Deep Freeze

We are officially in the deep freeze. Although make that colder than your freezer. Temperatures are hovering around the -30C mark, even colder with the wind chill. This will probably last a few weeks, off and on.

How we cope with the weather and surviving the harsh winters is probably the most common question I get asked about by friends, family and blog readers. Let's face it, such low temperatures are somehow incomprehensible when you’ve rarely dealt with numbers below zero. Now in the middle of my third Canadian winter I feel confident enough to write with a little perspective and more knowledge about it.

Canadians are, first of all, pretty well equipped for winter. Snow removal, snow tires, a good winter coat, boots, gloves etc are de rigeur in Montreal. The first year I moved here I felt overwhelmed with what to buy for the children, snow pants, thermals gloves, snow boots –the list of supplies seemed endless. Ultimately, I've decided fashion takes a back to seat to practicality when it comes to outfitting yourself for winter. Really, who cares?

I find Quebecers very sociable and resilient, no whingeing alowed. In the winter, people seem to get together more, outside and in. There are more dinner parties, potluck suppers, more playdates on the toboggan hill. There's a permanent game of hockey being played on the rink behind our house. Or there’s the open invite to the neighbours' cottage in the mountains, plenty of skiing, snowshoeing, tubing etc.

Finally it's all about perception. There are days already this year when I’ve been to pick up the children from school amazed that they're playing outside in such dreadful conditions. They don't care - it's just business as usual. To most, a beautiful sunny day when it’s -20C outside but with clear blue skies is much nicer than a damp cloudy +5C when your bones are chilled and you just can’t warm up.

Inevitably there are occasions when going outside is not an option for more than a few minutes and the winter is undoubtedly long, the daily grind of battling with gloves, hats and neck warmers starts to drive you beserk and there's no sign of the arrival of spring until the end of April...

You can always stay in and knit yourself another hat.

Comments

[Claudia]

You are now an expert :)
You (I) got to love North Face winter coat/boots!
Crazy me! For the past few days I go on walks (30-45 minutes) because I want to play with my new camera! OMG, I don't feel my fingers anymore...I only have little gloves when I take pictures and then after I wear my warm mittens but I guess that it's already too late!

[Ransacked Goods]

Oh how I admire your good humor about the cold. I should remind myself not to complain and think about your winter days. I'm sorry but I'm sure you don't want to hear that it was 70F outside today where I am. Glad to have found your blog.

[driftwood]

oh boy that is cold, sounds like you are well prepared though, and have a great attitude to the cold, can you imagine all the people in England moaning like mad about weather like that!

[Doris]

It was -16 here yesterday (Des Moines, Iowa). I am so cold even indoors I just can't get warmed up. I think I could use one of those hats, but I don't knit. My mom does though....hmmmm....

[amandajean]

i LOVE your new hat!!!

[UK lass in US]

Nice hat!

I've only been to Canada for a couple of short visits, but I found winter there more bearable than the summer heat in Arizona. Throw on enough layers and you can play outside for ages. Plus, with my fashion sense, I think I'll always feel more at home in a place where fashion takes a back seat to practicality...

[annax]

I must say your winters sound wonderful! I am a Nordic soul myself, and I miss the bitter cold. Strange, but true. We moved to the South of France just over a year ago, and I can not get used to the mildness and the constant blue skies. Goodness, we still have flowers blooming :/ I like the cold so much better, than the hot hot hot Summers here....
Perhaps moving to Canada is an option :)

[dottycookie]

Pretty hat!

I doubt I'd thrive in cold that extreme. Though I do remember night skiing in upstate NY where it was cold enough on the lifts that I lost the feeling in my toes and fingers, and my balaclava froze solid. Ugh. I soon bought a neoprene face mask which doesn't have the same problem!

[Paige]

Just yesterday I was driving around, running a few errands, and noticed the car's thermostat was reading -18 below zero. 'Hmmm, doesn't feel too bad out there...' I thought to myself. If you put on enough layers, wear good wool socks, and having knitting nearby it's definitely tolerable!

[Lecia]

Resiliency is so tied up in our perceptions, isn't it? Clever post. Love that first shot.

Thanks so much for visiting my blog today! I just looked through your photostream earlier tonight and now found your lovely blog via your comment on mine.

Happy weekend!

[Thimbleina]

Really like the new hat, the colour is gorgeous. Hope you manage to stay warm and have a great weekend

[AJ]

I miss the winter. I still remember the hideous looking snow coat my mom gave me when I went back to Chicago in the winter. Definitely an item of practicality to say the least.

Love the new hat, pretty color!

[Lucy Locket-Pocket]

It's just so incomprehensible to me! As you say, we rarely go much below -5 or so here but there have been some colder spells for parts of the country. I just can't imagine temperatures like yours! Lucy xxx

[Anne-Laure]

-30C!!! It is hard to believe, I mean, hard to imagine what it's like, especially when one has never experienced less than -8 or -10C.
In Arizona, it's hotter than ever. 25C 28C, also hard to believe!

[Lesley]

Ha - I'd love to show this to all the moaning parents in the school playground. We had two weeks of 'cold' and I think the lowest we had during the day was about -2. Listening to them you'd have thought they were at the North Pole!

Sending you warm thoughts :-)

xxx

[Donna]

It's funny - I grew up in the True North (like North of the parallel, north) and didn't think much of the fact that winters were cold, and long. It was, as you said, busines as usual, and cold, sunny, clear days still bring me back to that good childhood feeling. I actually sometimes find winters in Ottawa harder, since it's so MUCKY. But I try to breathe a good breath in when I exit the house and remind myself that each day is a gift. It's a good mantra when you're slogging through a mess trying to push a stroller and salt from the roads is eating all your favourite pants.