Winter Wonders: “Snowflake” Bentley and the Miracle in Snow

Although I am not a fan of winter or snow, I am absolutely fascinated by snowflakes. These tiny little ice crystals are amazing. Wilson "Snowflake" Bentley was the first person to photograph individual flakes of snow. He didn't have any fancy electron or digital equipment. He took stunningly beautiful snowflake photographs with an old fashioned bellows camera to which he had attached a microscope. During his lifetime he captured over 5000 snowflakes on photo plates.

Snowflakes are like tiny works of art, but they are only on display until they melt. Talk about a time sensitive opportunity! Sometimes we need to look at and appreciate the little things in life...like snowflakes.  You know, stop and smell the roses. In the winter there aren’t a lot of flowers to smell, but every time it snows, we can appreciate a snowflake even if we don't like the snowfall. There are many opportunities in life when we need to remind ourselves to appreciate the little things and we need to learn to do it before they "melt".

This winter, I am hoping to be able to take lots of pictures, including pictures of snow and if I’m lucky, some snowflake photos, as well. That would be really exciting.

If winter seems like it’s never going to end, focus on the snowflakes and not the snow. When it snows, go out and take some pictures. The little things count in a big way. Looking for small miracles can help you see the wonder, in winter and in life. 

To learn more about “Snowflake” Bentley visit the Snowflake Bentley website or look for Snowflake Bentley books at your local bookstore or online at Indigo or Amazon. The Snowflake Bentley book by Jacqueline Briggs Martin is a beautifully illustrated (Mary Azarian) story book that will delight young and old, alike. 


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To Thrum or Not to Thrum: Mittens Made Amazing

Thrummed mittens have their Canadian roots in Newfoundland and Labrador. These warm and cozy mittens are made with a wool roving "lining" that has been knit into the mitten.

Traditionally, thrums were bits of left over yarn. Thrums have evolved and today's mitten makers use wool roving or unspun sheep's wool. The wool is pulled from the roving in wisps, which are then knit into the mitten. Some knitters use straight twisted lengths for thrums. Others use thrums that have been folded to the middle and then twisted. The mittens look the same on the outside regardless of how you make your thrums.

Thrummed mittens have become rather popular in recent years, and so it surprises me that many people have never heard of them. They are so warm and so soft that they are simply irresistible. Once you've tried on a pair, nothing else could ever possibly meet that standard. It was a pair of thrummed mittens that got me back into knitting several years ago. After trying on a pair in a Muskoka gift shop, I decided that I could make myself a pair of thrummed mittens and I have never looked back.

• If you are a knitter and you like making mittens, the step to thrummed mittens is easy. You can work the thrums into any mitten design. You can choose to thrum the thumbs or not. I always thrum thumbs, but not cuffs. 

• You can purchase roving at your local yarn shop or from online sources. Be careful that you purchase actual roving and not yarn that is called roving. You want raw wool that has been cleaned and carded, but not spun. In addition to the natural color, roving can be dyed. Colored roving makes for very interesting patterns on your mittens.

• The Yarn Harlot has a good tutorial for making and working with thrums. If you see little heart shapes developing on your mittens, you'll know that you've done it right. I thrum every third stitch and every third or fourth row. If you thrum every fourth stitch, you could stagger the rows of thrums for a different look. The more thrums, the fluffier your mittens. I find that thrums work better with wool, rather than a synthetic yarn.

If you don't knit or you're not ready for thrumming, you can often find thrummed mittens in gift shops, at craft fairs or online. Perhaps you could convince a knitter that you know to make you a pair.

Thrummed mittens are the perfect cold weather companion. They are great for people with Raynaud's disease or other circulation problems. Actually, they are great for everyone! When it's frosty and cold outside, your hands will be warm and cozy inside a pair of thrummed mittens. To thrum or not to thrum? The answer to this question is, of course, a wholehearted "ay"!


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In a Meadow, We Can Build a Snowman

I love snowmen. If winter is part of your life, you have probably built, if not loved a snowman at some point, too. From Frosty to Bonhomme, snowmen make their appearance in popular culture through song and story, but snow people have actually been around for centuries.

Bob Eckstein, the author of The History of the Snowman, found evidence of snowmen in the 12th century. Snowmen were very popular in the Middle Ages and Michelangelo was once commissioned to sculpt a snowman. Snowmen have also played a role in both religious and political history. From festivals of old that sought to bring entertainment to the cold of winter to their modern day equivalents, people continue to be intrigued by snowmen.

We are more than likely fascinated by snowpeople because they are, well, like people. Humans like to create effigies. Wikipedia describes snowmen as anthropomorphic. We not only like to build them, we also like to think of them as having human qualities. Throughout the centuries, building a snowman has been a way to create something that celebrates creativity and cold, snowy winters.

