Monday, November 17, 2008

Gratitude Monday – Snowy Sunday Edition

I used a slow shutter speed to make the fluffy flakes of snow show up better against the hawthorn trees in the back yard.
**
We had a snow day yesterday. In this neck of the world that simply means it finally got around to snowing like it ought. It’s November. It’s normal. I am grateful for it.
I was worried about the poor little animals who may have changed to their winter togs already. Nothing worse than white mink standing out against a yellowy-brown landscape. Critters need a place to hide.
Trees get confused when it’s too warm. They need the cold to rest just like any of us.
We need the insulation of snow and the resultant moisture.
On a personal note, I like cold weather. It gathers my energy to me instead of spreading it out. Writing is a much more enticing pastime and easier when there’s no nice weather whispering how much you need to be outside right now.
I like to cook things that take all day and warm up the house. A pot of stew simmering on the stove is a welcome sight and imparts a wonderful, homey fragrance throughout the house. I put one on yesterday and let it simmer as I wrote.
Snow makes for good baking days. I’m grateful that my husband likes to bake and he’s good at it.
It was too miserable to go outside and carve so he made a batch of apple strudel. It’s one of his specialties.
Stew and strudel and snow. That’s plenty to be grateful for.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

superficial comment:
your husband likes to bake? IM JEALOUS.
the mere though of writing while great smells waft through the domicile? HEAVEN.

the Bag Lady said...

Sounds great, cousin! Unfortunately, the smell of food is not something I can handle right now.....flu-like symptoms abound.

Leah J. Utas said...

Oh, it is, Miz, it is. He handles most of the Christmas baking id est fruitcake, Stollen, lebkuchen.
Makes a mean poundcake, too.

dfBL, sorry you're unwell. Rest, fluids, etc.

Missicat said...

mmmmm...apple strudel? Love it and love to smell it baking.

Leah J. Utas said...

Missicat, it's a wonderful thing to have on a cold, snowy day. We had some last night. Oh, my it's tasty.

Ann (bunnygirl) said...

Sounds lovely. I like to hunker in and bake and write on cold days, too. Cold down here is relative, though...

Leah J. Utas said...

Cold days are made for baking, Bunnygirl.

Reb said...

We had a skiff the other day and it is gone. I know we need it, but I just can't garner any enthusiasm for it.

Lucky you getting hubby to do the baking.

Leah J. Utas said...

Ours is on the way to gone already, too, Reb.
Mike offered to bake. He likes to keep busy.

Hilary said...

Stew, strudel and snow. Two out of three ain't bad. ;)

Terrie Farley Moran said...

df Leah,

I think that we have four seasons so that we can enjoy each one for it's individual pleasures.

Terrie

Leah J. Utas said...

Hilary, What? You don't like strudel?! :)

dfTerrie, each season has its own joys and wonders.

Thomma Lyn said...

Snow! I'm glad you have snow. We might get snow tonight on the mountains! Will probably go for a hike tomorrow and play in it (if there's enough to play in, *grin*).

I love cold weather, too. It's snug. When not hiking, I enjoy sitting in our little house, working on my book, playing piano, the heater making everything feel snug, and I love to cook yummy warm dishes during cool weather, too. :)

Leah J. Utas said...

Thomma Lyn, I hope you get your snow wish.
I love being cozy and snow outside with hot food simmering lends that sense to life.

Penny said...

Also jealous of baking husband! Mental note: must train Boy before taking any vows....

I had never thought of the animals having the wrong coat for the season. All those fashionista minks must be going crazy....

TA x

Leah J. Utas said...

Tokaiangel, a husband who bakes is a joy forever.
Those minks probably hate having to go out.

Tom Rooney said...

Well yes men can bake too. I make a mean coffee cake (way too many calories) if I say so myself. Had snow this morning for the first time too and I wish I was home with stew on the burner. :)

Leah, you need to fix you URL on Muz's site so more can see your take on the world.

Leah J. Utas said...

Hello Tom, thanks for stopping by. You can send coffee cake my way anytime.
I had no idea my URL was misbehaving. Not sure what to do but I'll figure something out.