Bring it on

Already?  

 

Well, actually it was heavy hail yesterday afternoon, but everything turned white for a short time and it felt decidedly wintry.  How apt that this was the day we had our first set of winter tyres fitted.  Last year we slipped and slid around in our little metal box on the unprecedented amount of snowfall, and there is no way I wanted to go there again.  We live half way up a mountain now as well so there's no question of our not having snow tyres this year.  Phew, last year we were so ill-prepared; Beth had no snow clothes, we never got a sledge because they sold out, we borrowed our landlord's snow shovel.  But we are (almost!) ready this year.  There's snow on dem dere mountains and our thoughts are turning to the season ahead.  I am musing on...

• the ski/snowboard season. I had two encounters with the experience of hurtling down a mountain last year (it has to be said I generally avoid 'high octane 'activities!) - my first lesson was great, the 2nd experience (with Dadda Boo) was terrifying and I had a nasty fall from which my hand has still not quite recovered.  Boo can start next year so I really want to try again this year, but I think lessons will be the best bet for me.  


• the Olympics here in Feb... will we get tickets (on sale on Sat)?? Will Vancouver be gridlocked for two weeks?  Will Dadda Boo have to cross the bridge to work at 4am and return at 2pm?  


• Other fun winter activities.  Would like to try snowshoeing this year, and take Beth on ice skates for the first time (ok we can do that any time of the year here, but winter seems appropriate)


• We ARE going to get a sledge this year and Beth can be pulled along snowy paths, which she is bound to love


• Walks on crisp winter mornings, taking photographs


• The whole Christmas thing with a little girl who is so much more aware of everything than she was last year, and getting into the whole christmas story side of things, and of course the santa thing


• Christmas with the family in England, our first larger family gathering since BB (Before Beth)


• Dreaming and planning for the garden next year


• Cosy fires in our new home, with our new sofa which we are expecting to arrive any day


• Kitting out the new studio (pics coming soon) and getting started on my next project


• Crafting, knitting, cooking.  Do I dare attempt a gingerbread house from scratch this year, or will I opt for an 'easy kit'?


• Making things with love for Beth, family and friends


• Sleeping bears.  Do raccoons hibernate?


• Looking forward to the new year and attending a 'Childrens Book Workshop' course at the university to help me present my book to publishers.  I am quite insanely excited and thinking of ideas for my next book already.

And here's some lovely baby cashmere yarn on my needles for some teensy tiny things (for others I hasten to add!).  I can't believe my baby will be 3 in a few short months!

What are you looking forward to this winter?