Into the Snowy Woods

The majesty of winter is all around us, but so often I, busy with the tasks of the day, forget to venture outside on my non-ski days to enjoy it, even if just for a few minutes I find it so important to capture the sights and smells of winter. Winters can be very long here in New Hampshire and I am blessed to have two kids that remind me everyday how essential getting out really is.  Cole & Nikki spend much of their free time outside (free time on days when we're not skiing - b/c those days we're out all day). Last Friday, I spent the afternoon with them, hiking in the forest and watching them start their new "Winter Fort" in our woods.  

As we went into the snowy woods, 

We were reminded that life continues despite the long, cold, seemingly still days...

and in their prints saw the animals that share our little piece of the world with us, and wondered - Were they here just moments before us?

We found the remains of the many winter snow and ice storms 
and in nature's destruction the perfect spot on a hill for a "Winter Fort"

Cole quickly took off in search of more materials...

Nikki tested the space and Cole continued construction...

And after nearly 2 hours, when we got too cold, the fort was left to be finished another day; We came in, had warm hot cocoa and I constructed this lovely wild blueberry tart, which went straight into our tummies before I could even get a "baked" picture of it!   

February is often referred to in New England as, "the longest shortest month."  It can sometimes leave me wondering if the temperatures will ever rise, with cold hands and feet and in a state of longing for spring; feeling like the sky - a muted and sometimes dreary shade of gray, surrounded by rivers of white- the world just seems to fade from one day into the next.  

But I say -  
Grab your woolies, boots and a thermos full of something warm and head out, 
 you'll find "February Gray" is such a beautiful color to be surrounded by...

Here's to kicking the February blahs!

Skiing was great this past weekend and both kids' races went really well!  Busy week ahead - riding tomorrow, skiing Wednesday, violin lesson Friday, homeschooling, cooking, cleaning, laundry, knitting (even if only after 10 p.m) the list goes on... but hope to check in with you here late in the week. 
On another note, if you or your kids like bird watching, please click on the link in my sidebar for the Great Backyard Bird Count  - it's a really fun thing to do with kids this month.  

For now I'm off to make some pecan brownies, spiced apple sausages (made by a local farmer) and garlicky oven fries - 
Clearly it's comfort, not health, food day at our house - What's cooking at your house?