The bottom hem of my pants is wet from a morning skate ski with my good friend. We glided around Pattee Canyon, nothing but us, our rhythmic breathes and gently falling snow. The only witness, a host of stately conifers.
Snow on my mitten. Just in case people still think I photoshopped the snowflake on Ruby’s eye (seriously people). Don’t you have snow like this or is it a Magic Montana thing?
We stopped for coffee and a croissant on our way into town, I dropped her at work and came home to Alice. Just Alice and me. I plopped my pile by the door and loved on her like I used to when I had two available hands.
Margot has been playing with Owen and Max two mornings a week for a while now. It’s when I work and have time with just my Rhubarb. Sometime in November I started to feel like Ruby (and mama) would also benefit from some scheduled kid time. My good friend and Max’s mom felt the same about her one year-old. So, this morning, Ruby and her pal Graden joined the morning play sesh.
It feels weird to be without Ruby. It feels good to be writing and not listening for my baby to wake. It felt amazing to ski and get coffee and come home alone. It feels like an important step for Ruby and me, the little girl who is still most comfortable with her chubby legs wrapped around my left hip, her chubby hand gripping the collar of my shirt, her chubby cheek resting on my shoulder blade. I think I am most comfortable with her there too.
I pick my daughters up in an hour and I can’t wait to see them. Margot will run to me and tell me every detail of disputes, resolutions, books read, food eaten. Ruby will crawl to me with a goofy grin and go straight to that familiar and perfect perch on my hip. We’ll drive slowly around the snowy roads, come home and be home.
And here the Magic Montana Snow lands on our car window.
We are loving home these days. My family has some big events on the horizon. Most immediately, Andy is *close* to finishing his electrical apprenticeship. And oh will we celebrate his accomplishment that has required so much of our family’s attention for over four years. We’re in the home stretch. And, I am discovering we are always in the home stretch of something. I explore this and come to some not-so conclusive conclusions in this week’s mama digs, home stretch.
So, before I fetch my kids, this mama is going to enjoy the hell out of a long, hot, quiet shower.
39 Comments
Those snowflakes are magical! I don’t know if snow is like that everywhere else, because , well… being an Austin girl, I just don’t know snow. But no matter, those snowflakes are totally awesome in my book. They live up to the image of what a perfect snowflake should be.
And Amen to friends that watch your babies while you get to have a moment to remember all that you are. Friends like that are wonderful and give a renewed sense to what community is all about.
Sounds so nice … *sigh*. I wish I could have an empty house once in awhile … I need to find some friends like yours.
And the snow is gorgeous.
Fan-freakin’-tastic!
Oh that sweet sweet quiet time. Aaaahhhhhhhhh….
Happy that you and the girls are getting to where you can all have this time. I know how much the 2 days of preschool mean to Connor. And how much the quiet, uninterrupted Fridays when Jim is also at work mean to me. Bath, book, nap? Sew, knit, write? Yes please!
And yes, it is magical Rocky Mountain elevation snow. We get wet old clumps of lake effect snow here in West Michigan, at 4 feet elevation. But those perfect snow flakes are like the ones I remember from the drier Colorado winter air.
Gorgeous, just gorgeous… oh I can’t wait!!!
Seriously those flakes belong to Montana Country. Could they be any more perfect?!?
We received snow here about 2 weeks ago and of course, I rushed out with Alex to twirl in the flakes. I of course, brought her out; she of course brought her well-loved “Sally” out. I would spin Alex in the air and then she would get down, grab Sally by each hand and twirl her around.
At one point, I walked over to my car to get a good look at each flake, and they were squashed and square and had no definition. As Ukon Cornelius would say, “Nothing.”
Seriously it’s a joy to see that spectacular, natural beauty. A reminder to me that you don’t need a blossom or yard full of bounty to see God’s amazing work. And he does good work.
