Moments D680: Snow birds

Today I woke to the sound of birds chirping.  What a delight!  It's one of my most favourite ways to wake up.  It's a sign that spring is just around the corner.  Spring, my favourite time of year as the world around me begins to slowly come to life again.

And then, I realized, it was snowing outside.  I giggled to myself, knowing that others, most in fact, would be grumbling about it.

They were big fluffy snowflakes.  Very pretty.

Grumble, grumble.  All day.  But not me.  When I finally had an opportunity to get outside and into the fluffy snowflakes, I stomped my way through the fluffy snow on the ground and watched it float around my boots....and smiled.....and did it again.

I like the pretty fluffy snow.  I know that spring is around the corner.  The sun is higher in the sky, the birds wake me in the morning, and when I leave work at night, the sky is no longer dark.  It's coming and I am patient.  No, that's not even true.  I'm actually enjoying the last moments of our beautiful winter, no patience needed!

Moments enjoying the tease of spring.

Moments enjoying the last of winter.

Moments D653: Snow day!

Today a snow storm passed through Toronto.  It wasn't a blizzard, but a lot of snow dropped this morning. Driving was slow.  TTC was slower.  Sidewalks were not yet cleared.   Many complained.  Most grumbled.

For me, I smiled.  I love a pretty snowfall and today's snowfall was big fluffy flakes. A lot of them.  It was like being inside a snow globe.

Sure, the drive to work was slow.  But sometimes slow is better.  During the slow drive, I had time to appreciate the snow dusting the barren trees, the kids all bundled up and tromping through the snow-filled sidewalks and the white sparkly blanket being laid over the city.  It was simply beautiful.



















And then the best part of my day, today's moment, happened.  I received an email from my professor:  class was cancelled tonight!


WOOT!  Snow day!  I haven't had a snow day in years!

So, instead of making my way to class after work, I made my way home.  I turned off my work/school brain and focused on this bonus time with my love.  It was just the two of us.  Picking up groceries, making dinner enjoying a movie and having a very deep conversation.  All moments that I wouldn't have had, had there not been a snow day.

Grateful for the snow.

For its beauty.

For the forced slowdown.

For the time gained with my love.






Moments deeply enjoying winter.

Moments deeply appreciating bonus quality time because of winter.

Moments D579: Swirling Snows

Mother nature decided today was going to be a blustery winter day.

I LOVED IT!

I know, it's odd.  Most people complain about the cold and the snow and the icy road conditions.

Me?  I LOVE IT.  I love the shift in temperatures, the crispness in the air, and wearing layers to stay warm.

So today, I celebrated the onset of an early winter.

HELLO SNOW!

HELLO WINTER!

Moments appreciating the change in season.

Moments enjoying the beauty of snow.

Moments D352: April Snow Storms bring May.....Flowers?

Today we had a snow storm. Yes - that’s right. A real snow storm. About 2 inches of snow.

Me, being me, I stopped and enjoyed as much of it as possible during the day. It was a soft pretty snowfall. It wasn’t cold like the deep of winter, but obviously cold enough to turn the spring rain into snow.

I know lots of people were complaining about the snow in April. But not me. I know it won’t last long. I’m okay with another couple of days of snow. Before you know it summer will be here and people will be complaining about it being too hot!

Moments D331: Mindfulness Walk #2

Today was my second mindfulness walk. It was also the second day walking in big beautiful snowflakes.

During my walk I focused on the fluffy snowflakes as they fell. When there was no wind, they drifted slowly from the sky. When the wind kicked up, they swirled about me tickling my face. I know a lot of my co-workers were complaining about the snowfall on our fist day of spring. Not I. I loved not only watching it, but being outside in the snowfall to really enjoy it. After all, it may be the last snowfall I see until the end of this year.

Moments enjoying what I have today.

Moments appreciating the last of winter on the first day of spring.

Moments D301: Gently falling Snow

This time of year a lot of people are complaining about the winter dragging on. But for me, I love the seasons. I'm not ready for summer again so soon.

Tonight, I rather enjoyed the softly floating flakes of snow. I smiled as I blew them from my wind shield.

Moments appreciating winter.
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Moments D292: Digging the Car Out

Today I had to finally adventure out to pick up a few necessary groceries. Normally, not such a big deal, but after being sick for the past three days, it definitely was a bigger production than normal.

AND to top it off, my car was buried in about 2 feet of snow. Not just the light fluffy snow that fell, but also the snow that the snow plow pushed up aside it.

