Thursday 25 January 2007

We Got Snow and Snowdrops!

Okay, okay, I know that Texas beat us to the winter precip punch, but we got REAL snow, about 1/2 inch of it overnight on Tuesday. By 9a.m. yesterday morning, the dazzling sunshine was quickly melting it away, but not before Brendan and I got in a snowball fight! I love this kind of snow. You wake up to a beautiful white blanket of the stuff, and by the end of school, it's practically gone. Finally the thermal socks, ski jackets and gloves we bought to go to Lapland are coming in handy again.



I wanted it to snow again today. I went walking in the gardens at Castle Ashby with a friend, and saw the first sure signs of Spring - hearty little Snowdrops, popping up under the shelter of the big trees. Spring is such an event here. After months of dark, cold, wet weather, those little signs of rebirth are so welcome. It does my heart good to know the good weather, the best part about living in England, is just around the corner. Soon the crocuses and daffodils with be up, and the tulips won't be far behind.


I have had such a leisurely week this week, I feel almost guilty - almost. I had lunch with two friends on Tuesday and had a nice long chat, walked in the snow with a friend on Wednesday and had a nice long chat, and walked through the gardens on Thursday and had a nice long chat over rich, decadent, hot chocolate. Tomorrow, I'm going to a children's leaders conference in Eastbourne for the weekend with about six women. This time of year, when you're forced to stay inside, is a perfect time to catch up with friends. I never would have had time to do this when I was working. But I AM still working. I've got three new craft articles just about ready to go, and am starting to research middle-grade novels for girls so I can begin writing one of my own.