How to make a snowman

It has been snowing on and off the past few days and it's looking very much like last winter. December was very dreary with lots of grey, windy and rainy days.  It's was more like a very prolonged autumn without any of the beautifully colored leaves on the trees or on the ground.  I was missing the snow especially when last winter was gloriously snowy, even in December. 

But winter is now firmly here, this January.  We didn't get as much snow as last year but at least there's enough to make the whole city look nice and white and lovely. Temperatures have been kinder too.  It hasn't been too cold for me, either indoors or out.  Have I adapted better to the climate since I got here? I don't know.  Maybe. I know that I feel quite comfortable now.  Last year I was always well covered, even indoors with my long pants, long sleeved top and thick socks. Now, I can even sleep in just shorts and a tank top.  

Since closing the kitchen, we have had time to enjoy the weather.  The day we had real, thick snow, we had planned to go to the store to get some milk and butter.  Since it was snowing when we headed out, we decided to go to the store that's a bit further away.  That walk was nice since it wasn't too cold  and the was some light snow falling.  The ground was fully covered in snow and everything looked so beautiful.

On our way back, we decided to stop for awhile and make a snowman.  Would you believe I haven't made a proper snowman since the day I moved here?  Pete said to make a snowman, the snow must be at the right texture and temperature. And he's right. Sometimes the snow would crunch under your feet and that means that the snow will not stick together. You can even make a decent snowball with that type of snow.  In the past, when we had time to play in the snow, it wasn't ideal to make a proper snowman so we would just take a walk instead. Anyway, that day, we put our butter and milk carefully in the snow and spent some time making a snowman and snowballs.  

Now that we are not working or studying, we have time to enjoy the snow.  We have had some fun building small snowmen and snowball fights. It's no easy task, building the snowman.  It takes quite awhile to gather and pack enough snow to build the shapes. All the bending and rolling makes you sweaty under all your layers of warm clothing.  So too, the snowball making and the snowball fights. I guess that's one way of keeping fit in winter.

If we don't go out, I would enjoy the snow from the warmth of the apartment. I love looking out the window while it's snowing outside. Sometimes the snowflakes are big and fluffy. Sometimes they are tiny. When it's windy, you can see the tiny specks flying all over the place.  Sometimes it looks windy and cold and the snow falls in a heavy shower. And when I see people walking their dog or walking while carrying bags of groceries at these times, I do pity them and I would feel grateful for not having to brave the weather. 

Oh but the best part of cold, snowy, wintery days are coming home, shedding the layers of outerwear and changing into nice, warm clothes and having a hot cup of tea. It's even better when you're curled up under the blanket with a cat on your lap and enjoying some freshly baked buns, cookies or cake.  That's how I like my winter.