We woke up to an inch of ice on the inside of the windows on the North-facing side of the house this morning. The sun wasn’t quite up yet, the temperatures a balmy -36’C (-33’F) with windchill and we were actively searching for heat… Blankets were piled on the couch, hot coffee, milk and tea warmed our hands and heavy socks were slipped on by all. I didn’t object to my children wanting to just sit in the wee-hours, watching Fantasia, the thundering classical pieces filling our home. My husband left, layers of clothes upon him, and I sat silently thinking of what I was going to do today. I was going to drive Little Miss to preschool, that was a certainty, but beyond that, it felt like a day of nothing was awaiting us.
As I write this, my Little Man silently snoozes away the morning and I knit and read. Later I’ll try to be a bit more productive… I may venture a new sensory activity or two, I may bake something… or I may not. Days like these are made to be slow, to snuggle and keep the heat in and the cold out. Winter like this becomes like a movie we watch from behind protective glass. Our yard is busy with birds and squirrels, snow drifts and shadows. We sit and gaze, unspoken thoughts shared.
How I love winter and its stillness. How blessed am I to live this life that allows me to love every part of everyday…
Stay warm everyone, bundle up…
Family, Faith, Food and Fabric 
Sounds lovely and cozy! I definitely feel the pull to slow down the pace these winter days. Enjoy yours!
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Thank you Andrea… As the weather is warming outside (I love how -15’C feels warm now) the house is feeling lively and energized. We just may have to have a little wrestling session, Little Man and I (I have a mega-mover!). Enjoy the slowness as well.
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lovely peaceful day you have planned there. when there is a minus in front of the weather we burrow under a mound of blankets as well. I think we might read some bear and hibernation books when Panda gets up from his nap 😉
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Ooooh… great choice of books. If I can make a suggestion : Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner… One of our favorite winter books. 🙂
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Stay warm. We just loaded up the wood box in anticipation of single digits here tomorrow, now with snow possilities.
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Yep, we should be getting snow over the next 24 hours. Hopefully it will make the temps a bit milder. Stay warm!
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Wow -36 is cold we never get temperatures as low as that where we live. I hope you are all staying warm and cosy inside 🙂
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My husband is actually out now. He had an engagement tonight… I bet he wishes he was home though. I’m looking forward to next year. We will have a wood burner. It will be so amazingly warm! 🙂
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It is a little chilly here too, and we did pretty much the same thing today. Although we did bundle up and head out for a walk this morning. It was COLD, but there is something about the fresh winter air, with the sun shining, that makes me feel so alive. It was good.
Stay warm. xo
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Oh! If it would have been just my daughter and me, we would have gone outside. Yesterday was bitterly cold an we still walked to preschool because my husband was working from home so I left Little Man in his care. But I wouldn’t have gone for a walk or hike with an 18 month old in tow in this weather. I just didn’t feel comfortable. It’s suppose ot be a bit better tomorrow (with a bit of snow) so we should make up for it. *fingers crossed*
xox
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You Canadians are so brave! -33F I would turn into a popsicle! I just about ran away when it was -10 at my mom’s house! But I suppose as Kim says there is no bad weather only bad attire.
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Yes there is… unless you have very little ones. I think it’s part attire, part movement. If you are active outside, you’ll stay warm. So with little ones that are very restricted by big heavy clothing, it can be a tricky thing finding out how “low” they can go… You get used to it… 🙂 I don’t know how you guys deal with the desert heat in summer. It’s all relative isn’t it?
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Oh wow, that is coooold! The first day of 2015 was the coldest for us this season, around -17’C, but I guess it is nothing compared to yours -36’C. Glad to hear you are keeping it warm. Days like those can seam slow, but it feels natural to bundle up and enjoy the warmth of your blankets! 🙂
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– 17’C is nothing to sneeze at, you are holding your own there! LOL! That is more what we are used to. This is an unusual cold front. We are way below normal. Today should be a tiny bit better. I’m hoping for a nice walk outside with the kiddos. *fingers crossed*
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I have never experienced such cold temperatures. It is supposed to be 5 degrees F tonight, and I think that is too cold! Stay warm!
