don't like extremes, whether it be hot or cold.

    Lovely photos! You really got some beauts! I have never been to Philadelphia, but it looks quite nice. That park is beautiful.

    I haven't had a cheesesteak in eons. Or a burger for that matter. I think I'm slowly turning vegetarian because I don't crave meat as much.

    Thanks for sharing your snow day, Ron! Delightful!

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  7. Hello there, Candice!

    Yes, the weather overall is normally more extreme outside the city. The only thing that's more extreme in the city is the heat and humidity of summer. It's cooler out in the burbs. I was shocked we got this much snow too.

    LOVE the first snow of the season. Nothing like it!

    I never thought I'd live in a high-rise apartment building because in the past my apartments where either first floor or second floor. The view at night is very nice!

    "Speaking of dogs, my dog goes crazy in the snow. She runs, jumps, and twirls in it. Lol! Her whole furry body is covered in white."


    Ha! Sounds just like the dogs I spotted in the park that day. They were having a blast in the snow!

    " After I went through menopause, that all changed for me. I can stand being hot."

    Funny you mentioned menopause because I tell people that when I reached the age of 45-46, my body went through a complete change. I referred to it as manopause. Lol! I used to love the warmth of Florida. But not any more. 75 degrees is too warm for me.

    The pavements were harder to walk on the day after it snow because a lot of the snow melted and turned to ice. I slipped several times, but luckily didn't fall. Whew!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, Candice! Have a great rest of your week!

    X

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  8. Ron, hummus on bread sounds delicious! I have to try that. And bummer about the snow turning black in the city. But I guess that's only natural from all the traffic. I wanted to ask but forgot in my first comment, does the city do a good job plowing the snow?

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  9. I use various hummus brands and flavors (garlic, lemon, Mediterranean, red pepper, kalamata) I try them all because I love hummus.

    And no, the city does a horrendous job plowing the streets. And this year was the worst. Another thing is that shop owners are required to salt the pavements in front of their stores so that people don't slip and fall. Only a very few stores did that this year. The rest? No.

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  10. I’m glad you enjoyed yourself because I’ve been miserable 🤣 I think we got about 9 inches, but omg the 4 degree temps were killing me last week. At least it was17 degrees yesterday🙄

    Your photos are lovely though. I don’t remember ever seeing the view from your window. That’s really cool to be in the center of it all. The 5th picture down reminds me of Central Park. LOVE the snow on those berries. Ok, Sonny’s ‘You Can’t Beat Our Meat’ is slightly profane 🤣🤣🤣
    Your heart art at the end is perfection. Enjoy the snow before it turns in to a slushy mess out there. I’ll be hibernating. XO

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  11. Good morning, Abby!

    I loved reading what you said about how wondering whether your body chemistry is changing because you now enjoy winter. That's EXACTLY what happened to me living in Florida, when I turned 45-46 years old. I went from loving the warmer weather to hating it. I do think our body changes as we go through the aging process. And I've even heard from people who used to love the cold, but as they got older, prefer the heat.

    Parts of Philly are beautiful. However, other parts no so much. I try to show only the "nice" parts when I post because I don't want to focus on the ugly stuff. And trust me, there is a lot of ugly stuff in this city. I love the history, the architecture, and the size of Philadelphia. But what I don't like is the overall consciousness of native Philadelphians.

    Funny you mentioned the burger because I too am vegetarian but sometimes think about having a really good burger. But other than that, I'm not a fan of meat.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, Abby! Hope you're having a great week so far!

    X

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  12. It's been very cold here as well. One day (the day after it snowed) it dropped down to 12 degrees!

    I know you're not fond of the cold (or winter for that matter), most people are not as well. To each his/her own. I'm just glad we have the change of seasons because I couldn't take living in Florida with only ONE season.

    I used to be on a higher floor, but 5 years ago I moved to a lower floor (5 floors below). The view from my building is really nice because there are no other building around it that block our views.

    Yes, it certainly does look like Central Park, you're right!

    "Ok, Sonny’s ‘You Can’t Beat Our Meat’ is slightly profane 🤣🤣🤣
    "

    Bwhahahahahahahahaha! I know, isn't that hilarious? I don't think everyone "gets" that. But dirty minds like mine do. LOL!

    OMG, it's already turned to a slushy mess out there. And it's now icy, so you have to be very careful when walking. I was out in Ardmore two days ago (working) and I couldn't get over how much snow was still left from the storm.

    Thank so much for stopping by, my friend! Hope all is well with you and that you're completely healed. Still sending you positive energy!

    X

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  13. Ron, that photo collage of you cracked me up! You can see the joy and excitement in your face. You look like a little kid playing in the snow!

    Great selections of photographs! And judging from the way I can see just how windy it was by the movement of the snow coming down, I'm surprise you did blow away. In a few of the photos it looks like a blizzard.

    We got snow and freezing temps not only on Friday, but throughout the weekend. For as gray as it was on Friday, Saturday and Sunday were quite sunny.

