There was a time, somewhere in my past, when that term referred to winter clothing – white woolen slacks or a white sweater or blazer. I’d say a long time ago. Right now, winter white is the color of the sky, the ice, the snow, the everything. But a lot of white sky. That and grey.
A few weeks ago, in my part of the state, we had between a foot and a half to two feet of snow. Pretty, but more than anyone would ever want. Just looking outside made me want to run for the covers. And digging out is, of course, in between work. Or maybe work was in between digging out. It was exhausting and that was even with a neighbor clearing my driveway with his snow blower. I suspect, without him, my driveway would still look like this.
Inside in the evening, things were much calmer. I’d been gifted a Crate and Barrel flameless candle for Christmas and it looks so lovely in this lantern. You can forget – at least until the next morning – that this is what’s waiting outside …
Icicles. Yes, long dagger-y icicles that dare you to walk beneath them. There was just enough warmth and/or blunted sun to have them start breaking, and as I sat at my desk working, or journaling in the morning, you could hear them occasionally crashing to the ground below. When my oil delivery fellow came, I went outside to tell him to stay flush against the house, pointing up. He did … and flattened himself. But being young, he then skated across the ice on the ground, yelling “Wheeeeee!” as he slid to the driveway and went back to his truck. I could only smile.
These, may I mention, are equal-opportunity icicles – they’re on every side of the house, and on just about everyone’s house in town, and beyond, I’m sure. They are quite beautiful, but do make it advisable to consider which entry to the house is the safest.
The last few weeks have had an unexpected perk. My neighbor next door has been experimenting making challah bread, trying different numbers of braids, and more recently, a different type of flour, too. I’ve had the occasional text alerts on my phone asking first if I liked challah, and on a few subsequent occasions, if I’d like some. You bet! Above, it made great challah French toast. I decided to make a marble cheesecake, a large hunk of which was gratefully received by these neighbors.
An unseasonably warm day yesterday and a boatload of sunshine today – finally! – has much of the snow on the rooftops melting and receding. Just in time for another snowstorm starting tomorrow morning. Oh boy! But at least for tomorrow, they’re only predicting 5-8″, After the previous storm, that almost sounds like a coating.
But the sky was glorious, and though it was quite chilly out, the day was a brilliant respite to the many, many white and grey days we’ve had for the last few weeks.
I had thought to post something for Valentine’s Day, but didn’t get to it. Here is what I wanted to say:
Love yourself. Through thick and thin, we are who we live with. Loving ourselves, contrary to what I was taught growing up, is the essence of being able to love others, to give to others, and at the end of the day, however grey or white, knowing that everything is really okay. This is my Valentine to you – to all of you who stop by, who write, who love, who persevere in these difficult times, and who believe in a better world. Be good to yourself.
Still A Dreamer 
Beautiful Valentine wishes; thank you, Jeanne!
Yes, lots of winter white here, too. It gets to this point every winter, for me, when I’m more ready to garden than shovel…but it’s also nice to have more reading time and napping time than gardening season allows. 🙂
LOTS of spring birdsong, even in this frigid weather, so that’s encouraging, too.
Mind the icicles, and be good to yourself, too!
xoxoxo
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Hi Kitty, I think it’s about this time every February, snow or not, that I’m pretty much done with winter. Add the pandemic on top of that, just about everyone I know is suffering from an extreme case of the blahs and lack of initiative to do a whole lot. I wish this snowiness afforded me more time to read and rest, but alas, work does take up a lot of my time and energy. Last Sunday I gifted myself a day of relaxation – no cleaning, no projects, no demands – it was relatively unheard of in my life, and pretty amazing.
No birdsong here … and the birds I do see – normally plenty – are back in hiding with the fresh snow falling. Hope to see them soon.
Yes, good to ourselves! ❤️❤️
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The best part of your post was the French toast. You had my mouth watering. I can’t remember the last time I allowed myself to have it, given I love to drown it in maple syrup (too many calories). So thank you for allowing me to experience it calorie-free 🙂
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I loved just taking that photo!! Yeah, that was pretty yummy, but you could treat yourself once in a while. Maybe just go a little lighter on the syrup. LOL.
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So much here. I LOVE the magical snow scene! Of course that’s easy for me to say here in the South where we don’t see snow like that very often—if ever. It is beautiful! But so is that French toast—that’s my comfort food. I make it often and serve it up with a big glass of chocolate milk. Flameless candles—yay! I didn’t like them at first, but my gracious what a wonderful idea. Especially for folks like me who leave home and wonder if they left the candle lit—sheer panic! Now I have several flameless and I appreciate them so much. You have good neighbors, as do I. Thanks for that last bit. We all need reminders to love ourselves. Stay warm and healthy. ❤️
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I love the snow, too, especially when I don’t have to shovel it. But yes, I’m grateful I’m in good enough shape to do it! I am truly fortunate to have wonderful neighbors. And now, I can bake things that I’d like knowing it won’t all be here for me to eat – I can share with these neighbors and good ones across the street. I wouldn’t dare make a cheesecake with only me eating it – I would!! Next, is a 13×9″ sour cream coffee cake. 😀 We will stay warm and healthy together!
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It looks beautiful with the snow and ice, Jeanne. Yes, those icicle daggers can be dangerous!
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Ducking them successfully so far! Hope you’re well and staying safe, Lavinia. Say hello to your kitties from me and Jazzy.
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What a lovely and interesting post, Challah bread, sharing with neighbours, loving oneself and all. But girlfriend – the snow! Even this Canadian is impressed at that much snow.
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We rarely get icicles these days and we never get that kind of snow. I’m sure I wouldn’t appreciate it as much if we did! But inside looks very cosy, I hope you kept warm!
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I did what I had to do outside, then stayed inside and warm for ALL the reasons we need to nowadays! We haven’t had a winter with so many snowstorms in many years. Someone said, “We were due for this after all our mild winters.” Don’t know, but glad warmer weather is coming up.
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