If you have ever been pregnant.
It feels like that. The air is heavy and still and morbid with anticipation.
Before I dive into this weekends writing though – I thought I would show you …
Yesterday!
A little snow was in the forecast. But everyone went to bed early. So I took that as a sign and closed the doors on both the barns.
If I lay that blanket on top of the straw in time Wai finds the edge and burrows right under the lot.
I often go to tuck him in and he is already covered. Clever little grumpy pig.
And now. This morning!! The snow has fallen. Though that heavy feeling remains. Portent. So still. Waiting.
I am going to have to remove that heavy limb off to screen left. It is cracking in at the base close to the trunk and I prefer to choose to remove it rather than have it wound this tree when it falls. But first I need to talk to the tree and tell her that I am going to do some pruning – I don’t want her to get a fright. She is an old tree, one of the originals to this homestead and I do love her.
There is a lot of snow forecast in the next 10 days. 7 + 9 inches + 1 or two here and there. Though the forecasted numbers rise and fall at the whim of the forecaste; her information is, by it’s very nature: mercurial – but it means that I have chosen not to travel next week. Him Indoors would struggle on but that would not be fair.
I cannot risk a few days away.
Yesterday I got my water colours and charcoals out from their long holiday in my bottom drawer and now I am seriously distracted! Which is good right? NO! It is bad. I am writing three lovely little short stories for you for tomorrows Letter. Some might call it a news letter but I am NOT one for the news!! 😂 However, I do not need to be distracted.
I was working on my daughters eye (above) last night then out of the blue she calls. (she is inAustralia). Huh. Of course the rest of the face is rubbish but I joyously cut the good bits out with my trusty scissors! Success really is that simple!
Have a lovely day though.
See you tomorrow evening in the evening edition of The Kitchens Garden.
Celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
38 responses to “Look! What snow feels like before it falls”
Dear animals – they want to be warm before the cold arrrives.
I’m sure you are very much entitled to a bit of distraction and relaxation while it freezes outside 😉
I fret when I am not writing – how weird is that!? But the painting is a lovely place to be (in the mind).
Clever little Wai. He knows he has it good. We usually get the weather you have had, so I trust your reports more than local forecasts. The tree In question looks like it will be relieved to have that heavy load removed! Have a good day!
Isn’t it fun how we can see our weather coming across the country.
I do love this tree. But it lost its balance a few years ago. Settling it back will help I think. I want it to last years and years!!
It was always so difficult for me to prune, or heaven forbid, cut a tree. For years my John and I went round and round about tree cutting and pruning. But finally I realized it is often exactly what the trees need. Since that realization it has been much easier for me to cut and prune. Of course I, too, converse at length with the trees as I go about giving them a sprucing up. 🙂
Beautiful eye.
Imagine if I could do two eyes like that!! Eyes are hard on a face. As a study they are fun though.
lovely
Morning Beth!
In my opinion that is about the perfect amount of snow. Just enough to be beautiful for a time. Here it would melt off and then we could wait for the next bit. I know that probably won’t be the way it happens for you on the wide open plains. There will be more yes, as we have 3 storms over the next week, although we in the lowlands do not get cold enough for snow until late next week. Our mountains are getting feet of snow which means no driving east for many who want or need to. Stay warm Miss C, and I commend you for sticking nearby, not just for Him Inside but also for the farmy in general and for safety. Try to catch a moment when the internet is functioning and do a video call. Video chat has been a godsend with both my girls in Colorado.
Yes! I love the video with the kids and they are very casual about them! Passing the phone around. Sometimes they put the phone down “watch this’ and forget I am on there – just keep playing.
Not too cold here yet though – nice actually – just sitting around freezing.
We’re getting ours tonight!
I hope your snow is kind! Our little flurry last night was just over an inch – very nice. And now it is melting! So – back to mud.
It’s beautiful here right now! We’re right in the middle of the storm, and it is gentle and silent.
Distraction is good when it involves creativity! And you do so much you deserve a break.
I have always loved doing art with the children – it is kind of fun to paint by myself!
The thing I like most about heavy snowfall is the way you know it has snowed when you wake up, before even looking out of the window. The whole world feels hushed and quieter. I remember that during winters growing up on the moors – my childhood home. A time for hibernation, and that’s what we did. Plenty of games, naps and reading by the fire. Sorry to hear you’re having to postpone your travel, but I hope you enjoy some slower days.
I am afraid the days will be the opposite of quiet with a multitude of appts as things change (not for me but I am the patient advocate) but I am hoping that the following week will be quiet, then the week after that will go to hell. You know how that is.
That’s a lot. Hard to find the space to catch your breath during times like that. Thinking of you.
Thank you! The sun is out for a moment this morning and with sun comes hope!
Ours hit tonight.
Were are you Eunice? (state is fine)
NH over here in New England we will get our first wave of winter momentarily 🙂
Oh yes. Your winter is on the way!
Cecilia Gunther THE KITCHEN’S GARDEN THE SUSTAINABLE HOME Storyteller | ENVIRONMENTAL Content Developer | Maximising Minimalism The Kitchens Garden Newsletter https://ceciliaatthekitchensgarden.substack.com?utm_source=navbar&utm_medium=web&r=299i3z
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6-12 inches they say then Wednesday rain, heavy rain.
Rain. After snow then cold – sigh. That is a messy forecast.
It sure is and California is under a huge earthquake warning for the Andres fault 😦 crazy times we find ourselves in.
Fault lines have scraped against each other for literally ever. Why are they calling an earth warning today?
Guess they are thinking yet another huge disaster, telling everyone to prepare, is looming yes you are from the ring of fire area you know about weather phenoms. We have had 3 to 5 earthquakes this month in New England no damage but if close to me I can feel the plates grind against each other.
Some people are very sensitive to earths movements. Sounds like you are one of those people.
There is talk that the Bay Area might get a big earthquake sometime before 2032. We are equally vulnerable in Auckland NZ. Yet still we build in these areas! Nuts!
I know and I have friends in both of those areas.
San Andreas will rip northwestward through the Inland Empire and High Desert zones, Los Angeles, SCV, Antelope Valley, and Kern County areas, along with the Ventura zones. Should it break the entire fault southward, you have Big Bear, Banning, Coachella Valley, and Imperial Valley.
I love this: ‘But first I need to talk to the tree and tell her that I am going to do some pruning – I don’t want her to get a fright.’
I’ve seen pōhutukawa limbs stretching out and falling in my local park, and the wounds are ragged and torn. It’s far kinder to remove the limb cleanly and talk to the tree. That’s my philosophy too.
What kind of tree is it? I am intrigued. It is so graceful.
Hey Juliet. She is a maple tree – I am not sure which variety. I feel sorry for her growing all alone so I am encouraging her babies to grow in the vegetable garden!
As long as they don’t gobble up all the goodies in the soil! Maples are beautiful in their seasonal changes.
That still, leaden sky and thick blanket of snow was just what I needed to see. It’s 6.30am here and already 30°C/86°F and it was a wonderful blast of imaginary coolth. I’m glad you are letting that elderly tree know that you are relieving her of some of her burden.
I love these images!
lovely snow! I miss having some.