We're in a Deep Freeze

This morning the temperature at my son's university read: -28.5'c and in Hyderabad, India where my daughter is, the temperature was 28'c...such extremes in this world of ours.
It's a good day to stay indoors and hunker down, although I do go into the library this afternoon for my shift.
The wash machine is humming and the kitchen is restored after this morning's rush hour.
It is quiet in the house now, and although I am so tempted to continue knitting as I am really enjoying this creative project, (thanks again Tina) I must submit my assignment for a library course.
I thought I would quickly share some scenes of a creative afternoon/evening yesterday.
We did go for a brisk walk as well, but sure had to bundle up for the cold temperatures!

Youngest daughter's school project:

Middle daughter finished this puzzle that I started:

We reminisced about our time in England,
and all the wonderful places we visited,
including this bakery, only in different town.
Wouldn't you just love to pop in for a treat?
I miss England!

And I am so thankful for the inspiration found
in blog world as I am totally enjoying doing this project:

I will have more to share soon,
but must make this a productive day.
Blessings on your week, everyone!
And those in colder climates
bundle up and stay warm!

Saturday's Simple Joys

It was a lovely relaxing Saturday today; a perfect day to share my simple joys as the weather has given cause for a cosy evening indoors. I was eager to get out tonight to a new 'club' created for the library staff by my friend and colleague Kiirstin, whose enthusiastic invitation was so hard to resist. Tell me, would this not intrigue you?

Do you like to talk about books? Do you like to talk about books with other
people who like to talk about books? Do you find yourself talking about
books to your books?....imagine: talking about books with a number of your
book-loving co-workers while relaxing with a beverage of your choice
and some snacks...Bring a book or a title you love (or hate!)
and tell us why! 

I knew exactly which books I wanted to bring along to share, but it will have to wait for the next time as I am not crazy about winter driving at night especially when the roads are slippery.

One of today's simple joys was talking on skype with my daughter in India. She and her boyfriend are experiencing 34'c during the day there, while we are averaging -12'c along with blustery conditions here. I promised to share a few more winter shots with N&K, so this afternoon after picking up some library lovelies, (will share next week) my youngest daughter and I headed to Lens Mill Store in Hawkesville for a project I will be working on during the next few weeks. As we drove along Conestoga Lake, I noticed a lone fisherman ice fishing on the lake. I love the contrast of his red coat against the white snow.
I hope he has success...it is too cold to just sit there with no action or activity on his fishing pole.

A little further, the snowmobilers were racing along the trails,
making the most of these perfect winter conditions.

After making our purchases at Len's Mill Store, we made a stop at the Wallenstein General Store for some supplies. I love this place as it evokes a sense of nostalgia of a time past.
I took these photos for Sue who is so intrigued by the Amish and Mennonite way of life.

These sleds are very popular in the winter
for the children to go tobogganing down the hills

Stacks of fencing logs

Horses and buggy awaiting their owner

Can you read the sign inside the buggy shed?
I love it, don't you?

Walking down the road with their wagon loaded
with dry goods purchased at the General Store

Do you remember an article about Mennonites that I shared with you in a recent post?
You can view the Globe and Mail Article here.
I shared this with Sue, but wanted to let you all know that this is what we see regularly around these parts and as a matter of fact, this rink is 15 minutes from our home
and almost in my friends G&S's back yard.
I was very careful about maintaining their privacy,
but wanted you all to see the lovely setting of this great skating/hockey rink.
I just love it!

Right now, my hubby and youngest daughter are having some bonding time over The Red Green Show, with the duct-tape guy. I think you have to be a red-neck Canadian to get it, eh?

I posted the other day about a challenge put out by Dee over at Red Dirt Ramblings
about keeping the winter blues at bay. I wanted to share some of my simple joys
and the ways that I am enjoying/embracing this winter using Dee's challenge/formula:

♥ Walking and being outdoors for short periods every day
As I type this, the snowmobilers are whizzing by,
making me long for a snowmobile of my own...hubby, are you reading this?
♥ I do take fish oil daily as it also helps with inflammation
♥ I am going to tackle something I have not done in a long time~ a knitting project!
If you are a local knitter, I might be asking for your help:)
♥ I am taking a library course which has taken me on all sorts of reading rabbit trails
♥ Art and Music are my inspiration for the winter months as I am exploring both on a deeper level.
♥ I bought some tulips today that make me think of Holland and Spring:)
♥ We always eat home-cooked meals so I would say that we generally eat healthy, with a good mix of fresh fruit and veggies included in our diet
♥ Feeding my soul is a daily exercise that I value and cherish

I love what Dee shares about un-plugging and am challenging myself and my family to spend more time in creative pursuit. We are actually playing more games and doing more puzzles again.
We rarely have the television on, but do love to watch a good movie.
The kettle is boiling so I am off soon to make my tea and begin my knitting project which I will now share:

The puzzle we worked on this week:
Sonata by Firelight
Artist Judy Gibson

Completed puzzle
Isn't this such a lovely and serene setting?

And now, introducing you to my knitting project...
When Tina over at The Quiet Home
shared her newest creation Rosie,
I just knew that would be a perfect project for me.
I think Rosie is just adorable, all the way down to her converse shoes!
If you are interested, you can order a pattern from Tina.
All the information is over at her blog.

