Today seemed like a beautiful early spring day, so we decided to walk around Downtown Raleigh and look for signs that spring is headed our way. I’m really hoping warmer weather is right around the corner, and from the sights we saw I think we’re closing the book on another record-breaking winter here in N.C.

Signs of spring spotted during my stroll included blooming bulbs everywhere, flowering trees that seemed to be outdoing themselves, and even some over-achieving bushes and trees already sporting that fresh green sheen of new growth.  Plus there were people in flip-flops and so many of the restaurants had their outdoor tables and chairs at the ready.  And the surest sign of spring in Downtown Raleigh?  School field trips!!!

I think we’ve almost made it.

That’s Life in Raleigh.

Even though I’ve been dwelling on the weather lately–and not only in my writing–I really have to point out what a beautiful weekend we’re having in Raleigh here at the end of January 2011.  Sunny with a high of 60 degrees on Saturday and Sunday.  And the timing couldn’t be better.  There are sooo many things going on around here this weekend, and this kind of weather always makes everything better!  We’re showing off our awesome city to our international audience this weekend as we host the NHL All-Star Game and Festival.  Yep, great hockey towns don’t have to be covered in snow and ice.

While I’m planning to spend as much time as possible outdoors enjoying this much-deserved break from winter, I’m not putting away my electric blanket yet.

Now, this is how we like our snow here in Raleigh.  It’s not supposed to stick around for long…if it snows at all.  A week ago, it was snowing hard and fast and piling up on our streets.  But then yesterday our high temperature was in the 60s.  With an overnight low last night of 50 and our weekend temps predicted to be in the 60s both days, this mess is history.

Goodbye, snow.  And don’t hurry back now, ya hear?

That’s Life in Raleigh.

Well, the forecasters got it right.  We did get snow on Christmas Day and more snow on December 26th.  A lot of snow.  Maybe 8 inches or so, which is a huge amount for Raleigh.  And it’s still cold. Today’s high is forecast to be 35 degrees or so, and tomorrow we may hit 38 after dropping into the teens tonight.

There is hope ahead, though!!  By the weekend, our temperatures are forecast to be in the 60s again.  It would be really nice to be already done with winter around the first of January.  To be fair, I think we’ve done our time.

In the meantime, we’ll enjoy another day at home with the family. Movies, music, games, and a warm kitchen with heavenly smells. We need to finish our snowman, too, and take our sleds out on the hills of the cemetery.  There’s a lot to do before our normal temperatures arrive!

That’s Life in Raleigh.

So it’s still too cold here in Raleigh, N.C.  Not only is it still too cold, the weather experts are now calling for snow here on Christmas Day!!  We haven’t seen snowfall on Christmas Day, they say, since 1947, but this could be our lucky year.  And not only are they calling for snow Christmas Day, Christmas night, and December 26th,  Accuweather.com is even predicting that it will be a “two-loafer” storm.

Never heard of a two-loafer storm??  Well, here in the South, when any amount of snowflakes are predicted, we stampede the grocery stores to buy loaves of bread and milk.  Why?  We just do.  Well, I actually didn’t mean “we;” I meant people around here do.  (We in the Callahan household are more likely to make a run for beer, chips, and movies.)  Now, you can’t actually blame us Southerners for trying to prepare by stocking our pantries, because when it does snow we’re pretty much trapped at home.  Our community doesn’t need to invest in lots of snow-removal equipment that would just become rusty from disuse year after year–normally.  Our citizens don’t need to invest in snow tires or chains that would rarely be used.  So we rush to the store, stock up on bread and milk, and stay home in wet, wintry weather.  We enjoy the slower pace, family time, and have all the makings for French toast.

The way this winter is going, I may soon be saying “Life just like in Canada,” or something along those lines.  Hope not.

That’s Life in Raleigh.(I think)