Sunday, November 21, 2010

The Weather Outside is Frightful

A glimpse out our living room window.
I love it when the busyness of the day is lulled to sleep by the shadows of the evening. In Alberta, our days are considerably shorter in the winter. My sister and I when we were young, it would be dark out when we would trudge down the lane in our Sorel boots to get on the bus. In the evening, when we'd race back up the lane with the wind painting our cheeks red, it would be dark out again.  It starts to get long by the end of January, but right now, I wrap myself in the coziness of slowing down.

I don't mind getting to bed early when the world already seems asleep, and it feels okay to hang up the apron after supper and sit down with a cup of tea. I love getting out projects that were stashed away for the busy summer months. I love warm drinks, wood stoves and looking outside to see the Evergreen trees weighed down with white. I enjoy seeing the cattle huddled together with snow on their backs and seeing the wind whirling in the yard light. Christmas baking, warm scented candles, and flannel sheets make Winter shorter for me. Most of all, a tiny marvel, with wisps of hair standing on end, pointing at the Christmas lights in glee at her Mammy's house, makes my heart full.

Hopefully, the hot chocolate from our lil giveaway will warm up Sheila's day! Congratulations Sheila, we'll be in touch. Sheila was randomly selected through here. To get me through MY Winter months, I wish this lady would start her own blog. I think the star of it would be her little boy. He is a hoot! My husband was in at her husband's shop when this little guy, maybe he is three or four years old? announced to my husband, "I know where you live and I'm going to come tear your yard up!" My husband thought this kid was about the funniest little guy he'd ever encountered and some days I would like to go pick him up and have him around the house for comic relief.

What helps you get through your Winter months?

22 comments:

Grace @ Sense and Simplicity said...

What a lovely post. I'm with you on enjoying winter at first, but it hangs around too long and wears out its welcome. I"m from Ontario, so our winters aren't as harsh as yours, but we do get a lot of slush. One of my favourite things to do in the winter is to go ice skating on an outdoor trail in a park near where I work. It is fun skating through the giant maple trees.

Steph said...

I'll let you know how I survive Winter when it gets here! It's still in the 70s here in Alabama! :)

Cartoon Characters said...

I love the winter. We don't get quite as much snow as you, but we do get some! It's cold here though. Love the dark days.
Have you tried the microfleece sheets? Those are the best! Even better than flannel...

Petie said...

So, so jealous of your snow!

mikki roo said...

Hey, congrats to Sheila! I totally agree that Jayce is a hoot... we've laughed so often over his mannerisms!

Grandma K said...

quilt and eat chocolate, dark chocolate.

Oh, and lots of dark roast coffee.

Yeah, that's about it. And that is why I am like a cat in winter. I sleep, eat and get fat!

Sherry Sikstrom said...

I do have to admit , as much as I complain about the cold .Winter here in Alberta can truly be beautiful. The frost on the trees and the crunch of the snow. But mostly what gets me through is the promise of all the newness spring will bring

Julie Harward said...

My post today is what helps me get through the cold winter months! Have a great Thanksgiving! ;D

Airplane said...

Just looking at that picture made me have to get a blanket to warm up...

Come visit here! I think it was like 70 degrees yesterday - though it was rainy.

That being said, I'm not sure my perspective of what gets me through winter months is fair.

Sheila said...

How cool is that Chey? I'm all over the hot chocolate & cant wait to sit down with you & chat the morning away!!^_^ by the way? I almost have Jayces stuff packed..when did you want him? of course, I'd want him back in a week or two!!!

Missouri Gal said...

Thank you for praying for my dad! I really appreciate it! Aneurysms are so scary but knowing Barnes hospital in St Louis is ranked in the top 10 in the US helps ease my mind!
I love the snow but I'm not ready for it yet. Last night felt like a late spring night and was almost 70 degrees before sunrise. Not good for the deer hunters but made it nice for the morning walk. But being Missouri, there is a cold front on the way and come Thanksgiving Day, the high will only be 36!
Thank you again Cheyenne for your prayers! They really helped! Stay toasty!

Rach said...

Chey- I was totally getting jealous of your Alberta weather, but last night we got snow! Yeah! We had a cozy eve by the woodstove while the wind & snow whistled around our house! I just love it!

Anonymous said...

Well, we usually have warmer days to break up the cold. Snow comes once or twice, maybe three times a year.

Mimy said...

I love winter time although I would probably be ready to spring if winter started as early here. I absolutely love the stillness that snow brings...a cozy winter to you! : )

Crystal said...

I dont like winter, mostly because I have to wear a coat everywhere I go. But I do get a lot of puzzles and cross stitch done but I would still prefer summer all year round.

LindaG said...

Have a wonderful, safe week!

Jolene said...

Your description of winter... well it's just so exactly right. Thanks for giving me a more positive outlook on it all. 'the wind whirling in the yard light' Yes!Yes! I can't say that I've actually thought of that before, but when I read it, I thought of all the cozy winter evenings, looking out the window and seeing the shop lights on, the wind blowing...well I won't go on cause you say it better:)

Jenn Jantz said...

yes. you my friend brought little teensy tear drops to the corners of mine eyes... The picture is to me- the picture of purity. and HOME. thanks for posting this!!! YOU made my day bright :) (again!!!)

Today. I was cold. Its not cold like Alberta cold but its 'wet cold' and it chills ya clean to the bone. so to warm up I took my lil fat pups on a jog!!! When I got back in I turned of the heater:)

Libbie said...

Your memories are making me remember some of mine too! I can just picture you girls out there in the dark!

I always want to go to bed at like 9 now! But that could just be the pregnant lady in me too :) ...I don't know though...that cup of tea sounds good too!!! Goodnight Cheyenne!!!

Cathy Brian said...

Thank heaven for little ones who keep us entertained through the long Winter months, who love to snuggle in with Mom on a cold Winter morning, and who keep our own childhood memories alive.
long about January I start to dread the rest of Winter. We don't have spring here in our little Mountain Valley we just have Winter clear up until the middle of June and then just when you think Life will be bitterly cold forever Summer suddenly sneaks in and leaves us with just enough awe to continue existing here. Oh but, Autumn here in this valley is hard to beat.

Auntie Cake said...

Hi Cheyenne,
Seems everywhere I have been these days, I am one step behind my sister... She and I would always be out playing in the snow in the dark.
I use candles to cozy up my house. When it gets dark, I light every candle I can. That usually gets me to Jan 15th or so, then I tend to go stir crazy. Like all the rest of MN!

Have a wonderful weekend,
Kate

Laura of said...

Hello Cheyenne, It's been a long time since we were in touch... I am so glad you stopped by my blog! Oh, your photographs are so lovely! We are getting a heavy dose of high winds heading out of Canada this evening. My ol' farmhouse is shuddering and creaking and trying to keep the heat in! I sure wish you could send along some of that snow! Hope all is well with you and yours, Cheyenne! Take care!

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