I can remember building snowmen as a child and I can remember building snowmen with my daughter. It was lots of fun. These days I usually restrict myself to building miniature snowmen. It’s still lots of fun, and it still gives me the opportunity to be creative out-of-doors during the winter. Snow is like a free art supply...no Michael’s coupon required.

If it’s been years since you built a snowman, it’s been too long. Bundle up and head out to enjoy one of the positive opportunities that winter has to offer. The best days for building snowpeople are when the temperature is hovering near the freezing point. Fresh snow is also helpful. Start small and consider inviting a friend if you want to build larger snowpeople. Snowmen don’t have to be works of art to be appreciated. They can provide entertainment and pleasure just by existing. Snowmen are one of the things about winter that you can love, so get out and get creative! A snowman is waiting for you.

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You can purchase Bob Eckstein's book The History of the Snowman on Amazon.

To see a Readers' Digest summary of the book, click here: Readers' Digest

"20 Frosty Facts About Snowmen", by Mental Floss, can be viewed here: Mental Floss

Winter White, Winter Blues: Surviving January

If January was really all about "walking in a winter wonderland", we really wouldn't have much to complain about. The truth of the matter is that January can be dull, dark and cold. Those beautiful snowflakes become something that needs to be shoveled. You can go for several days at a time without seeing the sun and your nose is always cold. One day you realize that spring isn't just around the corner and winter white has become the winter blues.

Statistics vary, but some estimates indicate that various forms of seasonal depression, including the winter blues and seasonal affective disorder (SAD), can be as high as 26% of the population. That's one out of every four people. If you live in northern climates you are more susceptible and women are four times more likely to experience seasonal mood disorders than men. Additionally, people who already suffer from clinical depression can find winter to be an especially difficult time.

The causes of seasonal mood disorders vary greatly, as do the symptoms. Reduced sunlight can affect our internal biological clock, cause drops in serotonin levels and disrupt the balance of melatonin...all of which affect mood. Social isolation can be both a cause and a symptom of SAD. Other symptoms can include changes in appetite (craving carbs), sleep problems, weight gain, low energy levels and a loss of interest in activities that you usually enjoy.

Surviving January requires a plan. Even if you are just trying to eat healthy or get off the couch, having a plan helps to accomplish your goals. Brainstorm some ideas. Write them down as you think of them. Sort through your ideas and choose your winter goals. Write them down. Your list might have only a couple of items...walk the dog every day and eat a healthy breakfast every day. Your list might be longer and include social, educational or recreational goals.

Keep your list where you can see it and look at it regularly. Having a list can give you a sense of accomplishment as you achieve your goals, but be reasonable. A long list can be overwhelming and just end up being ignored. Start small and consider adding new goals as you go along.

I have been making a Winter List since I retired. I have never yet accomplished everything on my list, but my list makes me accountable, to myself, and it gives me options. Lots of things get carried from year to year...I am a hopeful person, by nature. My list helps me to stay focused and reminds me that "doing" can help when I'm feeling that winter is winning.

This year, in addition to becoming assimilated into the culture of Irish Aran knitting (see previous post), I am planning to finish up at least one scrapbook project, practise my Tai Chi and learn to use my mother's sewing machine. I am also planning to write regular blog posts, so add me to your Winter List and let's get "doing".


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The Year of Aran: Irish Knitting

I’ve always loved the fisherman’s knits associated with the Aran Islands of Ireland. When I was young, my mother made an Irish knit sweater for each of us. The twists, turns and baubles intrigued me. The fact that each stitch had a story to tell was a wonderful bonus. Even though historians have discredited the stories behind the stitches, I still love the lore.

My husband’s family has Irish roots on his mother’s side. Several years ago, we took a trip to Ireland with our daughter. It was a whirlwind adventure. We drove around Ireland in a week! I was and continue to be inspired by the beauty of the Emerald Isle. 

I’ve recently decided that I wanted to learn some of the traditional stitches of the Aran Islands. I think it would be a great way to expand my knitting skills, and I also think that it would be a nice skill to someday pass along to my daughter. I’m not thinking sweater, but something new to work into my knitting projects. Hence, “The Year of Aran: Irish Knitting”. 

I ordered a stitch dictionary and bought some ivory coloured yarn. I’m thinking that I might need to learn some key Gaelic phrases for some of those key Irish knitting moments. I am anticipating lots of frogging...rippit, rippit. With enough practice, I might even acquire an Irish accent! Another option might simply be to take up drinking Guinness. It should be an interesting new year. Sláinte!

   

You can purchase 50 Fabulous Knit Aran Stitches on Amazon.

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