    Very interesting about the “YO/OY" sculpture. So I guess it depends on which side you're standing, you see it as OY or YO?

    Thanks for sharing your passion for winter and snow, Ron! I like winter too. I like all the seasons.

    Did you make any snow angels?

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  14. manopause --- LOVED that, Ron!

    And be careful out there on that ice! I'm surprised the city did take care of that.

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  15. LOL! I think men go through the "change of life" just like women. It's called MANopause. Lol!

    Yeah, me too. The city was very slow about clearing the snow and de-icing.

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  16. Oh, my friend, I just love you. I love that you played in the snow for 2.5 hours! I'm so happy you got snow! Ours is dwindling with the rain today, but we are above zero degrees, so I am not complaining!

    I bet Sonny's serves the best cheesesteak ever! You've inspired me to add Philadelphia to our bucket list. I hope you can take us there someday! 😊

    This post made me feel cozy and cheerful today. I feel like drinking hot chocolate right now. I think I will. ❤️💕

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  17. I've never heard the term "Chionophile" before, Ron -- thanks for educating me! My friend, I knew snow was headed your way, and I rejoiced for you. Anyone who loves the cold and snow as much as you do really should get to enjoy it ... every year!


    Your photos are gorgeous -- I especially love the contrast of those red berries among the white, the frolicking dogs, and that little birdhouse. We've finally moved past the pristine look of our snow, to where it's beginning to melt away in lots of rain. There are puddles and soggy areas everywhere. Not very conducive to pretty pictures!


    Here's hoping you get more snow -- and how cool, getting to enjoy a day off work, too! xx

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  18. Hey there, Robert!

    " You look like a little kid playing in the snow!"

    Ha! And that's EXACTLY how I felt too!

    "And judging from the way I can see just how windy it was by the movement of the snow coming down, I'm surprise you did blow away. In a few of the photos it looks like a blizzard."


    Yes, is was very windy. But that's another thing I'm weird about - I love the feeling of wind blowing in my face. And it doesn't matter how cold the wind is, I LOVE it! But I have to say, it really wasn't that cold. It was much colder the day after.

    "So I guess it depends on which side you're standing, you see it as OY or YO?"

    Yup, that's right. But I have to be honest and say that I only thought it said "YO" because that's the side that faces the street, so when you walk by, all you see is "YO!" It was only after I did some research did I find out that it had two meanings.

    No, unfortunately, I didn't make any snow angels. But had someone been with me, I would have done so and then had them take my photo lying in the snow.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, Robert! Always great to see you comments. Have a great rest of your week!

    X

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  19. Hellooooooooooo there, Kari!

    Aw...you are so sweet! Meeee too! Sooooooooooo happy! And yes, can you believe I was out there 2.5 hours? But I was having so much fun that I didn't even notice the time. I don't wear a watch, so I'm never looking at the time. I just calculated the time by knowing what time I left my apartment and then what time it was when I got home.

    Ours is dwindling too. Parts of it are puddles of water, other parts are pieces of ice. Plus, living in a city, the snow got very dirty, very fast. That's why I wanted to get out there the day is snowed to capture it.

    I no longer eat meat, so the last time I ever had a cheesesteak was when I was a teenager. But people LOVE Philly Cheesesteaks. My brother had several when he came to visit me.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend! Have a great rest of your day and week!

    X

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  20. Hey there, Debbie!

    I just recently discovered that word while Googling "what do you call people who love winter"?
    And that's what came up - Chionophile. And you wouldn't believe how many people I discovered online who love winter as much as I do. A LOT!

    I am soooooooooo happy that we finally got some snow because for the past 2 years we've had NADA.

    Thank you! Aren't those berries fabulous? And I think the snow makes them POP even more. Like you said, the contrast of the red and white.

    "We've finally moved past the pristine look of our snow, to where it's beginning to melt away in lots of rain. There are puddles and soggy areas everywhere."

    Same here. White snow doesn't stay white for long living in a city. It quickly turned black and ashy-looking. And it's pretty much all melted away. I hear that this weekend we're getting more rain, but the temps are going up into the 60s! Strange weather.

    Thanks ever so much for stopping by, my friend. Enjoy the rest of your week!

    X

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  21. Ron, your excitement about the heavy snowstorm last week is contagious! I get that way too, especially when it's the first of the season. I enjoy winter, cold, and the snow. However, I'm happy when it comes to an end and turns SPRING. I could never live anywhere without seasons because I look forward to the changes. My favorite time is when the heat and humidity of a long summer comes to an end, and I feel that first day of cooler air!

    Beautiful photos! That birdhouse is so sweet. And those images of your face in that collage are priceless!

    Don't you love how quiet and muffled it gets when it snows?

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  22. Good morning, Clair!

    " I could never live anywhere without seasons because I look forward to the changes. My favorite time is when the heat and humidity of a long summer comes to an end, and I feel that first day of cooler air!"

