Northern Holidaze

Well that was a nice week of mostly sloth and indulgence...topped off today by a huge brunch and soak in the Takhini Hot Springs with my friend L. - it was about -22C so steam flying off the springs and we played with the ice crystals that formed on the edge of the sizzling pool, and our damp hair froze in the frosty air, providing glimpses of our more senior years when white hairs have overtaken our heads.

Tomorrow is shopping for turkey dinner on New Year's Day, then possibly a Star Wars marathon at my daughter's boyfriend's parent's house (that's a mouthful!) and I've also been invited out to a campfire at a local lake. Next day is of course, cooking the bird and visiting with friends...then an overnight with a friend, before coming back to my daughter's to pack and fly home the next day.

And then the longest part of our cold and dark winter begins...let the games begin...

West For Christmas

The only place west of the NWT (in Canada) is the Yukon...which is where I've landed for the holiday season. And I'm pleasantly surprised to find it quite a bit warmer too...which is NICE after the deep freeze in Yellowknife. It's been -15C here and above...nice change after the -35C I left behind in YK.

All the shopping is done, the gifts are all wrapped, and just a few things left to do - put up the tree (have to pick it up from someone first) and make some pies and fudge. Lots of activity throughout the holidays, time with friends, time to veg out, and time to READ! Yes, Read. I have been ignoring my many novels for many months now, but this vacation I am determined to finish a few.

I have already overdosed on chocolate...

Calendar Girl

I have been so busy lately (and lazy when I have some free time) that I have been neglecting my blog! I am headed to Whitehorse today to see my gal, so may get the chance to blog regularly over Christmas. My social calendar has been hopping since my move to the city, and I haven't had a chance to get out and look around to take photos to post. It's so dark these days, I don't get to see much daylight. Dark when I go to and from work...and DAMN COLD. It is -35C here today...factor in the windchill and you get DAMN COLD. I am so very glad to have my down jacket...now if I can get a down skirt to go with it...

The New Digs

Well, I finally whipped the apartment into an acceptable state for now. All is not yet done, with no living room curtains up (can't find the brackets - movers!!!) and a few odds and ends left to put up on the wall...oh, and the mess in the spare room...

so here is the nearly finished apartment...standard rooms I reckon you can figure out for yourself...Henry was trying to "help" and managed to get a time out in the bathroom...

Sunset Return to YK

The sunset on the return flight from Fort Resolution to Yellowknife today was magnificent. The plane was small, just 8 seats, including the pilot and co-pilot. It was a beautiful day for flying and it was like old home week when I went about the community for the day on several home visits. Kid were running up and throwing their arms about me, it was great!

25 minutes and we're thrust back into the city again. Brrr...it has finally warmed up from -32C to -20C...thankfully...

What A Mess

The movers came on Monday and left me with this fine mess. I have managed to sort some of it out...the bare necessities...but I have run out of steam...anyone want to come over and help me out?

Ptarmigans in the Tree

These are the ptarmigan that hang out in the tree outside my apartment building - gorgous! I need my tripod to steady the camera though. Henry snuck out while the door was open...he wasn't impressed with the frigid cold. It is -32C today with a windchill to -45C. Brrrr...

Damn Cold - Cozier Inside

Yes, damn cold for sure. Last night when I got home it was about -30C or more. My car only registers up to -30C so it very well could have been colder. My apartment was too hot last night though and the windows were frozen shut so I opened the door to the balcony - it wasn't long SUCKING the heat out of my apartment and I was comfortable again.

Saw some lovely FAT ptarmigan/partridges yesterday in a tree behind my apartment building. I can see the tree from my balcony, however they are not there this morning. I didn't have a camera with me when I saw them yesterday while K. and I were unloading my car...they were all up in a tree, about 15 or so of them, brilliant! So I shall be haunting the tree until I get my photo. Hopefully they are not stewing in someone's apartment by now...

The sun is just coming up above the hill behind my apartment...I'm going to like this...I can finally see sunrise and sunset again. Photos will follow, I'm certain.

So yeah, it's cold here. I know...I am living in the north, I should expect it. I do expect it, I just don't have to like it. I put up with it. Brrrrr...I am really loving my down jacket though, as it is colder here than it was in Fort Resolution last year from what I can remember. I don't think we saw below -20C until January. December is such a busy social month, all that shopping, Christmas parties, and visiting. I have bought a hat and new down jacket, but I think I still need a fluffy big scarf...so still looking and not finding much. The last thing I need are boots. I have one pair, but they are not that warm, and the grip is not great. So still some shopping to do...maybe next week.

Welcome to Yellowknife.