I deal with a long winter by getting outside and making the most of it. Otherwise I'd have to take to the bottle to cope with the long, cold, dark days.
Of course, that means dressing properly for the cold temperatures. Long underwear is my best friend from December to February!
Yesterday we went skiing with our friends at the Upper Canada Bird Sanctuary, which is a very beautiful place. I need to go there to watch birds sometime! There were lots of tame chickadees hanging around the parking lot, looking for handouts. They were all but landing on us, but alas I had no birdseed with me. Next time!
Of course, that means dressing properly for the cold temperatures. Long underwear is my best friend from December to February!
Yesterday we went skiing with our friends at the Upper Canada Bird Sanctuary, which is a very beautiful place. I need to go there to watch birds sometime! There were lots of tame chickadees hanging around the parking lot, looking for handouts. They were all but landing on us, but alas I had no birdseed with me. Next time!
This is my impersonation of an owl. I can't quite turn my head 180 degrees!
It was -16 Celsius yesterday and became more frigid as the sun set, sinking to -22C at bedtime, according to our car thermometer. Gordon is looking rosy-cheeked but happy as our friends ski off in the background.
We've had quite a bit of snow lately, as this buried picnic table shows!
Hell on skis!
The sunset was lovely last night, and by the time we got back to the parking lot, it was quite dark.
Today we lazed around and Gordon made a fabulous lunch. We recently went to the Pan Chancho Bakery & Café in Kingston, Ontario, and I bought their cookbook which I really like. Four lunch, Gordon made a yam/arugula/cheese/roasted pecan salad recipe from the book:
We substituted sweet potatoes for yams, but these were beautiful delicate ones grown in Ontario. It's the first time I've found sweet potatoes from Ontario in the grocery store. I would like to find out what varieties you can grow up here and try my own. Until recently, I didn't think you could grow them at all in northern climes. These were wonderful and tender.
Gordon was very proud of his beautiful creation and it was so delicious!
Yummy, with Quebec cheese.
Happy winter!
Looks like a great day! Can Gordon teach my husband to pick up a cookbook and make something? Pretty please? LOL!
ReplyDeleteI love winter but agree, it can drag after a while unless you make the effort to make the most of the situation!
And speaking of winter, I'm hosting a fun giveaway on my site. Please share with anyone you think may be interested!
Lovely photos! Your salad has all the fixings I love to eat! Nom, nom.
ReplyDeleteGreat life... Great food...No snow in Toronto. It's so gray!
ReplyDeleteAnother lovely post with great pictures. Love your owl impersonation! Never was a big fan of winter until I retired and moved to the country. Now I am out of doors every day, thanks to Maximus, the Jays and the Chickadees! Find the season passes much quicker when you immerse yourself in it.
ReplyDeletep.s. Isn't it wonderful having a husband who knows his way around a kitchen:)
Last time I tried cross-country skiing, I broke my wrist.
ReplyDeleteBe careful.
I agree with you. The best way to enjoy winter is to get out there (with long johns, of course). I walk all year long, even in -25C!
ReplyDeleteLOVE Pan Chancho bakery. Great breads! Must get that cookbook.
Now , if only Mark could do the cooking.
Wow! Evil Gordini makes a mean salad! Maybe we should rename him "Not-so-evil" Gordini!
ReplyDeleteToo bad you can't email salads. But I'm working on it.
Maybe you could fax one?
And them eggs be lookin' mighty fine too.
Angela, when I met Gordon, his cooking repertoire consisted of frozen meat pies, frozen fries, and Sara Lee cake. He has progressed mightily over the past twenty years, but it helps that he really loves to cook (unlike me. I just love to eat!)
ReplyDeleteAnd your giveaway looks great:
http://dahrlin.blogspot.com/2010/01/and-one-for-you.html
Monika, Gordon sends you a virtual salad!
ReplyDeleteClaudia, Toronto in winter, ugh!!! I know exactly what you mean.
Paula, I share your sentiments on winter. If you don't dress warmly and get out there, it will drive you insane. I started snowshoeing two years ago and I LOVE it. And yes, cookin' husbands are fabulous, aren't they?
Jim, don't worry, I'm a trained professional. Well, that's not true, but I've been cross-country skiing since I was ten and I generally fall on my butt (at least twice per outing) rather than my wrist. But I know that's a hazard! Ouch, poor you. I take it you gave up skiing after that?
Elisabeth, you are one of the few people I know (apart from me) who still walks when it's down at those temps. But I don't find it so bad, just so long as I'm dressed for it! Glad to see a kindred spirit out there, because lots of people think I'm insane for going out in the bitter cold.
Chef Nick, the eggs are getting absolute RAVE reviews. Keep working on the egg/salad-faxing technology.
And we could rename him the Tasty Evil Gordini. No, wait, that doesn't sound very good...