Duh? No, I had noticed the snow - according to the weather forecasters, December 1 is the official meteorological start of winter for Minnesota. Also, meteorological winter ends at the end of February. Apparently, because December, January and February are the three coldest months and hence are considered to be winter for forecasting and record keeping purposes.

For all of the rest of us, it's been blooming cold for a good while, and is certain to remain so well beyond the end of February. Last night was the coldest of the season so far, with temperatures close to zero, and more snow is on the way at the weekend.

Wrap up warm and check out some of these things to do in the snow. Or, what about going to one of these free Holiday events around the metro area?

Last year, Minneapolis was named "Happiest place for families" and just recently, another survey placed the Twin Cities as flat out the nation's happiest city, and several Twin Cities suburbs placed highly on a CNNMoney.com list of best small cities to live.

An interview in the Star Tribune with local author Dan Buetter about his latest book, Thrive, an investigation into the ways people can attain happiness. Buettner picked out what he determined to be the happiest place on each of four continents, then visited each to see if he could learn the local secrets of happiness. The idea being, to see how the rest of us can apply that to our lives. His choice of the happiest places? Singapore, Mexico, Denmark, and San Luis Obsipo in California.

Not Minneapolis? San Luis Obispo has a lot in common with us, such as parks, active residents, and thriving arts scene. But the glorious central California coast climate and being a 15 minute drive to the beach one way or the mountains the other way isn't something we can compete with!

Still, as Buettner points out, Minneapolis and the Twin Cities have a lot that's good. Freezing rain obviously being one exception. Happiness isn't a scientific quantity and isn't easily measured.  Various surveys aiming to quantify the happiness of a city are published annually and each one uses different factors to measure happiness, and each one determines a different city is top of the list.

Here's some of the things I love about Minneapolis and St. Paul - perhaps you could share the reasons you love MSP too?

Local ski and snowboard areas have been busy making snow, some are already open, and some are expecting to open in the next few days.  Are any ski or snowboard places open on Thanksgiving Day? Here's when Minneapolis area ski hills expect to open for the season.

Afton Alps - Hoping to be open with several runs on Friday 26.

Welch Village - Hoping to have a couple of runs ready to open Friday 26.

Buck Hill - Opening day is Tuesday 23. Open Wednesday 24, Closed Thanksgiving Day, then hoping to re-open on Friday 26 for the season.

Wild Mountain - Already open with several runs operating, and hope to have the majority open by the weekend. Open every day this week including Thanksgiving Day.

Hyland Ski and Snowboard Area - Hoping to be open on Friday 26.

Trollhaugen - Open for the season, with their regular hours. Currently they have 5 runs, hope to have another 3 by the end of the week, and expect to open the terrain park on Friday. Trollhaugen will be closed on Thanksgiving day.

Theodore Wirth - Making snow, but no opening date yet...

Mount Kato - Hoping to be open Friday 26, Saturday 27 and Sunday 28.

Spirit Mountain - Hoping to be open on Thanksgiving Day, and Friday through Sunday.

Lutsen Mountains - Plan to open for the season on Thanksgiving Day.

Call or check with the website for the latest on snow conditions and opening hours before leaving home - opening dates can vary  depending on the weather and how much snowmaking is possible.

Once Thanksgiving is over, take a breath, and then head to the Grand Meander to get all excited for the next holiday. With perfect timing for Christmas, the annual Grand Meander, on St. Paul's Grand Avenue, has special events at stores all along the avenue. The event is traditionally family friendly, with live music, fire truck rides, visits from Santa, and you can visit his reindeer too.

The day wraps up with a Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Charlemagne Fine Jewelry.

Many Grand Avenue stores are offering refreshments, discounts, or free gifts with purchases, so it's a great place to get your Christmas shopping started. Or, reward yourself for surviving Thanksgiving. Your call.

More information on the Grand Meander, including where to find all the special events, and which stores are offering what discounts, at the Grand Avenue Business Association website.