Twenty minutes later I put the shovel down, finished my coughing fit and hoped I had dug around my car enough to get her out. I said a mini prayer to the universe that it was enough and then we attempted it.

SUCCESS! On the first go. Yes - that’s my moment today. Successfully digging out the car. Why? Because it meant I could finally have some fresh food and not just all the stuff I had kicking around the apartment. It was a good moment and one that made me smile. (Though eating my tomato salad a little later on certainly made me smile too!)

Moments of successfully beating a cold to be mobile.

Moments D291: Snow Angels

Today was a study day. My cold, getting better. I'm still coughing,but not nearly as much or as often. That’s a win in itself!

Studying went. Not to bad at all actually. My mind was more clear. Phew. I needed that. Here’s hoping tomorrow will be as productive and the information will stick in my brain.

But today’s moment was celebrating the snow. My apartment gets very, VERY hot. That’s because the basement apartment in my triplex gets very, VERY cold if the heat isn’t turned up higher than normal. To counter-act this heat (and I actually hate to be warm in the winter - after all it’s winter and I WANT to wear my sweaters and fuzzy socks and curl up on a blanket!) I open a window in nearly every room.

This morning as I started my studies, my first floor neighbour and her very adorable 7 year old daughter were outside shovelling the side walk. This was what I overheard through the open window:

“Mommy, I love the snow today……Mommy, I think there is more snow today…….Mommy look at my beautiful snow angel…………..Oh Mommy, I LOVE the snow today.”

How can you not just ooze with love and smiles after hearing that?

I won’t lie, I’m a wee bit jealous that I’m not out there enjoying the snow too. I love shovelling. But not with this cough!

I loved the snow today too - but from the 2nd floor. Watching it sparkle in the sunlight - that was quite lovely.

Moments overhearing joy & happiness and soaking it in.

Moments to pause and enjoy the beauty of winter.

Moments D290: Snow Day!

Well, technically it wasn't a REAL snow day. Had I been just a student, it would have been, as the university I go to cancelled all their classes. We had over 25cm of snow fall in the last 24 hours. FUN! Too bad I'm still not feeling so hot to get outside and enjoy it a bit.

Today, I called in sick to work. Though my breathing is better, I didn't sleep well and at 8am this morning there was simply no way I had the energy to truck myself into work. I happily pulled the covers back over me and slept in until 11am.

Then, I logged into work from home. Ya, I know. I really shouldn't do that since I'll be docked a whole sick day. But, I'm too responsible for my own good. I was actually feeling better post morning nap, so why not be productive. It's not like I had enough energy to go outside and dig out my car! So I worked for 5 hours. Not bad for a snow day.

Then I switched hats and ready my textbook and did some problems for my upcoming test. Huh. Really not bad for a snow day.

Now, I'm about to make a late dinner. Yes, only soup, but it's time. I'm finally hungry. All in all, a pretty productive day for a snow day. Sleep in, work, school, food. Not bad at all.

I really loved watching the snow fall too. I had my blinds open all day watching the blustery winds of white.

Here's hoping tomorrow can be as productive, though I may need to dig my car out so I can get some groceries!

Moments enjoying being snowed in and "stuck" at home.

Moments D276: Winterlicious in the Snow

Tonight was such a lovely night. It started out with a couple of drinks after work with deep conversation. That was followed by an adventure out to one of the Winterlicious restaurants: Bodega 

Now, the restaurant itself was quaint, as is the area that it is. The staff were a little mopy (really, it’s the only honest way to describe them) and the food was a little unimaginative and not overly impressive. My favourite dish was the heirloom tomato and feta salad. That was simple and you could taste that the ingredients were fresh, but there was nothing that made it unique. But I digress, for today’s moment wasn’t about the food, nor was it about the restaurant, but if you are thinking about visiting Bodega, I’d suggest you save your coin for somewhere else. There are too many other unique, friendly restaurants in the city for Bodega to take up your time!

No, tonight was about the company, the conversation and about the pretty snowfall. Yes, we nearly didn’t make it to dinner because of the snow. Ha! The irony. Not making one’s reservation to Winterlicious because of a snowfall!

As we first sat, it was all I could do to peel myself away from the prettiness of the snowfall just outside the window. Here I was in the middle of a very busy restaurant, watching the beauty outside. Shortly after being seated my red wine arrived and the picture was complete. Inside, warm, in a bustling restaurant watching the peace and quiet of snow fall outside. It was a perfect moment for me.

