The warmth of happiness

Ian and I went out cross-country skiing when we got home from work tonight. We stayed out until after it got dark, but luckily there was enough street and city lighting that we were able to see.

On the trail back we didn't have to work as hard and I was just enjoying our surroundings. The snow was like small, white, crystal feathers. All delicate and twinkly, almost ethereal, lying on the ground.

And the houses with the warmth of their lights shining out. I love looking into those warm rooms, imagining the loving and happy families in those homes.

It reminds me of one of my favourite childhood novels "A Little Princess", after Sara had become a scullery maid, and she'd look into the windows of the homes she passed and make up stories about the people who lived inside. Happy family stories. I do that too.

The orange glow from homes against the night backdrop and the sparkling snow. It gives me the warmest and happiest feeling in my heart.

Remember, when you're snug and warm at home, to feel that feeling. Let the image your dwelling presents to the world on a cold winter's night be the feeling you always keep in your heart, warmth and love and happiness and family. :)

With Love
~sarah~

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Jackson Ct,Ottawa,Canada

Snow

I know...it's a snow day and panic for drivers has set in. But I love snow days, even if it means more work for me. Working in a school I'll be spending the rest of the day calling parents who didn't think to let us know that their child isn't coming in.

But this is the first forecast storm this season that has actually hit, and it means that we'll have a good layer of real snow on the slopes.

I'm feel sorry for all of the folks who hate the snow and the cold. But just like I tell people who hate their job...don't waste time complaining, do something about it. Your options, figure out a way to change your situation or change yourself. Find a way to love winter like I do, or find a way to not live in this climate.

I can't wait to hit the canal and do some skating. I've been out a number of times for cross-country skiing and we're planning a couple of trips out to the slopes to do some snow boarding.

If you just can't get behind the winter sports, there are many winter festivals, at least 3 in the Ottawa area last weekend. So get out and fall in love with winter. It's here for at LEAST 4 months (if not 6), find a way to get through it without hating it.

Bring on the snow! And drive safe :)

With Love
~sarah~

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Exercise!

And specifically cross-country/Nordic skiing. I hadn't been in years!

My husband, Ian, and I have been working at getting two full sets of used cross-country skiis, to get us off our butts and onto the snow. I've been leading a pretty sedentary lifestyle since early fall (aka: a lazy b@st@rd!) :)

Ian and I played Ultimate Frisbee this summer where I managed to I injure my groin, which in turn put out my lower back. Then just as it was healing I played in our playoffs, in back to back games, and re-injured it all over again.

So as much as I've loved the lazy life, it's not a healthy lifestyle and it's been hard to keep weight off. Not to mention that I'm missing out on all of the lovely exercise enduced endorphins and increased metabolism...but not any longer.

Late this morning we headed out with our mix'n'match 1980's cross-country ski sets and hit a trail. It's the one I grew up on, Old Quarry Trail, just across from the Hazeldean Mall, in Kanata.

It was cold, a little difficult and a ton of fun. We did around 3km or so and felt really good afterwards. Now that we know that we can do it we're looking forward to many more cross-country ski adventures.

Even better, no need to drive even the 10 minutes we did today. We noticed on our way home that at the end of our street there is a trail. It looks like we'll hit the snow again tomorrow! I can't wait!

(That is, of course, if either of us is able to move tomorrow!) ;)

What a wonderful day!

With Love
~sarah~

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Jackson Ct,Ottawa,Canada