baby, it's really, really cold outside

This picture was taken last summer on one of my lunch breaks in the park. And now? The pond is one big sheet of the thickest ice you can imagine. It's been -30C with the windchill here for the past few days. -30! That's -22F, for my American friends. Cold enough for my friend's water bottle to freeze shut on the way to the gym. Cold enough to freeze your thighs like chicken breasts. Cold enough that you get a headache if you leave your forehead exposed.

I'm not complaining though, because let's face it - it is winter. In northern NB, when I used to live with my parents, we used to get cold snaps like this at least 5 times a winter. They still do! But here in Halifax, it's normally about 10 degrees warmer. Not this week. Way to be the Canadian stereotype and find a way to stretch one weather comment into two paragraphs, eh?

Anyway, our plans for the weekend are pretty relaxed. Lot's of space to do whatever we want. Tonight we need groceries badly. D just packed his lunch for today, but you can hardly even say that because all it is is a banana and an apple. Haha!
 
What are you up to this weekend? Is it also freeeeezing where you are?

xx Janelle

snowed out

The reason for the silence around here over the weekend is that I went home to visit my parents in New Brunswick! I took 3 (!!) vacation days so that D and I could drive up with Abby-dog on Thursday. We had to rent a vehicle which made it costly, but it was worth it because it meant a lot to my Mom. Plus, I got to see my Dad & brother on their shared birthday!

On Friday my Mom, Dad, D and I took Abs for what we thought would be a leisurely walk. And it was while we were on the groomed trail, but as it turned out that the snow off the trail was super-soft from recent warm temperatures. All of a sudden our "leisurely walk turned into over two hours of an intense physical workout including snow up to our crotches. Cool.

These photos don't really show the intensity of it all. This was before we decided to cut through the woods and a big open field that was being blasted with icy wind off of the bay. I'm not complaining though (trust me I did plenty of that during the adventure), because D & I agree it was probably the best part of the weekend. It was more exercise than I usually get, it was fun and Abby got some quality off-leash time.

Northern NB is known for having some of the best snowmobile trails in Canada. My parents don't have a snowmobile, but they sure do take advantage of the trails on foot.

sweatpants over jeans. all bundled up.

so thrilled.

dad & the only pic you'll see of mom. she doesn't like her photo on the internets.

see? crotch-level.

grandad & grandog bonding.

D trying to make me into a snow-woman

  

Did you have any outdoor adventures lately? Tell me about them.