a novel

This year has been another big one for the Smootenns clan. We didn’t travel as much as last year, we didn’t have to move at all this year, and we are feeling more at home in Kitchener. We lived through our first Ontario winter (though Bekah remembers some close calls when it snowed, yet again, after having melted and warmed up).  pretending it's spring Bekah became a cake baker to help us keep warm and much deliciousness was enjoyed by all. In February we got to welcome Josh and Laura (Bekah’s brother and sister-in-law) as they moved back to the area after a few years of living abroad. In March, Bekah got garden fever and started seedlings while there was still snow on the ground. House highlights were hosting a cocktail party for Valentines Day and a salad feast for Easter. Bekah's baby seedlings in the window sill.  In the Spring we took two weeks in Virginia where we attended a wedding of a good friend and spent a rainy weekend at a cabin with ...

It's snowing. It's been snowing pretty much every day for about a week now. Or maybe more. And at the  moment, I am learning to be okay with that. It's actually quite beautiful. Especially from where I sit on the couch by the Christmas tree, sipping hot tea from my thermos, and avoiding my school work. It's also quite adorable when it's covering the nose of my lovely black lab, and when he throws in in the air and tries to eat it as I take him out back with me on my way to feed the chickens. And it's not as cold as it could be, I tell myself when I stumble out of bed every morning to put on my two pairs of pants, my woolen socks, a sweater, a knitted hat, a scarf, a winter coat, snow boots and mittens, in order to acquiesce to the demands of a needy puppy who wants to pee. I've been reflecting on my common distaste for this season. I read a wonderful advent post about the coming of seasonal darkness the other day (if you want to read it, check out https:...