Hibernation

I've been like a bear since Christmas. Hibernating. Cozy and warm inside of the house. The house was scented with pine and gingerbread in December. In January the windows fogged up with a constant soup pot bubbling on the stove. February brought warming stews, chocolate cakes, and last summer's strawberries transformed into mousse a la Julia Child. Now that it is March, I've pulled out the pastel table cloth, napkins, and placements in the hopes of coaxing spring from the frozen landscape. And the truth is, it seems to have worked! We definitely don't have cherry blossoms, like some places I know, but the grass is peeking through the slush. The sidewalks are either bare or a giant puddle that invites splashing. On my afternoon walks, I can wear my green rain shell with a sweater underneath and my flowered rain boots. In a fit of optimism, I've put my down parka in the closet upstairs and hope that I won't have to pull it out again until next year. James is thrilled that he no longer has to scrape his car in the mornings. The block heater plugs are unused and stored in the garage. 

Of course, March has arrived gently with above zero temperatures and sunshine. We could very well be in for another arctic blast as she roars out like a lion. But the forecast is good for the next little while and I am hopeful. 

Winter is certainly not all bad. We spent some time up north in Prince Albert while James had a rotation in Obs/Gyne there in February. I went up to visit for the weekend and the town was kind enough to put the Winter Festival on while I was there. While very well bundled, we saw a horse drawn sleigh, a trapper competition, and listened to the tremendous noise of a sled dog race. As the dogs lined up, they were like live wires, jumping and barking - impatient to be on their way. And as soon as the flag waved, they were off like a shot. The sudden silence was magical as hundreds of dogs went to work and tore across the snow and out onto the trail. 

We soon put our own skis to the snow as we went to check out the ski area, Little Red, in Prince Albert. The area up there is full of rolling hills (really! Hills!) and boreal forest. Single track cross country ski trails snake their way in and out of the forest. It was wonderful to get out and into a place that felt wild. For the most part this winter, I've been cross country skiing on golf courses' manufactured landscapes. It's fantastic to be 5 minutes from the trails, but it was particularly lovely to go out into the woods at Little Red. James rented a pair of skis and boots for $6, then skiied around the trails with me, staying upright and enjoying himself. We did have a mini lesson on stopping, but I started using my "teacher voice" and remembered that I'd promised not to use it on him! The rental skis were slow, wax-less skis anyways, so he wasn't in any danger of moving at a great rate.

We'll be moving to a new house in April and are beginning the process of buying furniture, as the new place is unfurnished. It is however, twice the size of our current house! We're pretty excited about making the new place our home and hope that you'll be out to visit us soon. We have space for you! 

Love, J+S and S+J