Happy Winter Solstice!

The shortest day of the year. It seems so strange that we're at this time of year again. This time last year I was at daughter's house, and we were waiting for the birth of Baby A. How time really does fly! On this day of the year, I always feel a little hopeful. Days are going to get longer, and the darkness will give way to lighter days. It is strange how it seems to take so long for the days to get lighter, but they really got darker quickly! 

This morning, I was treated to a beautiful sunrise. It was really cold and there was a thin layer of ice on parts of Asylum Lake when I went for my walk. I wasn't expecting the sunrise, as it was really dull when I first got there with no hint of colour in the sky. Suddenly I could see the colour peeking over the horizon and, just as quickly, it was gone. It's these moments that make it worth getting up early for. 

The beavers were out trying to keep the little space in front of their lodge free from ice. It always amazes me how hard they work at keeping some water open. It's supposed to be another cold night (15F/-9C) so the snow and ice will still be around tomorrow. 

I got a little distracted by the beavers - they were out quite late this morning - and husband and I started shopping late. We got a lot of the list checked off. One last little shop on Monday and everything will be done (hopefully). 

We participated in the party with daughter and SIL's family. I was a little sad we weren't here, but I'm telling myself to enjoy the moments I can and to make the most of them. It was lovely to be included. 

The rest of the afternoon I spent doing a bit of wrapping and more than a little procrastinating. 

Things are slowly coming together. I'm still not in the Christmas-y mood, but that's okay. I don't have to be jolly. I can just be in the moment and enjoy the small things. It's less than two weeks before we will visit daughter and Granddaughter. That's not long at all!