Everything sublime is as difficult as it is rare. Baruch Spinoza

Saturday, December 11, 2010

A Mighty Blow, With Snow

We are having a full-fledged blizzard. It's been awhile since we've had the combination of light, airy snow and strong winds. I can't see anything but white beyond the spruce. There are areas where it has drifted so that the snow is up around Mark's thigh. Mark always thinks of the dogs, so short stuff, aka Howard, can get out via the path Mark shoveled for him.
The weather makes me want soup, so I put together a vegetable/bean/barley soup for lunch. It was good, even if I do say so myself. I used some of the frozen zucchini from my garden, now a distant memory.
This is what a screen looks like when it is cold and snowy. When warm and full of good food, it is easy to find beauty in something so harsh. The dogs, horses and people on the farm are snuggly holed up inside. The very elderly barn cat, Lucy, has her mound of hay in the loft that she burrows into to keep  warm. She must be a very smart cat, as she is as old as Margaret and has lived her entire life in the barn. Those kitties rarely reach a geriatric age.
We are in for some severe weather over the next couple of days. We will all be trapped inside until the deepfreeze breaks its hold. Of course, there are the trips to the barn, but they hardly count. Except at the moment when my face nearly cracks open as I walk up the incline to the house, full on into the deeply below zero wind. Ah, my. You've gotta love it. So we Minnesotans talk about how hardy we are, instead of openly admitting someone, somewhere along the way, made a terrible mistake settling this land. They must have come here in June or September, because those are the only two months that I could understand someone thinking it would be a good idea to live in a cabin, wind whistling through the chinks, with nothing but a fire to warm the place.

It is strangely beautiful. From the warmth of the house.

11 comments:

Cyndi and Stumpy said...

Soup and snowbound, a wonderful combination to reminisce. I used to love a blizzard, even the shoveling. Those were the days... I don't envy you now!

I made a beef stew yesterday, hardly seems worth the effort in 60degree temperatures.

Judy said...

We are having cold rain...I would much prefer a nice blizzard and hot homemade soup. Cuddle up and read a good book.

Mel said...

Love the snow and soup photos. Our rain just turned to snow and we are in for it the next two days too. I went out for provisions and intend to cook soup and watch the wind howl here too. Stay warm!

Ganeida said...

Love the pics but the snow is all yours. I am just starting to pick zucchinis now but we are wading through our yard. So much rain that can no longer run off.

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

Just hear a weather report about the cold temps and blizzard conditions in Minnesota - and wondered about you and all the animals in your care. Isn't wonderful to have home fires and warm soup as you listen to the brutal elements howling outside your window. I love that aspect of winter. Now, if I had to work outside - it would be a whole different story! Stay safe and warm.

EveryoneThinksThey'reGoodDrivers said...

You and I are thinking the same thing tonight Sandra.

Elizabeth said...

It's like another land entirely from my perspective. A beautiful one -- but I'm not too keen on cold and prefer looking at your photos. I'd eat some of that soup, too.

A.Smith said...

Oh dear, I do love snow and then I want to be home. Sort of like the old saying about guests and three days and all of that.

Keep warm and don't go out without covering your face. I remember one year in Mount Hood when we were skiing and I didn't bring my full face cover and I suffered some very uncomfortable wind burns. Took weeks for me to feel like some invisible cat finally stopped scratching my skin day and night.

How are you doing? is that knee better. Take care of yourself. And watch for a recipe coming out this week. Hugs and stay warm.

Deb said...

I am so so happy to see you back! Your photos of your food and your animals and your beautiful, simple life is a joy. Thank you for sharing it with me again. I've missed it.

Sandra said...

Hey everyone. It was a doozy of a snow storm. Anyone watching the national news got a peek at what has happened here. I spent most of yesterday plowing out. I'll have photos and news later, I'm still busy with the mess so much snow causes. And of course, it is cold!

Cyndi and Stumpy said...

Thanks for visiting by my skyscapes blog. It's my attempt to find beauty every day, in dirtville. If nothing else, I can usually count on a sunrise or sunset!