Yesterday morning we awoke to our first snow of the year. Only a skiff, but it was still pretty. We didn’t realize there was a chance for snow so we were all surprised by it.
Over the last several days we’ve also had the coldest temperatures of the year. It’s made me want to stay close by the woodstove and warm although I haven’t actually done much of that.
The Deer Hunter has sure enjoyed hunting in the cold and especially enjoyed the snowy weather. I’m not sure why 🙂
While I love snow and love to walk and sled in it I’m not sure I could sit for hours high in a tree with the cold wind blowing through my bones.
The cold weather is certainly appropriate for this time of the year and even though we’ve enjoyed it I sure wish it would warm up for the folks who are still having to make do from the storm of Helene. My heart is heavy for all those suffering.
skiff noun
A thin layer, small amount (esp in phr skiff/skift of snow = a light fall of snow).
1834 (in 1956 Eliason Tarheel Talk 294) last night we had a little skift of snow. 1904 Kephart Notebooks 2:600 A thin skift of clouds. 1939 Hall Coll. Cataloochee NC We just got out on top, and there was a little skift of snow a fallin’. (Will Palmer) ibid. Cataloochee NC They was a little skiff of snow, and that was how come to see their sign (Steve Woody) 1953 Hall Coll. Plott Creek NC My grandmother has told me that when they first were back there, and they’d be snow or anything, a skift of snow around the pens, they’d be bears and wolf tracks all about there trying to get the stock from the barn. (John Plott) 1966 DARE = the first thin ice that forms over the surface of a pond (Burnsville NC); There’s just a skiff of ice (Spruce Pine NC).
[OED skiff “a slight sketch, trace, touch, etc.” chiefly Scot; cf CUD/HT skift “a light shower”]
—Dictionary of Smoky Mountain English
Everyone was so very kind about yesterday’s news of Granny. We appreciate all your prayers, good wishes, and support!
Last night’s video: We Tried Hominy Scrambled Eggs and We Loved it!
Tipper
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seems like those skiff snows are colder than the big ones.
By me, here in Wisconsin, we had a skiff of snow, too, accompanied by 30-40mph winds! Sure was beautiful! Thanks for the new word.
It has been kinda cold around here but the sunshine has been wonderful. If every day of Winter could be like the past few days I’s have no complaints. Aren’t we thankful that our Heavenly Father gives us some beautiful sunshiney days all along our life’s journey! I sure am thankful for that along with all the other many wonderful blessings He sends our way.
We got a skiff of snow here on the Cumberland Plateau too. Like you, we were not expecting snow.
I would like a skiff of snow but it’s not happening.
The trees y’all chose look really nice. Can’t wait to see them decorated!
I need to try cooking eggs with hominy! Sounds good!
it was such a refreshing thing to see you call it a skiff…i’ve said that so many times and people look at me like i’m crazy and then i have to explain what a skiff is and how its different than a dusting 🙂 unfortunately we only got a dusting here…but my friends back home in the mountains got several inches..
I wish I could send my snow your way! I live in rural western New York and we’ve been getting snow for days. Luckily we only have 5 or 6 inches. The almanac says it’s going to be a snowy winter. ❣️ News is predicting up to 10 more inches over the next couple days…
We missed our first snow in central east MO because were celebrating Thanksgiving with family in TN. Was a bit of shock to come home to four inches on the ground!
I know you’re a snow lover like me, but I too have thought about the people out in the cold and without power. It is so heartbreaking. It is hard to stop thinking of them. I pray before bed and when I wake up. We must be vigilant and continue to like and share the posts about this. Sending things as we can. I’ve asked my family to send to them instead of buying me gifts for Christmas. I have all I need or want. We will continue sending as the Lord blesses us to give. Thank you, thank you, for keeping it at the front of our minds. We must not forget! God bless all y’all!
