Beauty in the snow

There is something incredibly beautiful about fresh snow. It's peaceful in its perfection.

When out walking, it feels like no one has ever been on that path before. It feels like you are an adventurer discovering new places.

I had two moments on my winter wonderland holiday, both were mine and both were beautiful.

Here is the first. It is my steps from a few days ago. There were no others for miles around.

If I am honest, I find walking on frozen lakes very scary, despite its obvious safety given the temperatures, yet it's the unknown. Yet walking on frozen lakes is a wonderful experience, as you know that beneath you is a depth. Solid and strong, yet scarily fragile.

It's the feeling of purity. The feeling of breaking into new territories.

Walking on fresh snow is a moment of silence and a moment of serenity.


Then there was moment two. Snowshoeing in the woods behind the cottage. This was a real 'moment" and also a shared moment. I could not stop saying how beautiful everything was.
My buddy felt the same.

These moments belonged to me.

Beauty in snow.

Two moments to treasure.

Back to it

After all the festivities, it is back to normal.

As much as we all want to stay on holiday and continue the indulgences, there is a lot to be said about routine.

I looked forward to my cycle to work today

I looked forward to my dress and high heels

I looked forward to my trip to the gym (boy was it packed today!!!!)

I looked forward to being back on my desk

I looked forward to seeing my colleagues

I looked forward to organizing a run with my buddy in our lunch break this week

And I was not disappointed. The return to reality went well.

I know I will be craving holidays again very soon, but right now, I am happy to be back to my routine.

How was your return?

How many New Years did you have?

You celebrates one new year - right?

Well this year was different for me. Memorably different.

We were spending new year with 2 fabulous families in a beautiful cottage in deep dark snowy Quebec.

There were 12 of us, 6 adults and 6 kids, all under 10.

We started the celebrations early and by around 7/8, we thought wow the kids are not going to make it to midnight without falling apart with exhaustion. Then one of the adults had, what I can only call, a marvellous idea. "Why don't we bring the clocks forward by 2 hours." This way we get the kids to bed by 10.15 and we get a few hours of adult fun and games. Tremendous idea.

So we switched all the clocks, including the ones on their wrists. No small feat.

And we pulled it off beautifully. Everyone was happy.
And by 10.15 all 6 kiddies were tucked up in bed with a good night kiss.

Then you would think that the fun would start, but I decided to let the others begin the games, whilst I rested, just a little.  Bad idea. You know where this is going right.

I dozed off on the sofa.

However I was awakened by my lovely friends beginning the countdown and offering me champagne. Quick quick I got up and joined in.

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1  Happy 2014 everyone.

We hugged, kissed, took photos. Exactly as it should be.

We then turned on the TV to catch the New York ball drop final moments, only for me to find out, that it was actually 11.51!!!!!!!

Hilarious.

They had tricked me.

Nice one guys, next year I will stay up. Promise.