Winters haven't been as cold the past few years, as they were once. Not that any winter here isn't cold, it's all relative. When the temperature dips to -10 degrees Centigrade and particularly with any kind of wind, it is certainly cold and woe betide those who fail to dress adequately for any length of exposure. Most Ottawa winters have a least a few days and/or nights dipping into -20 territory. And when it's that cold roof rafters complain.  Most winters we would be startled suddenly awake to a resounding !crack!. Bewildered, fresh out of a deep sleep it might take a few seconds to realize it's only the rafters reacting to the extreme cold. 

 

 

It's a sound we haven't missed, the moaning, groaning and cracking above our heads. Wondering whether something may just break and the roof come tumbling down on our heads. In the absence of extreme cold lately and the chorus of sound from above, we rarely give the phenomenon a thought. Last night, however, both Jackie and Jillie were startled awake and responded to those sounds. It was their barking protests that awoke us to the realization the rafters were at it again.

We knew, of course, with that level of extreme cold we wouldn't be going out throughout the day. Jackie and Jillie didn't hesitate when they were invited to go out to the backyard this morning, but nor did they dawdle about as is their custom. Their appetites might have been a little sharper than usual of a morning, stoking up their body heat against the prevailing cold. We did the same, appreciating the warmth and comfort of the house and shrugging off the inconvenience of an all-day stay-at-home.

 

After which we took our time with the ordinary  events of a Friday. Tomorrow is Irving's 86th birthday, and it'll be yet another extremely cold day. I decided it was timely to bake a treat of substance, and settled for a sweet-yeast dough filled with dried fruit. Well, the raisins qualify as dried fruit, but the pineapple was crystallized and the preserved cherries were candied as well. With butter, brown sugar and cinnamon spread over the dough before rolling it, it suddenly became a ringer for classic Chelsea buns. Another of Irving's many favourite dessert treats.

Next came chicken soup. And preparation for chicken paella for tonight's dinner. Time and to spare. No hurry about anything just luxuriating in the comfort of being snug and relaxed. A few more ventures out-of-doors with Jackie and Jillie; brief and businesslike. It helps to appreciate the practical good sense of giving our usual daily hike through the woods a pass, Jackie and Jillie are so delighted to regain the warmth of the house,they leap about happily, looking for praise.

Ah well, tomorrow's another day. But wait, according to the weather report it'll be a repeat of today. Which may extend into Sunday. They'll become no-go days.  We'll just have to suffer the discomfort of remaining in our beautifully warm and cozy house. Jackie and Jillie in complete, enthusiastic agreement.