We have a couple inches on the ground. It isn’t melting anytime soon because the temps are so low—Woke up to 19 degrees this morning. We are expecting a winter storm here in North Central West Virginia, beginning late this evening with five more inches of snow and winds gusting up to 50 mph. I love the snow…not driving in it…but the high winds are a bit worrisome. I really enjoy winter with all the snow and cold—sledding with the grandchildren, taking walks through the woods, and snuggling inside with hot chocolate. I do, however, pray for all the folks who aren’t in a warm home—that part makes me sad. May God bless them and help them find shelter and warmth to get through these winter months. Have a super day everyone…especially Granny!
Good morning everyone. I am happy you got a little snow. This is our 4th winter here in NE Arkansas. When it gets cold I say I am so happy I don’t have to deal with lots of snow. We lived a few years by one of the California ski lifts, so we are used to blizzards, mountain plumbing aka melting snow to flush toilets. frozen pipes, kids getting a snow day that lasts a week. Boy I miss those days. We are in the 20’s in the morning lately. We will get maybe 3 or so snow days here, spread out over the winter. But this is early for so cold. Like I said I don’t want a blizzard, but I am hoping for a snow day, or three. Keep Granny warm, she is in my prayers. Anna from Arkansas.
Since I live in the Chattanooga area, every time they show snow in the forecast, I am looking to see if you will get some. We live in the NO SNOW HOLE over here.
Even those of us in Asheboro in the middle of the state got a skiff of snow early Tuesday morning during the night.Wasn’t more than 2 inches at the very most, but is was pretty to look at. I only wish I could have seen it falling. We didn’t get any snow at all last year, so there is that part of me that was excited to see it. Of course my excitement is tempered by the knowledge that there are still people that are having to sleep outside in tents and trying to do all they can just to stay warm and dry. Continuing to pray for all those suffering.
I am happy that you have snow and sad for the folks without! I’m looking forward to your talks with Matt at the wood stove. I’m praying for Granny to remain comfortable.
What a lovely picture and it was the boys first snow! I also was thinking about all the folks that are trying to make it through the night in tents in this weather. Makes me feel guilty for having a warm bed. Continued prayers for all of them and the workers too.
We’ve been shivering up here in the Northeast for a few days. I can’t believe we had 80 degree temperatures less than one month ago! We’re also expecting a skiff of snow today. I know it looks pretty, but it sure causes a lot of problems. Lots of love Tipper.
The old Farmer’s Almanac says most of the US will see a warmer-than-average winter. That may be true long term, but the temperatures during the last week of November and the first week of December have been way below normal here in KY. We got less than an inch of snow Sunday morning, but the trees were breathtaking. Tomorrow is supposed to stay in the 20s for a high. I told my grandson that deer hunters lose their minds this time of the year. The cold doesn’t bother him one bit as long as he’s hunting.
SNOW FOR SALE: call BR-549. My granny used to say it had to be the right temperature to snow and said it could be too cold to snow… It’s frigid in airish WV today…we got a skiff here too. Let’s keep granny and the fine people of western NC and TN in our prayers for a flurry of blessings and miracles that the Lord will make a way for them when there is no way. We must have faith. “There’s (mostly) a roof up above me. I have a good place to sleep. There’s food on the table and shoes on my feet. THANKYOU Lord for your blessings on me!”
Praying for dear Granny.
Wishing you all a Blessed Christmas!
Always,
Peggy Conner
Interesting variation, “skift” and “skiff”. I’m thinking in southeast KY it was always “skiff” but sure as shooting there was some “skift” mixed in. Appears they were originally two different things per the entry about Scottish? I’ve also heard “dusting” as being the same meaning. My Dad would have said, “Not enough to track a rabbit” to mean the same thing. Unfortunately (I guess) our skin gets thinner over time and the cold gets to us worse. It’s one of those things we tend to take for granted while we have it until by and by we are astonished we are not like we used to be. I tease people sometimes we have to live one life to know how to do it well.
We’ve had a cold start to December in Richmond, Virginia, but we haven’t had any snow yet. My husband made chili yesterday and it hit the spot. Those poor folks still living in tents in this weather is terrible.