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It’s all relative isn’t it? Stay warm as well… xo
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oh i would love one of those still and quiet days!!! Enjoy…
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You may just have to create one of your own! 🙂
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I am so glad that you can see blessings in the cold. I admit, winter can be hard for me, but I find if I can find the beauty, the cold days become easier. Thank you for sharing your warmth!
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You are so welcome… I’ve always found a great peace in winter. Funny enough, very hot summers weigh on me so much more. As I’m writing this, a light snow falls and temps are back to normal today. I’m antsy, waiting for my son to be done with his lunch so I can head outside. I’m like a big kid when it snows… or an over excited puppy. LOL!
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That sounds cold! Glad you’re content all cosied up.
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I keep seeing your kids with their feet in the ocean wearing shorts even now and it just floors me… Weather and climate are strange and wonderful things!
xo
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Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever experienced temperatures that cold! Are you enjoying this issue of Taproot? I was fascinated by the article about boiling maple syrup in a snowy forest. Keep warm!
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It will get even colder tonight (-42’C) so stay where you are. LOL! If you want to come visit one day, do so in summer. 🙂
I just got it. I’ve only skimmed a few article and read most of the ones on bread. I’ve even made 2 loaves of the multigrain bread and it was simply amazing. I’ll be diving more into the issue this week-end.
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Where I grew up in Southern California, winter was merely a short break between the cool weather of autumn and the warmer weather of spring. Now that I live in Northern California, winter actually means something. Trees lose their leaves, the temperature goes just below freezing during the night and early morning, and a warm hat and jacket are a must.
But ice on the windows? That is something I will never know. I hope you have lots of warm tea at hand and plenty of yarn and crafts to keep you and your little ones happy and busy.
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Hey, you never know! Lake Tahoe isn’t that far. 🙂
We do, but it takes a lot to keep us completely in. We just came back from getting my daughter from preschool and we went by foot. It’s -29’C out there. We are crazy, but we love it! 🙂
And to be fair, we live in a 90 year old home and need the windows replaced. If we had newer windows, I don’t think it would have gotten that bad. *winks*
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I know what you mean about the cold – we are all staying right around the woodstove… it seems hard to do much of anything today.
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What part of the world are you in?
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WOW, it is really, really cold in your world. Ice on the inside? Yes, that is cold. We made it down to 21 degrees the last two nights and I am loving it. I would love if there was snow, but I am at least thankful for the cold. I have a hot cup of tea by my side, knitting in my lap and a fire in the woodstove, life is good!
Happy weekend.
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We are dreaming of or soon-to-be wood stove (we are having one installed late Spring for next year, can’t quite afford it this year)… I always say, if you have a fireplace/wood stove, who needs TV? Hours of relaxing entertainment right there!
It got even colder the following day (-42’C)… be today is GORGEOUS! Looking forward to some outdoor time.
Stay warm and enjoy the cold… I’ll be praying for a few flakes for you. If it can snow in Southern California, it should be able to in your neck of the woods as well. 🙂
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I love winter and being cold. I know I’m in the minority. I have that mag and have flipped through but haven’t read word for word yet! On my list.
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It’s wonderful… It,s my very first issue an I only sit down with it when I now I’ll have time to really read an article. So I’m going through it slowly an that is okay… makes the fun last longer!
I like the cold too… it’s just that sometimes, cold is really cold. LOL! You know?
Have a nice day!
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Oh Wow that’s cold! I think the coldest I’ve ever been in was about -6C, and it doesn’t get much colder than that in England. A cosy day sounds perfect! And isn’t that Taproot wonderful, I’ve made the hearty bread twice and the ingredients for a second batch of fruit cake are piled up in the kitchen!
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Yep, we’ve made the hearty bread twice as well. I added maple syrup, oats, flax, sunflower and sesame seeds. Just full of goodness. 🙂 I haven’t tried the fruit bread yet but I will for sure.
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