I’m living in a winter wonderland
We’ve been having some pretty amazing sunrises and sunsets around here in the last few weeks.
We all complain about how much we hate winter in our part of the country. How insane we are to live in such a climate. As much as I HATE winter driving and the hazards that go along with it, I have lots of fond memories of winter in the country on my parents farmyard.
Today we spent the afternoon as a family, just the four of us, decorating a gingerbread house, dancing in the living room, and just having a lazy day. It made me remember all the reasons I loved winter growing up here. My parents yard is 10 acres and that provides a lot of room for a child’s imagination and wanderings. So I’m letting my nostalgia get the better of me today as we sit inside out of the cold…
Winter is very cold where I live, and the clearer and sunnier it is the colder it is, but it has such a stark beauty. Everything sparkles and glistens. The way the shadows dance across the untouched snow, the branches bowing under the weight of the new snowfall, the glittering expanse of a white blanket that bring out the child in you and for some reason you just really want to run across it and make the first footprints or build a 6 foot snowman…it’s so beautiful and it seduces you outside to be a part of the loveliness. It only takes a few seconds to realize that the sun is fickle and that there is no warmth there. The biting wind takes away all the sun’s glory and sends you scurrying back into the cozy warmth of the house.
I used to go out on clear nights when I was a kid, bundled up against the chill and trek across the front yard to the very center. When I was past the reach of the light spilling from the house and fully ensconced in the darkness that can only come from living in the middle of nowhere, I would dig out an Erin-sized bowl in the snow and settle myself into it. I would lie there with my head resting in the snow pillow I had made and watch the Northern lights and the glittering stars. I would watch my breath as it puffed out above my scarf and than gently landed in little ice crystals that stuck to the fuzz on the edge of my scarf. I would think and talk to God. I would dream and sing. I would stay out there in the moonlight until I couldn’t feel my fingers or toes.
Then there were the days my brothers and I would wander off to the back of the yard in between the old graineries and sheds along the tree line where the snow had piled up 7 and 8 feet high. We would create a whole maze of tunnels and rooms and spend hours playing in them. Sometimes my dad would come with us and and help us build an igloo with a little smoke-hole in the top. Then he would build a little fire and we would all sit in there bravely drinking our hot chocolate while the smoke stung our eyes not wanting to admit that it was a truly uncomfortable situation.
My dad used to build us an ice rink in the back yard every year where I could practice figure skating and my brothers could play hockey. One year he even converted an old barn into our own private arena complete with penalty boxes, bleachers and a heated area for putting on our skates. It was heavenly to be able to skate for hours without having to brace yourself against the wind.
These are the kind of memories I want to give to my children. We will always have reasons to hate living in the cold, but if we can remember some of the good times, it makes the long 5 months of winter that much more bearable. Not to mention we enjoy the other 7 months of the year so much more.
And one more thing that makes winter enjoyable…
Fun new boots!
wonderful photos
what a neat sounding day
thanks for sharing your memories your beautiful memories
cool boots
Comment by jen — December 9, 2007 @ 6:42 pm
The snow bunnies look great!
Comment by tara — December 9, 2007 @ 6:48 pm
So well written and so very true about those MB winters. I’m looking forward to leave the dismal grey skies of AB for Christmas. Like you say, despite the cold, it sure is pretty thanks to the sun.
Adorable boots!
Comment by Nicole — December 9, 2007 @ 8:24 pm
Those are great memories! We lived in the country too and now living in the city, I miss those stars and northern lights
The new boots look great!
Comment by PamJ — December 9, 2007 @ 9:44 pm
Gorgeous…the view and the boots
Comment by sognatrice — December 10, 2007 @ 3:53 am
Well written Erin!
Lvoe the boots!
Comment by Louise — December 10, 2007 @ 8:44 am
hey, Erin. I popped over to catch up. You’ve written some neat stuff here. Its wonderful to be fully yourself, is it not?
Enjoy the wedding, in winter, all princessy!
Comment by joycie — December 10, 2007 @ 11:29 am
Ah, winter memories in the country. Lovely. I was out visiting my parents with Geoff yesterday, and reminiscing about the exact same stuff.
Comment by Lindsay — December 10, 2007 @ 3:02 pm
tagging you my friend
Comment by jen — December 10, 2007 @ 6:18 pm
I know what you mean, winter can be fun and beautiful. When we lived next door to your parents, actually your grandparents were still living there, I used to play in the open area between the trees beside our house (facing the back of yours). I loved walking or riding the skidoo in there after a fresh snowfall and writing messages in the snow.
Love the boots too!
Comment by Bonnie — December 10, 2007 @ 10:07 pm
You’ve seen the Northern Lights?! I’m so jealous… the closet I have come are pictures in National Geographic.
I wish we would get some snow… so far, nothing but ice!
Comment by lil ole me — December 12, 2007 @ 2:54 pm
Awesome pics… as always.
Comment by Alexis — December 12, 2007 @ 4:35 pm
The boots are adorable.
I actually like winter, too. I have so many memories, too, growing up on the farm. We were not anywhere near anything and it was hard to get road crews out to where we lived so we’d get snowed in for days and days. It use to snow a lot more then. I had so much fun with my brother. I remember getting in the plow part of our tractor and riding to the end of the 1/4 mile lane to play in big snow drifts. Then when Neil and I started dating, we’d go out and play in the snow in ugly snowsuits and make snow angels. I’ll never forget it. I still love it today when it snows. I am like you and look forward to my kids making memories and in turn, ME making more memories
Comment by Val — December 28, 2007 @ 11:49 am