Of cold, quiet and cooking
I have to say, I'm quite proud that I made it out the door today. Most unstructured days have me enjoying my inside time thoroughly. I can entertain myself happily for days and days without seeing another soul (although I might reach out on the phone or the internet).
But instead of staying indoors, I took my camera and went down to the river. It was a bright, brilliant day. And cold. And windy. Luckily I had anticipated some cold, so I had dressed warmly. However, when faced with the wide expanse of the river, beyond having an impenetrable bubble around you, even dressing warmly will only cut the cold wind so much. Thank the gods I also had the presence of mind to wear my fingerless mittens with the replaceable flip-top halves (although I note that they are in desperate need of replacement after years of service). So I was able to do my (mostly) fine focusing with my bare fingers, and then flip my mittens back on and continue walking. I was able to see some gorgeous sparkly ice, interacting with the bright sun. I'm hopeful I created some vitamin D as well. And I only came across a couple walking their happy golden lab and a jogger who I thought would likely be taking a header on the ice that I'd just passed. He looked hard core though.
There wasn't much wildlife out today. I saw a bird pumping mightily against the wind, going very slowly only about a foot above the water. It was white and black, and slightly rotund. I'm not sure what it was. And I saw tracks - tiny ones, medium sized ones, dogs, people, cross-country skiers. But nothing else (beyond what I described above). I took some pictures of some tightly encased buds, potential embodied. And the ice on the shoreline was magnificent in its ability to interact with the light. It captured it, and was translucent. It didn't glow, but the way the light refracted inside gave the ice such depth and body, it was breath-taking. And the sharp glints off of the layers along the edge of the open water were like diamonds.
Once I reached the first opportunity to return, I did. The cold wind was starting to hurt, and I had been walking for an hour by then. I looked out over the little bay I had reached and saw someone walking on the ice with their dog. I don't think it's been cold long enough to risk doing something like that, but then again, I think the ice fisherpeople on the St. Lawrence are crazy as well.
I took a swing past the grocery store, which seemed to be less busy than usual for that time of day. I would credit the SuperBowl. I was able to dash through, get my last minute additions for my dinner, and then make it home. The walk back also let me warm up a bit, since I was walking away from the wind.
Then I tried a new recipe. I have been looking for a banana bread recipe that comes close to the succulent and sweet banana muffins my mother makes. And I have found it. Mrs Beeton has saved me. It's my new favourite. My house smelled fantastic with the baking banana bread, and I've already cut my slices for breakfast tomorrow. Of course, I had to test it as well. I made my taco salad recipe for dinner. Not the most environmentally friendly choice, since I'm fairly sure few of my ingredients were local. But it was refreshing. And tasty.
And I skipped watching the SuperBowl. Only now, I was flipping through the channels and I've found out who won. To football, I say "meh."
But it was a good Sunday, and I think I'm rested up and ready for work tomorrow.
But instead of staying indoors, I took my camera and went down to the river. It was a bright, brilliant day. And cold. And windy. Luckily I had anticipated some cold, so I had dressed warmly. However, when faced with the wide expanse of the river, beyond having an impenetrable bubble around you, even dressing warmly will only cut the cold wind so much. Thank the gods I also had the presence of mind to wear my fingerless mittens with the replaceable flip-top halves (although I note that they are in desperate need of replacement after years of service). So I was able to do my (mostly) fine focusing with my bare fingers, and then flip my mittens back on and continue walking. I was able to see some gorgeous sparkly ice, interacting with the bright sun. I'm hopeful I created some vitamin D as well. And I only came across a couple walking their happy golden lab and a jogger who I thought would likely be taking a header on the ice that I'd just passed. He looked hard core though.
There wasn't much wildlife out today. I saw a bird pumping mightily against the wind, going very slowly only about a foot above the water. It was white and black, and slightly rotund. I'm not sure what it was. And I saw tracks - tiny ones, medium sized ones, dogs, people, cross-country skiers. But nothing else (beyond what I described above). I took some pictures of some tightly encased buds, potential embodied. And the ice on the shoreline was magnificent in its ability to interact with the light. It captured it, and was translucent. It didn't glow, but the way the light refracted inside gave the ice such depth and body, it was breath-taking. And the sharp glints off of the layers along the edge of the open water were like diamonds.
Once I reached the first opportunity to return, I did. The cold wind was starting to hurt, and I had been walking for an hour by then. I looked out over the little bay I had reached and saw someone walking on the ice with their dog. I don't think it's been cold long enough to risk doing something like that, but then again, I think the ice fisherpeople on the St. Lawrence are crazy as well.
I took a swing past the grocery store, which seemed to be less busy than usual for that time of day. I would credit the SuperBowl. I was able to dash through, get my last minute additions for my dinner, and then make it home. The walk back also let me warm up a bit, since I was walking away from the wind.
Then I tried a new recipe. I have been looking for a banana bread recipe that comes close to the succulent and sweet banana muffins my mother makes. And I have found it. Mrs Beeton has saved me. It's my new favourite. My house smelled fantastic with the baking banana bread, and I've already cut my slices for breakfast tomorrow. Of course, I had to test it as well. I made my taco salad recipe for dinner. Not the most environmentally friendly choice, since I'm fairly sure few of my ingredients were local. But it was refreshing. And tasty.
And I skipped watching the SuperBowl. Only now, I was flipping through the channels and I've found out who won. To football, I say "meh."
But it was a good Sunday, and I think I'm rested up and ready for work tomorrow.