We would like a snow storm please

"Statement as of 3:55 PM EST on February 07, 2013
... Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 10 am EST
Friday...
Hazardous weather...
* snow is expected to increase in intensity this evening.
* The heaviest snow will fall between 8 PM and 4 am.
* Total snowfall accumulations of 5 to 9 inches is expected.
Impacts...
* roads will become snow covered and slippery... especially
   tonight and Friday morning. Travel will become difficult.
* Visibilities under one quarter mile are expected during the
   times of the heaviest snowfall.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
* a Winter Storm Warning means significant amounts of snow...
   are expected or occurring. This will make travel very
   hazardous.
* Prepare... plan... and stay informed. Visit
   http://go.USA.Gov/rr8 "

We've been seeing a winter storm warning these two days and everyone I spoke to at work seems pleased we're finally getting a storm.  It seems it hasn't snowed hard here for a couple of years and the water level in the lakes have been dropping.  Some water bodies are not even freezing over and evaporation has really been chipping away at the water stock.  At the resorts up north in Traverse City and surrounds, the water's edge has moved so far away from the beach that there's sea weed between beach and water.  As the weeds are technically on river beds and under water, it seems it's federally protected and therefore, no one can do anything about trimming or cleaning it up.  

For the kids here, a snow storm would mean schools might declare a "snow day" and close for the day.  I know there are colleagues who are planning to take their children sledding in the parks if that happens.  So a co-worker shared that he's sure his children would go through elaborate rituals to ensure the snow will fall, and fall hard, through the night.  These include:

1. Putting shoes on the windowsill.
2. Sleeping with a spoon under their pillow.
3. Flushing ice cubes down the toilet bowl.
4. Wearing their pajamas inside out and backwards.

I checked online and apparently there are three more ways to get the snow to pay attention: (i) run around the table 5 times (not sure in which direction but better do both directions to be sure!); (ii) throw ice cubes up a tree; and (iii) do a snow chant which you can make up yourself.  No idea what the origins of these rituals are but I think I can contribute some ice down the toilet.

The only two weather rituals I know are to stop the rain hanging (i) the teru teru bozu doll of Japan; and (ii) chillis and onions.

What I do know as well is that the roads are definitely not fun to drive on now.  Because I forgot my work shoes this morning having worn my snow boots to work, I had to drive to work twice. I had so much practice skidding in my car I'm no longer that scared.  Makes sense? 

Taken from our front door.  Can you see the road?
Without the tire tracks, it's practically indistinguishable road and walkways.

But walking in the snow is a lot of fun!  It is a lot warmer when it snows.  Temperature has risen to warmer than -5 degrees Celsius.  When it doesn't snow, it plunges way below.  Misting IN MY CAR on the windows actually freezes over and it becomes difficult to wipe them off.  Water droplets on the windshield freezes into little ice bumps when the car sits for a short while in the open.  Very irritating and amusing at the same time.