Adventure? Blizzard!

[Catrin]

I wanted a fire this afternoon, so I prepared for one. Opened the flue and put kindling in before stepping outside for a few pieces of nice cherry wood. Came inside to wet soot that had fallen down the chimney - now this was a surprise as it was recently cleaned and I've only had a couple of fires this year. Started the kindling...and noted the smoke wasn't drawing. At all. Nada, zilch, like the damper/flue/whatever you call it wasn't open. It, however, was wide open. Apparently the chimney must be clogged with snow...so no fire. I hurriedly pulled the wood out before it caught and had to keep the patio door open for a bit to give the smoke from my kindling some place to go. Unsure what to do about this, I had hoped to have a couple of fires this weekend. Last weekend I had a great fire and there hasn't been any drawing problems at all - so it must be the snow...