It is SNOWING!
This is actually our second snowfall this year, the first being last Saturday. Since that one happened while I was asleep, it doesn’t count for much. When I had to go out Saturday morning, and crested the mountain, there was snow on the ground. On the return trip home, an hour later, it had all melted. Thus far today we’ve had no accumulation, just flurries and a bit of hail at one point, of course I was outside for that, but it has been ongoing all day long. I actually love the four seasons, if I ever had to move to where there weren’t four seasons I think I would miss them terribly. That being had, I am not happy to be cold today! Even my fingers and toes are cold, inside the house. Living in a huge, old, drafty house makes these initial cold days quite a shock. The upstairs (where our bedrooms are) is f-f-f-f-freezing, but there is nothing like snuggling under layers of comforters to sleep with a cold nose! Maybe I’m cold because I’ve lost weight this year? Maybe I need to put some pounds on to stay warm for the winter, like a bear? Do you think the doctor would condone hibernation weight? I guess it is doubtful.
Between the shorter days and the colder weather my mood is starting to dip into the doldrums. It is a disease I’ve been plagued with for a few years now. It doesn’t mean I’m unhappy, it is just truly a seasonal case of the blues. Now it is time to hunker down with some good spiritual reading to stay on track and not get really blue. I will also start with my winter entertainments of needlework, everything from embroidery, to mending, to sewing, to knitting and crocheting. But, more than anything, the thing that keeps me happy all winter is
baking bread. It is physical activity, a spiritual exercise, and it is olfactorily satisfying, not to mention delicious. Guess it is time to get baking bread!
I will post our favorite holiday bread recipe when I start baking it. As a hint, I’ve already prepared the vegetable puree we use it the recipe...sweet potato and/or winter squash. I bake and puree the squash, then freeze it in one cup quantities. I have over 20 cups in the freezer! Each cup contributes to two rather large loaves of bread. Plus we also love pancakes made with the squash, a nice dish for Friday nights. We do all Fridays meatless, not just lent. Tonight, my dear daughter is preparing a pasta dinner, with sauce from scratch. Teens are a lovely help sometimes.
As far as my needlework is concerned, this year I intend to finally make my coat which I’ve had the fabric for two years now. Since it is cold out perhaps I will be inspired to work on it this week. It shouldn’t take long. Also slated is an afghan which needs finishing, a poncho for one of my children, and perhaps some hats and mittens for a few of my crew. I have a beautiful cross stitch which I made for someone and need to mail off. I’m also considering making some first aide herbal ointment for Christmas gifts, if I can get on the stick. I made some earlier this year and it came out so well that I may make more.
In the plans for stretching my mind this winter is studying Latin. As a fellow blogger so aptly reminded us, those who wish to call themselves Traditional Catholics ought to know Latin. Well, I’ve been ‘learning’ it for years, teaching it to my children. I have not really studied it myself. Sure, I know some prayers and can follow the Mass somewhat (if I lose my place I can find it again) but do I really know it? Not really. It is time to learn. It is on the agenda for this winter.
Snow at Louveciennes
