Just a Little Bit Easier

A few weeks ago we had some lovely snow and I thought it was the beginning of a white Christmas season.  It has however, been raining ever since.  I love snow for Christmas, but I just can't complain about this.  The last two winters were so brutal, so cold and snowy, that I really feel like I can't handle another winter just yet.

It has been raining most days, with temperatures ranging from just above zero to ten degrees Celsius.  One again, I'm not complaining.  I am enjoying this extended fall weather.  It is easier to do things outside, go places and to keep the house warm.

This time last year we had a frozen lake and two feet of snow,  We did experience a thaw right around Christmas, but winter came back with a vengeance in January.

While I have grown to love snow since moving here, and will miss a sparking white Christmas morning, the mystery and loveliness snow adds to Christmas Eve, and all the winter activities that we enjoy so much, if the trade off is an easier winter season...well, I'll take it, but just for this year.

ICE OUT!

And just like that, the ice is out.  

It went out yesterday while the rain lashed and the wind howled. When I woke up, there was about a third of the ice left. The wind had jammed it hard up against our shore. 

It was completely gone when I got home at 3:30. When Henry noticed, he shouted, jumped, danced, and hugged with joy. "We have WATER, mommy!"

I am equally thrilled. After a long, difficult winter, it's good to see warmer, easier days coming. 

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.

 

 

 

 

From the Weather Book

April 24
- snow all day
- part of the dock got away - Rick rescued it in a canoe and snow
- tree out floating back and forth on the lake on an ice floe

April 25
- woke up to snow 
- sunny in the morning and rain in the afternoon
- ICE OUT

May 1
- warm and sunny
- daffodils blooming
- 21 C

May 2
- warm and sunny
- 22 C

From the Weather Book

March 18, 19
- misty mornings
- warm!  hot! 24C

March 20
- 27C
- peony and daffodil up
- grouse
- large crack opening in ice

March 22
- overcast/weak sun
- warm
- bones in the field

March 23
- rain, clouds
- most of lake open

March 24
- ice out!

March 25
- cooler, but still above seasonal
- windy evening

March 26
- cold -10C in morning
- cold, biting wind all day