Finding Joy Under the Weather: A North Texas Ice and Snow Stay-At-Home — A New Year’s Perspective
©Laurie Pace Graphics One Design 2026
Golden Pond Studio
by Laurie Pace
Proverbs 31:21 – “When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.”
North Texas—specifically the DFW area—is very much under the weather right now. Temperatures have dropped into the twenties and are still falling, sleet has been steadily coming down, and more is expected through Sunday, followed by several hours of snow before this system finally moves on. We won’t see a real thaw until Tuesday. Still, my husband and I take weather like this in stride. We’re well stocked with food, keeping an eye on the power situation, and trusting that any outages—if they come—will be brief. With no generator, we’ve joked that this may turn into a rather impressive feast over the next day or two.
Yesterday my husband cooked a wonderful roast with potatoes, carrots, and collards (I don’t eat meat- WFPB), and I baked two loaves of bread. When conditions turn icy and movement slows, we believe in having a plan to keep spirits up.
We’re walkers—usually logging between 7,500 and 10,000 steps a day—but that will clearly be curtailed. This morning my husband attempted to walk our Kerry Blue Terrier, Mr. Ben, but barely made it to the end of the yard. Thick ice, running shoes with air vents, and sleet quickly sent him back indoors, laughing. Mr. Ben, for his part, is not impressed with wet or cold weather and is resisting outdoor duties altogether.
We adjust. I will bake something sweet—perhaps homemade cinnamon rolls from my great-great-grandmother’s recipe, or banana bread. Chinese Checkers, a puzzle, and old favorite movies are on the agenda. For working today? I plan to sketch horses onto five canvases this morning, though the north-facing studio stays cooler despite our efforts. The gas fireplace is being saved just in case, and if the power goes out, a cozy slumber party in the den sounds just right.
Wherever you are, if you’re part of this winter storm, know that we’re praying for you. Stay warm, stay positive, and if you’re alone, reach out and connect with someone today. Elle
• North Texas winter storm, DFW ice and snow, staying warm during power outages, winter storm preparedness, finding joy during bad weather
Follow the Spirit of the Paint... with Laurie Pace
Laurie is an international artist, her paintings are collected in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Germany, DuBai, Portugal, Italy, France, Germany, the UK, Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Poland, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, St Thomas, Romania, Greece, Croatia, and Ecuador.
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