I had to resist titling this post "Winter Wonderland," because it's such a cliché, but as you will see it would have been appropriate.
This (above) was the back garden when I woke up yesterday morning. Olga walked out there like she sees it every day and began eating the snow.
Here was the view from inside our cozy living room.
And here was the view out on the street in front of our flat. As I walked down the hill to work right after taking this photo, I passed a little girl and her family coming the other way, and the girl -- who was probably about four -- was singing "Winter Wonderland" at the top of her lungs. She even knew the words!
Later on, we'll conspire
As we dream by the fire
To face unafraid
The plans that we've made
Walking in a winter wonderland
It all sounded strangely sophisticated coming from the lips of a four-year-old.
And then I was singing "Winter Wonderland" the rest of the morning. Thanks, kid.
The tube was said to have severe delays because of the snow -- in fact, public transportation is a mess this week, with not only freezing weather but several days of planned rail strikes -- so I walked all the way and took pictures as I went.
Although we got a fair amount of snow -- a couple of inches, anyway -- I don't think it's going to stick around very long. In fact a lot of it has already melted or been trampled to slush. The nights will be below freezing through this coming weekend so it's probably turned to ice by now.
I finished "French Braid" while at work. I liked it more than I have liked some of Anne Tyler's other recent novels. It was an easy read and I felt involved in the story, although there was no grand resolution -- just an acknowledgement of family life as an ongoing phenomenon that outlasts any one of us. This is a book that I bought in Jacksonville last spring and hauled back to London for the library because the American cover art was so much better than the British edition. I'm glad all that effort wasn't wasted on a bad book!
It certainly is impressive..although like you say, being in London, it probably won't last long.
ReplyDeleteA lovely happy singer..I am sure that we don't expect 4 year olds to be able to do things that they are perfectly capable of if they want to and enjoy it!
Mind you, you could have worse songs as an earworm!!
It’s so beautiful... except when you have to get somewhere.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was young, I thought the lyrics were: Later on we’ll perspire....
So let's get this straight. You were at work and you sat there reading "French Braid"? And you got paid for doing it? I hope that none of those pesky schoolkids tried to disturb you with questions or requests. "Shove off kid! Can't you see I'm reading!"
ReplyDeleteas I told Yorkshire, I like snow when looking at photos of it, or when standing inside a warm house looking out at it!
ReplyDeleteThat's a hallmark card living room. Lovely place you have. Your dog sitter's going to be a happy camper. I like the lighted tree. I used to Christmas light my ficus and hang ornaments, being allergic to live cut trees, but now the lights are up, year round, around the patio door.
ReplyDeleteThat is a LOT of snow! And it is indeed beautiful. I love your jungle living room with its windows and glass doors.
ReplyDeleteI also love the image of a little girl singing Winter Wonderland but now you do realize you've given the ear worm to us, right?
Thanks, Steve!
It looks so lovely when you don't have to be out driving in it! I am surprised that no one shovels their sidewalk? Maybe it was too early in the morning and they haven't gotten out yet...
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! I'm conflicted - it's so pretty, but also I really hate being out & about in it (especially here in NC where people are just not good at it).
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful snowy winter scene you have there. There's something about after a snowfall, everything is so peaceful and quiet. I love that you crossed paths with a singing four-year old. Now I've virtually crossed paths with her as well.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if that snowman was supposed to be taller or he was going to get a companion and time ran out.
ReplyDeleteWe lucked out. We are in the midst of a rain that is supposed to leave a couple inches behind. Further out west, the same storm left over 5 feet of snow in places. A few degrees Fahrenheit means a lot this time of year.
I like the idea of a four year old belting out that song. Her family must sing a lot for her to know all the words already. It does look beautiful.
ReplyDeleteYou got quite a lot of snow. It's an amazing sight so thanks for all the photos. That buxom snow-woman is interesting. I hope there were no icy, slick spots when you walked to work today.
ReplyDeleteYour comment about being "involved in the story" made me think about the play I saw Sunday evening. It was the new Broadway version of "To Kill a Mockingbird". It is quite different than the play version I saw probably 20 some odd years ago. And sadly, it was not that far off the mark from today's race-related issues. Anyway, I had a crazy dream that night of people being chased and trying to escape other people bent on killing them. I was a scary dream and I woke up with my heart pounding.
I've never seen a long shot of your living room. It is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteVery winterish. This is exactly how I like snow...in pictures.
ReplyDeleteI've been seeing a video being posted of snow at Big Ben. It's pretty, with the lights. We're down to a lot of slush, people put out ice melt, it melts, and then we all slosh through water. Yack.
ReplyDeleteThat's a LOT of snow! It does look pretty from inside but I don't like to be out in it as much as I used to. Fear of falling? The cold? We're apparently in for more next week and bitterly cold temperatures. I thought I lived in Western WA, not Wyoming!
ReplyDeleteIt's all beautiful, but I especially like the view from inside!
ReplyDeleteYeah, thanks kid. I'll be singing it the rest of the day.
The snow looks so beautiful, but I am probably glad to see your photos and not experience it. Our public transport breaks down if it hot, cold, wet or windy, just another great British institution we've inherited.
ReplyDeleteTraffic problems from weather can really mess up the system.
ReplyDeleteThe photos are absolutely breathtaking. Love the view from inside your home. I'm confused. I can see why there would be tube issues with striking. But why would snow make a diff, since it is, after all, the underground?
ReplyDeleteDo you live in a Kew Gardens palm house?
ReplyDeleteGZ: That's true. As songs go, it's not a terrible one!
ReplyDeleteMitchell: Ha! Well, that too, as we take down the decorations!
YP: Hey, it's part of my job to know our books!
Bob: Yeah, the best view is definitely from inside looking out.
Boud: Last year we left them up until mid-January. It's not hard to imagine that at some point we might leave them up permanently!
Ms Moon: Christmas music -- the gift that keeps on giving!
Ellen D: Yeah, sidewalk shoveling isn't really a thing here. I think it snows so infrequently that people just don't bother.
Bug: People aren't good at it here either. The whole city panics when there's snow.
Robin: I do love how quiet and muffled everything gets in the snow.
Ed: Rain is infinitely preferable! Don't height-shame the snowman. :)
Pixie: I wondered if she learned it in school or after-school music or something. It was definitely well-rehearsed!
Sharon: I didn't even notice the buxomness (and hence gender) of the snow-woman! I've wanted to see TKAM for a while. I think it started in London but I'm not sure it's still on here.
Debby: That is from a slightly different angle to show more of the windows.
Ellen: That's the ideal way to enjoy snow! (Unless you're 8 years old.)
Allison: We've already melted quite a bit since yesterday.
Margaret: It definitely loses its allure as we get older.
Kelly: Nothing like enjoying the cold from inside a cozy house!
Andrew: Yeah, it's funny how transit just can't cope with snow and ice, even in a relatively mild climate.
Red: Chaos!
Jeanie: You'd be surprised! First of all, a lot of the tube isn't underground -- most of the lines come above ground when they get out of the central city. Also, melting snow and freezing temperatures affect things like signaling and other electronic systems.
Rachel: Ha! Our landlords call that room the "conservatory," but that seems like an overstatement. It's just a room with a lot of windows. :)
"Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way" There. Now you can thank me! :D I had not heard of "French Braid" but now have put it on hold at our library as both my wife and I like Anne Tyler's books. So I thank YOU.
ReplyDeleteChecking In On Ya Kid And Pleased To Hear That You Are Not Dyeing - So Dig These Photos - The Indoor Photo Is Worthy Of A Thousand Words - Well Done & Enjoy Florida
ReplyDeleteCheers