I could smell it in the air Saturday night as clouds muddled the sky throughout the afternoon. It was a combination of the bite of the cold and the rustle of the wind — the smell of snow.

The first thing I did Sunday morning was to reach over and pull my curtain aside to see snowflakes falling from the sky — the first snow of the year.

While I will admit summer in Maine is my favorite season, and I hate the cooling days and lessening daylight when fall leads into winter, but I can’t help but be excited for snow.

I’ve been raised in a family that not only enjoys the Maine outdoors during the summer and warm months, but also gets out when the snow falls. I grew up attempting to skate like Kristi Yamaguchi, ski like Bode Miller and when I realized I wasn’t Olympic material in either sport I took up snowshoeing. With the long Maine winters enjoying the outdoors has been my way of staying sane and making it through to summer. 

Beside the activities winter and snow provides, there’s something peaceful about each little ice crystal drifting slowly to the ground and soft white coating every surface. The snow brightens up the drab brown trees and covers the yellowed lawns, it brings a new light and welcomes winter. 

There was less than an inch on the ground but children were outside playing, the sound of shovels scraping driveways echoed and as I traveled with friends to brunch it looked like a winter wonderland. 

In the restaurant, decked out for Christmas, we ate our way through the breakfast buffet, singing along with the Christmas tunes being played and enjoying the view out the windows of the Kennebunk River and the empty marina, soon to be full of people awaiting Santa’s annual arrival by boat. 

Having lived in the neighboring town since I was born, I have never ventured into Kennebunkport for Prelude and was excited this year to cover some of the festive activities for The Post. I was amazed at the turnout for the tree lighting and got caught up in the energy and excitement of the hat parade. I’ve seen Dock Square on it’s busiest days during the summer months, but was surprised to see even more folks shopping during the weekend than in the summer with their arms full of bags of Christmas presents.

But through all the hustle and bustle, lines in stores, backed up traffic and full parking lots, everyone was smiling, wishing each other “Happy Holidays” and waiting patiently when need be. 

Between Prelude coverage and the two Alumni Band Christmas Festival concerts I performed in, I was well into a festive mood — a feeling that had been lacking up until this point. Waking up Sunday morning to the snow flurries just topped it all. 

Now, not only am I ready for Christmas, I’m ready for winter, snow and enjoying all the activities winter in Maine entails.   — Emma Bouthillette