SIgh! I can't believe, HomesteaderWife, that you are complaining about not having snow! I was born and raised within a few miles of my home so I've had more then my share. It is what it is. The older I get the less snow it takes to make my winter.
I am way past dreaming of a white Christmas. One cat-tracking snow and I'm ready for spring. Sledding is over-rated (at least for women of my 'maturity'). Ice skating is more fun in an arena than on a bumpy, frozen lagoon on a windy, winter night. Other than the first snowfall, (which looks a lot like what you've seen at home with bumper banging and ditch diving) most Wisconsinites know how to drive in our 'typical' winter weather, but it is still not fun and less so as I get older.
I am writing this tongue-in-cheek as I know exactly what you mean. There is a tendency for us to wish for/dream of what we don't have. I would love to spend serious winter time in a warmer, snow-free area myself. I doubt that I ever will. The family -- children, grands, and inlaws -- live here.
I would wish for you to get some of our winter weather, but I'm afraid you'd regret what you got. If only for one day, I'd love to trade our ice and snow for your rain and 80 degrees.
Until then, I love to hear about your winter gardening experiences while dreaming about mine.