And if I need a break from knitting,
I can always browse through the magazines I picked up today at the library:)

How was your Saturday?
How are you passing the long days of winter?
Do tell...

Winter Windows of Wonder

I just hung up after talking on the phone with my friend M from Hamilton, who shared that although it was blustery and cold there, she was enjoying the view from her window.
I shared with her that it was also so pretty here today and that although it was storming this morning with poor visibility and bus cancellations, the sun is shining once again here too.
The winter weather is so variable here in Ontario; it can change from one hour to the next.
I took some photos this morning as I was going about my day and wanted to share them with you...

Visibility almost nil with high winds and snow squalls

Clearing with the sun attempting to break through the snow clouds

The view from the back door as it has stopped snowing...

The sun is now shining on a still and silent world

The skies are blue with white fluffy clouds

Winter
Walter de la Mare

Clouded with snow
The cold winds blow,
And shrill on leafless bough
The robin with its burning breast
Alone sings now.

The rayless sun,
Day's journey done,
Sheds its last ebbing light
On fields in leagues of beauty spread
Unearthly white.

Thick draws the dark,
And spark by spark,
The frost-fires kindle, and soon
Over that sea of frozen foam
Floats the white moon.

This shot of the moon was taken two nights ago:
So perfectly round

It is easy to feel cabin fever on days when it is cold and blustery outside.
I just love what Dee Nash shared over at her Oklahoma blog:
Red Dirt Ramblings
Ten Simple Ways to Beat the Winter Blues....Go here to read it.
Don't you just love her list? Tomorrow I am going to post some of the ways I am passing the winter, using her formula. Can you come up with ten ways you are beating the winter blues?
You can stop by her blog, leave a comment and let her know you read them.
I love being inspired and challenged! Thanks Dee!

Daytripping! I invite you to come along....

After seeing my hubby and high school daughter out the door at 7:10 am, my middle daughter and I left shortly after 8:15 am to spend the day together. We slowly wandered the back roads taking in the beauty of the early morning glitter of snow on the trees and in the fields.
Driving past Mennonite schools we saw children skating and playing hockey out on the ice rinks before the morning school bell rang. I would have loved to have taken a photo to share with you, however, my daughter discouraged me saying that they have a right to privacy...she's right so you are just going to have to envision it, or take a peek at this wonderful link that Sue in Australia discovered then shared with me in a recent post:
(You will think that I have just contradicted myself, but it appears that this group gave permission to be photographed)
You can view the Globe and Mail Article here.
I shared this with Sue, but wanted to let you all know that this is what we see regularly around these parts and as a matter of fact, this rink is 15 minutes from our home.
Those who read my blog and live locally might recognize this lovely spot.
Do you remember the recent post where I featured Amish cookbooks by Lovina Eicher with Kevin Williams? There is also a newsletter associated with the books that you may find interesting.
Thanks again to Sue, I have enjoyed the peek into the Amish way of living.
You can find the newsletter here.
After dropping my daughter off at her hair appointment, I parked the car and walked along some of my favourite paths in Elmira to capture some of the beauty of the morning. Although my camera is limited, the sun was shining gloriously and it was all so breath-taking and beautiful!
(you can click on photos to enlarge)






After my walk, I stopped by at my sister's for a quick coffee and visit before heading back to pick up my daughter, then proceeded to the lovely village of St. Jacob's for some shop browsing followed by lunch at Jack's, a new family restaurant that she wanted to visit. The food was excellent and we enjoyed chatting together. You would have enjoyed it:)
Across the way was an antique warehouse, so we wandered over to have a browse.
In the parking lot, the horses waited patiently for their drivers to return.

Shopping completed, it is time to leave...

Inside the antique warehouse,
my daughter was on the lookout for two items:
♥ a retro phonograph/record player as vinyl has returned...
who knew?

This one was just beautiful!

♥ and a vintage typewriter


This is an original dutch coffee grinder.
Remember my favourite coffee song?
You can listen here
(don't forget to pause the playlist below)

Dutch blue delft and clocks

gorgeous blue delft vases

hoosier

snowshoes for the winter snow

winter sleds/racers

laundry wringer and tub

No, this is not PEI, but the green trim
with white siding reminds me of the
Anne of Green Gables houses I saw in PEI.

These are typical Mennonite homesteads...

laundry lines were full at most farmsteads...
how I love it!

ponies at this farm...

Mennonite church

I could have been gone all day as I was thoroughly enjoying the countryside...my daughter was kind enough to put up with my stops at intervals, but it was time to head back to pick my youngest daughter up from her bus stop at 3:10 pm. We came home, had our cup of tea, along with ginger cake, made quiche for supper....so easy with frozen pie shells, farm-fresh eggs, milk, broccoli, mushrooms, ham and cheese (Cheddar and Monterey Jack)
I forgot to buy red peppers, so I added red pepper flakes and Sun-dried Tomato and Herb Mix
from Epicure....No, I don't sell it but I sure love using it.
I am serving the quiche along with a caesar salad...

And now I have shared my day tripping with all of you.
You are welcome to join me anytime...just call ahead:)