Christmas Tree

Christmas trees are magic.

There is comfort in the glow of the light,  and wonder held in its branches.

I love our tree. Years ago I decided on a white, glass and metallic theme and haven't looked back.  Before kids, I was known to decorate and redecorate the tree twice, and once THREE times.  I don't think I've ever told anyone else that but for my husband.  I was that set on perfection.

Now I am just happy to get it up in a timely manner, and you know what?  It doesn't look that much different or any less perfect that the years I redecorated it multiple times.

I hope my kids get from our tree what I do.  Hope and light, mystery and magic.

 

 

Our Mystery

Saturday morning, Clare woke up saying "owl, owl, owl".  She was pointing at the window in our room and over the edge of the bed.  She seemed surprised to find there was no owl in the room and was clearly trying to tell me that there was *something* going on in that room.  We lay in bed for a little while, and she kept on with "owl" and pointing.  To the ceiling, to the window, and continually to the floor beside the bed.

  

This morning, upon waking, Henry and I found a feather in our living room.  It's a few inches long and is not from one of our down comforters or jackets, Nor is it a craft feather.  It definitely came in from outside.

 

I'm not sure exactly what is going on, but as Henry said, "we"ll have to keep our eyes open!"

 

 

 

Once Upon a Time

Once upon a time, if I wanted to see a fantastic sunrise, I needed to plan. To get up early and go somewhere outside of my house. Once upon a time I lived in a subdivision. Up until we moved to Maple Lake, I had lived in subdivisions all my life. I didn't realize how much it was changing the way I thought and acted until I moved here.  

Now I can wake up, look outside and see something wonderful. Something that inspires and sustains me.  

A few weeks ago, my Grandad was visiting and told me that I'd changed since we moved. I know I have. I feel like moving here has helped me move backwards in time- back to a time of more hopefulness and inspiration, childlike wonder and a feeling that anything is possible. 

All thanks to a sunrise.  

Moving Through Time

It's 5:50 a.m. and I am awake, drinking coffee in my kitchen.  The ice is so loud this morning that I can hear it inside.  It's -14C.  The ice becomes louder as the temperature drops. 

The Christmas tree glows behind me and the coffee maker continues on it's annoying tick, tick, tiiiick that I only seem to hear when no one else is up.  Time is ticking, too.  It's now 5:53 and I wait.  This morning I am waiting for the phone to ring - hoping that I will be called to teach.  Supply teacher worries.

I haven't written in six months.  It's not because I haven't had anything to say, and it's not because I have been too busy.  I don't know.  My attention is divided, I suppose.  Time slips away and while I am constantly filled with words, I often struggle to let them out. 

This morning I was moved to pick up a pencil and put it to paper, which is the way I used to start all of my writing.  A simple pencil and paper.  And with that, Clare is stirring and my time here is done.  5:57 a.m.

Birthday

Today is Clare's first birthday.

 

At 10:21 pm on Thursday, June 20th, 2013, my sweet girl was placed in my arms for the first time.  Immediately, I felt an overwhelming sense of contentedness and completeness.  I had never felt so whole as I did in those moments.

 

Clare has completed our family.  She brings light and joy into our days.  She makes us smile and laugh.  She amazes me everyday.  Each and every time I look into her eyes, I am taken by their brightness and her undeniable intelligence.

 

Clare bear, you will do amazing things in your life, and I can't wait to watch.

 

 

June Days

My husband, my daughter, and I were all born in June. 

 

It really is the loveliest month.  Fresh greens, soft blooms and butterflies abound.  The days are warm but not oppressive and the nights are cool.  The air is sweet, and all of the birds start to sing their summer time songs.

 

The mosquitoes are certainly terrible this year, and I am finding myself inside more often,  but when the wind is up and the sun is shining, it's simply perfect.

 

 

From the Weather Book

It's been a long time since I've updated the weather book.  Truth be told, I've been avoiding it because the end of winter and beginning of spring this year have been so depressing.  Instead of going through each day and reporting on the glum, tedious and repetitive weather, I'm going to make it easy on everyone.

March

It snowed.  It was really cold.  It snowed some more.

