When I was little, winter was all about snowballs and snowmen. Getting older, it’s less about those playful times involving white fluffy stuff falling from the sky. Now it’s more about shovels and road conditions. I know, not quite as romantic. Once in a while I have to think more artistically about this barren season.
Taking pictures of frosted trees and sculpting or drawing snowmen can inspire that romantic view of winter again. On the most blustery days even curling up on the couch with a picture book about snow can cheer my winter blues.
Colorful Snowman Hats
Spotting the Lois Ehlert book, ‘Snowballs’ on the bookmobile shelf, I new I had an easy chair treasure. Bright, colorful snowman hats had me thinking about days sledding with my siblings. Coming in from an afternoon of hill and snowbank surfing, we placed hats and mittens on the register to dry. What a musty smell that created.
Musty Smells and Squishy Squash
The smell of the last winter squash I left in the porch, which froze and thawed alternately through this crazy winter weather, did not evoke such pleasant memories from youth. Scooping up that saggy, squishy squash to dispose of, did however get me longing for days in the garden, and all things that breathe summer. Muddy shoes, rumpled work gloves and bushel baskets of colorful veggies resting beneath a floppy scarecrow entice me to hangout in the fresh air for as long as possible.
A floppy scarecrow frozen with winter weather and a snowman sculpted from the first winter’s snow. What a strange companionship that would be. Would they exchange snowballs? Perhaps there’s a story in there somewhere. For now my pastels and paper will toy with the scene.
If you are looking for a good winter picture book check out Lois Ehlert’s Snowballs. Her artwork is so charming.