Moments engaged in conversation and being present, but also being somewhat separated and aware of the quiet beyond.

Moments D256: Wolf Spirit

Today I am in the Haliburton forest. It’s beautiful. Quiet. Soul recharging.

I’m also with my best friend. She’s an amazing soul just coming out of her own flames of 2012 and while her transformation is on-going, she’s come so veryvery far. I look upon the challenges she has faced in this past year and I couldn’t be more proud of her. Her perseverance inspires me and helps me to believe that I too can find that strength.

A little back story: My girlfriend loves wolves. She has for as long as I've known her. It’s no wonder she fell in love with the Haliburton forest as there is a wolf centre there. A research centre, it plays home to nine wolves. Not quite wild, but definitely not tame as they roam a 15 acres area.

New Years Day vandals cut the fences surrounding the compound. Four of the nine wolves left the compound. One of those poor souls was shot by a poacher. It’s terrible news in a small wolf-loving community. The race is on to bring the wolves home and every day that passes makes the dream of a reunited pack seem ever more distant.

But the point of this back story is to share my moment of the day with some perspective. Today we awoke earlier as we were considering a morning of snowshoeing. Instead, we were a bit lazy and leisurely enjoyed our coffees before finishing up some laundry. Laundry is in the basement. But in this home one needs to go outside to get to the basement. This meant putting on your boots and parka and trekking down the outdoor stairs.

Thank goodness for this oddity! For had we not trekked outside early in the morning, we wouldn’t have see the WOLVES tracks. There were two sets of tracks quietly being dusted over with the fresh snowfall. They came down the driveway. Stopped and explored my car, then my friends car. It looked as though one set of tracks went clockwise around the house and the other went counter-clockwise around the house.

This was a VERY special moment. The elation that my girlfriend received from the knowledge that the wolves not only visited her home, but circled it and explored it affected her deeply. The circling of the wolves seemed to signify that we had been included into their pack.

This energy comes off of yesterday, where the original vandalism story was shared and a new friend who feels he is “Man of Wolf” entered our lives. He included us in HIS pack. Given that my girlfriend and I had been inducted into his pack, why couldn’t we have been “circled” into this wolf pack as well!

Either way, whatever you believe, there was no denying that over the past two days there was a heavy wolf spirit around us. For me, it was eye-opening and an experience I’ll never forget. For my friend, I think she found home.

Moments of exploring totems and spirit guides.

Moments of watching a friend find her path.

Moments D249: Boots

Today’s moment came to me while venturing out for a late breakfast/early lunch. I wore my boots. My lunch date did not. I smiled and giggled when I jumped into the snow bank and slushy puddle while my date walked gingerly around the snowy mess.

Yes, sometimes a moment can be that simple. I was happy to have had my boots on so I could play in the snow!

Moments D214: Winter's First Snow

Yes that magical day was today!

I managed to sleep in today (9am) and I lounged in bed knowing that I had a busy day ahead. (Busy but not active in that I was to read and summarize 2 or 3 chapters for my class today.) So I took my time enjoying the beams of sunshine peeking through my blinds and curtains.

Finally, when I couldn’t find reason to stay cozy in bed any more, I pulled myself out and made my way to the window to take a look at the sunshine beyond the blinds. Much to my surprise there was a layer of white dusting the world below. It was faint, but there was no mistaking it - the season’s first snowfall had arrived.

I love that moment. Sometimes it’s a big snowfall and other times it’s a dusting like today. Either way, I love that moment. It’s the definitive sign that the season has changed. No longer are we in the dredges of fall, we are at the beginning of winter.

I know, for some, winter comes with a downside. The lack of light (shorter days/longer nights), the cold and of course the snow. Me. I like to celebrate it. I love the crispness in the air, even if it is in the negative temperatures. (It’s about being dressed for the weather!) I love crunching my boots over the fresh snow, or better yet over snow that has settled, partially melted, and frozen again. Have you ever tried to walk upon this delicate crust and not break it? I have. Many, MANY times.

The beginning of winter means snowboarding and fires. Snowball fights and hot chocolate. Shovelling snow and gabbing with the neighbours. Spending a day, warm inside, watching the snow storms outside watching movies or playing video games. If I’m lucky, maybe a tobogganing outing with those I love. If I’m luckier yet, maybe a few late nights tucked in with friends drinking mulled cider and sharing stories.

Yes, for me, there is much to love about winter. Today, for me, winter has officially arrived. WOOT! That makes me smile.

Moments to be surprised.

Moments to watch the seasons change.