And So It Begins

Wednesday's multiple inches of snow was brought to us by the dreaded lake effect. That's an official term, a weather phenomenon of what happens across the Salt Lake Valley when conditions are just right.  I walked out of the office to find my car covered with 5" of wet, heavy, pure white fluff.  The dreaded lake effect is capricious, as one never knows what direction the wind will carry the bulk of the storm nor how long it will last.

The afternoon high temperature was down right cold...freezing in fact!  And so begins the winter of 2008-09.  I am not yet over the winter of 2007-08 and I am in need of an attitude adjustment.  How do I get through the next 4 months of cold, wet, cold, snowy, icy, cold, misery?  (See, just how big a shift in attitude is needed?)  I cannot spend the next 4 months hating the cold and hating winter. The only thing to do is to find what is good about the next few months and just what is needed to get me through. 

First there is the uncommon beauty of the mountains that surround us.  They do get the bulk of the snow (46" at Snowbird from this storm alone) and snow is much needed for tourism dollars.  It also fills the reservoirs with precious water so that the flora and fauna of the mountains, and those of us who live in the valley below, have plenty to drink. We're off to a good start. Visiting our favorite places in the mountains, during the coldest months of winter, also lightens the mood. I will make sure to do so as often as possible.

It's the beauty in little things that also uplift and bring joy.  As soon as I saw the stack of amaryllis bulbs I thought of Sandy and her beautiful bloom of last winter.  I bought one for my office and I'll enjoy watching its daily progress. It should brighten the sterile waiting area and, hopefully, my mood.

There will be hot cups of tea in beautiful new mugs. I also vow to try new teas and enjoy those I already love on a daily basis.  As with fingering yarn there can never be too much tea in the house, right Terry?  Oh, and my new tea cup just may help keep my green (or black) tea blue. It was hand made by Cynthia's son and it's a beauty.

The main thing to do this winter is to keep on knittin' up the warm knits and spinning up as much yarn as I can.  Knitting and spinning during the coldest months of the year is der rigeur.  While there are only two projects on my needles now, I will be adding to that number and can't wait to knit up some mittens, gloves and hats (along with scarves, sweaters and socks).  But first, I had better fix Smith's gloves!  They have been waiting for a new finger since last spring. How did winter get here so quickly!?

Enjoy your weekend!!

Comments

[Opal]

that shot of the mountains is just amazing.

[Lindy in Australia]

I love your snowy pictures. I now have the opposite problem to you. Five months of humid heat, way too sticky to knit most of the time. Have to get up at 5a.m. to knit, which is not so bad, since it's light at 4:30!

[Kathy]

Argh, snow! I'm sure we're not too, too far behind.

[Lisa McGuire]

The snowy mountain picture is just beautiful; love the colors in the tea cups.

[Laurie]

Smith is tough on the gloves.

Winter brings winter visitors. Hee.

[Issy]

The view you have is amazing. But I spent a whole winter in Minnesota and had enough snow for a lifetime! The best thing about Virginia weather is the mild winters!! Tea and knitting always helps!

[Carole]

Sorry about the cold and snow - you know I hate it, too. But the picture of your mountain is gorgeous and I absolutely LOVE that new tea cup.

[Nora]

The mountain is stunning.

We, too, deal with the Lake Effect. Usually the east side of the lake gets it worse - much like Buffalo. But we never know...

These are the things that keep life interesting. Love the cups!!

[Joan]

I guess I'm the opposite. I love winter especially when it snows. We didn't have much the past few years but I keep hoping for a blizzard. The almanac says this could be the year. I love sitting by my big windows watching it fall and then going out to play in it. Good knitting weather too and a chance to wear all my woolens!

[CindyCindy]

Just one day at a time. Right? That's how we'll get through. I was stunned when I saw your snow. I promise I'll not complain. OK. I promise I'll TRY not to complain. We'll get through this. One day at a time. Starting with today. Friday (ahhh).

[Kim]

Oh Margene....with your mountain looking so beeutiful, how can you not love the snow...just a little?

Your new tea cup is gorgeous!

[manise]

Love your new tea cup! How can one help but smile at the piece of sky in the bottom of your cup?

Looks like South Dakota got the same amount of snow as your mountains did.

Have a wonderful weekend!

[Dianne]

Even as beautiful as it is..I'd bet you could easily tire of..but I'd be willing to give it a shot..although our weather guys just said last night to expect a colder/wetter winter..which probably translates to more ice..I'm excited for the first snow..and hope it's an accumulation~Your lovely new mug will surely keep your 'cup filled' as you knit all your goodies~or mend Smith's gloves..

[Vera]

I can't imagine snow right now, but that mountain view is stunning.

[deb]

Looks to me like Smith has been expressing his "opinion" a little too much lately!!

[Nancy]

Your new tea cup is beautiful. I can see a photo shoot with Winter mountains, trees, your cup and mitts....have a great weekend.

[Chris]

I hear ya. Maybe we should have a knitting escape in Mexico in January!

[Anne]

Snowbird has GOT to be delighted they can open this weekend, eh? Sounds like they might get more too!

[Wool Winder]

I hope winter goes by quickly for you. It sounds like you have a good plan to deal with it. Love the cup!

[susan]

I'll tell you how you're going to get through the next four months . . . by thinking of last Tuesday night every morning when you wake up! Yes you can.

[Vicki]

I'll tell ya, this fall has been such a gift, it's hard to imagine wintry cold-wet-ice-snow, though it's truly delusional to think I won't experience it. In the flesh. Shiverin'. Likely soon. Mom just reminded me of a birthday dinner we had at a downtown restaurant several years ago during which 6 inches of the white stuff fell -- in little over an hour!!

I think I must find a little desk plant to nurture! Preferably one that will flower.
; )

Happy weekend, Margene.

[Kristin]

I'm probably a little bit delusional right now, but I envy your winters a bit. I LOVE winter weather, and we don't get nearly enough of it here! It's the heat of summer I don't tolerate very well.

That's a gorgeous tea cup! I always think a wonderful mug or tea cup makes the beverage taste better!

[Alison]

Beautiful cup!

Think warm thoughts - hot tea, fires, cocoa, beautifully knitted items.

[Joy]

The mountain is fantastic, but I'll admit I'd much rather *look* at that much snow than have to deal with it! Lovely tea cup - enjoy!

[Marcia]

You could always take up snowshoeing...we both got sets for Christmas last year and I, personally, can't wait for a good storm here to try them out! (X-C skiing was what used to get me through winter!) As for the snow in the mountains, it hasn't helped bring in those holiday bookings up at Deer Valley yet, according to the son. He's praying for more, hate to tell you!