How Time Flies!

My favourite view: Snow and a ski track before me!

My, my, how time flies. 
Seems like only a few weeks ago that I was moving up here, (oh wait it was) and now I only have a few weeks remaining. 

I have been making the most of my time here and not spending much time writing about my life on this blog. (My gain and your loss.) I have enjoyed a cozy night at a friends cabin (sorry "camp" to the northerners.) I stared at the stars hanging over a frozen Lake Superior and stoked the wood fire in the morning. I have frolicked over fields and ice with my snowshoes on my feet and friend by my side. I have spent an evening with friends enjoying good beer and great live music at a local pub.I have seen movies, had excellent conversations and taken late night trips to Dairy Queen. I have enjoyed several after church/ just because potlucks or sushi lunches. I am frequently found dancing while baking in our kitchen much to the amusement of my housemates. Good friends and Great food are such a delightful combination! I have gone skating on an outdoor rink and only fell once!

Mockingbird hill- photos never do a hill justice

Also I have been making the most of my purchased ski pass and have definitely put it too good use. Even with my late start to the ski season and having to pay the full rate since I missed the early bird price; I have been able to ski more than enough to make it worthwhile. Gliding over the snow and working up a sweat even though it is below -20 C is one of my favourite things. Recently I conquered a large hill I had previously been avoiding, and have been skiing 18km/ week on average.







I hope my adventures will continue just a little longer. I hear rumours of /have made plans for such exciting activities as an evening of traditional Canadian dancing, consuming vast quantities of maple syrup, and having a wine and cheese party. And if the weather will permit I hope to get in a couple more good days of skiing. Who knows how long I, or the snow, will stay. So in the meantime lets squeeze every ounce of enjoyment or excitement our of life that we can! And when the pressures of an uncertain job future or the sadness of melting snow threaten to get me down I have a new distraction....

PRETTY SHOES!!!

PRETTY SHOES!!!!!!!

Northern Winter Migration

Hurray I am a Northern girl again!
About two weeks ago I was packing my things and heading back north with a short term contract. Yet another yo-yo bounce, but at least I get to enjoy a delightful "northern" winter with people who also appreciate all the joys and excitement of snow!!. (I use quotation marks because technically I am not even north of the 49th parallel but to my friends and family down south this is still northern Ontario.)

My first weekend was rather disappointing, nearly all our snow melted. (ahem climate change stinks!!!) But this week has been doing it's best to make up for it with lots of snow in the past few days. People always tell me that the only reason why winter is my favourite season is because I don't have to drive in the winter or shovel a driveway; but I would like to announce that I have shoveled my driveway twice already this week and still love winter!!! There was so much snow this morning that my vehicle had completely warmed up before I finished clearing all the snow off. (For those of you who aren't familiar with the Bumblebee that means it took awhile!!) But my winter joy is not shaken instead I am looking forward to hitting the cross country ski trails this weekend and maybe even spending some time on the outdoor rink. Gotta enjoy the weather while it lasts!!

Right now I am dancing around my basement room and giggling and listening to Taylor Swift. It is surprising how dramatic my mood change has been since I returned to The Soo. Despite a schedule change equivalent to a 4 hour time difference I am bounding out of bed around 6:30 in the morning and still feel like dancing and singing in the evenings. (Although I must admit I am a little stiff because I am not used to long days on my feet in the lab- got to get better shoes!!) Sadly my 12 week contract will go by all too fast and then who knows where I will be. For now I am going to enjoy where I am.

Midwinter Musings

Winter is more than halfway over and so is my job, but as of today there is still snow and I am still employed so I will rejoice.

Winter was a long time coming and still isn’t sure if it wants to stay. Here in the Sault we have had a milder than normal winter, there have been frequent mild spells which often cause my much-loved snow to melt and disappear, or settle and become hard and crusty- so unlike its original fluffy white self. But even though winter has been milder than normal at least we have had winter unlike many other parts of the country. I have been able to do a bit of X-country skiing, skating, and some snowshoeing too. So I guess there really are no complaints. All that remains to be done is to go for a sleigh ride and to go tobogganing and my winter to-do list is nearly complete.

The view from here lately has been a lot of this.

I see a lot of other things while I am out skiing but I usually see the best things when I don’t have my camera nearby; like the time I came within a meter of a gorgeous downy wood-pecker drumming on a tree as fluffy flakes of snow gently fluttered to the ground. Unless my painting skills greatly improve some things will just have to remain memories.

As my job contract nears completion I am feeling the wander bug set in again. Sadly the motivation to refresh my resumé is greatly lacking. I feel I am ready for a new place and a new adventure. I just wish I could take all my dear friends from here and bring them with me.

The snow sparkles outside my window and soon I will go out and enjoy it. But for now I am cuddled up in a blanket and sipping a large cup of magic mango mate. (It was an excellent Christmas present from my darling little sister. I would love it if she would send me some more! Hint hint) I have been enjoying it a lot lately which isn’t a bad thing. Apparently yerba mate is also called the “liquid vegetable” since it contains a pile of vitamins, nutrients and anti-oxidants (more than green tea!)

So get out and enjoy the snow then brew yourself a pot of deliciousness and settle in to some great music. This month’s discovery was a sweet band from Calgary Alberta called Lauren Mann and the fairly odd folk. I greatly enjoyed their sounds at a recent concert in Sault Ste. Marie and have subsequently been enjoying their CD. They are currently on tour so look them up and see if they will be near you- you won’t regret it! Or check them out on noisetrade where you can download some of their newest songs for free (although I am sure tips are appreciated.)

Simple Pleasures- Winter

Got the Winter Blues? Not me! But here is some tips for those that do.

A list of Simple Pleasures for the Winter:

- a warm cup of hot chocolate, tea, or a latte

- ginger snap cookies

- blankets!

- working internet

- skype call with a good friend

- mindless tv.

- an hour long cross country ski or snowshoe

- fluffy flaked snow

- snow angels, snow men, snowforts- you are never too old!

I have been enjoying the little bit of snow we have had here. All in all the winter weather has been rather wimpy this year so I have had to make the best of the little that does exist. Enjoyed a great ski this weekend. I haven't been X-country skiing for long. I did a little when I was a child, and I was able to do a bunch last year when I borrowed a pair of skis from a friend. This year I got a pair of my own and want to get good use out of them- if only the weather will continue to cooperate. 

For those of you who have more mild weather at the moment and don't have any snow replace the snowy weather items with one of these: 

- don a pair of rubber boots and a raincoat and go puddle jumping!

- grab a pair of binoculars and see what kind of birds are in your neighbourhood

- re-engineer the water pathways that cascade down your gravel driveway by digging trenches and building dams....

                          ......... oh wait! What's that Dad?...... I'm not supposed to do that last one?- OOPS!

If you have fun with any of the above options or have any to add, feel free to leave a comment and tell me.