It usually looked like this:

April

It snowed.  It was a little warmer.  The ice went out April 29.

It often looked like this:

 

 

 

And now we are all caught up!

Ice Out

As I mentioned in my last post, while it SEEMS we are quite far behind last year in terms of Spring getting started, we really aren't.  The ice is out, only 4 days behind last year.  Now, we do still have a small pile of snow in the front, and there is still some in the deep bush, that is only because of the vast amount we received this year.

 

I took a hike through the bush last week and was struck by how quickly everything changes once the snow is gone (or almost gone).  The air was permeated with the smell of wild leeks sprouting and the sound of ephemeral streams.

 

 

 

Onward Spring!

Not By Much

Everyone is talking about how late of a Spring we are having.  To be honest, it  FEELS different, but when I look back through the weather book I see it isn't much different.

 

April 23 and 24 of 2012 saw snow, as did April 20 - 25 of 2013.  Granted, 2012 was a weird year, and we already had trilliums blooming by now, but snow this late in the season is not uncommon.

 

The ice on the lake is still holding strong, but I imagine it will start to break up soon  It just started turning black today, but is open in the smaller bays.  Last year the ice was out April 25.

 

We are all looking forward to warmer days ahead.

 

 

 

 

Compare and Contrast

Early April 2012

Early April 2013

Early April 2014

Same

At the moment it is pouring rain outside.  It' a dull and dreary day, and I don't mind it one bit.

 

Why?  Because it's something different.  We have had endless strings of gorgeous, sparkling days, but enough is enough.  This winter and early spring I have learned that, while beautiful, the same weather day after day gets monotonous.  Boring.  It seemed we were stuck in a rut of winter.

 

I crave the change in seasons.  It is so nice to see the great wheels of the seasons turning once again as we creep ever closer to warm weather.

 

 

Bright, Bright

Today was an absolutely stunningly bright early spring day. 

 

Perfect for strapping on snowshoes (and a baby) and heading out for a hike.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Early Evening Above the Falls

With the evenings staying lighter, I've managed to escape for a quick hike in the early evening provided we have an early dinner.  The other night I made it out to the river above the falls. 

 

I'm just aching for Spring to come and then we can walk in the evenings as a family.

From the Weather Book

February 1

February 2
Six more weeks of winter!  Afternoon lovely and sunny.

February 3

February 6

February 7
Snow, both light and heavy, all day.


February 9
Milder, with more snow.


February 10
Sunny, -20 in the morning.

February 15
Sun and wind.  Another cold night.

February 16

February 19

February 20
Sunny and warm!

February 21
Rain and snow.  Zero degrees.

February 23

February 27
Back into the deep freeze.

February 28

March 1
Snowy, -10C

March 2

March 4
Light snow.  Still cold.

March 5

New Haunts

I set out for an afternoon snowshoe not knowing where to go.  I had visited all my old haunts recently, and was craving something new. 

 

I went through the swamp and climbed up a small valley.  From there, I just walked through the woods.  The hardwood forest made for easy walking and the sun was making the snow shine and sparkle all around.

 

Eventually I came across a creek bed.  I followed it down to the river above the falls.  I am so glad I found this creek as it serves to add to my knowledge of the geography back there.  I look forward to visiting it in spring, when it is overflowing with melt water.

 

The next time I visit this creek, I will hike up away from the river to find it's source.

 

 

 

 

Onward, Winter

Winter soldiers on. 

 

Yesterday I set out in the blowing cold and snow to visit the falls.  Getting there this time of year can be tricky, and I wouldn't recommend it to someone who hadn't visited in other seasons.  The water is quite high right now, and you never know what lurks beneath the surface of deep snow.  I stick to areas I know are safe, give wide berth to spots I know have water in other times and watch where the bigger animals are making their paths. 

 

It was a rewarding trip, although I am ready to see what Spring will bring.

 

 

Quiet

Early this afternoon I set out in the brilliant blue and sparkling white to hike through the woods to the place we call the second beaver pond.

 

As always, I came out of the forest feeling refreshed and so lucky to live in such a beautiful place.