    I TOTALLY agree! As much as I love winter, if it were constant, I don't think it would feel as special. I don't how I lived in Florida for 20 years without season changes. But I feel like I was in a completely different mindset back then. I really enjoyed the constant warmth and sunshine.

    "Don't you love how quiet and muffled it gets when it snows?"


    Yes! Love it, love it, love it! And when you live in the noisy city, it's such a relief.

    Thanks so much for stopping by today, my friend! Happy Wednesday!

    X

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  23. Hi Ron, I too am a chionophile ❄️ who, like yourself, really likes to see a snow day. We are on a similar wavelength as I read this post after I went for a short walk today in the light snowfall we received overnight. In fact, it is still lightly snowing outside now, but sadly not a major storm.

    That said, we have had a couple of nice snowfalls here in Nashua, NH, also after a couple of years of hardly any snow. Your fun was evident in that first collage. What a great view over the city from your apartment window too! Do you live on the highest floor? Here in the mill apartments, we're on the 5th which is the highest.

    Yes, to a pot of soup on a snow day and today I'm making a big pot of lentil soup and leftovers are the best for several days.

    Let's hope for more snow before winter is over. Glad you finally got to wear your winter boots and really "loved" the snow ♥️.

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  24. " I too am a chionophile ❄️ who, like yourself, really likes to see a snow day. We are on a similar wavelength as I read this post after I went for a short walk today in the light snowfall we received overnight."

    *clapping and cheering*


    You too, D?!?! That's AWESOME! And after doing some research, I discovered that there are A LOT of us who feel that way. I will take winter over summer any day.

    " we have had a couple of nice snowfalls here in Nashua, NH, also after a couple of years of hardly any snow."

    Same here. The past two years were a BUST when it comes to getting snow. I finally got to wear my new snow boots this year!

    No, I live on the 17th, but I used to live on the 21st. This building has 25 floors. It used to be a hotel back in the 30's, when it was first built.

    " I'm making a big pot of lentil soup"

    OMG, you're not going to believe this but last Friday (the day it snowed) I made LENTIL SOUP, I kid you not! I love lentils and eat them a lot - in salads, soups, and even in certain pasta dishes.

    Yup, let's hope we get more snow this winter!

    Much thanks for stopping by and sharing your love of SNOW! Have a grrrrreat rest of your week!

    X

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  25. "I said a sacred prayer to God and baby Jesus that they would send a HUGE snowstorm to Philadelphia so that I didn't have to go to work."

    Ron, that made me and my husband laugh out loud! I can tell you went to Catholic school (like hubby and me), just from saying that!

    I can't tell you just how much we enjoyed reading this post. I so thought of you last Friday when we had that snow storm. Wasn't it wonderful to finally get snow after years of not getting it? My daughter and her kids came over for dinner that night. They live only a few blocks away. I made Italian Wedding Soup. And we also had a big salad with Italian bread. That meal really hit the spot.

    WONDERFUL photos! I can see that, yes, you were practically out there alone. I used to love that when I lived in NY. The streets were not nearly as crowded as normal days. And I liked that. I had the whole city to myself!

    LOVE the I "heart" Snow sign you made. Very clever!

    Here's hoping we get a least 2-3 more really BIGASS snow storms this winter! Lol!

    Enjoy your week, dear sir! xoxo

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  26. "I can tell you went to Catholic school (like hubby and me), just from saying that!"

    You got that right, Elaine! We can always tell the Catholic school people, can't we? That's because Catholic school has it's own LINGO. HAHAHAHA!

    Yes, THANK GOD we finally got some snow after TWO years of nothing. I honestly didn't think we'd get any this winter as well.

    " I made Italian Wedding Soup. And we also had a big salad with Italian bread. That meal really hit the spot."

    Sounds HEAVENLY! My brother (the chef) makes that soup and I LOVE it! And that soup takes a long time to make because of all those little meatballs. We I love about that soup it that it's hearty, but not overly heavy. And it's the perfect blend of great tasting ingredients. And yes, pairs so well with Italian bread!!!!

    It was so nice to be outside with only a few other people walking around. And even more so in a city like NY, which is so heavily populated.

    Thanks! I made that sign last minute.

    "Here's hoping we get a least 2-3 more really BIGASS snow storms this winter! Lol!"

    Yes! Yes! Yes!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, Elaine! Have a faaaaaabulous rest of your week!

    X

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  27. Ron, Thanks for sharing what floor you live on as I figured it had to be a high enough number for that great view. Either I didn't remember or didn't know that the building you live in was formerly a hotel. How great that we both live in "recycled" buildings. As you know, our apartment home was a former textile mill (flannel blankets) and out apt is on the 5th (top) floor.

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  28. "How great that we both live in "recycled" buildings. As you know, our apartment home was a former textile mill (flannel blankets) and out apt is on the 5th (top) floor."

    Yes, that's what I LOVE about living in a city on the east coast -- all the older (recycled) buildings that have been "lived in". You can feel the history!

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