-Jennifer from Annapolis
I am so thrilled you posted another snowflake picture! And yes, it IS magic Montana snow… because those flakes are gorgeous! Us Californians just got rare snow this week – and we are loving it (for the 1 day it sticks). Thank you for taking another gorgeous snowflake pic so that I can prove to them that, YES, magical beautiful weather exists. 🙂 Lots of love from Cali.
Yes, you lucky ducky, I think those flakes are a Montana thing. Here in wet Western WA it’s never cold and dry enough to produce such beauty. We just cringe when things turn white and wonder how many people will attempt to drive up or down an inappropriately steep Seattle hill. 🙂
I agree that our Chicago snow is not as magical as your Montana snow. Amazing pics.
I totally feel you on the home stretch feeling and craving some time without them. The past ten years for my husband and I have been a series of home stretches with our education and careers and moves and babies- and for the first time in just this past year we have had a bit more of a desert in front of us. It feels good. I really wanted this time while I’m home and before my girls go to school to be as comfortable and slow-paced as possible. This time when they’re little is such a drop in the bucket of all the years of our life. I just want it to be a simple time that we can enjoy.
When you go on your South American roadtrip, if you plan to make it as far down south as Argentina, you should visit a super cool little village in Patagonia called El Bolson. I think you’d absolutely love it there. It’s a community of artists nestled in a valley in the Andes. If you ever do visit I’ll give you the names of my cousins and uncle who live there- you will be able to find them (they are musicians/artists and have stands in the local artisan fair) and they will show you an amazing time!
Magical Montana, sure enough.
Your morning sounds divine.
What a lovely Montana morning all of you had. The pics of snowflakes remind me that there is so much beauty, so much simple promise. Love them! You guys, too!
Like the unexpected comparison of feathers and popcorrn – like referencing chill time with being snowed in. Ahh, to have solo work time with only a dog wagging at your side. Enjoy! Nice lodes today…
One cannot truly appreciate a long, quiet, hot shower until AFTER they have children. Simply the best.
you deserve it, mama, do more of it! I’m in for the next one… or an after bed time one, too… love the pics… these feathery flakes have felt eerily ethereal!
Love the snow pictures. Snow is almost a myth in Houston Texas, and when it does “snow” it never looks like that.
Hey Mama, I feel ya. My hubby is half way through his electrician apprenticeship and it takes a huge commitment for our entire family to support him. You were kind enough to write me back awhile ago about this issue, and how Andy’s career prospects are in Missoula. Hang tight, enjoy the ride and let me know how it turns out as I am anxiously awaiting the end of the tunnel as well.
Love those snowflakes. I have never seen anything like it.
,,,i always believed they (the snowflakes) were authentic, real,,,because you are!,,,
Sounds like a wonderful refueling morning! Way to start the new year off right.
A morning with myself sounds like pure bliss…sigh. Love your Montana snow!
Your blog always makes me smile! And your snowflakes, perfectly beautiful. I do think that your Montana snow may be magical. I have been trying to capture a snowflake like that here in the Midwest since I saw the one on Ruby’s eye in November and still, I don’t have one … it doesn’t help that all of our snow has melted!!
Those snowflakes are AMAZING and your ‘me’ time sounds heavingly!
Nici,
I love this:
“It feels weird to be without Ruby. It feels good to be writing and not listening for my baby to wake. It felt amazing to ski and get coffee and come home alone. It feels like an important step for Ruby and me, the little girl who is still most comfortable with her chubby legs wrapped around my left hip, her chubby hand gripping the collar of my shirt, her chubby cheek resting on my shoulder blade. I think I am most comfortable with her there too”.
Made me tear-eye…
I feel it too.
And the pics of the snowflake are beautiful…..
I’m sure Alice was loving the time alone with you!!! 🙂
your snowflake pics made me look closer at our snow here in ontario, canada…i was reminded when a flake stuck to my daughters lashes, but the detail didn’t compare to what you captured. amazing photos! love the new ones from today too! glad you got some time to rest and breathe!
totally fake snowflakes! hahahaha
in oregon when it snows in the city it’s rarely so mystical – usually wet and dumpy, yay!
