NANA SAYS COLD WEATHER BRINGS WARMER CLOTHES

As many parts of Canada have already experienced snow and cold weather, parents have pulled out the winter clothes and boots. It can be a struggle with little ones to put on snow pants, jackets, hats and scarves as well as the bulky boots. Children often resist. What was a quick exit from home can become a 5-10 minute ordeal! Then the teenage child that insists on wearing spring clothes on the cold days. On my winter walks I have seen many red ears on the older child due to the resistance of wearing a hat. Winter or cold weather since it is not official until December 21 is more work for the parent. Planning and organizing clothes by the door can help with the routine. Patience can be stretched. Allowing the younger child to get ready uses a lot of it. Have extra pairs of mitts/gloves and scarves in several places. I always had extra in my car all winter when the children were little and even when they were teenagers. Thus if something is left at home, there is the proverbial backup. Check the lost and found box regularly at the school or day care as many items find their way there. Children misplace, lose and don't care about their winter clothes. Even as adults the layering can be cumbersome and annoying at times. If I am going to an evening event with heels, my boots, scarf and gloves are put in the car as my backup too. Having several matching sets of winter apparel saves the problem of losing one mitt! There is another pair! Oh the struggle to keep warm! What are your suggestions for winter organization? Do you find it a big annoyance? Or do you just roll with it?

WINTER CHANGES THINGS

Snow covered objects suggest a different perspective. Do the chairs invite you to sit down ? Or do you want to leave them with the virgin snow? The plain black chairs are almost artistic, aren't they? I like to leave them as the snowflakes found a way to enhance them. The same way, I prefer snow on the ground to the brown, dirty look when there are warm spells during the winter. Walking home today I had those thoughts of enjoying the snow and how it cleans the world around me. Fresh layers of newly fallen snow are rather pretty! Extreme cold, however, is not so enjoyable! Too bundled up with most skin covered! I like the imagery this time of year. However, Winter photography has its challenges! Hard to take pictures with mitts! Do you have winter images you enjoy? Or do you wish Spring was closer?

A WALK IN THE SNOW

Snow is lighter than rain and for some reason is not as wet! When I am not in a hurry, a short walk in the snow is rather enjoyable. Driving in the snow is another consideration. I do not like it especially if there could be ice under the snow. Driving according to conditions is not always heeded by other drivers. So a walk is easier for me. Bundled up with layers of clothing and warm mitts, winter can bring satisfaction. Listening to the crunching on fresh snow by making my mark with my boots is rather delightful! Observing how the snow collects on trees and other objects adds to the moment! Snow is part of the Canadian experience! Do you enjoy snow in your own way?