Happy Spring!!

The In-Between

I love this time between the seasons...

Days when we can hike without jackets on trails still covered in snow.


Days when I can cook summer squash and winter squash in the same meal.


Days when my seeds are planted, but not yet sprouting.


Spring officially starts tomorrow, and I couldn't be more excited about its arrival. But tonight, I'm savoring the last few moments of the in-between.

Just a Little Bit of Spring

Snow Day Rules

I thought it'd be warming up by now, but that doesn't seem to be happening any time soon. Since it looks like my city might have a few snow storms left to look forward to, I thought it might be time to share my snow day rules.

1. No work is to be done on a snow day. This includes office work, school work, and house work. If you're stranded at home, this is not the time to send emails to your boss, get a jump on the term paper, or tackle that mountain of laundry. Those things can wait. Snow days are nature-mandated mental health days. Your "job" for the day is to relax.

2. Do not assume a snow day is coming until one has been announced by your school or office. Doing so inevitably results in disappointment.

3. Wear your pajamas inside out. I'm not sure why this is, but dozens of schoolchildren (and teachers) swear by this rule, and I am not one to argue with dozens of children.

4. Hot beverages must be consumed. Coffee, tea, and hot chocolate all qualify.

5. Snow creatures should be built. Snow men. Snow women. Snow families. Tiny 6 inch snow gnomes. Do what you can. If you are unwilling or unable to build any snow creatures, then at least take a walk to search for creatures made by others.


These rules are non-negotiable. Any violation of said rules will result in an a long and cold, but snow-less winter.

Mimi's Gift

My grandma Mimi passed away when I was 7. I have scattered memories of her from my childhood - making me sandwiches in her kitchen, playing "the counting game" with my little sister, decorating her screen door with seashells we found on trips to the beach. Though my family cherishes these little memories, it's been a long time since we've received anything tangible that connects us to her.

But on Christmas eve, we opened a large package from my aunt. Inside was a tangled mass of yarn scraps and half used skeins, along with a note explaining that this was Mimi's knitting stash. We were in awe.


We quickly decided that this yarn could not be used for just any project, but needed to be saved for something meaningful. After some deliberation, we decided to use all the scraps for a very colorful Christmas tree garland. I spent Christmas eve and day slowly knitting a very long I-cord that will adorn our tree in years to come.


Little by little, memories of Mimi are working their way back into the present. We're all very grateful for that.

Traditions

I think my favorite part of Christmas is the traditions. I like the rhythm of performing all the same little rituals year after year. For my family, Christmas means new pajamas, eating our grandmother's stuffing, and a screening of old home videos.


The youngest member of my immediate family will turn 20 this year. We're all well past the age where Christmas revolves around Santa. But regardless, our Christmas eve still ends with a plate of cookies and a handwritten note reminding St. Nick that we've all been (relatively) good this year.

Some traditions deserve to last well past the point where they make sense. At our house, any break in tradition is usually met with a moderate amount of panic and protest, and with good reason. These little rituals make my parent's house feel like our home again, even though it's been years since any kids lived there. They make a group of people now scattered across the country feel like a family. These traditions and the memories they invoke serve as little reminders of all the history that ties us together. They're worth celebrating.

Happy Holidays

I realize it's December 28, but the holiday spirit is still alive and well here, so forgive me if the next few posts seem a little belated.

Solstice

Despite my solemn promise not to leave the apartment yesterday, by mid afternoon, I couldn't resist any longer. I needed to take advantage of the reasonably good weather and take a walk through central park.


When I walked outside, I was completely taken aback by what I saw. The streets were nearly empty, and for a few hours, the city looked clean. Quiet. Still.


Personally, I don't mind New York when it's a little bit gritty (in a way, the dirt is part of its charm). But I have to admit, this city is a different place when it's blanketed in snow. All of those easily overlooked details seem to demand the attention they deserve.


This little snowstorm was a perfect start to the Winter Solstice. Already, my world seems brighter and more at peace.

Happy Solstice.

Happily Snowed In

We had a mini blizzard last night. There's several inches on the ground right now, and it's supposed to continue all day.

But no worries. I've got an old rocking chair, a hand-knit blanket, and enough peppermint tea to last through 2010. Let the weather do what it pleases. For once, I'm ready for it.

Standing on Winter's Doorstep

It's snowing right now; not that gentle, flaky snow. Nope, it's the rainy, sludgy, wet kind. I'll be the first to admit that winter is not my favorite. Every year I cling for dear life to the last days of fall, refusing to trade in my pumpkins and sneakers for Christmas lights and insulated boots. I'm not looking forward to a barren garden, temperatures in the teens, or sunsets before 5:00. All that can wait.

But the snow? That's a different story. Right now I'm sitting in a coffee shop watching the snowfall from a safe, warm distance, and I have to admit it's beautiful. Even the sludgy snow makes the city seem a little quieter, a little cleaner. I may not be ready to embrace winter, but for now, I can make my peace with the snow.

... but I'm still keeping my pumpkins.