Warm Winter Weekend

Who can resist a little alliteration?  Especially on a Wednesday...

Crazy weather around here.  Our cold snap is a distant memory as the CLE basks in 50-60 degree sunshine.

NOT complaining.

Nat and I talked and decided that we have, in fact done all the winter things.  Going fast down a big hill?  Check.  Going fast down a small hill? Check.  Snowball fight and snowmen? Check.  Admiring the ice on the lake?  Check.  Crappy commute and kvetching about the freezing temps?  Check and check.

So, I am totally ok if this is it.

I know it's not.  I'm just sayin...

With no further ado (or alliteration)-  a recap of a weekend warm in weather and in friendship.

(s**t.  I accidentally alliterated.  I can't be stopped.)


Oh wait.  First a few more seasonally appropriate moments to remember...

As if tubing wasn't enough last Saturday, on Sunday we went sledding.  Accidentally.  At Lake Farm park.  We had no idea they offered sledding til we arrived but luckily, like so many boy scouts, we are always prepared.  We grabbed the sleds and the kids went sailing off into forever.

We also made candles (the ugliest little stubs of things which the children burned with great joy for our subsequent three dinners)...

... and duly petted farm animals....

Oh, and this is what happens when  you let your children sled BEFORE a late lunch.  We had to fairly drag this little thing back to the van.  Worth it, though.  We always have a nice time at this place...

 Before we lost our blue-wintry light, Corydon and I snuck out for a walk in our neighborhood.  A just-right January evening, sun low, air crisp, the smell of snow in the air.  As we walked, there was something about the glow of sunshine against the white that brought back a sense-memory of Winnipeg. I  walked SO much there.  No matter the weather.  Every walk was an exploration, and I can remember like yesterday all the little neighborhoods I discovered.  The feel of the ice-pack on the sidewalks, the puff of breath, the excited newness of our lives there.  And then I thought to myself-- will I ever need to remember THIS?

Will there come a time when our lives in this house, my walks on these sidewalks, become a sense-memory too?  I can't decide how I feel about this question.  There is a joy and comfort to imagine that maybe, I won't ever have to remember this winter walk, because it will always be mine.  Yet-- a sadness to think that I may never again explore the streets of a new home, never feel that memory-making thrill of discovery, backlit by the sharpness of winter sunshine. I could be happy staying here.  I love these houses, these streets, this place that has stretched into a custom fit.  But oh!  how I do love the NEW, too...And the world is so wide!

But no matter.  I am just grateful to find that Winnipeg winters still live a little bit in my heart.  

On an unrelated note:  Nat is taking a photography course!  This will be good news for the blog, for sure.
A few of his recent shots:

Ok.  On to our wonderful weekend.

Friday-- Mama Speakeasy night for me.  A cozy evening snuggled in at K's house, chatting and confiding and drinking interesting beers.  Warmth, defined...

Saturday--the great melt begins!  By noon it was in the 40's and the skies were clearing.  So we jumped at what was left of winter, and went for an ice skate.

I just love this little rink.  It is an oasis of happiness.  Seriously.  Everyone here is having a good time.  Especially all of the kids using the center of the rink as a slip-and-slide.  It was one big puddle out there!  But that didn't get in anyone's way.

Our two skated, all on their own, for an hour and a half.  They are skating obsessed rock stars.

 Looks wintry enough over this way, right?

 Turn around.

 Spring on Wade Oval, on January 30th!  Some spaniel was pretty darn happy.  All the smells!  All the mud!  Love this dog.

Another double-take:  Our lake at the end of January 2016:

The last of the ice, clinging to shore....

... and off in the other direction, a shining, spring-like city!

 And another happy dog.

 Saturday evening was spent eating sushi and playing games in the company of friends we don't see nearly often enough. Seven-week old twins to pass around, nice rum and mead to taste, time to crochet and chat and watch my husband have a great time losing his money to poker.
Warm, indeed...

Sunday, we found outdoor fun closer to home.  Here are the kids playing their new favorite game:  "kick your shoe/boot off into the air then hop on one foot to go get it."

This game was followed closely by the ever-so-safe "hit things with the biggest stick you can find"

 And don't forget "climb over the muddy creek on a fallen tree."

 We had to drag the kids out of these woods.  How amazing to have this gift right across the street!  You can hardly tell there were houses there just a year ago.  A veritable nature preserve, with meadow and gully and forest...   Note to self:  send these two little wild ones out to play in the wild, more often.  They loved it so much.

Sunday evening, we gathered in Lakewood to celebrate Becca's birthday.  A lovely dinner party for my lovely sister.  She's been promoted to manager at work, about to get her Restaurant Management degree in May... so proud of this girl!  But I can't believe she is 25 already!  How did that happen??

 Time is so fleeting.

It is certainly best spent in the company of friends and family, sunshine and balmy winds, candles and good food and good wine and conversation. Sharing the warmth for as long as we possibly can.