Walking In The Snow

  There is nothing quite so magical as walking through a snowstorm at night.  The street lights create a soft glow, causing the night to be light enough to see, but still dark enough to be mysterious.  The streets are deserted with only the occasional car driving slowly by.  You crunch through several inches of snow, stopping to let your dog sniff some rabbit tracks or even jogging a little as he bounds through the drifts like a puppy.  The city is quiet.  Quiet in a way that only happens during a snow storm.  There are no sirens, no noisy trucks and everyone is snugged up inside.  Even your footsteps are muffled.  The meaning of the Robert Frost poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" suddenly make sense.

    A thought crossed my mind this past Saturday evening as I walked my dog through our latest snow storm.  It occurred to me that there are two types of people in this world; people who look for peaceful moments and allow themselves to be healed by them and people who do not. There isn't much that a solitary evening walk in the snow can't soothe, if you let it. The trick is, you have to let it. You have to choose to let go of stress, anger, worry and whatever is making you miserable and just enjoy the peaceful beauty of the falling snow.

A particularly brilliant sunset reflecting off a recent snowfall.

Of course this concept isn't limited to winter walks in the snow.  The same experience can be found on a beach, in a warm bath after a long day at work, listening to music or simply sitting on your porch sipping tea in the morning (or evening).  As this past year has been one of the most stressful years I have experienced to date I have learned to cherish these little moments of peace and to live them fully.  It is my secret.  When people have asked me how I have done it, what makes me so strong I tell them that I just don't give up, because that is the simplest explanation.  The truth is that I allow myself to fully live those quiet, healing moments.  For a few minutes or even a few hours, I allow my troubles and worries to drift away and I enjoy the peace and healing that has come my way.  For a few moments I can forget everything and just be.  Knowing that these moments exist even in the midst of chaos and trouble allows me to go on.

And so, weary as I am of the cold and the aching joints that come with it, when it snows I bundle up and take the dog for a walk.  And I forget about those joints and just walk in the snow.  Magically, when I walk back through the door, out of breath and looking like someone powdered me with sugar, there is a smile on my face and I sleep just a little better that night.  And everything is lovely again.

Big News!

I have big news to share today.  After three or so months of being unemployed I was offered a job last week!!!   I accepted and have been making sure that all the pre-start date items have been checked off the list, making this a very busy week.

I am hoping that this will not effect my blogging in any way.  I am working out a schedule that will allow for the new situation, while still keeping up with the blog.  I have let this go before and I really do not want to do so again.  In fact I am hoping that this new chapter I am embarking on will help to inspire new posts and ideas!

Now I just have to break the news to my dog that his Mummy won't be around all the time anymore.  Somehow I don't think he is going to be so understanding about it!  He's quite enjoyed all the one-on-one time he has gotten lately.  He is nothing if not spoiled rotten!

Loving Yourself on Valentine's Day

   I've been thinking about this post a lot this week.  You see, I am spending Valentine's Day alone for the first time in a very long time.....and yet I am not sad or lonely.  I decided I was going to be my own valentine this year.  I gave myself some small gifts, and I am going on a date with myself this afternoon.  I think it is important to remember that we love ourselves every so often.  We can get so wrapped up in life and in our relationships that we can often neglect the most important relationship, the one with yourself.

   Last weekend I stopped at one of my favorite shopping streets in Lititz, Lancaster County for a new tea mug and a perfume I have been eyeing for ages.

Some of the charming shops in downtown Lititz.

My new tea mug is seeing use this morning and I will be taking myself to the movies this afternoon!

Hope you are all enjoying your Valentine's Day as much as I am!

The Creeping Crud

Well, my lovelies, the creeping crud has caught up with me again this winter.  Being laid up with a rather nasty respiratory infection is certainly no fun.  Not to mention frustrating!  I am currently treating with rest, chicken broth, cold medicine and feeling sorry for myself.  Yes, I am a total baby when I am sick.  I have some posts in the works for when my brain is functioning at a little higher level.  Right now I am keeping up with my course work and adulting, barely!

Any remedies for the creeping crud are more than welcome and accepted gratefully!

Farmer's Market Finds

  There is a local farmer's market here that happens every Tuesday.  In the middle of winter it can be a bit bare, most of the produce stalls are closed but the meat and antique vendors are still going strong inside the heated buildings.  The food vendors are also open making the air smell like roasted nuts, freshly baked bread, popcorn and gyros.  I stopped by to grab some local chicken for the week and to have a good browse through the stalls to see what caught my eye.

First things first; it was cold and I felt the need for a nice warm snack, which came in the shape of hot soft pretzel.

This baby hit the spot AND kept my hands warm!

I found a charming little pewter bowl that will make an excellent ring bowl for my vanity.

Hindsight being what it is, I probably should have photographed the bowl with something to demonstrate scale; it looks rather large here.  

My favorite part of the day was the flowers.  I came home with a pretty bunch of tulips to bring some color and life into the house.

I love having flowers around, but we don't get many around here in winter and most bunches cost an arm and a leg.  Finding tulips at a reasonable price means that spring isn't too far away!

Relaxing Read

I've been trying something new before bed the last couple of days.  Instead of simply doing my skin/dental care routine and collapsing into bed I am setting aside some time to curl up with a soft light on and read.  No iPhone, no computer, no telly just me and a book.  The dog is in his bed, sleeping, and I can unplug for a half hour.

I'm finding it really relaxing and, sure enough, I'm sleeping a little better.  Nothing spectacular, but my guess is that as time passes it may begin to add up a little bit!

Do you have any bedtime rituals that you swear by to help you get the best night's sleep ever?