Snow Day!

 Yesterday started like this — thick, wet flakes of snow falling heavily for about half an hour

 Isn’t it the most gorgeous of neutral palettes, thanks to the mix of natural textures?

I might be biased . . .

 I gave up on the idea of a morning run. Changed, instead, into some comfy lounging gear — this fleece Gap dress, a down vest, a cashmere scarf, wool ribbed tights, my slippers. . . not the most flattering gear, I know, but I was so cozy. Marked a stack of essays, enjoying, to tell the truth, finding how my students had responded to a challenging assignment.

 Did some reading — a novel I’ll be teaching a week from now. Again, although this was work, it was enjoyable work, a novel I’ve been wanting to re-read for a few years now — and it’s repaying the time. Do you reread favourite books? It’s such a treat to be reminded of well-loved passages, but even more, it’s fun discovering new ones, noticing connections you hadn’t made before. . . .

Work done, I spent some time preparing my Rams &  Yowes throw for the next stage, the risk-defying steek.  More on that later. . . . but I did want to include one photo, since this post seems to be developing a Natural Neutrals theme, and this Kate Davies pattern in these Jamieson and Smith yarns definitely qualifies.

By the time I’d had a little nap followed by a cup of tea, it was late afternoon, and rain had washed away enough snow that I decided to try a run. It turned out to be a very wet run — the roads were slushy and under the slush were dangerously hidden icy patches. But the temperature had risen a few degrees and, even better, when I got home at 5:29, it was still light out! Right ’round one of these corners, I believe spring is waiting. . . indeed, I spotted some crocuses just waiting to bloom. . . .

Wonderful what a quiet day can do toward restoring spirits. I hadn’t recognized quite how much I needed that, but I’m feeling quite energized now, and ready for the rest of the week.  And you?

24 Comments

  1. Pondside
    11 February 2014 / 2:52 pm

    Moi? Wishing for a quiet day at home with no phone, no visitors (as lovely as they are) and no work worries. I'm off for a 15 hour marathon of a day – just the way it is today.

    • materfamilias
      12 February 2014 / 3:46 pm

      Wish I could get that quiet day for you. In its absence, I'll just wish you strength and resilience (altho' I get the impression you have those in spades!)

  2. Susan B
    11 February 2014 / 3:04 pm

    That "rams and ewes" pattern is so adorable! Can hardly wait to see the finished piece. I was reading with a bit of worry when you mentioned a wet and icy run, but was glad to hear there were no spills.

    • materfamilias
      12 February 2014 / 3:47 pm

      I have to admit I fell in love with it as soon as I spotted it and I can't wait to see it done either!
      As for the running, yes, the potential was there, but I managed to stay upright, and now the ice has all been rained away.

  3. LPC
    11 February 2014 / 3:43 pm

    I am glad you just cuddled up and found yourself enjoying the dreaded marking!

    • materfamilias
      12 February 2014 / 3:48 pm

      I do generally find something to enjoy there; just wish there weren't quite so much!

  4. Madame Là-bas
    11 February 2014 / 4:10 pm

    The rams and ewes are so lovely with the natural colours and textures. It sounds as though you had a comfy but productive day.

    • materfamilias
      12 February 2014 / 3:48 pm

      It was exactly that — comfy and productive!

  5. hostess of the humble bungalow
    11 February 2014 / 4:40 pm

    Your outfit looks cozy, perfect for cocooning inside on a snow day.

    • materfamilias
      12 February 2014 / 3:48 pm

      And cocoon I did. . . 😉

  6. K.Line
    11 February 2014 / 8:44 pm

    You match the sky! And I have to say, the more I think of steeking, the more I see it as a metaphor for the huge – but mundane – leaps of faith in life we take. Of course, I haven't had the nerve to try… (But I'm still a knitting baby.)

    • materfamilias
      12 February 2014 / 3:50 pm

      Practically Jimi? Scuse me while I match the sky . . . 😉
      Steeking's scary but fun, astonishing in some ways, and worthy of metaphor-making indeed. . .

  7. Tiffany
    11 February 2014 / 9:11 pm

    Sounds like a perfect day!

    • materfamilias
      12 February 2014 / 3:50 pm

      🙂

  8. Lorrie
    11 February 2014 / 10:06 pm

    We enjoyed a lovely, quiet day at home. No snow fell here, much to my disappointment. Your view is full of harmony.

    • materfamilias
      12 February 2014 / 3:51 pm

      Not sure you would have liked this snow — really soggy stuff. . .

  9. Anonymous
    12 February 2014 / 9:16 am

    Yes you're definitely an introvert; I recall that diagram you posted of how introverts need to recharge batteries in solitude, then they can become the life and soul of the party again. Me, another introvert, much though I love my three girls, am seriously eyeing up the airing cupboard wondering if I can convert it into a bolt hole for some peace and quiet. (I would have to fold myself very small, like an origami dormouse.) The constant din, the wailing, the squabbles, the mess, the 'where is XYZ Mummy?" Who am I? the Omnipotent Finder of Misplaced Things Fairy?

    I envy you your snow and your solitude. Your line " Isn't it the most gorgeous of neutral palettes, thanks to the mix of natural textures?" sounds like the basis of a mood board from which to build an entire capsule wardrobe. Texture is much under-rated, compared to the elements of colour and pattern, for lifting an ensemble from ordinary to spectacular.
    Lettys

    • materfamilias
      12 February 2014 / 3:53 pm

      I coped with four kids (but spread out over 9 years) by insisting on afternoon naps and being lucky enough that the insistence seemed met by willingness most days. Right until they were four or five, mine all had at least a quiet time for at least an hour each afternoon, and that time to myself was sacrosanct. Not sure how I would have done without it.
      And yes, texture. So soothing, it can be, when allowed to come out of the background . . .

  10. Duchesse
    12 February 2014 / 1:17 pm

    What a gorgeous swath of knitting! Here, people run in •anything•; it's quite a sensation to barely be able to see your feet in snow and have a runner swoosh by. Even more intrepid, though, are the cyclists: ice+traffic makes for close calls. Several friends walk around the city wearing ice crampons!

    • materfamilias
      12 February 2014 / 3:56 pm

      I saw this in Ottawa often, and Paul ran regularly when he lived there, once he had to run backwards on the Laurier Bridge because his eyeballs were hurting too much in the -40withwindchill cold. Goofy! And I can't believe the cyclists, altho' I've seen them. The crampons I do get — here I've got a pair of yaktraks and I've run in them once here on the island. Generally, I can work around the snow here, mostly waiting it out. I wonder how much of a runner I'd be if I live where you do!

  11. Anonymous
    13 February 2014 / 4:06 am

    Have you used steeking (steeked?) on other projects? The term was unfamiliar so I found a youtube demo of the technique – it seems rather bold. And it makes me wonder about the visionaries who first thought to try it…
    I'm looking forward to seeing your rams and ewes go through the process.

    PS – I'm having trouble with the select profile options – it keeps refusing me 🙁 so I've settled for anonymous. ilona

    • materfamilias
      13 February 2014 / 3:15 pm

      Perhaps I should have linked to that video in today's post, Ilona. I tried to explain it as clearly as I could. Not sure if it will make sense to non-knitters. I feel exactly as you do about those bold visionaries. I felt that frisson when I turned my first sock heel. . .

  12. Raquelita
    17 February 2014 / 10:24 pm

    Your snow day photos are stunning!

    I don't reread books (other than ones for work) very often, but I have a few favorites that I like to revisit every couple of years.

  13. materfamilias
    18 February 2014 / 9:53 pm

    Thanks R!
    The ones I end up rereading are generally for work as well. . . .

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