For 40 years I’d climb the highest pine, up to the first limb, and hunt deer. I’d usually be in place in the dark, facing west for the best visibility and anxious for sunrise so my back would catch the first warming rays. Frost and freezing temps didn’t matter. I was a deer hunter, like the Deer Hunter. I first used a Baker “Rifleman” climbing stand, then some other climbers, but I always went back to that Baker, the lightest and quietest climber of them all. Using it, you faced the tree. I trusted it enough to lean against the tree trunk and take little naps once it began to warm up. My son has that climber now. Footnote: It was invented by James (Jim) Baker of Valdosta, Georgia. I got to meet him one time when he was just starting his business, which, by the way, started an industry.
Praying for Granny. I’m glad she will be a part of the boys’ first Christmas, and hopefully many more to come…we never know God’s plan. We had our first snow here (eastern Kansas) last week, but it melted away in a couple of days. It has certainly been cold, though. My heart goes out to those without adequate shelter. I enjoyed your hominy-scrambled egg video. That plate of food sure looked good!
I love the Snow around Christmas time!
I will be praying for Granny! She is so sweet and I just love to hear her sing she has a good voice!
When I see her she reminds me of my grandma when my sister would play the piano grandma would sit beside her and sing a gospel song and she would always start to cry! She was very tender hearted.
I also wanted to Thank you Tipper for my cookbook I just love it!
Joanna
I’ve used the word skiff all my life to describe a thin layer of snow on the ground or ice either on the ground or a puddle or pond.
“1966 DARE = the first thin ice that forms over the surface of a pond (Brunsville NC)”? Could that be Burnsville?
Monday night the weather channel kept saying it was snowing here and I kept looking outside. Nope! It was supposed to snow up until 3 or 4 Tuesday morning. I went on to bed fully expecting to see at least a skiff of snow when I got up. Nope, not a flake! Maybe it’s like the watched pot that never boils, maybe I need to quit looking and just say it snowed.
Ed-thank you-my typo I will fix 🙂 I figured you had a big snow!
Joining in prayer for Granny and a joyous Christmas for all!
Seems like every time I open my mouth I stick my foot in it! I assumed you had a way to copy those excerpts and insert them into your posts. I guess I assumed wrong. My point was trivial! I’m sorry I said anything! Feel free to delete my comment!
Ed-no worries. I’m glad you noticed I needed to fix it 🙂 I wish they had it where I could copy and paste 🙂
We had an unexpected skiff of snow, too, perhaps a little more than you. I thought of all the poor people living in tents or without power, too, in this cold weather.
We didn’t even get a skiff of snow. I’m not sure if we even had flurries. Some of my co-workers said they had some flurries at their house, but there was no evidence of it yesterday morning. Glad you got to see some at your house ☺️
I notice a lot of you write about liking or enjoying snow. I think it is also pretty, but after driving 17 one way miles in it at all times of the day and night for 38 years, I lost my love for it. The snow in the south has a lot of moisture in it and if the roads were scrapped, the snow would begin to melt during the day and the water would run onto the road and refreeze at night turning the road into a sheet of ice. I would often drive to work on the back roads that had not been scrapped. Nowadays with the increased traffic and more idiots ignoring the speed limit on the only 4 lane road in my area it would be bad in snow. There is hardly a day that goes by there is not a wreck in my area, not long ago, one a week was unusual. I can sit home now, but I have family that would still need to go in it. During those 38 years, I drove 2 wheel drive pickup trucks with about 10 eight inch cement blocks in the bed of my truck over the axle.
We had an unexpected skiff of snow that made the roads dangerously slick here. I had to drive home on them and it was a solid sheet of ice for 6 miles, so I didn’t get over 20 mph. There were lots of wrecks in our area as well due to people driving way too fast. Today it’s suppose to be windy and more snow coming in. Like others have commented, I think we’re going to have a rougher winter this year, but I could be wrong!
