Drifts, Drive, Delights

Snowdrifts are becoming a new favorite thing of mine. I don't know why, but I feel like I am rediscovering my love of winter all over again. The whimsical feeling of snow falling across the streetlamps, piles of snow on houses and vehicles, snow dancing and drifting across the roads and sidewalks, and that biting chill you feel as you step outside, not to mention the nose hairs freezing in cold temperatures.


I love it. Snow has this effect of making me want to dance around and twirl with my arms wide open, taking it all in. Being still in the silence that is created by the barrier of snow over everything. It's wonderful.


The other night it was kind of stormy and wind-blowy (new word) and we went for a drive around the city of Regina. It was delightful (as long as I don't have to drive).


I have heard reports of snow back home, which I was sad to miss, but it's also fun to be in a place where snow is the norm and it just keeps building up as winter continues.


Another thing I am thankful for is friendships. Pre-existing and new. I love my friends and am so grateful I can keep in touch with me via letters, internet and visiting in person. How blessed am I with so many wonderful people in my life! And even further, I am blessed by meeting the friends of my wonderful friends (who are all amazing, as a reflection of those they are friends with).


So today I am thankful for snow. And for meeting new people. And not just shaking their hands and trying to remember their names. But people you can instantly click with, joke around with and laugh with. People you can engage in interesting conversations and learn more about their lives and where they have been.


So these are a few of my favorite things, and I am grateful for these things and more.


And grateful especially for the fact that the snow sparkles like diamonds at every turn. Stunning!


Hope you find delight in some of your favorite things today! I shall continue my Canada friend visiting trek and hope you are loving and enjoying the little delights that each day brings!

Saskatchewan, Snow, Sizzling

Greetings from Saskatchewan!

Saskatchewan is cold. And because Regina has weird rules about where you can park and not being able to have cords across the sidewalks, Bethany was unable to plug in her car last night. And when it's -30 degrees outside overnight, car batteries get killed viciously.


This morning we were all set to go on our trek to Moose Jaw, but the dead car battery stopped us. And when we were unable to jump the car ourselves with a friend's help, we had to resort to ordering delivery pizza, and cozying ourselves in for an indoor day. Remember when you used to have indoor days at school and you just got to stay inside doing fun inside things? That's today and I love it.


Bethany is pretty awesome. We were roommates during my second year at Bible School and I love her dearly. She's been out a few times to visit me and I keep saying I will make it out to Saskatchewan to visit and haven't, so this time I finally did! And I love the wintery snowiness of it! Although I do wish I owned a winter jacket. And I was reminded this morning that jeans are the worst possible article of clothing to wear when it is cold outside. Thankfully the house is nice and toasty with a nice fire going.


I then proceeded to take some pictures from the porch.. because it was slightly warmer than it had been outside.

The one above is one of my favourites.

When Bethany and I were roommates, we used to always wonder why we never fought but most of the other rooms seemed to have big fights. We wondered if it was true that you need to have a good fight to go deeper in a friendship, so we figured, we didn't want to risk it, so we would have staged, pretend fights, that would result in yelling about non-existent problems and throwing clothes at each other. I feel like we've been closer ever since then.


Above is Bethany phoning for help to jumpstart the car. Below is us out for dinner for Japanese which was excellent. I was doubtful at first, but it was super tasty!


And Regina has random art everywhere, including some murals, of which my favourite is pictured below. I also enjoy that there is falling snow in the forefront as well.




There are still a few Christmas decorations up, including some mistletoe, so Bethany and I decided we should probably pose by it...


I love the snowy streets here! Sometimes I wish I lived somewhere with real winter, but I do love it on the West Coast because we have the perfect blend of rainy days and beautiful sunny ones. But it's nice to visit friends who live in real winterland! (except when cars don't start in the morning.. but that just makes for fun indoor days!)


Here's the car jumping in action. Actually this was the failed attempt. A few hours later CAA helped us with getting it started. And then Bethany proceeded to drive around for an hour just to make sure it wouldn't poop out again.

Carmen and Bethany

Classic Saskatchewan license plate. Go Roughriders!

Now onto Ontario, sadly skipping Manitoba. I have loved Saskatchewan and look forward to returning in the summer!