It's funny how much snow can make it feel like Christmas is almost here — even when it's almost two weeks before Thanksgiving.

I guess driving out through snow-covered fields to take photos at a Christmas tree farm probably added to the feeling.

After a couple of years with no snow at all in southern Kansas, this year is off to a rollicking start. Much of the state received a coating of snow, and some areas got several inches.

Of course, it will quickly melt off in a hurry because daytime temperatures are above freezing and the sun is shining, but there was still the first opportunity in a long time for Kansas kids to get their sleds out.

I will admit to being an unabashed Christmas enthusiast. I love everything about the season. I spend hours stringing lights on every naked shrub and tree in my yard. I dangle lights from the gutters. I line the driveway and walkway with lights on little stakes.

I have a stack of Rubbermaid boxes full of candles, snow globes, little village houses, garland and more. I even change the bathroom and kitchen towels to Christmas towels. I burn candles that smell like apples and cinnamon. My youngest grandson picked up a candle on a grocery store trip with me, smelled it and put it in the shopping cart. "It's a grandma candle," he explained.

So, while I don't look forward to shoveling out the driveway or braving slick streets, sidewalks and gravel roads, I was happy to wake up to a coating of snow and a reminder that my favorite season is fast arriving. Visiting a tree farm help put me in a good mood for the day.

I confess to being glad that the snow will be gone and the temperatures back in the 50s pretty soon. After all, I've got a lot of Christmas lights to get up.