Well, we had our first snowfall today. Not much, maybe 2 cm, but it quickly puts me in my “winter mood”. I don’t know about you, but I find I have a different mood for each of the 4 seasons. I’ll get to the other seasons, but let me start w/ how  the brisk Canadian winters make me feel. First, a little cranky—it annoys me to no end that to run a few errands I must spend 15 minutes donning winter attire. Scarf, hat, gloves, the heavy cumbersome coat, the luggy boots— just try to be spontaneous in January! Hmmph! But, I do love feeling a little nippy and putting on my favourite cardigan. I also love taking long, but not spontaneous, walks over freshly fallen snow. Standing in the kitchen, watching the sun set ( but does it have to set at 4pm?!), chopping onions surrounded by the smells of braising meats, roasting garlic, caramelizing parsnips, and tomatoes that have been reducing for 6 hours! I have to hand it to winter, it has mighty fine smells. I love the smell of snow, a roaring woodstove, pineneedles, winter spices, slowwww-cooking foods that entice w/ their wafting aromas. Who’s hungry? I don’t mind waiting while you grab a snack.

Then, just as we’re getting used to our friend Winter, along comes Spring. So slowly she sneaks upon us. And w/ such grand promises…” I will bring you green grass, awakening trees, butterflies, longer days, warm breezes, and a sun so bright you’ll need shades at night” . She almost sounds like a politician w/ promises we jaded citizens no longer believe. But every year spunky spring is dead on. She always comes through. Spring always makes me feel hopeful, invigorated, anxious to try new things, shake up the menu, put away those luggy boots ( and always, the very next day it snows, and off to grab the boots I go, cursing all the way!). Spring is the promise of things to come, and unlike our politicians, I always believe her. Run for office, please!

Tomorrow I’ll talk about my feelings for Summer and Autumn. I’d do it now, but I have to go look for my gloves, hats, scarves and luggy boots………….