Jellico Tennessee- Snow Days

No matter how old or young you may be, there is just something magical about a fresh snow. Here in Jellico we have already received more snow this year than in the past several years combined. For the Spring gardeners out there, this is good news. Snow puts oxygen deep into the ground. Gardens will thrive even better after a snowy winter.

There's nothing comparable to waking up, grabbing a steamy cup of coffee and peering out the window to find a blanket of pure white snow covering the ground. Here in Jellico, being a county town surrounded by mountains, we also see many animals out enjoying the snow. This morning I spotted a beautiful red bird right outside of my window. This little fella comes by to visit quite often. I always make sure to leave seeds in the windowsill and sometimes he brings his lady friend for breakfast as well. This morning he was particularly beautiful out enjoying the snow.

On Christmas Day 2020, we seen a wonderful snow here in Jellico. It truly made Christmas a bit more magical, especially for the children. We were all warm and cozy, celebrating the holiday at my mothers house right outside of Jellico. On Christmas morning my mother was delighted to find this magnificent deer family roaming in the snow right in her back yard. Seeing a deer playing in the snow is a rewarding sight to see. My mother has since left potatoes and various fruits in a bucket in hopes of seeing these beautiful creatures again.

I recall the snowfalls from my childhood. We just don't see those same, huge snows these days. There was no containing our excitement when we crawled out of bed to find a glorious snow covering our little piece of the world. School was cancelled and father would stay home from work. Our home was heated with a old fashioned coal burner. I remember well, treading through the knee deep snow, making my way to the old coal house. We carried buckets of coal back to the house and watched as father stoked up the fire. On days such as this we had to keep a good eye on the fire so that it didn't burn out. In a old rickety house, it wasn't a good idea to let the fire go out because it took a long time to get nice and warm again.

Mother would hold our clothes and blankets in front of the coal stove to warm them. Then we'd all snuggle in front of the windows watching the snow and drinking home made hot chocolate. On cold, snowy days it was guaranteed that we'd also have a huge pot of mamas home made chili and corn bread sitting on the stove and we'd feast on it all day long. Snow days was also wonderful family time because it kept us all together, usually in one room blocked off from the rest of the house with quilts hanging over the doorways.

The highlight of the day was when we could go outside and dive into the fresh, soft snow. We layered on old clothes. Fathers old work shirts and multiple pairs of socks along with jackets and thick over coats. We took turns riding our old wooden sled off of the slopes and making snow angels. Our yard was also adorned with several snowmen as each of us kids insisted on making our own. Mother would place a large bowl on the steps to catch the fresh snow to make into snow cream later. We played until our bodies were numb from the cold. When it was time to go back inside, mother always had dry, warm clothes waiting and we'd sit in front of the stove warming our bodies under warm blankets.

Snow days are some of the most beautiful and magical moments that you will ever encounter. Although for some, it is a burden having to get out in the cold, warm up our vehicles, scrape ice from the windshields and head down slick roads on our way to work. But I ask you to take just a moment out of your day to remember just how wonderous it truly is. Take in the beautiful scenery and look for wildlife out scampering around. Remember the times from your childhood and indulge in some of that old magic once again, if just for a brief moment.

In bringing this article to a close I wish to share with you my mothers recipe for home made hot chocolate (those packs from the store just can not compare). May it bring warmth and comfort to your cold snowy day here in Jellico Tennessee.

-What you'll need:

Chocolate Chips

Unsweetened baking cocoa powder.

Milk.

Vanilla extract.

Sugar.

Salt.

Marshmallows

-Cooking:

1 cup of sugar into the saucepan. add more to taste if needed

add in 3 table spoons of cocoa powder.

a pinch of salt.

mix dry ingredients together.

place on low heat.

slowly add one cup of cold milk, stirring well as you go.

as mixture begins to cream, continue to slowly add another cup of milk stirring constantly. Avoid letting cocoa rise to the top.

toss in a handful of chocolate chips and stir until melted. more or less to taste.

teaspoon of vanilla.

add 1/2 more milk and continue to stir.

do not reach a boil, stir until steamy.

ladle into mug and top with marshmallows.

Now for my father, she would add 2 teaspoon of rum to the mixture. As an adult I have found this most satisfying as well.