Deep Freeze

Central Canada is in a deep freeze - all kinds of warnings etc. -the wind howled last night turning the soft crystally snow into drifts of hard packed, more granular snow --very squeally underfoot! Wind chill was -33 here this morning -dropping further tonight! However, if you are dressed right, keep moving, walk "with" the wicked wind not into it -it isn't that bad. I do worry about the more delicate plants -will they survive this deep freeze???? Busy at school -only 5 teaching days left to the first semester -then exams, report cards etc., then "new subjects" YEA! I love the turn around......we've been busy with culminating projects, assessments, reviews etc. Too busy at night to do much else -haven't begun to plan for next semester yet......patience.....it will all happen in good time........

A Cold New Year's Blanket

New Year's Day dawned with clear blue skies , a dazzling sun and bitterly cold temperatures. After being couped up in the house for a few days giving my body the rest it needed, I just had to get out. Bundled up against the -25 C wind chill, Nellie and I ventured first into The Throwaway Forest. It is an area of about 3 acres that once was the paddock for my horses, but over the past 30 years has been tranformed into my own little forest close to home. The name came from the first trees and shrubs planted there, that were all given to us by relatives, friends neighbours, even strangers -"I have these trees that I want to get rid of...." they'd say. "Sure, we'll take them..." and thus a forest was born. The horses were sold as increasing demands on our time with 2 young boys took precidence over time with my beauties -I could have kept them to look at but they were too good to do that -horses like dogs need to be worked -alot. Trees can be be watched from afar when you get too busy and I love trees too. We still plant trees every year and in the summer I mow winding pathways among the trees and wildflower meadows that Nellie and I walk every day. It is the first place that all the kids that come to visit want to go -any time of the year -I feel good passing that love of the trees on to the little ones......

After warming up in the house, Nellie and I went down along the river to get a closer look at the ice covered rocks and the freezing river. The patterns that the river ice take on are quite spectacular when viewed up close. It won't take long at these temperatures for all the little bays to freeze over, then the main channels will jam up with floating bits of ice then the real freezing will begin. The main channels will always be changing -the ice comes and goes due to the strong currents. It can be very dangerous for foolish people and the innocent animals that unknowingly venture out on it. Nellie is leased at all times near the river from now until breakup in the spring.

Only 2 days into the new year and I've already got a few dishcloths knitted (for gifts during the coming year)and another bag to be felted on the needles. The largest fabric store within an hours drive is having a close out sale -everything is 50% off. While I am loath to spend money this time of year, I am going to venture into the city today to stock up on threads and some quilting cotton for some new pillows. I decided mine in the living room were in need of replacement over the holidays.....

Cold Day

Cold, but sunny day (-17 C wind chill), did some outdoor decorating -cutting boughs and branches for pots, window boxes -until my hands were frozen. This afternoon I began to design some stained glass snowflakes I want to make for gifts and was pleasantly interrupted by my dear friend Ellen, who arrived WITH a pot of fresh coffee -delighted, we went inside (I was in my studio), lit a fire, poured our coffee ,added some vanilla flavoured milk substitute and "Rye Whiskey" Delightful!!! I am not much of a drinker and never the hard stuff but I enjoyed this concoction!!! We spent the next hour looking at recent photos I've taken and discussing Christmas plans in a very cozy room....great way to spend a Sunday....JJ hovered a bit, then decided to go watch football with a neighbour.....

Nellie loved the frozen grass and had to roll around in on our morning walk...

......the farmer who rents this 20 acre field from us finally cut the corn on Friday leaving the stubble quite high -not sure why?...he'll plant soybeans next year right into the stubble in an effort to conserve topsoil from being lost by
ploughing ..all the extra plant material also acts like a mulch to cut down on weed growth without resorting to herbicides...which I'm happy about......

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

Busy, stressful week is over - we were pet sitters again last weekend, a dog and 3 cats - but our animals all get along thankfully - it was the dreadful cold rain/snow last weekend combined with fighting off a throat infection that got the better of me. I didn't feel well again until Wed. Now the much cooler temperatures have arrived - it has been minus 8 - 10 degrees with the wind chill all week. Today the winds died down and the morning was better -snapped a few this morning of the eastern tip of the island with the mist rising off the water - it looks so cold though - not so cold to stop Nellie from wading into the river to get a drink -she is such a "hot" dog!!

Nellie is in need of a hair cut but with all the wet last week and little attention from me -she had lots of new matts that I'll have to spend this weekend getting out!! I was so happy last night to learn that my youngest son is coming home from Edmonton for Christmas. I have to get busy and finish up Christmas gifts. He arrives home on the 19, then we're heading to Toronto to visit my other son, then on to my older sister's farm -where a reunion of sorts will take place as all her girls will be home this year too - it will be CRAZY -hearing about adventures, schools, new boyfriends etc., then back home on the 23 to get ready for all the other side of the family to descend - I can't wait....... I love all the family events at Christmas.......