Excitement in the wings...

 

I don't know about you, but I have been kind of buried under a snowbank the last few months. Yes, the snow is ridiculously high, but the days, too, have seemed  brutally long despite nightfall arriving just as we finish up dinner. So what have I been up to? Well, I have finished writing 144 pages of a gardening magazine (Container Gardening 2011) and gained experience writing everything from the table of contents to the final page. To be honest, I don't think I will even so much as read a plant tag this summer. Full sun, partial shade...I don't care. The magazine, however, is gorgeous and is certainly leagues above any gardening magazine I have laid eyes on! Of course, Matthew Mead shot and produced every story; so how can you go wrong?

The other day, I went for a walk with a good friend and we both felt a spring in our step as the sun shone stronger than it has in months. I could feel its warmth lift me out of the winter doldrums and we chatted about spring fashions and the return of brighter days with nightfall arriving when it should. I look forward to spring cleaning (really!) and clearing the cobwebs from my home and my head.  And although we won't be heading anywhere exciting as a family this March break, I do have an upcoming trip to Utah to look forward to!

Last June when we shot Stephanie Nielson's family at Smeeks (in Arizona), we did not get the opportunity to meet her. While we filled her children and their friends with generous doses of sugar, she lay in a hospital bed battling a painful recovery from yet another major surgery. When she emailed me, fretting like only a mother does about whether her children had their hair combed and if we needed anything and how sad she was that she was missing out on the experience, I wrote back and reassured her that she would be front and center at the next one...that Matthew had big plans for her for the next (this summer's) issue. And here we are: this March we will head to Provo and photograph Stephanie and her sisters (yes, Courtney, too!) for a very special entertaining feature. And I cannot tell you what it means to me to finally be able to meet her, give her a hug and tell her just how much she inspires me everyday with her spirit, courage and determination to regain  and redefine her life. My words will be nothing she hasn't heard before, but it means so very much to me to be able to say them. Can you believe she is skiing again??

Oh, and you can bet I will need to step up my wardrobe in anticipation of meeting the uber stylish Stephanie and sisters! Three more weeks and I'll be there...I can't wait! And fingers crossed, when I return it should be nice enough to hook up the porch swing for those April days when it is not raining!

Slip Slidin' Away...

 Life is so much more fun when you're a child. 

I didn't have the courage to go down that hill even once.

I am officially stodgy.

I really am...

Isn't my baby pretty?

 Her friends are pretty cute, too!

Saw a pretty funny (and fitting!) sign outside a church yesterday. 

It read, "Whoever is praying to God for snow, please stop!!"

Amen to that. 

The snowbanks at the end of my driveway are too tall for me to see over.

Are you jealous?

Does anyone else feel like they're living out the movie, Groundhog Day?

I just finished writing an entire gardening magazine. I am going out to our "big mall" to celebrate.

Sophie needs new gloves. She wore out her other ones.

Snow, much?

Baby, It's Cold...Outside!

Yesterday, my husband came in from outside muttering under his breath. Upon questioning, he declared, "I am sick of this cold!"

me: "Oh, do you have a cold?"

A heavy sigh later, and he clarified that he is tired of all this cold...weather.

It was quite uncharacteristic of him. In fact, neither of us are prone to complaining about winter. We are the rare breed of people who enjoy the fact that on a really cold day we can come inside, flick on the (gas) fireplace, and sip a cup of tea or coffee while we warm up. We consider ourselves lucky: 0ur boys play basketball, not hockey, so we aren't subjected to long spells of frigid weather and stinging toes.

I was quite intrigued by this change of attitude...

To make matters worse, I think I have now absorbed this new-found dislike of our winter. I am a bit of an absorber anyway. I pick up other's habits, moods, and imagine that if I spent a week in a foreign country, I'd come back with an accent. It's weird I know, but quite unintentional.

So now I'm cold. Really cold. Can't get warm...

Of course, a minus 32 windchill might be part of the problem...

(photo: Toast.uk)

So, off I go to flick on the fireplace, put some slippers on, look through some cookbooks for a yummy meal, laden with comfort, and when my other half with the frostbitten attitude comes through the door, I'll plug in the kettle and warm his heart.

After all, there's a whole lot of winter left. No point in grumbling too soon...

Besides, the winter brought these beauties: bottles of Evian water designed by Christian LaCroix. I got mine right after Christmas for half price ($2.99) at a local grocery store. I think they are also at Target...

Now, off you go out into the cold and get some. I'll stay in...I already have three!!

Ho Ho Ho...there's snow, snow, snow!!!

River House: Seasons of Cannon Falls

It's the first of December, and now I don't have to be the lone house lit up for Christmas! We awoke to ...snow!!!!! Glorious, Christmasy snow!! What perfect timing, and we actually might be able to keep it for more than a day. With five to ten centimetres expected to fall several times throughout the day, we might actually get to build a snowman...long overdue since we didn't get enough to build even one last year. I mean, come on...this is Canada, after all!! We east coast Canadians need snow to feel like it's truly winter!! This had better be the year for it...not too much, but enough so that the kids have something to do besides be bored inside all winter!!

Unfortunately, the first day of snow also coincides with my first winter cold...and I find myself a tad bit testy today! Tattle-tale Sophie is wearing thin so far, and her older "little brother" (as she referred to him when she was a toddler, as he was smaller than her oldest brother) seems to think hot chocolate should be served each time he comes in from playing outside...

But I digress, and refuse to let them spoil my festive spirit! A bit more decorating, and I will be finished. After all my fussing, I am really happy with the outcome. Adding some more red to my kitchen was the key, and a real cedar swag draped across the mantel added just enough greenery to feel more Christmasy. Actually, my downstairs family room is actually quite suited to my more traditional decorations and accepts a more country look well. I even used all coloured lights down there, and feel quite smug about my good mothering in that regard!!!

So, that's it for now...Sophie has her birthday party tomorrow, and I have lots to do, including watching a holiday movie and eating a bowl of popcorn with my name on it!! I'll post pictures soon and I have a surprise for you all on Monday...!!! Have a great December day!!!