Winter Wonderland

Although all in all it hasn't been a very wet winter so far it's definitely a new winter experience for me. Coming from California I am not used to living where it snows or where the temperature drops below freezing. That's not to say it never drops below freezing at home but it usually happens at night and then during the day will warm up another 20 degrees.  Not the case here.  The range between mid-day and the middle of the night is only a couple degrees.

It finally started snowing here after the first of January. Just in time for the girls Wednesday afternoon ski classes.  I loved watching the snow fall during my morning yoga. Hearing the crunch of the snow under my feet when I walked on it. And of course playing in the snow with the girls. So much more fun than I thought it would be. And surprisingly more pleasurable than rain. That first weekend the snow storm continued. We headed up into the mountains to enjoy some snow time at Marc's brother's chalet. I felt like I was in a French Alps Postcard.

The view from my yoga mat.

The other view from my yoga mat.

The girls made a snow man (bonhomme de neige) at Mamie and Papi's house. To the dismay of Papi's dog Louki who proceeded to bark at it for 3 days until in the end he got the courage to grab the snow man's hat end shred it to pieces. May be he just knew he who must not be named was from New York!

Sledding down the small hill behind Mamie and Papi's house.  Mamie found this toboggan for the girls and its the same one Marc and his brother used to play on when they were little. 

Playing Monopoly with the cousins at Tonton's chalet.

The next week the snow stopped but the temperatures dropped so low that all the snow remained. To add to the cold, the wind (called La Bise) started blowing and temperatures dropped even further. Apparently this wind travels all the way from Siberia blanketing much of Europe in cold, freezing wind. It was honestly difficult to be outside for any real length of time, even with 2 layers of pants, 3 layers of shirts, a jacket, beanie, gloves, etc. It was so cold that we had to head out to the chicken coop every hour or two to add hot water to the chickens water. It would freeze over and the hens couldn't break through it with their beaks!

With the wind also came waves in the lake and because of the freezing temperatures, icicles developed all along the shore of the lake. They were amazing! Marc and I braved the cold to take a walk to see them. Marc managed to get some beautiful pictures.

And then finally the glorious sun returned; several weeks later. For me, that is the hardest part. Going days on end without seeing the sun. Only different shades of grey filling the sky. A grey fog rests over our region, along the lake. It reminds me of the marine layer in Southern California, only much colder of course. For the lucky ones who can escape into the mountains, you are able to climb above the fog to see the sun. One thing is for sure. I definitely don't take the sun for granted, which admittedly I'm fortunate enough to do in California. As soon as any rays of sunshine start to sneak through the grey you move into it and attempt to absorb as much of its warmth as possible. You definitely get out and take a walk! I feel like a cat seeking out the sunny sports in the house and just sitting or laying in it as long as I'm able.

As Marc keeps reminding me. When you live somewhere that has more extreme weather you appreciate the changing seasons much more and learn to love parts of each season that you end-up waiting all year for. I am starting to understand the allure of the snow. But my body is still craving more sun!