Apparently no snow compares to Montana snow… Southern Connecticut snowflakes are too small to see that much detail!! Absolutely amazing 🙂
Hey, Nici, and I thought that I was in the home stretch with retirement looming in the horizon. Makes me realize there is a “home stretch” to strive for day by day, year after year, sometimes hour by hour. Loved seeing you, Andy, and the girls the other evening. It was oh so very special. Love, Aunt Deb
“Margot will run to me and tell me every detail of disputes, resolutions, books read, food eaten.” Deja vu, like mother like daughter, when you were little, just about Margot’s age, you had an eye for EVERY detail. In a split second you could size something up and spit out the exact details…like, “Oh she had on the cutest sweater and her socks had purple flower with a green leaf and yellow center…that same yellow was on the barrette in her hair…Did you see her ponytail? I want to wear a ponytail too, when will my hair be long enough? I really liked her red buttons on her shirt too. Did you see all that Mom?” I barely saw a girl! I once said, “Nici just give me the Reader’s Digest Version!” which was a mistake because then we spent 30 minutes while I had to explain what that meant, maybe not a mistake because not long after that, when you were into another detailed account, you stopped and said.”Do you want the Readers Digest Version?”….I laughed my ass off! ….your were/are something else….just like my granddaughters….see you in 10 days! Can hardly wait!
xoxo…..Mom
You had me with your first words “Our valley floor is slowly rising from snow that drops like feathers and accumulates as quickly as popcorn. The roads are slick like river rocks and the frigid air stings uncovered skin.”
Honestly? This is one of my favorites of your mamadigs. I can totally relate, and you expressed it beautifully. I really love it, Nici. xoxo
and seriously…those snowflakes? girl, shut yo mouth. Amazing.
As someone who lives on the coast, and has thus traded fog and rain for snow…. I am deeply enamored by your snowflakes. I didn’t think you photoshopped, but I have to admit, I just didn’t know snowflakes could be visible like that! I think it is pure magic and thank you so much for opening me up to that reality! Seriously beautiful. Like a whisper from the sky, giving you a gift for toughing out that kind of a winter!
The snow must definitely be some Montana Magic! Here in Minnesota we’re used to snow – and this year lots of it! – but I have NEVER seen snowflakes like that! My God! Makes me what to come visit just for that amazing sight. You should turn some of those flakes in to applique designs!
Your blog makes me smile the entire time I am reading it.
Your snow flake photos are so beautiful I made the one of your mitten my background on the computer.
Here in the northen California mountains – the glorious Mt Shasta to be exact – our snowflakes are very similar but the magic you capture with your camera is incredible!
Tracie
I’m sitting at a bar right this second…all by myself with a plate of wiped-out wings and a half-empty glass. Got my laptop, and this whole shtick is supposed to be me, alone and away, writing like mad. Dude, I’m here. Lookin’ at mittens. Ha ha. Wish you were here. xo
We surely don’t have snow like that here in Tennessee. Ours looks like a pile of dog poo. But that may be jealousy talkin…Amazing photos.
You have magical snow. My Chicago snow is not perfect like that. You have swoon worthy snow.
@ Oreck.
Oh, Mt. Shasta! Yeah, you get plenty of snow out there!!! My best college friend and her family live there. I just saw a video of the torchlight parade on New Year’s Eve from the ski park. Gorgeous.
Your posts with the snowflakes encouraged me to take the time to examine our snowflakes here in MN. We have them too! Thanks for the reminder to stop and smell the roses….or examine the snowflakes : )
Um, er, um…those snowflakes…are you kidding me? Ah-maze-ing! Never seen anything like it!
Jill B (Overland Park, KS)
I keep waiting for the snowflake to melt.
I remember the first time I saw a snowflake (I was in college!) and learned they look like the ones you make from paper… It’s hard to see their shape in real life because they become formless so quickly.
I LOVE the picture of the snowflake on Ruby’s eyelash, it truly is magical! It makes me miss my NC Mountains!