A Sledding Retreat

Sometimes when you are casually re-invited to someone's house, you think they may be saying it out of courtesy...as in, in theory, you are welcome to return, but the chances of that happening is close to nil. Last fall, when we went out to Hopewell Springs, the home and property of our dear friend Michael, he made a suggestion that we came back out again sometime. He even suggested winter time as the hills on the property are good for sledding. I made a mental note, and thanked him for his generosity.



The more we get to know Michael, it was clear that his 'suggestion' was a genuine invitation. He truly meant what he said. And so, during the first real 'winter' weekend we have had all season, I recalled the invitation, and invited ourselves out to the country. Michael did not hesitate, and twenty four hours later, the kids were on the sleds, and the dog was bouncing in the snow.



I am pretty sure that at some point, we all had smiles on our faces, all at the same time.



Going out to Hopewell Springs is also a bit of a retreat. Michael is a lover of art, and beauty. His love of nature greets you as you enter the foyer that reminds you of a room in a natural history museum than an everyday front entrance.



As you find your way through his bright and airy home, you find more things that will stop you and invite you to linger. Collections of cookbooks, begonias, vases and pottery. Paintings that rival museum collections, some of which were done by Michael himself.



At one point, after a refreshing snowy outing and a scrumptious homemade sushi lunch, I found myself enjoying a cup of green tea, looking out to the snowy landscape outside, a cookbook on my lap. The feeling that sank in was one of peace and tranquility. I was warm, content, and happy.



It occurred to me that I was on a mini-retreat.



And I've got to believe that my children felt the same way. Thanks, Michael, for such a lovely gift of friendship and generosity; for sharing your home and your heart. We already look forward to returning to Hopewell Springs.

December 10

We are deep into December now. Yet it was just a day or two ago did we feel like winter has actually arrived here in central Ohio. There were flurries falling, and frozen chicken water. The roofs are now painted white in the morning with frost. The buzzing of the central heating system has become more of a constant background music, along with holiday tunes from the children's hums.



Winter is here.



Together with an additional egg that we found in the coop today, on the opposite side of where the other layer (Squash) had been using as a nesting area.



Perhaps these chickens are territorial? No matter, we were elated to have found the newly laid (bigger) egg. Butternut, the new layer, got a few extra deserved hugs and smooches throughout the day.



What we also found in the branches by our house was a wary red-tailed hawk. A predator who loves small pseudo-flightless birds. Beautiful they are, yes. But a little too close to the coop for our liking. He (or she) must have a nest nearby for this was not our first sighting of this creature.



Ah yes. Life is full of excitements. Eggs, hawks, and even this frozen stick of ice. December 10th has been a good day.

March 11

Snow, we meet again. You are so reluctant to leave! I do thank you for spreading your white fresh cover over the grey bareness of our days. Thank you...and goodbye.

Maple Sugaring in Ohio

There are two reasons to rejoice if you lived (which we do, amazingly, we do) in Ohio today.

One: it's warmer here than it is in Northern California today! 60s, to be precise. And with sunshine. Yup. Not kidding.



Two: we live just north enough from the equator that there are sugar maple trees can grow here -- they are the ones that produce the sugary sap for maple syrup making!



The weather forecast this week is perfect for tapping. The cold nights, and warmish days, cause the sap to run wild inside the trees.

It's not just the trees that are going crazy. People are too! We think Spring is coming...and oh wouldn't it be nice? We are all cautiously optimistic knowing full well that we could still get another cold snap (or two or three), or another winter storm, or another ice day.

One can only live one day at a time, however. Rejoicing in tapping the maples is just what I did today.

New Sled

Well...that was quite a week!

Storms plowed through much of the country, leaving Ohio with some...ice.

And then, there were two Ice Days when the kids stayed home from school because it was just too dangerous for them to trek the block and a half over to the front steps of the school building. Hmmm.

Today, I found myself saying, I am not ready for the weekend! The week had just started!

There is always next week, I guess.

Never mind what day it is. Look at what I found today at an Antique Mall...an old fashioned sled, engraved "Larry R. Chilcote 12/67".

Not sure if something that is younger than my husband can be considered an antique...but what I do know for sure is that we are ready for that next snow fall. Bring it on, Ohio winter. We are ready to go!

Happy Eggs

I had the pleasure of taking some photos at this bakery today, amidst the ice, under the grey, still threatening skies.

You would think that out of all their baked goods: their lemon bars, their brownies, I would prefer those photos to this one. Nope. These eggs, in this blue container, made me the happiest.

Ice Day

Today was one of the few days of the year that we overslept. One of those days you wake up and go: "Whoa...what day is it? What time is it? Where am I? WHO am I?"

It was 7:45am, an hour later than when we should have been up and about drinking coffee, making lunches... I sprang out of bed, woke up the kids and apologized for my tardiness.  All the while, still wondering who I was.



Then came the voice of reason.

"There are no cars parked on the other side of the street. Is there a way we can find out if school is closed?"

Jim was the one who made the notice, and saw every little thing outside covered with a layer of thick ice.



Well, indeed, the phone message light was blinking. We had not heard the phone ring either! The message said: No school today.

So, ice-day, it is.

And isn't it pretty? Oh sure. Very pretty...

Until you step out onto the ice rink that used to be our driveway... or our sidewalk...or our street! Somehow, I think a snow day would have been more fun.

Easing into the season

It might be silly to say that I am finally getting used to winter, since the season really started here back in November when the temperatures dropped and the leaves fell. I guess I was living in the period of denial this whole time, and it didn't help to have the three-week break in the tropics...that seemed to have stretched out the denial phase even longer (but we were in paradise, so who am I to complain?).



It also didn't help that I developed skin hives for no unknown reason except that maybe I am truly allergic to 'winter' in the general and physical sense.



And while that is still going on, and prohibiting me from taking warm (actually HOT) baths that used to be my winter sanctuary, I am slowly moving on from denial to acceptance.



We still have a good long time to go before Spring arrives around here, so let's hope that the acceptance phase will last a good long time, too!

Until then, we have plenty more bread to bake, lots more sledding to do, and a plethora of birds to feed.

Sunny Wintry Sledding

When life gives you sun, and snow...in this family, we go find a hill!



And go sledding.

Even if it's frigid outside...who cares...well, really it's more like, what else are you going to do?



But enjoy what is given to us...to its fullest!



Even I went sledding.

And so did Jim!

Much fun was had by all. Thanks to one of the few hills around Columbus!

Before we go

Before I go thaw my feet that I have not felt in the last few days, I will leave you with these bright winter pictures.



What a difference the sun makes. Who cares if it was 11 degrees outside, and my fingers froze as I hit the shutter?



I think I might have even started humming a holiday tune, with all that sun and that brilliant blue sky above me!



What I won't tell you, though, is that it didn't last very long... (oh, I just told you). The grey clouds replaced my blue sky later that morning... But it really was beautiful and brought up my spirits while it lasted.

I will be back with warmer looking pictures soon, I promise!