Continued prayers for Granny, your family and those in the storm damaged area in North Carolina.
The snow does look pretty. But I had similar thoughts about those folks still living in tents. They’re in my prayers daily as well as sweet Granny and the rest of the family.
The little ones first snow!
Was glad to see CBS featured the plight of some still suffering aftermath of the storm on last night’s news.
Praying for dear Granny to hold strong!
Here in Connecticut, we would call that a coating of snow. In days gone by, Connecticut would get a lot of snow. As kids, we didn’t mind going out in the cold to make igloos, have snowball fights, etc. I’m 71 now, and I prefer the warmth of our home; although my husband insists on taking a walk every day-brrr.
I am hoping that the people who lost everything, are keeping warm.
I do enjoy your blog and videos. God Bless.
Stay warm. Prayers for granny.
cold weather has come to North Georgia, today is by far the coldest day this season, it is 20° in Dahlonega Georgia, God help
We got snow yesterday morning too! It was just a skiff, but it sure looked pretty and took us by surprise. I’m with Kourtni H. Lackes who commented she thinks we’re in for a rough winter, because I think that too. I hope we are both wrong in our thinking, but I guess we will see.
I’m concerned for the people of Western NC that are living in tents too. I pray they can stay warm or can get better living conditions to stay.
I had never heard the term a skiff of snow until your blog & vlog. I was pleasantly surprised too when I got up yesterday morning and saw we had had what you would call a skiff of snow because I had no idea it was supposed to snow even though I did know the temperature was predicted to get so cold. On my way home Monday evening I noticed the main road my subdivision is on looked like it had been sprayed with that mixture the county will put down before expected icy weather, but I still didn’t know it was going to snow, I was thinking rain, but I never did check any weather reports. The snow was only just a powder on the car so it cleared off pretty easy. May God meet everyone’s need as they need it, protect them from these elements, and resolve the housing needs & issues for all who need good shelter – in Jesus’ name Amen.
Oh, I would love a skiff of snow here in Texas every now & then. It’s beautiful on your goat bluff. Lately our temps have been in the 40’s at night & 60’s during the day. I’m looking forward to colder weather in January & February which is generally our coldest months.
Prayers for Granny that she feels good during this entire holiday season. I’ve really been enjoying the songs that Paul has put together with her this year. It warms my soul to see her & Paul singing together.
Oh how beautiful! I’m a snow lover, but being in Northeast Georgia, I don’t get much or often lol
No snow, but we have been having cold nights in 20’s since last Friday, right now Greenville is 22 degrees. Usually my neck of the woods will be a few degrees colder. My arthritis knees don’t like the cold one little bit. A few more cold nights forecasted before warming back up. It’s the wind that now bothers me more than the cold. The daytime temps have been in the 40’s and sunny. I am like an old dog, I look for a sunny spot when I am outside. Sitting in a ground blind and deer hunting would be the only hunting I could do now, but after all of the years of bird or rabbit hunting with my dogs I care nothing about deer hunting.
Randy, you could help thin the herd and feed the hungry.
I can do that with the front bumper while driving my warm truck! For me, a lot of my hunting enjoyment came from just watching my dogs. To each his own, and not to hurt or upset anyone, climbing up in a tree stand, freezing my hind end off and hoping for a deer to walk by has never appealed to me. I have tried it a few times. My son enjoys it but will seldom shoot anything, he has started taking a camera with him just to make a picture of the deer. Shoot, I get nervous if I get more than knee high off the ground! Last week I read of an Anderson, SC man falling 18ft out of his tree stand and breaking his neck and dying. I think a cardinal safety rule would be to use a safety strap while in the stand.
I may be wrong, but I think we’re in for a rough winter ❄️. That snow is pretty though. I’m a couple hours south of you but I think we’ve got it coming. I wanna warm by the fire too.
Around here I think they are forecasting a warmer, milder winter. If the last few days and nights are any indication of the winter to come, the weathermen are wrong again.