Many things change over the course of a year. But some things seem to withstand the pace of the world, politics, and everything else. One of the steadfast hallmarks of life in Hotdish Land is wondering when the first snow will come, making guesses about when it will happen, and bracing for it—knowing that the first official snowfall marks the unofficial start of winter.

In a military town like this, snow can carry a lot of mixed emotions. Some are excited to see it. Some are unsure—maybe they’ve just PCS’ed, and this will be their first white winter. Some dread it and the cold, bitter months that follow.
I get it. I’ve been there. It’s not that I dislike winter. But negative attitudes can sometimes seem very loud, and there was a time when they weighed deeply on me. I didn’t want to fall prey to the negativity. And as someone who spent years suffering from deep depression and anxiety, I know what it’s like to wish time and life away. That’s not a pattern of thinking I participate in anymore. Now, I try my very best to be intentional about not discounting any part of life’s experience or any of its seasons.

Even the hard ones.
Even the cold ones.

They are all needed; they are all worthy of our curiosity and willingness to learn. They all yield lessons and relationships that shape our growth and, ultimately, the narrative of our lives.

On paper, that sounds poetic and easy. But in practice, it can be a bit trickier.

Winter doesn’t have to be something to endure; it can be something to celebrate. That’s why, years ago, I started a tradition. Instead of dreading the first snow and shirking winter—we would romanticize it a bit and mark it with a simple celebration. Every year, when the first snow arrives, I make Snowball Cookies with a recipe I’ve perfected over years of trial and error. They have simple ingredients, come together quickly, and are a kid-friendly recipe.

It’s not a loud, obvious statement. But it’s our small way of reminding ourselves that this season doesn’t have to be bitter, lonely, and cold. It can be sweet, filled with togetherness, and as warm as fresh cookies. And winter eventually melts away—just like the cookies disappear from the jar.

Want to add this tradition to your house? You may have missed the first snowfall, but you can use it on the next one. Or on any cold day that you want to remember that the story this winter will tell is ultimately up to you.

Snowball Cookies
These buttery, melt in your mouth short bread cookies are our favorite way to usher in winter in Hotdish Land.
• 1 cup softened butter (I like salted best)
• ¾ cup powdered sugar
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp cardamom
• ¼ tsp ginger
• 2 tsp vanilla
• ¾ cup nuts, finely chopped (pecans, walnuts, almonds, or any mix of them)
• 2 ¼ cups flour
• 1 cup powdered sugar for coating after they bake

1. Preheat the oven to 350˚.
2. Use a stand mixer or hand mixer to cream the butter and sugar together for at least 2 minutes. Add in salt, spices, and vanilla. (If you don’t have the spices on hand, they can be left out—or you can use something else like cinnamon, nutmeg, or allspice. Just proceed carefully so they don’t become over-spiced.)
3. Use a food processor or blender to chop the nuts up until they are very fine. (If you don’t have a food processor, you can crush them in a Ziploc bag using a kitchen mallet.)
4. Mix in the nuts, then the flour. The dough should be thick, and if you touch it, your finger should come away clean. If it’s too sticky, add one extra Tbsp of flour until the consistency is right.
5. Scoop cookies in 1 Tbsp lumps and roll into balls. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes. They are done when they look dry and only slightly brown.
6. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool just enough to touch. Then roll in powdered sugar. Allow cookies to cool completely on the counter before storing them in an airtight container.
   Do you have a winter tradition I should know about? Want more simple ways we have fun all winter long? Visit amyallender.com. Or head to @HeyMinot or @amy_allender on Instagram or Facebook for more.