looking forward to winter...

I have always loved winter..

especially winters heaped in mounds of lots of white snow.

I adore the mittens, and scarves, and hats…

The cozy blankets,

and wonderful sweaters…

simply adore.

Perhaps growing up the child of immigrants,

with hand knit wonderful socks and sweaters and blankets…

made all the difference for me.

I was taught to enjoy the fresh air,

the sunshine,

to embrace the crisp fresh clean cold air; 

enjoying it for what it was… 

a season.

The past few two winters, were bitter painful for me however.

I confess to NOT being prepared.

Not having the right clothing options,

NOT layering,

NOT knowing what to do about the bitter icy pain that shot through my brain

without even opening the door…

Something in my brain…

in my bones

robbing me of this beloved season.

Recently I read an article about embracing Winter the way they do in Norway,

and other cultures where it is cold much of the year,

and it all came back to me.

While my pains may be there,

and my brain MAY not be helped..

there are still things that I can do to try to really 

enjoy what I can

of this MOST magical time of the year...

first off, I thought I would take a gander

through some of my favorite photo's…

sort of in .. anticipation of the snow to come..

Seeing the snow upon the land,

as it shall be once again..

so elegant,

dressing the trees in glory.

I love walking through the woods,

or sometimes, snow shoeing …

and seeing the way the light dances off the branches...

and the leaves…

crunch

squish

careful not to slip...

here so very heavy laden

the branches are kissing the ground

light on barbed wire...

it was a grand day..

so heaped with the heavy snow…

such a joy to walk through a white Narnia

to walk under and not have the snow fall upon me.. 

or the camera…

THAT was my goal...

a winter wonderland

lights…

and darks.. 

a tangle of branches..

turn the corner and everything feels SO dark..

so pretty

and around a bend again.. so bright..

so light 

so airy

like I have all the time in the world left to me..

but..

I know.. that I don't..

Oh.. when WILL it snow again?

I remember this day so fondly now… 

it all comes back to me..

the twists and turns of the trail

my feet wanting to walk.. just a LITTLE further

see a little beyond...

but.. I am loosing my light

as I head back towards the farm house… 

I catch just a couple more sweet shots..

yes.. .

these photos make me look forward to winter..

they make me want to dig out some warm gear..

take inventory

buy some flannel sheets perhaps…

I recently found some terrific new warm slippers...

look for some long johns,

and woolen socks…

yes..

indeed..

I love the way the ice makes designs on my windows..

Jack Frost has had quite a grand time

looks like some brilliantly crafted glass…

but it's not..

it's just frost and ice

on a very cold winters evening…

are you quite ready for winter…

my heart…

is nearly ready..

my wardrobe..

is not..

but I can work towards it…

I can do THAT much..

and THAT, will make winter… so much more lovely

for me, 

and for the children too…