Saturday morning we woke up and felt like brunch. So, at ten o'clock, we sent our friends a facebook message. By eleven, there was a crowd in the kitchen. We had a veritable feast of waffles and fresh fruit!

More friends kept coming and the temperature kept rising. I was very recently complaining about the snow, but it's all gone now! Not only that, we've also been experiencing unseasonably (worrisome?) warm temperatures of twenty degrees (sixties fahrenheit).

We brought our chairs outside and sat for hours in the sunshine. We drank iced tea, took an enneagram quiz (I'm a three, what are you?), and played football.

I still smile when I think about it.

My cousin reminded me that I haven't posted lately (hi Kayla!). I realized it was true. I guess I have a bit of the winter and end of term blahs. I've been doing a lot of homework lately, and it's still winter. And do people really want to see another dozen photos of snow?

In any case, I need to think more positively. Spring is on its way - and with it, my graduation from university! Much to look forward to.

I took a little break from homework a few days ago and we went out for breakfast. The best part (better than the food, I'd say), was sitting in the sunroom. All that natural light! It did our weary Winnipeg winter souls good.

We then wandered around the shops. I pretended that I wasn't procrastinating, and it ended up feeling a bit like we were tourists visiting Winnipeg.

I was out at my brother and sister-in-law's place this past weekend for my niece's birthday. Sunday morning, I wanted to head out and take some photos. These two cuties pleaded to join me. They lasted about a minute (and let me take precisely one photo of each of them) before they raced back inside. It was very cold.

They live in a tiny town named Justice. The statistics are thus: there are three streets, two stop signs, and fourteen houses. A woman runs a small convenience store and post office out of her garage. The grain elevator sits empty and the old church is being renovated into a house.

I've never lived in a small town, much less the country. But somehow these photos still feel a bit like home. I'm a Manitoba girl. It's not California or France or Hawaii, but I do love its quiet beauty.

A few more photos from our weekend in Gimli. We wandered around the provincial park and didn't run into a soul. We then visited the snowy harbour in town. It's such a different place in the summer.

On Sunday night, we headed out of the city to Gimli, Manitoba. We stayed the night and took full advantage of the provincial holiday on Monday (Louis Riel day).

Our good friend Linda is from Gimli and gave me some valuable recommendations when planning this little getaway. Among her suggestions was visiting this little warming lodge located in a provincial park just north of town. It's always fully stocked with kindling, firewood, and matches. Anyone in the mood for a fire can use it (so amazing, right?). We brought some snacks & a deck of cards and spent a few hours there.

Also, Mike would be disappointed if I didn't mention his ingenious system for drying out his shoes. ;)
Our little trip to Gimli last winter.

On Saturday evening, we had an Italian potluck at our friends' place. They have a darn cute dog and a lovely home.

I made Panna Cotta for the first time using this recipe and topped it with Deb's strawberry coulis. We quite liked it. It would make a nice addition to a Valentine's day dinner! :)

Skating at night sounds like the quintessential Canadian pass-time. Truthfully, I haven't done it in a few years. However, our friends recently made a skating rink on their property in the country and invited us over.

I wore skates that were too small. My friend wore skates that used to belong to her grandfather. The boys kept falling over into the snow drifts. Us girls went in early for hot chocolate.

Note: Lest anyone think I am adept at graphic design, I think it's worth mentioning that it's always Mike that makes the fancy post titles for me. Gracias, Mike!