A Little Snow

So we had a bit of a blizzard Tuesday night. I had the privilege of driving home from work in it at midnight. The road was not really visible, but was more of a drifted over path in the general direction of home. Thankfully, I avoided the ditches (unlike many other folks, unfortunately) and made it home safely. As a nursing mother, I am glad I left when I did, because many of my coworkers ended up sleeping at the hospital and were still unable to leave in the morning. Poor Isaac would have woken up and wondered where his milk supply had gone off to.

Yesterday, the boys and I bundled up and ventured out into the snow-covered world. These pictures are not that great, because it was cold and windy and the boys weren't particularly happy about being outside, but you get the idea: there is a lot of snow. Mailboxes are buried in snowbanks (I don't think the mail actually came yesterday anyway)...That would be the sidewalk to the right of our fence, under about 3 feet of snow.This is Isaac's 'stop taking pictures and get me back in the house and out of this suit' look. Amazingly, he was actually able to crawl to me and then stand up in his puffy suit, with his little arms sticking straight out to the sides. I wish I could have taken a picture of that, it was pretty cute!Today the wind chill is in the single digits and we are staying tucked inside where it is nice and warm. Hopefully we won't be getting any more snow for a while, because I really don't know where we would put it!

Mud and Carrots

Two days of above freezing temperatures has led to lots of melting snow and ice. And all the melting has led to lots and lots of mud at the stable. The hill that leads up to Winston's pasture was a slippery, muddy mess today, but I climbed it anyway...with 25 lbs of toddler on my back! The chickens were oblivious to the mess and actually seemed to be enjoying pecking around in the mud and muck.

After a long and muddy hike to the far end of the pasture, we found another sign that spring is not too far off... Our fuzzy, wuzzy shedding horse!

Back at the barn, Noah watched patiently from his sled as I gave Winston a good grooming. A not-so-patient Winston thought Noah was hiding carrots in his puffy snowsuit.

This weather is such a tease! I am sure next week will be bitter cold and we will get 2 feet of snow. Good thing we are enjoying it while we can.
-Jen

Candlemas

Celebrated in early February, Imbolc, also known as Candlemas and Groundhog's Day, marks the middle of Winter and holds the promise of Spring. Because it is a celebration of light, many people make or burn candles and have a meal of pancakes (the shape of the sun) on this day. We had a breakfast of homemade pancakes and strawberries on Sunday morning, and although February 2nd was a very chilly day, we had a glimpse of the coming Spring this weekend as the temperature rose to a sweltering 38 degrees! It was a beautiful weekend to get outside and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. I was extra giddy on Saturday because I got a 'snow day' (aka on-call from work!). Noah and I convinced Curtis to go on a hike with us to check on our little creek.

At the creek, we found lots of ducks also enjoying the heat wave.

Even as the weather gets bitter cold again, there is something comforting in the the thought that we have passed the halfway point and are on our way toward Spring!

-Jen

A Winter Walk

Noah and I ventured out into the brisk late afternoon air for a little nature walk today. I find there is something about carrying a camera and a child that allows me to really see things that I otherwise might not. Such as these animal footprints in the snow...

Or the moon rising between the trees in the late afternoon sky. Noah noticed it too, and stared at it for a while with a look of wonder on his face.

Or the way that if we stood in just the right spot, we could see the sunset through the missing slats of this old barn.

Or the gradient of cool pastels in the eastern sky, as the sun was setting in the west. Unexpected, but beautiful.

Despite the cold temperatures, Noah did not complain. Instead, he gazed at the wintery landscape and chattered to me about what he saw as his cheeks got rosy red.

If only I could understand what he said. For I am sure he saw so much more than I.
-Jen

Celebrating the Solstice

Although I was scheduled to work all weekend, I ended up with a "snow day" on Saturday. That's what I call it when I am unexpectedly called about half an hour before leaving for work, and asked if I would like to stay home on-call. Silly question! Of course I would rather stay home with my family on the weekend than go to work! Although we had to stay home just in case I got called in and could not join in any of the Winter Solstice activities down town, we had plenty of fun on our own.

Due to recent snowfalls, we have quite the piles of snow in our front yard. Here is a video of me and Noah sledding down our snow bank. I obviously enjoyed it more than he did.

Later, we decorated our Christmas tree. Actually, Curtis and I decorated, and Noah un-decorated. Everytime we turned around, he was marching across the living room with an ornament or candy cane that he had plucked off the tree.

Finally, we had dinner by candle-light to celebrate the return of the Light, as the nights get shorter and the days get longer. Noah insisted on feeding himself his spinach...in the dark. Yes, he was a mess.

Back to wrapping presents and finishing up some knitted gifts! I can only hope that I will get another "snow day" on Christmas Eve or Christmas. Otherwise, I will be spending the holiday welcoming new babies into the world...

-Jen

Snow Play

Today was a beautiful and (rare) non-windy day here in our little neighborhood, making it perfect weather to get out and play in the snow.

Noah has a new inflatable snow tube from St. Nicholas, so we took a short walk to the park try it out.

When we got to the park, Noah made a little snow angel.

I found out that it is quite a workout lugging a 25 lb toddler up a hill while carrying a sled! All this while wearing my tall winter riding boots, because I have not yet gotten any real snowboots. Hint, hint, Santa!

And, as it turns out, Noah doesn't think much of sledding. He did not even crack a smile as we swished down that hill.

But, oh, how he loves swinging. Even in his snowsuit with the cold air hitting his chubby red cheeks.

-Jen

Winter Wonderland

We woke up to a winter wonderland this morning! Curtis was less pleased about the snow than Noah and I, as he was the one to get up and shovel. After a hot breakfast, Noah and I went for a walk to enjoy the quiet, still, snow-covered world before it melted away.

When we got back from our walk, I took Noah for his first sled ride around the yard. Of course, with the first snow drift I hit the sled tipped over and Noah did a perfect faceplant in the snow. I waited for the stunned cry, but amazingly it did not come. He just sat there calmly as I pulled him up and attempted to wipe the snow from his face and head. Sorry, no pictures of that...

-Jen

P.S. to Santa: Jen needs new snowboots and wool long underwear.

First Snow

We had our first snow of the season today. It was just a dusting, but enough to get outside and enjoy. This was Noah's first time playing with snow...though he couldn't do much in his puffy snowsuit! I did offer him a little taste, but I don't think he was that impressed. Soon we will be making snow angels, building snowmen and trying out his new red sled! This will be quite a bit different from how he spent time outside last winter; snuggled up in his wrap under my coat.
-Jen