The First (Substantial) Snowfall of the Winter

The house is quiet except for the hum of the refrigerator. Not even the fire in the fireplace crackles (thanks to natural gas). As I sit on the couch and watch out the window, the falling snow absorbs all sound. Even the babbling of the creek below our house is completely muffled. A blanket of snow wraps our frozen world in softness and somehow defies the harshness of winter. In Alaska, this is my favorite season. The beauty is unmatched and in spite of the bitter temperatures, I am allowed to bundle up and sip hot cocoa to my heart's content and be at peace.