Thawing Out

I knew this warm spell was just a taste of the coming Spring season, but of course, a taste is just a tease. And for that short period of time the sun was out, the sky was blue, and birds were actually chirping. But of course, again, that thawing out process will not come fully for a little longer. I know this because there is currently a layer of ice on the drive way and it has been freezing rain the majority of the day.

Now, to be sure, I admitted in my last post that I do, in fact, love the snow. I am not retracting that statement. It's just so unfortunate that the pretty white snow doesn't stay as long as the gray winter season, and in my honest opinion the winter drags on a bit too long, especially near the end. Let's face it, January is a long month...loooooong month. And now, because I got the glimpse of something warm and gloves/scarf/coat free I'm ready to welcome it in for some time.

It's as if the world comes out of a complete hibernation. The sun melts the snow, squirrels [much to Sophie's chagrin] begin moving about, the smell of damp timber being heated by the sun is a tell tale sign for me that changes are approaching. The winter overall is a sluggish period, the nighttime is very quiet - no wind to grab noises and shift trees about, not very often at least.

Anyway, romanticizing about the spring...off on a banter. And so, in other news [as there always is] my Study-Lock-Down has been completed. I took and passed my boards exam. I am official people. Now if I could just find a job I like. But that's the kicker isn't it?

So in the spirit of adding a few more initials after my name I plan on making my favorite cake. It's something like the winter thawing out into the spring. Buttermilk cake, it's dense and yet fresh and tastes light. The hint of lemon and orange in it make the entire cake wake your mouth up, much like coming in after a stroll outside in the cold - stripping off layers upon layers. It's the sunshine melting the icicles and showing the green grass below that's been waiting to return in all it's glory. And that will just lead to more smells - fresh cut grass, water fresh from the sprinklers, moist dirt ready for planting. But I suppose that post will just have to wait.

I'll post pictures as soon as the cake is made, of course the pictures can't do justice to the taste.

sylyb

This Post Has No Point Really

Oh life, it is what it is. Please insert any other standard sayings you hear at this moment in time; they're probably all fitting.

So I'm freezing, yes, it's anticipated to be the chilliest night on record here this winter and although I still love waking up to new snow fall [as I did this morning -- anything is better than gray skies and brown earth with nothing to enhance the mood -- cue mood music please] but I'd really prefer a late spring day right about now.

Winter time is so great for bundling up and not caring about the clothes you wear, or the state of your hair for that matter; sloshy boots and gobs of layers, over-sized sweatshirts you acquired from your brother [hey, he said it was too small for him anyway]...the list goes on. It's all about the hot tea and warm soup [please click ME for a great recipe we tried recently]. Look at me, getting started on food...what's new?

Anyway, snow fall really does make me feel like a kid, although it'd be better if Michael were home to play with me, but alas even little brothers go to college too. I digress. I was the type that played in the back yard because I liked to keep the front yard pristine so it would look pretty, putting as few footprints in it as possible, even backtracking to minimize my impact [sounds like my idea on recycling and being green now that I think about it]. But I was also the kid that spent a little too much time outside coming in covered in snow with burnt red skin under the layers of winter gear Mom could shove over my arms. Thank goodness hot cocoa fixes all numbing winter ailments.

Yes, I love the snow. I really really do. But my closet is full of clothes that haven't been worn since it was warm enough for my kneecaps to show and NOT shiver. Tank tops, dresses, shorts, they're all itching to get out. Well, I devised a plan, which I'm going to talk with the Big Guy about tonight [mostly in jest of course, but maybe with a hint of sad puppy eyes for good measure]...
Okay, so the plan -- we have twelve months, we have four seasons, and if I did my math correctly that's three months per season. I'm going to assume that winter should last strictly from December through the end of February. I'll use the ole 'In like a Lion' bit if necessary. But that also means it should still be slightly warm until December 1st, I like mild falls, what can I say? It's the transition period that kills me.

And so, in closing...wow was I lengthy...this post has no point really. I'm just happy I'm doing something besides studying or thinking about studying or agonizing over it. I think I'm doing it now.

sylyb

P.S. I have a interview for a job tomorrow, please say some prayers!

Love Story

The minute I heard my first love story
I started looking for you, not knowing
how blind that was.

Lovers don't finally meet somewhere.
They're in each other all along.

Mevlana Jelaluddin Rumi

Thanks to Dani and Hannah for sending me this, a romantic at heart, I took to it!