New Snow and Gratitudes
Earlier this week we had a snow storm that lived up to the hype it was given on the evening news. I woke up on Tuesday and found out that I didn't have to babysit due to the snow. My jubilant feelings reminded me of how I felt on snow days as a child.
Back then I would wake up and listen to the radio to hear if one of three schools were canceled. I rode two buses to a Catholic school, hence the three chances of a cancellation. Being a Catholic student had it's blessings.
Once I heard a school I then listened again to make sure I wasn't dreaming. I'm amazed how currently I can just go onto the news website and see the list of cancellations or delays. Technology does sure a purpose for good in some instances. I'm lucky in that my employer does not want me driving in bad weather and her schedule is flexible to accommodate spur of the moment changes.
On Tuesday I made best use of my free day by knitting, reading and drawing in my sketchbook. My goal with the sketching is to show up and do it. I'm trying really hard not to be critical (it's not easy).
I highly recommend this book for inspiration. Thank you Juliann for the recommendation!
My sweater continues to be the main project and I already told you about how much I love it. The body should be done this evening and then I'll start on the sleeves.
Now that it's February I'm sad that January is gone. This time around January was blissful, serene and quite enjoyable for me. I'd like to think I was more mindful this month but truly I think it was sheer luck. Whatever the reason, I'm grateful for a beautiful start of a new year.
I haven't done a gratitude list here in a while:
squeaking snow crunches - Holly purrs - Frodo snuggles - cups of tea in a favorite mug - lighter days - winter sunshine - a good book - dark dark chocolate - left overs for dinner - phone calls from the kids - talking with my sister too - wool in my hands and on my lap - colored pencils - a tidy house - friendships - sweater knitting - talking with an internet friend for the first time - the goodness of everyday people -
I'm glad that you get to enjoy the excitement of a snow day even as an adult! It is much easier to simply look at a website to check on closings, but there was something fun about listening expectantly to the radio and then cheering loudly with my sister if school was closed. I always listened twice, too, just to make sure!
ReplyDeleteI don't mind winter, but these crazy frigid temperatures are a bit much. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteUnexpected days of freedom are always wonderful. Like you I go straight to the knitting. I'm going to look into the sketch book also. Thank You !
ReplyDeleteUnexpected days off work/duties are a joy. Looks like you had quite the day enjoying your projects. I am going to look out for the book you recommend. I feel blessed to have a lot to be grateful/thankful for.
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed reading about how you enjoy January so much (most people don't...). I love the quietness of the season...the whiteness (when there is snow)...the cozy blankets and warm beverages and comfort food. I used to snuggle down in bed with a transistor radio to listen to school closings (and yes...always twice, sometimes 3 times - lol - just to be sure). Have a wonderful weekend (and it's been snowing all day here - no real accumulation, but snow and cold).
ReplyDeleteI’m always a little sad when January ends. I love the newness of the first month of the new year, all the possibilities. I also like February too, all the pretty Valentines colors. It doesn’t hurt I really like winter. But I can usually find something each month or season to look forward to. I’m glad you had a bonus/snow day. I remember listening to the radio hoping to hear the good news of a cancellation. I’d forgotten that was once the primary source of school communication. Thank you again for helping me. It’s great to be back commenting. Hope you have a lovely weekend.
ReplyDeleteLOVED seeing your snow pictures and hearing the joy in your heart! I can hardly wait for you to model that sweater. Won't be long now. It is absolutely stunning!
ReplyDeleteJanuary was very good to me as well. Despite the kids leaving to go on with their lives, Zach came over MLK weekend. 2 friends promised to come up and visit in January and they did! My knitting was productive. The birdfeeder provided a source for my eyes to behold the joy of cardinals, juncos, bluejays and woodpeckers. I felt very good this month
ReplyDeleteof course our Snow Day did NOT live up to the hype, but still, it was so nice to enjoy a day home without feeling any guilt about needing to be elsewhere. I can't believe how BIG Holly is! and looking forward to seeing more progress on that sweater. LOVE it!
ReplyDeleteLove that sweater! Happy Weekend, too. We are supposed to get snow Sunday night which will make a very interesting Monday. I wonder what the Groundhog will say tomorrow?
ReplyDeleteWe got 2" overnight, but they did a horrible job of clearing it. So I had an almost 2 hour trip that would have taken an hour normally. At least the trip home was the normal time frame!
ReplyDeleteA free day is the best! Sounds like you enjoyed it and I have to say again your sweater is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteSo peaceful! I love the gratitude list -- a good reminder to start one of my own! Blessings! ~Jill M.
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe how fast you are getting that sweater knit up. It is so pretty!
ReplyDeleteI have that drawing book, too. With a full-time job, I'm thinking of trying to draw my week. My days go way too fast!
We had some unexpected snow the other day. Not much, just a light dusting, but it was so cold it's still on the ground several days later which is very unusual. I'm loving it though. It reminds me of how sand blows across the road at the beach... so I'm getting both winter and summer thrills all at once.
ReplyDeleteLove your gratitude list!
I like the start of the new year as well. It is an exciting time making new resolutions and looking forward to the year ahead. January went by fast for me and I feel like it was also a great month. Hope the rest of the year is wonderful for you too and this first month is a sign of a great year ahead. Love the idea of that sketch book that is a fun idea. The sweater is looking wonderful! Nice you got a snow day! It is fun to have the extra day to work on the things you love to do. Have a good week
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy "the peace of January." I can't remember we ever had a snow day when I was in school but oh the bliss of snow day during my teaching days. When I began, the radio was where we got information. I too can recall listening in bed and then making my husband listen with me for the second round of announcements. The sketching journal looks inspiring. On to February.
ReplyDeleteI love your gratitude list. Listing my gratitude is part of my plans for this year - I think when you list it and focus on all the good + grateful it just seems to grow :) Can't imagine a snowstorm - it never snows where I am in Australia and currently is so hot and so many bushfires raging. It's actually a bit scary xx
ReplyDeleteLook at Miss Holly, furry queen of her perch. I like seeing Frodo in the snow. I loved reading your gratitude list.
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