Winter

Winter is the season when the earth seems to lie dormant, but is teeming with the beginnings of life. The insulating snow covers over the growth that is taking place. Looking forward to the progress of spring but, for now, appreciating the beauty of winter.



Winter kept us warm, covering
Earth in forgetful snow, feeding
A little life with dried tubers.

TS Eliot

Blessings

Winter is Here

Winter has been kind to us this year. We're nearing the end of December and today was the first true snowfall. But now that the snow is here, it has arrived with a bang. Fashionably late. "Take notice, World. Here I am."

A cold coming we had of it,
Just the worst time of the year
For a journey, and such a long journey:
The ways deep and the weather sharp,
The very dead of winter.

TS Eliot

Planning

Christmas preparations are underway. These will soon be in the mail on their way to friends and family.

It's unseasonably warm here, but I am readying for Winter. 

I'm planning and celebrating and feeling Christmas-y.


And don't you think
the trees themselves, especially those with mossy,
warm caves, begin to think
of the birds that will come-- six, a dozen-- to sleep
inside their bodies?
Mary Oliver

Night Walking

This year is bringing me a new appreciation of winter. The biting cold that stings my fingers and nose. The clear night sky, filled with a million stars.

Walking at night with Matt has become one of my favorite things. Talking about our days, filling each other in on everything that happened. My fingers no longer hurting as he holds my cold hand in his warm one.

Catching Up

credit: Pumpkin Pie Slice by TheCulinaryGeek

I've taken some time off from blogging the past few days and now it's time to catch up.

The weekend (and Monday) were busy in a nice way. Busy with things that I wanted to do.

This weekend, I...

watched a ballet performance by NEOS Dance Theater.

had a delightful breakfast with a new friend.

napped.

watched lots of Downton Abbey

participated in Matt's family traditions.

baked a pumpkin pie.

tried this recipe which, for the record, is delicious.

talked with my dear friend and roommate, Elise.

took a trip to Trader Joe's and Whole Foods.

enjoyed the extra hour of sleep and lighter mornings brought about by daylight savings!
saw the first snowflakes of the season and hoped they wouldn't stick.

What did you do with your weekend?

A Rainy Weekend

This weekend was everything I needed it to be.  A perfect mix of relaxation and activity.

It was the beginning of weather that truly feels like Winter. A cold drizzle and biting wind. The continuous sound of rain drops against the window panes.

It was the kind of weather that makes you want to curl up under heavy blankets and read a good book, while listening to Bon Iver. The kind of weather where, if you do have to go outside, you bolt from the car to the nearest building, hopping over puddles as you go.

On Saturday, I was able to spend time on my own. Caught up on sleep. Went to a coffee shop just to get out of the apartment and to force myself to make progress on projects. Finished some writing.

Sunday was perfect.

Matt and I spent a lazy morning talking and drinking coffee. We ran a few errands and worked on our Halloween costumes. We visited a thrift store that has been voted the best in Cleveland. We ordered Thai food and had a picnic on the living room floor.

How did you spend your weekend?