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.

It's Snowing!

It's Snowing!

And that leaves me with an inexplicable desire to skip around the kitchen table singing jingle bells! (I used to do that!!) When I was a little kid I truly believed that singing Christmas songs/playing Christmas music would make it snow more. Since winter is my favourite season I can't wait for mountains of snow so I can take my snowshoes and x-country skis out of hibernation!

In the meantime enjoy these links to some Christmas music. The Youtube video is for the delightful pop song "Peppermint Winter" by Owl City. The second Youtube video is just for my older sister, one of her favourite Christmas songs.  For those who don't like pop music so much follow this link to a collection of Sufjan Steven's Christmas music. There you can find such delightful songs as "What Child is this Anyway" and "That was the worst Christmas Ever" alongside such Christmas classics as "O Come O Come Immanuel" and "Once in Royal David's City." His sound is unique so if you are unfamiliar with it just check it out!

Or send me a link to your favourite Christmas music so I can enjoy!

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.)

Moonbow?- A Beautiful Sight

There was a beautiful rainbow coloured ring surrounding the moon tonight. I noticed it when I came home from skating. I tried to take some photos but alas my photography skills leave much to be desired. The lack of a camera that is good in low light conditions and lack of tripod may also have had something to do with it.

This pic I found on Google images best represents what I saw, Lovely!

My favourite photo of the night wasn't a total loss. It doesn't do my night sky justice but I kinda find it  reminiscent of an impressionist painting.

Upon further review I was surprised to find one of my pictures did at least hint of the rainbow colours that were visible in the night sky. Hah! who need a fancy camera or tripod now! A steady hand and a vehicle side mirror will do in a pinch.



I really shouldn't call it a moonbow. A quick wikipedia search told me the technical term is a 22° halo or moonring. Follow the links if you want more info but the accompanying articles are a little sparse.

Interestingly enough folklore says that it is a sign of a coming winter storm and that if I counted the stars within the ring that would be the number of days before the impending storm. With the kind of winter we have been having one can only wish. Whether or not that is true time will only tell but for some reason all this talk of moons has Cat Steven's "Moonshadow" stuck in my head. This song always reminds me of a funny university memory. I had a friend who wanted to start a band. She thought this would be an excellent song to add to our repertoire which also included Amazing Grace. She played the ukelele and had found a violinist, pianist and vocalist, she wanted me to be the star clarinetist and figured we should call ourselves Death Tongue. Clearly we were destined for greatness.

Hope you enjoy the following YouTube link and your own moongazing.

p.s. I looked at a bunch of youtube vids for this song and though the sound quality isn't as good as some of the other ones I loved this clip for the fantastic 70's attire!

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.

Advent Peace???

I can now say with (almost) certainty- “I’ll be home for Christmas!” both Kuiper Christmas and actual Christmas, barring any unforeseen circumstances of course. It will involve lots of driving, and hoping for good weather but I will be there. Hurray!

I have been really worried about the long drive by myself, especially if the weather turns nasty- I have to drive through several snowbelt regions. To top it all off I had some recent issues with my car that had me rather anxious. But the weather report looks clear enough and my car was given a clean bill of health so now I am looking forward to good food, good fun and family!

 Christmas is always an interesting time of year; so full of magic, and wonder, and excitement, and also so stressful in many ways. As people gather with their families to celebrate there is also the rush of shopping, and stress of preparing meals, and interesting family dynamics that emerge amongst family members that haven’t seen each other in awhile.

In my advent posts I haven’t been so good at following the traditional advent format (Peace, Hope, Joy, Love) but this post is about advent peace. Peace is sometimes hard to find at Christmas. Stores are busier, we are busier, and it is all too easy to forget about Peace. I frequently remember as a child my mother declaring that the only Christmas present she wanted was for us children to just get along for once. We hear about peace in Christmas songs, and read about peace in stories and on Christmas cards. But something about that version of peace is too syrupy sweet and unrealistic. It sounds nice in stories but in reality I think it might be a bit fake.

  

I remember one year I spent a lot of time and effort to cultivate that Christmas card-type “peace” in my family. I thought it meant evenings spent around a beautifully decorated tree, or advent wreath, singing songs, reading stories etc. My intentions were noble but the reality was much less idyllic. Siblings were grouchy, Christmas tree lights got tangled, and eyes strained trying to read stories by candlelight. The result brought a whole new meaning to when Jesus said he came, “ to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law…” (Matthew 10:35)

There is no magical formula for Christmas peace. But I have a feeling it might involve a bit of smiling through family photo shoots and settling for Chinese food instead of turkey. Today I bring you the song “Just for Now” by Imogen Heap. I love the way she captures both sides of the holiday experience. Enjoy!

Since Advent is also the time of anxious waiting for the (second) coming of Christ we can also anticipate the Peace that will come. For anyone who has read Revelations it is clear that kind of peace wouldn’t fit on a Christmas card either- plagues, wars, bloodshed, tears and violence abound but at the end there is a city, and a river and a tree whose leaves are for the healing of the nations, and there will no longer be any curse, and the Spirit and the Bride say “Come!”

Advent #1

Advent is one of my favourite seasons on the Christian calendar. I grew up in a church where we lit candles each week to celebrate advent. It was always a time of magic and anticipation for me. One year I made my family celebrate advent at home as well, including making my own advent wreath with candles and preparing weekly Christmas readings. When I was in university the church I attended did not celebrate advent the same way (they thought lighting candles was too catholic.) In fact they barely mentioned advent at all. Although I loved the church I went to I ended up attending another church during advent season just so I could be amongst believers who were celebrating advent too.

Advent it a wonderful season of anticipation. We prepare ourselves to celebrate Christ's coming at Christmas, remembering the anticipation and prophecies of the Old Testament. We also are reminded to eagerly anticipate and prepare for Christ's second coming. The church I currently attend doesn't do much in the way of celebrating advent either. I am a little disappointed; though this time I don't think I will find a different place to worship for the month of December. Instead I will find my own ways to celebrate advent and share it with anyone who is interested enough to read my blog posts.

For my first Advent reflection I want to share this post from Alissa Wilkinson which I found on the Cardus blog. Click the link below and enjoy! Feel free to share any comments or reflections with me- it will be like we are celebrating advent together!

Longing and restraint Cardus Blog